A garden design and care primer

Planning next season's garden does not need to be a chore. Getting your plants to respond well is within your ability. Several general steps can get you the results you want.

The first step is the design. Draw a diagram of your lot. Include your house, drive, walks, patios and other hardscape (permanent) fixtures. Also, include any buried pipes and wires, plus any overhead wires that may interfere with any work you will do. This map of hardscape features is the backbone of your design.

Now, look at the large shrubs and trees that are permanent fixtures in your yard. Note their height, color and any other distinctive features. Note shady and sunny areas and mark where they reach. Use this information to help guide your plant selections.

Walk around and view different parts of your landscape. Take note of the paths you use and the views from these areas. Go to places from where you will view your plant beds, including inside your house. How wide is your view? How deep is it? Is it shady (lighten the area with light-colored shade plants) or sunny? Measure the size of these planting beds.

Now you are ready to select plants. Remember, you are the one who will be looking at these plants. So pick plants that you will enjoy!

Annual plants generally have more color and "pop." Perennials provide stability and anchor your landscape design.

Do you want to vary color, leaf size (plant texture), height and density, to create distinctive design areas or do you want a smooth flow? Consider the soil type, slope, and micro-climate for each part of your yard. These will help you decide on which plants will do well for each part of your yard. Plants that are "happy" where they live require less care and maintenance than those who are forced into areas where they do not belong.

Each variety of plant has its own needs as to frequency and amount of watering. For easier care, put plants with similar water requirements near each other. "Deep watering" means watering to full rooting depth. This encourages deep rooting. It is done relatively infrequently. Let the soil dry out somewhat between waterings. "Frequent watering" usually means the plant has shallow roots or is a big user of water. Daily watering of these plants may be necessary during hot, dry summer weather.

Landscape plants respond very well to fertilizers with a high percent of slow-release organic nitrogen. Plants aren't "pushed" to grow faster than they should, and don't end up with unsightly, leggy growth.

As always, look for plant-specific information. Plant tags, your local nursery, and your county horticulture extension agent are excellent resources. Don't forget that your plan should take into consideration the amount of growth you want, the type of soil you have and the micro-climate you live in.

Courtesy of ARA Content