I'm relatively new to gardening and this was my first attempt at managing a larger garden beyond the basics. I put in a ton of effort researching soil, additives, and prepping the beds. Everything was thriving until just five days ago—now, half my plants are completely ruined, while the rest barely survived. I suspect spider mites might be to blame, and possibly some fungal infections as well. I tried everything from rinsing with water, neem oil, to insecticides, but nothing worked. I even accidentally burnt my plants with insecticide because I sprayed them in the heat of the day. Sadly, it seems I'll have to toss the majority of my plants this weekend. I'm feeling disheartened, especially since even my potted plants, just transplanted from the nursery, got hit hard within two days! I want to replant, but I'm worried this will happen again. Do seasoned gardeners think this kind of loss is common, or can I actually learn how to prevent it in the future?
3 Answers
First, I empathize with your frustration! But remember, many gardeners face challenges like this! I used to lose all my squash to pests and diseases. Keeping a strict pest control regimen and knowing when to check for problems makes a world of difference. If possible, also make sure nothing harmful is present in your soil or mulching material—dyed mulch can sometimes be problematic!
Rip out those dead plants and start anew! You can probably still find some veggies at local stores; just try to mix it up to avoid pest problems. Also, companion planting can really help (like adding basil or marigolds for protection). And don’t stress too much about the failures—it happens to all of us. Gardening is a learning journey!
I’ve been at this for years, and trust me, it happens to everyone. It’s all about figuring out what works for you. Sometimes, keeping it simple with just a few easy crops like tomatoes or zucchini lets you focus better on them. You’ll learn how to spot issues quicker and tackle them more effectively!