Considerations for Different Types of Plants

Plants have basic requirements that must be met in order to thrive in the home garden. Even the obvious ones, like food and water, may not be as simple as you'd suppose. All plants need the main nutrients of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, as well as secondary nutrients and micro nutrients that are available in soil enriched with organic matter, but some plants are heavier feeders than others. Vegetables, in particular, may need additional nutrients to be added to the soil or as a foliar spray to be absorbed through the leaves, in order to produce a bountiful crop. Additions of organic matter to the soil can lighten heavy clay soil, make sandy soil more water-retentive, and balances the soil's pH levels.

Most established plants need about an inch of water per week. If nature supplies less than that, you'll need to supplement. It's best to water early in the day so that the sun has time to dry water off of foliage, to minimize water-borne diseases. This also minimizes evaporation, so that you use less water to meet your plants' needs. An organic mulch can keep the ground from drying out as quickly, reducing the need for supplemental watering. As the organic mulch breaks down and decomposes, it also adds its nutrients to the soil.

Pay attention to plant's spacing needs, which should be listed on the container or seed packets they came in. This is particularly important in the case of perennials, which may take as much as three or four years to reach maturity. If there seems to be too much space between perennial plants, consider adding some annuals to fill in and provide a bright splash of season-long color.