Category: Gardening

In the fast-paced world we live in, few things are more refreshing than stepping outside into a tranquil garden, surrounded by the sights, sounds, and scents of nature. Whether you want to relax, entertain, or simply get away from it all, your outdoor space can be your very own garden oasis.

Creating your ideal outdoor space, however, can be challenging, especially if you are inexperienced in gardening and landscaping. There are many factors to consider, such as the size and shape of your garden, the sun exposure, the soil type, and the style you want to achieve. Today we’ll provide some tips and guidance on designing your ideal outdoor space, from assessing the area to selecting plants, water features, and finishing touches.

Assess the space

Before deciding on any design elements or features, the first step is to assess the space you have available. You need to consider how large the area is, what the shape is, and where the sun shines at different times of the day. Different plants thrive in different amounts of sunlight, so it is important to have an idea of which areas will receive the most exposure to the sun. Similarly, some plants need well-draining soil, while others prefer soil that is moist and rich in nutrients. Understanding the characteristics of the soil in your garden can help you decide which plants will thrive in your space.

Define the purpose and style

Once you have a good understanding of your garden’s space and characteristics, you can then decide on the purpose of your garden and the style you want to achieve. Do you want a space to entertain guests or a space to relax and unwind? Do you prefer modern, minimalist styles or more traditional and elaborate styles?

Your garden’s purpose and style will guide many of the subsequent design elements and features you choose for your outdoor space. For example, if you want to create a space for relaxation, then you might want to consider incorporating comfortable seating, soft lighting, and calming water features into your design. A space to entertain guests might have outdoor dining furniture, a grill, and a more open layout. A modern, minimalist style might feature clean lines, geometric shapes, and a limited color palette.

Plan the layout

Designing the layout of your outdoor space is critical to creating a functional and comfortable garden. Don’t be afraid to get creative with the space you have, and don’t limit yourself to traditional design ideas. Consider breaking up the space into different zones or sections, such as a seating area, a dining area, and a garden area. Developing a traffic flow plan is also important to ensure that your garden is easy to navigate and that different zones can be accessed easily.

Choose the right plants

Selecting the right plants for your garden is crucial to creating an aesthetically pleasing, healthy environment. When selecting plants, it is important to consider climate, soil type, and sun exposure. Native plants or plants adapted to your region’s climate typically require less maintenance, less water, and fewer fertilizers than exotic plants. Additionally, consider planting in layers to create depth and interest in your garden.

Incorporate water features

Adding water features to your garden is a great way to create a relaxing, calming environment, but it is important to choose the right water feature for your space. A large pond might not work well in a small garden, for example, while a delicate fountain might look out of place in a large outdoor living area. Water features can be very low maintenance, and can also attract birds and other wildlife to your garden.

Add finishing touches

The finishing touches, such as outdoor furniture, lighting, and decor, are the small details that bring your outdoor space together. A cohesive design that ties all elements of your garden together can make a big difference to the overall look and feel of the space. Consider adding outdoor lighting to create a welcoming atmosphere and to highlight certain features. Choose furniture that is comfortable, durable, and suits the style of your garden.

Maintenance and upkeep

Finally, maintenance and upkeep are crucial to ensuring that your garden oasis remains healthy, vibrant, and enjoyable. Giving your plants the right amount of water, light, and fertilizer, and keeping on top of weeding and pruning, can go a long way in keeping your garden healthy. It is also important to keep water features clean to prevent stagnation and to protect against algae growth.

Summer is an ideal time to enjoy the great magic of your garden. The warm weather, sunlight, and flowers combine to create a euphoric atmosphere that lifts one’s spirits. The summer months, however, can be tough on the garden. Along with the summer heat comes drought, pests, and diseases that can damage your plants. Therefore, it is crucial to look after your plants during the hot season to keep your garden looking beautiful and healthy. Here are some expert tips on how to care for your garden in the summer heat.

