What's involved in caring for a garden

by Judy and Bob Holder 03/10/2025

Caring for a garden is an ongoing process, but it doesn’t have to feel like a chore. The more you know about how to care for your flowers, vegetables and other plants, the easier it is to maintain a happy and healthy garden.

To help you get started or to refresh the basics, here is a list of everything you need to do to care for your garden:

Mulch early and often

Keeping your soil healthy is crucial to keeping your plants healthy. Mulch your garden as soon as you plant anything new to help manage moisture and ward off weeds. Mulching regularly also helps keep pests away and prevents plant diseases, especially in young plants.

Water correctly

Water your garden regularly for healthy plants, but be careful not to water too often. Know the specific water needs of your plants to ensure you’re giving them the correct amount of moisture to grow strong and healthy. Moreover, take care to water directly at the soil level, as many plants are sensitive to mildew if their leaves get wet.

Remove weeds

Weeding regularly is another aspect of keeping your garden healthy. With the right preparation, like mulching and companion planting, you might not have many weeds to begin with. For the weeds that do appear, efficient removal with the right garden tools will reduce the risk of them returning.

Beware pests and diseases

It’s a good idea to check your plants weekly for any signs of pests or disease. Find out what pests are most likely to affect your plants and have a strategy for dealing with them. Having insecticidal soap and fungicide available will help you target and treat infestations and plant sickness.

Feed as needed

Some plants are hungrier than others, and require additional nutrients from fertilizers to thrive. Create sustainable fertilizer from your compost pile and apply it to the garden during the growing season. To prevent fertilizer “burn” and other issues, avoid fertilizing too often in the winter or other times of plant dormancy.

The more you know about caring for your garden plants, the healthier they will be. If you ever need help, you can consult your local nursery or garden center for advice and expert opinions.

About the Author

Judy and Bob Holder

Holder Home Team

I am licensed in both Massachusetts & New Hampshire and Judy takes care of the creative part of things and together we are experts in this local area, we bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate here. It's not the same everywhere, so you need someone you can trust for up-to-date information. We are eager to serve you. Here are some of the things we can do for you:

Find Your Next Home

You need someone who knows this area inside and out! We can work with you to find the right home at the right price for you, including all the neighborhood amenities that matter - not to mention the essential criteria you have for your ideal home

Sell a Home

When it's time to move, you need someone who will advertise your home, show to prospective buyers, negotiate the purchase contract, arrange financing, oversee the inspections, handle all necessary paperwork and supervise the closing. We can take care of everything you need, from start to close.

Consult on Home Selling Tactics

Oftentimes buyers don't visualize living in your home the way you do. We can make your home attractive to its ideal audience - which can help you get top dollar. Things like staging the home, making repairs or minor improvements, or even simply painting the walls can be the difference between a home resting on the market and one that's sold fast.