7 Way To Become A Better Gardener in 2022

Whether you want to become a better gardener, become more eco-friendly, improve your wellbeing or simply grow the healthiest lawn on your street. Let’s kick off 2022 on a high with 7 ways to become a better gardener in 2022.

The thing about time is it never stops moving forward. Yet one thing that never changes year after year is our collective urge to start fresh on January 1st. It’s the day that so many of us decide to get our act together. To reset our minds, reboot our lives and finally set out to achieve those goals we’ve been putting off, especially in the garden.

Perhaps you’ve decided to reduce your carbon footprint and become a more-eco-conscious gardener. To embrace the world of organic gardening, or simply improve your health and wellbeing by getting into your little slice of the great outdoors a little more often this year.

Whatever your goals, however proficient you are at gardening and no matter how much time you can spend on your lawn. You can always make improvements – and to help you out, here are 8 ways you can become a better gardener in 2022.

better gardens for 2022 - joes lawn care

1) Use Less Plastics

You may or may not have noticed but, when it comes to the garden, plastic is used all over the place. There are plastic plant pots, seed trays, watering cans, compost bins and the list goes on. But the worst part is that almost all of these will end up in landfill. That’s where they’ll hangout for the next 500 years as they ignore the rules on decomposing. Luckily, there are a few easy swaps you can make to wave goodbye to plastic in your garden. For example, try choosing biodegradable pots made from natural materials. Such as; bamboo, wood chips, or terracotta instead of plastic ones. And when you’re planting veggies in your patch, swap those classic plastic labels for something more eco-conscious, like slate or wooden lollipop sticks.

2) Get A Rainwater Butt

One of the most important parts of your summer lawn care regimen is correctly watering your lawn. That’s where rainwater can help your pocket and the planet. Simply connect a rainwater butt to the bottom of a downpipe and then collect the rain. Rain we’ll no doubt be enduring all year round water you can then use come the spring. What’s more, the pH levels of rainwater are actually a lot more suitable for your plants and grass than tap water, especially if you live somewhere with hard water.

3) Look After Your Lawn

From mowing to watering, fertilising to dethatching, aerating to overseeding, lawns demand a lot of attention. But a healthy lawn also brings a lot of benefits with it too. A lot. So in 3… 2… 1… Let’s check them out:

A healthy root systems in your lawns actually prevent erosion from wind and water.
Lawns that have been aerated will improve flood control in wet areas and climates.
Lawns with healthy soil levels will help break down any organic chemicals.
Large lawns with 3 to 3½ grass blades will help reduce noise.
Lawns are great at providing natural habitats for lots of different wildlife.
Lawns actually have a cooling effect during periods of warm weather.
And let’s be honest, lawns look so good too.

4) Create A Compost Pile

The benefits of composting are so awesome, if you haven’t started composting already then you need to make this your 2022 priority. Not only is compost completely invaluable to a healthy lawn thanks to the way it speeds up the natural breakdown of nutrients, but it also acts as a nutrient-rich food that will improve your soil structure, boost as well as providing wildlife with much-needed shelter during moisture retention levels and keep your soil’s pH levels on point while also keeping lawn diseases at bay. What’s more, there are some really weird things you can compost, making it a pretty fun game to play.

5) Time To Go Organic

For a long time, gardening and pesticides went hand in hand. But that’s no longer the case. In fact, not only is it easier than ever to go organic with your gardening, but the benefits to going organic make it a no brainer. From making your plants a safe source of food for pollinators to reducing the number of toxic chemicals from seeping into the wider environment, going organic is one of the best gardening resolutions you can stick to this year.

As for keeping pests away in a more organic way, there are some easy gardening hacks that will help you out, like these:

Copper rings: wrap copper rings around your plants to repel slugs
Metal gauze: pop a fine metal gauze over your fruits and veggies to deter flies, caterpillars and birds.
Neem oil: this biodegradable and nontoxic spray is effective against most pests, without being harmful to pets, birds and other wildlife.
Dish soap: Soaps, such as Fairy liquid, are epic at killing moss without harming your lawn.

6) Welcome in More Wildlife

The UK is seeing a pretty sharp decline in a lot of wildlife species, which is why you should seriously consider ways to make your garden a safe space for them to hang out. We’re talking hedgehogs, Sparrows, earthworms, frogs, butterflies, bumblebees and song thrushes to name a few. What’s more, turning your garden into a refuge full of food is a relatively easy task that won’t ruin the aesthetics of your garden. Here’s how to start:

Flower and shrub borders are a great way to provide food for butterflies and bees, while also providing much-needed shelter for birds.
Add honeysuckle climbers to your fences and walls to create a safe space for birds to roost and nest.
Create a pond at the end of your garden for newts, toads and frogs to enjoy year-round.
Woodpiles and compost are great places for bumblebees, worms and other small animals to take shelter.

7) Focus on Your Wellbeing

After the two years we’ve all endured (yeah, we’re looking at you, pandemic), a renewed focus on your mental health and wellbeing should be at the top of your priority list. Luckily, gardening has been proven to have an incredibly positive effect on both your mental and physical health, so try and set aside more time to enjoy your garden and create a happy space for you to escape to. With that in mind, try focussing on these 5 areas:

- Scent: plants that produce a strong scent, such as wisteria and magnolias, are known to improve mental health.

Sensory: Water features and wind chimes both offer a soothing sound and a pretty sight, providing your garden with a soothing soundtrack for you to enjoy.

- Seasonal: By creating a seasonal garden full of flowers and vegetables, as well as a lovely lawn to mow, you’ll find gardening offers you some serious cardiovascular benefits.

Sustainability: The more you can grow, build or produce (rather than buy), the more satisfaction you’ll get out of your garden. Row your own veggies, create your own compost and enjoy the different processes involved in lawn care.

Seating: And last but not least, pop a bench in your favourite spot so that you have a quiet place to go and sit while you take in the beauty of your garden.

Thanks for reading our blog on the 7 ways to become a better gardener in 2022! For more lawn care tips and tricks, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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