Watering Your Plants

One of the key challenges of gardening during summer is keeping your plants adequately watered. During the summer heat, the soil dries up quickly, and plants need more water than usual. So, how often should you be watering your plants? Experts recommend watering your plants 2-3 times a week, depending on the type of plants you have. Additionally, it is best to water your plants either in the early morning or late in the evening when the sun is low. Avoid watering your garden in the midday heat when the water evaporates rapidly due to the high temperatures.

Another technique to ensure your plants receive sufficient water is to use a soaker hose. A soaker hose slowly waters the ground rather than spraying water on the foliage, ensuring that the water reaches the roots where it is needed.

Mulching

Mulching is another critical measure to keep your plants healthy during the summer months. Mulching helps to reduce soil evaporation, prevent weeds and regulate soil temperature, all of which can help retain moisture in the soil.

So, what is the best type of mulch to use during summer? Organic mulches such as grass clippings or wood chips are ideal as they release nutrients into the soil over time. Additionally, they can help to replenish the soil and prevent weeds from taking over your garden.

When mulching, it’s vitally important to leave a gap between the mulch and the stems of your plants. This permits the soil to breathe and ensures insects and diseases do not thrive, keeping your garden healthy.

Fertilizing your Plants

Fertilizing your plants with the right nutrients is essential for maintaining a healthy garden during summer. The high temperatures and frequent watering can quickly deplete the soil’s nutrients, leading to undernourished plants.

Experts recommend using organic fertilizers, such as compost or well-rotted manure, as chemical fertilizers can harm beneficial creatures such as earthworms or microbes in the soil. Applying a layer of organic fertilizer or worm castings to the topsoil can significantly improve nutrient content, resulting in a more productive and resilient garden.

Moreover, experts recommend core aeration of the soil periodically, as this helps improve soil health, allowing water and nutrients to penetrate more efficiently, and ensuring that your plants stay healthy throughout the season.

Pruning and Deadheading

Pruning and deadheading are essential techniques to maintain a garden’s health and stimulate growth during summer. Deadheading involves removing old flowers from plants, promoting new growth, and prolonging the flowering season. Additionally, pruning keeps plants healthy by removing diseased or damaged branches, deterring pests, and encouraging the growth of new shoots.

When pruning, it’s important to use the right tool for each plant to ensure accuracy and prevent damage. Tools such as hand pruners, loppers, or pruning saws are commonly used for pruning. Deadheading is a simpler technique that merely involves removing dead or wilted flower heads with scissors or secateurs.

Protecting Your Plants from Pests

Insects and pests are a common problem for gardeners during summer, and if left untreated, can lead to significant damage to your plants. Natural ways of controlling pests include crop rotation, pest-repelling plants, and the use of natural predators, such as ladybugs or praying mantises.

It is crucial to monitor for pests regularly and take immediate action if caught early. Experts recommend practicing sanitary techniques in the garden, such as regularly removing weak or diseased plants or using insecticidal soap when necessary.

Organic gardening is a great way to enjoy nature and produce for yourself and your family. Growing an organic garden has many benefits, some of which include fresh, healthy produce and reducing the number of chemicals used in cultivation. With the right knowledge and dedication, anyone can get started on their own organic garden journey.

First, decide what type of plants you would like to grow. There are a variety of different vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers that all require unique climates and conditions to flourish. Do some research into what will best suit your space and environment. Consider choosing native plants as they’re adapted to the climate in your region and may require less maintenance than non-native species. Additionally, look into companion planting – combining certain plants together can offer better yields or pest control solutions without chemical aids.

Once you’ve decided on the types of plants you’d like to grow, it’s time to get started with prepping the soil. Soil should generally be amended every year with compost or other organic material as this helps maintain its structure, increases fertility, and provides important micronutrients for healthy plant growth. If growing in containers or raised beds is more your style, check out local options for pre-made soil mixes specifically designed for planters or gardens that contain peat moss, vermiculite, or perlite so that drainage is maximized when watering.

