If youve recently bought your first home, creating a lovely garden may be one of your top priorities.
But dont head off to the garden center for flowers until youve done some homework.
Youll need to assess your yard and make a plan.
Here are six game-changing yard tips for new homeowners.
Use these tips for beginner gardeners to achieve a vibrant, healthy yard and avoid rookie mistakes.
Set Garden Goals
Think about what you want from your garden.
Do you need hedges for privacy orcolorful flowerbedsto accent your entrance?
Would fragrant shrubs near the patio lend atmosphere to warm summer nights?
Have you always dreamed of growing your own herbs or vegetables?
Notice how many hours of sun different parts of your yard get daily.
Plants for sale at the garden center have labels showing how much sunlight theyll need.
Some flowers, likePeoniesorChrysanthemums, wont bloom if they receive less than six hours of sunlight daily.
Observe the water flow and check forsigns of faulty sprinklers.
These include:
Turn off the sprinklers immediately if you notice any of these issues.
A malfunctioning sprinkler can flood your homes foundation, causing water to leak into your basement or crawl space.
This can lead to major damage requiring emergency help and repairs.
Call in water restoration experts likeSERVPROfor a basement flood.
Find out your USDA Hardiness Zone, which classifies geographic areas by seasonal temperatures.
Plants and seeds have zone labels, so choose plants that work in your area.
The hardiness zone is not an issue for annual flowers you plant in the spring and remove before winter.
Add compost, fertilizer, or used coffee grounds to enhance your soil.
Hard, clumpy soil might contain a lot of clay.
If your yard has clay soil, it will need materials added every season.
A beautiful yard enhances your homes value and provides a peaceful retreat.
If youre a beginning gardener, assessing your yard and making a plan yields beautiful results.
Use these tips to avoid wasting money on plants that wont survive or flourish.
Also, consider your long-term vision.
The trees and shrubs you plant today will grow to provide shade and privacy for years to come.
Add flowers and planters for a quick infusion of color and fragrance.
