Maintaining a healthy garden and lawn can be a tricky business. Over a year, we need to master the art of planting, watering, fertilising, and pruning the different plants and flowers in our garden. These 10 garden care tips will elevate plantcare routine, making you a gardencare whizz!
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Why do we need to care for our garden?
The UK is home to thousands of gardens and parks, including both private and public spaces. Gardens are a great space for our children to play and our pets to stretch their legs! Some of us have a vegetable patch in our garden, while others like to keep a pristine lawn. But why should we care for our gardens?
The first reason for caring for your garden is that it will look nice! On a hot summer’s day, there’s no better place to be than in your garden, surrounded by flowers and plants. A well-kept garden can provide calmness and tranquillity, making an outdoor space the ideal place to relax.
Caring for your garden has several benefits beyond the obvious enjoyment of it looking nice! In ecological terms, maintaining your garden and lawn can help improve biodiversity and wildlife. A healthy garden provides a habitat for various animals and insects to thrive; many of which are essential for your health plants and grass.
Furthermore, a consistent garden care routine also provides a series of practical benefits. Taking an afternoon every couple of weeks to keep on top of your garden and lawn prevents us becomming over-faced when it comes to Spring and Autumn plant care!
What tools do I need for garden care?
Maintaining a garden doesn’t require too many tools when getting started. The items you need depend on how big your garden is and (of course) whether you have a lawn, patio, or decking. Here’s a list of the essential garden tools you will need to keep on top of your plant care duties:
Trowel – nothing is more important than a hand trowel. A trowel is used for planting your indoor and outdoor plants. It is ideal for digging and mixing any compost or soil substrate you have.
Spade – having a spade on hand is always useful if you want to keep flowers or a lawn. A spade can be used for digging, cutting, and edging: this is essential if you want a well-kept lawn and garden.
Pruning Shears – pruning shears are vital for anyone owning hedges, potted plants, bonsais, or flowering. Pruning your plants helps stimulate growth and prevents pests and fungi from infecting your plants.
Patio Weeder & Weed Killer – If you want your garden or patio clean, a weeder and weed killer are essential. Keeping on top of weeds can be tiresome, but it is vital for the health of your garden plants.
Watering Can or Hose Pipe – If you live in an area where there is little rain, a watering device is going to be a lifesaver. Plants need water to survive, so a watering can or hose pipe is essential.
If you have a lawn, patio, or flagstones, the following items may also be needed. But don’t worry if you don’t have this equipment to start with!
Lawnmower – a lawnmower is a vital piece of kit for anyone with a lawn. Cutting your grass regularly keeps it healthy and stimulates growth. You don’t need anything fancy. If you have a large lawn and a handheld mower, an extension lead is a useful secondary purchase.
Hedgetrimmer – anyone with hedges or conifer bushes knows the value of a hedgetrimmer. This handy item helps prune and shape any trees, keeping them looking their best all year round!
Power Washer – if you own decking or a patio, a powerwasher is a great investment. Washing your patio helps prevent the buildup of algae and dirt, giving you a clean finish to your patio. If you’re having friends round for a BBQ, you’ll want your patio or decking looking its best!
Top 10 garden care tips: making you a plant care whizz!
We’ve compiled this list of watering, pruning, fertilising, and pest control tips to help you keep on top of your garden. With these top 10 tips, you’ll have the garden everyone else is envious about!
1. Choose the right plants for your climate
Choosing the right plants for your climate is vital. Having the correct garden plants means they’re more likely to survive and (obviously) make your garden look nicer! No one wants a view of dead plants when looking out of the window!
If you’re unsure what plants are likely to thrive in certain environments, don’t worry! Hardiness ratings and planting instructions can be found on seed packets and plant tags. Follow the directions on these and everything should be fine!
2. Use high quality soil
High quality makes all the difference to plant and lawn care. A rich, well-draining soil is key to plant health. We sell fantastic nutrient-dense compost and soil substrates in our Oxy-Plants shop!
If you’re using the soil or compost already in your garden, add perlite or vermiculite for increased drainage and better structure. Keeping a well-balanced fertiliser in the shed is always handy when your plants are looking a little worse for wear during the growing season!
3. Water wisely
Knowing when to water is what separates the novices from the pros! Water plants early in the morning to reduce evaporation. Deeply soak the roots instead of surface watering. Using drip irrigation can also help conserve water.
4. Use mulch for moisture and weed control
Mulch is the name we give to a protective layer of material spread on top of your garden soil. It can help to improve the health of your plants and flowers. You can make mulch from compost, leaves, bark, and grass clippings.
Spread a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around your plants. This conserves moisture, regulates soil temperature, and suppresses weeds.
5. Rotate your crops
For those who like growing vegetables in their garden, this is vital! Rotating crops each growing season prevents soil depletion and reduces pest problems. This practice will help to keep your soil healthy and minimise chances of disease!
6. Encourage beneficial insects
Believe it or not, insects are a vital part of garden care! Plant flowers like marigolds, daisies, or lavender attract pollinators like bees and beneficial insects like ladybugs, which help control pests. This is a fantastic and natural way to keep nasty bugs away.
7. Prune your garden plants
Pruning is an essential part of any garden care routine. Pruning not only keeps plants and bushes tidy but also aids growth too! Remove dead or diseased branches and thin dense areas to improve air circulation and sun exposure. For smaller plants, you can use ordinary indoor pruning shears. For larger branches, a pair of loppers is advised.
8. Fertilise responsibly
Using fertiliser is a great way to improve the growth of your garden plants. A little bit of fertiliser during the growing season ensures your plants receive the correct nutrients, keeping them happy and healthy. Too much, however, and you can scorch your plants’ roots.
Use organic fertilisers or compost to avoid chemical buildup in the soil. Each plant has different needs, so research the right type and timing for your plants.
9. Practice the art of companion planting
Companion planting is when a gardener puts two plant species together that benefit from being grown next to one another. For example, basil repels pests around tomatoes, while beans enrich the soil for leafy greens.
So, if you want to grow vegetables this year, quickly search on Google to see which companion plants can go in the same beds. You’ll thank us later!
10. Observe and adapt your garden care routine
Nothing is more important in garden care than learning what does and doesn’t work! So, pay attention to how your plants are doing this year. Keep an eye out for signs of pests, diseases, or nutrient deficiencies in your soil.
Learning to adapt quickly can not only save plants but improve your gardening success in later years. Happy planting!
