New Gardening Customers Are Buying Garden Products That Make Gardening Easier
As Covid-19 restrictions ease, garden products that help with gardening are selling well. According to online e-commerce analytics the home and garden industry sales are trending upwards.
A new generation of active super agers is entering the gardening fold. They're keen on raised garden pods that do not require bends or ergonomically designed tools.
Planting
They are enthusiastic but have no knowledge. They also have different requirements that the typical IGC client. Provide plants that are easy to care for, like succulents and other species that can withstand drought. Katie Rotella, Ball Horticultural recommends that you clearly label them and display them. She anticipates a lot of customers to consult staff for suggestions on plants. They may also look to online videos such as YouTube or TikTok for more information and ideas.
Food gardens are a popular starting point for this group she says. They give consumers a sense of control over their health and wellbeing with fresh produce. They may also be able to branch out to ornamentals as their gardening skills improve.
As the generation that is currently living in retirement, they will need to rethink their gardening strategies keeping the environment in mind. It is essential to employ conservation techniques like water-wise irrigation and rain barrels to reduce carbon footprints as well as conserve water. These practices will also help in tackling climate change, says landscape designer Chloe Watts MSGD. She is seeing a move towards dry gravel, naturalistic landscaping compositions that are designed with the soil site, climate and the soil in mind.
Watering
New plants are particularly susceptible to excessive watering, which can cause root rot. It is recommended to water the soil near the base of the plant, rather than permitting it to flow off the surface. It is recommended to water every week twice during the first three weeks.
After the initial irrigation, the amount of watering between can be adjusted based on the weather conditions and the soil type. For instance, porous soils absorb moisture well and do not need as much watering. Conversely, sandy soils need frequent watering to penetrate and hydrate the roots. The early morning watering helps because it allows the foliage to dry out before nightfall, and discourages foliar disease.
Another consideration is the location of the garden. The garden must be level so that it is easy to get rid of weeds and prepare the beds for planting. Sloping gardens require more labor to level and are generally more difficult to maintain.
In addition to laying out the garden bed, removing the weeds, and making the soil, it is essential for gardeners who are new to the sport to choose a spot that is close to the source of water. This will help save time and money since you won't have to carry water to the garden.
The next step is to select the best plant for the area. The area of the garden will influence the type of plants that are selected. But, if specific features like patios or decks are planned to be part of the design, this will also impact the selection of plants.
Many gardeners who are new find their way into gardening by starting with vegetable plants, gaining success in this area and then extending their knowledge to ornamental plants later. This can be an excellent opportunity to become familiar with the care and maintenance of plants and to gain confidence and a sense of achievement in the garden.
Sustainable practices are an increasingly important consideration for gardeners who are new. This includes using native plants and including conservation management practices such as rain barrels, integrated pest management and xeriscaping into the design. These strategies tackle climate change-related issues while increasing the diversity of the landscape and creating stunning garden retreats.
Pruning
As your garden grows, you might discover that your garden is excessively crowded or ugly. This can be corrected through pruning, a standard practice in horticulture. Pruning is the process of removing diseased, damaged, overgrown or overcrowded limbs from the plants with crowns made of wood. Pruning also improves the plant's aesthetic qualities and helps in its growth and health.
Regular pruning helps help reduce pests, boost the health of plants and increases their vigor, improves overall plant appearance, and maintains property value. Pruning should be performed at the appropriate time to ensure proper plant development and avoid injury. The best time to prune is in the spring and late winter before plant growth begins However, the recommended times for specific plants vary.
It is important to select the right pair of pruners for every gardener. We recommend the Felco F-2 Classic Manual Hand Pruners because they are sturdy and durable, yet still lightweight for easy use. They are backed by a lifetime warranty and a great price.
To avoid the spread of pathogens, it is important to keep your tools clean. We recommend spraying or wiping off your shears and blades regularly after every cut to avoid spreading disease from one plant to the next. This will help your garden stay healthy and prevent the spread of disease to other plants or trees on your property.
Another method to ensure that your new garden is to make sure that the soil is rich in nutrients. A soil test is the most effective way to do this. You can perform this at home with a simple kit or purchase a professional soil analysis through your local cooperative extension office. Soil tests can be used to determine the pH level of your soil. this information is useful when amending the area with organic compost, fertilizer, or worm castings.
In addition to soil health, making sure that your plants get plenty of sunlight is crucial to their success. If your plants are too close together or are shaded by bigger plants, they won't grow as well. They could even die due to a lack of sunlight. If you plan to water your plants, make sure that the garden is near a source of water.