No matter how great you think your dirt is, it can always use a little
help to make it better. There are two primary factors used to
evaluate dirt: fertility and texture. The fertility of your dirt is
determined by its pH balance and nutrients. The texture is how large
the particles of dirt are and how well they hold together.
A Look at Nutrients
There are three nutrients all plants need to be healthy. These are
phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. Phosphorus helps the roots
grow, which is particularly important for flowering bulbs and for root
veggies such as carrots. Bone meal is a natural additive that can be
found at your gardening store that will help boost the levels of
phosphorus in your dirt. Some fertilizers also contain high levels of
phosphorus. Generally, these fertilizers are advertised as bloom
boosters because phosphorus is necessary for plants to produce
their flowers.
Nitrogen is necessary to ensure healthy leaves and stems. When you
add nitrogen to the dirt, it does not stay there for long because it
gets used up by plants and decaying matter. Nitrogen is also water
soluble, which means it can wash out of your dirt rather quickly.
Therefore, nitrogen needs to be replenished in your dirt in order to
produce the best growth. At the same time, too much nitrogen will
cause the foliage to go wild and take away from the fruit and flowers
of the plant. So, it is important to maintain the proper balance.
Potassium is good for the overall health of your plants. It helps the
plants grow while also helping to boost their immune system.
Potassium is also water soluble, so it needs to be replenished as well.
There are several additional trace elements that are also beneficial to
your dirt. These include magnesium, calcium, molybdenum, and zinc.
Adding Nutrients to Your Dirt
If your dirt is lacking nutrients, you will need to decide between
adding organic or inorganic materials in order to amend it. Inorganic
fertilizers work quickly and are generally cheaper than organic
fertilizers, but they do not actually improve your soil. Rather, they
are designed to feed the plant itself. Therefore, they are not a good
choice when preparing a garden bed that does not have plants yet. In
addition, fertilizers can actually cause damage to your soil in the long
run because of their high salt content. Some studies have also
indicated that plants build a resistance to inorganic fertilizers, which
causes them to require more and more in order to remain healthy.
Organic fertilizers take more time to work, but are beneficial because
they treat the actual dirt and they release nutrients over time. The
best organic fertilizer should include phosphorus, nitrogen, and
potassium. You can also add your own organic nutrients, such as
bone meal for phosphorus, fish emulsion and manure for nitrogen,
and wood ash for potassium. By purchasing a testing kit from your
home improvement or garden center, you will be able to determine
which nutrients your dirt needs.
A Look at pH
The pH balance of your dirt refers to its acidity or alkalinity. Your
dirt will fall somewhere on a scale ranging from 1.0 to 14.0. The
lower the number, the more acidic your dirt is. Conversely, a higher
number means your dirt is more alkaline. A reading of 7.0 is
considered neutral. The pH of your dirt is important because certain
nutrients are only made available to your plants if the dirt is within a
certain pH range.
For those most part, a score of 6.2 - 6.8 is considered to be ideal.
Some plants, such as heathers, rhododendrons, and blueberries, prefer
soil that is very acidic. On the other hand, plants such as clematis
and lilacs prefer alkaline soil. To determine the pH level of your dirt,
you can purchase testing kits from your home improvement or
garden store. Your Cooperative Extension office may also be willing
to come out and test your dirt for a small fee.
Amending the pH
If your dirt is not within the proper range for the plants you will be
planting, you can purchase additives to help make it more acidic or
alkaline. Adding lime to your dirt will help increase the alkalinity,
while adding sulfur will decrease it. It does, however, take time to
change the pH of dirt. It should also be done in stages in order to
prevent shocking your plants if you already have some planted. In
general, it is best to add about five pounds of sulfur or lime to 100
square feet of garden. If you still haven’t added your plants, however,
you can add much more in order to get it to the proper pH level.
Keep in mind, however, that your dirt t will change back to its natural
pH level if you do not continue to treat it.
A Look at Texture
The texture of your soil is also important to allow your plants to
establish their roots and to aid in moisture drainage and retention. If
your dirt is sandy, it is made of larger particles. This allows air, water,
and plant roots to move very easily. This can be a drawback because
the roots of the plant may not be able to get enough water before it
seeps completely through. Certain plants, such as those with bulbs,
thrive in sandy soil because they prefer excellent drainage. In
addition, the sandy soil prevents the water from sitting on the bulbs
and causing them to rot.
