Gardening can be a joyous and rewarding task. But it can also be demanding and require a lot of time and physical work.

Despite all that, there are still some tips you can follow to make gardening less stressful and more enjoyable. Here are a few.

Plan ahead

A good plan helps you achieve your gardening goals with a minimum of hassle and expense. It will also help you get the most bang for your buck when it comes to seeds, supplies and the time it takes to grow your best crops. A well thought out garden plan will also help you avoid wasting your time and money on poor performers.

One of the best ways to do this is to make a list of everything you want to grow and what you will not. Keeping this information in a binder or a notebook can keep you on track when it comes to shopping for the right plants, tools and potting soil, or even rearranging your garden for the better. The most challenging part of the process is the task of whittling down your list to just the goodies you can actually grow and enjoy.

Get the right soil

Whether you’re growing flowers, herbs, vegetables or a lawn, your garden success depends on its soil. A healthy soil provides a balance of mineral particles, water, organic matter, air and microorganisms.

The ideal soil for most home gardens is called loam, which is a mix of sand, silt and clay. It feels fine-textured and slightly damp when you pick up a handful of it and roll it between your fingers.

A well-draining soil like loam will warm up quickly in spring, retain moisture and give roots lots of air. It is also rich in nutrients and requires regular replenishing with compost.

Choose the right plants

Choosing the right plants for your garden can make all the difference. Whether you’re trying to achieve a specific look or create a natural landscape, selecting the right plants is essential for a successful garden.

In general, you want to choose plants that will grow well in your garden’s climate and soil conditions. Consider things like sun and shade patterns, water requirements and pH levels of your soil to determine what will flourish.

Plants that are suited to their site will also establish quickly and have a healthy root system, which means they’re more likely to withstand problems in your garden. This is what garden designers refer to as “right plant, right place.”

Water wisely

Watering your garden is not the most enjoyable part of gardening, but it is essential for a healthy landscape. Using a few simple waterwise practices can help you save on the costs of water and keep your garden looking its best!

Planting a selection of drought tolerant plants, such as natives and succulents, will mean that you can avoid excessive watering, which can be costly. Also, incorporating sustainable irrigation practices such as mulching and compost into your landscape will make a real difference to the amount of water used and its impact on your environment and pocketbook.

Watering early in the morning will allow water to be absorbed by your plants before daytime high temperatures start to peak. This helps to prevent evaporation and reduces the stress of plant roots.

Keep an eye on the weather

Keeping an eye on the weather can help you plan for any unexpected challenges that your garden may face, such as a cold snap. Even a few degrees of frost can cause damage to plants, whether it’s a hard freeze or a light frost that will just cause the ground temperature to drop. During winter, this is especially important because the ground starts to lose its stored heat from the summer, which can make it more susceptible to freezing temperatures. Watching the forecast can also help you decide if it’s safe to move potted plants into your garden. Having a remote digital thermometer can make it easy to keep track of the temperatures in your garden. Thermometers that have two or three remote stations can make it easier to record both high and low temperatures.