The plants, animals and soil of an ecosystem are stable because they evolved together for hundreds of millions years without human interference.
We can use these relationships as models when it comes to boosting productivity in our gardens so that we work less overall while achieving sustainable goals with minimal effort required from us humans!
In order to do this efficiently, we need to stop making gardening mistakes based on myths!
Here are the most common gardening myths you should stop practicing in your garden!
Myth #1: Watering a Lot is Good
Watering garden plants is not the easiest task to accomplish, but there are many ways you can limit or almost-completely eliminate this need.
The first and foremost way would be by storing water as close possible in your soil instead; one study found that for every 1% organic matter added to a given area’s dirt, 20 000 gallons of fresh H2O could potentially reside within!
Earth work projects like swales can also dramatically increase water infiltration and thus the amount of moisture in your landscape. A good way to do this would be by planting trees, which will suck up all that precious rainwater!
Some tips to help your garden grow healthy and productive include mulching heavily, using at least 4-6 inches of material. This will both prevent evaporation while also boosting soil life which in turn increases organic matter production as well as “aggregates the soil” for holding on moisture and nutrients.
When watering your garden, make sure to water deep-rooted plants less frequently and avoid covering them with a large amount at one time. This will help prevent the plant from becoming dependent on shallow roots for its moisture needs as well give it more resilience.
Myth #2: Fertilizing a Lot is Good
Fertilizing can be a bad thing if used too often and with the wrong kind of fertilizer. Popular chemical fertilizers on the market actually disrupt soil food webs, leading to an increased need for regular applications in order keep your plants healthy!
One of the best ways to grow healthy plants with a short growing season is by using organic fertilizers that are rich in nutrients. By following soil test results, you can adjust your fertilizer accordingly.
Myth #3: Spraying Pesticides is Necessary
Pests are always developing a resistance to pesticides, so rather than spraying them and having the same problem in five years when they’re even more resistant (if that was possible), create an ecosystem with plenty of native vegetation like logs or shrubs.
One way to get rid of pests is by identifying what they feed on, which in turn will help you identify the natural predators. Create a habitat for those creatures and provide them with food so that your problems are solved!
Myth #4: Lots of Weed Control is Necessary
Weed control is something that we have to deal with in gardens, but it may not be necessary if you follow these steps.
Start by planting more densely, and using cover crops like clover or sow. Starting a sheet mulch pile will keep your garden weed-free while also preserving moisture for root growth too!
Tilling for weed control not only decreases the soil’s structure, which leads to decreased water and nutrient holding capacity. Weeds are often introduced into soils that have been tilled so it is important get rid of them when possible by using cover crops and add nutrients to the soil to enrich it.
Myth #5: Annuals Are the Only Productive Food Crop
Perennial plants are often overlooked by gardeners. These food crops will increase your nutrient cycle efficiency with their deeper roots and provide habitat for predators, all while not requiring replanting every year!
Imagine a world where we didn’t need to plant tomatoes or potatoes again because these low maintenance varieties were available!
Perennials are an excellent way to add diversity and interest into your garden, providing you with a long-lasting vision that is evergreen.
Beyond the more famous perennials of rhubarb and asparagus there are such crops like hazelnuts or other nuts, fruit trees like plums (a type of berry), raspberries/blackberries among many others – perfect if you’re looking for something different!
Myth #6: Planting in Rows/Rectangular Beds is Always a Good Idea
Companion planting is a great way to make your garden more interesting and vibrant while decreasing the risk of pests. Planting different types of plants together can help prevent diseases from spreading because they don’t share any food sources or resources, plus you’ll be able to enjoy both perennials AND annuals!
By adding more variety of plants, you’ll have a greater chance at creating habitats for predators. Avoiding incompatible species is key by learning about companion planting and researching the rooting patterns of your individual crops.