Gardening – an outdoor activity that will keep the family busy AND add value to your home! If you’ve already got a green thumb, this won’t be news to you. According to a study by the National Association of Realtors, 75 percent of respondents claimed to have a greater desire to be at home after completing a landscaping project. And 65 percent said to have had an increased sense of enjoyment while at home. Not only will your garden keep you busy, but it will also leave you feeling accomplished and happy to be at home. We could all use a little of that right now! Keep reading for gardening tips!
Okay, so gardening makes us feel good and increases our joy being at home. Another study from Texas A&M University’s Department of Horticultural Sciences revealed that gardening can also boost the value of your home. “On average, every dollar invested in landscaping generates $1.09 in perceived home value. Landscaping is the only home improvement that generates a greater-than-one-dollar return for every dollar invested,” according to Dr. Charlie Hall Ellison Chair in International Floriculture at Texas A&M University. It’s a win-win! Need we say more!
If you’re running out of things to do at home, consider planting a garden! Beautiful yards make people happy! Here are some gardening tips to get you started!
Scout out a good spot.
If you don’t have a garden bed already, you’ll want to start by picking the right spot for one. Look for a place that is flat, has somewhat of a windbreak, and is near a water source. Amount of sunlight is another factor you’ll want to take into consideration. You’ll want a spot that gets eight or more hours of direct sunlight a day depending on what you want to grow.
Measure the sunlight.
If you’re a newbie gardener, you may not know that different plants require different amounts of sunlight to grow. A spot that gets full sun would be great for growing vegetables, fruit trees, and most flowers. Part to full shade would be ideal for growing perennials, ferns, and certain small trees. Identify how sunny your garden bed is before you head to the garden center. This is one of the most important gardening tips. When shopping for plants, check the tags to know how much sun a plant requires.
Pick your plants.
If you’re a beginner, here are some easy-to-grow plants suggested by Better Homes & Gardens:
- Annuals: Calendula, cosmos, geraniums, impatiens, marigolds, sunflowers, and zinnias
- Perennials: Black-eyed Susans, daylilies, lamb’s-ears, pansies, phlox, purple coneflowers, and Russian sage
- Vegetables: Cucumbers, lettuce, peppers, and tomatoes
*Remember, annuals are plants that flower and die within one season, and perennials come back for many seasons.
We suggest picking a variety of plants that bloom at different times of year, so you can enjoy a pretty, blooming garden for more than one season out of the year. Summer-blooming plants like canna, coneflowers and guara will stay in bloom until fall when colorful foliage and fall bloomers like mums and goldenrod take over.
One tip for starting off on the right foot is buying healthy plants in the first place. Don’t be shy when inspecting the plants before you make a purchase. Pull them out of the container to get a good look at the root system, stems and leaves.
The best place to buy plants is a local garden center or nursery. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can order seeds, bulbs, and plants online. Check out these reputable sellers: Burpee Seeds and Plants, Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, and Plant Delights Nursery.
Prepare the soil.
Organic matter is a garden’s best friend. We recommend adding a two to three inch layer of compost, decayed leaves, dry grass clippings, or old manure to the soil when you dig or till a new bed. The worms will do their part to help mix it into the soil for you. Be careful not to overwork the soil. Excessive tilling when the soil is too wet or dry damages the soil structure and plant roots. When digging in a small bed, dig only when the soil is moist enough to form a loose ball in your fist but dry enough to fall apart when you drop it.
Mulch, the cherry on top.
Once you’ve got your plants in your nice soil, cover the soil with a couple of inches of mulch. This will help keep weeds out and moisture in. And give your garden a beautiful, finished look! This is the last of our gardening tips (for now!).
