Easy Gardening While Short on Space and Time

Do you wish you want to establish your own garden, but you simply do not have the space? If so, don’t give up. With a little creativity, you will find that there are many ways to establish a fine garden without the use of much space. When space is short, let your ingenuity take over. Here are some ideas for saving space and time while still being able to establish your own garden to enjoy and share.

Using Decorative Containers to Create Your Own Garden Oasis

Who said that a proper garden should always be big and expansive? The truth is that you can create your own garden oasis with just a few strategically placed gardening planters. If you are an apartment dweller with no yard to speak of, take heed. There are many easy ways to establish a garden oasis without a yard. If you have access to patio, fire escape or rooftop, you are well on your way to your own version of gardening paradise. Choose colorful (depending on your taste and environment) and decorative planters. Choose a variety of planter sizes, from very small herb-sized containers to large gallon planters. Choose hardy perennial plants that do not need to be cared for on a daily basis. Container gardening is a boon to gardeners that are short on space because you can move your garden around to your liking, and create a unique garden design.

Choosing the Best Plants if you are Short on Space and Time

One of the easiest ways to establish a space- and time-saving garden is to choose the right plants from the very start. What are the right plants for a space- and time-saving garden? Ideally, you will want small plants that do not require an excessive amount of water, sun, pruning or any kind of daily care. Consider a cactus garden made up of many different varieties, colors, textures and blooms. Many cacti do well in container gardens, and typically they do not need extended care. Simply make sure that they are well established in their respective containers and place in a sunny location. There is an incredible amount of diversity in cacti, and you will surely appreciate the color and texture that this kind of garden can provide your home with. Choose hardy perennials to accent your cactus garden.

Look Up – Hanging Planters Saves You Space

Look up—what do you see? One of the best ways to save space is to take advantage of hanging planters. Hanging planters are easy to install. You can choose from a variety of planter designs and sizes. No matter where you live—apartment, condo or small house—chances are that you can find space for a hanging planter. These add a lively decorative touch to your patio, backyard or even in a sunny indoor location. There are many hardy perennials that do well in this environment. Choose easy to care for plants so that you don’t have to worry about a daily watering schedule. Invest in a watering can designed for planter watering so that when it does come time to water, it is a quick and efficient process.

Raised Beds Give You Space to Grow Fruits and Flowers

If you are working with limited space or poor soil, consider building or installing a raised bed. Raised beds come in all sizes and it is an easy way to control the plant environment. You can build a raised bed to your space specifications, and plant a variety of plants and flowers in a single bed. With your own raised garden bed, you can even grow your very own vegetables!

Easy Garden Tool Maintenance Tips for Busy People

Do you love to garden, but simply don’t have the time for tool maintenance? Here are some tips that will help you keep your tools ready for gardening without taking up a lot of your time. These simple tips can help keep your tools viable for years to come.

For Larger Gardens, Keep Two Tools Handy

If you have a large yard or garden space, but not a lot of time to maintain your garden tools, the easiest way to ensure that you always have the tools you need at your disposal is to keep two of every major tool in your garden shed. Rather than relying on one favorite shovel, invest in a second shovel to keep in your tool shed. That way, if one shovel should go dull, you will always have a second one ready for use at a moments notice. Don’t let a dull shovel keep you from gardening when you have time. You may also want to keep several hand tools at your disposal.

Cover the Pipes in Cold Weather

This is an easy maintenance tip that can save your watering hose and pipes during cold weather. Keep thick protective covering on hand that you can use to wrap around your pipes during cold weather. This easy step can save you money and time on damaged pipes.

Schedule a Tool Sharpening Expedition

Many people find tool maintenance time-consuming because it seems like a tool goes dull at just the wrong moment. Sporadic repairs are time-consuming and annoying. Avoid this by scheduling a tool sharpening expedition. Take one afternoon to gather all of your tools and take them to your local tool repair or home repair shop for a thorough sharpening. Simply scheduling a tool sharpening expedition once or twice yearly will keep your tools in fine shape and ready for use at a moments notice. Gather your spade, hoe, shovel, pruning tools, garden scissors, hand tools and other gardening tools and drop them off at your local hardware store for a thorough tool sharpening.

Prevent Tool Damage By Taking a Few Easy Precautions

There are many small precautions that you can take that will prevent tool damage. These precautions should only take a few minutes out of your gardening schedule. First, protect garden tools from extreme temperature. Although this may not occur to you, exposure to excessive sunlight, rain or cold temperatures can drastically reduce the efficacy of your tools. This is where storage comes into play. If you have a tool shed, garden shed or other protective outdoor area, make sure that you gather your tools after a gardening session and store them away. This simple act can dramatically increase the longevity and efficacy of your tools. Get in the habit of putting things away, and your tools will suffer much less wear.

