April 18 , 2024 The Beacon • 17

Whether you have a large yard or your outdoor space is a little smaller , there are plenty of ideas you can incorporate to make your backyard a source of enjoyment and relaxation , from seating areas to flower beds or a vegetable garden .

Spring is a great time to plant vegetables in your garden after the cold winter months . Start sowing seeds , planting bulbs and getting root vegetables in the ground . The best vegetables to plant in the spring are ones that can survive light frosts , warm sunny days and cool nights . If you plant vegetables at the right time , your spring garden could produce lettuce , kale , carrots , peas and radishes by early summer .

Native plants are most likely to survive in your climate . They ’ re also the best option if you don ’ t have a green thumb . If you incorporate native plants into your backyard landscape idea from the start , they ’ ll be much easier to maintain over time .

There is a no-dig gardening method to prepare your soil for planting called no-till gardening . It is an easy way

to create and maintain your beds , without the manual labor that comes with turning or tilling the soil .

Use this technique to create a new garden area or to improve an existing one . It ’ s not just for vegetable beds either . You can use it in any of your beds including vegetable plots , perennial and annual beds , raised beds , or even on paths and walkways . Instead of digging or tilling the ground , you mulch it with a thick layer of organic matter , like compost , well-rotted manure , peat moss , leaf mulch or leaf mold .

Worms and other organisms will dig tunnels and feed on the organic matter , leaving their beneficial waste behind . In the process they naturally aerate the soil , creating good drainage and adding rich nutrients . First , mow the area using the lowest setting on your lawn mower . If you ’ re building your garden in a spot that ’ s surrounded by grass , then edging it will help prevent weeds and grass from creeping in later .

Cover the entire surface of the ground with thick cardboard . This will smother

Josie Sellers

Spring flowers are blooming , and it ’ s time to get gardens ready for more flowers and vegetables .

the grass and kill it . Be sure to remove any staples or tape first , as those won ’ t break down . If you don ’ t have cardboard , you can use a thick layer of newspaper , six to 10 sheets thick . Overlap the pieces so every inch of earth is covered and there are no holes where weeds can find their way through . Spray water over your base layer until it is wet . This will keep it from blowing away and soften the cardboard so it can conform to the ground .

Add a thick layer of mulch materials , like compost , rotted manure or peat moss , over the cardboard . The organic matter will keep the cardboard moist , which will help to smother the weeds faster . Your compost layer needs to be at least 4-6 inches deep to block out any chance of light getting through and maintain the proper moisture level . The most important

part of having success with the no-dig gardening method is to keep the bed consistently watered .

Some of the best plants that flower in the spring are pansies , peonies , hardy geraniums and violas . These beautiful flowers add color and visual notice while your vegetables are growing , and they attract pollinators to boost your vegetable crop yield .

Berries , carrots , onions and zucchini are some of the easiest fruits and vegetables to grow . Radishes , onions and cool-season crops like Swiss chard should be planted early spring , but for plants like beets , carrots and broccoli , mid-spring is best . Wait until the soil temperatures have warmed up a bit . Keeping the garden close to your kitchen door is convenient or if you prefer another location that best fits your overall landscape design . If you want a garden but don ’ t have enough space on the ground , try a vertical garden instead . Trellises , arbors and fences can provide the support needed for flowering vines , grapes , tomatoes , gourds and other plants to thrive . Adding a pergola or an arbor creates a nice outdoor living space or a point of entry to a cozy seating area and a vegetable garden . Letting climbing plants grow on either side of these structures adds even more appeal . Honeysuckles , potato vines , grapevines , wisteria and trumpet vines are all good choices .

Or try tree ferns or bamboos , which are great for creating tropical garden vibes in a small space . They all will thrive planted in supersized pots . Limit the number

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