The idea of having a beautiful patch of greenery filled with lush spring colors in your backyard sounds charming, right? However, only some people commit to gardening because they believe it takes time.
Winter has a very harsh effect on the soil, so spring gardening can be quite exhausting without proper guidance.
However, given the right information and direction, you can integrate your gardening practices easily into your very busy life. Before you know it, your little garden will be filled with beautiful blossoms in vivid hues. So, let’s look at the top 10 tips for spring gardening for a busy worker who has helped me manage my dream garden.
10 Tips For Spring Gardening For A Busy Worker
Whether you have an indoor or outdoor garden, the basics of creating an efficient garden during spring remain the same. Even if you don’t have a garden yet and only plan on making one this season, then the following tips would still be of some help.
1. Starting Small
For a busy worker with a garden, it is best to start small with a few plants. I understand the urge to create a big and beautiful garden filled with various types of vegetables, herbs, and flowers, especially in spring.
But if you have little time, then starting with a few plants is great. This way, you will slowly understand how much time you can spare for your garden.
2. Selecting Plants Based On Your Needs
The most important part of an efficient and functioning garden is planning it wisely.
Do not buy plants without proper planning. Many plants blooming in spring need to be planted in late fall.
Since you are a busy person, I recommend selecting low-maintenance plants. If you don’t have access to a lot of sunlight, then pick plants that thrive in shade.
Perennials are a great choice because they are very low-maintenance. Perennials with proper care last for several years, so you don’t have to worry about re-planting every season either. Besides, perennial flowers come in so many varieties and colors that picking a few will change the looks of your garden in seconds.
You can also pick annual plants. They might die after one season, but through natural reseeding, self-sowing annuals will come back on their own.
3. Invest In Older Plants
The idea of growing a plant from its seeds sounds very amazing. As someone who has done it, I find it quite fulfilling. As mentioned earlier, many spring plants need to be sowed in early or late autumn for them to bloom in early spring. However, for a busy person, this whole process will be extremely time-consuming.
Instead, buy big or mature plants that can be directly planted into your garden. This way, you will not have to wait for weeks for your seedlings to grow and then finally plant them in the soil. You will also be able to save a lot of time on care and maintenance.
4. Use Mulch In The Soil
Using organic mulch in the soil is essential. Mulch is the one-stop solution to many issues. Adding a layer of organic mulch surrounding the roots will ensure the soil retains moisture. This can significantly help busy people who don’t have the time to water their plants all the time.
Mulch also takes care of weeds. Now, there is no problem with weeding yourself as it can be quite therapeutic. But it takes a lot of time, energy, and effort to get rid of weeds yourself. Mulch in the soil deters weed growth and improves soil structure over time.
Be sure to use good quality peat-free organic mulch.
5. Use Slow-Releasing Fertilizers
For a healthy garden, fertilizers are a must. Winter can ruin the soil texture and quality. Using good quality organic fertilizer and compost can add nutrients to dry and hard soil caused by low temperatures.
If you don’t have the time to keep up with your plants’ fertilizing schedule, then don’t worry. You can use slow-releasing fertilizers instead.
This type of fertilizer is designed to dispense nutrients to your plants gradually over some time. It can take weeks or months, depending on the release duration. Make sure the fertilizer you choose will provide the nutrients your plants require.
6. Select A Sunny Spot
A sunny location with adequate sunlight exposure is necessary for the growth of the plants. Whether it is an indoor or an outdoor garden, this is something you must be careful of. Most spring flowers require 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight.
If you have an indoor garden, pick a spot where the plants get sunlight during the morning for at least 5 hours and shade for most of the day. This will make sure your plants are not being exposed to excessive heat.
Be sure to check about the plant’s sunlight requirements before purchasing them.
7. Use Containers And Planters
Containers are helpful tools when it comes to efficient gardening. Use large containers to plant different types of vegetables. Always make sure the container is deep enough. You can also reuse big plastic containers that you have at home.
If you do not have access to a lot of space, then use large planters. There are a lot of vertical planters available in the market. The best aspect is that they don’t take up much space, and you may grow various plants in one of these.
However, do not get small hanging planters or small vertical planters. Without proper hydration, plants in small planters can dry out faster since the amount of soil is very little.
Most importantly, whether it is a planter or a container, always ensure they have holes in the bottom for proper drainage. Without draining holes, your plants might get overwatered.
8. Water Wisely
For a busy person, watering their plants regularly is perhaps the toughest part. Some don’t have the time, and some often forget about it entirely. At one point, every plant parent has forgotten to water their plants at least once. So, if it has happened to you, don’t feel guilty. Instead, practice sustainable and wiser watering techniques.
Water at the very bottom of the roots. Always try to water very early in the morning. This will prevent the water from evaporating during the middle of the day when it is extremely hot.
In addition, mulch and compost should be added to the soil. This will increase moisture retention in the soil.
9. Use Automated Water Timers
Using automated watering systems is a great way to save time and replenish your plants.
In your garden, a drip irrigation system can be installed. You can also add a timer to your drip irrigation system. This will make sure your plants are not dehydrated or drying up.
You can also get self-watering planters or containers with built-in water storage for your plants.
10. Do Weekly Scans In Your Garden
You don’t have to spend every day checking after your plants if you don’t have the time to do so. Instead, schedule weekly check-up sessions during the weekends.
During this time, you can check for pests like aphids under the plant, wilting or yellow leaves, and dry soil and get some pruning done, too. Once you have identified the problems, you can find the solutions easily.
A weekly session for your plants will help you fix smaller issues and prevent more significant issues in the future.
Final Words
Hopefully, through my top 10 tips for spring gardening for a busy worker, you now understand how easy it is to manage and maintain a garden. These tips will help you create a very stunning garden without having to work much.
