Gardens come in all shapes and sizes and are all different. Some have a range of plants, flowers and trees growing naturally and then there are manmade varieties that are designed to be easy to care for with the minimum of garden maintenance. Whatever garden type you have, here are some ways to keep costs low while maintaining a lovely garden.
A healthy garden
Mulch is a material that is spread over the surface of the soil and used to retain moisture and stop weeds from growing. It comes in the form of compost, bark, grass clippings, manure, straw and leaves. Mulching supplies nutrients, helps protect the top soil from blowing away and improves the look of your garden. It is used by keen gardeners and farmers. You don’t need a thick layer of mulch, only a thin layer or you can end up attracting insects and pests living in it and destroying the plants.
Keeping plants looking healthy
Plants are sensitive and need to be cared for properly in order to get a nice display. You need to tend to plants and know how to care for each one individually. This is an important part of garden maintenance. Read instructions carefully or check online for details on how to care for your particular plants. It is a good idea to buy plants suitable to the climate you live in, and your soil type. Make sure that you are aware if a plant is poisonous or not for the sake of your health and those around you. If not, you can be spending money on extras to keep these plants alive. For healthy plants, it is important to know that compost feeds the soil and fertilizer feeds the plant and adds nutrients to the soil for faster growth. Like all garden care products, you can use organic and chemical based fertilizers. But, it is worth studying about these chemicals before you use them as they can cause toxins to be deposited into the soil and water supplies. These are complex systems and need to be researched before using them.
Controlling diseases and pests
You need to be aware that plants can become overrun with pests and diseases. There are many store-bought products and chemicals that treat various diseases and pests. They can be costly and may not always be eco-friendly. You can often use ingredients that are in the cupboard for pest control such as a simple soapy water solution that will clean the plant and get rid of pests. This is particularly useful for fruit trees and vegetable plants. Treating weeds with vinegar rather than store-bought weed control chemicals will help keep them under control, and help the planet too.
How nature can help in the garden
Insects are needed to promote growth of plants and flowers in the garden. Earthworms are good for plants and help to air and circulate the soil and allow them to breathe. Trees are great ways of providing shade in a garden. If you are fortunate to have trees growing in your garden, take care of them with proper tree trimming to keep them well pruned and healthy.
Final gardening tips
Make sure you are aware of how tall trees, plants and flowers are going to grow. As they mature, it is easy for some trees to get out of hand and block out valuable daylight to the house and even cause inconvenience to neighbours. Always water plants in the morning. For new plants, read about caring for them and pay attention to them for the first few weeks until they become stronger. Plants need to be cared for properly for them to thrive.