Mulch can be attractive too, so you might want to try decorative bark or woodchip mulch. Each will provide an attractive surface that adds a decorative and useful finish to flower beds, around the base of trees and along the edges of paths. Make sure you water the ground thoroughly before...
The ideal mulch needs to trap air to provide insulation and warmth, similar to down in a winter coat. It needs to be dense enough to block weed growth but light enough to allow water to reach the soil. Both organic and inorganic mulches can be used effectively in the garden. Organic Mu...
3 | Create a flower garden design Now that you’ve determined the area and general size of your flower garden, you can go outside and physically map it out. One of my favorite tricks is to outline with a garden hose to get a natural shape and play around with placement. Remember, it...
Most flowering plants thrive best in loose, well-draining soil that’s rich with organic matter. Prior to planting, remove all mulch, organic debris or tree roots from the planting site in order to avoid mold growth in the soil that could threaten new blooms. Check whether the site receives...
Adding mulch to your garden is inexpensive and eco-friendly way to keep your soil healthy. Here's how to pick between wood chips, grass clippings, straw, and landscape fabrics based on where you're putting mulch.
Cover the area with a tarp or black plastic for several months—or up to a year—to kill weeds and their seeds. Place clear plastic sheeting over the area for several months to solarize weeds and seeds. Lay down layers of newspaper or cardboard and cover with 6 inches of mulch. Hoe ...
One effective strategy to conserve water is covering soil with 2-3 inches of mulch such as grass clippings, wood chips, hay or straw to reduce evaporation by 50% and provide slow-release fertilizer benefits. Fertilizer First and foremost in any successful vegetable garden is to ensure its soil...
This is the part where you get to imagine all the vibrant cut flower arrangements of your dreams. Do you want something sunny for your kitchen? Delicate for your bedroom? A showstopper to give a friend? To ensure diversity, make sure your cutting garden includes: ...
Many of our flower beds are edged with field stones, but I also like to have a clean edge between the lawn the the stones. Once you replanted the flower bed, add a topdressing of a couple of inches of good shredded wood mulch. This will help to keep the weeds down and will helps ...
Garden rake Watering can Bypass pruners Lopping pruner Compost bin Daily Flower Bed Maintenance When possible, spend at least a few minutes each day just looking at your garden and enjoying it up close rather than from across the yard. This is not time that requires you to change into work...