Happy almost summer friends! Over Mother’s Day weekend I had a chance to start playing around with the planters and pots on our front porch. Our school greenhouse has a wonderful selection of affordable flowers. and this year I fell in love with their dark bronze leaf white begonias and interesting coleus varieties.
Spring has finally sprung, although different areas of the country are certainly in different blooming phases of the season. Over spring break we traveled from KY to New York, then to the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, back to New York, then back home to Kentucky. It was interesting to see how spring is blooming out in the various regions. Today I am sharing beautiful early spring blooms I enjoyed since February and along my recent adventure.
Ever noticed how your once-perfect yard seems a bit… off? Erosion could be the sneaky culprit. It can make your yard look messy and even lower your property’s value. But don’t stress! Let’s figure out how to spot erosion and, more importantly, stop it dead in its tracks. *This post contains affiliate links.
Erosion is all about wind, water, and sometimes even our own actions, wearing away the soil. Here’s what to watch for:
Good news—there are plenty of ways to fight erosion and keep your yard looking lush. Here’s the game plan:
Planting Ground Cover and Native Plants:
Planting grass and ground cover can shield the soil. Their roots act like a net, hanging on to the dirt. Planting native plants is another natural erosion cure. These tough guys need less water and maintenance. Plus, their deep roots are fantastic at erosion control.
Vinca is great for slopes and banks. It is a beautiful ground cover with purple flowers in spring and early summer. It can be a bit invasive, so be sure you want it to grow where you plant it.
Building Terraces:
Got slopes? Make terraces. These steps slow down water and give it time to soak into the ground.
Using Mulch and Straw:
Spread mulch or straw over bare patches. It helps cushion the impact of rain and keeps the moisture in.
Installing Retaining Walls:
For steep slopes, retaining walls are lifesavers. They hold the soil back and control water flow. Retaining Wall Pros can provide you with a solid, custom-built solution.
Rain Gardens and Bioswales:
Rain gardens and bioswales are like magic for managing runoff. Rain gardens are shallow, plant-filled areas that let water soak in slowly. Bioswales are like gentle, grassy rivers that guide and clean water as it moves.
Proper Drainage Systems:
Things like French drains or dry wells can steer water away from problem areas by preventing runoff and standing water, and in turn they help to prevent erosion.
Erosion Control Fabrics aka Geotextile Fabric:
Lay these biodegradable fabrics over exposed soil. They are designed with special care to keep water flow at bay while still letting the water penetrate the soil, helping roots to grow and take hold, stabilizing your soil.
Stay on top of maintenance to keep erosion at bay. After heavy rain, check your yard for new trouble spots. Fix small issues fast before they become big headaches. Incorporate periodic soil testing to understand its health and make necessary adjustments to improve its stability and nutrient content.
Erosion might sound like something that can ruin your property grounds, but with a little attention, you can keep your yard healthy and beautiful. Notice the signs early and follow these steps to make sure your property stays in tip-top shape. A lush yard isn’t just a dream—it’s totally doable. Think of it as not just maintaining a yard but nurturing a vibrant ecosystem that adds value and beauty to your home.
Gardens should be beautiful, calming and relaxed spaces that have everything you need to suit your personal preferences. Whilst every garden has a different aim, all of them should have a couple of things in common; they need to be productive and practical places. When it comes to making the most out of your garden it is possible to achieve on a fairly short timeline. Whether you’re creating a dedicated workspace outside, or you’re growing your own vegetables, here are a handful of ideas to turn your garden into a perfectly productive space.
Create a Productive Workspace
Having a dedicated workspace somewhere in your garden is one of the most practical elements you can create. With an undercover spot you can carry out light work, arrange flowers, store your tools and carry out general hobbies too. You may want to look into bespoke garden workshops for this exact purpose, as it will create additional space for you to be productive at any time throughout the day. It can also be the perfect opportunity to enjoy some quiet time if your household is generally busy!
Grow Your Own Herbs
You can do a lot even in just a small garden space, especially when it comes to growing herbs and vegetables. Even if you only have room for a couple of small pots, this will help your garden to feel like a highly productive place. Green beans, radishes, mint and rosemary are all low maintenance vegetables that you can grow in a small space, so why not give it a try for yourself?
Choose The Right Types of Plants
When you’re creating your garden, you need to consider what type of plants you need in order to cultivate a practical and productive garden. Try to choose plants that naturally thrive in your climates and be aware of where the sun exposure tends to hit. When you take some time to do a little research you’ll end up with healthier plants that last much longer.
Use Your Garden Waste Wisely
In terms of creating a productive garden, you need to think about what you already have and how you can put it to good use. There are so many great ways to make use of your garden waste so that nothing ends up in the bin unnecessarily. All you need to know is that anything you rake, sweep or clip from your garden can be put to good use if you give it a chance to break down and turn into compost.
Creating a purpose for your garden is clearly very important, as it will indicate what you want to do with it for the long haul. Whether you’ve always dreamt of being self-sufficient, or you’re looking for a covered workspace to carry out your hobby, there is so much you can do to create a thriving environment for you and everybody else in your household. So, enjoy the process of creating your practical and productive garden this summer season.