Turn your paved compound into a green zone

May 17, 2022

According to Solomon Luyimbazi, a gardening trainer at CIIDI School of Gardening and landscaping, potted planting is one way of achieving a green compound.

Add a pop of colour with colourful planters

Jacqueline Nakandi
Journalist @New Vision

Who says to achieve a green compound you have to grow a lawn? Do you know that a paved compound can be turned into a green area?

To some, this might seem like mission impossible, but with a creative mind and a little bit of hard work, one can pull it off. 

Potted plants

According to Solomon Luyimbazi, a gardening trainer at CIIDI School of Gardening and landscaping, potted planting is one way of achieving a green compound. All one has to do is know the right plants to grow and where to put them.

“For starters, a homeowner should come up with a colour theme before deciding on the choice of plants. The colour one chooses can contrast or complement the compound,” he says.  

Topiary

Luyimbazi says with topiaries (topiary is the horticultural practise of training perennial plants by clipping the foliage and twigs of trees, shrubs and subshrubs to develop and maintain clearly defined shapes, whether geometric or fanciful), a homeowner can create beautiful artistry features such as animals and human shapes in his or her compound.

He adds that from an ordinary shrub or tree, one can create any shape he or she desires, hence adding a beautiful touch to their compound.

Hanging and vertical gardening 

To add more green in your compound, Luyimbazi states that one can create a hanging garden on the patio or balcony, trees and pergola.

“Attach plants in small planters on tree branches, on the patio or balcony. One can also include air plants like orchids or old man’s beard,” he explains. 

Garden along the perimeter wall

Leonard Muzahura, a landscaper at Superior Landscapes in Nsambya says creating a garden along the perimeter wall will add a touch of green in the front or back yard.

“You can grow herbs, shrubs, and banana stems or fruit trees along the wall.

Palm trees will add beauty on a paved compound

Palm trees will add beauty on a paved compound

Hollow blocks

Hollow or cinder blocks are commonly used for building. However, Muzahura, says they can be turned into an ornamental, herb, or fruit (such as berries) garden.

He says these blocks can be lined up to form different garden shapes and designs such as oval, square or rectangle. Muzahura adds that plants are grown inside the gaps of the block to create a concrete garden.

Rock garden

A rock garden comprises of pebbles and plants. Muzahura says with such a setting, a homeowner can pull off a beautiful scenery in their concrete front yard.

He advises homeowners to opt for slow-growing plants like cactus, succulents or grasses because they are of low maintenance and also keep the garden fresh and vibrant.   

Maintenance

Luyimbazi explains that maintenance depends on the type of plant chosen and its habits because some plants like wedelia grow intensively so they will need periodic pruning and trimming.

“Pruning, watering regularly, changing soils, cleaning the plants and planters by painting or vanishing is a must in order to maintain a neat and tidy compound,” he explains. 

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