Garden Splendor Without Weeding

It’s possible to have both a glorious well-maintained garden and time for fun in the sun by taking some smart gardening steps now.

• A hot, dry, exposed setting is brutal on most plant selections. To alter the heat-and-light dynamic, introduce a small shade tree to serve as the anchor of a new easy-care landscape bed. Add a supporting cast of drought-tolerant shrubs and perennials.

• Covering garden beds with a 3-inch layer of mulch will greatly reduce the need to weed and water, while making everything look tidy, too. Top off mulch with a sprinkling of a pre-emergent such as Preen to stop weed seeds from growing in mulch and garden soil for up to three or four months. For a one-step solution that creates a six month weed-fighting barrier, try Preen Mulch Plus, a natural shredded-wood mulch with added pre-emergent weed preventers already mixed in.

• Sharply-defined edges around garden beds add visual appeal to any property. Dig a shallow 8-inch wide trench surrounding garden beds, then cover it with 3 inches of mulch; or install a barrier-style perimeter edging of metal, stone, rubber or wood.

This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.