The opposite end of the texture spectrum is clay. Clay particles are
very small and, as such, they are capable of packing together very
tightly. This allows very little room for air, water, and roots.
Therefore, water tends to rest on the roots of plants in clay for a
longer period of time. This can be beneficial to certain plants
requiring continual moisture. In addition, gardens with clay dirt
usually do not need to be watered as often as those with sandy dirt
because the water is held by the clay.
Testing the Texture of Your Dirt
It is actually quite simple to test the texture of your dirt. Scoop a
handful of dirt and form a ball. Then, tap the ball. If it breaks apart
easily, your dirt is sandy. If you can press the dirt between your
finger and your thumb in order to create a ribbon of dirt, you have
clay dirt.
The majority of dirt is somewhere between sandy and clay filled.
Ideally, your garden should consist of sandy loam dirt. In this case,
the dirt is light and allows water and air to move easily. At the same
time it is tilth, which means it has a texture similar to fine bread
crumbs. This can typically be achieved by adding organic matter,
which is dead plant or animal materials, to your dirt.
You can also get an idea of how much sand and clay is in your dirt by
taking a handful of dirt and placing it in a jar filled with water. Place a
lid on the jar and shake it all up until it looks likes some kind of dirt
milkshake. Then, set the jar aside and let the dirt settle. You will
notice that the dirt settles in layers. The bottom layer is the sand
and the top layer is the clay. In between is a layer of silt, which is the
material found at the bottom of ponds that is also found in all dirt.
By looking at the top and bottom layers, you can get a good idea of
the ratio of clay to sand in your dirt.
Improving the Texture
You should never try to change your dirt from sandy to clay filled or
from clay to sandy dirt. Trying to mix these components together
can result in a type of solid cement-like dirt. If you have a great deal
of clay in your soil, it can be beneficial to add a little bit of sand, but
there are much better ways to amend the texture of your soil.
In general, the more nutrients your ground has, the better. The same
holds true for organic matter. All dirt has some organic matter, but
rarely enough. Adding organic matter will improve the tilth of your
dirt because it creates what is known as humus when it decays. If
your dirt is sandy, the organic matter will help it to better retain
water. If your dirt is clay filled, on the other hand, it will help make
the dirt looser. This allows water, air, and roots to better penetrate
the ground. Regardless of the type of dirt you have, organic matter
helps encourage microbial activity. This is beneficial because it
provides nutritional benefits to your dirt.
Using Horse Manure
For me, the best way to amend the ground with organic matter is to
use horse manure because it adds nutrients and improves on the
texture of the dirt. Horse manure can be purchased from most
garden supply stores. Many farms and stables also have it for sale.
Or, if you happen to know someone with horses, they will probably
be more than happy to supply you with some!
Horse manure that has had a chance to sit out in the sun for a year
or two is the ideal horse manure to use when amending the ground
for your garden. This manure has had time to decompose and break
down to the point that it actually no longer smells and it looks and
feels like dirt. This manure can be spread over the entire top of your
garden plot and even worked into the ground.
If the horse manure you have access to is fresher, you need to use
more caution when adding it to your dirt. Often, it is better to add
this manure after you have planted your flowers or vegetables. This
way, you can place the manure around the plants in a way that
prevents them from actually touching their stems. Fresh horse
manure contains ammonia and heats up while under the sun and, if it
is touching your plants at the time, it can actually burn their stems.
In addition, it has an unpleasant odor.
Horse manure is not your only natural option for amending the dirt.
You can also purchase castings. Castings, which are earthworm
droppings, can also be purchased from most garden centers. Or, you
can maintain your own earthworm composting bin and collect your
own castings. You will learn more about how to do this in the
composting section of this guide.
Other Organic Additives
Your compost is also an excellent source of organic matter because
it is made of dead plant material. Peat moss is another option for
plant organic matter. It is inexpensive to purchase and is great at
loosening clay dirt. Peat moss can, however, be very dusty.
Therefore, it is best to wet it before using it in order to make it
easier to work with. Even grass clippings and other plant debris can
be great for amending your soil, just be sure the plants and clippings
you use do not have seeds. Otherwise, you will have a lot of weeding
to do!
If it will be awhile before you plant your garden, you can also plant
cover crops (also known as green manure) in your plot. Cover crops
are plants, such as clover and vetch, that are planted and grown in a
plot that will not be immediately used. These crops help keep the
dirt loose and prevent weeds from growing. At the same time, they
add nitrogen to the dirt and can be tilled directly into the ground
when you are ready to plant.
