Keep tags or records of plants you have purchased...comes in handy for pruning. Plants such as Hydrangeas and Clematis are pruned differently, depending on the variety. If you are not careful, you may not have flowers this year! Place the information in a notebook, or online. If possible, make a simple chart of your grounds, with line drawings of the plants for reference.With that in mind: Prune your plants at the right time and in the correct manner.
Fill your yard with perennials in a variety of heights and colors...then add touches with annuals. It makes for an easy care garden!
Add plants of various heights..ascending/descending order...shorter in front, taller in back. When early spring bulbs die out, make sure you have a hosta or other perennial growing close to them so the empty space is covered.
Choose color schemes....blue/yellow...reds pinks and oranges
Fill your yard with easy care hostas, hydrangeas, and ground cover. Clematis are perfect for empty brick walls or ugly fences.
Buy beneficial bugs, such as lacewings, ladybugs, and praying mantis, so that toxic insecticides are not necessary.
Begin a compost pile, and use the rich soil produced for your garden.
Know the planting zone, water requirements and light conditions of the plants you are about to purchase. Do you have the proper conditions for them to grow well?
Take time to put down mulch...it will squelch weeds, and save time later!
Here are some helpful websites and products:
The Helpful Gardener
Eclectic Gardening Tips
Help finding the right plant for your garden spot!
Good Housekeeping Gardening Tips
Products for organic gardening
Step by step instructions
Clear illustrations and instruction
What makes gardening an easier task for you? What is your favorite perennial, and why?
Greetings, Jarm Del Boccio!
ReplyDeleteSuch a delightful theme for today! Nature is one of my most favorite things; and to be out in it is even more favorable!
Thanks for the flowers and the data! Made my morning more delightful!
May you continue to be inspired throughout the challenge! Have a great day!
Thanks so much, Betty...I'm glad I brightened your day! Enjoy the challenge...hope to see you around,
DeleteMy favorite perennial is comfrey which has some wonderful healing properties (soothing irritations, reducing inflammation and encouraging faster cell turn over are just a few). I love incorporating it in my soaps and salves and I love the color it provides as well! A close second is echinacea with its beautiful flowers. It too is a popular healing herb I've used in mouthwash, tinctures, soaps and salves. I love plants that are useful as well as beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou you make such lovely soaps, Daisy...and their scent is intoxicating! Thanks for sharing your tips...
DeleteOh I love flowers but not very good at gardening. One of my favorite flowers are tulips.
ReplyDeleteI'm still learning, Wanda...it's a process. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you are enjoying the challenge!
DeleteI feel so guilty. I've neglected gardening in favor of writing. One of these years I'll get back to it!
ReplyDelete~Debbie
We all have our priorities...I think I have favored writing, too, this year! Thanks for stopping by, Debbie.
DeleteI love our hollyhocks. I never touch the things and they just grow like crazy. Every year. Without fail. AND... we live in the Mojave Desert!!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing, Chautona...I didn't know you could grow anything but cactii in the desert! Its nice to have an easy grow" garden. That's my goal. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI like tulips too but so do my deer! So I have a gazillion daylilies in my front garden and all down the hill. I love them - cheerful, spreading, easy-peasy! Thanks for a great post!
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Jan...daylillies are very easy to grow. I have them on the side of my garage. They come in a stunning variety of colors. Thanks for stopping by...enjoy the challenge, and your garden!
DeleteMy garden doesn't get the care it deserves. I'm trying to visit all the A-Z Challenge blogs this month.
ReplyDeleteYep, something has to give. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Deletemulching is the best tip ever. Not only does it reduce the weeds, but it keeps the moisture in the soil.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lynda, for validating that point. That's right, keeping the moisture in is important, especially if there is drought, or lack of rain for a few days in hot weather. I appreciate your visit to my site!
DeleteJarm, some great tips, was just looking out my window and thinking I need to make a start. A little bit often is my advice, its great to be able to see the changes take place over time and I am blessed every time I venture into my garden and marvel at the many miracles taking place each day. Favorite perenials are night scented stock, they have an amazing smell in the evening and come in lovely colours.
ReplyDeleteThat's another good tip, Amanda! We don't always have large blocks of time to work in our garden. Yes, I do the same...walk around my garden each morning, checking the status of my plants, and marveling at the new buds and growth. God's world is indeed awesome!
Delete