Easy Gardening

Now is the time to start thinking about how to make the garden a lot easier next year and beyond today on Southern Gardening.

I’m one to try and make the garden a little easier to take care of, especially when it gets hot later this summer. So I try to give some hints and tips to make garden chores more tolerable. In the spring we all are suffering from cabin fever. And the flowering plants at the garden centers all seem to be calling our name. But try to resist the siren call. Pick plants that will work in the growing conditions of your landscape. And remember the KISS method of gardening and landscaping. Only buy what you will have the time and energy to take care of. You can always buy more plants as the season progresses.

Watering can take up a lot of time hauling hoses around the garden, so try soaker hoses to apply water exactly where the plants need it. They save time and money. Container gardens need to be watered more frequently, usually at least once a day in the heat of the summer. Simple drip irrigation kits are available at your favorite garden center or home improvement store and make great Christmas presents. They are easy to setup and when used with a timer, your watering chores are automatic for the season. One of my favorite quotes from Star Trek was Scotty saying “The right tool for the right job”. This is good advice in any century. Choose tools that are the right size and fit your hands comfortably. And be sure to keep your tools sharp. Use a file to sharpen or some hardware stores will sharpen tools for you.

I’m horticulturist Gary Bachman for Southern Gardening.