Tips to improve your garden: 6 ideas to give it a different touch

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Categories: Mary´s Advice ,

Author: Adrián Medina Alarcón

A well-maintained garden is a space that provides peace and beauty.

To achieve this, it is essential to pay attention to several key aspects. From plant selection to lighting, every detail matters.

In this post, we will talk about all of them and see how to implement them in your garden.

Let's get started!

How to Improve Your Garden? Implement These 6 Tips

Choose Your Plants Wisely

A careful selection of plants is the foundation for a harmonious and attractive garden. Follow these tips:

  • Consider visual harmony: choose plants whose colors, shapes, and sizes complement each other. Think about the color palette you want in your garden and select plants that fit that scheme.
  • Seasonality: while not mandatory, you can choose plants that bloom in different seasons of the year. This way, you'll have a beautiful and vibrant garden throughout the seasons.
  • Native plants are better: native plants often require less care and are resistant to the weather conditions in your area.
  • Growth and size: consider how much space your plants have to grow and whether you need to prune them to maintain their shape. Prevent plants from invading other areas of the garden.
  • Water and light requirements: group plants with similar watering and light needs. This makes watering management and proper plant placement in your garden easier.
  • Attract birds and insects to your garden: certain plants can encourage the arrival of beneficial insects (such as bees) and even birds to your garden. This not only makes it a livelier environment but can also improve the health of your plants (for example, attracting ladybugs can prevent aphid infestations).

You can experiment and learn through trial and error, although the safest option is to hire a professional landscaper to design your garden.

We'll talk more about this at the end of the post, but for now, let's continue with other ideas...

Care for Your Plants Properly (If You Want a Stunning Garden)

Because it's not enough to choose them well; you also need to know how to care for your plants to keep them healthy.

Here are some ideas:

  • Proper watering: make sure to water your plants with the right frequency and amount of water. Some plants need regular watering, while others prefer the soil to dry out a bit between waterings. Remember that, often, too much water is more harmful than under-watering.
  • Nutrients and fertilizers: plants need nutrients to grow strong and healthy. Ensure that the soil has the right amount of essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. You can conduct soil tests to assess its content and adjust with organic or chemical fertilizers as needed. It's also important to amend the soil with organic matter, such as compost, to improve its structure and nutrient retention capacity.
  • Pruning and maintenance: Regular pruning is crucial to maintain the shape and health of your plants. Remove dead or sick branches and trim plants to promote proper growth and flowering. Additionally, make sure that the plants are not too dense, as this can hinder air circulation and increase the risk of pests and diseases. Use sharp and clean pruning tools to avoid damaging the plants.
  • Pest and disease prevention: use pesticides responsibly and selectively to protect your plants from pests and diseases. Research common pests and diseases in your area and take preventive measures, such as cleaning fallen leaves and removing sick plants. Promote biodiversity in your garden to attract beneficial insects that can help control pests.
  • Mulching: applying a layer of organic mulch around your plants can help retain moisture, control weeds, and maintain a more consistent soil temperature. This reduces the need for watering and protects your plant roots.

Regularly inspect your plants for signs of stress, diseases, or pests. The sooner you detect and address these issues, the easier it will be to keep your plants healthy and prevent major damage.

Your Garden Furniture, a Key Piece of Your Home

Incorporating appropriate garden furniture not only provides comfort but also adds an aesthetic touch to your outdoor space.

Here are some guidelines for choosing and maintaining your garden furniture:

  • Weather resistance: opt for furniture specifically designed to withstand the weather conditions in your area. Materials like teak wood, aluminum, and stainless steel are durable and corrosion-resistant.
  • Match them with your garden style: choose furniture that blends with your garden's decor. Ensure that the colors and style of the furniture harmonize with the surroundings. For example, if your garden has a rustic atmosphere, consider wooden or wicker furniture.
  • Proper maintenance is key: garden furniture requires regular care. Clean and cover the furniture during the winter months to protect it from the elements. Use furniture protectors and specific wood oils as needed.

Did you consider this when choosing your garden furniture?

Garden Lighting

The right lighting can transform your garden into a nighttime oasis. Use these tips:

  • Highlight key elements: use soft lighting to emphasize elements like trees, shrubs, fountains, or sculptures. Directed lighting can create a magical atmosphere.
  • Paths and walkways: illuminate paths and walkways with embedded lights or lanterns to mark the way for your visitors and enhance your garden's aesthetics.
  • Energy efficiency: Opt for energy-efficient LED lights to balance aesthetics and efficiency. Also, consider installing timers or motion sensors to reduce energy consumption.

Let's continue.

Create Visual Separations

Preventing your garden from looking like a mass of plants requires careful planning. Here's how to create effective visual separations:

  • Paths and walkways: implement stone, wood, or gravel paths to divide the space and allow for different garden areas. These paths can also serve as focal points.
  • Rockeries and borders: Add rockeries or plant borders to delineate areas and add structure to the garden.
  • Garden walls: stone, wood, or brick walls create visual barriers and add dimension to the landscape.
  • Decorative materials: Use pebbles, decorative stones, or mulch to define areas and create visual contrast.

With these elements, you can design a garden that is visually appealing and functional, with separations that give it a sense of order and style.

Can We Help You Create Your Dream Garden?

These tips will help you improve your garden and give it an attractive look.

But we understand that putting them into practice isn't always easy.

If you need help designing your ideal garden, we can assist you. At Viveros González, we've been designing gardens for over 40 years and have helped numerous customers.

And we can do the same for you.

Just click here and tell us your case so we can get started.