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A summer of gardening
I don’t know about you, but when it comes to gardening, I like to do the least amount possible so that I can actually enjoy my space. It’s one of the perks of loving the cottage garden type style; natural growing structures and sprawling edges are actually encouraged. We British are notorious for talking about the weather – constantly. But who can blame us? Much as the meteorologists attempt to give us a forecast, it often seems as if the weather’s doing its own thing. It’s no surprise, therefore, that at the slightest hint of sun, we’re into the garden quicker than a bird snaps up a caterpillar. It also means that when the barbecues come out, the sun loungers are thrown onto the lawn and the suntan lotion’s slapped on to promote a good tan, we want our gardens to look as good as possible.
I love plants, but I also love making my oasis look as perfect as possible in a short time. So, if you’re hovering by the door, barbecue sauce in hand and waiting for the clouds to pass before you can party, here’s a few simple tips to get a great looking garden in no time at all.
Cut the lawn
This might sound obvious if you’re having a party, but cutting the lawn makes a huge difference to the garden. Simply mowing the grass instantly gives any wild oasis a maintained and cared for look. In addition, the smell of freshly strimmed grass is an extra sense to enjoy, and will mix with that barbecue smoke to create the perfect summer atmosphere.
Edge the borders
Seriously, if you want to save time and are trying to disguise the plethora of weeds in your flowerbeds, edge the borders. Don your gardening gloves and simply using a strimmer or hoe along the edges. Turn over the first few inches of soil as you go, and you can instantly create the mirage that you take great care and effort over your garden. So what if there are a few weeds amongst the border! For the keen gardener, maybe they’re supposed to be there. And, chances are, many friends and family won’t even realise they’re weeds at all!
If you have time, edging paths, lawns or borders with bricks (right) or stones also works well as a natural barrier which doesn’t need upkeep.
Deadhead your plants
Whether they’re annual or perennial flowers, removing the spent buds will prolong the flowering season and ensure that your garden stays looking healthy and well looked after. A sharp pair of secateurs or a little nifty pair of deadheads do the job very easily, and if you snip faded blooms every day, it won’t take very long. The best thing about removing fading flowers is that it often spurs plants into producing yet more blooms for you to enjoy.
Divide your garden to reduce workload
Lets be honest, gardens can take a lot of work to maintain. If you’ve got a newer garden, or have a rampant and overgrown patch that’s in desperate need of taming, consider splitting the garden into sections so it’s manageable. You can do this physically by putting up fencing or pergolas to split areas, or simply draw out a sketch so you have something in your mind to work too. By breaking the work down into manageable portions it makes it a little easier to develop and maintain your garden. It’s also less expensive up front as plants cost a lot of money. And, if anyone asks, then you can keenly say that you’re developing a wildlife area in the patch you haven’t yet touched! 😉
Collect, Snip, Divide
As I’ve just mentioned, plants cost a lot. It might not seem it, especially when you’re picking out a few pots at £2.99. If you’re like me, however, you get to the till with those said pots only to discover that you’ve spent almost £100.
The fantastic thing with plants is that you can snip them, divide them and collect seeds to bolster your stock. If you have friends with gardens you admire, ask if you can take some cuttings and collect seeds. When you’re buying plants, look for pots which have two or three main stems, indicating that you might be able to split them into more plants. And, if you have the time, patience and a nurturing character, buy a few seed packets and actually raise your own specimens from the very start.
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