Ask the Plant Doctor! 7 tips for enhancing your gardening skills

Start small, for nothing beats hands-on experience. Photo: 123rf.com

Do you have a question about plants or how to maintain your garden? Send your questions to the Plant Doctor! Email your questions to [e-mail] with "Plant Doctor" in the subject field. Questions may be edited for brevity and clarity.

Do you need a green thumb to do gardening? - Daria Morozova

A: We do not have to be born with innate gardening skills to succeed in (and enjoy) gardening.

Like any other skills, gardening prowess can be nurtured over time. To enhance your gardening skills, consider the following strategies:

1. The Internet is replete with gardening resources, but prioritise resources from university extension services, as they provide the most accurate and evidence-based information. These sources contain extensive guides on different plants, their specific needs, common pests and diseases, and how to address them.

2. There is no substitute for actual hands-on experience. Start small. For instance, begin with easy-to-grow plants, then gradually take on more challenging projects as your confidence and skills grow. Any failures should not be viewed as setbacks, but as opportunities to hone your abilities.

3. Join gardening communities, whether virtual or physical. These communities allow you to gain wisdom from seasoned gardeners, seek advice from others, and be inspired. Some of these communities also provide hands-on training and guidance from experienced gardeners.

4. Find a gardening mentor, someone with experience who can provide personalised advice and guidance. This could be a member of a gardening community you have joined or a knowledgeable neighbour.

5. Stay curious. Gardening is a field where there is always something new to learn. Always be curious and open to new ideas and techniques.

6. Try visiting public gardens and nurseries. These places can offer inspiration for your own garden and provide opportunities to learn about different plants and their care.

7. Experiment, experiment, and experiment. Try different plants, apply varied techniques, and experiment with unique arrangements. Each experiment, regardless of the outcome, brings you one step closer to becoming a more proficient gardener.

Dr Christopher Teh heads the Dept of Land Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia.