Water-wise
Mulch your beds with organic material to retain moisture and control weeds. Use drip irrigation to minimize evaporation. If you use sprinklers or other watering devices, it is best to water early in the morning and late at night. These articles on water efficiency will provide you with more information about how to water your garden efficiently.
Keep cool
You can cool your garden in many ways. Plants are nature’s air conditioner. The temperature can drop by up to 20 degrees in areas under trees. Plant a tree to shade your patio, deck or porch. Place benches and chairs beneath existing trees. Place a portable water feature, a pool or a small fountain near your patio to create a soothing sound and a cooling effect. You can build an arbor, or use shade cloth. Find more ideas in 5 Tips for Comfortable outdoor Entertaining.
Add colorful containers
Your annual containers will look great if you water, fertilize, and deadhead them regularly. Reduce the number of trailing perennials such as petunias and million bells in mid-summer by half. Water your plants regularly with water-soluble fertilizer. Replace old plants with more modern varieties to give your garden a new look. Place containers in mixed border that has gaps or holes for an extra surprise. Find out how to jazz up your garden with containers.
Mix it up
It’s okay to combine edibles and ornamentals. With different colored lettuces, you can create a stunning border for a pathway. Dinosaur kale (or “Lacinato”) can be grown in pots and paired with annuals for a striking appearance. Use edible flowers and nasturtiums to add color to green salads. You can do this in raised beds, containers or even on a trellis. Find beautiful and useful ideas for creating edible gardens.
Use edibles as ornamental accents
Containers have allowed for the development of new varieties of fruits and vegetables. They are perfect for patios, small decks and balconies. BrazelBerries, blueberries and raspberries are all easy to grow in pots or on their own. You can add annuals such as trailing nasturtiums to the pots for color. Rooftop Gardens: City Edibles has more information about growing edibles.
Refresh the deck
With a hose, a damp rag and some water you can clean the patio or deck. To give your patio a new look, change the cushions and containers. Cut fresh flowers and put them in vases to add color and see your own flowers. Discover more outdoor living ideas.
Keep pollinators happy
Hummingbirds, insects and other pollinators are vital for the growth and development of edible plants. Include native plants which will bloom throughout the growing seasons to attract wildlife. Check with your local extension service or nursery to find out the best varieties in your area. Wildflower mixes such as annual sunflowers and zinnias can be used to create new edible beds or gardens. The Naturalistic Garden is a place where the bees and birds are welcome.
Please Note
Now is the perfect time to assess your garden. Take some pictures on your phone as a reminder and create a list with the items you need to remove or replace. If the plant is too big or small for the space, you can also note which varieties work best together. The best time to move plants is when the weather cools down. This can be in the fall or spring. Learn more about creating a border.
Think big
You can take on large projects such as laying the paving for a patio or building a path, pond or fixing drainage issues. You can hire someone or do the work yourself, but you should do your research. Make sure your project is appropriate for your home and adheres to all local building codes. Pinterest and Houzz can be great sources of information on materials, designers and innovative ideas. Get additional landscape design inspiration.
Find inspiration
Visit botanical gardens, public parks and garden tours to get ideas and inspiration. You can take photos of the specific area or plant combination that you’d like to use for your yard with permission. Ask homeowners to share with you their favorite materials for hardscapes, such as furniture, trellises or gravel. These locations offer suggestions for public garden.
This post was written by a professional arborist at Tree Trimming Saint Petersburg FL. Robert Miller is the owner of Arbor Wise Professional Tree Care, a locally owned and operated tree service company that offers superb lawn care by the most experienced Arborists. Arborwise Tree Services is a tree removal company that offers stump removal, tree pruning, stump grinding, fertilization, and tree restoration. We have an extraordinary lawn care industry notoriety covering the Pinellas county area.
