Looking for gardening ideas to keep you occupied during lockdown 2.0?
As Melbourne enters its second round of COVID-19 lockdowns, it’s likely you’re running out of Netflix series to binge and cupboards to organise. Getting out into the garden is a wonderful and productive cure for boredom. Plus, your hard work will pay off. You’ll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labour – quite literally, too, if you plant an edible garden!
The Everlast Services team has put together a list of gardening ideas to help keep you occupied during these difficult circumstances.
Create an Edible Garden
Are you trying to reduce your trips to the grocery market? Creating an edible garden is the perfect way to do just that. Plus, the satisfaction of growing your very own fruits, vegetables and herbs and then eating them is second to none. And, since you are in control of the entire production process, you can be sure that they’re as healthy and tasty as possible, unlike the produce that you buy from the supermarket that is often treated with chemicals and pesticides.
The trick for success when it comes to planting an edible garden is choosing plants that are suitable for the season, so make sure you do your research before buying seeds or saplings. Additionally, make sure you cater to the needs of each variety that you plant. Some plants prefer sunnier conditions while others will wither if they’re not placed in the shade.
Soil health is also incredibly important. Composting is always a great idea and can help your edible garden exponentially, providing it with the nutrients it needs to grow healthy and strong. Also, make sure there is sufficient draining, otherwise your plants will drown and die, particularly during wetter months.
Add Some Colour
Do you want to brighten up your garden? Why not try planting some bright flowers and plants? Not only will they beautify your garden, a pop of colour is a sure-fire way to boost your spirits, especially during these cold and dark winter months. If you don’t have a lot of space in your garden, you can use decorative planter pots. This also means that you have more flexibility and choice as to where you display your plants, which can be vital for more delicate species with more sensitive temperaments.
Plus, planting bright flowers and plants now will mean that they will be ready to bloom in spring.
Complete Your Gardening Checklist
Almost anyone who spends a lot of time in their garden has a to-do list of annoying chores and tasks that they keep putting off. Whether it be tidying up the shed, doing the weeding, or fixing a broken fence, the longer these tasks are ignored, the longer the list becomes. Lockdown is the perfect time to finally address and complete these menial tasks.
Trust us, once they’re done you’ll be grateful. You’ll get rid of the feeling of guilt that’s been following you around while you procrastinate. Plus, your garden will be ready for you to tackle the bigger, more elaborate projects.
Get the Kids Involved
No one is more prone to suffer from boredom during lockdown than kids, which is why it’s a great idea to get the kids involved in your gardening activities. It’s a wonderful bonding activity that is also a great way to keep your kids healthy and active while they’re stuck at home.
Teaching them basic gardening tasks like weeding and planting will also provide them with great skills for later in life. Plus, gardens are filled with wonderous plants and insects that can provide children with endless hours of entertainment.
Dry Out Flowers to Decorate Your Home
If your garden is already filled with beautiful flowers, chances are at least some of them would look brilliant when dried out and used for decorating your home. You don’t even necessarily have to stick to flowers. Palms and certain tree leaves also look fantastic when dried out and placed in a vase.
Drying out plants is very simple. Grab some cuttings of your favourite flowers or plants, tie the stems together with some twine, and hang them upside down in a dark and dry room. After they’ve been left to dry for a couple of weeks, you can use them for decoration. This can be as simple as arranging them in a vase. Or, you can go the extra mile and create a beautiful dried floral wreath.
Some of the best plants for drying include:
- Lavender
- Baby’s breath
- Eucalyptus
- Globe thistles
- Hydrangeas
Keep in mind that these are just suggestions; the possibilities are endless.
