It can be very hard to shovel clay soil, especially when it sticks to your shovel as you are working. To make the clay soft so you aren’t working as hard, take floor or car wax and rub a light coat on the surface of the shovel using a clean cloth, then buff the surface. The clay won’t stick to it, and the end will not rust as an added bonus.
You need to know some basics related to improving your garden for your family, your business, or simply yourself. These tips will help you save money on equipment, and select the best methods to use in your garden.
If you want your garden full of flowers spring through summer, plant bulbs. Not only are bulbs hearty and easy to grow, but they’ll continue to grow as time goes on. Find out which flowers will bloom when and then plant a variety, so that you can have fresh blooms all the way through the spring and summer!
Make sure to lay the sod properly. Start by preparing your soil with care. Remove the weeds, then break up the soil into fine tilth. Lightly, but firmly compress the soil, making certain it is flat. You then will want to thoroughly wet the soil. Sod must be arranged in staggered rows; each joint should offset one another. Make sure the sod is firmly placed to ensure a surface that is sufficiently flat and even. Also, make sure to use soil to fill the areas where there are gaps in the sod. Water the sod for two weeks and then you can safely walk on it as it will have had time to properly root.
Before planting seeds, soak them overnight. Place them in a cupboard or other place where they won’t be exposed to light. Place a couple of seeds in a tiny container, and fill it with water nearly to the top. This will hydrate the seeds and facilitate growth. The young plants will survive better, and get a boost toward maturity.
Shoveling clay soil is tiresome since clay is hard, and it can also stick to your shovel for twice the difficulty. One way to get around this problem is to coat the shovel with wax. Use a clean cloth to spread the wax evenly. The wax will prevent any rusting, and the shovel will cut through the soil with great ease.
If you are just getting into gardening, make sure you heed all of the directions on fertilizer and chemical labels. If you fail to do this, you could cause yourself all sorts of injuries, the most common of which is irritated skin. Wear protective gear, and use the products as directed.
Plant some perennials in your garden that repel slugs. Slugs and snails will quickly destroy your garden if you let them. Snails and slugs have a good time destroying perennials that are young and have tender and smooth thin leaves. Some perennials are not preferred meals for snails and slugs, especially if their foliage is hairy and tough, or tastes bad. Some of these plants include achillea, campanula, euphorbia, hellaborus, and heuchera.
Use plants to get some autumn color. It’s not necessary to think this way, however. Foliage never looks as colorful and vibrant as it does in the fall. Maple trees are an autumn rainbow of crimsons to yellows, and so are beech and dogwood trees. When selecting shrubs that will be colorful during the fall, consider hydrangea, barberry, or cotoneaster.
Creating a beautiful garden takes a little research, the right equipment, and enough time to enjoy tending it. Your efforts will be rewarded by a great garden, and the satisfaction of having created something yourself.
Have all of your tools available to you as you garden to increase efficiency. Wear pants with multiple pockets or use a toolbox or large bucket. Tools you’ll need to garden efficiently include towels, gloves, pruning shears and other plant-specific tools.