For some people, owning a home also means owning a garden or lawn. If you’ve never had experience in lawn upkeep, it might be too easy to fall into erroneous practices that lead to the death of your poor plants, which then leads to paying a gardening service to revive your lawn. Here are a few key things you need to remember to maintain a lush, green garden.
Watering
A lot of first-time gardeners may have no idea that they’re overwatering or underwatering their plants. Truthfully, the ideal amount of water varies wildly between species, but a good general rule is to give plants a good, long watering twice a month instead of giving them quick bursts of water on a daily basis. Given this, it might be more economical to use a hose instead of installing sprinkler systems.
Mowing, raking, and pruning
When it comes to maintaining your garden’s visual appeal, it’s important to keep grass and topiaries trimmed. Depending on the type of grass and the season, you may need to mow as often as once a week to keep your lawn looking lush and green. Mow on days with dry weather, as wet grass is slippery and can clog up your lawnmower. Before mowing, rake up any debris like fallen leaves or twigs from your trees and other plants. If you have large trees on the property, trim them to make sure they’re not encroaching on your neighbor’s property line. Trim topiaries to maintain their sculpted appearance. The frequency of these tasks again depends on the species of the plants. Some trees and shrubs do well with frequent pruning while others do not. Any dried leaves, fallen branches, and plant clippings can be composted or entrusted to Evergreen Junk Removal in Fort Myers for disposal.
Monitoring soil health
Soil isn’t just dirt, it’s a rich ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, insects, earthworms, and other organisms that ultimately decide the quality of your soil. Obviously, the healthier the soil, the happier your plants. Before applying any fertilizers to your soil, you first need to know what nutrients it’s lacking. Soil tests are available for cheap in many laboratories, and sometimes the results come with recommendations about how to better care for your soil.
Keeping insects at bay
Insects are an unfortunate side effect of maintaining a garden since the moist and nutrition-rich environment is the perfect breeding ground for them. Before going straight for harsh pesticides, consider less artificial alternatives like oil spray (one cup of vegetable oil to one tablespoon of liquid soap, mixed well), which suffocates the insects by clogging the pores they breathe through.
Lawns and front gardens are great. They not only serve as a beautiful accent to the façade of your home but also reward you with fresh flowers and produce. There have also been scientific studies proving the positive impact gardening has on our mental health and quality of life. Upkeep of your greenery is undoubtedly hard work, but with enough dedication, you’re sure to reap the benefits.
Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) involves further investigation of potential environmental contamination identified in Phase 1 ESA. The process involves collecting and analyzing soil, water, and air samples to determine the extent and nature of contamination and inform remediation efforts.
