Gardening can be a very relaxing and satisfying activity. No matter if you're nurturing only flowers or you're dedicated to growing your own vegetables, taking good care of them is very important. There are plenty of ways to improve your gardening game and skills. With some simple and easy changes, you can make a big difference. And when you sit in your comfortable garden chair and take a look around, you'll feel proud and content because you've done something amazing.
Add Planters
Nowadays there are plenty of new and extraordinary ways of transforming your garden and giving it a new modern look. One of those ways is using planters. With the latest innovative and practical outdoor modern planters you get plenty of growing opportunities. They save you space and are durable, practical, and environmentally friendly. They're a great way to add some greens and a nutritious option to your meals.
Besides adding them to your garden, you can also place them inside the house, on your balcony, patio or even in the garage. They're made of 2 main parts. The first one holds the soil and the plant itself, and the second one holds the water and it’s called a reservoir. This simple yet very effective invention lets your plans grow strong and doesn’t let them dry out.
The plant basically feeds itself when it needs to. These planters have another advantage. They're keeping inside every nutrient the plant needs to be stored in the water reservoir. This way nothing gets lost. Now you won't have to worry about anything while taking those weeklong vacations. And while climate change is all around us, these planters are the perfect sustainable way to grow veggies, herbs and flowers.
Additionally, the water at the container's bottom is a fantastic stimulant for root development and growth. The roots make significant growth and expansion strides by forcing their way to the water. These planters are excellent for those who want to eat healthy but have busy lifestyles. Fresh tomatoes, beans, or peppers are always available for your dinner. They also make excellent décor pieces that go with any external or interior style.
Self-watering planters can handle almost every vegetable, herb, flower and sometimes even smaller trees. Your garden can be very versatile and rich in flavours and colours. Some of the veggies you can grow are tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, zucchini, kale, spinach, radishes, peas, beans, peppers, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower and many more. With herbs, you can do basil, sage, thyme, rosemary, garlic, dill, mint, parsley, chives, coriander and lots more.
Test the Soil
Composting is not something you do once and that's it. It is a constant process that replenishes soil nutrients. Every few years, test the soil to see whether it needs additional nutrients to encourage plant development and productivity. This is an analysis you can do on your own because there are soil tests sold online or at your local garden supplier. If you want more accurate and extensive results, go to the professionals.
These tests show the amount of soil pH levels, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium and sulphur levels. It'll also show you the levels of organic matter and lead content. Once you get the results and see what your soil needs, you can add or remove some of the contents. This way our plants will thrive and grow each day.
Place the Plants Properly
The golden rule of gardening is to place the correct plant in the right spot. Match the plants you chose to the light and soil conditions you have. This strategy is far more environmentally friendly than attempting to change your space to accommodate a picky plant that doesn't like your garden. This also refers to the outdoor modern planters as well.
Only a healthy plant that’s set in the right position can fend off pests and diseases. This also requires less fertilising, staking or extra water. And if it's content enough, it might surprise you by providing additional plants. If the plant needs full sun this means that it should get at least 6h of sunshine. Part sun or part shade means no more than 6 hours of direct sunlight. Full-shade plants need just a few hours of sunlight. Keep these things in mind and arrange your plants properly.
Take Care of the Pots
Taking care of your pots can make a big difference. Not just in the way they look but also in how the plants thrive. By removing 5cm of compost from the top of the pot, you remove weeds, dead leaves and moss. Add new and fresh compost to see how everything changes. Make sure you clean the pots as well. You can do this with warm water and a little detergent. This will liven them up and give them a fresh look.
Remove Old Plants
If you have any plants that aren't doing their part, be brutal. Digging up old, sluggish bushes in your garden can quickly improve it and make a big change. Every plant has an expiry date, and you'll wonder why you put up with the old one for so long after replacing it with a fresh, healthy plant. If you plant the crops in different locations in the garden each year, you’ll prevent the loss of nutrients and stop the appearance of pests and diseases in the soil.
Add Compost to the Soil
Composting the soil gives it a better texture, increases its capacity to hold water, and makes a variety of nutrients readily available to plants. You can even make compost of your own in the garden. You can add it to the soil, in your pots or even in the modern outdoor planters. We need to transform the dirt in vegetable beds into a rich, black loam, because every time we harvest, we are depleting the bed's nutrients.
So, each autumn, you should cover the bed with a layer of compost and let the winter rains work it into the soil. You should add more compost in decorative gardens because those plants don’t degrade the soil as food crops do. Keep in mind that the goal is to match the plants to the soil conditions and not change the soil to welcome the plants.
Plant for Wildlife
Pollinator populations are declining, and wildlife habitats are diminishing. You can now help bees, butterflies, birds, and other species in your garden by building a habitat for them. Pollinators can help your plants grow and control the pest population. Use native plants since they support a greater range of bees, pollinators, and other insects. Plant as many different plants as you can, and make sure to keep three or more plants in bloom at all times.