May
is for planting!
Now
is the time to finally get those hands dirty! All the anticipation
and longing for beautiful weather is over. How refreshing
it has been to hear birds singing in the morning, and see
the beautiful blooming trees and early spring tulips, instead
of staring at winter's gloom. It is finally time to get in
that garden and start working.
Mother's
Day weekend is the unofficial "all clear" from Mother Nature
to start planting safely in our area. If you look on many
tags and seed packets, they will indicate a regional zone
that will be the most successful for your desired plant. We
live in zone 5. Most plants will not have much luck or be
able to thrive very well if you do not follow your zone. Before
you decide to plant, be sure to watch the seven-day forecast
and make sure that we are well over the threat of frost. If
you decide to plant before then, make sure that you are prepared.
Many young seedlings are not equipped to handle the frost
and your efforts might be in vain.
When
picking out your plants at your local garden center, there
are a few things you should keep in mind. Pick a flat or pack
that is moist but not soaking. Also, lift the plant from the
cell to see if the plant has become root bound. That means
that the root is very present and has wrapped around itself
several times searching for space to grow. The plant is literally
strangling itself. If the root is very dominant, you might
want to pick a smaller plant with less visible roots. Also,
most people gravitate towards large blooming plants in flats.
This is not always best. For instance, impatiens should be
low and compact with lots of buds. The tall, leggy plants
will not fill-in very well in a group.
Follow
the instructions on the tag! This means, if your desired plant
says "mostly shade" and you plant in the hot afternoon sun,
it will probably die. A lot of people try to make a plant
or flower fit their situation, and that just doesn't work.
Also, keep your tags and seed packets. There are some great
instructions and advice printed on them. A great tip would
be to tape them on recipe cards and file for later use.
I
am also a huge fan of hanging baskets and container gardening.
I think this is gardening at its easiest. You can move planters
and baskets around and in and out of the sun. They do require
a little more watering, but I feel it is well worth it. You
really can make some beautiful combinations that reflect your
individuality and make a beautiful statement.
Remember,
a beautiful and successful garden requires work all summer
long, not just the first few weeks. When I worked at a local
garden center, I had many customers that came in to buy some
of the stunning hanging baskets that we sold. Many would tell
me that they wanted something that was pretty, did not require
much water or work and didn't make a mess. This is a truly
impossible request. I would tell them that they needed to
go to the craft store and buy silk. All plants require a little
work and love. If you make the commitment now, I know that
you will be pleased with your results throughout the summer.
