You're 5 steps away from an easy care waterwise garden!

Garden proud but time poor? 

Below is a list of five simple steps that will transform any garden into a low maintenance water friendly garden.

Step 1. Build the foundations
Get it right the first time and your garden will reward you. As with anything setting good solid foundations is the most important step. To do this simply dig in a good quality soil mix or conditionder and fertilize with a slow release fertilizer and then re-wet the existing soil with a wetting agent. 

Step 2. Correct plant selection
One of the easiest ways of reducing maintenance is to choose the right plants that suit your lifestyle. For those that just don't have the time anymore then a few simple plant changes & additions to your garden will make a world of difference. It's easy when you know what plants to use and how best to redesign the garden. With expert advise & a practical approach to plant selection you'll save hours of work in the long run.  

Step 3. Mulching & composting
Mulch garden beds to help prevent weed growth, keep the soil temperature constant, and cut down on watering. People often over look pot plants when they mulch & pot plants are one of the first plants to dry out. A simple laver of mulch around the trunk of the plant will reduce water loss & reduce competitive weeds. Now winter is over compost your garden cuttings & fallen leaves to provide a rich source of organic material that can be added back to the garden. This rich source of food is not only good for the plants but the worms too.

Step 4. Plan ahead & avoid headaches
Regular maintenance often reduces the the chances of costly repair work & additional effort. If you don't have the time or equipment then getting an expert in to help will provide peace of mind and save you money. Look out for trees growing too close to the house or pool and especially if they grow quickly out of control. You should then look to see where the storm water & sewer pipes are. It's often too late once the problem has becomes obvious & costly too.

Step 5. Relax and enjoy your garden
Now that you have everything under control you can sit back & enjoy your garden. Any small task won't feel like a burden to you but more like a pleasure as you admire your new outdoor room. Maybe as the weather warms up you might start entertaining more often out in the garden. There really is no better feeling than picking your own fresh fruit or herbs while entertaining friends and family. 

Happy gardening

The GardenMart Team

www.gardenmart.com.au