Killed every houseplant you've ever owned but would love a garden you both can enjoy this summer? Follow our tips made just for you brown-thumb duos out there.
Tip 1: Skip the seeds.
If you want an outdoor garden but are both too busy to do a lot of work (um, yeah!), don't buy seed packets. You can't grow a garden from seed unless you have tons of time on your hands and are willing to wait for results. Head down to your local nursery together and buy seedlings in little plastic pots. Plant 'em straight into the soil.
Tip 2: Ask nursery pros for help.
Want a brilliant shortcut? Check at your nursery--many have pros that will come to your home and prepare beds for you (and nope, we don't mean turning down your duvet and putting a little chocolate on your pillow). Basically, they'll create a mound of soil customized for each plant, which will make planting easier and guarantee that it'll properly take root. Planting beds is the most back-breaking part about gardening and is totally worth paying a pro to do.
Tip 3: Go low-maintenance.
Okay, so you're not Mr. and Mrs. Martha Stewart--that's why you need low-maintenance plants. Have a shady section of your yard where grass won't grow? Choose an easy-to-care-for ground cover like pachysandra or vinca minor. As for plants and flowers, go with ones that are virtually impossible to kill (as in, they'll still be alive if you head out for a romantic week in Jamaica or get caught up with work and forget). Plant annuals (that live just a year) like impatiens, begonias, and coleus, as well as perennials (that come back each year) like rudbeckia, daylilies, and grasses.
Tip 4: Tailor your garden to your region.
You'll have a higher chance of success by selecting plants that will thrive in the area you live. A few hints: If you're based in a wet region like the Northwest, you can't go wrong with bog plants, ferns, and hydrangeas. Humid regions like the Southeast are great for mosses, ferns, and tropical plants. Live in a dry region like Arizona? Succulents, cacti, yucca, and sun-loving, drought-tolerant perennials, such as grasses, are your best bets. When you buy 'em, look for a little stake inserted in the pot--it'll tell you useful info, like whether it thrives in sun or shade and how to plant it.
Tip 5: Stock up on key tools.
Get a good spade for digging, durable gloves, and a good-quality hand pruner. Compost is the best fertilizer to use, supplemented with an organic, all-purpose granular fertilizer once or twice a season. Oh, and if you get deer or bunnies nibbling at your blooms for their evening appetizers, check out the Bobbex line of environmentally friendly repellents.
Tip 6: Get the H2O lowdown.
How often you water your garden depends on your region and the kind of soil and plants you have. A good rule of thumb is one inch of water per week. That can be accomplished with two good soakings a week. Mark it in your calendar so you never forget (you'll thank us later!).
Tip 7: Make your edibles thrive.
Most herbs and vegetables love full sun, so make sure to plant them in a spot where they'll get a regular warm blast. Good soil preparation is key, so dig in lots of compost and plant them in large pots or a raised bed so you don't have to hack into the soil too deeply.
Tip 8: If all else fails, go with a container garden.
No time or space for a full-blown backyard? Start a container garden on your patio or windowsill. Buy seedlings and a decorative pot (ask a nursery pro for advice on the size). Fill the pot halfway with soil, coax the plant (and the soil!) out of its plastic container, and set it upright in the pot. Then add more soil til the pot is nearly full, patting it down gently. Last, give it a drink. For future waterings, just check the soil an inch down--if it's dry, it's time.
Tip 9: Don't get frustrated.
Just like your relationship, don't expect your entire garden to magically bloom overnight. Start small, build in a little weekend time to maintain it together (hey, you want to get outside anyway, right?), and you'll see the fruits and veggies of your labor kick into gear. Just think: Soon you'll be having friends over for mojitos in the garden (made with your fresh mint, of course) and it'll all be so worth it.
Nestpert: Carmen De Vito, owner of Groundworks, Inc. (GroundworksGardens.com) in Brooklyn, New York
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