In 2020, make some changes outdoors to be a good gardener
With 2020 upon us, many are looking to make some changes in their lives, and spending more time outdoors is a change that will enrich body and soul, especially if you tackle just one or two of these gardening projects.
04/01/2020
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Attract Wildlife to your Garden
Like plants, every garden should be filled with wildlife; from birds and bees to earthworms and ladybirds. Our indigenous wildlife is just as essential as everything else in our lives, and we should pay more attention to wildlife that is in danger. Bees, for example, are struggling with CCD (colony collapse disorder), where the phenomenon occurs where a large majority of worker bees in a colony disappear, leaving behind a collapsed colony.
Adding plants to your garden will attract bees and other wildlife, as well as colour and a close source of food for local wildlife.
Pay a visit to your local garden centre or nursery and ask about the best plants for your region that will attract birds and bees and other wildlife to the garden.
Grow your own Produce
Imagine the joy of being able to produce homegrown, organic vegetables that you can pick fresh from the garden. Even a small bed filled with your favourite vegetables will bring a sense of satisfaction in knowing that it was grown in your garden, and that's not even including the fact that you know that everything you grow is organic and not treated with harmful chemicals.
Growing from seed is the best way to start when setting up your home vegetable patch, and you can regularly feed with organic fertilizer or your own compost. When the time comes to harvest, you can dry out herbs for the kitchen, pickle or preserve, or make chutney to ensure you have a constant supply from the garden.
For those who prefer something on the sweet side, there's also a variety of fruits that can be homegrown. Learn how to make your own jams and chutneys when you harvest your crops so that your hard work can be enjoyed all year round. You don't need any special equipment to make jams and conserves and you can share what you have with family and friends.
Even a small garden has space for a selection of vegetables if you apply vertical garden methods.
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Using the Espalier method for growing fruit trees lets you cultivate these in a small garden.
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Less is Best for Gardens
Water wise is a term we have all come to associate with the use of water in our homes and gardens, and how we can minimise water usage with the implementation of irrigation and water-saving methods. I have often posted articles on plant more indigenous varieties that require less water, more permeable hardscaping for drainage and to replace thirsty lawns.
Replacing thirsty lawns with hardscaping or artificial lawn saves not only water, but also time and effort spent to keep the lawn looking good, and fertilizer and other products needed to maintain the grass in peak condition.
Also look at replacing thirsty plants with indigenous varieties, or succulents and cacti, that require far less water and even less maintenance.
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Create a Shady Haven
Temperatures are getting hotter and regular soaking rains less frequent, meaning that even sun-loving plants are struggling in the heat. Adding more shade to a garden not only makes it more comfortable for plants, but it also means that you and your family can spend more time outdoors.
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Design your garden for a few shady spots here and there, areas that will keep your garden cool during the hotter times of the day and give you a place to relax outdoors. Adding just a bit of shade to a garden will be beneficial for your plants as well.
The most effective way to add shade to any garden is with indigenous trees, and in a small garden, you can cultivate a variety of indigenous trees in pots. We found an informative article here on the best indigenous trees for small to large gardens.
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