Considerations for Different Types of Plants

All plants have certain needs that must be met, like nutrition, water, light and space. Most plants grow best in soil that's been enriched with compost and well-rotted manure. These act as slow-release fertilizers and help to improve the soil. An organic mulch will keep the soil moist and prevent weed seeds from getting the sunlight they need to germinate. Eventually, the mulch will break down and adds its nutrients to the soil as well.

Vegetables should get a side dressing of compost at the midway point in their growing cycle to fuel fruiting. Most plants love a foliar spray of a weak compost tea once a month.

Most established plants only need about an inch of water per week. One or two good soakings per week early in the day, to minimize evaporation, should be sufficient. Seedlings and new transplants should be watered lightly every couple of days until their root systems develop. Container-grown plants also require more frequent watering. Dig down into the soil a few inches; if it's dry, it's time to rewater.

Any new plant will come with instructions for how much light it needs. Plants that require full sun need at least 7 hours of unshaded sunlight per day. Partial sun/shade plants thrive in 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight. Plants that need full shade should be grown where only filtered light is available.

Your new plants care instructions should also indicate how far apart they should be spaced. As they mature, the plants will spread out to fill in the space. It's especially important to give perennials the room they need to spread. Otherwise they become prone to diseases from lack of proper air flow and sunlight, and will need to be divided that much sooner.