In the over 92 years of helping Treasure Valley gardeners, my collective family has just about seen it all—tomatoes planted too early, seeds sown too close together, soil amendments that do more harm than good. If there’s a mistake to be made, chances are, we’ve seen it (and probably made it ourselves at some point!). I was pondering this recently and thought I could gather some of these lessons learned and share them with you. I reached out to four of my favorite gardening experts—Jim Zamzow (my dad), Jos Zamzow (my brother), two 20+ year Zamzows employees (Chris Owings and Ken Carbonaro), and even pulled out my own garden journal—to dig up the most common missteps we’ve seen, so you can avoid them and set yourself up for success. Let’s dig in!
Start Small and Set Yourself Up for Success
If you’re new to gardening, start with a small area in full sun (gardens need six to eight hours a day) rather than plowing up your backyard for a large garden. You’ll have more success and enjoy the process if you keep things manageable. When planning in spring, we often forget how busy and hot summer gets. Remember, a single patio tomato can bring plenty of joy and good eating!
Choosing the Right Plants for Treasure Valley
Novice gardeners sometimes select heirlooms or unique varieties, often ordered online, and find themselves disappointed. These plants may ripen late (or not at all), require special care, or be disease prone. Experienced gardeners enjoy the challenge, but beginners often get frustrated.
Speaking of online resources, our stores are inundated every year with people who need help undoing advice found on the internet. The Treasure Valley has unique soil, pests, and a specific growing season, so generic gardening advice doesn’t always apply. Zamzows offers free, locally tailored advice seven days a week—we’re happy to help!
Timing Matters: Don’t Plant Too Early (or Too Late)
Newcomers often learn the hard way that planting too early or too late can ruin a season. Unlike other regions, we must plant within a defined window. Some crops need to be started indoors and transplanted after the last frost, while others should be directly sown at a specific time to ensure that they mature before season’s end. Zamzows offers a free guide to help you avoid jumping the gun or waiting too long.
The Importance of Soil Health
A common mistake is treating Treasure Valley soil like the soil from other geographic areas. This includes improper (or no) amendments. I’ll make it easy—add compost! As my brother Jos says, “Dirt can be purchased, but good soil is made.” Build good soil full of microbes, beneficial insects, fungi, and humus. This takes time and consistency—ideally amending in both fall and spring.
Be selective with fertilizers and pesticides. One incorrect application can upset soil balance, deplete nutrients, and even weaken or kill plants. Nothing makes us sadder than seeing a garden suffer due to a quick fix gone wrong. Our soil is alive, and if we nurture it properly, our gardens will thrive.
Proper Mulching Techniques
Mulching is another area where mistakes happen. Mulch insulates the soil, so if applied too early in the spring, it slows the soil from warming, delaying plant development. Also, if mulch is applied too close to woody plants like roses, it can cause issues like root rot, gall, and canker. Wait until the soil warms up and be mindful of placement to avoid damage.
Smart Planting Practices
Pay attention to spacing and thin out seedlings so plants have room to grow. Overcrowding causes issues—like funny-looking carrots! If you’re planting peas and beans, apply a legume inoculant to vastly improve yields and plant health. It literally is the difference between eating a handful of peas versus feeding your whole family.
A common mistake is the prophylactic use of pesticides. Applying chemicals before pests or diseases appear harms your garden’s ecosystem. Instead, wait for signs of pests before treating them—this reduces chemicals, promotes healthier plants, and makes gardening easier.
Watering and Tomato Tips
Resist the temptation to frequently give your plants light watering. This leads to shallow root systems that are prone to dehydration, leading to unhealthy plants that can’t tolerate the heat. Instead, opt to water deeply and less frequently and adjust as the summer heats up.
Finally, we could write an entire article on tomatoes, but here’s a crucial reminder—feed them regularly and plant them with cages from the start. Trying to cage them after they’ve bushed out is a struggle you don’t want to have!
Final Thoughts
Gardening is a journey, and mistakes are part of learning. Hopefully, these tips will help you be more successful this year. And remember—Zamzows is always here to help with expert, locally tailored advice. Happy gardening!