Growing fruit and vegetables is a satisfying way to ensure that you and your family enjoy healthy produce. Plus, it gets you out in nature and studies suggest that can be great for your mental health.
Gardening is much more fun when you’re being productive and getting the most out of your time. However, being a productive gardener is easier said than done as there’s a lot to consider and external threats that can lead to setbacks along the way.
We want to enhance your gardening in the future and have put together a handy guide with top tips for boosting your productivity. So, if you want to get more from your garden in 2024, follow our advice below to see your green space thrive.
Plan ahead
The secret to getting the most from your plot is careful planning. By setting out what, when and where you want to grow in advance, you can ensure that your soil is rarely left bare and there’s always something ready to be harvested.
Some of the best ways to plan your garden include:
- Choose what you want to grow
- Buy your seeds from a reputable supplier like your local garden centre
- Prepare the ground you’re going to plant in by removing pests, deterring birds and destroying weeds
Protect your plants
There’s a lot that can threaten your crops. Harsh weather like rain, snow and wind, birds, pests as well as rot and disease are all, unfortunately, very common in the UK. There are some ways to prevent these threats, including cloches, fleeces and introducing biological controls.
Alternatively, you can invest in a polytunnel for the ultimate solution to all these threats. Plus, polytunnels create optimal growing conditions and extend the growing season thanks to enhanced ultraviolet light.
Spend some time on your soil
Healthy soil is the foundation for a thriving garden and can maximise your yield while saving time. Develop a habit of enriching your soil by mulching with compost and organic matter like grass clippings, well-rotted manure and leaf mulch. Mulching will feed the soil, lock moisture in and reduce the amount of weeds.
Don’t let rainwater get in the way
Rain can be good for crop growth, but it can also stop you from getting out in your garden. This downtime can be detrimental to your productivity. However, there is one way you can turn this into a positive. Simply make your roof a productive area for catching rainwater with a barrel set under a downspout.
This will get you all the water you need for future gardening projects and may help you save on your water usage, which you may be pleased about given the current cost of living crisis.
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