18 Problems Faced by Gardeners & How to Fix Them Naturally

Before getting too excited, remember that all gardeners and farmers, whether new or experienced, face challenges.

Gardening can be a rewarding hobby or business venture. Many people also prefer to grow vegetables and fruits in their backyards.

But if you’re having gardening challenges, you’re not alone. Below are some common vegetable garden problems and solutions that might help:

1. Pests Destroying Plants

Garden pests pose the most significant challenge when cultivating vegetables and other crops. These pests include tomato hornworms, cabbage worms, stink bugs, slugs, aphids, ants, and grubs.

If you have garden pests lurking around, consider using organic methods to get rid of these harmful insects and related pests. These include soapy water, baking soda spray, diatomaceous earth, and neem oil.

You can also make use of pest-repelling plants.

2. Weeds

Gardeners also occasionally deal with weeds. Fortunately, there are a few natural ways to eliminate weeds from your garden.

For example, you can use newspapers and place organic mulch on top to hold them in place. You can also pull weeds out by hand or use vinegar to kill them, among other DIY methods.

3. Plants Not Growing in Soil

One major challenge many have encountered while planting is poor soil.

If your vegetable garden is dying or your crops are not growing properly, you might have major soil problems. All plants need healthy soil to thrive.

Mulch and organic compost are both great solutions for improving soil quality. Testing the soil to identify missing nutrients is also a good idea.

pH (potential hydrogen) testing is also vital. You can buy an inexpensive soil pH-testing kit for this purpose.

4. Seeds Not Sprouting

If your seeds have not sprouted, they may need more germination time. Also, ensure you plant seeds at the right time for your climate, and do not hesitate to replant if needed.

Next, check the soil’s moisture level. If it’s too dry, give it some water. If it’s too wet, the seeds might have rotted, and replanting might also be necessary.

Birds could also be a problem. They might have eaten yours. In that case, replanting is necessary. To prevent this, consider using bird netting or covering the seeds with a container to protect them from birds.

Lastly, remember to check the expiration dates on your seed packets. If you’re using seeds from a previous season, ensure they’re not more than a year or two old.

As seeds age, their germination rate decreases. If you suspect your seeds are too old, it’s time to replant them with fresh ones.

5. Plant Disease

Diseases—from powdery mildew to bacterial canker—are among the most common plant problems for farmers [1]. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent plant diseases from occurring.

• Check your plants for diseases before bringing them home and planting them.
• Water plants in the morning to help keep them healthy and thriving.
• Water the soil, not the foliage.
• Control insects, as some insects can spread plant diseases.
• Space crops properly and practice crop rotation.
• Use organic fertilizers to boost plant immunity.

6. Blossom End Rot

This condition primarily affects tomato plants and is caused by a calcium deficiency. It can occur with uneven soil moisture levels, as the plants may not be absorbing enough water and calcium.

To help prevent blossom end rot, ensure your soil doesn’t dry out or become too waterlogged.

You can also add crushed eggshells to the soil. They will supply your plants with calcium.

7. Plants Look Visibly Burnt

If your plants appear burned or slightly dehydrated, they may be receiving too much sunlight.

Try moving the plants if they’re in a container. If not, try using shade cloth throughout the garden.

Planting some shrubs and trees around the garden to help provide shade can also be a long-term solution.

8. Leaves Curling Up

If your plant’s leaves are distorted (curled or puckered), it might have wilt disease.

If you suspect this, remove the plant immediately. To help prevent this, practice crop rotation each year. Also, choose disease-resistant varieties when possible.

Mealybugs could also be the culprit. You can control mealybugs organically by spraying the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

You can read about other ways to deal with leaf curl in the linked article.

9. Brown Spots on Leaves

Typically, brown spots on leaves can be caused by excessive or insufficient watering, dry air, or excessive sunlight.

Brown spots can also appear on leaves due to cold temperatures and, in some cases, a nutrient deficiency.

Try watering evenly. Also, plant crops in the right climate and use a balanced fertilizer.

10. White Spots on Leaves

When leaves are covered in a white, powdery coating, the most common culprit is powdery mildew. This is a fungal disease that affects a wide range of plants.

White spots can also appear when you have spider mites in the garden or when insects such as whiteflies, aphids, or mealybugs are present.

Try a natural solution. Mix a gallon of lukewarm water with one teaspoon of organic liquid soap. Spray it on the plant’s leaves.

You can also purchase organic pesticides and fungicides to help deal with this plant issue.

11. Plants Not Producing Fruit

Crops that fail to produce fruit are another major gardening challenge.

If you have plants that aren’t producing fruit, you may have an issue that requires them to receive more nutrients. There may also be a need for more pollination.

Try pollinating the blossoms. This can be done with hand-pollination techniques [2].

You can also add some organic fertilizer to the soil around the plant’s roots.

12. Not Enough Space

Another problem for farmers is land space. It’s always an issue for enthusiastic agriculturalists.

However, there’s a way to make plants grow in very little space: the container gardening method. Many vegetables, like kale and arugula, grow well in containers.

You can also utilize vertical gardening. Pumpkins, for example, can be planted in a pot and channeled to grow on a fence.

13. Plants Look Weak

If plants seem weak, you may have overwatered or underwatered them. They may also need more sunlight.

A lack of nutrients could also be an issue, as well as problems with pests or diseases.

Ensure that plants receive 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day. Additionally, provide the plants with the right amount of water according to their specific watering needs.

Watch out for pests and plant diseases, and fertilize with the right fertilizer.

14. Too Much or Too Little Sun

Each plant has its own daily sunlight requirement.

Tomatoes, for example, need more than six hours of direct sunlight to produce fruit. On the other hand, chervil needs as little as four hours of direct sunlight per day to thrive.

Reading the back of the seed packet is a good way to know which plants require what amounts of sunlight.

15. Plants Appear to be Wilting

If your plants appear to be wilting, they’re likely suffering from too little water. This issue occurs when the roots are unable to provide sufficient moisture to the leaves and stems.

Wilting can often be corrected by adjusting the amount of water you give to crops. If the soil feels dry, water a bit more.

16. Black Spots on Leaves

Black spots on leaves are another common issue, particularly in hot and humid climates. The black spot fungus usually causes black spots on leaves, also known as Diplocarpon rosae [3].

You can treat this problem with organic fungicides such as these.

17. Plants Don’t Seem to be Growing

Nothing is more frustrating than starting a garden only to find your plants aren’t growing.

Often, this is caused by improper soil preparation. The roots can’t get enough nutrients and oxygen. It could also be a result of overwatering or underwatering.

Ensure the soil is properly tilled. Doing so will help the plants spread their roots more effectively.

Also, understand your plant’s watering requirements and supply the proper nutrients.

18. Holes in Plant Leaves

This problem is most likely caused by pests eating the leaves. Plant pests, such as slugs, snails, beetles, caterpillars, and even birds, may be causing the holes in the plant leaves.

Therefore, inspect leaves thoroughly and take measures to eliminate plant pests.

Takeaway

A garden can thrive when cared for. We all face plant troubles occasionally; it happens to the best gardeners.

So, check for the common issues listed above. Fix them as soon as you see the signs. The tips here will help you find answers to most of your gardening problems.