There's a lot to love about Spring! The trees and grass begin greening up, flowers bloom, and the sounds of animals coming out of winter hibernation can be heard. But, that's not all. Now is the time for gardening fanatics to roll up their sleeves and dig into some fun. Here are 5 tips to help you maximize and really enjoy your garden space.
1. DIY Sprinkler System with Timer
A programmable timer and a drip kit can transform into a DIY sprinkler system that allows you to schedule and automate when you water and for how long. It's much more affordable than an expensive automated sprinkler system and frees you up to focus on other aspects of your garden. A word of caution: Be sure that sprinkler spikes to do not puncture buried electrical, gas, or communication lines. Always know before you dig. Be sure to call 811 and have any lines on your property marked. The service is typically free and can save you quite a chunk of change in repairs.
2. Portable Raised Garden Beds
When visiting a dear friend a few days ago, she shared that she had just moved her raised garden bed from the sunroom to the outdoor and uses it year round! What a great idea. You can enjoy gardening all year round, by creating raised garden beds and keeping them in a sunroom or a greenhouse during the cold winter months and moving them outside when the weather warms up.
You can make a raised garden bed out of just about anything, including barrels, buckets, wooden planters, etc. They can become a part of the decor. Just be sure to add wheels to heavier garden beds to make them easier to move.
3. Nutrient Filled Vegetable Water
When you have boiled or steamed vegetables, many of the nutrients remain in the water. Instead of pouring the water down the drain, let it cool and then pour over the potted plants. You'll be surprised at how the plants will thrive.
Leftover vegetable water is a natural fertilizer that contains micro and macronutrients as well as mineral ions such as magnesium, calcium, and iron. This is an easy way to reduce waste material from the kitchen and save money on purchasing fertilizers.
4. Coffee and Tea Grounds
For your plants that prefer acidic soil, leftover coffee and tea grounds are the perfect solution. Sprinkle the leftover grounds over the soil about once a month. Plants such as azaleas, gardenias, and hydrangeas will thrive. However, be careful with vegetables like tomatoes, who do not respond well. Before applying coffee or tea grounds to your soil, be sure the plants that live there prefer acidic soil. Otherwise, you may kill your beloved plants due to an inadequate soil environment.
5. Pruning
When is the best time to prune? That depends. Spring flowering shrubs and trees should be pruned right after they bloom. If you wait until the summer or the fall, you will cut off flower buds for the next year.
Summer blooming shrubs and flowers should be taken care of in the later winter, and non-blooming trees and shrubs should be pruned in the late winter when they are fully dormant. If you are unsure, consult with your local cooperative extension service or a nursery. They should be able to point you in the right direction.
Any time you purchase a new flower, shrub, or tree, be sure to ask the seller about any pertinent instructions for proper care, including pruning. Keep a notebook of care instructions for your plants and next thing you know, you will be a pro.
Ready for a New Yard to Garden?
Spring signifies new growth, are you ready for a fresh start? Legacy Real Estate is here to help you sell your home and find the home of your dreams. Contact us today and let us help you smoothly transition into the next chapter of your life.
