First, resist the urge to plant everything the moment the sun peeks out. Our mountain springs can be sneaky! Let those leafy greens, kale, and peas enjoy the cool start, but hold off on the tender tomatoes until after our May frost date. 

Let's talk location, location, location! Your veggies need their sunbathing time – six hours minimum! And keep that water source handy because those zucchinis won't water themselves.

Don't skimp on the soil or plant food! Think of it as investing in your garden's happiness. And remember, pick those veggies often! They love a good haircut. Don't go overboard with planting; a smaller, well-loved garden is better than a jungle you can't manage. Give your plants room to breathe, keep those weeds at bay, and build a fortress against those hungry critters. And most importantly, spot those garden gremlins early! A little TLC goes a long way.

Gardening is a journey, not a race. Let's enjoy the process, learn from our little oopsies, and grow together! Here are 8 other garden blunders to sidestep this season.

#1 Starting Too Early

You know that spring urge to plant? We all get it, but in our mountains, patience is key. March kicks off planting, but April's frosts are real. Leafy greens like broccoli and peas thrive in the cool, handling our freeze-thaw cycles. May 1st, our last frost date, is your cue for tender plants. Shop early for the best selection, but keep frost blankets ready. Let's grow smart, not just fast, and avoid those extra trips back to the garden center. It's your guide to knowing when to plant each variety. Let's get those gardens growing smart, not just fast.

2 Garden in the Wrong Spot

Your dream garden is just steps from your door. That's where you want it. Trust me, proximity matters. You'll be glad it's close when those zucchinis explode in size overnight or when the rabbits stage a pea-eating raid. Daily visits are a must as summer heats up. Your vegetables are sun worshippers. They need at least six hours of direct sun. Less sun means less flavor, plain and simple. And water? That's your lifeline until the monsoon arrives. Keep a hose or watering can handy. The closer your garden is to water, the happier your plants will be. Choose your spot wisely, and you'll reap the rewards.

#3 Going Cheap on Soil and Plant Food

Plants work hard and use the soil's goodness as they grow. Starting with poor soil is like asking them to run a race with lead shoes. Refresh that soil annually with Barnyard Manure and Premium Mulch; it's like a spring tonic for your garden. For containers and raised beds, fresh Potting Soil is essential; think of it as a revitalizing spa treatment. And earthworms? That's a high-five from Mother Nature. Now, for the fuel: a dose of water-soluble Flower Power twice monthly delivers a superb harvest, and for larger gardens, Watters Fruit & Vegetable Food is the gourmet meal your plants crave. It's all about giving your garden the right start and fuel for a season of success.

4 Picking Too Slow

Enjoy your vegetables while at their peak. A plant won't set more cucumbers or peppers if its branches are full. Herbs, like basil and cilantro, benefit from frequent harvesting.

#5 Planting Too Many

Planting more than you can eat or even care for is common. Start with varieties you enjoy or can not purchase fresh locally. Learn how to grow them and expand your repertoire. It is best to enjoy success with a smaller garden than to struggle to keep up with a large one.

Here's my list of the Healthiest Vegetables to Grow in the Garden.

6 Deferred Maintenance

Different vegetables have different needs. Tomatoes need water at ground level. Overhead watering often encourages diseases and blights. Vegetables like corn, lettuces, and broad-leaf plants like squashes are more tolerant of overhead irrigation. Weeds take water and nutrients from your vegetables. They also provide cover for bugs carrying disease and eat your garden. Your hoe may be the best tool in the shed.

7 Letting the Animals In

The need for a sturdy fence cannot be overstated. Deer, javelina, rabbits, and gophers can wipe out a garden overnight. Planting vegetables is like ringing the dinner bell.

8 Not Dealing with Problems Early

Vigilance is crucial in gardening. Regular monitoring of your plants is necessary to catch issues early. Yellowing leaves or spots should be addressed before they spread and infect the entire row. Insects are dealt with as soon as they are spotted to prevent an infestation. Problems like blossom end rot are easily managed by removing the affected fruit.

Vegetable gardening is an ongoing learning experience with many successes and some small failures. Remember, every mistake is an opportunity to learn and improve. Begin with good soil, quality seeds, and mountain garden practices, and your success follows.

Until next week, I'll be helping gardeners plant better vegetable gardens here at Watters Garden Center.