Now it’s time for planting! Start by mapping out where each seed will go based on how much sunlight they need to thrive; many veggies need 6-8 hours of full sun a day while native flowers may prefer more shade throughout the day. Plant following directions on seed packets regarding depth coverage for optimal growth in addition to the spacing between plants (which varies depending on what species you’re growing). Watering may also be necessary – typically every few days depending on how much sun is shining – however, if rainfall is frequent then it’s generally not necessary to supplement this yourself!

Weeding regularly is one of the most important parts of taking care of an organic garden – pulling weeds helps prevent competition between desirable crops and invasive species planted nearby (or worse yet spread through the wind) so make sure you’re always mindful when tending your plot! Pest control can also be tricky when dealing with organics as well; beneficial insects such as ladybugs are great natural predators but often times manual removal via hand picking or using mild soaps as deterrents are the most effective ways to get rid of pests without resorting to using chemical sprays that could have long-lasting negative consequences down the road.

Organic gardening takes patience but offers plenty of rewards from delicious harvests to knowing exactly where your food came from (no mystery additives here!). With careful planning and dedication, any gardener can create a flourishing oasis no matter the size or setting!

A garden is more than a collection of plants and flowers. It should be an escape from the world. A place to go to find a little peace, in the midst of chaos.

Creating that kind of oasis doesn’t have to be hard.  And it does not require any kind of special skill. Just a willingness to look at your garden a little differently.

Get started creating a beautiful landscape that your friends and neighbors will envy with these 5 easy ways to make your garden more impressive.

Step # 1:  Make a Statement with Color

Sure, gardens are meant to be colorful, but how can you use that color to make a statement? Here are a few easy tricks:

• Stay within the same color palette. This does not mean using the same boring colors over and over again. Instead, stay within the same palette with different shades and contrasting hues.
• Use complementary colors. A pop of unique color here and there will help complement your garden, creating a beautiful rainbow of color to enjoy.
• Add some variegated foliage. Flowers are not the only colorful plants in a garden. Variegated foliage adds interesting texture too.

Step # 2:  Avoid Clutter

Yes, it’s true, you can have too many plants and flowers in a garden. Keep it simple. The most impressive gardens feature a more streamlined look. Instead of jamming every nook and cranny with plantings, leave some space to make your garden offerings easier to see – and enjoy.

Tip #3:  Offer Seasonal Appeal

Who says you can only enjoy garden offerings in the spring and summer? Think about what is available for every season of the year. Fall foliage can add a beautifully rich backdrop to dying summer plantings.  Be sure to add a few trees and bushes that highlight the rich ness of the season. Winter too offers some beautiful contrast to otherwise dreary months. Look for bushes that change color with the seasons or offer colorful berries during fall and winter to highlight the landscape.

Tip #4: Go Bold

Nothing makes a garden look more impressive with a few bold offerings.  Don’t be afraid to use bushes with bold shapes; tall grasses and flowers of different heights for a more interesting look. Or consider adding a bold piece of art to draw attention and complement your beautiful flowers and plants. Using arches to frame a certain area can also add interest, without taking away from your plantings.

Tip # 5:  Use a Staggered Approach

Nothing is more boring than a garden planted with all straight lines. Add depth and interest to your garden oasis by staggering plantings. Layer grasses, and flowers for a more eclectic and natural look.  This lets your garden look like it has always been there, which is more natural – and interesting.

It doesn’t take a master gardener to create a beautiful landscape that everyone will want to enjoy. Try these 5 easy ways to make a more impressive garden and see what masterpiece you can create in your own backyard. 

Composting is one of the most efficient ways to use food scraps (zero-waste), nourish your own garden, and take steps towards self-sufficiency. And it’s entirely possible to do it effectively while living in suburbia–with zero complaints from your neighbors. Here’s how. 

