On Investing Time and Effort Into Your Garden

Humanity is obsessed with saving time, money effort. We seem to have so little of each, so any way to save any of them has to be a good thing, right? Sure, I'd go along with that. But life isn't ALL about efficiency. It's also about joy, creativity, and the satisfaction of doing a good job too. I'm going to put forward the argument that you should be putting MORE time and effort into turning your garden into its own beautiful paradise. I feel you already resisting - well, just hear me out. In return, you'll learn new skills, will feeling the satisfaction of turning effort into beauty. Oh, and without knowing it (until it's too late), you'll realise you've developed a new hobby for a lifetime.

And to take care of your garden, you have to invest a great deal of time and effort in it. No two ways about it. You'll think "no, I just need to cut the grass and prune the roses and bed down the garden for winter...not that hard and not that time consuming". Sure, but what I'm encouraging you to do is to go beyond those minimal efforts and reimagine your garden into something much more than it is now.

Need inspiration? Go down to your local garden centre and look around and seek advice. They will know the local weather and there'll be plenty of flower seeds to give you numerous options. Research seasons. Allow for a balance of flowers...over-crowding can ruin not only the plants/flowers, but the soil too. You need to give each flower its own space.

How is your soil? Maybe you need to replace it with something richer, more fertile.

How about your lawn? Maybe it needs more care than just giving it a cut every two weeks in the summer months. Apply fertiliser to lawn when rain is forecast to make it thrive. Bear in mind if the weather report turns out to be wrong, you'll need to water your lawn with a watering can to give it an even distribution of water. Sow grass seed over bare patches.

What about vegetables and fruits? They're not just for the allotment, but can be grown in your garden too!

You need to remember that watering the plants is one of the most important tasks that you should do, but do not go overboard with the watering though as you will only stress your plants and cause more water loss.

You can also get the opinion of a neighbor who is acquainted with the plant and the plants" conditions. You can ask them if they can advise you on whether you need to change the way you are watering your plants. If you are able to get an honest answer then there is a better chance that you will be able to use this information in deciding on which way to take care of your garden.

Taking care of your garden will help you make the best of what you have. However, it is important that you do not forget about it because it will certainly save you a lot of money. You can have a lot of fun with gardening if you know how to take care of your garden.


Article kindly provided by chelseagarden.uk

User Anecdotes

We've solicited a number of user anecdotes on this topic, and have hand picked some of the more interesting ones below. We feel that anecdotes can give a practical, human perspective on a topic.

"When I first moved into my home, the garden was nothing more than an overgrown, overlooked mess. I decided to invest time and effort into transforming it into a beautiful oasis, and it has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I've found that tending to my garden has helped me both mentally and physically - there's something about working with my hands and watching things grow that helps me forget about the stresses of daily life, and the manual labor involved has helped me get in better shape. Additionally, having a well-maintained garden has done wonders for my social life. I now have a space where I can host outdoor gatherings, and neighbors often stop by to compliment me on my hard work and swap gardening tips. Overall, I believe investing time and effort into my garden has been one of the best choices I've made for my wellbeing and happiness."
Michelle R.

"I have always loved gardening and find it to be a great way to connect with nature and enjoy some time outdoors. For the past few years, I've dedicated a significant amount of time and effort into transforming my once plain, boring garden into a lively, colorful space filled with a variety of plants and flowers. The time I've spent in my garden has been a learning experience - I've taught myself about different types of plants, soil, and gardening techniques. In doing so, I've discovered that every plant has its own unique set of needs, and it's important to cater to those needs in order to see them flourish. The more time and effort I put into my garden, the more it has given back to me in terms of beauty, enjoyment, and even a sense of accomplishment. I truly believe that the time and effort spent in the garden is an investment in one's own wellbeing and the environment around them."
James H.

"As a mother of two young children, I've found that involving them in the process of gardening has been a fantastic bonding experience for our family. Not only does it give us a chance to spend quality time together, but it also teaches them about responsibility, patience, and the importance of caring for the environment. We started with a small vegetable patch and have gradually expanded our garden each year, adding more plants and even a small pond. Watching our garden grow and change over the years has been a joy, and it's been amazing to see the positive impact it's had on our family dynamic. Investing time and effort into our garden has been a labor of love, with countless benefits for our family and the environment."
Sarah T.

"As someone who suffers from anxiety, I've found that spending time in my garden and tending to my plants has been incredibly therapeutic. The process of nurturing a garden requires patience, persistence, and a deep connection with the natural world. By investing time and effort into my garden, I've been able to focus on something other than my anxieties and create a peaceful refuge where I can escape the pressures of daily life. Over time, the garden has become an extension of myself, reflecting my personality and the care I've put into it. The sense of accomplishment I feel when I see the fruits of my labor is unmatched. I cannot stress enough the mental and emotional benefits of investing time and effort into a garden."
Robert M.

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