Whether you love being around the green or are just looking forward to having some fun in the backyard as the summers strike, a flawless and fun backyard never disappoints. Although, despite this intense urge to have a backyard garden that even the neighbors get jealous of, doing so for most often is linked with spending loads, not to mention the time and effort.
But, what if you could attain your backyard goals, from adding appeal to having a bunch of fun activities, all by yourself without paying tons for it? The following article includes all-around gardening and landscaping hacks you’d wish you had known earlier.
Use A Mix Of Bulbs For A Year-Round Punch Of Colors
From their texture to color and fragrance, flowers make for one of the best ways to add life to a garden. However, the pop they bring about is often short-lived as most flowers have a brief blooming time and lifespan. And, therefore for anyone who wishes for constant colors in their garden, planting vibrant annuals or regularly switching out perennials becomes the only way. But, is it?
Planting a mix of flowering bulbs in such cases as lilies and snowdrops is an excellent low-maintenance alternative, considering how they bloom at different times. What’s more, you only need to plant a bulb once every year to get a beautiful and colorful garden from spring to fall.
DIY Drip Irrigation System
Plants need to be adequately nourished and kept hydrated, especially when they’re standing in the summer heat all day long. A DIY drip irrigation system allows you to free yourself from this full-time job. All you need is a plastic bottle and a sock to get water directly to the roots of your green friends.
Puncture a couple of holes around the bottle and stuff the sock in it. Fill the bottle up with water which the sock will eventually soak up. The sock will retain the moisture and distribute it to the plant roots as needed. Whenever you decide to water the plants, unscrew the bottle cap and fill it up again.
DIY Insecticidal Soap To Keep The Bugs Away
Bugs and insects pose a significant threat to both the plants and your idea of the perfect green backyard. And, while many insecticides are available on the market to get rid of them, one cannot overlook the fact that most of these are toxic.
Making your insecticidal soap is an excellent way to protect your plants bothered by bugs using a non-toxic solution. In a spray bottle, mix a couple of drops of lemon essential oil, one tablespoon of pure liquid soap, all in 1 quart of water. Keep the bottle accessible and use it whenever.
However, make sure not to use dishwashing soap as the additives can harm the plants, not to mention how it is also ineffective on insects.
Use Boiling Water To Kill The Weed
Getting rid of garden weeds can be daunting. But it doesn’t have to be so for the weeds that grow in the cracks, joints, or driveways.
An easy, virtually free, and all-natural way to kill the weed is to pour boiling water on them. As the boiling water will undoubtedly kill the plant instantly, the method is asked to be only used on hardscapes and not in gardens as the water can also harm the surrounding plants.