When you first bought your home or took over property management at work, you probably dreamed of starting a garden. Every year, this may have been pushed to the bottom of the list as more pressing matters took center stage. This year, make a commitment to change that with a little tropical landscaping and a lot of creativity. If you already have a garden but want to add more color for the springtime, you’ll find this information useful too.
Pick a Spot
Most flowers require up to eight hours of sunlight per day, with six being about the bare minimum. Make plans to observe your yard throughout the day to see what areas are most suitable for the garden. If your yard is mostly shady, then stick to plants that do not need as much sunlight to thrive. You should also consider foot traffic, especially if this is a commercial property or you have a lot of children at home. Finally, find the purpose. If you intend to create shade, for instance, you’ll need trees and tall bushes.
Choose Your Plants
Some plants require more maintenance than others. Several of the tropical plants that grow in Florida are especially well-known for getting out of hand without proper care. Take some time to decide how much resources you can allocate for maintenance to keep up with them. Also, consider how well they will hold up to weather conditions. This is especially important if your tropical landscaping includes trees. Strong trees with deep roots hold up better against Florida’s hurricane season.
Clear the Area
It’s possible to use newspapers to create a plant-ready spot, but it takes months to accomplish. In fact, you would have to put this measure in place from the fall to reap the benefits now. If you haven’t already done this, then you’ll need to clear the ground manually. Ideally, you don’t choose an area where your well-manicured lawn has been growing. If you do, you’ll need to cut the sod into smaller pieces and get underneath it with a spade to cut it out.
Improve the Soil
It’s best to rely on professionals to do a soil test for commercial gardens. If you’re creating a home garden, then you can do a soil test with a mason jar. Identifying the type of soil makes it easier for you to identify how to improve the soil structure. As far as nutrients, composting organic material is a great way to reduce landfill waste while fertilizing your soil. You can also find premade fertilizers at your local home improvement store. If you decide to add earthworms, check local ordinances before doing so.
Start Planting
You’ll need to prep the soil for planting. Consult your original list of plant choices to see what kind of soil preparation they require. While tilling and digging, try to reduce foot traffic as it compacts the soil. Each plant will have its own maintenance schedule, so create one in writing for you to keep up with. Finally, note that the Florida sun can quickly dry out the soil during the daytime, so use mulch and compost to cover the soil. The moisture protects not just the soil but the life forms beneath it that benefit your plants.
When creating a colorful garden, most people plant vegetables, annuals, and perennials. Something is always blooming or growing in these gardens. As the gardens grow and you add more colorful species to the list, it may exceed your capabilities.
Plant Professionals provides the services you need to ensure your garden continues to thrive within the limits you set. It all starts with a free quote. Give us a call at (305) 259-0503 to get yours today.