It’s a new year. And if you are a gardener chances are you are already thinking about this spring and summer. When it comes to gardening, appearance is just as important as function to me. I love taking photos and videos of my garden and sharing them. So, I want it to be appealing to look at. If you feel as though your garden doesn’t quite look as good as it could, then now is the time for you to take action on that. If you follow these guidelines then you will find that it is easier for you to not only improve the appearance of your garden but to also make it easier to maintain moving forward.
Plan From the Start
When I first started gardening in my current house, I did not plan. It was 2020, we were on lockdown for the pandemic, and I said, “why not?” I had no clue if I would stick with it. I didn’t know how many beds, etc. I needed. And I did not come up with a real layout. If you really want your garden to thrive, plan it! I love my garden, but there are some things that I would rearrange if I were doing it over. But now? It is not easy to move raised beds, so I am going to stick with what I have now. I have expanded elsewhere in the yard when I needed more space. Ideally, you want to plan the amount of space, number of beds, any trellises, cattle panels, or arches, walkways, etc. Even if you do not build it all at once, it is good to have a plant to work from so that layout is functional from the start.
Plant in the Right Containers
It’s so important that you take the time to choose the right plants and that you put them in the right containers. For example, trying to plant an indeterminate tomato plant that ca get 10ft tall and 4 ft wide will not be very happy in a small pot. You make get some greenery and one or two tomatoes, but for all those weeks of growing that would be a waste of time. Do some research and learn the sizes that fit.
Pick plants that are suited to your growing zone, your container, and growing conditions. If you have a nice sunny garden, then be sure to plant some sun loving plants. Have a shady spot? Plant some lettuce and spinach. Walk around your garden and plan which plants will go where. This will help you grow a successful garden. I am lucky that my garden get just about full sun everywhere. I have created a few spots of shade behind my greenhouse and behind raised beds and the fence. If you are new to growing then you may be able to get some guidance that helps you with that too, which is major, to say the least.
Go Large with Pots
You also need to take the time to go large with any pots you might have. Most plants do well in generous containers and if you go for a bigger plant, you will see that this needs less watering than a smaller one. By embracing things like this, you can make sure that you can get the result you want from your garden and that you don’t have to worry as much about where things are going to go. If a plant isn’t doing as well then you don’t have anything to worry about either, as you can easily make sure that you move the pot, rather than having to uproot and dig up the plant.
Go Vertical to Add Growing Space
If you have a small garden, or are out of space to expand consider going vertical. Although I have several raised beds, I have added a lot more growing space to my garden by adding GreenStalks. In only 2 ft of space, or the space o a large pots, I can grow 30-42 plants. These are great for peppers, micro dwarf tomatoes, herbs, leafy greens, strawberries, and more. And they look great! And with all of of the great colors that they have released over the past couple of years, they add a colorful and fun aesthetic to my garden that makes it look great. Interested? Check out my GreenStalk videos on YouTube, and see my FAQ for more info.
Keep it Simple
Overplanting, or planting more than you can handle, is a quick way to get overwhelmed as a new gardener. Start simple. Planting like things together is one of the best ways for you to get a good impact. If you plant fewer varieties in larger numbers then this will also work. This is one of the best ways for you to ensure a low-maintenance garden too, so be sure to keep that in mind.
Keep it Clean
Pull weeds from your garden, raised beds, rocks, mulch, etc. on a regular basis. This keeps the garden looking great. If weeds are proving to be a bit of an issue in areas where you do not grow vegetables, but only ornamentals, then you can consider some broadleaf weed killer as this will help you to deal with any plants that don’t quite fit your idea of a nice garden. In your edible garden, be sure to use a product that is safe for vegetable gardens.
Introduce some Flowers
I tend to focus a lot on my veggies. But, if you want your garden to look great, add some other plants that create interest. Consider adding some colorful perennials that will come back year after year. 0Plus, flowers are great for bringing in pollinators! They are a great investment if you want to make the most out of your garden, so make sure that you keep that in mind. If you are struggling to get the result you want out of your garden, remember, a gardener can be a useful way for you to progress.
Any questions about getting started? Just ask!
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