Continuing Top 10 Tips for a Successful Garden – part two
7. Using solar power
Save money by connecting outdoor power usage to solar panels. For your landscaping lights and pool.
8. Composting and mulching
This is the companion piece to soil preparation. A well composted and regularly mulched garden will always perform well. It adjusts soil types, alters pH as needed, saves watering, keeps plants healthy.
9. Keep you garden interesting
Using variation of colours, foliage, textures, shapes, sizes and layout will not only keep the garden as a place of endless interest, but it will also encourage you to persist as it gives new challenges and pleasure.
For example, stagger plants and not just in a straight line, snake annuals amongst shrubs and trees; put low growers in front of higher ones; look at the shape and color of leaves and have a mix.
Seasons. Use the different seasons to add color – e.g. azaleas and camellias for winter flowering, roses in summer and so on.
It is entirely possible to have some flowering all year round.
Perfume and fragrance – make sure you have some plants with perfume so that the sense of smell is tickled. E.g. wisteria, stocks, gardenias, roses (natch!), jasmine.
10. Be water-wise
To reduce water bills and to conserve water in drier regions, being water-wise is just plain good sense.
- Mulch well
- Use drip systems for irrigation where possible.
- Mix in water retaining gels and pellets – especially in pots.
- Watering on top of the plants can also encourage fungal disease, such as blackspot in roses.
- Before planting a new lawn – lay out a drip system for it.
I can count! Just thought I add these three in!
11. The Right Plant For the Right Zone
This is really important – don’t expect plants to grow well if they are not suited to the climate and predominant soil type of your area. The latter can be altered, the former not – unless you believe in sci fi.
This is especially true for fruit trees.
12. Bring the outdoors inside
Snow in winter frozen yards? Can’t garden? The solution – get a collection of indoor plants – for their beauty – plus they help purify the air in the home.
13. Consult Those in the Know – about planting needs, suitable plants etc
Check with your local nursery
- Join a garden club
- Look around the neighbourhood – to see what grows well
- Take a walk around your parks and botanical gardens.
Following these 10 top tips for a successful garden – well 13 actually (!) will make your garden bloom and also add value to your property. Go to Part One
NEED PLANTS FOR SHADY AREA? WATCH THIS
