By Amelia Robinson
Homeowners will attest to the fact that outdoor plants improve the overall outlook of their home, adding a natural feel that you cannot get from a good paint job or a perfectly erected picket fence. If you are a tad apprehensive about engaging in outdoor gardening, you are in good company. In this article, we discuss the benefits associated with outdoor plants and how you can maintain them.
Advantages of outdoor plants
Beautifying your home
Depending on the space available, planters can decide to grow outdoor plants either in the front yard, the back yard or preferably on both sides. Having lush greenery on either side of your home creates a serene environment that gives life to the home. If you live in an open plan neighborhood, your front garden is bound to attract admiration from neighbors.
Purify the air
Outdoor plants have the capability to clean the air by absorbing toxic elements in the air and converting them to valuable nutrients to aid the plants’ growth. Sitting in the garden with a freshly brewed pot of tea will kick off your day on a high note.
Increase energy levels
According to scientific research, the presence of plants increases our energy levels making us feel alive and ready to take on the day’s tasks. If you are feeling a little blue, take a break and interact with plants in your garden. Spending quality time in nature improves your vitality and uplifts your mood, which in turn boosts your overall mental health
Faster learning for children
Outdoor plants present an opportunity for children to continue learning beyond the classroom. Encourage your kids to spend more time in the garden by assigning them simple chores such as watering, weeding, and harvesting. Scientists infer that constant interaction will expand their knowledge on plants and also aid in learning other subjects in the coursework.
How do I choose the right plants?
The choice of outdoor plants largely depends on the purpose. Planters have a choice between trees, flowers, shrubs, vegetables, herbs and even fruits. If you wish to beautify your front or back yard, you may want to select flowers or trees that are known for their aesthetic value. Homeowners will often go for perennial plants to give their garden a consistent look throughout the year.
Perennial plants grow in the spring and summer then die in the colder months only to spring back in full bloom the following spring. On the other hand, if you are up for a little adventure, try growing annual plants. These plants have a life cycle of one season, which allows you to change things up by planting different plants in the next season.
Maintaining outdoor plants
As you can imagine, outdoor plants require constant attention throughout their life cycle. Plants need watering, weeding and treating diseases. Make a habit of inspecting the garden inspecting each plant to see how they are fairing. Regular site visits will help you notice problems early enough so you can mitigate them.
Unwanted outdoor plants
As seen above, outdoor plants can transform the outlook of your yard within one season and leave you with a generous harvest of vegetables and fruits. However, some outdoor plants like duckweed counteract your efforts to spruce up your backyard. Duckweed is an aquatic flowering plant that floats on still water.
We are not referring to the pools of water that accumulate after the afternoon rain, no. An abandoned fish pond in your back yard is the ideal environment for duckweed to thrive. If the previous occupants had installed a fish pond, you might have contemplated adopting this hobby but never got around to doing it. The result? An abandoned fish pond covered with duckweed!
You are probably wondering how to remove duckweed and restore your beautiful pond. Well, you are in good company. Start by removing weed from the bottom of the lake then cover your pond to prevent leaves from falling in the water. Next step, you need to trim the bush and excess greenery around the pond using a brush cutter. Ask for advice on how to choose the best brush cutter at your local garden store.
Conclusion
Enhancing the beauty of your home involves taking care of the entire yard, not just some portions of it. Before planting outdoor plants, first, determine how much space is available for gardening and other activities.
While maintaining your outdoor plants is important, extend this service to other aspects of your yard such as the pond area. If the pond is not in use, cover it with a tarp to stop the entry of leaves that will encourage the growth of duckweed. Remember to invest in the right equipment for maintenance such as brush cutters.