My daughter, who's 25, is super excited about having plants but has been struggling to keep them alive. My wife has a huge garden and I think my daughter wants to join in on that passion. However, she tends to overwater – especially in the Arizona heat – which leads to her plants dying shortly after I buy them. I want to help her but she gets really upset when her plants die, almost as if she has a personal connection to each one. Is there something specific I could get her or advice that could help her develop her gardening skills? She's bright but often goes all in on things.
3 Answers
Encourage her to take a local gardening class! This way she can learn directly about the plants that grow well in your area and get hands-on experience. Many community colleges or garden centers offer classes that can help boost her knowledge and skills.
Yes! Meeting others who care about gardening really helps with motivation and learning.
Since you're in Arizona, I’d suggest starting with plants that are native to your region, like succulents or cacti. They require less frequent watering and can thrive in the heat. Also, using a moisture meter can help her gauge when to water without overdoing it.
Exactly! Plus, many succulents are beautiful and can be very forgiving.
Great idea! Moisture meters are a simple and low-cost way to help her learn.
One thing that could help is getting her a cherry tomato plant. They're relatively easy to care for. Get a fabric pot and some potting mix, and then place it in an area that gets partial shade. She can water it every day and it should thrive! Plus, she’ll get a rewarding harvest which might boost her confidence to try more plants later on.
This sounds perfect! I’ve had success with cherry tomatoes too; they’re resilient!
Totally agree! Those plants are pretty forgiving with water.
Classes are a great idea! It’s always good to connect with others who are passionate about gardening.