Riverstone - Get Out and Garden

Centering yourself when the world seems out of balance is important for your health. A great way to do that is by exercising your green thumb and planting a spring garden.

Gardening is something everyone in the family can do with adults doing the heavy lifting and kids doing the weeding. Pitching in together guarantees beautiful blooms, healthy greenery and memories that will last a lifetime.

Whether you are an experienced gardener or new to the flower bed scene, here are some tips to get your garden growing.

Prepare to Plant
Before you pick your plants, you need to understand your soil. Does it contain enough nutrients to support the flowers, herbs and vegetables you would like to grow? Contact your local gardening center like Houston Gardening Centers, Cornelius Garden Center & Nursery, and Enchanted Nurseries and Landscapes to find out what soil works best.

Consider Double Duty Landscaping
When choosing plants consider those that do double duty — enhancing the beauty of your garden with bright blooms in the spring and colorful leaves in the fall. If there’s an edible component such as berries or herbs, so much the better.

Plants for All Seasons
Don’t just purchase spring plants. Keep your garden growing all year long by choosing a variety of plants. Not only will you enjoy the beauty, many plants work in symbiosis with each other, keeping both healthy and strong.

Control Weeds and Pests
Aphids, slugs and other pests can eat your veggies faster than you can. Keep them under control naturally with a variety of products that will keep them away without adding toxic chemicals. You can even make your own. Weeds also are a problem. Rather than spraying a chemical on them, spend a little time each day pulling them up.

Learn to Compost
Composting enhances the quality of your soil and saves you a trip to the gardening store. Here are some tips for creating your compost pile.

Think Outside the Bed
Whether we plant flowers, fruit trees or rows of vegetables, we are used to thinking horizontal but vertical works just as well. Invest in trellises, hanging containers and shelves. Plants that seem to do well include hostas, iberis, phlox, ferns, weigela, and blueberries.

Container Gardens
Container gardens work well on patios. Use a variety of plants with colorful flowers and attractive foliage to build up layers of different heights. As they are essentially mini gardens, they are great for helping kids get their hands dirty. Plant beans, strawberries and herbs and let them cook the harvest.

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