Having a beautiful garden should be every homeowner’s dream, a well-kept garden is not only visually pleasing but can add value to your property should you wish to sell. As they say “first impressions last”. If a potential buyer visits your property the first thing they see is the garden upon arrival and it can give a negative impression before they have even been inside the house.
Maintaining your garden doesn’t have to be a full-time job, from keeping the flower beds in good condition, maintaining the health of the grass to keep a healthy garden though can be a bit exhausting and sometimes you may need help in the form of a professional hedge trimming expert or even a tree surgeon to help maintain the beauty of your property. Here are some tips on helping you to achieve a stunning and potentially financially rewarding home garden.
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The Importance of Hedges
Hedges are often overlooked with people paying more attention to the flowerbeds but, hedges have to be a priority when planning your garden. Not only are they one of the most prominent features, but hedges also act as a means to ensure privacy and are an extremely good deterrent to any would-be trespasser or criminals. Also, a well-maintained hedge around your property is ideal if you have children or pets creating a natural enclosure and gives you less to worry about them going too far.
To grow hedges does require some time they are slower at growing than flowers and the need for planning before planting is essential to ensuring a healthy hedgerow. Choosing the right type of hedge type due to the area in which you live is essential, the weather of your region can have a huge impact on the speed and growth in which the hedge will develop and mature. Once the hedge has begun to develop maintenance is key to maintaining them healthy and pristine. If necessary seek advice from professionals.
Taking Care of Hedges and the Tools you Need
Knowing when to trim is very important, trimming too early in the year and you can expose newly cut stems to the cold and damp weather that invariably comes with the winter months. Spring is the best time to cut and trim. Summer is also fine to maintain your hedges with a final trim just before the onset of winter. During winter the lack of warmth and sunlight means your hedges will not grow much, they need little attention at this time of year.
To properly maintain your hedges and garden you will need some specialized equipment:
- Sharp pruners are best to help you get a clean cut, dull blades will do damage and not encourage growth.
- Heavier branches require serrated blades on shears, sometimes a pruner will not be adequate for the task.
- Step ladders are an essential tool for reaching high spots depending on how big the hedge is you are maintaining, safety is number one and should not be taken lightly when using sharp and potentially harmful tools, don’t try to overreach by using a chair, get the right equipment.
- If you do not have these tools then calling in a specialized professional may save you from injury and damaging your hedges.
Something also not to be Overlooked: the Soil
Soil is something many of us do not really consider but is the most vital component of the garden and hedge maintenance. Without good quality soil then it is very difficult to grow plants successfully. Keeping the Ph levels within an acceptable level is essential and tools from your local gardening center can help you measure and change the levels you require.
Compost is also highly recommended, giving extra nutrients to your soil and helping the plants to grow. By simply putting organic matter like fallen leaves and making a pile in either a container or a designated area of your garden and with the help of some water you can create your compost. Keeping it damp by adding water and periodically turning the heap the healthy bacteria will thrive and can be spread over your flower beds and hedgerows promoting an organic help in growth. It is also a way to recycle waste from your plants or fallen tree leaves.
The Essential Watering
Many of us are fortunate or if you like unfortunate to live in areas where for much of the year watering our gardens and hedges is not an issue but, during the summer months when there is often very little rainfall to keep your plants healthy and your garden green, watering is essential. Using a hose is the method many of us use, watering cans are fine but for a larger garden, a sprinkler system installed by a professional can save time and money. Set on a timer you can even be on holiday and still be sure your plants and garden will receive the amount of water they need to thrive.
Not all plants are the same, some require lots of water and some less. Be careful not to over-saturate or give too little water to the plants or it will affect the health of our garden and your efforts. Be aware of the needs of your plants and plan accordingly, there are many websites that will offer advice on the different species of plants you may have growing in your garden, and the staff at local garden centers will be happy to also give advice.
Conclusion
Whether you have an interest in gardens or are trying to sell your property the maintenance of your garden is of utmost importance, aesthetically pleasing, a relaxing way to spend your time, or giving a boost to the value of your property giving attention to your garden can be very rewarding.
The benefits to your health should also be a major part of taking care of your flowers and hedges. Especially now is a great time, with the Covid pandemic we are all enjoying more time at home and whilst not ideal it does present you with a bit more time to care for your garden.
