It’s easy to spot the difference in gardens between those that have children, and those that do not. Let’s be honest, when you have two or three little ones to take care of, that patch of petunias in the backyard is never going to stand a chance.
That’s not to say that us parents wouldn’t love to have the time to give our gardens more TLC. But, let’s face it, it’s just not going to happen for a minimum of ten years! So, today, I thought I would my method for fixing up a garden in double quick time.
It’s a no-nonsense approach that might not give you the outside space of your dreams, but it will make it look respectable. And that, I guess, is all that we can hope for – for the foreseeable future, at least!
Get ready for action
As with all things in life, when you tackle a big job, it’s going to be easier if you have a plan. Organize your tools so that they are within easy reach, and you might want to think about waste. One thing a lot of people forget about gardening is that there is a lot of debris. Soil, branches, and weeds can get heavy real quick – so get hold of some heavy duty gardening bags to help you get everything into the car.
Initial clearance
This first step is going to take you a while, especially if you are doing it the fall or winter. Clear everything off the ground, whether it is organic matter or kids toys. Put anything you want to keep in a shed, or if you don’t have one, your cellar. Your organic debris can be used for compost and mulch, or you can take it to your local refuse center.
Border checks
Now it’s time to walk around the boundaries of your garden. Hold a close inspection of your fences. If there’s a lot of rot going on, then it’s likely they will need to be replaced. Great wood fencing can last up to 30 years, but weaker woods may only be suitable for four or five years. Look for holes in hedges and shrubbery – most border hedges are hardy plants, and they will eventually grow back. However, watch out for any signs of privet hedge disease. If that takes hold, you might need to replace the entire hedge in the not too distant future.
Say goodbye to moss
A little moss here and there is no bad thing, but you have to make sure it doesn’t spread, as it can quickly bed in and take over any garden. It’s especially bad on paving – and it can be a dangerous slip hard during the wetter months. A high-powered hose will remove all but the most stubborn moss, and in extreme cases you can use acid wash.
The final tidy
Make sure all the new debris is clear, and, if it’s dry, mow the lawn. Hard to reach areas are easy to get to with a strimmer. Once you are complete, you might notice some patchy areas – leave them be if it is in the winter or the height of summer. However, if it’s spring or fall, you can plant some new seed. There’s a great guide to doing this over at Scotts.
OK, so there you have it – you should now have a tidy lawn, that is respectable enough to show off to your friends and neighbours. Do this once every couple of months, and you’ll keep on top of things with no problem at all!
