Nothing makes a house as attractive as a garden because it adds color, character and a delectable aroma to its surroundings. In fact, a properly manicured garden transforms a house into a home by its inviting and relaxing appearance.
Besides aesthetic beauty, a well-maintained garden:
- Adds a whopping 20 percent to your house’s value. That’s every house owners dream, isn’t it?
- Improves your health not only due to the exercise and healthy eating (if it’s a vegetable garden) but because the relaxing ambiance it creates is known to be beneficial health-wise.
- Helps strengthen family bonds. By making gardening a family hobby, you get to work and play as a team which can also act as a family therapy.
I could actually go on with the benefits of gardening but I know you can’t wait to get your hands dirty. Let’s move on.
How to Make a Garden the Smart Way
Location is Everything
Before you rush out and dig out your backyard, you need to establish one of the most important determinants of a flourishing garden.
Location.
The location of a garden will determine whether it flourishes or flounders. Here’s how to determine your garden’s location.
- Traffic. A backyard garden is a brilliant idea. But make sure to avoid growing your garden in a site with heavy traffic. Once you have determined your location, make sure to “cordon off” your precious plants for protection.
- Sunlight. Plants need a good amount of sunlight to thrive. Make sure your location provides a healthy dose of sunlight for your garden. Too much sunlight and they will wilt, too little sunlight and they will be weak, off color and unhealthy.
- View. Ready to put those beauties in the ground? Plant them on a site you will be able to see. A site that will give you the best view. After all, what good is a garden if you can’t enjoy its beauty.
Choosing Between Horizontal or Vertical Orientation
Short on space? That’s not the end of your gardening endeavors. You can always grow your garden upward.
Grow a vertical garden.
Depending on what your desired outcome is you can grow your garden outside in an open space, next to a wall, or even indoors. With a lot of styles and designs for vertical gardens to choose from, your imagination becomes your only limiting factor.
Why a vertical garden?
- Space efficient. Whether it’s flowers you want or your favorite vegetables, a vertical garden can fulfill your heart’s desire no matter the space available. Even on the 30th floor of a high rise.
- Unique. How many of your friends have a vertical garden? Probably not that many. A well designed vertical garden can be a thing of utmost beauty. It will definitely set you apart.
- Low maintenance. Since your plants are in a more confined area, it becomes easier to water, prune and even harvest from your garden.
If, however, you have the space to grow your garden the traditional way. Go ahead and do so. But don’t bury the idea of a vertical garden. You can always have both if you so choose.
Finding Out Which Plants Fit Best in Your Garden
This is a dilemma that plagues many. To grow vegetables or flowers. My simple answer- both. You can have the best of both worlds.
If possible, use your front yard to grow those tantalizing tulips and pretty roses. If you don’t have soil in your front yard, you can “plant” a row of flower pots on both sides of your walk way. Otherwise your window sill is another great alternative.
As for your vegetable garden, it’s better suited as a backyard garden. This is simply because vegetable gardens can easily lose their “glamour” as they grow taller and older. Another good reason to put your vegetable garden in your backyard is convenience. Most kitchens are located at the back of the house. A backyard garden therefore makes more sense when it comes to vegetables.
Maintaining Your Piece of Paradise
As with all things beautiful, you need to invest in maintaining your garden. Don’t break a sweat, garden maintenance doesn’t have to break the bank.
- A healthy amount of water.
- Turn the soil regularly. This can be done using a garden fork.
- Prune your plants. Pruning improves flower or fruit production whilst giving your plant a comely shape. It also enhances plant growth.
- Parasite and disease control. Check your garden regularly for pests and diseases. Deal with them as soon as you notice the first signs.
Ready to Get Your Hands Dirty?
We have just scratched the surface for you to start getting your hands dirty with gardening. What are you waiting for? Go and find the perfect site and dig in.
