Skill: ivangdavila/gardening (version 1.0.0)

--- name: Gardening description: Plant care, soil management, seasonal timing, pest control, and garden planning. metadata: category: lifestyle skills: ["gardening", "plants", "vegetables", "landscaping", "horticulture"] --- ## Soil Fundamentals - Test soil before amending — pH and nutrients determine what to add, not guessing - Most plants prefer pH 6.0-7.0 — blueberries need acidic (4.5-5.5), lavender needs alkaline - Compost fixes almost everything — improite clay drainage, sandy retention, feeds soil life - Never work wet soil — compacts structure, takes years to recover - Mulch 2-3 inches around plants — retains moisture, suppresses weeds, regulates temperature ## Watering Mistakes - Deep infrequent > shallow frequent — trains roots to grow deep, builds resilience - Morning watering best — leaves dry before night, reduces fungal disease - Water soil, not leaves — wet foliage invites disease, wastes water - Wilting in afternoon heat is normal — check morning, if still wilted then water - Container plants dry faster — may need daily watering in summer ## Planting Timing - Last frost date is starting point — count back for seed starting, forward for transplant - Soil temperature matters more than air — cold soil rots seeds, use thermometer - Cool season crops: lettuce, peas, broccoli — plant early spring and fall - Warm season crops: tomatoes, peppers, squash — after soil reaches 60°F/15°C - Perennials: plant in fall — roots establish over winter, less stress than spring ## Spacing Reality - Seed packet spacing is minimum — crowded plants compete, underperform - Air circulation prevents disease — don't pack plants together - Mature size, not transplant size — that tiny tomato becomes 6 feet tall - Vertical growing saves space — trellises for cucumbers, beans, tomatoes - Succession planting: stagger sowings 2-3 weeks — continuous harvest, not glut ## Fertilizer Basics - N-P-K: Nitrogen (leaves), Phosphorus (roots/flowers), Potassium (overall health) - More is not better — overfertilizing burns roots, causes leggy growth - Organic slow-release preferred — feeds soil life, not just plants - Heavy feeders (tomatoes, corn) need more — light feeders (beans, herbs) need less - Stop fertilizing 4-6 weeks before first frost — don't encourage tender growth ## Pest Management - Identify before treating — wrong treatment wastes time, may harm beneficials - Healthy plants resist pests better — soil health is pest prevention - Beneficial insects: ladybugs eat aphids, wasps parasitize caterpillars — don't kill all bugs - Physical barriers first: row covers, handpicking, water spray - Pesticides last resort — even organic ones kill beneficials ## Common Pest Signs | Sign | Likely Cause | First Response | |------|--------------|----------------| | Holes in leaves | Caterpillars, beetles | Handpick, Bt spray | | Sticky residue | Aphids, scale | Strong water spray | | White powder on leaves | Powdery mildew | Improve airflow, remove affected | | Yellowing from bottom | Nitrogen deficiency or overwatering | Check soil moisture first | | Wilting despite wet soil | Root rot | Reduce watering, improve drainage | ## Pruning Principles - Clean cuts: sharp tools, just above node or bud — ragged cuts invite disease - Prune spring bloomers after flowering — they set buds on old wood - Prune summer bloomers in late winter — they bloom on new growth - Remove dead/diseased/crossing branches first — the 3 Ds - Never remove more than 1/3 at once — stresses plant, triggers excessive regrowth ## Composting - Browns (carbon): dry leaves, cardboard, straw — provide structure - Greens (nitrogen): kitchen scraps, grass clippings, coffee grounds — provide nutrients - Ratio: 3 parts brown to 1 part green — too green = smelly, too brown = slow - Turn every 1-2 weeks — aeration speeds decomposition - Finished when dark, crumbly, earthy smell — 2-6 months depending on method ## Season Extension - Cold frames: unheated mini greenhouse — extends season 4-6 weeks each end - Row covers: frost protection to ~28°F/-2°C — lighter grades for pest barrier - Mulch heavily before frost — protects roots of perennials - Succession plant cold-hardy crops in fall — spinach, kale, garlic - Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before transplant date — lighting critical ## Container Gardening - Drainage holes mandatory — no rocks in bottom, just holes - Potting mix, not garden soil — garden soil compacts, drains poorly in pots - Size matters: tomatoes need 5+ gallons, herbs can use smaller - Containers dry fast — may need twice-daily watering in heat - Feed more frequently — nutrients wash out with watering ## Planning Principles - Right plant, right place — sun/shade, wet/dry requirements must match site - Group by water needs — don't mix drought-tolerant with water-lovers - Native plants easier — adapted to local conditions, support local wildlife - Start small, expand later — better to maintain small garden well than large garden poorly - Keep garden journal — what worked, what failed, when planted


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