Food gardens are a classic aspect of landscaping. Growing your own delicious produce is satisfying, but it can be tough to make sure you’re getting the best quality results. Here are a few suggestions for getting the most out of your garden.

How to Make Your Garden Flourish

1. Raise the Garden

By incorporating garden beds into your landscape design, you can spare the plants and their soil from being dug up and stepped on. You also get fewer weeds and better drainage. In the winter, the soil stays warmer, which makes it easier to grow quality food when the spring arrives.

2. Use Alternative Irrigation Sources

Incorporate a system for collecting rainwater into your landscaping. It’s less burdensome on the environment, saves you money, and the rainwater contains fewer chemicals and other toxins than the water in your irrigation system. The lukewarm temperature is more comfortable for the plants, too. 

Since club soda and water from fish tanks contain several nutrients and minerals that enhance plant growth, pour them into your garden if you ever have any to spare.

3. Attract Bees

Many fruits and vegetables grow better when pollinated, which is a service that only bees can provide. To attract more bees to your garden, let the food produce flowers or consider planting flowers among the food. They also like building their homes in cool, shadowy areas, such as rock crevices and dead or hollowed wood.

4. Provide Extra Nutrition

Although you don’t want to overfeed the garden, fruits and vegetables can always benefit from more nutrients. Apply fertilizer every few weeks.

For the best results from mulching, create compost made from a variety of organic materials. Consider using cedar wood chips, wood ash, grass clippings, eggshells, tea leaves, coffee grounds, and rotted fruit and vegetables. Store the mulch in a bin near the garden.

5. Save Seeds

Never throw away fruits or vegetables without putting their seeds in safekeeping. Over time, and with careful cross-breeding, the plants may evolve to thrive in your specific climate and soil and resist any diseases or pests common to your area. By saving the seeds, you can grow a better garden every year. 

To get professional guidance in nurturing thriving gardens in your landscaping, contact DRS Lawn & Landscape in Long Valley, NJ. With nearly 30 years of experience in landscape construction and lawn maintenance, they’re happy to offer their advice and assistance in helping you grow the garden you envision. To schedule a visit, call (908) 879-0600 or message them online.