There is a lot more to gardening than simply adding plants to your garden and waiting for them to grow – once they are firmly placed into the soil, it is your responsibility to guarantee that they are well fed and given the support they need to grow efficiently. Every type of plant is different, so you must ensure the optimal growth conditions for each are met and any signs of ill health are dealt with immediately. If you are looking to develop your gardening skills or are just starting out on your horticultural adventure, here we share some of the best tips to make sure your garden is thriving in no time.
Watering
Naturally, watering your plants is the most important part of caring for them, but you’d be surprised by the number who believe the weather will do this task for them. Plants constantly lose water through their leaves via transpiration, which must be replaced by reabsorbing further water through their roots. Warmer and brighter conditions increase the rate of this process, meaning the plants must be provided with more water than usual. Younger plants or those that have recently been transplanted will require more frequent watering due to their smaller root systems. On warmer days, it is ideal to water your plants in the evening so as to allow them to absorb water for the following day. Contrarily, during colder periods, it is best to water in the morning, so the plants have time to fully dry out before night time.
Pruning
Not all trees and shrubs can be left to grow unchecked; some must be cut back or pruned at some point, which is fairly easy should you have the right tools available. Pruning usually occurs when a plant has grown out of control, needs to develop into a different shape or you wish to encourage the growth of more fruit – simply cut a small part of the plant off using a pair of secateurs or a pruning saw. You may also need to remove branches of your trees if they begin to grow uncontrollably, and you know that they respond well to rejuvenation pruning. In these instances, a cordless battery chainsaw would be the ideal choice, particularly if the branches are 3 inches or longer in diameter.
Location
Deciding where to base your flowers and shrubs is of utmost importance, as the weather can make or break the lifespan of your plants. Plants that require shade must be kept in areas away from the sun, otherwise, this will render the plant susceptible to pests and diseases. In comparison, plants that demand sunlight need to be kept in areas where the sun is at its strongest throughout the day. Keep in mind where the sun is projected from roughly 10 am – 4 pm – this should help you figure out the best locations to deposit these plants.
Feeding
Alongside water, plants absorb other nutrients and minerals via their roots, which include potassium, phosphorous and nitrogen. These are necessary for the growth and root development of the plant, and fruit and flower growth if needed. Naturally, plants will gather these nutrients from decomposing plant material such as dead leaves. In the garden, we tend to remove any dead plant matter to avoid our space becomingly unsightly, so it’s important to replenish any nutrients by feeding the soil or the plants. Organic fertilisers are probably the best choice, which typically consists of plant- or animal-based materials – these are able to stimulate the growth of soil bacteria and attract detritus feeders, like earthworms, to the vicinity of the plants.
