So, you have most of your garden planted. Now you’re looking
at garden upkeep. Not
quite as expensive as a child in college, but it can be as
frustrating.

What you think you’d like are some silver bullets that
can help you win the day — like
these:

Fertilizer

The plants are looking sort of bad. They’re not growing
as fast as I’d like. I know —
I’ll just give them a little more fertilizer. I just gave
them what the soil test
recommended, but a little more won’t hurt.

Wrong!

You have to grow a root system before you can grow a
plant. Be patient.

Many gardeners, too, want to apply liquid fertilizers
when the plants aren’t growing as
they think they should be. But liquid fertilizer is taken
up through the leaves, and if
you have a plant with only a few leaves, little will be
taken up. Liquid is also the most
expensive fertilizer you can use.

Chemicals

What chemical do I need for all of those pests?

None — until you’re able to recognize each pest you
have. Then buy what you need in
small quantities and store them in a safe place. Read and
follow directions closely, too.

Gadgets

Do I buy those expensive tomato cages? Or do I cut
large branches, push them into the
soil and tie the tomatoes onto them? The tomato doesn’t
care, as long as they’re kept off
the ground and away from soil-borne diseases.

Do I really need that $1,500 tiller for a 10-foot-by-30-
foot garden space? Or could I
do it with a turning fork and spade and get more exercise?

Do I need that low-pressure, drip irrigation system I
said I was going to buy two years
ago? Just go back and look at the water bills for last
summer’s irrigation. Definitely
yes.

Enjoyment

Would that beautiful garden bench look good in the back
yard? Yes. Every gardener needs
to realize that one of the most important aspects of
gardening is to enjoy it to the
fullest. An outside sitting area that allows you to view
and enjoy is a must.

Some silver bullets, after all, do just what they’re
supposed to do. Some bullets,
though, just look shiny. As you think about all of the
silver bullets for your garden,
don’t let that great white horse trample your zucchini.