If you’re tasked with caring for a large outdoor space with plenty of plant life, then you might find yourself quickly overwhelmed – even if you’re a professional gardener. Fortunately, it’s possible to make the responsibility of this easier to manage if you employ the correct strategies and invest in the right equipment.
Watering strategies
Your primary duty as a gardener is to make sure that your plants don’t become dehydrated. This means ensuring that they have access to a consistent supply of water. In smaller spaces, this might involve going around with a watering can during warmer periods. In larger ones, you could affix a sprinkler system around your garden, that is able to water your plants at a designated time each day.
Irrigation
Drip irrigation and soaker hoses will deliver water directly to the roots of your plants, rather than spraying them from above. This method has the advantage of keeping foliage dry and reducing the effects of evaporation. Additionally, if you apply a little bit of mulch, you’ll help to keep the soil moist.
Strategic plant placement
The location of your plants will have a huge influence on how much watering they need. Plants which receive direct sunlight for large segments of the day will need more watering than those which are kept in shaded areas. Sandy soil tends to store less water than heavier clay-rich soil, which is something to think about when adding outdoor plants to your garden.
Whichever watering strategy you favour, it’s worth using technological means to monitor the soil moisture levels over time. A few probes positioned at strategic locations can make a larger space much easier to keep track of and manage.
Lawn management
Getting the height of your lawn needs to be the perfect balance of keeping it neat but allowing the grass blades to reach a healthy length. Do note that the lower you go, the more visible the underlying shape of the lawn will be and the more you reduce the depth of the roots, which can be unhealthy for your lawn. Invest in a quality mower and you’ll make life much easier. By using a cordless self-propelled lawn mower, you are able to cut your lawn with precision at your desired length – this is also a great way to keep active. Finally, don’t forget the cardinal rule of lawn mowing – only cut grass when it is dry. Doing so reduces the risk of soil sticking to your lawnmower, ripping grass blades and welcoming fungal infections.
Experiment with plants and flowerbeds
In a larger garden, it’s usually better to go for flowerbeds which are more forgiving and easily managed. Weeding and edging can be very time-consuming, so keep things as simple as possible. Consider choosing seasonal flowers – they’ll need replacing, but they tend to be easier to look after while they’re in season.
Hard landscaping
Hard-landscaping is the practice of adding non-plant material to the garden. It allows you to add a little extra dynamism and depth to the space. You can install areas which are low-maintenance, like pathways and patios. The best approach here is to plan as much as possible in advance and make sure that you’ve accounted for all of the work you’re going to need to do.