Now that you have finished amending your dirt, we can officially start
referring to it as soil! It has gone from being a brown, dirty mess
that does not support a healthy and happy garden to soil that is
ready to produce tasty veggies or beautiful flowers.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Loosening the Dirt of your garden
Loosening the Dirt
The next step to preparing the land for your garden is to loosen the
dirt. This is an important step because loosened dirt makes it easier
for the roots of your plants to grow and to spread. This also helps
them create a stronger hold within the dirt. The better the roots
grow, the healthier and stronger your plants will be.
Use Your Handy-Dandy Shovel Again
You have a couple options available to you for loosening the dirt.
Your first option is to use your spade. To loosen the dirt with your
spade, you will shovel the entire area to the depth the spade allows.
Each time you dig up a load of dirt with the spade, turn the clump of
dirt upside down and move on to the next section of the garden
plot.
If your dirt is somewhat sandy, flipping the dirt clumps upside down
may be all that is needed to loosen the dirt. If your dirt has a great
deal of clay to it, however, the ground will likely remain in a hard
clump when you dig it out of the ground. If the dirt does not break
apart and loosen when you dig it up and flip it upside down, you will
need to use your spade to break the dirt apart.
Let a Machine Do the Work with a Tiller
An easier way to loosen the dirt for your garden plot is to use a
tiller. A tiller is a machine with rotating blades at the bottom that are
specifically designed to tear up dirt for a garden. These tools can be
pushed and pulled while you remain in a standing position, similar to
a push lawn mower.
If you are creating a small garden, you really don’t need a large tiller.
Large tillers are more expensive than smaller models and can be
quite heavy and cumbersome to operate. On the other hand, they
are capable of covering a greater surface at one time. I personally
use the Mantis brand tiller. This tiller is small, lightweight, and easy to
use. I have had it for about five years and it is still running strong and
I have never had to replace any of its parts.
Using a tiller is a much simpler method for loosening the dirt in your
garden plot, but it is more expensive to purchase a tiller than it is to
purchase a spade. Therefore, it is up to you whether or not it is
worth the expense.
An added bonus to a tiller is that you do not necessarily have to
remove the grass and weeds before loosening the dirt. A tiller can
tear right through the grass and weeds for you. Be careful when
using this option, however, because some weeds will propagate when
they are chopped up. If you do decide to use the tiller to cut
through the weeds and grass while also loosening the dirt, you will
need to comb through the dirt with a garden rake in order to
remove the grass and weeds. Otherwise, they can re-establish
themselves in your garden.
Using a Garden Rake
A garden rake is not the same as a leaf rake. Both garden rakes and
leaf rakes have a long handle and tines at the end, but the design of
the tines is different. The tines of a leaf rake are loose and long in
order to allow the rake to glide softly over the ground without
damaging the grass. Garden rakes, on the other hand, have shorter
tines that bend at a 90 degree angle. The tines of a garden rake are
also very stiff because they are meant to rake through the ground,
not over it.
After you have tilled the entire garden plot area, use your garden
rake to comb through the loosened dirt. If the dirt has been
adequately loosened, it will sift right through the tines while they
catch hold of the grass, weeds, and other plant debris that needs to
be removed. When you are all done, the dirt should be smoothed
out flat with several ruts running through it that have been created
by the tines of the rake.
Even if you do remove the grass and weeds from your garden area
before you loosen the dirt, you should use the garden rake as your
final step of the dirt loosening process. This is true whether you use
a tiller to loosen the dirt or a spade. In this way, you can be assured
all large clumps of dirt have been broken down and you also have a
nice, smooth surface to work with.
The next step to preparing the land for your garden is to loosen the
dirt. This is an important step because loosened dirt makes it easier
for the roots of your plants to grow and to spread. This also helps
them create a stronger hold within the dirt. The better the roots
grow, the healthier and stronger your plants will be.
Use Your Handy-Dandy Shovel Again
You have a couple options available to you for loosening the dirt.
Your first option is to use your spade. To loosen the dirt with your
spade, you will shovel the entire area to the depth the spade allows.
Each time you dig up a load of dirt with the spade, turn the clump of
dirt upside down and move on to the next section of the garden
plot.
