AFTER a summer of sunshine and rain, your plants may not know whether they are coming or going.
And if you notice that your shrubs have turned brown and dry, don’t worry.
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Professional gardeners have revealed a simple trick to bring them back to life. And it doesn’t have to cost much.
These tips came after gardening enthusiast Anne Dwyer-Thomas visited the gardening Facebook group Gardening on a budget.
She shared two photos of her bushes, which looked noticeably dark brown and dry.
Anne wrote in the photos: ‘I had to shorten the width of my hedge by a few feet because the hedge crossed the path.
“I still have this. Any ideas on how I can improve the look of it?”
She also wrote further in the comments: “I’m not going to rip it out, it’s a fence between my property and my neighbours. Their side is still full of life.
“I’m just looking for a way to make it less ugly on my end. I’ve had some great ideas.”
The post received a lot of attention and many people responded in the comments to share their opinions.
Many gardening enthusiasts told her not to worry and gave her a simple trick to bring her back to life.
“Personally, I would trim the top a little (still leaving plenty of green) to encourage some growth that will hopefully increase over time,” wrote one gardening professional.
Give it enough water so that it does not dry out, but not while or just before the sun is shining on it.
“If you still see growth, continue to prune at the top until growth eventually starts again. Don’t be afraid to prune some growth along the line to encourage more growth.
“If it doesn’t work, cut it, but it’s worth a try. It’s definitely not dead and it’s possible to restore it over time.”
Another added: “We grew clematis and passion flowers above a hedge that looked very similar.
“It took a few years to cover it up, but it’s great now.”
A third suggested: “You could grow something through it, like the fast growing Russian Vine or Mile A Minute.”
Gardening during the holidays
Holidays are a great opportunity to garden and enjoy the outdoors.
Here are some gardening tips to make the most of your day off:
Planning and preparation
Make a to-do list: Identify and organize tasks such as weeding, planting, pruning, and lawn maintenance.
Keep an eye on the weather: Plan your gardening activities based on the weather forecast to ensure ideal conditions for planting and working.
Prepare your supplies: Make sure you have all the necessary tools, seeds, plants, and gardening gloves on hand before you begin.
Lawn maintenance
Lawn maintenance
Mow the Lawn: Mow your lawn to keep it neat, but don’t mow it too short to reduce stress on the grass.
Define the edges of your lawn: Use an edger to create clean, neat edges around your lawn for a well-maintained appearance.
Improve Soil Aeration: If your lawn is compacted, you can aerate it to improve water and nutrient uptake.
Plants
Plants
Select seasonal flora: Choose plants that will thrive in the current season. Spring and fall are excellent times to plant bulbs, perennials, and shrubs.
Choose wise combinations of plants: Plant combinations by grouping plants that support each other’s growth and repel pests.
Relocating plants: Move plants that have outgrown their pots or need more space.
Weeding and mulching
Weed Control: Remove weeds from flower beds, vegetable gardens and paths to maintain a neat and healthy garden.
Apply Mulch: Spread a layer of mulch to retain moisture, inhibit weed growth, and improve soil quality.
Enjoy your garden
Relax: Provide a cozy seating area to appreciate your hard work. Consider adding outdoor lighting or a fire pit for relaxing evenings.
Encourage wildlife: Design a garden that attracts beneficial animals like bees, butterflies and birds by planting native species and adding water features.
