Experience gardeners and landscapers have some tricks of the trade that keeps their yards or gardens looking good throughout the year. Here are some easy expert tips of what to avoid when planning and planting and how to keep everything looking lush and healthy.
Things to Avoid Before Planting
- Don’t buy unhealthy plants. Don’t assume plants are healthy. Look at the leaves and growth. Are the leaves brown, yellow or faded? Does it look dried out? Is there new growth?
- Don’t buy plants for just their flowers. Once the flowers fade and drop off will the plant’s foliage be attractive and interesting?
- Don’t avoid reading labels. Labels tell you where and how your plant will thrive. Read the labels to avoid certain plant death.
- Don’t buy a hodgepodge of plants. Not getting the right quantities of plants will make your garden look haphazard.
- Don’t expect too much out of your space. Your small backyard is still. . .well, small. . . expecting to create a beautiful bounty of botanical awesomeness out of your 10×10 yard is destined to fail. Know your space.
- Don’t buy flowers in full bloom.
- Don’t overwater. More is not always better.
- Don’t underestimate your climate. Planting plants that are not suited for your climate makes it a certainty that they won’t make it.
Things to Do to Create an Amazing Garden
- Buy healthy and lush plants. Expect to pay a bit more for well cared for nursery plants that will thrive. Many reputable nurseries guarantee their plants.
- Inspect the foliage and decide if you can live with the leaves once the flowers die.
- Get your soil tested so that you can understand how to improve and plant.
- Read labels and know your garden space – is it shaded? Full sun? A mix? Knowing what you are planting and the reality of your space will ensure your plants will look their best.
- Buy groupings of plants in 3s and 5s to create a well designed area that flows.
- Know the dimensions of your area. This ensures that you don’t over plant your space.
- Look for flowers that have healthy buds on them not full blooms and let them bloom in your own garden rather than at the nursery.
- Overwatering will kill your plants just as much as not enough water so read your labels and water accordingly.
- Look for plants that do well in your climate so that the sun or shade or rain won’t kill them off.
- Take a class to help you understand how to take care of your plants better.