landscaping, supplied by Jay Chua.
Garden Like a Pro: Seven Landscaping Secrets Revealed
Landscaping isnt rocket science. But the two disciplines have at least one important thing in common: planning. Attempting to land on the moon without years of adequate research and planning would result in failure. Similarly, a garden planted without forethought would eventually lead to a jungle of problems. It is essential to have a clear idea of what one hopes to achieve before he or she attempts to achieve it.
Many would-be gardeners give up after their first attempted garden or landscaping project, because they come to believe it takes too much time. The truth is, even the most luxurious looking garden can be kept with minimal effort so long as it was adequately planned. Read on to learn some of the secrets the pros use to create amazing gardens, which are surprisingly low maintenance. You might be surprised to find it's not as hard as you think.
1. Weed Prevention Saves Time
Most people who get fed up with their garden complain of the endless hours they spend weeding. Fortunately, most weed problems can be eliminated before they begin. The secret is to dig up all the dirt where you will place your garden beds. Make sure you go deep enough to get at all those pesky weed roots. Done properly, this will significantly reduce the number of weeds youre forced to fight on summer afternoons when you'd rather be relaxing in your favorite hanging hammock chair.
2. Plan Garden Routes
Whether it is to water a plant or to check for bug infestations, it is likely you'll eventually need to walk up to each of your plants. Keep this in mind when designing your garden, and be sure to include routes that will allow you to move freely about. Stepping stones are useful and attractive means to this end.
3. Be Picky Where You Plant
Certain plants require much more attention than others. If you place high-maintenance plants in hard to get areas, then you will spend more time taking care of them. Instead, consider placing your most demanding plants in the place that will be most convenient to you when you are tending to them.
4. Deliberately Shape Your Lawn
Shaping your lawn so it is easy to mow is an essential timesaver. Stay away from sharp angles and complicated shapes. Opt for slowly curving lines and a simple lawn layout, and you'll be reminded of how great your lawn is every time you mow it.
5. Think Outside the Garden Box
Putting some of your plants in ornamental containers offers more gardening possibilities. Not only do pots provide attractive elements with which to compliment your plants, but they also allow you to keep a wider variety of foliage. Some plants that might not weather hard rain but would otherwise flourish in your garden are prime candidates for moveable containers. These plants can then be stowed away in the patio or on the porch as needed.
6. Xeriscape for Hassle-Free Gardening
Xeriscaping is a method of landscape design that emphasizes creating a maintenance-free landscape. It is often used in arid regions where most plants would require too much watering to keep alive. The key is to choose native species that are used to the climate and annual rainfall in your area. These plants will need little watering other than that which nature herself supplies.
7. Consider Pruning and Watering Needs
Nothing is more frustrating than purchasing a beautifully shaped plant, which soon after loses its shape and requires constant pruning. Some plants look beautiful without pruning but others will require it. By purchasing slow growing varieties, you will reduce time spent pruning. Avoid fast growing plants which don't look good unkempt, because these will simply suck away your summer evenings. Another thing to remember with regard to pruning: prune for plant health, not to create strange shapes. Artificially shaped plants will require far more upkeep.
Final Thoughts: Designing a garden can seem a little overwhelming at first, but it is much easier if you sort it out on paper. Consider devoting a notebook to your cause in which you can sketch your layout. Keep track of which plants will go where, and reason it out. Don't pencil them in just anywhere. In addition, don't plan on accomplishing this in one sitting. Take your time, and really think about it. Draw in your garden routes, consider how you'll irrigate, how you'll mow the lawn, where the shade will be, and any other factors you consider important. Colored pencils or highlighters can help you keep it all straight. Creating a stunning garden landscape is a real possibility for anyone, even those short on time. The secret is to plan on creating a maintenance free garden from the very start. Take time up front so that you don't have to spend time later, and you'll be rewarded every time you set foot in your garden paradise.
About the Author: Jay Chua operates his own website, PorchSwingSets.com, which contains a wealth of information on everything from porch swing to the best selling pawleys island rope hammocks. When Jay isn't working on his website, he can often be found tending to his garden, or sharing the latest garden tips with his friends, neighbors, and those across the globe. Jay and his wife live in beautiful Vancouver, Canada.
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