Gardening 101 - Expert tips for beginners

Gardening helps to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It is also said to increase life satisfaction and improves the quality of life. Gardening is a great activity which can involve the whole family getting their hands dirty. If you lack those green fingers but want to make your garden flourish, here are a few great tips. 

The right spot counts
The spot you choose is vital as it determines the type of garden you can grow.  If you plan on growing your own vegetables bear in mind that most vegetables need six to eight hours of sunlight each day to grow well. However, leafy vegetables such as lettuce require much less sunlight - about four hours per day. For a first time gardener, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and herbs such as basil are good starter choices.

Plant in healthy soil
Ensure that the soil is right and healthy for your flowers or vegetables. You can start by adding compost or aged manure to your soil, water, and then cover in a natural mulch. Mulch is a layer of material which is applied to the surface of the soil. It helps keep the soil moist, improves fertility and the health of the soil. Mulch further reduces weed growth and enhances the visual appeal of the garden. 

Get the right tools
Your preference for gardening tools depends on the type of garden you are going for.  For instance, for an in-ground plot, you may need a tiller or a hoe, yet for a raised-bed garden, you may require a rake. A good pair of garden gloves and shoes are also quite handy when gardening. Other tools include; a hand trowel, pruning shears, digging shovel, spade, hose with spray nozzles, or a weeder. 

Plant and tend to your garden
Once you have decided on what vegetables or flowers you want in your garden, plant the seeds and tend to them. Remember, most vegetables need plenty of water and in summer you will need to water more often than in other seasons. Aside from regular watering, do not forget to remove any weeds that may spring up.

Tertia Steyn, Property Practitioner at Hermanus Property Sales, highlights the popular flowers and trees that homeowners in Hermanus enjoy having in their gardens; "Homeowners in Hermanus like to see green when looking through a window rather than onto a hard concrete wall. You could plant Trachelospermum jasminoides - Star Jasmine - to soften a boundary wall or Trachelospermum jasminoides. If a house is used as a second home, then an evergreen low maintenance garden would be preferred by prospective buyers. If you do want to have flowers, then consider indigenous flowers as it is more water-wise."

The following indigenous trees are good options for Hermanus:
    - Harpephyllum caffrum
    - Olive frantoio - open root trees
    - Platanus acerifolia
    - Syzygium guineense
    - Lemon Eureka
    - Celtis africana

Steyn discusses how a home's garden can attract potential buyers in Hermanus, "Buyers prefer well-groomed, indigenous and low maintenance gardens when looking for a property. Staging your outside entertainment area in such a way that prospective buyers can see themselves in the space with their family and loved ones, is what you want to achieve. Clients are generally not interested to do a complete make-over of a garden. That is why it is a good idea to ensure that your garden is in mint condition before going to the market."

"If there are gravel or paved blocks around your house, make sure it is weed-free. Remove any dead plants or unsightly objects around the house. The cleaner the lines and neater space, the better chance you have to attract buyers." she further advises. 

If you are in the market for a home with a blossoming garden contact Hermanus Property Sales today and we will help you find the perfect property.