A small tutorial on how to prep for a
trip to the garden center, spot healthy plants and slect the right tools.
Don't go without a Plan
Survey your garden site. Determine how
much space is available, how much sun it gets and whether it is dry or
moist.
Take pictures. Are you growing
along the foundation? Bring a photo for reference that shows utility
connections, window locations and existing plants.
Measure, take photos or even bring along
any containers you want to fill. Garden center staff can be helpful with
choosing plants to go together and in the right size container.
Make a list of plants you want, use the
internet catalogs to gaze at photos and get spread requirements. Make
your wish list based on space and don't let it get too long.
Plan your visit for a weekday if you
can, staff will be less harried and better able to assist you.
What to Look at in Plants
Admire plants in full bloom, but buy
those that are just budding. They will last longer and give you the best
show.
Grab a wagon, pick out the plants that
catch your eye. You will see how they go together and begin to formulate a
detailed plan.
- · Generally
plants are organized by style: Perennials, Annuals, shrubs, and trees.
Herbs can fall into multiple categories, so sometimes and Herb section, but
also among the annuals and perennials, especially if they are pollinator friendly
or have showy flowers.
- ·
Be
aware perennials may be organized by scientific name (like Echinacea for Purple
Cone Flower) ask for help or use google to translate as needed.
- ·
Annuals
are usually separated by shade and sun, so look for shade plants to be kept in
a separate area.
- ·
Pay
attention to the tags provided look for details like "sunny/dry,"
"shade tolerant," and the climate zone so you can plan for their use
and survival in your garden.
Decide the size you wish to start with
. Individual plants in 4 inch pots are generally larger and have a
headstart on seedlings in packs. However seedling annuals will grow very
fast and spread nicely so may be worth the savings when buying in pack
multiples.
Pick Healthy Plants
The most important thing you can do to
insure a great garden is pick healthy viable plants. Take a moment and
look at them. Scrutinize the leaves and stems. Compare different pots of
the same variety. Are the bushy? Do they have any stems? Are the
stems green and firm? Avoid any with dark spotting or a mushy feel or
look. Is the plant tall and spindly? This is a sign of overcrowding
and lack of care in the greenhouse. Do not buy a pack with missing
cells. Look for lush green (unless the plant it purposefully variegated.)
Root bound vs. Good root growth
Check the roots. Roots are essential for
successful transplant from nursery pot to your garden soil. Gently tip
the plant to one side and slide it out. If the roots are cramped or
curling around and around the plant is root bound which can cause
problems down the line. However, if there is a large amount of soil and
not many roots, the plant is underdeveloped and will probably not flourish.
If you have a great balance of soil and roots, grab that and put it in your
wagon.
Never Buy Plants with --
1. Brown, crispy leaf
edges
2. Yellowing leaves
3. Papery, bleached
leaves
4. Holes or cut edges that
can indicate insect damage
5. Too many broken stems
6. Dark scars or trails on
the underside of leaves, indicates insect infestation
7. Wilted, brown or
spotted leaves, indicator of fungal disease that can spread
8. Webbing or time dark
spots on stems and leaves, indicates active insect infestation
Use the Right Tools
Where I live, I have enough room to make
compost and we save food scraps, leaves and grass clippings to use in the
compost piles and bins. When I am filling containers or raised beds, I
mix this compost with a healthy amount of topsoil and some other mulch. I
buy bags of topsoil or in some cases have a truck deliver unbagged soil to my
garden.
To calculate the
cubic feet of soil needed for a project, use this formula --
- Measure the length, width, and
depth of the area in feet.
- Multiply the length by the width to find the area in
square feet.
- Multiply the area by the depth to find the volume in
cubic feet.
- If the area is irregular, break it
into smaller rectangles, calculate each volume, and sum them up.
- Consider adding extra soil for settling or compaction,
typically around 10-15%.
- Use the formula: Volume (cubic feet) = Length (ft) ×
Width (ft) × Depth (ft).
You get what you pay for is
true in garden tools. A hand-forged trowel may cost more, but it will outlive a
more cheaply made one. I have a cast aluminum hand trowel that will not
bend and has an edge I can sharpen to help cut the soil nicely, even it the
soil is not worked.
You will need your basic arsenal of long
handled tools. A spade (pointy shovel), a rake, a fork, a flat end
shovel, are the basics. You may need edging tools and others once you get
involved. I like a handled weeder too. There are many kinds of
these, so shop around for the best for you. I have a Cobrahead
https://www.cobrahead.com/ that I just love. I can stand and weed and
don't have to kneel as much.
You need watering cans and hoses.
Drip irrigation hoses help save water and do require some preplanning, so think
about if you want to use them before you start planting. Get a watering can
with a rose (the sprinkle head with the little holes.) You do not want to water
a stream of water if the plants are young or if you planted seed, as it can
dislodge everything from the soil. The sprinkle effect of the rose helps
spread the water and keep if from rutting the soil. You need a hose of the
right length. Measure the distance from the faucet to the garden area and
purchase accordingly. You may also want a hose attachment (trigger
sprayer.) My favorite are the wands because they give me the versatility to
water hanging baskets as well as fill watering cans or water beds and
containers.
What about Containers
There is a great deal of information on containers
and their uses and what works best. I will say that I choose based on an aesthetic
of terra cotta, but I use a mixture of real clay pots and plastic painted terra
cotta for those herbs that need more water during the day.
my scented geraniums near the door.
Here are two articles that I feel will
help you choose the right containers for your garden.
Firs,t from just last year, on LivetoPlant.com help you choose.
This article is from Epic gardening with
lots of details.
Choosing your
container is just as important as selecting the plants themselves. It needs to
be functional as well as beautiful. Consider all the pros and cons of each
container before purchasing one. Take your time to
decide.
So you have your
plan, follow the steps and get ready for a great growing season, whether it is
just a few pots or a grand garden bed.
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Bed 2 — Tea & Lemon Garden.png)
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.jpg "Scented geraniums Oct 2020")
.jpg "Hedge Garden Oct 2022")
.jpg "Chives and Chervil along the walk Oct 2020")
.jpg "Walled Garden Oct 2020")
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