If your dirt is somewhat sandy, flipping the dirt clumps upside down
may be all that is needed to loosen the dirt. If your dirt has a great
deal of clay to it, however, the ground will likely remain in a hard
clump when you dig it out of the ground. If the dirt does not break
apart and loosen when you dig it up and flip it upside down, you will
need to use your spade to break the dirt apart.
Let a Machine Do the Work with a Tiller
An easier way to loosen the dirt for your garden plot is to use a
tiller. A tiller is a machine with rotating blades at the bottom that are
specifically designed to tear up dirt for a garden. These tools can be
pushed and pulled while you remain in a standing position, similar to
a push lawn mower.
If you are creating a small garden, you really don’t need a large tiller.
Large tillers are more expensive than smaller models and can be
quite heavy and cumbersome to operate. On the other hand, they
are capable of covering a greater surface at one time. I personally
use the Mantis brand tiller. This tiller is small, lightweight, and easy to
use. I have had it for about five years and it is still running strong and
I have never had to replace any of its parts.
Using a tiller is a much simpler method for loosening the dirt in your
garden plot, but it is more expensive to purchase a tiller than it is to
purchase a spade. Therefore, it is up to you whether or not it is
worth the expense.
An added bonus to a tiller is that you do not necessarily have to
remove the grass and weeds before loosening the dirt. A tiller can
tear right through the grass and weeds for you. Be careful when
using this option, however, because some weeds will propagate when
they are chopped up. If you do decide to use the tiller to cut
through the weeds and grass while also loosening the dirt, you will
need to comb through the dirt with a garden rake in order to
remove the grass and weeds. Otherwise, they can re-establish
themselves in your garden.
Using a Garden Rake
A garden rake is not the same as a leaf rake. Both garden rakes and
leaf rakes have a long handle and tines at the end, but the design of
the tines is different. The tines of a leaf rake are loose and long in
order to allow the rake to glide softly over the ground without
damaging the grass. Garden rakes, on the other hand, have shorter
tines that bend at a 90 degree angle. The tines of a garden rake are
also very stiff because they are meant to rake through the ground,
not over it.
After you have tilled the entire garden plot area, use your garden
rake to comb through the loosened dirt. If the dirt has been
adequately loosened, it will sift right through the tines while they
catch hold of the grass, weeds, and other plant debris that needs to
be removed. When you are all done, the dirt should be smoothed
out flat with several ruts running through it that have been created
by the tines of the rake.
Even if you do remove the grass and weeds from your garden area
before you loosen the dirt, you should use the garden rake as your
final step of the dirt loosening process. This is true whether you use
a tiller to loosen the dirt or a spade. In this way, you can be assured
all large clumps of dirt have been broken down and you also have a
nice, smooth surface to work with.
Removing Weeds and Grass at Your Garden
There are several products available on the market that are designed
to permanently remove and kill weeds and grass. Do not use these
products to prepare your garden bed. These products destroy the
nutrients in the ground and can make it virtually impossible to grow
anything in that area for a year or more.
Use Your Shovel
If you are planning to plant your garden in an area that has weeds or
grass, the best way to remove the vegetation is with a shovel. Using
a spade, dig a couple inches into the surface of your garden plot. The
exact depth you will need to dig depends on the type of vegetation
you are removing. If it is mostly grass, a couple inches should be
plenty.
Once you have started a hole at the proper depth, you should be
able to use your spade to essentially skim the surface of your garden
plot. Do this by holding the spade at an angle that is almost parallel
to the ground. The goal is not to dig deep into your garden. Rather,
the goal is to simply take off the top layer of the ground in order to
get rid of the grass. Dispose of the grass and weed layers you have
removed, preferably in a compost pile if you have one started. If you
don’t, this is the perfect time to start one! (You will learn more
about how to do that later in this guide).
Make Some Sod
If the grass you are removing from the garden plot is nice, healthy
grass, you might also remove it by cutting it into sod. In this way, you
can transplant the grass to another area of your lawn that might
need it. To cut the grass into sod, use your spade to cut out
rectangular shapes within the grass. After you have cut out the
outline, slip the spade beneath the shape to loosen up the roots
underneath.
After the grass has been adequately loosened, you can roll the
rectangular piece of sod up and place it in a cart or wheelbarrow.
