Congratulations! You are now a full pledged gardener! You are successful in starting your own garden through thorough planning and careful considerations. You are now awaiting the results of your hard labor.

The worst in gardening is over. Not quite.

Gardening is not simply tilling the soil, putting the seeds, watering it once and waiting. Gardening requires a large chunk of your time and effort. It needs maintenance.

Maintenance is the key to keep your garden healthy. You need to keep your garden healthy if you want your plants to live and yield results for you. A garden that is a mess reflects the way the gardener is taking care of it.

Here are some tips to keep your garden healthy:

1. Watering is basic. Though basic, a lot of people still take plant watering for granted. Plants need regular watering not just watering- whenever- the- gardener- is- not- busy type of watering.

2. Avoid using chemical fertilizers. Create your own compost pit using kitchen refuse and food waste. Use these to nourish the soil. If possible, avoid chemical fertilizers.

3. Watch out for some plants. Some plants require a lot of monitoring than others as they are more prone to pests. Do your research about plants that are more prone to pests and diseases.

4. Water the soil. In some cases of fungal diseases on plants, watering the soil is best. This nourishes the plants without the actual plant getting wet. Damp plants are perfect targets of the fungal diseases.

5. Watch out for competitors. Not the gardening competition in your area. Watch out for wild weeds that grow near your plants. They are suckers for nutrients that are supposed to be for your plants. Weed and weed regularly. Do not take chances as they multiple very fast.

6. Move around potted plants. This does not mean that you will do nothing but move them- which is dangerous too. Plants that receive less sunlight remain damp all the time. They become susceptible targets of the fungi lurking around. You have to move them to a place where they can get the right amount of sunlight.

7. Move around potted plants part two. On the other hand, there are some plants who sit directly under the sunlight all day long. They are prone to wilting because water from their pots and their bodies evaporate rapidly under direct sunlight. During noon time or when the sun is hottest and highest, move them to a place where there is a shade.

8. Cultivate the soil from time to time. This allows air to flow freely from the root of the plant. Be careful however that you will hit the actual roots. Cultivate some inches farther.

9. Remove dead parts. They will not live again no matter how you water and talk to them. Prune a dead part of the plant as they will spread to other parts and endangering the healthy ones in the process.

Follow these tips to keep your garden healthy! Happy gardening!