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The Best Garden Maintenance Tactics

Adrienne Wild
by Adrienne Wild
Adrienne Wild

Adrienne started her professional life as a gardener at her local parks department and went on to train at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh where she was the first female student on the prestigious and world-renowned horticultural course run by the Botanic garden. An experienced and award-winning garden writer and past editor of some of Britain’s favourite gardening magazines, Adrienne has for over 30 years, inspired gardeners with a breadth of gardening know-how plus creative and decorative ideas. One of her main aims is to make gardening accessible, even to the smallest green fingers, with her clear advice and straightforward step-by-step instructions. Adrienne loves to travel and has visited, given talks and met ordinary home gardeners in far flung places like China, South Africa, Philippines and Caribbean as well as the UK.

Last Updated: February 22, 2021

Garden Maintenance Tactics

As we leave winter behind and spring starts giving us glimpses of the sunshine and warmer weather that summer promises, many households are looking out their windows and turning their attention once again to their neglected gardens.

If you’re ready to start remaking your backyard into the sanctuary it once was, check out our list of the best garden maintenance tactics for a head start. You might find that dream space is closer than you thought!

Garden Maintenance

1. Preparation is Everything

Before you get out your shovel or pile the kids into the car for a trip to your local garden center, take some time to think about what it is you really want to get out of your garden this year.

  • Do you just want an open green space for the kids to kick around a football?
  • Are you looking for a space for yourself filled with lush flowers for relaxation?
  • Or do you finally intend to get around to growing your own herbs and vegetables this year?

Figuring out what you want from your garden will help you make key decisions on what plants to buy.

For example, whether you need big plant pots (mint, in particular, is notorious for invading other plants’ space and is best grown in a pot). Perhaps your BBQ is looking a little shabby and needs replacing? Or maybe you just want a bright, clean, green lawn with some goalposts or a basketball hoop.

And don’t forget to consider how the dog fits into all these new plans!

2. Less is More and Simple is Beautiful

Now you’ve figured out what your garden is going to be for; it’s time to landscape your garden with your compost bin, shears & wheelbarrow.  But don’t worry, this doesn’t have to be – nor should it be – anything complicated! The best garden maintenance tips encourage you to make the most of clean spaces and keep intricate designs to a minimum. Particularly if you intend to plant and maintain your garden yourself. It will look 100% better if you take a step back and keep the designs simple.

gardening

3. Use Levels

Implementing levels into a flat garden can add a whole new layer of interest and depth. We love using hanging baskets filled with seasonal flowers in bright colors to draw the eye up and add some variation. Try experimenting with colors that match what’s going on around you: yellows and baby pinks for Mother’s Day, pastel shades for Easter, reds, whites, and blues for Independence Day, and so on. Changing the flowers in your hanging baskets will ensure your garden never gets dull, and you always have something lovely to look at.

4. Prune Regularly

Removing dead flower heads is essential for ensuring a long-lasting plumage and attractive garden. Similarly, don’t forget to prune your trees and bushes to keep them looking trimmed and fresh for as long as possible.

5. Don’t Forget the Furniture!

Even the most beautiful gardens can be spoilt by ugly, out-dated furniture. If your garden furniture is looking a little tired, you’d be amazed at what a quick clean and coat of paint or varnish can do to provide a new lease of life!

garden furniture

6. Enjoy!

Now you’ve got some ideas of the best garden maintenance tactics to make your garden summer-ready in no time. All that’s left is for you to sit back, relax, and enjoy your newly refreshed space.

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