Then, take the sod to the new location and lay it down flat on the
ground. Then, piece together all of your pieces of sod until the area
is filled completely. Be sure to water the sod thoroughly. It should
be very wet in order to help the roots take hold. Continue watering
the area at least once per day for one to two weeks.
to permanently remove and kill weeds and grass. Do not use these
products to prepare your garden bed. These products destroy the
nutrients in the ground and can make it virtually impossible to grow
anything in that area for a year or more.
Use Your Shovel
If you are planning to plant your garden in an area that has weeds or
grass, the best way to remove the vegetation is with a shovel. Using
a spade, dig a couple inches into the surface of your garden plot. The
exact depth you will need to dig depends on the type of vegetation
you are removing. If it is mostly grass, a couple inches should be
plenty.
Once you have started a hole at the proper depth, you should be
able to use your spade to essentially skim the surface of your garden
plot. Do this by holding the spade at an angle that is almost parallel
to the ground. The goal is not to dig deep into your garden. Rather,
the goal is to simply take off the top layer of the ground in order to
get rid of the grass. Dispose of the grass and weed layers you have
removed, preferably in a compost pile if you have one started. If you
don’t, this is the perfect time to start one! (You will learn more
about how to do that later in this guide).
Make Some Sod
If the grass you are removing from the garden plot is nice, healthy
grass, you might also remove it by cutting it into sod. In this way, you
can transplant the grass to another area of your lawn that might
need it. To cut the grass into sod, use your spade to cut out
rectangular shapes within the grass. After you have cut out the
outline, slip the spade beneath the shape to loosen up the roots
underneath.
After the grass has been adequately loosened, you can roll the
rectangular piece of sod up and place it in a cart or wheelbarrow.
Then, take the sod to the new location and lay it down flat on the
ground. Then, piece together all of your pieces of sod until the area
is filled completely. Be sure to water the sod thoroughly. It should
be very wet in order to help the roots take hold. Continue watering
the area at least once per day for one to two weeks.
Other Elements to Consider
When selecting a garden spot, you also need to keep in mind that
afternoon sun is hotter and drier than the morning sun. Therefore,
the time of day when the sun hits your garden spot will have an
impact on how often it will need to be watered and how damaging
the sun can potentially be. Furthermore, most flowers turn to face
the sun. Therefore, your garden sitting outside your west window
may not be viewable during the afternoon when the flowers face
away from you.
In addition to the amount and type of sun the area receives, you also
need to consider wind. Certain areas can create wind tunnels, which
can be damaging to your plants. The less wind an area receives, the
better it will be for your garden. You should also consider foot
traffic. After all, you don’t want to grow a beautiful garden in a spot
where it will be frequently trampled on by people or by animals.
n Choosing a Spot that Looks Good
Of course, you also need to work at selecting a spot for your garden
that looks good. The middle of your yard may receive the perfect
amount of sunlight for your garden – but it might not look so good
to grow a vegetable garden there! Therefore, another consideration
when choosing a location is the aesthetic appeal.
Consider the Purpose
There are many factors to consider when choosing a spot for your
garden that looks good. First, you need to determine the overall
purpose of your garden. If you are planting flowers to landscape the
home and to give it a trimmed and well-kept look, you might actually
have several small garden areas in your yard. For example, you might
put trim around the bottom of large trees and plant flowers there.
You might also plant flowers around the outside perimeter of your
home or along your driveway in order to create a neat and tidy
appearance.
Use What You Already Have
If, on the other hand, you are looking to add a little flair to your yard
that goes beyond looking neat and tidy, you will need to select a spot
that will look attractive and that does not look out of place.
Consider the lay out of your land and the natural curves it already
possesses and create a garden that works within that lay out rather
than against it.
I have planted several gardens in my yard. Each has its own unique
character and the locations I chose were for different reasons. For
example, the first garden I planted was in a shade garden. I chose
this spot because there was a natural cove about ten feet wide that
was already there from the previous owners. On one side, a small
grove of pine trees was already in place. On the other side, some
wild bushes and trees had been allowed to grow.
We decided to place a small shed in the back end of this cove
because the trees provided excellent wind protection. Then, I lined
either side of the cove and planted shade loving flowers. The result
is a beautiful mixture of wild flowers and bushes growing behind my
well-trimmed display of flowers. I took an area that was already a
part of my land and turned it into my own secret garden.
