Have I gardened long enough to pass on some eternal wisdom in my 7 years or so of gardening? These are some of the gems I've learned.
Don't ever buy garden ornaments - they look good for the first year, then quickly rust and decay. Unless you are a fan of the scrapyard look, resist the temptation. 'Rustic' can give you bouts of tetanus.
Don't tell people who are not gardeners you like gardening. They will just burden you with job offers and hint or bribe you to do their garden for them. And by 'doing their garden' they actually mean weed and dig plants out so there's nothing there.
Don't enter garden shows. If you more want stress and drama in your life, by all means do so, but the rest of us want to enjoy our gardens without the pressure.
Don't take cuttings without asking owners first. I have heard this terrible garden faux pas of people visiting other gardens and thinking it's a free for all. Coveting what isn't yours is not cool. If an apple falls on your head, then sure, but the tree isn't going to break it's branch for you.
Don't garden for money. It ruins the experience, and turns it into farming.
Do plant what you like. You are going to live with it, so, you must like it. Thankfully, I like most plants.
Do plant in the right place. Every plant has a certain place they like --that's why they have roots, not legs.
Do pick flowers regularly. They will produce more and that way you don't have to 'deadhead'.
Do compost and mulch.
Don't dig too deep, unless you want to unearth some skeletons. Build up the soil instead.
Don't use chemicals. If you are into spraying you are better off being a graffiti artist.
Do plant and sow after the new moon.
Do cultivate and weed, prune and harvest on the waning moon.
Do plant as many different kinds of plants as you can. For biodiversity.
Do join a garden club. One word...RAFFLES.
