It is important to select plant materials that are healthy and in a growing state. Look closely for insects, disease or signs of stress. It is always recommended that a small more compact plant will transplant easier and easier to control its growth than a leggy plant. Make sure to inspect the root stock of the plant. The root system provides all the essential food for the plant. Make sure not to select plants that have become root bound. Take the opportunity to look at the mature plant variety you are selecting to be able to determine if this plant will work for situation. During the selection of the plant material, make sure the plant is hydrated, foliage is clean and foliage colors are dark green or bright. Check for spotting, leaf edge burn or other common plant problems. (A single burned leaf can be snipped, but if the entire plant shows signs of distress, forget it.) Flowering plants should have young, tight buds. It’s nice to see the plant in full bloom, but if it is fully flowered now, you may not see it bloom in your garden until the following year. This is especially true with Azaleas and other flowering shrubs. Some perennials and most annuals have an extended blooming period, so with these plants this is not a major concern, but should be carefully examined for quality. Understanding the importance of soil is an understatement. It always said that it’s better to have a $5 hole with a $1 dollar plant than a $5 plant in a $1 hole. The majority of annuals and shrubs prefer well-drained soil with moderate humus content. If your soil has high clay content, you can amend it with pine bark fines or well-rotted manure; after the first year, you should need only a light reapplication in spring. Shrubs require regular feeding 3 times per year to maintain a balance between flowering, foliage and rooting development. Use Sta-green fertilizer for Azaleas and Camellias during early spring at 1-2 lbs. of nitrogen per 1000 square feet. All other shrubs should be fertilized with Sta-green Nursery Special at 1.5 lbs. per 1000 square feet. Some annuals, including cosmos, gazania and nasturtium, require little in the way of fertilizer and, in fact, do better in relatively infertile soil. Portulaca is at its best where the soil is poor and the same holds true for poppies, whose gorgeous blooms are at their best in the dry, fast-draining soil of stony banks and alpine rock gardens as well as lavender. Use Peter’s 20-20-20 water soluble fertilizer applying with a hose end applicator with 1 tablespoon per gallon water every 7 days.
What do I want in my garden?Before planning the garden one must realize what he wants his garden to be. Whether it is a place to entertain, an arbor, a water feature, a sculpture, screening, open areas, etc, these are things that help in the planning process.
We call this developing a program for the property or the yard.
Why do I need to plan my garden?
To have a cohesive garden, one where all the elements work and function together, a good plan is essential. Also, if the idea is to create a garden in stages, a plan a necessity. It will help in making decisions about where to put the garden elements. The plan may help visualize a garden (come up with a plan and example photos).
Some things to consider when planning: circulation, function, interest, color, water, fragrance, shade, openness, activity, privacy.
Where do I put the garden elements?
This is the part when the actual plan comes to life. It is basically a combination of what is discussed in the first two steps, the what and the why. A survey or some sort of measured layout of the property is needed where all existing elements are located on a piece of paper. Using a system of trace paper overlays is very useful.
Lets say we have decided to have a patio, a water feature, and an arbor in the newly planned garden. Where will all this be placed?
Functionally the patio will be located at the door from the house to the yard.
If I want to enjoy the water feature and hear the sound of water while on the patio, I will locate very close or within the patio. Existing trees could be a factor for the features location as well.
The arbor will be located at the sunny part of the yard where I can go sit and enjoy filtered sunlight while reading. This area should be connected to the back patio.
This is a general idea of how the garden will be planned. There are many factors to consider when planning as mentioned in item 2.
Gardening has become one of the largest hobbies throughout the world. Gardening changes the way you feel and how you perceive your surrounding environment. The ability to enhance your environment is the number one reason most people begin gardening. Maybe your aunt or neighbor has a beautiful garden and this inspires you or stimulates a competition of keeping up with the Jones! That’s how it gets started and usually how it all quickly becomes out of control. Gardening Made Simple offers practical solutions for your gardening lifestyle. Use these simple yet highly effective gardening solutions to create useful spaces with easy care and maintenance.
