It’s safe to say that the weather across the nation has been pretty unpredictable for the last few years. Many regions have experienced abnormally hot days during winter months followed by very low temperatures, and even snow during the spring season. For avid gardeners and newbies alike, such drastic weather changes can make it difficult to know when to head to the yard in preparation for summer. With the official start of summer approaching quickly, there’s no more time to waste! In honor of National Garden Week, we’ve compiled three gardening tips for you to put into practice now.
Expand Your Growing Space
Gardening is great for your mental health. What better way to prioritize your mental health than by expanding your growing space to maximize the amount of time you get to spend gardening? If your landscape allows, now is the perfect opportunity to do so. How? You can go vertical by creating raised garden beds or a wall garden. You can also grow plants inside your home, as some varieties don’t mind living in a pot.
To significantly expand your growing space, you’ll need to plan. First, establish a budget. The cost will vary depending on how much you are looking to expand your garden. There are plenty of ways to fund your outdoor project, but common financing methods, such as using a small personal loan, require a minimum credit score of 650. Even with a working budget in place, it’s important to have a thorough understanding of the lay of the land to avoid overspending and other mishaps. That’s where iScape can help you.
Improve Soil Health
To make sure your plants will get the nutrients they need to grow, you need to ensure that the soil is healthy. You can do this in three ways: testing the soil, using natural fertilizers, and remulching annually.
A soil test will help you understand what’s in your soil and better aid you in improving its health. Whether you choose to test the soil yourself or enlist the help of an expert, be sure to focus on:
- Organic Matter
- Soil Composition
- PH
- Nutrient
Upon receiving the results, seek out ways to enhance the health of your soil naturally, free of chemicals and harmful fertilizers. Finally, lay down new mulch. This step is important because mulch helps the soil hold in moisture while keeping pesky weeds from overrunning your garden.
Prepare Your Garden Tools
If you’re just getting around to starting your gardening activities, your tools may not be prepared, yet. Like many of us, you probably stored them in the shed without cleaning them at the end of the last gardening season. Now is the time to wash and sharpen them. Doing so will keep them in good condition, make using them easier and prevent the spread of disease.
How to do it:
- Use warm water and a mild detergent
- Scrub your tools with a brush or scour-pad
- Apply a light layer of oil to keep them from rusting
No matter what time you get started this year, gardening doesn’t have to be complicated. By taking the time to plan your layout, improve your soil and prepare your tools, you can ensure a fruitful and enjoyable experience.
