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I love my outdoor plants. They provide a pleasant green presence in my garden, and I look after them zealously.
You are watching: Why Are My Outdoor Plants Dying? Uh-Oh!
Yet, they do occasionally die, leaving me heartbroken and confused.
But why is this happening?
I set off on a mission to discover why my outdoor plants were dying since I am a responsible gardener.
Let’s look at each of these six reasons, and I’ll share how you can counter each and how these interventions can save your outdoor plants from dying.
Why Are Outdoor Plants Dying?
Outdoor plants die because of inadequate amounts of water, incorrect amounts of sunlight, barren or over-fertilized soil, planting the wrong plant for your climate zone, harsh weather or climate elements, or an infestation of pests or strikes of disease.
Six Reasons for Outdoor Plants Dying
Reason 1: Inadequate Amounts of Water
Outdoor plants require specific amounts of water to keep their roots hydrated and growing healthily. When an outdoor plant has been under-watered, it wilts and dies.
If it has been overwatered or is planted in soggy soil that doesn’t drain well, it will drown, and the roots will die or rot. Ultimately, you’ll get the same results, and the plant will die.
The best way to ensure your outdoor plant doesn’t die from inadequate amounts of water is to water appropriately, water at the right time of day, and ensure the plants have well-draining soil if that is their best growing medium.
I like to keep track of when I water my garden, and I either keep an eye on my watch or set a timer for my sprinkler to ensure I water the same amount of water each time.
It is also a good idea to test the soil moisture by sticking 1 or 2 fingers into the earth. If the first two digits of your finger find wet soil, you should not water your plants.
Reason 2: Incorrect Amounts of Sunlight
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Outdoor plants are not all the same. Some love full sunlight, while others only want partial or early morning sunlight.
Be sure to find out what your outdoor plants are acclimated to. If you have a plant that enjoys full sunlight, like a particular grass species, you should plant it where the plant would enjoy that.
My delicate African Violet species have a preference for dappled sunlight or semi-sun, which is why I have now transplanted them to new beds around the base of a large pine tree in my yard.
Reading our comprehensive article on light levels can help you in this area.
Reason 3: Barren or Over-fertilized Soil
Plants need food. Without it, they can’t grow. Yet, with too much food, it may end up burning their roots.
Plant food is fertilizer. You can use organic fertilizers such as compost or mineral fertilizers such as nitrogen and potassium, but you must be sure how much to fertilize your plants.
Check your plants’ nutrient requirements according to their species. I found that my strawberry patch had been burned by my first fertilizer session, which was why they had died.
I fertilize only once a season before the plants make berries to prevent them from sickening and dying.
Reason 4: Planting the Wrong Plant for Your Climate Zone
Driving across the states of the U.S. covers several different climate zones, and not all plants will grow happily in all climate zones.
The US Department of Agriculture has specific hardiness zones according to the state you live in. This guide will help you know which plants to plant in your yard based on where you live.
I live in a USDA hardiness zone of six, which means I can plant temperate plant species, but true tropical plants won’t take in my garden, though they may happily thrive in pots in my home.
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Likewise, I can’t successfully plant colder-weather grass species as these burn in my yard.
Use our hardiness zone tool to find out in which zone you are living.
Reason 5: Harsh Weather or Climate Elements
Plants can’t defend themselves from the harsh elements of nature. When there are hail storms, there is no way for them to protect their leaves and soft stems.
This can lead to them suffering catastrophic damage. I remember crying when my mulberry seedling was cut to shreds by a flash storm.
Likewise, I have also seen a harsh and hot summer suck the life out of my impatiens.
By keeping an eye on the weather, I can take action to cover up my more delicate garden plants with sacking or plastic sheets. This helps me protect my plants from harsh weather elements.
Reason 6: Infestation of Pests or Strike of Disease
Pests and diseases are the worst killers when it comes to plants. One moment, your bamboo plants will be thriving, and the next, they will be covered in lice or mites.
Before long, they are hanging limply with black or brown leaf tips.
I advise a daily or weekly inspection schedule to check for signs of disease. The quicker you pick up on a disease like a bacterial infection, the sooner you can help your plants recover and heal.
With pests, the same applies as your plants stand a better chance of survival when you catch the pests and repel them as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions about Why My Outdoor Plants are Dying
How do you save an outdoor plant that’s dying?
Outdoor plants can die because of several reasons like having too much sun exposure, being watered too often, or receiving too little fertilizer. To save your plant, you should find out what is killing it. If it’s too much sunlight, then move your plant to a more shady spot by transplanting it. Perhaps it’s because your plant’s overwatered and its roots are drowning. By adding more organic material like bark or coconut husks to the soil you can improve the drainage.
In what ways can you revive your dying outdoor plant?
If your outdoor plant is dying, you can revive it by trimming away the affected plant tissues. Dead leaves won’t grow again. Then take steps to help your plant heal. These steps may include transplanting the affected plants or adding fertilizer or watering more often.
How do you save a dying garden?
If your garden is dying, you need to take drastic action. Trim all the dead leaves, inspect the plants to discover the reason why they are dying, and plan your intervention action. You may need to water more or less, give fertilizer or withhold it, transplant your plants to places with more or less direct sunlight, and you need to have insect repellent treatments and anti-fungal sprays on hand to deal with pests and plagues.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor
