How to work only on the weekend and still have a beautiful garden? A gardening guide for every gardener.
Do you sigh every time when you pass along those landscaped and nice colored houses with a front yard that smiles at you and makes you stop to watch?
Ahhh, if I only had more time, my garden would be just like that! The fact is that many people think that for every idyllic garden it takes a lot of time. If you really want your garden to look dignified and to enjoy it, guess what … you can! Feel free to bet that your neighbor will also wonder how you manage your yard since you there only on weekends.
People try to create perfectionism in their surroundings, and transfer it to their garden. It is not there just to look nice, but to make you healthy, relaxed and agile.
It’s possible even without enough time. Immediately to admit, a lot of work doesn’t take much time (in spite of the belief of many).
At a beginning spend a lot of time thinking about your garden look.
Planing your weekend garden
When you decide to go into the world of gardening, one thing is certain … you will have many questions. Some of them might not be answered as quickly. A well-illustrated book on gardening will be of great help to you.
Great way to find out the information is to talk to the people in nursery gardens. They will be grateful that you are buying from them and in return, your concerns or questions will be taken care of.
When you think about a creating a new garden from scratch you should consider some questions.
- what kind of design do I admire? ( classical, landscape, baroque, Mediterranean or Japanese style)
- will I have a water feature?
- can my kids or grandkids play in it?
- do I live by the river and have floods?
- do I have access to water supplies?
- having trees according to my garden size?
- how many hours on week can I dedicate to it?
If you want to make project from the beginning, it’s important to make some sketch. You can make it by hand, on a break at work or at night before bed. Draw a picture of how you imagine your future paradise. Make a few. 30 minutes tops.
In case you are not artistic kind of person, try some of the online tools. They will help you to design your future garden, patio or automatic irrigation system zones. With this tool, you will plan every corner and develop sense of space. Characteristic that own only the top-notch landscape architects.
You can try some of these:
Learning to use these will take some time and effort. I recommend designing through the winter or try your best pall – pen. Careful preparation and processing of land is a very important tactic for saving you time later.
Purchasing and planting
When buying, it is important to know the plants. Try not to overlook your plants need. To understand each plant better, you need to know the Latin name of the plant. Find it online – usually indicated in brackets next to the national plant name.
This name is crucial for what you have imagined. It’s an ID card of the plant and more than that. It reveals how high or broad it grows, what are the needs for food, water, etc. Is it for my weekend garden? They are so important. In this case, do not rely on workers in the nursery garden, but talk only to a chief or owner. They will know more precisely.
Many plants also have a special breeding ground names. The example would be: BLACK PINE – Pinus nigra pendula, Pinus nigra monstrosa, Pinus nigra nana, Pinus nigra mugo … etc.
You can plant even when the temperature is in the minus. Only important thing is that the seedlings or exposed root don’t stand long outdoor before placing them in the ground.
I would always plant an expensive seedling in the period between autumn and winter, as it is the highest probability that it will then be received. Other plants … whenever you find the time, as long as they are in a container.
If ordering plants through the internet.
If you prefer ordering plants online then I recommend to you ask for seedlings in a plastic container, not in a yuta sack or plastic bag. The reason for this is because the courier service will poorly treat your order and with the constant moving in their van, the soil burden in which the root is will decay, gain air and begin to dry. This applies especially with evergreen or deciduous trees. Their heavy soil around the root is susceptible to decomposition.
The best time is to plant your seedlings when the rain is certain. Enough water will be already in the ground so water it once (to get out the air). A reliable weather forecast will help you save time on planting.
Best plants for weekend gardeners
As for the trees, I would always take the first choice of evergreen species. Indeed, it’s always a pleasure to see them. and when received, they do not need any maintenance. In the spring and late fall, put some humus into the base of the plant. This is an important rule for the first three years as well as watering when temperatures are above 35 degrees.
There is no pruning and in the winter when your neighbor has a bunch of fallen leaves you will have something to enjoy and remain hidden from the views.
Evergreen species
- Ordinary black pine ( Pinus nigra )
- Hymalayan pine ( Pinus wallichiana )
- Black pine ( Pinus mugo )
- Black Pine ( Pinus nigra monstrosa)
- Araucaria
- Blue cedar ( Cedrus atlantica )
- Juniperus (Juniperus virginiana ‘skyrocket‘)
- Juniperus ( Juniperus chinesis )
- Juniperus ( Juniperus oxicedrus )
Deciduous species
- Birch tree
- Willow tree ( Salix pendula, Salix alba, Salix caprea )
- Brigalow or false acacia
- Wild chestnut
- Nettle tree ( Celtis australis )
- Oak tree ( Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata‘ )
- Morus ( Morus nigra peandula)
These are species that don’t need any special treatment.
Shrubs and perennials
Perennials grow without problems, rarely get sick, easy to care and are attractive. Your only obligation is to compost once in the spring and water it in the dry season. Many of them are very resistant and do not require your time.
Here are some resistant flowery perennials :
- Mock Orange ( Philadelphus spp.)
- Lilac ( Syringa vulgaris )
- Winter Daphne ( Daphne odora )
- Viburnum (Viburnum spp.)
- Butterfly bush ( Buddleia davidii )
- Hydrangea
- Weigela
- Spirea ( Spirea little princess )
These are shrubs that don’t need time and are deer and pests resistant.
Flowers
Flowers are not for weekend gardening. Instead, you can try flower bushes or perennials.
As an exception, I would still plant roses. They, believe it or not are resistant even to floods. Choose hybrids. They don’t require spraying. You can trim them when you have the time.
Decorative grasses
- Switch grass (Panicum heavy metal )
- Pampas grass ( Cortaderia selloana )
- Zebra grass ( Miscanthus sinesis zebrinus )
- Red baron ( Imperata cylindrica )
- Blue grass ( Coeleria glauca )
- Carey ice dance ( Carex )
Lawns
I do not know about you gentleman gardeners, but I simply adore lawns, even those that are not perfect. Having lawn and resting your eyes or walking barefoot is what you must do whenever you are free. Reduce time for mowing with a lawn mower once a week or even once in every ten days. In summer, this practice is especially desirable even with gardeners that do have time. Why?
The low “haircut” takes away the water from the root and the grass quickly starts to become yellowish. Always allow grass to stay a little bit longer. When laying the lawn, watch that you create a simple shape so that you can finish mowing in a short time.
If you think otherwise I can suggest you Irish moss (Sagina subulata), a ground cover.
From a distance, it looks like a best quality lawn, spreading rapidly but suffers from the full exposure to the sun.
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Or grow native grass. If you live in a drought area, sow grasses that are native to your environment. They are much more drought resistant.
Think about ground covers resistant to drought instead of full lawn surface.
– Perwinkle (Vinka major)
– Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
– Coyote brush (Baccharis pilularis)
– Lantana and Mexican daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus)
Lot of weeds and no time
Preventing it is always better than curing it.
The grounding of the earth encourages the germination of many weed seeds, which from the “seed bank” in the earth comes out into the light of day. You don’t have to regularly process the garden, even when you produce vegetables.
[amazonjs asin=”B003TJ9G40″ locale=”US” title=”Fiskars Softouch Weeder (7060)”]Weeds appear often among the surface of unused patio surface. You can use a high-pressure water hose to remove algae and small weeds from those areas.
Use soil covers! For higher efficiency, place a 10 cm layer of mulch overcoats. Maintain the required thickness by adding the material which you can use in every place, including paths. Do not cover the soil all the way to the plants. Leave a few centimeters free around the stems.
Use organic total herbicide
It only works in contact with the weed. Does not work across the earth. After spraying you can sow everything without limitations. It’s a huge time saver. Nowadays there is a production of natural based chemicals so you don’t have to feel guilty for using them.
Pests
Plant different plants in pairs.
Strong smell plants in pairs confuse pests. Traditional carrot sowing tips in a pair with black onion and cultivated Cadiz in the greenhouse have the scientific basis.Why is that?
For example, when a cabbage fly hits the plant,it “testing” it with its pins. If it lands on several corresponding plants in a row, it will lay eggs.If it lands on an inadequate plant, will fly elsewhere. Go figure!
Planting lavender in your garden will add to the aroma and smell. Also, it will repel bugs with its aromatizing sent.
Container tip:
For its realization, only a few common matches will be needed. Simply put their heads into the ground, at a distance of 5 cm from the edge of the pots, and pour the water. After 2 days, replace the matches with new ones, and after two more days, the fly will disappear.
Phosphorus and sulfur, which are contained in the composition of the head of matches, will penetrate into the land and reliably release the plant from the uninvited guests.
Making compost
So how you can make compost relatively fast?
Plants are supplied with food by decomposition mineral particles and organic matter. The soil contains a wide range of nutrient ingredients that need your garden, (macroelements and microelements, ie. trace elements). Depending on the type of plants you grow, you may need to increase the level of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium- nutrients that plants use in the largest quantities.
[amazonjs asin=”B0017WOFSI” locale=”US” title=”Exaco ECO-2000 2.4 Gallon Kitchen Compost Waste Collector”]But you can’t hurry nature, only help to grow more beautiful.
The space where you will place shredded material can be of great importance. Container for compost with earthworms (which you can use for the recycling of kitchen waste) it is best to place in a sheltered box near the kitchen door.
To speed process up, buy some earthworms in local fishing store and release them into all organic waste. Compost piles of leaves place between trees and bushes or in some corner that won’t ruin the view of your beautiful garden.
Many people tend to gather every leaf as soon as it hits the ground. A better option is to leave it there to moisturize. After few weeks piles won’t be bulky or spacy and you can gather it quick. I would advise you to keep the leaves off from the patios and trails because it tends to color it. Gathering leaves from the lawn can be done with the lawnmower. Parts that are left behind leave, they will decay and make lawn healthier.
Things to avoid putting in compost box:
- – residues of meat and fish;
- – used diapers;
- – glass and cans;
- – coal ash;
- – dog feces;
- – plastics;
- – cat feces;
- – synthetic fibers.
- – perennial weeds
- – hard and evergreen remains of trees and hedges
Things welcomed in your compost box:
FAST ROT: leaves, mowed grass, livestock waste (without foundation), young weeds and other plants, nettle
MIXED: remains of fruits and vegetables, rhubarb leaves, used tea bags , vegetable residues, straws, cut flowers, soft cuttings of the hedgehog, herbivores feces
SLOW ROT: old straw, stems of vegetable, leafy stalks, cardboard packaging, boxes of eggs, paper bags and similar products, newspapers, ash from wood, (not coal), coffee.
ADVICE: You must be careful not to add to compost any plants that contain weeds, otherwise you will add more weeds to your garden soil.
It’s little-known fact but plants like all kinds of sugar. You can add 1 kg of refined white sugar for every 100 liters of compost. Sugar will make your plants shine and more resistant to disease.
WATERING
This one is easy. Build in a automatic sprinkler system in your yard. If you live in droughty area and want your plants to look top-notch while you are at work this is the way to go. Expensive one but is a must. You can program it to water it 3 times/week for 3 hours and this should be enough. You can control it even from your smartphone.
If you are short with money, use the garden hose with centered sprinkler which will reach most of the surface in the garden. That way you don’t have to stand and hold it, but it demands your presence.
[amazonjs asin=”B00INTILWY” locale=”US” title=”NeverKink 8844-50 Series 4000 Commercial Duty Pro Garden Hose, 5/8-Inch by 50-Feet”]Watering plants once a week has some advantages and will save your time and will make your plants more resistant to drought. How is that? You ask me.
It is very important to moisten the soil about 15 cm well, which is the depth of a healthy root system. The best way to test the humidity of the ground is to make a vertical cut to check how much time it takes for water to make its way through the soil. That way you ‘ll be able to see how much water should you release each time you turn on the hose.
Knowing once how much time you need it, will save you time in the future. Keep in mind that everyone has a different land. Do it once a week but do it good. Ok?
I think that you now have everything, just find will, because it is the most important. Your garden may not be the best and the richest, but it will be your place to relax and gather friends. Fine gardening won’t give it soul, you will! The point is that working in the garden is a joy, not an obligation and even single shrub can be a garden. What do you think?
Author Bio
My name is Nenad Pejak, but people are calling me Nesh. I’m freelance writer for hire and
nature enthusiast. I am engaged in agriculture and landscaping since I was 15 years old.
Since 2011-2014 I built what I believe is a first phase of Japanese garden. I joined nature and natural ways to stay healthy with writing. You can check my full writers bio on http://writersmeadow.com