Keep Your Lawn Mower Properly Stored

If you are like most people who keep a green lawn, you probably have some kind of lawn mower stored away. Lawn mowers often represent the most expensive yard maintenance tools that you have. Avoid damaging your lawn mower by keeping it stored improperly. Improper storage can cut years off the life of your lawn mover. Protect your investment by keeping your lawn mower properly covered at all times. Invest in a strong, plastic lawn mower cover. Better yet, store the lawn mower in a shed or other covered location, whenever possible. Also, keeping your lawn mower cutters properly sharpened can also help increase its longevity and efficiency. Set a schedule for having the cutters sharpened at least once a year, depending on the size of your lawn and use.

Easy Exercise Tips to Avoid Garden Injuries

Gardening is a healthy and fun hobby that can help you stay in good shape. However, gardening can also be hard on the body, especially on the knees and lower back. Here are some easy exercise tips that can help you avoid garden injuries.

Stretch Before a Long Garden Session

If you are planning a long day in the garden, prepare your body by stretching properly. Just as you might stretch before a long walk or run, gardening often consists of several repeated movements, causing your muscles to become strained or even causing injury. Any experienced gardener knows that a long day in the garden is often followed by a few aches and muscle soreness the following day. Avoid this by making certain that you stretch your body, paying special attention to your legs and lower back. Make certain that your muscles are properly ‘warmed up’ before you hit the garden.

Stretches to Keep Your Body Flexible and Injury-Free

Here are some tips on stretching to keep your body flexible and injury-free during your gardening session. Do a sun stretch by interlocking your fingers and stretching your hands over your head in a long comfortable stretch. Warm up your knees for the gardening session ahead by sitting on the ground with your legs stretched out before you. Reach for your toes with your fingertips while keeping your legs straight. Hold the stretch for a few seconds time, and then repeat. Finally, stand up and reach for your toes while keeping your legs straight. Do not strain yourself. Hold the stretch for a few seconds.

Use the Right Kind of Gardening Tools

In recent years, research has brought to attention the importance of using ergonomic tools. Every tool you use should fit well in your hand. If the tool you pick up does not immediately feel comfortable in your grip, chances are that it can cause an injury. When buying garden hand tools, look for those with firm yet flexible rubber grips. Avoid oversized hand tools that do not fit comfortable in your hands. Choose gardening gloves that are thick enough to prevent cuts and pricks from thorns and needles. As for spades, shovels and other larger gardening tools, make sure that wooden handles are smooth and free from splinters. Even if you have a favorite spade, hoe or shovel, if it has a rough handle, put it aside until the handle can be replaced or smoothed down. Splinters are painful and can cause infection.

Avoid Knee Troubles By Using a Garden Cushion

Gardening accessories and tools are now being designed with the gardener’s comfort in mind. Many gardeners suffer from knee injuries from remaining kneeled on the hard ground for long stretches of time. Avoid this by using a handy garden knee cushion. If you plan on working on the same bed or space of land for an extended period of time, these inexpensive garden cushions can be a comfortable way to save your knees.

Vary Your Body Motions and Take Plenty of Breaks

One of the easiest ways to avoid knee and back problems while gardening is to make sure that you are varying your body movements and taking plenty of breaks. It may seem like common sense, but it can be very easy to become involved in a garden project and forget to take breaks and stretch. Do not ignore aches. As soon as you feel your legs, knees, back or other area begin to ache, take a break and change position. Instead of working on one long involved garden project, vary your tasks so that you are frequently moving.

Your Simple Guide to a Successful Tomato Container Garden

Even if you do not have a big back yard and space for a big vegetable garden you can still grow vegetables such as tomatoes. Tomatoes are a great first vegetable to try in a container garden. Container gardens can be cultivated on balconies, patios, outdoor window sills, along the driveway or even on a roof top. There are a few essential tips to container gardening that you should keep in mind. Read more..

Xeriscaping an Option for Amateur Gardeners with Limited Time

Xeriscaping is a type of gardening that is quickly becoming more popular as the importance of water conservation and sustainable gardening becomes more popular. Xeriscaping refers to a type of gardening that is done with little water. A xeriscape garden usually features plants that require low water use, and that can be sustained on little rainfall and infrequent watering. For these reasons, xeriscaping is most commonly used in desert gardens, although the principles of xeriscaping can be applied to any climate. Read more..

Weekend Project to Create a Quick, Attractive Mini-Patio

Instead of spending your weekend sitting in front of the tube again, why not devote one weekend to creating a patio that you will be able to then enjoy for many weekends to come? You don’t need a large back yard to have room for a patio – a mini patio of any size can be just right for giving you and your family a little outside oasis to enjoy and a place to escape from the stresses of the work week. The good news is that creating a patio that looks great can be a snap, and you don’t have to be a DIY expert to get the job done. Read more..

Uncomplicated Compost Ideas for your Little Garden

Composting is fast becoming the preferred fertilizer and soil conditioner for all gardeners in the know. Indeed, there is probably nothing that is better for your garden than homegrown compost. There are many natural advantages to creating your own compost, including increased fertility, cost and efficiency. Here are some uncomplicated compost ideas for your little garden. Read more..

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