Four Tips for a Great Fall Garden

Not too hot, not too cold: The fall is just right for awesome outdoor gatherings. Now that the summer has wound down and everyone can have some fun around the fire without the heat spoiling the night, it’s time to host at your house. But after such a long summer, is your garden really in good enough shape to entertain? The brutal hot months may have scorched your plants and left them infested with insects, but the poor appearance won’t last forever. All you need is a few simple green-thumb tricks to make your browns beautiful again.  You can also find further tips over at TheLifestyleBlogger where she discusses essential gardening.

‘Tis the Season…
In case you needed any more proof of what you already know, the stats are in… and they say that fall is the best season of the year. Almost 30 percent of Americans listed autumn as their favorite season. It was ranked the highest among middle-aged Americans and second-highest among older and younger crowds. Whether it’s the climate or activities that surround the latter months of the year, the verdict is clear: Fall is party time. What that means for you is that the garden is going to need some freshening up.

Fortunately, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans panic every October when comfortable weather rolls back around. And if you’re like the 35 percent of Americans who actually utilize the garden as a source of food, you’re going to want it to be bug-free. With prices rising significantly on garden spending, the best solution is cleansing your greens without pumping an unnecessary amount of cash into the process. That’s where our tips come in.

Nip It in the Bud
Most gardeners don’t even know all the bugs that can eat away at their plants and yard, but it’s a good bet that lawn flea and tick control is going to be on your must-have list. Most problems are easily taken care of with simple pesticide treatments. It decreases your growth’s exposure to pests and is a one-time process that will keep you from sinking endless money into non-efficient remedies. Those insects often carry diseases that can damage grass and plants permanently, so the sooner you tackle the issue, the better.

Vine Time Is Over
Invasive plants are sometimes the prettiest ones in your landscaping, but they can also be the most dangerous. Make sure to cut back the vines, ground covers and other aggressive flora that have the tendency to strangle the life from the greens that really matter. Of course, vines and ground covers can add beauty, but if you leave them untended they can cut off circulation to the roots of the plant that make your garden shine.

Leftovers Are Your Friend
Use that old vegetable boiling water and those used coffee grounds for your garden! All your neighbors will want to know your secret when your flowers are growing big, bright and beautiful. Not all home remedies work, but this is one that plenty of people can back up. Plus, it won’t cost you a thing, and you don’t have to do any extra work! It doesn’t get any easier than that.

Soil Yourself (and Your Garden)
It’s not a myth — good soil helps your garden grow. Use manure and airy, nitrogen-rich soils to ensure the healthiest and lushest fall garden. A full year of maintaining your plants in mineral rich soil will prove to be well worth the investment during your Octoberfest. If budget issues become a concern, there are cheaper solutions. One is to mix your soil with the manure just around the plant roots. There won’t be quite as many nutrients to draw from, but your garden will still receive some of the benefit.

There’s no shortage of tips available on how to improve your garden, but they don’t get more tried and true than these ones. If you want to impress your friends and family at the next get-together, just put a few of these to use.