When it comes to garden maintenance, there’s a lot that can go wrong. From weeds to pests, gardeners have to stay on the defensive at all times. Just like protecting the inside of your home with a warranty, the outside is just as important. For those wondering, how much is a home warranty? You can find a lot of resources online to answer that question.
For help with landscaping, we will be going over that in this article. Instead of reaching for the bug spray, here are some tips to protect your plants organically. They include: 1. Apply mulch. This helps retain soil moisture and keeps roots warm.
1. Plant in the Right Season
Using the wrong season for planting can compromise your plants, stress them out or even cause them to die. The best time to plant varies according to the type of plants and their preferences and tolerances for weather conditions.
Keep the Weeds in Check
Weeds not only compete with garden crops for nutrients, but they can also host pests and disease. Spread mulch and practice good garden sanitation by removing and disposing of dead or infested plant material, and avoiding overhead watering to reduce the amount of moisture that remains on the foliage.
Grow crops that attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs, hoverflies and parasitic wasps to prey on harmful pests. Plant flowers that these insects like to eat, such as cosmos, sweet alyssum and dill, among vegetables to naturally control pests.
2. Build a Fence
For those with a yard, installing a fence will help to prevent trespassers from invading your garden and landscaping. It will also keep pets and children from straying into your garden, making it safer for everyone to enjoy.
In addition, fences will help protect gardens from the elements like wind. Ensure that your plants are safe by providing them with a barrier that will limit the impact of wind and hail.
For those with fruit trees or other shrubs near their gardens, consider creating a living windbreak around them to minimize damage from sustained wind gusts. Also, be sure to regularly mulch your garden beds, as this will help to stabilize the soil and boost drainage. Waterlogged soil deprives roots of the oxygen they need to thrive.
3. Keep Weeds at Bay
Weeds take away valuable water, soil and sunlight from the plants you want to grow. They also harbor plant viruses and attract pests that can move on to garden crops.
Weed seeds lurk in the top inch or so of soil, waiting for the right conditions to trigger germination. Digging and cultivating the ground brings these seeds to light, so be sure to weed often and sever the root of any you find.
Covering soil with mulch — grass clippings, wood chips, straw or even shredded leaves — keeps the surface of the ground covered and deprives weeds of the sun they need to thrive. Using a weed barrier fabric or rubber tree rings around shrubs and trees adds another layer of defense against unwanted growth.
4. Keep Pests at Bay
Pests like grubs, caterpillars and aphids are especially troublesome when growing vegetables and fruits. Keep them at bay by providing your plants with the nutrition they need.
Incorporating nitrogen-rich compost, worm castings and manure into your soil can provide your plants with the nutrients they need to thrive. This can help reduce the need to use chemical sprays in your garden.
Maintaining good lawn and shrubbery maintenance also helps prevent pest infestations. Uncut grass and weeds are attractive hiding places for ticks, fleas and other pests, while overgrown bushes and trees can act as gangplanks for unwelcome houseguests to march right into your garden.
Encourage beneficial insects, such as lacewings, praying mantis, ladybugs and the mealybug destroyer, to eat pesky pest insects. This will also help control aphids, hornworms and other leaf-feeding insects that can damage your vegetable crops.
5. Keep Your Neighbors at Bay
If you have a nosy neighbor, it’s important to try to keep them at bay before they ruin your gardening experience. Some people like to snoop because they are lonely or bored, so knocking on their door and asking them to stay off of your property is a safe way to express that you value your privacy and don’t want to be bothered.
Erosion is a common problem in gardens, especially when the soil is steeply sloping. One easy thing to do is add mulch, which helps stabilize the soil. You can use grass clippings to create a layer of organic material that improves soil nutrition, prevents weeds, and keeps moisture in the ground. Before starting any digging project, always call 811. This ensures that you don’t accidentally hit any pipelines or other utilities underground.