Having a lush thriving garden entails a combination of maintenance practices that are an easy DIY. Just like parenting and marriage, you can only appreciate the effort and time invested into one when you develop a love and passion for gardening. You do not just wake up, put plants into the ground and wait for them to flourish into a beautiful garden. For those of us who are unsure how to maintain our gardens, this article talks about how to take care of your landscaping.
Watering
Water is one of the many ingredients of a healthy garden so remember to water your soil adequately. When watering, ensure to take the nozzle of the water can close to the plant base as possible. This helps to avoid splashing the plant, which in turn aids in keeping mold at bay. If you live in a hot location or during summer times, you should water your plants early in the morning, preferably between 6 and 8.
Taking care of your garden is important
This helps the plant to absorb as much water as possible before it evaporates from the intense heat of the season. As you water, remember the goal is to keep the soil moist instead of saturated. This is because saturated soils are clogged and may support the growth of mold or even kill your plants.
Weed Control
Weeds are any undesired plant species thriving in your garden. They include species such as dandelions, blackjacks and grass. These tend to compete for the limited nutrients available in your soil, leaving your plants malnourished. This is because, unlike most garden plants, weeds are more vibrant and have higher survival rates. To eradicate these, pull them by hand from the roots. This method helps in protecting your plants from destruction.
Fertilizing
Fertilizer is the nutrient that plants use to make their food for them to remain healthy and produce bounty. Fertilizer comes in both commercial and organic forms, both of which are readily available in the local supplies stores. Commercial fertilizers raise the pH of the soil, thereby contributing to unhealthy soil and poor plant health. For a healthy and chemical-free garden soil that produces healthy foods, use organic fertilizers instead of commercial ones.
Soil Care
Healthy garden soils are directly proportional to healthy plants that give a healthy bumper harvest. As you focus on maintaining healthy plants, you should also aim to achieve healthy soils. One of the many ways of doing this is by ensuring that your garden is protected from the intense heat of the summer. You can lay mulch, which comes in different forms including grass clippings, leaves, sawdust, and other dead matter. Mulching helps to retain soil moisture thereby saving water so that you do not have to water very often. It also helps to attract worms that help to decompose organic matter to replenish the soil with organic fertilizer and more aeration.
Plant Care
After planting, you cannot just sit around and wait for a bounty at the end of the planting season. Lots of work and dedication have to be invested in plant care. Pruning and deadheading are among the many forms of plant care that should be practiced to achieve healthy plants. Deadheading entails the removal of the old spent plant parts such as flowers while pruning helps the plant to develop more branches and spread further for more produce.
Pest and Disease Control
Should you notice any signs of pest infestation or diseases, you should immediately remove the infected or affected plants and burn them. Such plants should never be composted since this can lead to further spread of pests and diseases. Instead of commercial pesticides, look for more sustainable and organic ways of controlling pests and diseases.
Seasonal Maintenance
The most effective way of maintaining a lush healthy garden is by conducting regular walkthroughs. During such inspections, you will detect signs of pests and diseases and be able to address them accordingly before they escalate to serious issues. Seasonal maintenance also helps you to notice spent plant parts and plants that need some pruning.
Beyond mere maintenance and effective garden practices, having a healthy lush garden calls for dedication and passion for plants. You have to be prepared to spend long hours bending over and kneeling as you take care of the plants. It is, for this reason, one of the best ways of killing time and reconnecting with nature. However, in a situation where you are very busy and need your plants taken care of, professional gardening services are a phone call or text away.
