The definition for a cottage garden can differ, but it usually includes elements of informal design, traditional materials, dense plantings, and a combination of ornamental and edible plants. Maintaining a cottage garden can be hard and costly even for the most budding of gardeners, however, there are many ways in which you can maintain your cottage garden in a cost-effective and low maintenance manner.
Investing in good soil
Using a rich, organic soil type means that minimum watering and fertilising will be needed. Whilst a good soil may be more expensive to start with, it can cut costs and make the work easier in the long run. Doing a soil test will identify which type of soil you have. Mulching will also help to maintain levels of moisture within the soil and will give your cottage garden a neater look.
Plant positioning
Plant positioning is important for any garden, but it is especially important in a cottage garden. Plants placed and grown in more ideal growing conditions and positions will grow into much healthier plants and will need less general upkeep. If you work out the ideal growing conditions before you start planting your garden, you should be able to successfully position your plants easily.
Plant long-lasting annuals
An annual is a plant that completes its life cycle in a single growing season. At the end of the season, the dormant seed will usually survive and reproduce for the next season. Planting annuals in your cottage garden means that you should not have to keep replanting the same plants over and over again each year and they are fairly low maintenance because of this. Most annuals do not need much upkeep once planted and some will even reseed themselves so that you do not have to do it.
Maintaining the correct equipment
Having good quality equipment to work on your cottage garden (or any garden) is a must. Using good quality tools and products will ensure that your garden will thrive and less maintenance will have to be put into the garden. At Redblade Mowers, our sales and repair team are available to provide the best information on which equipment you should purchase to be able to maintain your cottage garden in an effective manner. Browse our store and order online or contact us on 01704 821 338 for more advice.
