Gardening in New Zealand is a much-loved activity but unfortunately, due to our busy lifestyles, we don’t all have the time to beautify our outdoor spaces. So how exactly can we give our garden the attention it deserves? We have suggested 10 tips across watering, lawn maintenance and weeding to help you see greater rewards from your garden.
Watering the Garden
1. Keep flowering beds evenly moist. Water just 1-2 times per week.
2. It’s better to water plants in the evening or early in the morning, when the soil is cooler, as less will evaporate than during the heat of the day.
3. Avoid watering leaves or plant heads to avoid mould formation, and water gently to avoid damage.
4. Try an irrigation system if you are away a lot. With water control, they can regulate the amount of moisture in the soil so can let more or less through depending on how the soil feels.
Lawn Care
5. Protect your lawn from hot weather – temperatures of up to 26°C will promote growth but anything above 30°C will stunt growth. If the temperature rises, avoid cutting the grass too short and instead leave it standing at about five centimetres, which will protect it from the sun and prevent the soil from drying out.
6. The optimum time to water the grass is 4-8 am; enlist a water computer control system to water your garden during these unsociable hours.
7. When watering the lawn, use 10-15 litres of water per sq.m as a guide and be warned that over-watering can lead to mould formation.
How to Control Weeds
8. To prevent the growth of weeds, plant beds densely to minimise the space available for weeds to develop.
9. The use of mulch prevents weed seeds from sprouting.
10. If attacking existing weeds, remove the source. Get to the roots by using a weeding trowel.
Need a Hand?
If you need someone to help with garden maintenance call the guys at Tui Landscape Services on 06 751 3390 or head over to our free quote form.
