Enjoy Your Garden All Year With These 6 Tips
A lot of effort goes into gardening. We cut back, mow, weed, and prune. We water and fertilize plants, and then we repeat and do it all again. We nurture tiny seedlings until they bloom into sturdy flowers and vegetables. We put down bark to keep weeds at bay. And we put up netting and pellets to detract birds and pests.
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When it all dies away in the winter, the garden can look bare and dull. But there are several steps you can take to make the most of your garden throughout the year.
- Plan
The trick for planting an all-year-round garden is to plan. You need to carry out a little research. Look for plants that bloom at different times of the year. Perennial plants work well because they don’t die after one season. The flowers die away, but the roots remain active under the soil. They regrow year after year.
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- Cultivate All Weather Plants
Not all plants and flowers bloom only in the spring and summer months. Some do well in all weather, such as foxgloves, verbenas, and geraniums.
- Winter Blooming Plants
When choosing your plants, include some that bloom in the winter months. Examples are snowdrops, winter flowering pansies, and crocuses. In that lull after Christmas, it’s always cheery to see the first snowdrops and crocuses poking through the frozen earth.
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- Prepare Your Garden For The Next Season
Gardening is a year-long commitment. It’s not something that is confined to the spring and summer months. There is work to be done throughout the year, even in winter. Make sure you keep on top of maintenance tasks. Prune trees and dig over beds. Keep on top of weeds. Get your garden in good shape for the coming season.
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- Look For Inspiration
Visit public gardens and greenhouses for inspiration. Learn from the professionals by reading descriptions of the varieties of flowers that are growing. Ask for suggestions for your own garden. Most gardeners are only too willing to share their knowledge and advice.
Garden centers will also be able to offer advice. Their trade slows down during the winter months. They are always seeking ways to attract buyers during autumn and winter.
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- Create Shelter
Make the most of your garden throughout the year by building a shelter. This could be a simple canopy attached to your home. Or, it could be a more complex structure such as a gazebo. This will allow you to enjoy the garden throughout the year, despite the weather. You may need to wrap up and take a blanket. But there’s nothing nicer than sitting in the garden on a brisk autumn morning with a warm mug of tea. Canopies and gazebos are also useful during the summer months, as they provide some shade.
Gardens are not just for summer. With a little thought and planning, you can create a cheery space for all year. Don’t be ruled by the weather. Stagger your planting and opt for varieties that bloom at different times. Look for hardy perennials and enjoy the explosion of color during the long winter months.
