This stems from the sheer amount of work that seems to be required for the project. After you’ve done your research, bought your supplies and slaved on your hands and knees for hours hunched over a garden bed, only to cross your fingers and hope that something actually grows, is it worth it?
The pride you would feel serving your family and friends food you grew in your backyard and the money you save avoiding spending five dollars on a capsicum would surely negate the back pain. Growing your own vegetables can absolutely be worth it if you know how to get maximum results with minimum effort. These tips are for the beginner gardener who doesn’t know where to start or the lazy gardener who can’t be bothered with all the admin that comes with maintaining a vegetable garden.
Introduction to Lazy Gardening
Tip 1: Start small
This seems like the most obvious concept, and yet it is so easy to let simplicity get away from us. When starting a new project, it’s easy to get overly excited and overestimate how much time and effort you’re actually willing to dedicate. Consider your capabilities and make a manageable plan, even if that is a grow bag by the back door or a small planter box in a sunny corner of the backyard.
Tip 2: Start with a quality foundation
Laziness loves low maintenance. If you start with a solid foundation, meaning good quality soil, your plants are more likely to thrive without intervention. It’s recommended that the mix be 50/50 organic soil and compost mix to ensure your plants receive the nutrients they need. A slow-release fertiliser can be supplemented if you think the extra boost is needed.
Tip 3: Consider a raised bed
A raised garden bed is a lazy gardener’s best friend. Your garden will be much easier to tend to if it is off the ground, reducing your need to kneel on the ground and compromise your back. You’ll be more likely to pop out and pull weeds if the physical demands are minimised.
Tip 4: Choose your vege carefully
Plant things that don’t need to be pampered or have special requirements. The best options are heat-tolerant vegetables that can withstand the fluctuation of temperature changes. Zucchinis are a great option for low-maintenance growing; they grow quickly and are incredibly versatile to cook with, meaning they won’t go to waste.
Tip 5: Equip yourself
Set yourself up for easy work by knowing what tools you’ll actually need and what will end up collecting dust in the shed. The experts suggest the bare minimum you will need to start are:
· Gloves
· Trowel
· Pruning shears
· Spade
· Hose or watering can
Don’t let clever marketing trick you into spending hundreds of dollars on a state-of-the-art wheelbarrow if you’re only working with a small vege patch or raised garden bed; chances are you won’t need it.
Enjoy Your Low Maintenance Garden
Gardening can be a relaxing and extremely rewarding hobby for some; for others, it feels like a chore, but it doesn’t have to be. Follow these tips to enjoy a beautiful, productive garden without the hassle of high-maintenance gardening. By simplifying the task, you can be serving up delicious produce this summer with minimal effort!