Having a beautiful lawn and garden makes spending time outside more enjoyable while adding curb appeal and value to your home! With spring in full swing, now is the perfect time to give your gardens a refresh and get ready for a delightful year outdoors– no matter your skills, or budget.
Plan Gardens To Last All Year Long
Planning a pretty garden that lasts with minimal upkeep is ideal for most busy families. It's mild and sunny now... but summer heat will quickly come, followed by cooler fall and winter weather. To keep gardens growing all year long, plant a variety of flowers, shrubs, and trees that bloom at different times in the year. When spring flowers wilt away, you'll have the next crop of lovely blooms and greenery already coming in and looking sharp as ever.
Layer Flower Beds In Rows
Pro gardeners plant beds in three rows with taller plants in the back, a middle row at medium height, and a front row made up of shorter plants and blooms. When viewed at a distance, this layering provides a gorgeous backdrop and makes sure none of your lovely plants are hidden.
Mix Deciduous and Evergreen Trees & Shrubs
Many home landscapers focus on spring and summer plants, and forget that gardens can still look green in the wintertime! A healthy mix of deciduous and evergreen plants will provide structure, color, and variety even in the colder months.
Use Annuals to Fill the Gaps Between Perennial Blooms
Low-maintenance planters love perennials that keep blooming year after year. While they're easy maintenance, they can have a short blooming period – leaving garden beds sparse until the next batch grows in towards summer. Mix in annual flowers to fill the gaps and provide color and beauty between perennial blooms to keep your garden always bright and cheerful.
Don't Forget About Hardscaping!
Landscaping is much more than just plants and flowers! Fences, borders, arbors, decks, trellises and walkways frame your property and provide structure for your overall yard and garden. These hardscaping features can be just as important for creating a unified, pretty look for your garden.
Vary Plant Shape And Texture
A garden with variety is beautiful to look at and brings together many plant heights, leaf shapes, and foliage colors to make a cohesive garden with interest and appeal. Vary your leaf forms, shapes, textures, and colors to lead the eye and add shape and excitement to your planting.
Pull Weeds Often and Early
Nobody likes weeding, but without maintenance, your garden can become dappled with weeds, dandelions, and other intruders. Cast an eye on your garden as you walk to the car and mailbox to catch weeds early and get them out of the way before they multiply. A little preventative weeding a few times a week can save your back and knees and a lot of trouble!
Consider Drought Resistant Plants
Even the best-planned garden can fall prey to scorching summer heat! Choosing plants that can weather a hot dry summer will stay perky without straining your water bill. Succulents are natural hot-weather choices, but there are tons of other plants that require little water and stand up well to hotter temperatures.
Remember... Plants GROW!
When you're picking out plants to fill your garden, remember they will get bigger and a cramped plant is an unhappy plant. Keep in mind the plant's final size as well as light and water needs to make sure they are happy, well-spaced, and have access to everything they need to thrive.
Ready to get planting? Head to your garden center or nursery and see what's ready to join your garden beds! A little planting now can make your home look beautiful all year long without too much work or upkeep. It's a great way to spend some time outside, get a little exercise, increase your property value, and make your home even more beautiful for a long time to come!
