A Guide to Recovering Overgrown Garden

2024-12-30

00:00 / 00:00
复读宝 RABC v8.0beta 复读机按钮使用说明
播放/暂停
停止
播放时:倒退3秒/复读时:回退AB段
播放时:快进3秒/复读时:前进AB段
拖动:改变速度/点击:恢复正常速度1.0
拖动改变复读暂停时间
点击:复读最近5秒/拖动:改变复读次数
设置A点
设置B点
取消复读并清除AB点
播放一行
停止播放
后退一行
前进一行
复读一行
复读多行
变速复读一行
变速复读多行
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1
  • What is the best way to repair an overgrown garden?
  • 2
  • Garden expert for the Associated Press Jessica Damiano believes she knows the answer.
  • 3
  • Here are some of her suggestions for making big improvements.
  • 4
  • Planning in the autumn and winter months can help you see something much more beautiful next winter:
  • 5
  • First, take a notebook with you and walk around the garden.
  • 6
  • Look carefully at each part.
  • 7
  • Try to decide which plants can be saved, which to throw away, and which ones require attention.
  • 8
  • Make a list as soon as you can.
  • 9
  • Dead plants, weeds and invasive plants should be first to go.
  • 10
  • If the weather permits, dig them out, removing as much of their root systems as possible.
  • 11
  • Otherwise, wait until spring to do this before planting.
  • 12
  • Next, remove and give away healthy plants that you do not want.
  • 13
  • Online groups and neighborhood web pages are places to find people to receive the plants.
  • 14
  • Many people will even be willing to do the digging if it means getting a free plant.
  • 15
  • If the garden is full of plants, shrubs, trees and vines that have grown wild, you might need to use a chainsaw or heavy machine.
  • 16
  • If there are a lot of weeds or if you want to create new garden beds, you can cover the existing vegetation rather than dig it up.
  • 17
  • Decide the size and shape of the area you want to make into a new bed.
  • 18
  • Cover that area with cardboard or lots of newspaper.
  • 19
  • Put about seven centimeters of compost and five centimeters of mulch on top of it.
  • 20
  • You can start in the autumn and leave it there over the winter until planting time in the spring.
  • 21
  • When it is time to plant, cut holes in the cardboard or paper big enough for the roots of your plants.
  • 22
  • The covering over the ground will keep most weeds from growing.
  • 23
  • Some weeds may break through and require pulling or more cardboard, Damiano said.
  • 24
  • Healthy but overgrown or unproductive deciduous shrubs can be brought back to life by pruning.
  • 25
  • "Deciduous" means that the plants lose their leaves during the winter season.
  • 26
  • The best time to prune many plants is when their branches are bare in late winter.
  • 27
  • Choosing a pruning method will require weighing appearance against the time it will take to recover.
  • 28
  • The fastest and most severe method would be to cut the whole plant down just above ground level.
  • 29
  • Although extreme, many shrubs can deal with this form of pruning and will bounce back stronger.
  • 30
  • If keeping the plant looking normal is important, prune each branch or stem individually at uneven heights.
  • 31
  • It is also possible to cut back one-third of the plant's branches each year for three years.
  • 32
  • That method would have the least severe effect but requires the most patience.
  • 33
  • Evergreen trees and shrubs should only undergo light pruning such as the shortening of individual branches.
  • 34
  • Take care to avoid pruning too much or creating holes in evergreen plants and trees.
  • 35
  • With the exception of yews, they do not regrow from such damage.
  • 36
  • Now that you have taken care of pruning, turn your attention to the soil.
  • 37
  • Test the soil's pH, or its acidity level.
  • 38
  • Do this to make sure the soil is good for the plants you plan to add.
  • 39
  • Test kits are available at local garden stores and online.
  • 40
  • In the United States, a cooperative extension service might provide soil testing and soil-amendment advice for a small cost.
  • 41
  • Cooperative extension services are part of a Department of Agriculture system that includes some universities.
  • 42
  • It aims to help farmers and people interested in plants.
  • 43
  • If the soil is hard, break it up with a machine or hand tools.
  • 44
  • Finally, spread five to seven centimeters of compost over the area.
  • 45
  • As it breaks down, nutrients will work their way into the soil.
  • 46
  • After completing these steps, it will be time to plant your new garden.
  • 47
  • Choose new trees, shrubs or perennials, that will not grow wildly.
  • 48
  • Dig holes as deep as their roots but two times as wide and space them out to their expected full-grown sizes.
  • 49
  • Native plants are good because they need little added water or special care.
  • 50
  • Plant groundcover - short, spreading plants - to cover the ground and keep weeds from growing and the soil from drying out.
  • 51
  • It might take one or two years, but a step-by-step approach will make gardening a joy again.
  • 52
  • And, perhaps best of all, you will see something beautiful when you look outside from your home.
  • 53
  • I'm Jill Robbins.