Simple Garden Ideas for the Average Home

Gardens enhance a landscape with both flowering beauty and edible foods. A successful garden includes a variety of plants that make the best use of available space. Although many types of gardens require extensive planning and maintenance, simple gardens fulfill the needs of many average homeowners. Basic gardens provide separate locations for various types of plants. Actively enjoy your green thumb and avoid costly and time-consuming gardening projects by planting some simple gardens in your own landscape.

Flower Borders

Border gardens enhance various types of structures, such as entryways, sidewalks, driveways and patios. Place attractive, flowering plants in long rows beside area structures. Choose colorful varieties of flowers, such as petunias and daisies. Consider the height and growth habits of individual flowers. Compact varieties and upright varieties maintain their form in these edging areas. Avoid planting invasive, spreading plants in border gardens. These beds enhance average yards by outlining and highlighting separate areas.

Herb Gardens

Many homeowners grow herbs for a variety of uses. These plants provide useful ingredients for culinary purposes, medicinal uses and homemade toiletries. Enhance your average home by planting a few easy varieties, such as dill, parsley and rosemary. Place your herb garden near your patio or back door to provide easy access for watering and harvesting fresh herbs. These useful plants also provide suitable selections for container plants. Plant some in window boxes and hanging baskets to enjoy the sight and scent of fresh herbs in your yard and landscape.

Shade Gardens

Shady areas pose a dilemma for many homeowners and gardeners. Many plants require large amounts of sunlight to flourish. Create simple shade gardens in areas near structures and under trees. Replace weeds and existing vegetation with shade-tolerant plants. Include a few types of ferns, hostas and astilbes to enhance these areas. Simply rim the outside edge of your shade garden with a row of bricks or rocks to separate the garden area from grassy areas of your lawn.

Vegetable Gardens

Gardeners who plant vegetables enjoy healthful, fresh produce. Large, expansive vegetable gardens require money and effort. Cut down on weeding and watering by constructing an easy raised garden with railroad ties or cut logs. Simplify your vegetable garden by planting only your favorite varieties of vegetables. Avoid the allure of exotic species that require extensive care. For example, plant a few hearty tomato plants in cages, allowing plenty of room between them for adequate airflow. Plant some bush beans, pepper plants, beets and spinach. Add a fine layer of mulch over the surface of the soil to minimize weed growth and retain water.