The Star: October 25, 2018

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The Star Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Thursday October 25 2018 21
Gardening
Tips to smarten outdoors before Xmas
WITH THE warmer weather
comes the ever knowing
awareness and understanding
that Christmas is really not that
far away. Turn the corner and we
are almost there.
Wise are those who plan and
work in advance.
Unfortunately, most of us wait
until the last minute to work on
our gardens, just before the big
day arrives.
Often we find the task either
too big or too difficult, hence
a lot of us leave it incomplete
or even worse, don’t start at all.
Well, here are some simple tips
to improve your outdoor living
areas.
You can always let the cobwebs
inside take care of themselves, at
least they catch flies.
1: If your garden is too much
to handle then simplify it. Look
at what plants you have. Your
likes and dislikes. Too big or
too small? Leaf droppers or
sun blockers? The list goes on.
Ascertain what has to go and
get rid of them. You may be
surprised at how simple things
make a big difference.
2: Remember, often less is best.
At this stage you may need to
seek some professional advice
to help keep in mind the picture
COLOUR: Paint timber fences and gates, this will give a fresh look. Consider building raised gardens, they will add a point
of interest as well as being practical for growing greens.
you want to create.
sleepers. Besides adding a point
3: If your garden and plant of interest, you have the added
maintenance is high and you’re benefits of a well drained garden
finding it hard to cope, then that is easier to maintain. You
weed out the problem. For may even consider split level
example, it just maybe time gardens which will add an
to realise that the roses are no aesthetic value to your piece of
longer suitable. Remember you paradise.
can always substitute them with 5: Consider plants that either
an alternative plant.
give off scent or produce food.
4: Consider building raised This is an increasingly popular
gardens with timber or garden trend, with the benefits of
producing organic fruit and
vegetables being both healthy for
the body, good for the soul and
satisfying for the pocket.
6: Make your garden as
maintenance-free as possible.
Consider alternatives to bark
and mulch using non-organic
product such as decorative
stone and using a quality nonwoven
weed matt for weed control.
7: Consider painting or
staining timber fences,
retaining walls and other
wooden structures. This
will give a fresh look and can
be colour co-ordinated to
enhance your overall look and
design.
8: If the task is too much or
you need some advice call your
professional landscaper for help.
There may be things you haven’t
considered.
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