While some people may have a naturally green thumb, gardening is still a skill that takes a lot of practice to perfect. Whether you’re an avid gardener or just planting your first seeds, there’s always room for growth. Read on to learn new and inventive ways to up your landscaping skills and create curb appeal that looks professionally manicured.
Use flowering and non-flowering plants
When picking your plants, remember that variation is key. A garden filled with flowers and no greens looks too busy, while an overly leafy vegetable garden lacks excitement. Maintain balance and use both annual and perennial flowers to ensure you have something blooming all throughout the season. If you prefer a vegetable-only garden, keep color in mind and plant purple chives, white spring onions, white or purple basil, and yellow dill.
Do some planning
When starting your garden, remember that not all plants are created equally. Some plants grow easily with very little attention, but others need more care. Some plants can be finicky, so improper sunlight, water, or soil can vastly decrease the life of your new seedlings. Before purchasing your seeds or buds, note what areas of the yard get the most sunlight and track where water runs off to. Then, arrange your plants according to their ideal growing conditions.
Do some research
Sunflowers may look nice interspersed with cabbage, but that doesn’t mean that they grow well next to each other. Do some research into symbiotic gardening (companion planting) to better understand which plants are compatible together. This is especially important for those with smaller gardens, where there isn’t enough space to separate conflicting plants.
Control Weeds
When growing a beautiful garden, what you put in the soil is just as important as what you take out. It’s time to talk about weeding. Pulling out weeds regularly is the key to maintaining a healthy garden, so survey the yard often and remove weeds before they produce seeds. If you prefer to use a spray to kill weeds, be sure to use a natural deterrent near any plants you plan on eating and keep pets and small children away. To prevent weeds, utilize mulch and landscape fabric. Beyond its functionality, mulch can also add attractive contrast in color to your garden, providing a darker backdrop against the bright blossoms.
Use groupings and themes
Grouping certain plants together can add an artistic touch to the garden by playing with color, patterns, and texture. Embrace a rustic aesthetic and place groups of plants or flowers in planters, pots, or other odd items like an old boot, tire, or even a toilet. This prevents the space from looking too uniform and adds a little visual interest.
Add garden art
Not every art piece in the garden needs to be functional. Add a dash of your personality by scattering lights, fountains, flags, and antiques across the yard. This is a great way to fill any empty or uniform spaces in the garden. Little tricks like this will spruce up your garden and show off your creative side.
Keep up on it
After all of your hard work, it would be a shame to let it get overgrown and out of control. Gardening isn’t a one-off project — it requires year-round care and constant monitoring. If you pay attention to your gardens, you will get to know each plant’s specific needs as you spend more time with them. With time, you’ll start to learn when it’s time to water, weed, and possibly even replant. Further, don’t forget that plants are living things, so if you go on vacation, they’ll need a sitter. Ask a friend or relative to come by once or twice to water your gardens and make sure the fruit of your labor (pun intended) is well taken care of.
Gardening is a rewarding hobby that, if kept upon, will result in a beautiful yard that is both aesthetic and functional. Whether you’re looking to add homegrown produce to your kitchen or create a stunning entryway to your home, these tips and tricks above will ensure your garden is the best on the block.
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