Read Seed Packets and Plant Tags Carefully

Before planting, read the information printed on seed packets and nursery plant tags. These labels specify sunlight requirements, water needs, spacing, mature size, days to maturity, planting depth, and often disease resistance. Match every requirement against your actual garden conditions.

Why It Works

Planting a full-sun crop in a shady corner or crowding plants too close together are common beginner mistakes that labels prevent. The data on packets is variety-specific and more accurate than general advice found online.

Tips

• Check sunlight requirements first: full sun means 6+ hours of direct light per day
• Compare "days to maturity" against your frost-free season length
• Note whether days to maturity is counted from seed sowing or from transplant date
• Keep empty seed packets in a binder as a reference log for future seasons