1. Compost in a Tumbler 

For most suburban homeowners, a tumbler designed for compost is the most efficient option to keep smells contained and critters out. Some composting tumblers have multiple bins for compost in different stages of development. Some sit on the ground on a tumbling base, while others are suspended on a stand and tumble in the air. Any of these options will last for years, providing a high output of compost without taking up much space. 

Also keep in mind that you might want to check your HOA’s bylaws if you live in a homeowner’s association, and in strict neighborhoods you’ll probably want to keep your compost tumbler or bin on the down-low. 

2. Explore Vermiculture Options 

It might sound a little unsettling, but vermiculture–worm farming–is an incredibly space-efficient way to generate rich compost for your garden. The worms do all the work for you, and you just feed them food scraps. Vermiculture takes up less space than traditional composting; some apartment owners even have worm farms indoors. You won’t have any unpleasant odors if you do it right, but you will end up with rich worm castings that can be used to amend your indoor or outdoor soil. 

3. Build An Enclosure for an Open Compost Area

Composting doesn’t have to be complicated, and it doesn’t require a huge up-front investment. Building a simple compost enclosure requires a little more care to keep the ratios correct and discourage area wildlife from coming to munch on your melon rinds. But even in suburbia, compost enclosures built from pallets, chicken wire, or 2×4’s can be incredibly effective. You’ll need to consider the best part of the yard to add a compost pile like this–including the amount of sunlight it will receive. A quick Google search will yield plans for a huge array of low-cost DIY options. 

4. Pay Attention to Your Ratios 

Compost is very forgiving. But if you get the rations dramatically “off,” you could end up with a rather smelly compost bin or pile that seems to take ages to decompose. You’ll need a combination of “greens” and “browns” in your compost to allow the right microorganisms to thrive. “Greens” refer to materials with a high nitrogen or protein component; these include vegetable and fruit scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, egg shells, and grass clippings. “Browns” are pieces like dried leaves, pine needles, corn husks, sawdust, paper, and other dry, inactive matter. Most experts recommend a 3:1 or 4:1 brown:green ratio. 

5. Know What NOT to Compost

Although all animal and plant products will eventually biodegrade, there are some things you simply don’t want in your home compost, particularly if you live in the suburbs. Meat, fat, and dairy products always smell foul as they decompose, and they take much longer to break down than plant matter. If you’re determined to compost absolutely everything you can, you might want to look into a bokashi fermenting system, which produces usable compost faster than any other method. 

Have questions about composting in your area or need troubleshooting help? Try contacting your local extension agent or gardening group to help you out! 

No matter how serious you are about self-sufficiency, you probably don’t want your backyard to look like an industrial farm – and you may not have the space, anyway! Fortunately, there are ways to make any homestead look visually appealing, while also  requiring less square footage than you thought. One such method is the keyhole garden.

What Is a Keyhole Garden?

The basic shape of a raised-bed keyhole garden is that of a circle that’s half-bisected by a path that’s narrow from the edge almost to the center. In that center, however, the path ends in a smaller “circle within a circle.” That leaves the rest of the larger circle to be filled with a U-shaped bed of plants. From above, the whole thing resembles the classic “keyhole shape.” 

In practice, this shape allows the home gardener full access to any part of the bed from the center. (Of course, the plants on the perimeter can also be accessed while walking just outside of the circle.)

Advantages of a Keyhole Garden

The many advantages to permaculture keyhole gardens include:

• Space-saving. Keyhole gardens eliminate the amount of ground taken up by access paths between rows of plants. In fact, a keyhole garden path requires only about a quarter of the space that a traditional bed of the same size does. 
• Creates a microclimate. Keyhole beds can act as “sun traps” because of the U-shape of the plan. That helps northern growers, in particular, extend their growing season. To create this warmer microclimate, place taller plants at the northern edge of the circle, with the entire keyhole garden facing south.   
• Aesthetically pleasing. Whether you’re growing veggies, herbs, a rose garden – or a happy mix of all of these – keyhole gardens create curving shapes that are “fancy” enough for even a street-facing yard. (And if you have the space to have several keyhole gardens on either side of a narrow path, you’ll create a truly inviting and productive garden space.) 
• Encourages pollinators and confuses pests. The shape of the keyhole garden allows pollinating bees, birds and insects to fly from plant to plant without having to be as exposed as they would a traditional multi-row garden. In addition, having several types of plants within one small place discourages pests like the tomato hornworm or bean beetle, which prefer to chomp on the same kind of plant in large groups.

