A garden at home, whether big or small, can give one a relaxing feel. Taking care of the plants in your garden is quite an easy feat, especially when you know what the needs of your plants are. Plants are generally easy to grow and maintain if you have the right tools. You should only have the patience and love for it, just as you do to your pets, because you have to remember that they are living things, too. Below are four essential tips on how to make sure that your garden gets well-maintained and taken care of.
Weeding
Weeding is essential to maintain your garden. They do not look good in your garden but use up nutrients that are supposed to help your plants grow. They also take up valuable space that can instead be planted with the proper plants for your garden. Whenever you see weeds starting to sprout, waste no time, and pull them out. Make sure that you have uprooted the weeds to avoid the probability of the plants growing again.
When you have a lawn in your garden, a similar problem as the weeds can occur to your lawn grass. The solution is called a dethatching. Thatch is a layer of dead grass, roots, and other organic matter which impedes water and nutrients from flowing to the grassroots. A lawn dethatcher is needed to remove the thatch, which can accumulate and cause the growth of moss and weeds. Dethatching at least once or twice a year should be done to avoid the grass from dying since water and nutrients cannot penetrate the soil due to thatch.
Watering
One of the most important natural elements that plants need is water. The amount of water that your plants need is based on what the soil and the weather are like in your area. You have to study these two natural elements to prevents your plants from being flooded or too dry. A good rule of thumb for watering your plants is two to three times a week. You must also know the amounts of water for each plant as there are plant varieties that do not require too much water while there are some which need more.
Fertilizing
Plants get nutrition from the soil, but more often than not, the soil cannot provide the proper nutrition that the plants need. Chemical and organic fertilizers are available to use for plant growth. For a complete fertilizer, organic compost is recommended. Sprinkling fertilizer once a month helps the plants get the nutrients and minerals that they need, which ordinary soil cannot provide. Watering the plants after sprinkling or spraying the fertilizer dilutes the nutrients into the ground.
Pest Prevention
Pests and plant diseases can cause plants to deteriorate. Plants must be treated appropriately with the right pesticide depending on the pests or diseases affecting them, such as aphids can be treated with insecticidal soap, and fungicides are used for fungal infections. Checking for pests and treating them weekly prevents them from spreading to healthy plants.
Having a garden and maintaining it is not such a heavy responsibility, especially when you can see the green things growing and gives you great satisfaction. Following the basics of tending to your garden diligently and regularly will surely make your backyard a superb one.
