Learning new ways to be a smarter gardener will save you money and back pain. Don't be fooled into thinking that gardening will get easier. Instead, learn new ways to be more efficient that will give you more time to relax and enjoy your garden. Take the time to learn new ways to be a better gardener with these helpful gardening posts and tips.
Plants, NO Ants & Fun
When watering it's important to make sure that the water reaches all the way to the bottom of the soil. Roots that are grown closer to the surface are more likely to get damaged, and in turn produce plants that are less hardy and more susceptible to damage. By pouring water only on the top layer, the roots are forced to grow upwards and become shallower.
Make the most of Fall color. Many deciduous shrubs, trees and vines save their best show until the Fall, transforming the garden with vivid reds, fiery oranges and glowing yellows. This change happens because the plants stop producing chlorophyll, and pigments that were previously masked by green begin to show. To increase your chances of a great display, make sure the plants receive a lot of sun for most of the day, especially in the afternoon. Good plant and shrub choices include maple, burning bush, boston ivy, barberry and chestnut.
Flowers, Bugs and Sunshine
For those new to gardening it is suggested to experiment with annuals. The following varieties are hardy, thrive in average soil, and take minimum care: sweet alyssum, marigold, zinnia, sunflower, nasturtium, petunia and verbena. Just remember to deadhead them frequently to encourage new flowers to grow.
For a 'cottage' garden plant rambling roses. Rambling roses, traditionally grown in cottage gardens, are some of the oldest varieties of roses. They are once-a-year bloomers, featuring huge clusters of small flowers in midsummer. Stems can grow to 30 feet long if not pruned, in fact, most benefit from simply being left alone. An advantage of rambling roses is that they are quite disease resistant and very hardy.
Soil, Water and Roots
When watering it's important to make sure that the water reaches all the way to the bottom of the soil. Roots that are grown closer to the surface are more likely to get damaged, and in turn produce plants that are less hardy and more susceptible to damage. By pouring water only on the top layer, the roots are forced to grow upwards and become shallower.
A great tip to consider when gardening is that you should consider recycling your coffee grounds and reusing your tea bags in your garden. This is important because both of these items will add acid to the soil and help to maintain the pH balance exactly how you want it.
Worms, Weeds and Newspapers
Cover your garden with newspaper at the end of the growing season. Weigh the newspaper down with some heavy rocks. This will help to prevent insects, and discourages winter weeds too. The newspaper will break down in the spring and becomes a delicious treat for the worms in your garden, encouraging them to stick around.
Remember to mulch before the first freeze. Spread compost or shredded leaves around the garden, mulching under shrubs, hedges, roses, and on top of the crown of any tender perennials. A layer of compost spread on bare ground will help to protect any bulbs, corms or plant roots. By springtime, this compost will have been taken into the ground by worms, and your soil will be full of nutrition, ready for new planting.
Whether you are working toward a garden that will survive throughout the year, trying to save money on gardening costs, or just wanting to cut down on the work it takes to build a garden, learning how to garden never ends. At the end of the day, as you sit down to relax, you will reap the benefits of viewing the beautiful garden that you worked hard for.
Plants, NO Ants & Fun
When watering it's important to make sure that the water reaches all the way to the bottom of the soil. Roots that are grown closer to the surface are more likely to get damaged, and in turn produce plants that are less hardy and more susceptible to damage. By pouring water only on the top layer, the roots are forced to grow upwards and become shallower.
Make the most of Fall color. Many deciduous shrubs, trees and vines save their best show until the Fall, transforming the garden with vivid reds, fiery oranges and glowing yellows. This change happens because the plants stop producing chlorophyll, and pigments that were previously masked by green begin to show. To increase your chances of a great display, make sure the plants receive a lot of sun for most of the day, especially in the afternoon. Good plant and shrub choices include maple, burning bush, boston ivy, barberry and chestnut.
Flowers, Bugs and Sunshine
For those new to gardening it is suggested to experiment with annuals. The following varieties are hardy, thrive in average soil, and take minimum care: sweet alyssum, marigold, zinnia, sunflower, nasturtium, petunia and verbena. Just remember to deadhead them frequently to encourage new flowers to grow.
For a 'cottage' garden plant rambling roses. Rambling roses, traditionally grown in cottage gardens, are some of the oldest varieties of roses. They are once-a-year bloomers, featuring huge clusters of small flowers in midsummer. Stems can grow to 30 feet long if not pruned, in fact, most benefit from simply being left alone. An advantage of rambling roses is that they are quite disease resistant and very hardy.
Soil, Water and Roots
When watering it's important to make sure that the water reaches all the way to the bottom of the soil. Roots that are grown closer to the surface are more likely to get damaged, and in turn produce plants that are less hardy and more susceptible to damage. By pouring water only on the top layer, the roots are forced to grow upwards and become shallower.
A great tip to consider when gardening is that you should consider recycling your coffee grounds and reusing your tea bags in your garden. This is important because both of these items will add acid to the soil and help to maintain the pH balance exactly how you want it.
Worms, Weeds and Newspapers
Cover your garden with newspaper at the end of the growing season. Weigh the newspaper down with some heavy rocks. This will help to prevent insects, and discourages winter weeds too. The newspaper will break down in the spring and becomes a delicious treat for the worms in your garden, encouraging them to stick around.
Remember to mulch before the first freeze. Spread compost or shredded leaves around the garden, mulching under shrubs, hedges, roses, and on top of the crown of any tender perennials. A layer of compost spread on bare ground will help to protect any bulbs, corms or plant roots. By springtime, this compost will have been taken into the ground by worms, and your soil will be full of nutrition, ready for new planting.
Whether you are working toward a garden that will survive throughout the year, trying to save money on gardening costs, or just wanting to cut down on the work it takes to build a garden, learning how to garden never ends. At the end of the day, as you sit down to relax, you will reap the benefits of viewing the beautiful garden that you worked hard for.
