Most people appreciate a well-maintained garden that is full of life and color. Unfortunately, gardening can be complicated, time-consuming, and expensive. However, by increasing your knowledge of gardening techniques, the past time can become very enjoyable and relatively inexpensive. This article contains some essential gardening tips, advice, and ideas.

When dividing or transferring a plant, make sure you keep the roots cool and moist. Roots are the most fragile part of a plant and are extremely sensitive to light and heat. Put a dark plastic bag over the roots if you plan on not transferring the plant right away.

A great tip to consider when gardening is to make sure that you do not damage your plants while dragging your watering hose around. This is important because this is very easy to do with a simple tug of the hose. Consider using guides that prevent your hose from accidentally coming into contact with fragile plants.

During the hot season, water your lawn a couple of hours before the sun rises. If you water during the day, much of the water will evaporate before it gets a chance to be absorbed into the ground. When you water before sunrise, the water will have a chance to go deep into the soil, allowing the roots to absorb the water.

Natural or agricultural-grade diatomaceous earth is a gardener’s friend. You can spread this over the soil in your flower beds to keep pests away. Slugs in particular are cut by the tiny and sharp granules. This causes them to get quickly dehydrated and will end their existence in your garden. Reapply after any good rainstorm.

Once you know what you would like to grow, consider how long it will take the plant to mature and how much space it will need in the garden. Some vegetables like lettuce mature early and continue to produce all season. Other vegetables like potatoes may take a whole season to mature.

Drink plenty of water while you are gardening. Many people forget to keep up with their water intake because they do not think that they are doing a strenuous activity. Gardening may not always be strenuous, but extended exposure to the sun can lead to dehydration, and drinking plenty of water is one way to prevent it.

Edge your lawns and flowerbeds. Edging your lawn and flowerbeds will give them a tidy look, and it also serves as a mowing path. Run the wheels of your mower right on top of the brick or stone. The barrier is also helpful for preventing grass from making its way into your flowerbeds.

As stated in the introduction to this article, gardening can be complicated. But, by applying some of the advice contained in this article, you could be on your way to designing, creating, and cultivating your dream garden. Alternatively, maybe the tips above have expanded your gardening knowledge and inspired you to volunteer to help with some community gardening projects.