Making a Keyhole Garden

To get started, mark a circle that’s about 10 or 12 feet in diameter.Shovel out a path to the center that’s about 1 foot across, along with a smaller circle at the end of the path that’s about 18 inches wide. Put that removed soil into the non-path parts of the circle. 

Next, work the remaining part of the circle – the U-shaped garden – until the soil is loose, with any remaining lawn or weeds removed. Add any necessary soil amendments at this time, building up enough layers to make it raised, and mulch the center pathway. 

Finally, plant seeds and seedlings in the non-path parts of the circle. Taller plants should go to the northern, back edge of the circle. The shorter and more frequently-picked plants can take up the remainder of the U-shape, closer to the access path and inner circle.

The kitchen herb garden sounds a bit idyllic, a bit witchy. Imagine being able to step out the door or reach up above the sink to your personal growing spice rack, snip off some fresh rosemary or basil when you need it, and toss it nonchalantly into the culinary masterpiece of your choice. Yet the prospect of growing herbs can feel daunting. These tips will help you get a kitchen herb garden started even in the smallest of spaces. 

1. Capitalize on Window Space

Window herb gardens offer a ton of versatility; even apartment dwellers with a kitchen (or near-the-kitchen) window can make this option work year-round. Invest in a sturdy suction-cup window shelf or hanging window herb rack and seeds or small plants from a local nursery. Check here for window style inspiration that makes self-sufficiency look sexier than ever. 

2. Keep it Simple 

Herbs are fairly easy to grow. But it’s easy to get caught up in the Pinterest-perfect ideal of a gorgeous herb garden and lose sight of your goals. If you’re new to growing herbs, start with two or three varieties you know you’d use frequently in the dishes you already cook. You can add on more “exotic” herbs once your base selections are well-established. 

3. Learn a Handful of Preservation Techniques

Having farm-fresh (or pot-fresh) herbs is fabulous, but so is having dried herbs, especially if your goal is long-term self-sufficiency. You can purchase or make your own herb drying racks, then dry your own herbs to keep indefinitely. Small batches of dried herbs are a great way for those in a small space (and with small plants!) to work toward self-sufficiency and stock up on essentials.

4. Get Creative with Unconventional Pots 

Don’t want to go out and purchase a fancy herb garden setup or new pots? You don’t have to. You can plant herbs in tea cups, unused coffee mugs, mason jars, or even water bottles; practically any container will work. If your chosen container doesn’t have holes in the bottom to let water drain out, make sure to line the bottom with rocks and/or incorporate Perlite in the soil, and water just enough to keep soil lightly moist. 

5. Propagate Like a Boss  

When your herbs go to seed (produce flowers and bloom), snap off the flower heads and collect seeds to start anew. Many herbs can also be propagated in a simple jar of water; to do this, snap off a tender stem of fresh growth, remove the bottom few leaves, and stand it up in a cup or jar of water. Not every cutting will grow roots, but some will, and these can be replanted in soil to start new plants.

If you’re growing in very small containers, you’ll need to replace plants a bit more frequently than you would growing outdoors or in larger pots. That’s okay! Especially if you’re preserving and propagating your own herb plants, you’re moving toward self-sufficiency. Still struggling? You don’t have to get it right on the first try. If your first attempt at growing your favorite herbs doesn’t last long, give it another shot–and don’t be surprised when the results far exceed your expectations.