Challenges in Gardening

In the previous post 'Why should I garden?'  benefits of gardening are described.  But the gardening is challenge.

In this post, I shall describe challenges in the gardening activity. In old time, farmers were not educated to university degrees and therefore there was an impression, that farming does not require any substantial knowledge. The farmers’ children were getting trained on-job, for operation skill and traditional knowledge accumulated over generations though not documented. In fact, gardening, even more than farming requires complex knowledge.

The Gardens occur in varieties but for this post we consider home gardens. These again can be different types like cottage gardens terrace garden or simply number of pots kept in places.

1. The most important challenge is that the gardening is livestock process. Though the plants need not be fed and watered as tightly as humans and animals, you cannot ignore for a very long time. Also they can die and if that happens due to your carelessness though there will not be any legal repercussion, you will certainly feel guilty.

2. The second important challenge is the knowledge of inputs and environment at your disposal.

The important aspects of different inputs and environment are as follows.

i) Soil: Though soilless gardening is also done, generally gardens use soil only. For different types of plant suitable soil is recommended.

Apart from many nutrients, the main parameter is PH value. PH is the indicator of acidity/alkalinity of the soil. The PH of different type of soils range from 6 to 11.  If the PH is not correct the soil can be improved by additions of lime, sulphur etc. 

Though most plants do not require precise PH value, they will grow and survive in a soil within a range of PH value. If soil PH is totally opposite, the plant may not grow. Also a plant of good qualities like  growth, dense blooms, fruits with authentic taste and healthy appearance will require correct PH. 

I think a separate post for PH and soil improvement should be published ASAP.  

ii) Fertiliser: For home garden organic fertilizer like compost, bone meal. blood meal, fish are best.

 

Though chemical fertilizers  are less desirable, for the quick results, NPK type fertilizer can be used. The easy mnemonic for the   NPK is- Up, Down and Everywhere.

Up means the leaves often called foliage and for dense foliage, N means nitrogen is necessary. Urea is a popular fertilizer for nitrogen.

Down means roots and for healthy growth of roots P means phosphorous is required. DAP –di ammonium phosphate is commonly available fertilizer for this. 

Everywhere means overall growth of the plant K means potassium is necessary. The potassium sulphate can be used for that.   

Apart from the above three separate fertilizers, the combination of three in different proportions are also available for different plants.

Also available are special fertilizers which include trace elements like zinc cobalt etc

iii) Water: Except some plants like Lilies which grow in water, most plants are grown in well drained soil. For this, the correct water quantity will keep soil wet. If more water is applied that will drain away or cause root rot. It will also take away soluble nutrients.

The important points to be noted are as follows.

1) Generally there is shortage of water, hence minimum use should be desirable.

2) In most cases leaves and stem need not be watered directly except in scorching heat when mist can be applied.

3) Water should reach roots but soil should not be water logged.

4) If water is applied on the top soil in the form of drip, the good part of that may evaporate and roots may remain dry. Hence the bottom watering through wick or other method is effective.

5) Too much salty water can make soil saline which is not good for plant.

iv) Sun light:  Some plants require full sun whereas other plants grow well in part shade. In cottage garden there is a house and also there can be trees which cause obstacle to full sun. 

One should select the plant types according to the sunlight intensity and no. of hours in different season in different parts of the garden. It is possible to reduce the sun light by doing some modifications like planting trees or cloth shade etc.

v) Air : Though unpolluted air is necessary for the healthy growth of plants, it can also pollinate in some types. Strong winds can damage the plants by causing collapse or dropping of flowers which will stop pollination. Fruits also may drop prematurely.

 

Strong winds can be tackled by planting taller shrubs and plants with foliage. Nearness of compound wall also reduces wind speed considerably.

3.Knowledge: The third challenge is the knowledge of plants to be grown or the plants that can be grown in the garden. This knowledge pertains to plant type.

1)  whether Annual or biennial or Perennial

2) Propagation by seed or cutting or root division and method of transplanting

3)Planting and pruning time and also harvesting time

4) Type of fertilizer needed by the plants and frequency of its application

5) Pollination method

6) Watering frequency

7) Harvesting  and seeds preservation

4.Pests:

Knowledge of general

pests insects, birds and animal in your area which can damage the plants. Also special pest for different type of plants and their control by organic and also chemical methods

5.Resources: The idea about the resources which you can allocate for the gardening like money for the purchase of different items and labor charges if you want to hire a help.

 

 How much time, you will spare, daily weekly and in different seasons.  Also the times when you will be absent and arrangement for appointing someone to look after watering, fertilizing etc