Top Tricks to Help You Get the Most Out of Your Garden

If you’re looking at revitalizing or starting a garden this year, you’re probably hoping to make the most of your efforts. There are a number of important factors to consider while getting organized, so refer to these top tricks to help you get going.

Plan Your Garden Layout Thoughtfully

One of the most important factors in achieving a great garden is how you set it up, so plan your plot carefully. Before you start planting, look critically at the space you have at your disposal and determine how to make the best use of it in order to include your favorite plants.

Observe your gardening space over the course of a day or two and take note of which areas get the most sunlight. If you’re planning to incorporate vegetables into your gardening plans, group them together according to their growing seasons, characteristics and light requirements.

You can also utilize different types of plants to organize areas of your garden and to add visual interest to the yard. For example, you can edge your garden with evergreen shrubs, and then plant flowers or vegetable patches between the edging. For best results, plan out your garden layout before you begin the planting process. This will help guide you in selecting the post appropriate plant varieties. 

Choose Fertilizer Carefully

Choosing the right fertilizer is pivotal in getting the most out of your garden beds. Different types of plants have different nutritional requirements. Some are happy with higher nitrogen, but most crave more phosphorus and potassium. Think of plant food as a healthy diet, or at least like a multivitamin.

Chemical fertilizers are the most convenient way to dispense plant nutrients, but incorporating a manure fertilizer such as Black Gold into your soil is a great way to add rich, organic matter. Always make sure you read the labels before you buy chemical fertilizers or manure. The kind of animal feed affects the manure, which is why bags of it will typically have the kind of feed listed.

Watch Out for Pests

Once you’ve done your due diligence to grow a beautiful garden, be prepared for pests that could sabotage your efforts. Common pests include aphids, red spider mites, and leaf miners. Check carefully on a regular basis for signs of these pests such as chewing, tunneling or discoloration in the leaves.

There are plenty of insects you don’t want to see in your garden, but there are some very helpful species that you should always welcome. There are several plants, such as marigolds and chrysanthemums, that will discourage pests while encouraging the bugs you want. While it’s easy to embrace pretty insects such as butterflies and ladybugs, don’t forget to welcome other helpful pollinators such as honeybees and lacewings as well.

If you’re ready to get the most out of your garden, start by forming a solid plan for how to make the best possible use of the space you have at hand. Enrich your carefully plotted sections with the right types of fertilizer, and make sure to be watchful for pests. If you maintain your garden, it will sustain you.