Backyard gardening is healthy for both body and mind; it’s fun, but it’s not the easiest thing in the world. Even seasoned gardeners learn something new every day, and those who’ve only picked up on it are certainly in for a challenge or two. Today we’ll walk you through the basics of backyard gardening and provide a few helpful tips so that you can avoid some of the most common gardening mistakes. Without any further ado, let’s dive straight into it.   Revisit your watering technique The very core of gardening lies in the water. Plants depend on it for sustenance, but it can also ‘drown’ them should you use too much of it. If presented to the plants in insufficient quantity, they will become frail and are most likely to get plagued by garden pests. Inquire about how much water each plant in your garden needs, but you should also take into account the quality of dirt surrounding each plant. Frail, brittle plants are best watered with cups for extra precision, while robust plants can be watered with a regular hose. Avoid the most potent power levels unless you are trying to scrape insects from the plants’ leaves. The importance of a proper watering technique is in the fact that you may end your gardening journey pretty quickly should you neglect it. Once refined and polished, a good watering technique will even help your plants become more resistant to various pest types.   Pest control One of the daily chores of all gardeners is pest inspection and pest elimination when needed. Gardeners who think pest inspection once a week is often enough can end up facing infestations of garden mice, aphids, and beetles. Aphids are widely considered to be the biggest annoyance for backyard gardeners. Their tiny bodies are camouflaged when they latch onto the leaves, and the fact that they tend to hide on their undersides doesn’t help either. Handpick them if there are only a few. Otherwise, use organic sprays (water mixed with essential oil, for example). Larger infestations of aphids can be culled by introducing ladybugs and birds, given that they are the natural predators of most insect-type pests. Wasps are pretty dangerous, as they feed on plants and can be aggressive to humans. However, some gardeners don’t mind a few wasps buzzing in their backyard, as they also tend to eat caterpillars, aphids, and beetles. Out of all insect ‘companions,’ wasps are ranked pretty low. You can quickly get rid of them by scattering bits of peppermint oil near your plants. Strong scents repulse them, so using citronella candles is more than likely to keep them away. Should you face an infestation of dozens of wasps, your best bet is to hire professional wasp exterminators. Rodents, such as rats and mice, are prone to playing mind games with gardeners, as they are both stealthy and incredibly patient. Keep your garden tidy and clean of debris to dissuade them from nesting. [...]