Toni-Lynn
08-08-2008, 10:22 PM
There's no denying that the most beautiful gardens take lots of time and tender, loving care. Luckily for busy families like yours, there are ways to cut corners on maintaining a pretty garden without sacrificing your results. Planting, watering and weeding are the most time-consuming gardening chores, but there are techniques for saving time on each.
Plant perennials.
Unlike annuals, which die off and have to be replanted each spring, perennials will continue to grow for years. You'll have to invest a little more time and money up front, because perennials cost more than annuals, but they will more than pay for themselves over the long run. Remember this rule of thumb: the first year they sleep, the second year they creep and the third year they leap (and really grow like crazy!).
Choose beds over containers.
If you have space in your yard, invest a little more time the first year to plan and prepare a garden bed. Beds require less watering than container gardens, and they let you make the most of your perennials' ability to spread over time. If you must use containers, make sure you mix polymer crystals into the soil because of their ability to absorb several hundred times their weight in water and release water into the soil when it dries.
Use mulch.
A covering of wood chips or homemade mulch retains moisture and helps reduce the growth of weeds. You can also cut down on weeds by placing a weed barrier (anything from newspaper to commercial landscaping fabric -- but not plastic) under the topsoil.
Choose native, drought-hardy plants.
Some species of plants just require less water and attention than others. In most parts of the country, hostas, astilbe, pachysandra and vinca minor do well in the shade. In sunny gardens, consider sedum, lamb's ear, coneflower, poppies, ornamental grasses, day lilies and phlox. A mix of colorful shrubs and flowers adds texture and visual interest to your garden.
The most important thing to remember is to take advantage of the expertise available at your local nursery. They will know the best plants to plant in your climate and region.
Plant perennials.
Unlike annuals, which die off and have to be replanted each spring, perennials will continue to grow for years. You'll have to invest a little more time and money up front, because perennials cost more than annuals, but they will more than pay for themselves over the long run. Remember this rule of thumb: the first year they sleep, the second year they creep and the third year they leap (and really grow like crazy!).
Choose beds over containers.
If you have space in your yard, invest a little more time the first year to plan and prepare a garden bed. Beds require less watering than container gardens, and they let you make the most of your perennials' ability to spread over time. If you must use containers, make sure you mix polymer crystals into the soil because of their ability to absorb several hundred times their weight in water and release water into the soil when it dries.
Use mulch.
A covering of wood chips or homemade mulch retains moisture and helps reduce the growth of weeds. You can also cut down on weeds by placing a weed barrier (anything from newspaper to commercial landscaping fabric -- but not plastic) under the topsoil.
Choose native, drought-hardy plants.
Some species of plants just require less water and attention than others. In most parts of the country, hostas, astilbe, pachysandra and vinca minor do well in the shade. In sunny gardens, consider sedum, lamb's ear, coneflower, poppies, ornamental grasses, day lilies and phlox. A mix of colorful shrubs and flowers adds texture and visual interest to your garden.
The most important thing to remember is to take advantage of the expertise available at your local nursery. They will know the best plants to plant in your climate and region.