The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, nature is awakening from hibernation – high time to spruce up the garden.
Whether it’s blooming flower areas, raised vegetable beds or DIY projects like a planting pole or animal watering trough: nowhere can you let off steam as creatively as in your home’s outdoor oasis and read the Online Sportsbook.
Even small changes make a difference. And a beautiful garden doesn’t have to be expensive.
Mediterranean Garden
Sun, stone, terracotta and metal are the key to a cozy and Mediterranean atmosphere in the home garden. Add to this fragrant herbs (such as thyme, rosemary and sage) and sun-hungry plants from the south, and you conjure up a touch of dolce vita. Varieties such as lavender, oleander and bougainvillea not only look beautiful, but are also easy to care for and are also perennial – and therefore sustainable. Beds that combine both flowering perennials and woody plants such as hibiscus promise southern European flair all summer long.
A path made of flagstones not only has a Mediterranean feel, but also structures the garden. For example, a natural transition can be created between lushly planted areas with less planted areas. With a curved shape, the path blends into the organic design of the garden. This allows you to stroll through your own garden in a relaxed manner and enjoy the splendor of the flowers.
In addition to the appropriate greenery, a Mediterranean atmosphere is also spread by elements such as a natural stone wall, for example as a border around flower beds, as well as plant pots and ground coverings in light, sandy tones. Decorative elements such as a small fountain, a water feature or colorful tiles also give the garden a charming, southern European look.
While most Mediterranean plants thrive in our summers, some do need warm quarters in winter. Perennials such as lavender and iris can overwinter well outdoors. Sensitive species such as citrus trees should ideally be planted in a container in a bright, somewhat warmer location such as the hallway or a conservatory. This way you can enjoy your plants for many years.
The DIY plant tower creates a special flower bed even in small spaces in the garden, patio or balcony. The vertical design makes it a great eye-catcher and saves a lot of space.
Kitchen Garden: Home-Growing
Growing your own vegetables and fruit is not only fun, but also saves money. If you want to be largely self-sufficient, you can do so on an area of just 70 square meters; for complete self-sufficiency, you need 160 square meters. As a rule of thumb: Do not place plants of the same genus directly next to each other – i.e. no nightshade plants such as tomato and potato or umbellifers such as fennel and carrot together in one bed. For example, lettuce, cucumber and onion or leek, strawberry and tomato harmonize well.
If the beds are planted as a mixed culture, this acts as a natural protection against pests. In addition, plants in a mixed culture require different nutrients – so they do not compete with each other.
As a general rule, crops and ornamentals are not planted in the same bed. But there are a few combinations that definitely benefit from each other. For example, chard could grow together with early bloomers such as tulips, and later in the year tomatoes could grow together with low perennials. By using natural fertilizers, the kitchen garden becomes an environmentally sustainable project at the same time. Not only are you growing your own food, but you’re also helping the environment!
