D.I.Y Garden Tips

The information in this article is courtesy of iAfrica (10 Steps to a New Garden – 17 March 2009).

Deciding to improve your garden is a very wise choice, not only because you add value to your house but also because it does a lot for the first impression of your home. Here are some tips to get you started on your new garden:

First of all, find out what you want. You can browse through some books or ask the advice of family, friends and experts. A new garden needs to be practical so take in consideration what will best suit your household including children, pets, space etc.

Make sure just how much you can afford and draw up a budget.

Map out your garden including the position of the pool, garage, driveways etc. This way it will be easier to visualise what you want to do.

You might want to decide on a style like Japanese, indigenous, tropical. Do some research on the Internet about the different style and what it brings to your garden.

Keep the climate in consideration. You can’t have a tropical garden in a semi-dessert area. Also, know your soil and take time to prepare it.

Now you can start preparing your garden by dividing it into hard and soft landscaping areas. Hard landscaping needs to be done first and includes putting in pathways, fences, patios etc. Clear all weeds and grass before you start with the soft landscaping

Read the instructions on how and where to plant everything. Ask the expert at the nursery to explain how you should go about planting.

Mulch is any material placed over soil in the garden. It's designed to retain moisture, deter weeds and keep the soil from eroding. You can buy this at a garden centre of you can make your own by shredding leaves, sticks, grass, bark and compost.

Remember to water plant regularly and enjoy your garden.

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