Cover Up Problem Areas
Another element to consider when deciding where to plant your
garden is if there are certain areas that need cleaning up or that need
to be disguised. With a little imagination and work, you can take an
eyesore and change it in to a work of beauty.
The second garden I planted was in response to a problem with our
land. It seems that the previous owner used to burn his garbage in
the back yard rather than have it picked up and disposed of properly.
We tried several times to clean this area, but the burned garbage
seemed to reach endlessly beneath the ground. This made mowing
difficult and it was a concern for us because we have children.
I decided to take this dangerous eyesore and turn it into a family
area. I placed brick trim all the way around the area that was
affected by the garbage pile and planted flowers inside. Much of the
garbage had deteriorated enough that I still had dirt to plant the
flowers in without needing to remove all of the garbage. In addition,
I selected flowers that I knew would be able to withstand growing
conditions that were less than perfect – such as Daylilies and Irises.
I also built a small brick patio in the center of this garden. On this
patio, I placed a swinging bench chair that faces toward the
playground area we created for our children. Now, I can sit and
watch them as they play while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of
my garden.
Make it Suit Your Overall Look
My largest flower garden is growing right next to my patio. Our
home had a nice patio already in place when we moved in, but it had
a rusty and unattractive fence running around its perimeter. In
addition, there was no landscaping near the patio and the grass was
in poor shape. In fact, there were several stones in the grassy area
near the patio that lead us to believe it was once used as a driveway.
We removed the rusty fence, which helped open up the patio and
make it far more attractive. Then, we created a large garden that
runs along the entire front of the patio. Within the garden, we have
built a brick pathway as well as two garden ponds complete with
waterfalls, water plants, and koi. Now, the patio serves as a great
spot where we can sit and enjoy the beauty of the garden while
listening to the trickling fall of water.
Keep the same considerations in mind when selecting a spot for your
garden. What will the purpose of the garden be? Is it purely for
enjoyment or will it also be helping you deal with a problem with
your land? Who will enjoy your garden? How will you and others
enjoy the garden? How does the garden fit within your current
landscape and the lay out of your home? How does the garden take
advantage of the natural beauty your land already possesses?
n Laying Out the Outline
After you have decided where you will place your garden, you need
to plan out the outline. Do you want your garden to be in a circular
shape? A rectangle? Perhaps you want to create some natural
looking curves as the outline for your garden.
A good idea is to draw the outline on a piece of paper first in order
to get an idea of how you would like the garden to look. Then, use
an extension cord or a hose to form the design in just the way you
want it. The nice thing about using an extension cord or a hose is
that you can easily change the layout if you don’t like the way it
looks. I have also used white spray paint and sprayed the grass to
form the outline. This provides you with a guide when digging out
the garden bed.
afternoon sun is hotter and drier than the morning sun. Therefore,
the time of day when the sun hits your garden spot will have an
impact on how often it will need to be watered and how damaging
the sun can potentially be. Furthermore, most flowers turn to face
the sun. Therefore, your garden sitting outside your west window
may not be viewable during the afternoon when the flowers face
away from you.
In addition to the amount and type of sun the area receives, you also
need to consider wind. Certain areas can create wind tunnels, which
can be damaging to your plants. The less wind an area receives, the
better it will be for your garden. You should also consider foot
traffic. After all, you don’t want to grow a beautiful garden in a spot
where it will be frequently trampled on by people or by animals.
n Choosing a Spot that Looks Good
Of course, you also need to work at selecting a spot for your garden
that looks good. The middle of your yard may receive the perfect
amount of sunlight for your garden – but it might not look so good
to grow a vegetable garden there! Therefore, another consideration
when choosing a location is the aesthetic appeal.
Consider the Purpose
There are many factors to consider when choosing a spot for your
garden that looks good. First, you need to determine the overall
purpose of your garden. If you are planting flowers to landscape the
home and to give it a trimmed and well-kept look, you might actually
have several small garden areas in your yard. For example, you might
put trim around the bottom of large trees and plant flowers there.
You might also plant flowers around the outside perimeter of your
home or along your driveway in order to create a neat and tidy
appearance.
Use What You Already Have
If, on the other hand, you are looking to add a little flair to your yard
that goes beyond looking neat and tidy, you will need to select a spot
that will look attractive and that does not look out of place.
Consider the lay out of your land and the natural curves it already
possesses and create a garden that works within that lay out rather
than against it.
