PLANTING YOUR GARDEN

PLANTING YOUR GARDEN
Now that you have a garden bed filled with rich soil, it is time to
start planting in it! From here, you have two choices. You can either
plant seeds or purchase mature plants. Or, you may choose to do a
combination of both.
n Selecting Healthy Plants for Your Garden
When you first walk into a nursery, every plant may look healthy and
of high quality. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. In addition to
being disappointed by the performance of the plant if you choose
one that is unhealthy, you also may bring some diseases back to your
other plants or to your soil. Therefore, you need to take a few steps
to make sure the plants you select are healthy and perfect for adding
to your garden.
Nursery Quality
The first thing you need to examine is the overall quality of the
nursery. Do the plants seem to be generally well cared for and
healthy? Do the employees seem to understand how to care for the
plants? Are they able to provide you with proper advice for their
care and maintenance? All of these factors will help you determine if
you should turn around and run out of the nursery or if it just might
be a good place to purchase a healthy plant.
Foliage
Next, take a look at the foliage of the plants for sale. Once you find
a plant you are interested in purchasing, check to be sure the leaves
are shiny, green, and lush. If the leaves are yellowing or wilting, it is
best to leave it at the nursery. These plants probably are not
diseased, so they will not cause harm to your garden. Rather, the
wilting and yellow color is a sign that the plant is stressed. You can
never be sure if a stressed plant will recover. If you are feeling
confident in your gardening skills, you might still take this one home if
it is on sale for a great price. Or, ask one of the employees if he or
she will discount the plant for you because of its condition.

Plant Shape
After inspecting the foliage of the plant, look at its overall shape. A
compact plant that is full and has multiple stems is usually better than
a tall plant. In fact, a tall plant is often an indication that the plant has
been straining to find light. As a result, it can grow to be thin and
spindly, which means the plant may break easily or may require
staking in order to keep it upright once you place it in your garden.
Insects and Disease
In order to keep the other plants in your garden safe, you will also
need to inspect the plant for signs of insects and diseases. To do this,
look at both sides of the leaves as well as in the potting soil. If you
see holes, blackened areas, spots, distortions, or mushy areas, the
plant may be infected. A sticky feeling on the leaves or on the soil
are also bad signs.
Roots
We discussed plants that are root bound earlier in this guide. It is
best to avoid root bound plants whenever possible because being
root bound is stressful on the plant, as is snipping away at the roots
later. Of course, you cannot always tell if a plant is root bound while
it is at the store because it is inside a pot. You can, however, look for
roots growing out of the bottom of the pot or even roots that have
grown to the top of the soil. Both are signs that the plant has
become root bound. You may want to stay away from these plants
because it can take some time for them to recover from the
condition.
On the other end of the spectrum, you may find a plant that easily
lifts out of the pot and has no signs of roots. This indicates the plant
was recently repotted. In this case, it is usually best to let the plant
remain in the pot for awhile before attempting to transplant it to
your garden.
Stem
The stem of the plant is another important area to inspect. If the
plant you are considering purchasing is thick or woody, check for
cracks or scars from previous breaks. Prior damage to the stems can
still cause the plant to be weakened overall, so it is best to stay away
from those that have been damaged.
Weeds
You should also look for weeds growing in the pot along with the
plant. Weeds in the pot are a sign that the plant has been neglected.
In addition, it means your plant has been fighting with the weed for
nutrients. As a result, it can be week and unhealthy. Furthermore,
you do not want to bring new weeds home with you when you
purchase a new plant.
Root Ball
If you are purchasing a balled-and-burlapped shrub or tree, you
should also inspect the root ball. It should feel solid and should not
appear to be broken. If it has been broken, the roots may have
become dried out and the plant will have a difficult time adjusting and
growing.
Flowers Vs. Buds
It is also best to purchase new plants before they have flowered. If
you are purchasing a plant at about the time it should flower, select
those with buds rather than those that have flowered. Budded plants
transplant better than those with flowers. In addition, the flowers
often wilt away when transplanted. Plants with buds, on the other
hand, will usually still bloom and provide you with wonderful flowers
to enjoy in your garden rather than in the store.
In the end, nearly any plant may be able to be saved. So, if you see
one that you really have to have but you know it isn’t healthy, you can
still go ahead and purchase it. Just be prepared to give it a little
pampering. If it is diseased or has insects, however, it is not worth
risking the health of your other plants.