The best way to start gardening is to pick a place that gets plenty of sun. You may have heard that you should put your plants in the ground in the spring, but this isn’t always true. When you live in an area where it snows, it’s better to wait until after the snow has melted so you don’t have to worry about digging out your garden or protecting your plants from the cold. The following are 6 tips that will transform your garden from ordinary to extraordinary.
Know your climate
Different plants thrive in different climates. If you live in an area that experiences a lot of rain, choose plants that can tolerate wet conditions. If it's hot and dry where you live, you should invest in plants that thrive in those conditions as well.
Don't just go with the first plants you see at the garden center! Spend some time looking through what they have and find plants that suit your climate. You'll save money on having to replace them every year and your garden will be more diverse and beautiful.
Follow the seasons
If you want to make your garden as pleasing as possible, you should follow the seasons. In the spring, plant trees and shrubs.In the summer, focus on vegetables and flowers. In the fall, plant perennials and other plants that can survive winter. And in the winter, keep your garden clear of weeds and protect plants from snow.
The following are a few tips that will help you design a successful garden:
Aerating your soil is one of the most important things you’ll do when it comes to gardening because this process releases nutrients from organic matter below ground. This helps plants grow better because they don’t need as much fertilizer to produce healthy roots.
Another way to improve your soil is by adding compost or manure to the top layer before planting so nutrients go directly into the ground where they can be absorbed by roots more easily.
An easy way to keep your soil rich with nutrients is by mulching around plants with leaves and grass cuttings during fall and winter months because it protects plants from cold weather and keeps them warm all winter long.
Put in some hard work
Gardening is a lot of hard work, but it’s also very rewarding. The best way to get your garden started is by preparing the soil and planting your seeds or seedlings. You can either dig out large parts of the ground and add in some quality topsoil or you can start with a raised bed that is already lined with a great soil mix. If you use a raised bed, then all you have to do is plant your seeds right in the ground and there is no need to add in extra dirt.
If you are going to plant your seeds directly in the ground, then be sure to level out the area so that it isn’t too bumpy or uneven before adding in any soil.
After leveling out the area, you will want to add some compost to help fertilize your new garden. A good rule of thumb is to add about 3 inches on top of what was originally there for a healthy balance of nutrients that will promote growth and feed your plants.
Pick the right plants
The first step is to pick the right plants. If you want a garden full of flowers, it’s best to put your money on annuals. Annuals only live for one year, while perennials can live up to 10 years or more.
If you’re looking for a fast-growing plant that will flower quickly, try an impatiens. Impatient plants are a hybrid variety of flowering plants that grow very quickly and offer a lot of color in a short amount of time. They have been bred to have low water needs and are resistant to diseases. If you’re worried about deer or rabbits eating your flowers, try planting marigolds around the perimeter of your garden - they smell bad, so animals stay away from them!
Use natural materials
The most important thing to remember when designing your garden is that it should feel natural. You want to avoid using too many man-made materials because you’ll find yourself spending more time maintaining the garden than enjoying it.
However, if you have a manicured lawn with an ornate fence, then using some man-made materials in your garden will be appropriate. Just make sure they are few and far between.
Another way to make your garden feel natural is by incorporating plants that grow in the area. This doesn’t mean you only plant flowers native to the area—you can also plant trees, shrubs, or vines that grow in the region.
Plant colorful flowers
One of the best ways to get people to visit your garden is by planting colorful flowers. They are also a great way to attract butterflies, which will help pollinate your plants.
Different colors can have different meanings. Red is often associated with love, while white is often associated with purity. There are even certain flowers that can tell you when it will rain or snow.
Magnolia trees are also great additions to any garden because they produce flowers early in the spring and late in the fall. Their blooms are large and fragrant, which means visitors will be drawn into your garden just to take in their beauty!