I have planted several gardens in my yard. Each has its own unique
character and the locations I chose were for different reasons. For
example, the first garden I planted was in a shade garden. I chose
this spot because there was a natural cove about ten feet wide that
was already there from the previous owners. On one side, a small
grove of pine trees was already in place. On the other side, some
wild bushes and trees had been allowed to grow.
We decided to place a small shed in the back end of this cove
because the trees provided excellent wind protection. Then, I lined
either side of the cove and planted shade loving flowers. The result
is a beautiful mixture of wild flowers and bushes growing behind my
well-trimmed display of flowers. I took an area that was already a
part of my land and turned it into my own secret garden.
Cover Up Problem Areas
Another element to consider when deciding where to plant your
garden is if there are certain areas that need cleaning up or that need
to be disguised. With a little imagination and work, you can take an
eyesore and change it in to a work of beauty.
The second garden I planted was in response to a problem with our
land. It seems that the previous owner used to burn his garbage in
the back yard rather than have it picked up and disposed of properly.
We tried several times to clean this area, but the burned garbage
seemed to reach endlessly beneath the ground. This made mowing
difficult and it was a concern for us because we have children.
I decided to take this dangerous eyesore and turn it into a family
area. I placed brick trim all the way around the area that was
affected by the garbage pile and planted flowers inside. Much of the
garbage had deteriorated enough that I still had dirt to plant the
flowers in without needing to remove all of the garbage. In addition,
I selected flowers that I knew would be able to withstand growing
conditions that were less than perfect – such as Daylilies and Irises.
I also built a small brick patio in the center of this garden. On this
patio, I placed a swinging bench chair that faces toward the
playground area we created for our children. Now, I can sit and
watch them as they play while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of
my garden.
Make it Suit Your Overall Look
My largest flower garden is growing right next to my patio. Our
home had a nice patio already in place when we moved in, but it had
a rusty and unattractive fence running around its perimeter. In
addition, there was no landscaping near the patio and the grass was
in poor shape. In fact, there were several stones in the grassy area
near the patio that lead us to believe it was once used as a driveway.
We removed the rusty fence, which helped open up the patio and
make it far more attractive. Then, we created a large garden that
runs along the entire front of the patio. Within the garden, we have
built a brick pathway as well as two garden ponds complete with
waterfalls, water plants, and koi. Now, the patio serves as a great
spot where we can sit and enjoy the beauty of the garden while
listening to the trickling fall of water.
Keep the same considerations in mind when selecting a spot for your
garden. What will the purpose of the garden be? Is it purely for
enjoyment or will it also be helping you deal with a problem with
your land? Who will enjoy your garden? How will you and others
enjoy the garden? How does the garden fit within your current
landscape and the lay out of your home? How does the garden take
advantage of the natural beauty your land already possesses?
n Laying Out the Outline
After you have decided where you will place your garden, you need
to plan out the outline. Do you want your garden to be in a circular
shape? A rectangle? Perhaps you want to create some natural
looking curves as the outline for your garden.
A good idea is to draw the outline on a piece of paper first in order
to get an idea of how you would like the garden to look. Then, use
an extension cord or a hose to form the design in just the way you
want it. The nice thing about using an extension cord or a hose is
that you can easily change the layout if you don’t like the way it
looks. I have also used white spray paint and sprayed the grass to
form the outline. This provides you with a guide when digging out
the garden bed.
Making Your Flowers Suit Your Garden Spot
You can also use the reverse approach to selecting a garden spot for
your flower garden. Perhaps you already have a spot in mind that
you feel would be just perfect, but you have not taken a look at
flowers yet. Monitor the area you have selected and determine if it
gets more than eight hours of sunlight per day. If it does, you should
go with full sun plants for that area. If it receives about five or six
hours of sunlight per day, partial sun plants are ideal. Full sun plants
might still survive in this spot, but their stems may become spindly
and require staking, as they do not receive the amount of sun
necessary to grow strong.
If the garden spot you have selected receives two to four hours of
sunlight, partial shade flowers are ideal. If the area receives less than
two hours of sunlight per day, you should stick with full shade
flowers.You will also discover that there are some flowers that are
quite versatile and can handle anywhere from full shade to partial sun
or from partial shade to full sun. These flowers are often easier to
care for because of this versatility. So, if you are still uncomfortable
with determining the amount of sunlight your area receives, you
might want to stick with these flowers.
your flower garden. Perhaps you already have a spot in mind that
you feel would be just perfect, but you have not taken a look at
flowers yet. Monitor the area you have selected and determine if it
gets more than eight hours of sunlight per day. If it does, you should
go with full sun plants for that area. If it receives about five or six
hours of sunlight per day, partial sun plants are ideal. Full sun plants
might still survive in this spot, but their stems may become spindly
and require staking, as they do not receive the amount of sun
necessary to grow strong.
