No Experience? No Time? No Money?

By:  Jennifer Whalley ….. Landscape Architect ….. 571-237-0621

Armed with the right information, anyone can grow a beautiful garden.  It’s simple.

Before you dig a single hole, all you need to do is ask the right questions.  Will my garden be shady and moist or hot and dry?  Does the soil look dark and rich or dense and sticky?  Where does the rain water run or does it just pool in the yard?  Think sustainable gardening and create an attractive landscape that will be in balance with your local climate and site conditions. Go ahead, fill your cart with plants you love from the local nursery, but make sure you ask about the character and growing conditions of each before buying.  Provide shade for plants that will wither in full sun. Pick drought tolerant species for site conditions that are dry.  Place a handful of pine fines into dense clay soil and then plant what likes to grow there.  Instead of fighting poor drainage, embrace it and look for plants that like wet feet.  Time and money are always wasted with the wrong plant in the wrong spot. 

A successful gardener also has a plan.  Consider using native plants.  They already like it here so why not let them join the party.  Planting a local grower that requires less fertilizer, less pesticides and less water will benefit everyone.   By planting disease resistant varieties, by properly spacing plants for ultimate growth and by correctly planting them into the soil; we save lots of time and money. Less pruning will be needed. Less disease and plant decline will occur. Instead of planting high maintenance and costly annuals, gain landscape interest by including shrubs and trees that flower in the spring , change color in fall or have multi-colored foliage.  Even better, find that one plant that enjoys all three.  Introduce coarse broadleaf textures, colorful berries and a variety of height for even more drama.  The best landscapes start growing before you even dig.

It’s not rocket science or heart surgery.  It’s just a little bit of knowledge with a plan. 

Web Sites to Check out -

Virginia Native Plant Society @ www.vnps.org                                             

Sustainable Gardening @ www.audubonlifestyles.com