How do I garden?

[dirtychinchilla]

You could also use a layer of gravel or broken up polystyrene insulation covered with a membrane so you don't need as much compost.

Neither of those decompose though. The sticks and cardboard will eventually become part of the soil.

 

[200sols]

Neither of those decompose though. The sticks and cardboard will eventually become part of the soil.

Indeed, a trick I use in my bathtubs on the allotment. Old sticks, old soil, lots of leaves etc in the bottom and cover with cardboard, a layer of fresh soil on top for planting in. Cuts down the cost considerably.

 

[tonys]

Neither of those decompose though. The sticks and cardboard will eventually become part of the soil.

True, but it depends on what they will be doing in the future with it, I've moved tons of soil over the years by hand and it's not easy on your back. If they just want a quick bed for something to look at and they have the material why not.

 

[ChroniC]

There kinda raised but kinda not. I'll post an image later.. I just added a box to the current level to separate it from the grass.

 

[Mason-]

If you want minimal effort, you'll probably want perennials (means they come back year after year - although that doesn't mean indefinitely).

Most plants flower once at certain times of year. So I'd advise from now until October time, visiting garden centres maybe one a month and looking at perennials that are flowering (or about to) at the current time. Picking what you want and planting it. That way over the year you will have something flowering at all times. And next year you won't have to do much except weeding. And you can feed stuff if you want. Rose bushes are nice, you can get ones that keep flowering from June/July until the first frosts.