If the garden spot you have selected receives two to four hours of
sunlight, partial shade flowers are ideal. If the area receives less than
two hours of sunlight per day, you should stick with full shade
flowers.You will also discover that there are some flowers that are
quite versatile and can handle anywhere from full shade to partial sun
or from partial shade to full sun. These flowers are often easier to
care for because of this versatility. So, if you are still uncomfortable
with determining the amount of sunlight your area receives, you
might want to stick with these flowers.
Making the Garden Spot Suit Your Flowers
If you are planting a flower garden, you have a bit more flexibility
when it comes to the amount of sunlight your garden needs to
receive. This is because there are flowers that love shade, flowers
that love sun, and flowers that love everything in between. If you
have already looked at different types of flowers and have your heart
set on certain ones, however, you will need to plan the location of
your garden accordingly.
Most nurseries include tags with their flowers that describe the ideal
growing conditions for the flower, including the amount of sunlight it
requires. Look at the tag to determine if the flowers you like require
shade, partial shade, partial sun, or full sun. If you notice that all of
the flowers you have selected require shade, such as the Hosta and
the Lily of the Valley, you will want to choose a shady location for
10
10
your garden. This might be beneath a tree or even under a balcony
or porch. If, on the other hand, the flowers you selected enjoy full
sun, you will need to select a location that requires a great deal of
sunlight during the day.
You may discover that you enjoy a mixed bag of flowers. For
example, some may prefer partial shade while others prefer full sun.
In this case, you might need to choose a couple different locations
and two or more gardens. Or, you will have to decide which type of
flower you would like to specialize in. In general, there are more
flowers to choose from if you decide to go with those requiring full
sun to partial sun. On the other hand, full shade and partial shade
flowers are often easier to care for.
when it comes to the amount of sunlight your garden needs to
receive. This is because there are flowers that love shade, flowers
that love sun, and flowers that love everything in between. If you
have already looked at different types of flowers and have your heart
set on certain ones, however, you will need to plan the location of
your garden accordingly.
Most nurseries include tags with their flowers that describe the ideal
growing conditions for the flower, including the amount of sunlight it
requires. Look at the tag to determine if the flowers you like require
shade, partial shade, partial sun, or full sun. If you notice that all of
the flowers you have selected require shade, such as the Hosta and
the Lily of the Valley, you will want to choose a shady location for
10
10
your garden. This might be beneath a tree or even under a balcony
or porch. If, on the other hand, the flowers you selected enjoy full
sun, you will need to select a location that requires a great deal of
sunlight during the day.
You may discover that you enjoy a mixed bag of flowers. For
example, some may prefer partial shade while others prefer full sun.
In this case, you might need to choose a couple different locations
and two or more gardens. Or, you will have to decide which type of
flower you would like to specialize in. In general, there are more
flowers to choose from if you decide to go with those requiring full
sun to partial sun. On the other hand, full shade and partial shade
flowers are often easier to care for.
Getting Enough Sun for Your Vegetable Garden
Since you will need a great deal of sunlight for your vegetable garden,
you should never plant it next to large trees that will cast shadows
throughout the day. Similarly, it is generally best not avoid planting a
vegetable garden right next to a building or a home. The shadow
cast by the home can prevent adequate sunlight from reaching your
garden. If you aren’t sure about a specific area, take a day to monitor
the position of the sun and the shade it produces in the area you are
considering for your garden. You don’t need to stand out there all
day! Rather, check on the area once per hour in order to get an idea
of how much sunlight the area receives.
you should never plant it next to large trees that will cast shadows
throughout the day. Similarly, it is generally best not avoid planting a
vegetable garden right next to a building or a home. The shadow
cast by the home can prevent adequate sunlight from reaching your
garden. If you aren’t sure about a specific area, take a day to monitor
the position of the sun and the shade it produces in the area you are
considering for your garden. You don’t need to stand out there all
day! Rather, check on the area once per hour in order to get an idea
of how much sunlight the area receives.
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