How to avoid common gardening mistakes

“Read the label – always be guided by the plant label when it comes to placing them and stick to its recommendations.

Take note of the sunlight or shade requirements on individual labels and give plants space to grow.

While it’s tempting to fill up gaps in the soil, living things need room to flourish."

“Sharpen and clean tools - whether it’s a pair of secateurs or a hedge trimmer, always make sure they’re clean, sharpened and well-oiled before use, whatever the tool."

You'll find everything you need to keep your tools in excellent condition in the 'Accessories' section. 

The 3-in-1 sharpening tool  is perfect for keeping secateurs, scissors, axes and knives in good knick. Simple to use, it can make a blunt edge sharp in seconds.  And, if you aren't sure what you should be doing for routine maintenance, see our top tips on tool maintence.

“Preparation is key – before planting, loosen the soil, add organic matter, and plant firmly and at the right depth."

While soil preparation can be done with hand tools, using a powered tiller like the STIHL MH 445 makes the job a lot easier.  The MH 445 is ideal for rejuvenating compacted soil in confined plots like allotments and can be easily adjusted and controlled.  

For advice on how to plant and take care of garden beds, see our series of articles on bed care here.

“Water new plants - all plants, in pots and in the ground, need thorough watering throughout the summer months. Most plants need watering for far longer than you might expect; trees and shrubs, especially, will need some extra watering, even two or three years after planting. Hitting that sweet spot so you don’t over or under water is tricky, but for plants in the ground, any excess water will just drain away naturally, so don’t worry about watering too much."

If you are a chronic underwaterer, consider selecting plants that need less watering.  Find out more about drought tolerant plants here.

“Invest in quality tools – whether battery, petrol powered, or hand operated, high-quality equipment will be easier to use, give a better finish, and last as long as you look after them."

Here at STIHL, we pride ourselves on the care and attention to detail we put into every one of our tools.  Each one goes through extensive research and development before passing rigourous testing procedures to make sure we deliver a premium product.  You can find out more about the research and development process here.

“Don’t mow too much – if you mow too soon, too short or too hard, it can take a while for your lawn to recover. Take the top off the grass, with the mower set high for that first cut, then lower the height of the cut gradually each time you mow until it’s the desired height – having a mower which is easy to adjust is a must-have."

The RMA 239 C featured in this picture has a simple to use central cut-height adjustment which can be adjusted at 6 points between 20mm- 70mm.

See our articles on lawn care for expert advice on how to get a lush green lawn all year round.

“Keep on top of weed clearing - leaving weeds for too long means they can flower, set seed, and scatter that seed all over the garden in no time at all.

The best way to remove weeds, and ensure they don’t return, is to dig them out of the earth carefully, with their roots attached, ideally all in one piece, and then safely dispose of them (according to the type of weed you are removing)."  Find out more about how to responsibly dispose of garden waste here.

“Don’t ignore fallen leaves - a lovely green lawn can very quickly turn yellow and develop bare patches if fallen leaves are left to lie on it for even a short time. A few moments with a blower or rake can help keep the lawn in good condition." Find out how you can make use of fallen leaves in other areas of your garden here.

STIHL make a full range of battery-powered and petrol blowers to suit all sizes of garden.  You can get advice on which model would be best for you from your local STIHL Approved Dealer.

“Choose the right time to trim - knowing the right time to cut your hedge, and using the correct tool, is essential to do a good job. Shears are perfect for regular trims of your box topiary in summer, but you need a powered hedge trimmer for your beech hedge in autumn. Always make sure to check for nesting birds or other wildlife when trimming your hedge, and never disturb a nest.”

The STIHL range of electric, battery-powered and petrol hedge trimmers will certainly help you keep your hedges looking sharp.  With a range of sizes a features to choose from, you can use our hedge trimmer buying guide to help you decide which is the right tool for you.