How To Do The Green Path Between The Rosettes On A Grandmothers Floral Garden

Start Small

Start a Compost Pile

Add Paths to Protect Soil

The use of compost goes hand in hand with maintaining healthy soil, but there are other things to consider. Try to avoid walking on the soil in established gardens, because every step compacts it, and compaction makes it difficult for roots to grow. Create paths between rows or in beds, or place a board on the soil adjacent to areas where you work to distribute your weight more evenly over the soil.

Maintain Soil's Good Health

Also, avoid working the soil when it's wet. Otherwise, once it dries, you'll wind up with big clumps of hard-packed soil. And finally, don't overwork the soil, especially with a rototiller. Good soil isn't powdery; it's a mixed bag of particles of varying sizes and shapes. "Personally, I don't use a rototiller because, in my opinion, the tines disturb the soil way too much," says master gardener and HGTV host Paul James. "And I rarely turn the soil with a shovel. What I occasionally do is loosen the soil with a broadfork, which aerates the soil without disturbing its complex structure."

Mulch, Mulch and More Mulch

Mulch suppresses weed growth, maintains soil moisture, stabilizes soil temperatures and much more. So do yourself a favor: Mulch everything in sight with whatever organic mulch you like.

Water Wisely

Don't water frequently for only brief periods of time. Doing so causes plant roots to hover near the soil's surface. Instead, deep soak each time you water to encourage roots to grow deep down into the soil. And, whenever possible, water early in the morning so plant leaves have a chance to dry during the day. That will help minimize fungal diseases.

Go Native

Fertilize Judiciously

The right fertilizer applied at the right time can be the difference between a landscape that's struggling and one that's thriving. Especially beneficial for flowering plants, fruits, veggies and any plants grown in a container, fertilizers are also the key to a lush lawn — but too much of a good thing is, well, too much. Follow this guide to find the right balance.

Prune With Care

Fertilizing and pruning cause plants to produce tender, succulent growth, which is what bugs prefer most. Says master gardener Paul James: "Who says that plants should be forced to grow faster than their normal growth rate, or that plants should necessarily be pruned in some fashion other than the way nature intended them to grow?" Get more tips for when and how to prune trees and bushes.

Consider Light Conditions

Shade-loving plants, like hostas and ferns, need much less sun than sun-lovers, like salvia and daisies, to thrive and will actually blister and shrivel up if planted in direct sun.

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