Contributed Collaborative Post
Whether you have moved house very recently or whether you have looked outside for the first time in a good while and have come to the conclusion that your garden could be better, getting the job done can be intimidating, to say the least. Overgrown plants, trees that are out of control and weeds everywhere can take their toll. If you want to work around this then you need to prepare as much as you can. You also need to take steps to get to the bottom of the issue, so you can get back on track with your outdoor space.
Assess the Condition
The first thing you need to do is assess and address waterlogging. Take a bit of a walk around and avoid stepping on any soggy soil so you can avoid compacting it. Take the time to look out for signs of waterlogging and drainage issues too. Puddles on the lawn and around the plants are all tell-tale signs here. It’s also a good idea for you to try and tackle standing water if you can. If you find standing water then think about the long-term solutions that you can implement to improve drainage. This may involve adding a bit of gravel or even a bit of sand underneath the topsoil. If you can do this then you may find that it is easier for you to increase water flow by quite a lot. You also need to try and gently aerate the soil with a fork if you can. This is a good way for you to ensure that water can break through the surface. It’s all about intervention here, there is no need for you to turn your garden upside down. You just need to take small steps to get back on top of things once more.
If you’re not sure about the condition of your garden then you should wait a full year before you get started. See what the garden looks like in every season and which areas appear to be shaded. If you have some areas which are full of life then this is also something to take note of. Remember that a garden that is a pile of twigs can easily blossom when spring comes, so try and be mindful of that if you can.
Make a List
While you’re waiting, you need to take note of all the things you like and don’t like about your garden. Write it down, including your trees, plants, and other features. Be sure to embrace the challenge here, and take the time to avoid walking until your garden has dried out a bit. If you believe that there are any plants that you can salvage then this is great. Heavy rain can sometimes break stems and it can also weigh down plants with large petals too. It may be that you don’t need to remove them, but that you simply need to take steps to try and give them the care that they need. When you have a list of the plants you believe can be saved, and when you have a good idea of what it is you are working with, you can then make a list of all the things you need to do.
Observe what you love and what you hate about your garden. Write it all down, including plants, trees, and water features. You can then take steps to work through everything, a little bit at a time. If you work methodically and focus on one small part of your garden at a time, then this will also help you to see the improvements you need to make the most. Work on a design plan too, and keep in mind any structural changes you might want to add. This can include decking, a raised bed, or even a shed. If you can keep this in mind then it will help you to get the result you need later down the line.
Create Space
Now is the time for you to get stuck in. You need to know what it is you are working with, and you also need to try and design your garden as a whole. This will make the general design of your garden way easier. It is often a good idea for you to try and take care of this over winter if you can. Compost any organic matter and also clear everything for later use if you can. Make sure that you leave the trees and cut back overgrown hedges. Trees can be difficult for you to fully remove, and you may find that in most instances, you are left with an overgrown stump, which will be worse than it was before. If you do want to deal with the trees now then pruning could be a good time to take care of that. This will make new space, and it will also encourage fresh growth. If you aren’t sure what plants you need to prune or if you don’t know how to go about it then you can ask a garden center for their advice.
While you’re creating space, be sure to trim any broken stems or leaves so you can stop disease. Pests will take advantage of things like this. If you know that some of your plants have been uprooted then take the time to replant them at the right depth and then firm the soil around the base. Installing a round LED panel light or two around your garden beds can also give it a clean, modern look while illuminating key features, especially at night.
Focus on your Lawn
Another thing you may want to do is focus on your lawn. Depending on how long your garden has been neglected, it may be that the lawn is in any state. Start by taking the time to mow your grass and then trim the edges so that everything is nice and tidy. You can then reseed any bare patches or take the time to lay down some new turf. This is great if you feel as though you need some more grass in any additional places. You may also want to look into Recognition herbicide for sale, as this is a great way for you to de-weed your grass without having to spend hours doing it all by hand. Products like this are great if you want to remove any weeds that are growing without damaging your grass too. If you know that you have a bit of an issue with your grass being waterlogged then ensuring good drainage is key here, or the work you’re putting in now will simply be pointless. A permeable pathway is a good way for you to manage any excess water, and it is also great at directing it away from where it may end up causing damage.
Plants and Companion Plants
Moving forward, you have to consider putting the right plants in the right place. Plants that thrive in your local climate and soil conditions are far more likely to be able to withstand adverse weather. If you can take your time to do your research and if you can have a chat with local gardening experts then you will soon find that this is the best way to get plants that don’t just survive, but that also thrive. Companion planting is also something to look into. This plays a huge role in your garden’s resilience which will help you to keep it easy to maintain moving forward. If you opt for deep-rooted plants then these are great for breaking up the soil and you may even find that they can prevent surface pooling too. Another thing to take note of is that some plants can be planted to try and prevent pests as well. The great thing about doing this is that it allows you to break up the soil while also making your life easier moving forward.
Revitalise Soil and Focus on the Future
Adding organic matter to your soil is key if you want your garden to be successful. Take the time to spread compost and also put down some nicely rotted manure if you can. Take the time to do this all over your garden bed and take the time to improve your soil structure if you can. This will make it better at retaining moisture when you are working with dry conditions, and it will also aid you with draining any excess water. This is especially the case if you are working in very wet conditions. Another thing you need to take note of is that gardens are very resilient and that if you put in a little TLC now then you will find that your garden ends up being back to its vibrant and best version of itself. Of course, making sure that you have the right tools is also important, because if you don’t then you may find that you end up making your life a lot harder than it is. If you don’t have the right tools then remember, you can always talk to a friend or neighbor to see if you can borrow theirs.
This is a contributed collaborative post
