Caring for a garden is an ongoing process, but it doesn’t have to feel like a chore. The more you know about how to care for your flowers, vegetables and other plants, the easier it is to maintain a happy and healthy garden.
To help you get started or to refresh the basics, here is a list of everything you need to do to care for your garden:
Keeping your soil healthy is crucial to keeping your plants healthy. Mulch your garden as soon as you plant anything new to help manage moisture and ward off weeds. Mulching regularly also helps keep pests away and prevents plant diseases, especially in young plants.
Water your garden regularly for healthy plants, but be careful not to water too often. Know the specific water needs of your plants to ensure you’re giving them the correct amount of moisture to grow strong and healthy. Moreover, take care to water directly at the soil level, as many plants are sensitive to mildew if their leaves get wet.
Weeding regularly is another aspect of keeping your garden healthy. With the right preparation, like mulching and companion planting, you might not have many weeds to begin with. For the weeds that do appear, efficient removal with the right garden tools will reduce the risk of them returning.
It’s a good idea to check your plants weekly for any signs of pests or disease. Find out what pests are most likely to affect your plants and have a strategy for dealing with them. Having insecticidal soap and fungicide available will help you target and treat infestations and plant sickness.
Some plants are hungrier than others, and require additional nutrients from fertilizers to thrive. Create sustainable fertilizer from your compost pile and apply it to the garden during the growing season. To prevent fertilizer “burn” and other issues, avoid fertilizing too often in the winter or other times of plant dormancy.
The more you know about caring for your garden plants, the healthier they will be. If you ever need help, you can consult your local nursery or garden center for advice and expert opinions.
Ted draws energy and joy from building synergetic relationships with his Clients. Ted's nature is graciously gregarious and persevering; he's honest; and he's been dedicated to a substantial list of clientele throughout his 25 years in the hospitality business and seven years as a REALTOR. His passion is creating a sincere, successful relationship with people.
Ted grew up in a family of Realtors in central Indiana, earned a degree in economics and philosophy from the University of Notre Dame, and jumped into all aspects of the restaurant business. His ensuing hospitality career path eventually led him into the Event Management Sales & Service role in hotels and quickly guided him to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and finally to a luxury resort in the Napa Valley, where he, his husband, and their dog have resided for 16 years now.
The irony is not lost on Ted that his ‘growth’ journey has culminated in“living happily ever after” in an agricultural area with a small-town feel and sense of community strikingly reminiscent of his youth…and as a REALTOR nonetheless!