time-saving gardening tips

[llwr]

I bet a lot of us could really use these!

I have 2 LO's, so it's hard enough just to get out there and get started. Then constant interruptions. I never seem to get past (or even keep up with) weeding. I would love your hints for maximizing efficiency.

[JamieCatheryn]

Mulch saves a lot of weeding and watering. Running a drip line you can leave hooked up would save a lot of time watering.

[bbrandonsmom]

Hi. We used as many native plants as we could and then most of our plants are perennials. This way you don't have to worry about replanting every year. If I get annuals, I usually pot them.
Mulch, mulch, mulch-at least 3 inches. I used to hear that all the time, but it works. Find a landscape place and buy in bulk by the yard-it's much, much cheaper than buying by the bag. The only weeds we get in our beds are stray grasses.
I don't have a drip line yet. When we get our gutters installed, I'm putting 2 rain barrels and attaching soaker hoses to them. For now though, we have mainly drought tolerant plants, and I water using the kids pool water a few times a week. I love to garden though Get the kids involved if you can-my boys love to water with their little buckets.

[Katie T]

Great thread idea!

[lunarlady]

Either go all out with the mulch, or don't do it at all and use a hoop hoe. If you put a thin layer of mulch the weeds will grow anyway and you'll just get frustrated because you won't be able to use a hoe.

Make barrier around your garden. Either a 2'-3' strip where you've mulched and nothing grows, or a small wall, or a fence...something that defines where your garden (and your fight against weeds and grass) ends. It will help save your sanity.

[mumm]

Originally Posted by lunarlady

Either go all out with the mulch, or don't do it at all and use a hoop hoe. If you put a thin layer of mulch the weeds will grow anyway and you'll just get frustrated because you won't be able to use a hoe.

.

This I learned the hard way. I splurged on salt marsh hay but used it too sparingly.

[SuburbanHippie]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what do you do with the mulch after the season is over? Do you scoop it all up to use for the next year or do you just till it all in?

I've been such a lazy bum with my garden this year and the weeds are crazy out of control. I need to get a free day to clear them all out or someone might confuse my garden with a wildlife preserve soon.

[root*children]

Mulch is biodegradable, so will turn to soil. You can just work it right into your garden next season, and put fresh mulch on then. My biggest time saver is that my gardens are right outside my front door, right next to the kids' play area. So, they can play, I can garden. And the garden can't get ignored for any length of time, since I each time I walk outside, I walk by it and can pull a weed or notice areas that need work.

Julie
http://root-children.blogspot.com