5 Quick Ways to Set Up a Home Garden After You Move
Curb appeal is a big part of the way your new home looks. Once you move in, you’d probably like to keep it looking great.
Gardening doesn’t tend to be a high priority after you move. But once you arrive, you have to work to keep it alive.
Here are easy tips to make your new yard and garden beautiful.
1. Check Out the Sprinkling System
If you have a yard, there’s a good chance you have a sprinkling system. Your first step should be to test it and see how it works.
Sprinkling systems are often divided into zones that you can set differently. For example, you might need to determine which yard parts go to which zone.
Although you should plan to run the system at night, test it when you can watch each head. That way, you’ll be more likely to spot leaks, broken heads, or clogs.
2. Use Containers
When you move to a new home, you might not know what kind of soil you can expect. If you want to set up a garden quickly, containers may be your best bet.
Containers come in a variety of sizes and styles. Self-watering options tend to be easier to maintain.
Choose a container that is an appropriate size for the plant. You can even grow miniature trees in containers, but they often require pruning to keep them at a manageable size.
3. Consider Growth Time
Before buying seeds or plants:
- Do some research.
- Identify your area’s “planting zone” and plan accordingly.
- Look into the growth interval for plants.
Start with your moving date, and think about what the plant will look like in three months. Then, for plants with a long growing season, ensure that you can establish them before the first frost.
Annuals may be the best choice for the first year. Choose ones that are in season so you can enjoy their beauty immediately.
4. Test Lighting
Plants have different lighting requirements, ranging from full sun to full shade. So when you first move in, you might not know how much light you can expect from any given part of the yard.
There are simple test kits that you can buy. Otherwise, you can track the lighting by going out to your yard several times throughout the day.
Keep in mind that the sun and shade will change throughout the season. Therefore, you may need to move containers or add protection in areas with hot summers or bright sun.
5. Avoid Making Big Changes
It’s tempting to make big decisions for your landscaping when you first arrive, but you may want to start slowly. It’s better to have a smaller garden that you can manage than an extensive landscape that takes over your life.
If you’re new to gardening, start with a few containers and some plants that are easy to grow. You’ll learn a lot in the first season, and you can add as you get more experience.
Having a beautiful garden is a delight for many homeowners, but it can be difficult to start after you move. For more information on making a successful move, request a quote today.