How to Start and Maintain the Perfect Garden in Annville, PA

Life can get pretty crazy and overwhelming sometimes. The pace of working full-time, making time for friends/family, going on grocery runs, paying bills, pursuing education, or raising kids can be incredibly stressful. At the end of the day or on the weekend, having a place where you can rest and recuperate is crucial to protect your mental health.

A beautiful outdoor space for your home can play a significant role in your mental wellness. The health benefits of spending time outdoors are numerous, and when you can do so in a private backyard, then it can truly be an escape from the busyness of life.

Designing a garden in your Annville, Pennsylvania yard can provide a ton of peace of mind, whether you lead a hectic lifestyle or not. When you cultivate your plants and admire their effect on the aesthetics of the property, it can easily relieve some of your stress and give you something to be proud of. Let’s talk about some tips that will help you start and maintain a gorgeous garden on your property.

Choose a Style

The first step in designing a garden is selecting a style or theme for it. Gardening newbies may not realize the diverse choices they have for garden themes, but there are many to choose from. A produce garden can yield fruits or vegetables for the family. A Japanese zen garden can achieve a level of serenity that you may not find anywhere else in your home. An English cottage-style garden embraces the diversity of plant life and its tendency to grow naturally rather than in perfect lines. Pick a garden theme that matches your vision of what the perfect yard looks like.

Figure Out the Borders

How big do you want your garden to be? Is it in the middle of the yard or near the structure of the house? Is it a perfect rectangle or does it flow with a curved border? Selecting a layout should follow along with your chosen theme, and planning out the borders will give you an idea of how many gardening supplies you need to complete the project.

Raised or Ground Level?

Box gardens are immensely popular right now. If you want a little better protection for your soil and separation from the rest of the yard, then a raised garden bed may be the right solution. However, you can also keep your plants at ground level, though there may be a little more work involved in cultivating healthy soil so that your plants are well-fed with nutrients. Either way, make this decision before you start constructing the garden.

Dig Up the Sod Layer

For most gardens, especially those at ground level, you probably have to remove the sod layer first. This will ensure that the roots of your plants can reach down into the nutrient-rich soil underneath the grass. In many cases, people will use this sod layer to cover bare patches in their yard. However, before you relocate the sod to a new location, be sure to shake it out and crumble it a bit so that some of that healthy soil layer falls back into where your garden will be. 

Invest in Topsoil

To give your plants the best chance of thriving, they will need access to nutrient-rich soil. While the dirt in your yard may be enough to sustain them, it is often a wise idea to add a layer of fresh topsoil from a local garden center in Annville. You do not even have to pick up the soil yourself, as there are topsoil delivery options that can bring this garden necessity right to your property. Everything your plants need to get a head start can be found in high-quality topsoil so do not skip this step.

Add Mulch and Keep Up With Watering

Plants need water and the absence of weeds to thrive. Mulch can accomplish both objectives. This material is popular because of its ability to block most weed growth and retain moisture in the soil to keep plants well-fed. Once you have your plants in, it is important to understand their unique watering needs. Some plants need more moisture than others, so you must understand each plant’s needs to avoid overwatering them or depriving them of enough water. 

Add Landscaping Features

You can spruce up your garden even more with some inventive landscaping. Add a border rock wall around part of your garden. Put in a small bench where you can sit and admire the beauty of the plants. You may want to integrate a shed with your garden to store the various supplies needed to care for your plants. Another option is to add a stone path around the garden for an elevated aesthetic. By complementing the garden with other landscaping features, you can turn your backyard into a beautiful oasis. 

Make Your Annville, PA Backyard a Peaceful Retreat

A garden in your backyard can be incredibly serene. When life gets a little too crazy, you can always sit outside and admire the diverse colors and plant species that are present in your garden. Take a moment to breathe in the fresh air of the outdoors as you admire your work and restore your mental energy.