weed wick applicator
A simple, well looked after smaller garden is just as gratifying as a bigger one. You need precisely the same two things – some real old fashioned know-how and large amounts of perseverance. The Happy Home Gardener has put together six simple tips to help in keeping your gardening by the yard looking in good shape and good looking.
1. Deadheading.
Make an effort to have all of your plants free from wilted flowers and dried leaves by deadheading. All this involves is the removal of limp flower heads and dried up leaves, this easy task will inspire your plants to grow more flowers for longer periods of time. There aren’t many shrubs that don’t gain from having dead flowers removed… they will grin and so will you.
2. Nip out your tops.
Most leafy plants will react favorably to having their tops pinched out, it encourages them to be more prolific and dense. Some flowering plants like Fuchsias are likely to become leggy unless they are pinched off. So the policy of the green thumb is – if it’s looking sparse and leggy, nip off the tops and notice it bush out.
3. Use minimal fertilizer.
A tiny amount of fertilizer will help in further boosting the progress of your precious plants. However if you irrigate your garden often, you will be required to fertilize more often because water depletes the nutrients. An supply of liquid fertilizer incorporating seaweed every two weeks is regarded more valuable than granulated fertilizer as it is more readily absorbed by the roots and leaves. Container plants will reward you with a hearty grin if a fifty fifty solution of the same liquid fertilizer is put on regularly.
4. Get the weeds out.
One of the easiest ways to enhance the beauty of your garden by the yard is to do a regular weed patrol. The fact is, weeds fight with all your other plants for both nutrients and moisture. My particular approach is to remove weeds totally, don’t use them for compost or mulch because you run the risk of re-contamination. If you believe you must use a weedkiller, try to get the sort with a wick applicator, rather than any sort of spray. This will shield your good plants from spray-drift.
5. Keep them well watered.
One great tip is to give your garden a thorough soaking once a week rather than surface watering more often, always making sure that you don’t allow run-off which will lead to erosion. This penetrating watering will promote the growth of healthier, deeper roots that will be more able to tolerate any dry spells of weather.
6. Take a stand against chemicals.
Chemicals are very dangerous to pets, humans and will kill most, if not all, the natural predators of the pests in your garden, so avoid them if possible and only use them sparingly as a last resort. A little bit of study will show there are lots of organic choices that work just as well and are much better for the environment.
These six easy tips are good advice to keep your garden by the yard in top shape and make it the envy of your friends and neighbors.
