Happy New Year! What is a gardener to do in the winter? Research and planning are both necessary steps in successful gardening. New or extended plant beds in the landscape is a common garden project that can be rewarding but also disappointing if not thought out thoroughly.
Many gardeners rush around their yard in the spring looking for that perfect place for a new plant bed. They remove the existing vegetation, work the soil, install the plants, edge the bed, cover with mulch, and hurt their shoulder from patting themselves on the back because it looks wonderful. Then they walk to their deck, patio, or sun room to admire their accomplishment only to realize it would be better 10 feet to the right or left. Suddenly they hear the looser music from ‘The Price is Right’ in their mind.
Fear not fellow gardeners there is a way to avoid this common mistake made by most everyone, including myself. When you find the “perfect spot”, outline it. This can be done with marking flags or marking paint. Try to set objects inside the area that are similar to the height and width of the plants you plan to install. Now, go out on your deck or patio at different times of the day and view the area while sitting in your comfortable lounge chair. Remember, there is a height difference in standing verses sitting.
By checking at different times you are determining two things. What is the light condition? Is it sun, part sun, or shade and how many hours of each? Full sun plants require at least six hours of direct sunlight. Can you see the area? Is there an existing tree or shrub obstructing the view? Will removing some of the lower branches allow for a better view and not ruin the look of the existing plant? The process is the same for sun rooms or any room in the home. The spot may indeed be “perfect” or it may need to be shifted slightly.
By taking the time for planning and research, you can avoid the “uh oh” and replace it with “oh yeah”.
Larry’s timely tips: 1. Before you dig in the ground, have the utilities marked. 2. Prevent carburetor and engine issues this spring. Store your power tools over the winter according to the owner’s manual. Add fuel stabilizer to stored fuel following the product directions.
