Consider
using fewer plant species when designing perennial flowerbeds.
Increase the number of each to boost the visual impact of the garden
and reduce maintenance. You’ll have fewer species to manage,
identify and differentiate from the weeds as they emerge in spring.
Select plants suited to the growing conditions and that do not
require deadheading and staking. Avoid pest- and disease-prone
plants as well as those that quickly multiply and overtake
neighboring plants and the garden bed.
Design garden beds with gentle curves and avoid tight spaces that
limit access and will make managing the surroundings difficult. Make
sure all parts of the garden can easily be reached for planting,
weeding, harvesting, and care. Add a path of wood chips or a few
steppers, like Leaf Stepping Stones, to large garden beds as needed
for easier access.
Reduce watering needs by growing plants suited to
your area’s normal rainfall. Group moisture-loving plants together
to minimize the amount of water used and time spent watering. Enlist
the help of soaker hoses or drip irrigation like the Snip-n-Drip
Soaker system (gardeners.com) when watering is needed. This
irrigation system applies water to the soil where needed and can be
cut with scissors to fit any garden that is planted in rows.
Reduce watering frequency, suppress weeds, and improve the soil with
the help of organic mulches like leaves, evergreen needles, and wood
chips. You’ll gain multiple benefits with this one task. Spread a
one- to two-inch layer of mulch over the soil surface. Pull it away
from tree trunks, shrub stems and off the crowns of flowering plants
and vegetables. The finer the mulch material, the thinner the layer
of mulch you’ll need.
Slow the infiltration of grass and weeds into garden beds and
eliminate the need to hand trim with a bit of edging. Use a shovel
to dig a V-shaped trench around the perimeter of the garden edge.
Fill this with the same mulch used in your flowerbed to create a
mowing strip around the garden bed.
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Join forces with neighbors and rent an edging machine
for the day or weekend. These machines can make it easier and
quicker to accomplish this task. With a shared rental, you all save
money and no one has to maintain and store the equipment.
Keep tools handy to save time and energy spent
retrieving forgotten tools from the shed or garage. Weather-proof
garden tool bags with multiple compartments make it easy to
organize, store and carry hand tools, plant tags, gloves, and other
small items to the garden. Or store them right where they are
needed. Convert an old mailbox or invest in a small storage
container like the waterproof Galvanized Garden Tool Storage Box.
Mount it on the end of a raised bed, fence, or post to keep small
tools, gloves, safety glasses, and more in a handy location.
Use carts, wagons, or a gardener’s summer sled when moving large or
heavy loads. You’ll be able to accomplish the move with fewer trips
and less muscle strain.
Take time this season to implement a few of these strategies. A few
changes can save you time that you can instead spend relaxing,
enjoying, or adding more gardens.
Melinda Myers is the author of more than 20 gardening
books, including Small Space Gardening and Midwest Gardener’s
Handbook, 2nd Edition. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow
Anything” instant video and DVD series and Melinda’s Garden Moment
TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for
Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Gardener’s Supply
for her expertise to write this article. Her website is
www.MelindaMyers.com.
[Photo courtesy of Gardener’s Supply
Company/gardeners.com] |