When you have space on your property that allows for a garden, there is no reason not to take advantage of it. The Southern California region is friendly to gardens. While it is true that the summers bring serious heat, the area benefits from not experiencing frigid winters that bring in snow and overnight ice. Here are some tips for creating a beautiful garden in your yard this year.
Plant the Right Flowers
To create a beautiful garden, you must plant the right flowers. Some flowers that are recommended for the Southern California region and climate are poppies, morning glories, daisies and penstemon plants.
Once you have picked out your flowers and planted them, consider planting full sun plants in a less shaded area of your garden. Since this region is dry and hot throughout the year, low-maintenance perennials work best. Plus, there is no shortage of sun to keep your plants growing and healthy.
Remove Weeds
Removing weeds is a must. If weeds are left alone, they will grow and take over your garden. Experts in the gardening field recommend that you find and pull them before their roots get too long. When the dirt is dry, water it first. Then, pull the weeds. They should loosen up more easily that way. Industry experts admit that it takes time to get all the weeds out of a garden, but the effort is worth it. There are also steps you can take to prevent, or at least minimize, the growth of weeds, like sprays. It is important to remove weeds because they rob the soil and your garden of necessary nutrients and water.
Use Proper Soil and Fertilizer
The proper soil and fertilizer are important for a beautiful garden because the flowers, shrubs and other greenery have to eat. The soil and fertilizer feed them. So, the better these two components are, the more your garden will thrive. As your garden grows, the soil loses its nutrients. That is where fertilizer comes into the picture. On a consistent basis, you have to feed the plants. The frequency is determined by the quality of the products you decide to use.
In Southern California, most soils are made up of dense clay. If you want to add a vegetable plant to your garden in addition to flowers, you should use rich, crumbly loam soil that has beneficial earthworms and microbes.
Give It Attention
Once your garden starts to blossom and grow, it requires maintenance. Some plants grow taller than others. There are also those that spread out in the spaces of others. All those things must be managed so that the garden can keep its beauty. Some things that require attention are keeping bugs out, cleaning up in the fall and ensuring that no plant diseases have entered the garden.
If you want to minimize maintenance, there are steps you can take before you get started. Keeping the plant variety low, removing weeds in a timely manner and applying mulch are some options for cutting down on your workload.
Know Your Zone
The USDA Hardiness Zone is a map that helps those who garden and grow determine the best plants to use in their area. The map is based on winter temperatures. The purpose of the map is to provide a starting point. A garden is affected by factors other than temperature, but for the beginner, it is one point of reference. Maybe you are not a beginner but are trying to figure out if a new plant or crop will work in your area. For example, southern California has zones 5a through 11a. By looking up those zones, you can determine which plants are more likely to survive in your area.
Prune
A beautiful garden requires consistent and correct pruning to remove crossed, damaged, or diseased branches. Branches that are going bad or have died have a negative impact on the rest of the plant.
To properly prune a plant, there are a few things you need to do. You need to make sure you use the proper tools for the job. Those tools have to be cared for, too. You have to cut at the correct distance and the correct angle. The result will be a stronger plant that is not weighed down by weak branches. Plus, air circulation is improved. Pruning also helps to encourage plants to grow in a thicker formation that is more attractive than the tall, spindly growth pattern that can occur when certain plants aren’t pruned.
Purchase the Right Equipment
The right gardening equipment helps you build a beautiful garden. Experts encourage gardeners to purchase hoes, spades and rakes as well as pruners and a solid wheelbarrow. All the equipment should be stored safely and together. Once you know how much you are willing to spend, go ahead and focus a large portion of your budget on tools. Good tools make gardening easier. The better quality the tools, the longer they are going to last, so this makes them an investment as opposed to an expense. Tools should be properly stored together so that nothing gets bent or dulled by accident. Plus, some of the tools have sharp edges. They should be stored in a manner that will not pose a risk to anyone.
Consult With a Professional
To create a beautiful garden, you can also consult with a professional. You might have an idea of the creation you want to execute, but you may not have the know-how that allows you to accomplish it. Even for a small garden, your goal should be to maximize the space, plants and budget. There are flowers that return seasonally. There are also those that can live most of the year. A professional takes a look at the area, the soil and the irrigation. Based on existing parameters and your preferences, they can make suggestions that should lead to your beautiful garden.
There are several benefits of tending to a beautiful garden. If you have the space for one, take advantage of it. You’ll be glad you did!
California is a great place to buy a home. We can help you find the perfect one! Contact us to get started.
