Garden tips to maintain healthy plants

If your garden has seen better days, it's not too late to turn it around. Here are some gardening tips to get a healthy garden in shape.

Healthy gardens are not a matter of luck. They result from dedication and hard work: staying on top of what needs doing is the best way to keep your garden healthy. Of course, if you enjoy working in your garden you are more likely to put in the effort required to keep it in good condition, so the biggest tip for a healthy garden is: enjoy yourself!

Tend to your soil - A well-maintained soil will ensure healthy plants, whether they are native or indigenous, exotics, vegetables, herbs or fruit. When dug into the soil, organic matter such as compost and mulch will add nutrients, aerate it and increase its water-holding capacity. It will also encourage beneficial organisms like worms, microbes and insects.

Plan your planting - Different types of plants require different growing conditions. Some like sun, some like shade, and all require varying amounts of water. One of the best garden tips for beginners is to do some research or chat to your local nursery to find out what is best suited to the conditions in your garden. That way, you'll ensure better survival rates in the garden! 

Be water wise - Water-smart gardening is essential in many Australian gardens. Remember that all plants - even the most drought-tolerant ones - need a certain amount of water to become established. And it's not only native plants that survive well on little water; a number of exotics from drier regions of the world are also drought tolerant. For nearly all plants, letting the water penetrate right down to the root system works better than a light sprinkle on the leaves. Giving plants a deep soak less often will create a healthier garden than frequent light watering.

Keep the moisture in - To get the full benefit of deep watering in your garden, use mulch around the base of plants to keep the soil as moist as possible. By using mulch, you'll reduce the evaporation of water from the soil, keep it cool and add vital nutrients to the garden as it breaks down.

Regular maintenance - In the end, the health of your garden rests on your shoulders. Make sure you regularly tend to your outdoor oasis and stick to a schedule of watering, weeding and pruning. Your efforts will be rewarded with a gorgeous and healthy garden to enjoy right through the year.

For more gardening tips to keep your garden healthy (and supplies to help you do it), find a nursery in your area: