Five Tips For A Lush Garden

Want a garden to be proud of? Try these proven tips for a better harvest!

Succession planting

Succession planting means sowing new seeds every couple of weeks instead of all at once. This way when one crop is ready to harvest, the next is already growing giving you a steady supply all season long. It helps to avoid gaps in harvest or blooms, and makes the most of your growing window. Whether you are planting vegetables or cut flowers, succession planting keeps your garden productive and beautiful from early season to frost.

Proper watering

One of the biggest mistakes you might be making and one I’ve definitely been guilty of myself, is watering above the plant and watering over the leaves. Instead water at the base of the plant, so that you are watering the roots. When you water the leaves, most of the moisture evaporates before it even reaches the roots. Plus, it increases the risk of diseases like powdery mildew. Water slowly at the base of the plant, so the roots can soak it in.

Pinching

Let’s talk about getting more blooms from our plants. It might feel a little strange to do this but trust me it works wonders. What we are doing is called pinching. It simply means removing the very top part of a new stem. You can use your fingernails or a small pair of snips. Why do we do this? Well, when you pinch off that main growing tip, it signals to the plant to send its energy sideways instead of just growing taller. This encourages it to produce more branches and each of those new branches will give you more flowers.

Mulching

I used to skip mulching because I didn’t know what the purpose was, but it turns out mulching has some pretty big benefits. Mulch is a protective layer you put on your soil around your plants. My favourite thing about mulch is it smothers weeds before they even start. It also helps with water retention, which can be essential during years like this. And last but not least, it helps with temperature control. It keeps the soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the cold months, protecting the plant roots. To apply, just spread a layer a few inches thick around your plants and make sure to leave space around the stem. If you’ve been skipping this step, it might be time to give it a try.

Support

If your planting tall annuals like sweet peas, cosmos, or snapdragons, do yourself a favour and add support now, not later. I’m using netting stretched across stakes to create a simple grid system. The plants will grow through the netting and it will keep them upright, even in wind and rain. It’s much easier to add support before things get tangled and floppy. Whether you use trellis netting, jute twine, or stakes, make sure it’s in place before your plants need it.

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