Are you a complete novice when it comes to gardening? Just because you don’t have a green thumb, doesn’t mean you need to rely on landscaping experts to do all the work! Doing your own gardening is a great way to save money, as well as being a fun activity for the whole family. If you’re completely clueless when it comes to the design or not sure what to do when it comes to landscaping maintenance, you’re not alone. From picking the right design, soil and plant species to watering, fertilising, weeding and mulching, there are a number of things to consider when gardening—read on for some great advice.
Get the right design
Ensuring your landscape design is perfect before you start any construction is crucial. You should work closely with your local landscape designer to create an outdoor area that is personal, functional and looks beautiful. A mistake in the design process could have a flow on effect and cost you thousands of dollars down the track. Experienced landscape designers have seen it all before, so take a DIY approach to design at your own risk!
Use good soil
Healthy soil is key to a healthy garden. While it can be tempting to cut costs by purchasing cheap soil, you will end up paying the price if your plants don’t survive. The better the soil, the more nutrients your plants will absorb and the easier it is for them to establish a stronger root system.
Plant like a pro
First and foremost, work out how big the plants will grow when matured and space them out in rows accordingly (planting too close will create a competition for nutrients). Also, it’s crucial not plant too deep or shallow. Each plant is different so get some advice from your local nursery before you begin.
Just the right amount of care
If you want your garden to thrive, it’s just as important not to over-care as it is to under-care. While your plants and turf need water and fertiliser to flourish, giving them excessive amoumts can have negative impacts. You should only fertilise once a year and install irrigation systems to ensure your garden gets the right amount of water, all year round.
Stop weeds and erosion
Nobody enjoys picking and spraying weeds all weekend. If you want to limit the amount of weeds that grow in your garden—as well as stop soil erosion—it’s important to mulch your garden. Just like other plants, weeds need the sun to prosper. Along with giving your garden a nice-looking finish, mulch will shade any exposed soil from the sun and discourage weed growth.
Need help?
While taking a DIY approach to gardening is a great way to save money, if you are unsure about anything it’s important to seek help—or risk making an expensive mistake. Whether you need a hand with your initial garden designs or just need some general gardening tips, find a local expert here.
