New Gardener - Overwhelmed! (Photos)

Best piece of advise I have had is "stick your finger into the soil". Works like a treat with potted plants to get a good idea if the plant needs water or not, and gives a good idea of the situation of the garden soil. (The habit also means that during the growing season it's dark nail varnish for me when I have to impersonate a respectable business professional at work )

The next one is "enjoy what you have got". My Grandmother always used to ask me not to cut the grass in her holiday plot before she could make it from her hectic retirement. She wanted to see the Buttercups

 

I remember that. There were theories that the co2 and moisture in your breath helps them, and theories that the vibration somehow stimulates cell growth. To me it's a classic case of the experts looking so hard for a scientific explanation that they overlook the obvious. The kind of person that talks to their plants is also the kind of person that pays close attention to them and looks after them well.