Setting Up a Home Garden

Gardening is a very rewarding hobby. Once you decide to set up your own home garden you will have your hands full, landscaping your backyard or the area that you have earmarked as your very own small garden. Evenings, weekends will be the time you spend consulting gardening professionals, landscapers and also putting together all the tools and equipment necessary to build your own space. You may have a picture in your mind of what you should plant and what you need to decorate this garden. I wanted my very own bird bath, and also a garden gnome. Well, I got my bird bath ..... am still looking for a gnome. He should be short gnarly and irritable looking. I havent found him yet!

Some tips for designing home garden

This truly is advise from some one who has designed her back yard and front garden. There is so much advise on the net that one ends up being totally confused. So here is my list :

1. Remove items not in the plan - any item that is not in your plan should be removed. It might be an artistic looking seat or a existing small tree. Trees and shrubs can be sprayed with "Wiltpruf" a day before you move them or transfer them into pots. The local nursery normally should have stock of "Wiltpruf", check with them.

2. Get the tools required - Make a list of the tools you need, collect them and have them readily available. If your tools need oil or need to be sharpened, get that done before you use them. I had a really bad time trying to saw branches with a cutter with a blunt edge. It is much smarter to rent equipment that is really expensive, rather than wasting money buying them.

3. First Aid - Words from the experienced .... keep some band aid and antiseptic cream within ready reach. It is a life-saver!

4. Store gardening materials in proper place - Gardening materials such as block or plants can be got from nearby store. If home delivery of materials is done by your supplier, ensure that you have space to store them. It the stuff is heavy, try and arrange a delivery boy to carry it in.If you plan on carting the stuff yourself, be careful and don't throw your back. Put most of the weight on your legs and avoid using your back.

5. Take photographs at various stages - keep a record of what you have done and how it was done. This really helps in planning. It is also wonderful to see pictures of our garden developing in stages. I have done this with my bonsais, and my orange tree bonsai is now bearing fruit. I feel so proud of my achievement.