My beautiful new garden: The six key steps for laying a new one
Whether you’ve just built a house or have bought and renovated an older property, there’ll be plenty for you to do outside as well: If the garden is to become a well-tended retreat for the whole family, a few important things need to be considered when laying a new one. Patrick Pflegler, Category Manager Garden at Einhell Germany AG, the leading supplier of cordless DIY and garden tools, knows what he’s talking about.
Planning and preparation
If a newly planted garden is to become a little haven for you, a few things need to be considered in advance. The first step to the new garden begins with a detailed plan. Depending on how big it is, there are many different options for creating a unique design. “It’s important right from the off to be realistic about your own time constraints and physical capacities if the work is to be enjoyable and rapid progress is to be seen,” says Patrick Pflegler, Category Manager Garden at Einhell Germany AG. Alongside the size of the plot, of course, the financial budget will also play a critical role. One of the key aspects is your personal preferences, from the choice of plants through the arrangement of beds and paths to ponds and hedges. What has to be done and what can be done has to be worked out in advance and tailored to the costs of plants, materials, tools, and any professional help. The plans must also take into account official requirements such as approvals for the construction of patios, pergolas, summer houses or swimming pools as well as tree protection ordinances, regulations on water use, and distances from neighboring properties. The needs of insects and animals in the garden also have to be kept in mind, the focus here being on flowering perennials that attract bees and butterflies, along with small habitats for birds and other animals.
Einhell’s special tip: Factors such as sunshine, protection from the wind and the desired level of privacy must also be considered in advance. So too must the issue of sustainability, which includes, for instance, the use of eco-friendly methods such as composting and water conservation.
Prepare and improve the soil
Depending on the conditions prevailing in the garden of a new home or the state of the old garden plot, the soil is the most important foundation for the design and development of the future garden. “Ideally you should start with the less creative activities, like getting rid of weeds, stones and old bits of grass. The next thing to do is loosen up the soil. To improve it, you can add compost or organic materials and spread fertilizer according to the requirements of the plants you want to put in,” the Einhell garden expert recommends. “It’s important to proceed very carefully here, because over-fertilization can be harmful.”
Einhell’s special tip: A soil sample can be taken to determine the precise nutrient requirements of the soil. Soil samples should be analyzed for their nutrient content and pH value in order to ascertain whether certain other nutrients need to be added.
Round the lawn
Generally a well-maintained lawn is the centerpiece of any garden. Once the decision has been taken that a large portion of the garden is to be laid to grass alongside ground cover such as stones, gravel or mulch, there is still the matter of whether to go for turf rolls or sow the seeds yourself. If you choose turf rolls, they should be consolidated with a lawn roller after being laid. “Anyone sowing the lawn themselves should select the type of lawn based on their own needs, the local conditions, and the climate. That means considering, for instance, whether it is to be an ornamental lawn, a sports lawn or a shady lawn,” Pflegler advises. Sow the grass seed into the previously loosened soil and, ideally, press it in with a lawn roller.
Einhell’s special tip: During the germination phase, which is the first few weeks after sowing, the soil should be kept evenly moist to encourage growth. Avoid stepping on the lawn for this period. Do not mow the grass until it has reached a reasonable height, normally five to eight centimeters for most types of grass.
Select and place plants
If you want to transform your own garden into a colorful paradise, along with your favorite ones you should concentrate on plants that are appropriate to the climate and location. “Two things are important for successful growth,” says the Einhell garden expert. “Firstly, you have to make sure that the plants are arranged in places where they get the light and water they need. Secondly, you must also consider the care requirements, growth patterns, and height of the plants.”
Einhell’s special tip:Mulching the soil around the plants will help to store moisture and reduce the growth of weeds. We recommend organic mulching materials such as shredded bark or straw to improve the soil and enhance the appearance of the garden.
Organize watering
Plants and lawns are particularly thirsty in the summer months especially. An irrigation system isn’t necessarily the only way to meet this need, however. There are also more sustainable methods, as Einhell garden expert Patrick Pflegler reveals: “Anyone wanting to keep their lawn consistently healthy through watering can choose the environmentally-friendly option of collecting rainwater in a cistern or rain barrel.” Both should be dimensioned according to the needs and size of the garden and the average rainfall in the region. Overflow protection is important in order to ensure that the cistern or rain barrel does not overflow in heavy rain. This can be provided by fitting an overflow pipe or float valve.
Einhell’s special tip: If the rainwater is led from the roof into the cistern or rain barrel, it is essential to ensure that the roof itself is clean and the gutters are clear. To prevent contamination such as leaves, dirt or insects getting into the collected rainwater, it makes sense to have a rain barrel with a closable lid and to install a fine-mesh filter or a net.
Keep going: Care and maintenance
There is no way around regular maintenance if you want your green oasis to provide lasting enjoyment. In addition to regular watering and weeding, that includes mowing the grass, fertilizing, and repeatedly pruning the plants in the spring and fall. “Healthy soil especially is the basis for a thriving garden,” the Einhell garden expert knows. His recommendation: “Look after your soil through regular fertilization, raking, aeration, and mulching to improve the soil structure and reduce competition from weeds.”
Einhell’s special tip: Plants can fall victim to disease and pests every now and then, which is why it’s important to check your plants from time to time so that you can spot and deal with an attack in good time. If you are unsure about the right treatment, ask a gardener you trust for the best way to proceed.
About Einhell Germany AG
Einhell is a leading manufacturer of state-of-the-art tools and devices for the house and garden and will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2024. From its headquarters in Landau/Isar (Bavaria), the internationally successful company has continuously expanded its innovative rechargeable battery platform Power X-Change and is now the market leader in the area of cordless tools and garden devices. For many years Einhell has set new standards in terms of endurance, performance, and safety. Einhell customers appreciate the freedom of cordless operation for all their DIY projects, as well as the excellent value for money that Einhell products represent and the first-class customer service offered by the company.