If you have just taken possession of your very first home, you have come to the right place, as we take an in-depth look at gardening, which is part and parcel of property ownership. If you have never picked up a gardening tool, it might seem a bit daunting, especially if your garden is large.
Essential gardening equipment
Some Australian homeowners prefer lawn mower hire rather than investing in a machine, which has many benefits, plus you should acquire the following tools:
- Spade, shovel, garden fork.
- Grass clippers – strimmer.
- Pruning shears – handsaw.
Hiring a mower means zero maintenance and these complex machines do go wrong; with a rental mower, you know the mower is ready to work. More and more Aussie homeowners prefer mower rental, which means they can see that old grass-cutting machine and reclaim that shed space. Most homeowners gradually accumulate tools for gardening and store them in a secure shed.
Tree care
Large trees need constant attention, looking for signs of disease; remove all deadwood and if the pruning is too much, ask a local arborist to take a look. Sometimes mature trees compromise telecom cables and need to be pruned back; as a last resort, a large tree could be removed section by section, which can be a dangerous operation. Here are a few tips to boost your home’s curb appeal. If you would like your trees to be examined, a local tree surgeon can do that and you will receive a detailed written report.
Flowers & shrubs
Most gardens have a mixture of flowers and shrubs that require fertiliser and a little pruning; evergreens are a favourite, as there are no leaves shed and that keeps the garden looking tidy. Small conifers make for ideal screening and can be shaped to look like a natural fence/hedge.
Weeding
Weeds grow anywhere there is soil; one way to eliminate this is to spread a few inches of woodchips all over the borders; you can find woodchips at your nearest garden centre, which is cheap. Weeding takes time and should be a weekly thing; don’t leave it too long because weeds can quickly take over and then you’ll have to call in a local garden maintenance contractor.
Green waste
If you choose a far corner of the garden, you can make a compost heap that will feed your garden, maybe grow some vegetables, if you are so inclined. The Internet hosts a wealth of resources on gardening and Google is your best friend.
Gardening is seasonal
There are times for planting and times for pruning, a lot depends on the species; winter requires less maintenance, as most living things go dormant for a few months; grass grows slower and only needs a cut once a month. Make sure you water the lawn, flowers and shrubs and you can rent a wide range of gardening tools like a mower, hedge trimmer, strimmer and chainsaw.
If you are planning to build a deck, you can rent a mini-excavator to dig out the foundations and you can buy composite decking which doesn’t need maintenance. The summer is the time to make the best use of outdoor living space and if you like to entertain friends, arrange a few parties and don’t forget to invite the neighbours.
Gardening can be a very rewarding pastime, as you shape the space and add improvements periodically and we hope this short article helps you get to grips with your outdoor living space.
