Introduction
You don’t need to spend hours every week to get more from your garden. By making small, focused improvements, you can increase productivity, encourage wildlife, and reduce maintenance.
1. Companion Planting and Layering
Plant complementary species together — such as flowers that attract pollinators near fruiting plants. Layering (trees, shrubs, groundcover) maximises space and reduces weeds.
2. Focus on Perennials
Perennials provide multiple years of produce or beauty without replanting. Examples include berries, herbs, and hardy vegetables. They save time and effort while giving reliable returns.
3. Choose Low-Maintenance Edibles
Plants like herbs, kale, or bush beans are easy to grow and productive. Select varieties suited to your conditions to minimise care and maximise harvest.
4. Improve Soil With Minimal Labour
Adding compost, leaf litter, or mulch gradually improves soil health. Healthy soil supports stronger plants, reduces disease, and requires less watering.
5. Plan for Resilience
Think long-term: plant drought-tolerant species in dry areas, use hardy shrubs for borders, and consider raised beds or mulched zones. Small design decisions now reduce effort later.
Conclusion
Small, considered actions can deliver big results. To discover the most effective changes for your garden, a Garden Review gives personalised recommendations that save time, money, and effort.