Spring

For those of us who live in the tropics, we do not have a season called "Spring".

Nonetheless, April really does bring us a spring not only in our steps, by ushering in a new quarter of the year; April also brings a change in the previously extra hot March weather. We get a few showers of blessing to wash away the dust and heat.

This season is thus also the time for us to start planning our garden space. A time for sowing, a time for renewal. Want to start a garden or rejuvenate that space now filled with dry leaves?

Here are a few tips:

1. Depending on the country you live in, your first consideration should be your aim.
   Are you aiming to have a permanent garden, or you desire some splash of colour while Spring/Summer lasts? That will determine whether you go for perennial flowering plants, shrubs, or indoor plants.

2. If you live in a place with inconsistent water supply, you may be more inclined to use potted plants, which will require less water. You may also wish to plant shrubs and cacti which can do well with infrequent watering.

3. A garden should have texture. That is a variety of plants with different colours and heights which can all blend in pretty nicely.
   For those who are symmetry focused, there is beauty in the repetition of the same plant in a row. Heliconia and gingers against a wall for instance can be quite stunning as well as euphorbia and that red or yellow axoria/crown of thorns.

4. If you have space for a lawn, I recommend that you engage some professional gardeners. There are different types of grass and considerations such as water supply, the look of it, and texture should be borne in mind.
   In addition, in some instances the space must be ploughed, fresh black soil brought in plus manure. The initial weeks after planting will also require frequent tending to the weeds threatening to invade your new lawn. Do hire someone for this installation.

5. As you visit your garden centre to select the plants for the garden, be mindful, does your garden space have any trees for shade? Is the whole space in full sun? This matters in selecting the plants. Sun loving plants hate shade and the shade loving, hate the sun. Always confirm with the garden centre before you select the plants.
   A few days prior to your plan to visit the garden centre, observe where the sun rises and sets at your house and note any areas of shade during the peak sunshine hours between 11am and 3pm.

6. Select your plants with love. Sometimes you simply fall in love with a plant. Once you do fall in love, you must do all you can to keep that plant alive and healthy. Everything beautiful takes effort and dedication.

7. In starting the garden and selecting the plants also think about time for maintenance. Will you be hiring a gardener, or you will be doing everything on your own? That will determine whether you select plants that are high maintenance or hardy, low maintenance.

8. Note that the maintenance of a beautiful garden does not mean things will always be perfect. Some plants may die due to disease, insect or slug damage, over watering, underwatering, over spraying with insecticides or not spraying when required.
   Note a garden is a labour of love. Pay attention to your plants and you will most often catch potential deadly situations before they occur. Do not despair when a plant dies in your garden, like life, there are ups and downs.

   Make the best of it and enjoy the ride. Now start that garden!

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