7 Tips for Home Yard Gardening in Tbilisi
Gardening work splits into two groups: before you start, and after. Many owners pay for problems that proper preparation would have prevented. Here are seven practical rules for home-yard gardening, distilled from our Tbilisi crew's experience.
1. Soil first, plants second
Every decision about plants starts with a soil pH test. Many Tbilisi gardens sit on limey soil (pH > 7.5). That means hydrangeas, azaleas, and many flowering plants struggle. Buy a pH test (~15 GEL) or call us for a free check.
2. Water deeply, not often
Daily light watering teaches plants to grow shallow roots. Deep watering twice a week (30–40 L per tree) pulls roots down — the only real drought protection. Check the soil by hand — if it's dry at 5 cm depth, it's time.
3. Mulch everything
Mulch (bark chips, compost, even straw) cuts water evaporation by 70% and smothers weeds. A 5–7 cm layer around the base of plants. Refresh annually.
4. Match plants to sun
Your yard might look sunny in spring but only get 2 hours of midsummer sun, not 6. Watch it for 3–4 days. "Full sun" = 6+ hours. "Partial shade" = 3–6. "Shade" = under 3. Roses fail in shade. Hydrangeas fail in scorching sun. Right plant in the right place needs far less work.
5. Feed in spring
Plants spend most of their energy in spring — building leaves and roots. A spring fertilizer (NPK 10-10-10 or 14-7-21) turns that phase into a healthy garden. An autumn fertilizer (higher potassium) supports winter hardiness.
6. Prune at the right time
Fruit trees — late winter, before leaves emerge. Spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, wisteria) — right after blooming. Living hedges — mid-to-late summer when growth slows. Never cut more than 30% of a plant in one session.
7. Schedule beats enthusiasm
The healthiest garden gets regular small attention, not occasional big campaigns. Plan two hours a week for a small yard, or outsource the work — Dr. VERDE's monthly gardener service starts from 225 GEL/month in Tbilisi.
Wrap-up
Home-yard gardening isn't hard if you follow the rules. Soil before plants. Deep watering. Mulch. Right plant in the right place. Seasonal feed. Pruning at the right time. A regular schedule. Seven simple principles that turn your Tbilisi yard into a long-lasting, low-maintenance garden.