by Megan Cooper
A self-sustaining garden is one that cares for itself, for the most part. You don’t have to dedicate hours of your week to weeding, watering, pruning, or pest control. With a little groundwork, you can plant a very healthy low-maintenance garden and feed your family all year round! Ready to get started? Check out the tips below before you break ground on your new garden!
Choose a Location Wisely
The site you select for your garden will have a significant impact on the growth of your plants, as well as the amount of maintenance required to keep everything happy.
- First, if your property line is not obvious, consider hiring a property surveyor to determine the precise boundaries of your property so you can keep your garden off your neighbor’s land.
- Pick a garden site that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.
- Try to find a level location so water won’t drain away from your garden too quickly.
- Consider aerating the soil to loosen up any compaction. You can do this yourself or find a pro by searching for “core aeration near me.”
Keep Water in the Soil
The more you can keep water in the soil, the less often you’ll have to water your plants. Good water retention will also help your plants develop deep root systems that are resistant to periods of drought.
- Adding organic matter to your soil will improve its ability to hold onto moisture.
- Mulch your garden to reduce moisture loss through evaporation.
- Use drip irrigation to deliver water right to the base of each plant.
- If possible, collect rainwater running off your house and use it to water your plants!
Implement Natural Pest-Control Measures
You don’t need to apply toxic pesticides to your garden to keep pests from eating your plants. With a little planning, you can grow a pest-free garden safely and organically!
- Whether you sprout your own seedlings or buy from a nursery, make sure they’re strong and healthy before planting them in your garden.
- Harvest your garden frequently to reduce the spread of pests from plant to plant.
- Check your plants regularly for signs of trouble and spritz with a natural insecticide when needed.
Gardening is a healthy and rewarding hobby, but not everyone has time to putter around in the garden for hours on end. Whether you’re looking for time-saving gardening tips or you’re planning a few week-long trips this summer and you’d like your garden to survive in your absence, building a self-sustaining garden is the way to go!
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