| Does your beautiful garden turn into an alien | | | | ground is very compacted, it is worth it to rent a |
| landscape by the middle of summer? Why not use | | | | tiller or have someone do it for you. Have your soil |
| some expert tricks to keep maintenance to a | | | | tested for ph and adjust if necessary. This is a good |
| minimum? Yes, you have to invest a couple of | | | | time to have organic matter and compost worked in |
| weekends in the beginning but the pay off is a place | | | | as well. The better your soil is, the more successful |
| to relax, entertain your friends and add to your | | | | your future gardening efforts will be. Once the beds |
| home's well kept appearance with a minimum of | | | | are ready, plant permanent greenery that will |
| effort. | | | | become the backdrop for your seasonal additions. |
| - Develop a garden plan - Your plan can be as simple | | | | This is one of the secrets to having gardens that |
| or complex as you want to make it. It's purpose is to | | | | don't require starting from scratch each year. Once a |
| give a sense of direction to your gardening efforts. | | | | permanent bush is planted, you can easily add color |
| Your plan will help you realize that even if some | | | | with flowering plants in front of it. |
| things have to be put off until next year, they will | | | | - Plan to water - Not all of us can afford an |
| come eventually. This step alone reduces the stress | | | | automatic watering system but you can simplify your |
| of creating an outdoor living space. What do you | | | | watering task. Even if you can't afford timers this |
| want this space to be like? Is it for outdoor | | | | year, you might be able to set up a pvc sprinkler |
| entertaining or simply a place to relax after a busy | | | | system that can be manually operated. Doing so will |
| day? Your master plan will help your make quality | | | | give you better water coverage and simplify the |
| "easy care" purchasing decisions when it's time to | | | | task. Timers can be added when your budget allows. |
| shop. | | | | If that is outside your budget and you have to rely |
| - When choosing your garden's hard surfaces, | | | | on a hose and sprinkler system, consider adding |
| consider future maintenance. Are you starting with a | | | | separate hoses for each area that you have to |
| deck or a cement patio? By developing the seating | | | | water. A simple shutoff splitter will direct the water |
| area first, you can begin to use the area even | | | | where it's needed without having to reposition the |
| before the rest of the garden is finished. If the deck | | | | hose each time. You are more likely to stay up with |
| or patio is already installed, does it need to be | | | | needed watering if all you have to do is turn a valve. |
| refinished? Sealing it will prolong it's life and keep it | | | | - Put landscape fabric under your mulch. Some people |
| cleaner. Remember, a little care now can add years | | | | use strips of plastic but unless you poke holes in it, |
| to its life. If you are starting with bare ground, you | | | | the rain can't penetrate. Other people use |
| might prefer a greener option. A patch of lawn looks | | | | newspapers, whatever you choose, putting mulch on |
| nice but remember that it will need ongoing care. If | | | | top of a weed barrier keeps weeds from taking over |
| your site is very shady, another option is to install | | | | your garden. If any do sprout, you will find that they |
| patio blocks with a low growing moss between them. | | | | have shallow root systems and pull out easily. Along |
| It's an attractive option that doesn't need constant | | | | with this, add permanent edging. It not only defines |
| mowing. | | | | the edges of your flower beds, but also helps to |
| - Define your planting areas. Do you need to add | | | | keep grass from creeping into them. |
| trees? If so, the sooner the better because each | | | | - Pick tables and chairs that are weatherproof and |
| year will increase their usefulness. Don't forget to | | | | easy to clean. If you are in an area that gets a lot of |
| consider the density of the shade they will produce, | | | | rain, add a garden chest where chair cushions can be |
| their mature height and if they are very messy. | | | | kept clean until you need them. |
| Some flowering specimens are beautiful but do | | | | - Choose a garden statue over a fountain. Both add |
| better in the corner of your landscape where you | | | | charm and help to give your garden an established |
| don't have to deal with dropping blossoms or seed | | | | look but fountains need to be cleaned weekly. If you |
| pods in your seating area. | | | | want something that makes soothing sounds, try |
| - Now consider the planting beds themselves. If the | | | | larger windchimes that ring in a lower note. |