GuaranteedGardenServices garden maintenance encompasses all the tasks required to keep your green oasis in good condition, such as watering, weeding, pruning and trimming hedges regularly, fertilising, and fertilising as needed.

Weeding is an absolute necessity as weeds compete with your flowers for nutrients. Pruning plants and shrubs regularly is also recommended to ensure maximum results.

Weeding

Weeds are unsightly plants that form between crops and can spread disease. Weeding involves physically extracting these invasive species from your garden by hand. Weeds compete for space, water and nutrients with valuable crops reducing yield and blocking airflow within it and harbouring pests - factors which should all be managed appropriately to preserve a healthier environment for you and future generations.

Weed growth can be a severe hindrance to gardeners as it interferes with the proper cultivation of flowers and vegetables. In addition, weeds can suffocate vital nutrients from the soil, leaving other plants vulnerable to diseases and insect infestations.

They must be regularly removed to prevent weeds from flowering and producing seeds. You can do this using garden tools such as a hand hoe, short-handled Asian-style hoe or tall solid blade hoe; alternatively, pre-emergent herbicides may also help.

Pull weeds as soon as you notice them because weeds spread quickly and can choke the grass. Established weeds may also pose difficulty when removed. Furthermore, weeds contain heavy metals that leach into the soil and may be inhaled by other nearby plants.

Pruning

Garden maintenance includes pruning trees, shrubs and perennials to foster flowering, fruit development and healthy growth patterns. Pruning can also control size and shape and remove diseased or damaged limbs; for optimal results, it should occur in the late dormant season to avoid insect infestation and promote regrowth.

Pruning can help stimulate flowering or fruiting, reduce the size of plants or trees, and maintain or create particular garden forms. Pruning also contributes to overall plant health by eliminating dead or diseased wood, improving airflow through dense foliage and decreasing moisture accumulation that leads to disease or rot.

Many gardeners find pruning daunting, yet, it can become a simple and rewarding task with proper knowledge and tools. Keep in mind that different plants require different pruning techniques; evergreens such as Rhododendron, Mountain Laurel and Forsythia need special treatment, while other evergreens such as Holly, Juniper or Chamaecyparis branches with no needles may bear blossoms. At the same time, some produce fruit on new wood, for instance.

Maintaining your garden will create an outdoor space you can appreciate all year. However, if you don't have the time or expertise necessary for gardening care, why not utilise one of our gardening services instead? Our obligation-free service allows you to compare quotes from local gardeners before selecting the one that meets your needs. Learn more from GuaranteedGardenServices garden maintenance.

Planting

Planting flowers, shrubs and vegetables in your garden can make an enormous difference in its maintenance. However, the right plants must be produced in their proper places with enough water and nutrients, keeping the areas free of weeds or pests.

Healthy and well-kept plants tend to produce more, be less vulnerable to disease or insect infestation, and require less care in watering and mulching their gardens. However, it's essential that gardening tools are cleaned regularly to control fungi or bacteria that could infiltrate their roots, and garden beds need adequate irrigation and mulching practices in place.

Pruning and weeding should be performed regularly; however, over fertilising and overwatering your plants is best avoided as this could lead to nutrient deficiencies and rotted roots. Proper fertilisation depends on factors like plant species in your garden, soil conditions and location; for best results, it's wise to consult a landscaper or soil testing service who will conduct an accurate soil analysis to ascertain which type and amount of fertilisers would work.

Once harvested, it is essential to dispose of and collect plant debris after harvesting correctly. It helps control weed spread and avoid future pest issues - it is best done before the first frost of fall arrives. Learn more from GuaranteedGardenServices garden maintenance.

Season Extenders

As most gardeners understand, short growing seasons limit what you can grow in your backyard. But tools and strategies called season extenders exist that can help you work around the weather to produce more in less time.

No matter the time of year, season extenders can make all the difference for gardening success. Cover crops (also called season extenders) help manage soil temperature, protect against pests and improve both planting and eating quality - while greenhouses are an expensive and complex tool, other more cost-effective options include cold frames, low tunnels, hot beds and cloches.   

Plastic or cardboard covers create a warm environment where cool-season plants can flourish, slowing weed growth, protecting heat-sensitive crops from bolting in summer heatwaves, and speeding the germination of cool-weather fall crops. Low tunnels are a favourite among home gardeners because they're fast and straightforward to set up and take down, protecting from insects, physical damage and high temperatures while keeping the ground moist. Other season extenders include floating row covers and cloches - used when night temperatures become frosty but allow partial transmission of sunlight and air - that protect crops while still permitting partial sunlight and air passage; they are especially suitable for keeping kale and spinach plants warm while protecting them from freeze damage in autumn.