Living through a global pandemic gave people a newfound appreciation for spending time outdoors being surrounded by nature. Those of us who were lucky enough to have gardens suddenly had enough time on our hands to make use of these outdoor spaces while also sprucing them up.
However, the truth is having a beautiful outdoor space isn’t just about hiring the best landscape gardener to design a natural oasis. Naturally, our gardens are open to the elements, which can potentially cause these once perfect-looking spaces to quickly look tired. Even the amazing-looking gardens you see in magazines are a constant project requiring maintenance. If you want to keep your garden looking beautiful throughout the year, here are a few tips that should help in terms of maintaining your outdoor space :
Get Rid of Weeds
One of the first signs of neglect in a garden is the presence of weeds. It is, therefore, in your interests to keep your outdoor space weed-free. Having a high plant density in your garden will prevent weeds from growing by limiting space for them to develop. Mulch can also be used to stop weeds from sproutings. If you are looking to remove existing weeds from the garden, do it properly by using a weeding trowel to remove them from their source at the roots rather than simply pulling off the leaves.
Water the Plants Correctly
You’d be surprised at how many people neglect to water their plants, or don’t do it correctly. Soil should be kept moist, which requires watering once or twice per week. It’s also best to water your plants in the early morning or evening when the soil is cooler, and the water is less likely to evaporate as quickly. If you know that you are a neglectful gardener, consider investing in a sprinkler system that allows you to regulate moisture and control the watering schedule.
Be Mindful About Your Lawn
Lawns are difficult to maintain, and you should be aware that they require constant attention to keep them looking good. Hot weather can be really damaging, and if the temperature rises, you should avoid mowing the lawn to prevent the soil from drying out. The best time to water your lawn is before 8 am. If you are not accustomed to the early mornings, then a sprinkler system will be essential here.
Know Your Limitations As a Gardener
When designing your garden, spend some time thinking about how much time you can see yourself outside doing the maintenance required to keep it looking good. If you aren’t the most green-fingered of people, opt for hardier plants such as succulents that thrive without needing a lot of attention.
It is important to understand that having a good-looking garden requires more than one visit to the nursery where you spend a fortune buying plants. It requires daily maintenance. This can be fun and therapeutic if you are willing to get stuck in but if you don’t it can become a little bit of a nightmare. Educate yourself on the process of maintaining an outdoor space and bear the logistics in mind when designing your dream garden so you can tailor the area to meet your needs and your skills as a gardener.
