5 TIPS TO A SIMPLE SUMMER GARDEN

Spring is such an exciting time in the garden. If planned correctly, gardeners can ensure that ongoing garden maintenance is kept simple, avoiding unnecessary chores; even turning tasks into enjoyable excuses for “me time” outdoors.  We’ve put together our top 5 ways you can simplify things to ensure that you enjoy your summer garden:

1. PLANT PERENNIALS

Perennials are plants that last for three seasons or more.  Some die down in winter and emerge again from their rootstock in spring to flower in summer and winter. They are longer lasting and slower growing plants than seasonal annuals.  Perennials bloom for shorter periods than annuals, after which they put their energy into growing strong roots instead of lots of flowers.  Once established, perennials are a more low maintenance choice.  Creating the backbone of your garden with a variety of low-maintenance shrubs and perennials that bloom at different times of the year will save you work down the road.  A little spring clean-up and a fresh layer of mulch should be all it needs.

An annual is a plant that lives for just one season. Annuals germinate and grow quickly, remaining in flower all season long, making them bright and showy.  However, they do require having to be replanted or changed up each year. They are a great way to experiment, maintain constant colour and refresh your garden year after year, should you choose to.  However, having your perennials in place means that your summer garden should still offer lots to enjoy if you don’t choose to plant up a mix of annuals.

We’ve put together a growing guide for perennials, which you can read here.

2.  CONSIDER THE MAINTENANCE OF YOUR PLANTS

Consider plants that don’t need regular maintenance, such as staking, deadheading, frequent dividing, complicated pruning or excessive watering.  Low maintenance options will allow your garden to flourish with little effort on your part – allowing you to relax and simply enjoy your garden. Chat to our team if you need assistance or advice on low maintenance plants, but here are some of our favourite low maintenance perennials:

3.  KEEP A GARDEN HOSE HANDY AND WATERING EASY

Gardening and watering go hand-in-hand. While hosepipes are such simple gardening tools, they often cause of a lot of aggravation! A garden hose that kinks, leaks, is stiff and won’t unwind or is heavy to drag around can be really frustrating. Investing in a quality hosepipe and the means of simple storage makes the necessary job of watering of your garden stress-free.  Here’s some of our favourite options for you.

4.  PLANT IN CONTAINERS

Growing in pots and containers allow you to have a portable garden that can be moved to create any effect you want.  Combined with existing garden beds containers can be used to accent plantings by adding height, colour and other features that may be lacking. They can also be used to confine invasive plants that would normally over run your gardening space and weed and pest problems are quickly noticed and easy to deal with.  Another marvelous advantage is that you can easily control the soil quality when planting out into pots.

We have a full guide on how to plant in pots, which you can read here.

5.  INVEST IN TIME-SAVING TOOLS

All gardeners know that certain tasks in the garden can be backbreaking work.  Investing in time-saving tools which are made for the job can make garden chores so much easier. Today’s ergonomic shapes and innovative, high-tech designs go a long way in saving you time, money and potential injuries.  Here’s a few of our favourites:

Following these basic steps will help to ensure that on those days when the sun is shining, the breeze is gently blowing, the birds are chirping and the busy bees are humming, you can relax and enjoy the benefits of a well designed and carefully planned garden.