Flowers are sprouting and the weather is heating up, it’s safe to say spring is in full effect (at least in some areas) and now is the perfect time to start planning how to revive your garden. From the best times of day to plant to all the latest garden gadgets on the market, here is a quick and easy guide to achieving the best springtime garden in no time.
Spring Cleaning
Once the weather starts warming up, you should clean up your garden in preparation for the growing season. This includes getting rid of dead leaves and other debris that has accumulated over the winter. You can put the organic materials in your compost pile for later use. If you notice any weeds, now is the time to get ahead of the game. Avoid putting them in the compost, however, as the seeds will cause you major headaches down the road.
Plant In The Evening
Some garden gurus argue that plants do better, in terms of growth rate and durability, when they are put in the ground after the sun goes down. At the very least, planting at night ensures that you get the most out of your initial watering as the sun is not baking most of it away. The only thing to consider is having plenty of lighting so that you do not get lost in the dark.
Related: This Garden Planner makes urban gardening easy
Coffee Ground Fertilizer
Speaking of fertilizer, old coffee grounds are a great way to infuse more nutrients into the ground. You will, of course, will have needed to save up those grounds over the winter in order for this to work. If you did stock up, then you can use the coffee grounds as an excellent source of nitrogen, which can give your vegetables an extra boost.
If you are just starting to save your coffee grounds, you can either add them to an existing compost pile or store them in a large container. Once you are ready to prep the soil, simply add the grounds to the soil after it has been tilled and rake them in.
Garden Sensors
Garden sensors are a great way to keep tabs on the condition of your soil. Many of these sensors, which are often accompanied by an app, will tell you the pH level of the soil, moisture content, nutrients and light intensity. Some sensors are also part of a larger database and can tell you when it is the best time to plant certain species.
If you are not keen on using technology, there are sensors that have the same functionality without relying on a smartphone.
Prep The Soil
You should start preparing the ground for planting as quickly as possible. The best way to prep the soil is to till anywhere between 8 to 12 inches below the ground. As you till, remove large rocks you encounter as these can harm growth.
Once the soil is tilled, you can add some fertilizer to the mix. If the ground is too wet when you till, let it dry out before proceeding. Too much moisture can also cause issues with growth.
Plant Cam
If you are into tracking the progress of your garden, then a plant cam is the perfect gadget for you. These cams use time-lapse photography to document plant growth throughout the season, making it an ideal fit for your high-tech spring garden. Garden cams come in several versions, but most use either photography or video to record plant growth.
Collecting Water
Collecting rainwater is a great way to better the environment and put some more cash in your wallet. According to Thompson Morgan, rainwater is also healthier for plants as it contains more nutrients than groundwater. Tap water can also contain too much alkaline, which is not good for growth.
There are quite a few methods of collecting rainwater and each one will depend on your budget and how much time you want to invest in the project. One of the best ways to recycle water is to build a rain collection system that gathers water from the gutters on your home. The water is then stored in large containers for later use.
Pest Blaster
No matter how well you prepare your garden, it will all be ruined if pests enter the equation. Luckily, you can get rid of unwanted rats, foxes or cats using the latest technology in outdoor repellents. One good option is ultrasonic repellers, which are battery operated and emit frequencies outside of our hearing zone.
Most of these repellers come affixed to a mounting stake, which makes them easy to install anywhere in your garden. They are also very affordable, so if you have a little wiggle room in your budget you can install several to keep the pests away.
Copper Trick
For smaller insects, like slugs and snails, adding some copper tape to planters can help keep these pests away from your precious veggies. When snails and slugs crawl across copper, their slime creates an electrical charge that naturally makes them go away. You can find copper tape at your local garden store.
Via EcoWatch
Images via Shutterstock
