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Gardening is a lovely way to get your hands dirty, enjoy nature and create something beautiful. But it can also take a lot of time and energy to keep your garden looking great. The weeding, watering, pruning and pest control can all add up to an expensive hobby that may not be suitable for busy lifestyles. The good news is that there are a few simple changes that can save you a lot of time and help you to make the most of your garden.

Mulching

Spreading a thick mulch over your beds and borders will stop weeds in their tracks, saving hours of weeding and it will also prevent the soil from drying out. Use a loose mulch such as cocoa shells, compost or grass clippings which will help to nourish the soil and be easy to work with or a thicker mulch such as bark chippings or gravel that is more long-lasting. Mulches should be applied annually and the best time to do this is in late spring or early summer when weeds are not yet well established.

Start Small

If you’re new to gardening start with a …

The ice plant, also called swamp mallow or trailing hibiscus, blooms year-round and is very drought tolerant. It is also heat and cold tolerant.

Although it will self-sow, propagation from cuttings is easier. Use a sharp, sanitized pair of shears to take a stem cutting and place it in potting soil with rooting hormone.

Watering

If a plant is described as ‘hardy perennial’ it should be able to stand up to average low winter temperatures and come back every year with blooms. These tough-as-nails plants will thrive in most climates, putting up with drought and poor soil, and coming back to surprise you with their beauty year after year.

A hardiness zone map, developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), classifies a plant by the minimum average winter temperature it can withstand. The zones are based on the average annual minimum winter temperature divided into 10 degrees Fahrenheit increments.

Most plants that have been bred as cultivars are hardier than their wild counterparts. The hardiness of a plant is also dependent on the location where it grows and how well the soil drains. A pot, for example, will …

Starting a flower garden is one of the most rewarding garden activities you can do. Whether it’s in the form of a window box a raised bed or a whole new garden area flower gardening adds vibrant color and beauty to any landscape. Before you plant anything, however, you need to prepare the soil. This is where the “make your bed” saying comes in handy its important to do this well to ensure success.

Walk around your yard and decide on the best spot for your new flower garden. Make sure the area gets plenty of sunlight, as this is key to successful blooming. If there are any plants already growing in the location, decide if they will stay or go. If they are too low-growing and will be hidden behind the flowers, they may be better suited for another location in your yard.

Once you have a good spot picked out, observe the sun’s movement throughout the day to determine how much sunlight the area receives. A full-sun location is ideal, but if your yard only receives partial sunlight, you can still create a flower garden as long as …