Novice gardeners are prone to make mistakes when gardening; if this happens, do not panic. If your plants are not growing and they should then do some backtracking to see where you may have gone wrong. Set up a step-by-step plan when gardening plants so you don’t miss any steps. If unsure where you may have gone wrong, begin by checking the roots. Roots should be sprawled out when growing. Some roots, especially potted plants, can be slightly visible on the soil surface. If your roots are adequately spread out, then your roots are fine. You may want to consider transferring your plant to a larger pot that will support extra root growth for potted plants. It is common for plants to feel restricted as they grow in pots. For leafy plants, purchase a pot that will drain well and is large enough to accommodate growing plants. The problem may also be the soil itself. Tap a finger on the soil to feel for texture. If it is dry to the touch, then more watering is required. If it is too muddy or watery, cut back on the watering. If you are watering on a schedule and your soil is still muddy, you may want to invest in a higher-quality pot that drains excess water; otherwise, your roots will drown. Regarding soil quality, your nutrients may be off-balance. That is probably one of the more complicated things to grasp, especially if you are a beginning gardener. Soil needs a healthy balance of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium for proper growth. It depends on the plant, but check to see if your soil nutrients are plentiful and add the necessary compost to support soil fertility. Another factor hindering plant growth is the amount of sunlight it is getting. Every plant needs direct sunlight, some more than others. If growing plants indoors, place them outside for a certain period or by a window sill.
