To have a beautiful yard, you really do need to take good care of it. Even though gardening is easy, it does take time, knowledge and practice to get it right. And to get great results, you need to be smart with the techniques you use. Using the right techniques will ensure a happier, healthier and tastier garden.
Here are 7 tips to get you on the path to success with your gardening and help produce beautiful results.
Get The Soil Right
How well your garden grows is influenced a lot by the soil. So having the correct soil for your plants is important. Knowing what plants you want (which comes down to good planning) will determine the type of soil needed.
From there, you can establish if your soil will suit or if it needs to be amended. Even if your soil isn’t the right type, it is possible to create areas within the garden that are a specific soil type. You can then match the plant and soil in different areas.
Squash Stink Bugs
Stink bugs can be a huge pest when gardening, particularly in the fall. Some of their favorite plants are tomatoes, peppers and many fruits.
Get on top of them as soon as you see them to minimize their impact. Otherwise they could wreak havoc in your garden.
Take Time To Plan And Take Notes
Planning is another vital aspect of gardening. Before planting anything, plan it out so you don’t wast time and money. Along the way keep notes alongside your plan too. That way, as things bloom and blossom you have a record of what you planted and when.
It also works the other way when plants just don’t work out. You can be sure not to repeat the mistake. Having a good plan will help you keep track of all your plantings, not just the most obvious ones.
Sometimes smaller plantings get lost in the sea of green and color. With a good plan and notes, you will be able to keep tabs on those and maybe move them so they can blossom as well.
Know The Best Harvesting Times
When planting vegetables, herbs and fruits, take the time to learn the best harvesting time. Often, they should be picked at a particular time to ensure maximum flavor. It also means they are allowed the right amount of time to fully develop.
Some things are best picked young, like zucchini and baby peas. Others, like tomatoes, are better left on the vine to fully ripen. Learning the best time to harvest produce will ensure you get the most out of your garden.
Be Careful With Pesticides
Broad spectrum pesticides are not a good idea in the garden. While they do destroy the pests, they will also kill helpful insects that benefit your plants.
In fact, the good bugs tend to be more susceptible to pesticides of this type. So using them could actually result in an increase of the pests you don’t want, rather than getting rid of them.
And of course, you will then try and get rid of the unwanted pests which means even more pesticide going onto the garden.
Make The Most Of Fall Color
When fall comes around, that is the time to choose plants and trees with vibrant colors. Fall is actually the time of year for foliage as the leaves change with the season. There are also colorful shrubs that thrive at that time of year.
So just because the cooler weather is starting to come, don’t back away from making your garden beautiful. Trees that have lots of fall colors, from yellow to deep crimson, include Maple trees, Beech trees and Dogwood. Shrubs that can add vibrance include cotoneaster, barberry and hydrangea.
Plant Heather
Including heather in your garden is a great idea to attract beneficial insects. In spring, bees head straight to these plants. And more bees is always a good thing in gardens.
Other helpful insects including spiders and ground beetles also tend to live in heather beds. They are a haven for these insects as they tend to be undisturbed. With all these insects in heather beds, it is a good idea to put on a pair of gloves before pruning. You don’t want a nasty surprise!
Gardening is a wonderful hobby and creating a beautiful garden is worth the time and effort. Try some of the easy home garden ideas listed above and you will get great results fast.