Planting and Maintaining Your Edible Landscape
[Edible landscapes] are fun, challenging, and as unique as each individual who owns them. When you are designing your edible landscape, you will be using your creativity and planning skills. When the time comes to do the planting, you will likely be putting in a great amount of physical effort, and that will continue as you maintain your new, beautiful space. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your edible landscaping experience.
Keep Your Design in Mind
As you begin to plant your edible garden, keep your original design at the forefront of your mind. It may be tempting to take shortcuts when you are weary from all the back-breaking physical labor, but you will thank yourself afterwards if you decide against skipping essentials. Keep a small sketch of your plans in front of you to inspire you and help motivate you as you work in your new garden area.
You could even enlist the help of a company that creates a plan with your edible landscape design in mind. They take into consideration the area you are planning to use with artistic design. Small, medium or large they can handle it all and create an edible garden that will work for you and your family.
Be Flexible with Plans
Although you should generally stick to plans, there is the occasional moment when you need to be flexible. If something is just not working, know when to change things. That is fine as long as you take the time to make sure it will align with everything else planned.
Be Consistent
When your edible landscape is finally ready, consistency is the key. Your routines will keep it in good working order, and allow it to thrive. Within reason, keep your edible landscaping maintenance high on your priority list. Have a certain time set aside to water your plants and check on each of them. This will benefit you and ensure that your paradise does not wither away.
Enlist Some Help
An edible landscape is a lot of work, and is preferably not done alone. Enlist the help of each family member. Perhaps each one could be responsible for a certain portion of the garden, or certain plants within the landscape.
Even if you live alone, find out if anyone you know would be willing to come by and help you out every now and then. Many people would be more than happy to do so, especially if you are bartering their time for some of your delicious, fresh produce. Offer each person who assists you a small basket of fruits, vegetables, herbs or flowers each time they come over and it will keep them motivated.
Deal with Issues Immediately
If something goes wrong with your edible landscape, deal with the problem immediately. Never leave issues, even minor ones, as they can spread and become major within a small period of time. Plant diseases, bugs, and other pests can quickly become an overwhelming problem. Keep your landscape well maintained and healthy in order to reap its full benefits, and to make it last for a lifetime.
Planting and maintaining your edible landscape is a lot of work, but with it comes great rewards. A little effort goes a long way, and an edible landscape is certainly worth all the time and effort that you put into it. Sticking to your design helps you keep everything in order, and consistently caring for it afterward ensures that you will have it around for many years to come.
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