Gardening is a fun and rewarding hobby, but it can also be dangerous. A wobbly garden stone or trip hazard can quickly turn a pleasant afternoon into a hospital visit.
Ensure the health of your plants by performing basic garden maintenance. This includes weeding, providing proper nutrition and water, and keeping your plants free of pests and disease. You know your kitchen appliance warranty but having a budget for the exterior and landscaping is important for home maintenance.
1. Keep the Area Clean
As the warm weather turns us towards outdoor tasks, many homeowners will begin tackling their gardens. But landscaping projects can cause damage to the plants on your property if they aren’t carefully planned and executed.
Keeping your garden clean is the best way to protect it from pests, weeds, and disease. It’s also a great way to prevent any debris from damaging your plants in the future.
Regularly removing weeds will keep them from overtaking your garden, and you can use edging materials to keep invasive or fast-growing plants contained. Additionally, edging can make it easier for cars and other vehicles to see where your landscape ends and begins. This will prevent them from running off the road and damaging your plants. Having well-maintained edges will also reduce the need for herbicides and other harsh chemicals.
2. Cover the Plants
In addition to protecting against frost, garden blankets called row covers also block insects and reduce the intensity of the sun’s rays. They are especially useful when transplanting plants to the garden. They can be hung from hoops or staked over beds. They are also available in different colors.
Mulch is a staple for any garden, but it’s particularly important during heat waves. It helps buffer temperature extremes by insulating soil, reducing evaporation and runoff, and improving the condition of soil as it breaks down over time.
Plants are more irritated by temperature changes in their root zone and soil than they are by ambient air temperatures. Choosing low-maintenance plants like native flowers, ornamental grasses and shrubs that are adapted to your area minimizes the need for hands-on care.
3. Keep the Weeds Under Control
Weeds can rob your plants of water and nutrients, stunt their growth, and provide a habitat for plant diseases. It’s best to prevent them as much as possible by keeping grass clippings out of flower beds, and keeping edges of lawns neat and trimmed.
Pulling or hoeing weeds frequently throughout the garden season can prevent them
from flowering and setting seeds. Doing this regularly can also reduce the overall weed population.
Annual weeds with shallow roots can be pulled easily, while perennials like dandelion or thistle can have deep taproots or rhizomes that can resurface even after pulling them. Providing regular aeration to the garden soil can help reduce weed populations as well. Using fences or other barriers will keep herbivores and critters away from your gardens as well.
4. Water Your Plants Regularly
Water is essential for plant growth and carries nutrients from the soil to the plants. However, too much moisture can create an environment in which disease-causing pathogens thrive. This is why it’s important to water your garden regularly.
A good rule of thumb is to water the garden early in the morning and avoid overwatering. This helps the soil retain moisture throughout the day and reduces evaporation.
Another important tip is to use mulch. This not only looks beautiful, but it also reduces the need for water by insulating the soil. It also improves airflow and prevents the build-up of humidity that can lead to diseases.
5. Hire a Professional
When you hire a professional landscaper, they will have the knowledge and resources to protect your garden. They will also be able to answer any questions you may have and help you keep your garden looking beautiful through all seasons.
A professional will understand the needs of your garden and will choose plants that are suited to your space. They will take into consideration factors such as soil quality, drainage, sun exposure and more. They will also be able to recommend plants that are best suited for your family’s lifestyle and preferences.
Hiring a landscaping company can save you time and money. This is because they will be able to do the work faster than you would and will have better results. They will also be able to use non-toxic preservatives, stains and paints which will help protect your garden from harmful chemicals.
