Beau's Tips
Gardening 101
Planning is essential to growing a garden, even if you're just starting with a few pots of herbs. Start by finding out your climate, soil type, average rainfall, and sunlight exposure, as this will determine what kinds of plants you can grow and what supplies you'll need. Don't worry, it's not as complicated as it sounds. Just check out the regional reports from the National Gardening Association for information specific to your area.
Your findings will come in handy when you choose your greens. A plant with "cold hardiness" is able to withstand the average minimum winter temperatures in your area (a full list can be found at the USDA Cold Hardiness Map), while "heat hardiness" notes a plant's ability to withstand the average number of days with temperatures over 86 degrees in your area (for a full list, see the American Horticultural Society's Plant Heat Zone Map).
Now comes the fun part: deciding what you'd like to grow! Are you looking to beautify your space with lush flowers, or supplement your grocery budget with homegrown fruits and vegetables? Hickory Tree Landscaping recommends two plants for beginners. "Lettuce is quick and easy. You start with seeds in a container or in the garden, and you can start harvesting the outer leaves it in just over a month (the plants will keep producing). Look for heat tolerant varieties if you'll be growing and harvesting in the summer," she says. And "tomatoes are a plant that provides big payback. The flavor of a homegrown tomato can't be matched—plus, you harvest lots of tomatoes from one plant. All the plant really needs is a sunny spot."
Once you choose what to grow, check seed catalogs, online sources, or visit a garden center to pick out your seeds or plants. "Make sure you read plant descriptions or plant tags to see if the plant will fit the available space and thrive in the light, soil, and other growing conditions
Please contact us with any gardening questions.
Plant a Vegetable Patch
Starting a vegetable garden at home is an easy way to save money -- that $2 tomato plant can easily provide you with 10 pounds of fruit over the course of a season.
Planting a garden with vegetables also gives you the pleasure of savoring a delicious, sun-warmed tomato fresh from the garden. In almost every case, the flavor and texture of varieties you can grow far exceed the best grocery store produce.
Plus, growing vegetables can be fun. It's a great way to spend time with children or have a place to get away and spend time outdoors in the sun.
Learning what to plant in a garden with vegetables, and how to tend them for the best harvest, is probably easier than you think. If you plan it right, you can enjoy a beautiful garden full of the fruits of your labor -- without having to spend hours and hours tending it. Planting a garden that includes vegetables and flowers means you've combined natural companions, and that can turn a potential eyesore into an attractive landscape feature.
Please contact us for help planning your flower or veggetable garden.