Thanks to the fast pace of modern life, people are struggling to find time to work in their gardens and keep them looking at their best. Others find that getting older makes the job a little harder as gravity seems to increase a little throughout the passing years.
There are a few ideas that anyone can put into action that will reduce the amount of weekly maintenance needed in a garden without detracting from its beauty.
Gravel Beds
Gravel is a versatile medium that has many uses around the garden. It is excellent for helping to suppress weed growth and providing a natural surface for pots, or even a patio.
If you wish to cover a large area of the garden with a gravel bed, here’s how to go about it.
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If the ground level needs to remain where it is now, three inches of soil, or turf, if there is an existing lawn, will have to be removed. This is hard work but turf cutters can be hired from tool hire centres that are motorised and take most of the heavy labour away.
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Once the ground is prepared, put a layer of weed resistant membrane down. This useful material comes on a roll from your local garden centre or DIY store and is good value for money. Roll the membrane over the ground, making sure that the edges overlap well. For extra effectiveness, roll another layer out at ninety degrees to the first.
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Place a layer of gravel onto the membrane. This layer needs to be at least two inches thick.
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Wash the gravel with water from a hosepipe as it often has a lot of sand within it.
Lawns
Gravel beds are not an attractive idea for many people but fear not, it is possible to have a lawn and never mow it. Artificial grass is a far superior product now to what it was a couple of decades ago. Modern materials and production methods now mean that we can all have a luscious green lawn that needs no maintenance, every day of the year. If a maintenance free lawn is an attractive idea for you, they are easy to put down. Remove the old turf as described previously and roll the lawn out. Easy.
Dense Planting
If you want your garden to remain a natural paradise and hate weeding, then dense planting may be the solution for you. Plants compete for nutrients from the soil and sunlight. Block either of these things, and it won’t grow. By planting densely, there is not enough sunlight at ground level for weeds to take a hold. When the seeds germinate, the young weeds will often die.
Weed Suppression
Place a layer of wood chippings or mulch on flower beds Make this layer at least two inches thick for maximum effect, and there is a good chance that it will keep the borders weed free for the rest of the year. The beauty of this method is that the material used will add nutrients to the soil too.
By using the above tips, you will enjoy the garden this summer instead of it being a chore. So get started on these jobs now before the best weather arrives.
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