We all know that gardening takes time, and that’s because of all the weeding, watering, and planting. Yes, all of this takes effort, but what really takes up most of your time is dragging the hose around the garden because the spigot is in the wrong place, or running it back and forth 10 times because you forgot about this or that.
You don’t have to work faster to save time.
Just by changing a few small habits, everything will last longer than it should.
Small changes to make gardening easier and faster
Here’s how to make gardening easier.
Keep all the tools you use in one place
Can you count how many times you have had to walk back to the shed because you forgot your gloves by the peppers?
No, isn’t that so? And it’s such a waste of time.
You’re constantly searching for this or getting that, which interrupts your flow and ends up taking more time no matter what you’re doing.
The solution to this is to choose a spot near the entrance to your garden and keep all of your frequently used tools there. You might want to have some hooks for trowels and scissors, a small shelf for twine or plant tags, and a bucket for gloves.
If the location is outdoors, weather protection is a priority. Rain, humidity, and temperature fluctuations can cause steel tools to rust, wooden handles to rot, and fertilizer and seed packs to deteriorate faster than most gardeners expect.
The most practical solution is dedicated storage. Having one appropriately sized space for tools, soil amendments, and equipment will keep things from cluttering up garage shelves, porch corners, and piles covered with tarps that never dry out.
What it looks like depends on the scale. A small deck box or lean-to shed contains hand tools and a few bags of soil. If you operate a large garden with a tiller, wheelbarrow, trellis, and seasonal equipment, it makes more sense to use a purpose-built structure. Companies like Hilltop Post Buildings design custom warehouses, hobby barns, and pole barns in the sizes you actually need for your residence. This eliminates the need to force it into a prefab shed that is two feet too small.
No matter what route you choose, the goal is the same. Everything is in one dry, accessible location, so the tools you’ve invested in are always at your fingertips.
Water sooner rather than later
Watering seems simple and easy. But there’s a right way to do it (save time) and a wrong way to do it (waste time).
Watering in the evening will keep the leaves wet overnight, which can lead to mold and mildew growth.
If that happens, you’ll have to cut out diseased leaves or spray something you don’t really want to use, but you don’t have a choice. That’s why it’s much better to do so morning water. The sun dries the leaves and the water sinks into the soil before it gets too hot. To make it even easier, use a simple hose timer or drip irrigation kit.
Either way, this will keep your plants healthy and save you time in the long run.
Place the compost where it will be used
In theory, it makes sense to put your compost bin in the back of your garage. But having to walk all the way there to get it makes me not want to use it. The result is the same even with finished compost.
Move the compost closer to your work area, such as next to a flower bed or potted area in your garden. You can also keep an active pile of fresh scraps in one location and a small stash of finished compost in another. In the meantime, you can also set up a temporary trash pile near where you will be weeding.
That way you can just toss in the weeds.
Create a simple routine for harvesting
In July and August, they ripen all at once, making harvesting difficult.
That is, unless you have a system, and many people don’t have a system.
Harvest at a set time each day. You can use a real basket or a 5-gallon bucket to bring everything inside at once. It’s also a good idea to keep a laundry tub near the back door or one on the counter so you can quickly transfer produce to the refrigerator.
Also be careful with berries and cherry tomatoes! Use a shallow container. They will crush each other and the crop will just turn to mush. If you have herbs, you can keep them fresh by placing them in a jar of water after cutting them.
Group tasks
After pruning tomatoesthen I pulled three weeds, then watered the flower beds in the garden, then looked for twine, then answered the phone, and then I spent a lot of time doing absolutely nothing. I spread my time between so many tasks that no real work got done.
It is better to batch tasks together. Therefore, one morning will be devoted to pruning, and the next day will be devoted only to weeding.
This will save you a lot of time and will not overwhelm your garden. Planning ahead with a garden planner can also save you time.
conclusion
If you find gardening tiring, it’s not the right way to do it. It’s not an easy job and it’s tiring, but if you garden in the right way, you’ll be tired. I’m the type of person who not only sleeps well, but also feels proud of what I’ve accomplished.
So check out this list and start making changes right away.
Leave it for a few days and you will already notice the difference.
