7 Gardening Rules of Thumb For New Plants

Learn some great tips about gardening rules of thumb, gathered over many years of my backyard gardening experience to help you create a beautiful garden.

According to the dictionary, the term Rule of Thumb means; "a method of procedure based on experience and common sense." So today I'm sharing a few gardening rules of thumb, that I have learned over the years.

7 Gardening Rules of Thumb

Sometimes it's the little tips people tell you, that make all the difference. 

I am an ornamental gardener. Other than herbs you won't find me talking about growing vegetables much. However, I do think many of the ideas given here can be used for vegetable gardening too.

1. Use Native Soil

When planting a new perennial, shrub, or tree, don't fill the hole with a bag of topsoil or compost, but rather use the soil that you just dug up. It's fine to add a little compost or slow release fertilizer, but the majority should be native soil. Why? Because this will help the plants' roots get established in the new environment, and reach beyond the planting hole.

2. Plant on a Cloudy Day

Whenever possible, plant on a cloudy day, preferably when rain is in the forecast. This helps reduce transplant shock. If you plant on a hot sunny day, even if you water well, the plants will not be able to acclimate to their new home as well.

Also, if you have bought a few plants and don't have time to plant them immediately set them in the shade for a few days until you are ready to plant them.

3. Dig the Right Size Hole

A great rule of thumb here is, 2 times the width but no deeper than the pot the plant came in. Plants will tend to settle a little,  and you don't want it to sink below ground level. This also helps the roots grow out into the loose surrounding soil which is likely to be more beneficial and rich.

4. Create a No Mulch Zone

Make sure you leave a few inches around the plant mulch free. Mulch is great for weed control, and helping retain moisture, but when it is too close to the plant it can encourage pests, disease problems, and even rot.

I like to use double shredded bark for my mulch. However, some people like composted manure, hay, and/or straw. They are fine but typically do not look as nice.

5. Understand Mid Day Wilt

During the heat of the afternoon, many plants will look like they are in dire need of water. If you know that you have been watering properly, wait until early evening to see if it recovers before adding additional water. Many plants like the large leaf hydrangea shown above look like this during the mid-day heat but do not actually need additional water.

6. Don't Prune in the Fall

It's always a good idea to prune diseased or dead plants at any time, but consider delaying the pruning of seed heads and other herbaceous perennials, for late winter, or early spring. This will help wildlife and add winter interest to your garden. See more in the post Pruning Spring or Fall.

7. Be Patient

One of my favorite gardening rules of thumb. The saying above is a wonderful truism from my experience. I'll be the first to admit when they were handing out patience, I must have been at the end of the line. However, after 30+ years of gardening, this adage really rings true.

Don't get discouraged. Try new plants and move them around. Don't feel bad if some of your plants die. All gardeners have lost a plant or two or more.

For me, gardening definitely falls under, "The Journey is Half the Fun."