Garden Inspire

Now is a great time to be thinking about your garden and landscape.  If you have received seed catalogs in the mail you may have seen many things you would like to grow this year.

Before ordering plan what you want to plant where.  Even if you make a few changes between now and planting you will be less likely to end up with some plants or seeds that you will just cram in somewhere or that will die before you get them planted.

Keep in mind the conditions of your yard.  Your yard is not the same in every section or every season.

What areas receive the most sun?  or the most shade? and what times of the day so they receive sun or shade?

What areas are the driest?  the wettest?

How will you get water to the various parts of your landscape? 

(Overhead sprinklers are not the best way to water trees, shrubs, and gardens)

Which areas receive the most wind? or the least?

Do the above situations change depending on the season? Before trees leaf out in the spring they will not cast as much shade so early plants such as spring bulbs will receive more sun than plants which emerge later.

There is something exciting about growing something edible. Your motivation may be to save some money, to have healthier food, or some other reason.

The first thing to do is make a list of what you and your family like to eat.Look through lists of what is edible that can be grown in your climate.One helpful book is Landscaping with Fruits by Lee Reich. Some of my favorite catalogs and online sites areRichters, Logee's, Raintree Nursery.

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Some things to consider:

Are there any special requirements for growing these plants such as pH, amounts of sun or shade, pruning, severe pest problems?

Vegetables, fruits, herbs – even some not typically grown or known.

Research how to grow them, when to grow them, and options for purchasing seeds and plants.

Start with a few plants or a few different kinds of plants. Don't get overwhelmed by trying too much at once.

Many edibles can be grown in pots or small Square Foot Gardens so don't rule out the possiblity just because you don't have much space or your climate or soil pH isn't the best for inground growing.

I can help you with advice, information, or ideas.