One of the most important tasks for a successful garden is perfect for gray, gloomy winter days: planning.
More Top Picks Best Commercial Mini Splits For Offices
“Doing basic homework now will prepare you to work effectively once spring comes and it’s finally time to get outdoors,” said Julie Janoski, Plant Clinic manager at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle.
Whether you’re starting a new garden or refining one you’ve been working on for years, following some basic planning steps will get you off to a good start.
Start with the space: Don’t begin by browsing colorful plant catalogs or websites. “Choosing plants is the last step,” Janoski said. “First, you need to know about the site where those plants will have to grow.” Once you’ve investigated your site, you’ll be able to select the kinds of plants that will have the best chance of growing there successfully.
Measure: Figure out how much space is available. Measuring can be easier in winter, without foliage blocking your view. Assess not just your growing space, but the other features of the yard: paths, patios, driveways, swing sets, sheds. Use your measurements to sketch a rough site plan. “It doesn’t need to be pretty,” she said. “It just needs to give you information to work with.” If you have the plat of survey for your home, it’s a good basis for a garden plan.
Allow for people: Think about what outdoor activities you need to set aside space for, such as playing, barbecuing and eating. Consider views that you’d like to embrace, such as a neighbor’s rose garden or a bird feeder from inside the kitchen, as well as things you’d rather not see, such as garbage cans or air conditioning compressors.
Think about sun: Since light is essential for plants, the amount of daily sunlight that reaches the soil of your garden site is critical. Figure out whether it is in full sun (six or more hours of full sun a day), part sun (four to six hours) or shade (less than four). Most likely, there will be different amounts of sunlight in various areas of your yard. Watch to see how shadows fall from buildings, fences, trees, and other objects. Light patterns can shift quite a bit from winter to summer as the angle of the sun changes. It’s best to observe your garden through a whole growing season to locate its areas of sun and shade.
Allow for shade from trees: Mark not just where the trunks are but how far the branches extend, so you know where they will cast shade when they are full of leaves. “Bear in mind that as trees grow, the area of shade they cast will grow too,” Janoski said. It’s a good idea to identify each tree’s species and learn about it so you know how large it could grow in the future.
Check out your soil: The texture and chemistry of your soil will limit which plants you can grow. Take some samples to learn your soil’s properties, and consider getting a professional soil test.
Plan for vegetables and herbs: Make sure a site for a vegetable garden is in full sun. Tomatoes and peppers will need eight hours of daily sunlight. Today, most vegetable gardeners used raised beds, which you can buy or build. Decide where you will put them ? where they will get the required sun but not interfere with walkways and other uses for the yard. Make sure your vegetable garden is near a faucet because you will be doing a lot of watering.
Choose the right plants: The better your plants are suited to the conditions of your site, the more likely they are to thrive. “Let your conditions guide you to the right plants,” Janoski said. For example, if you have a site with alkaline, clay soil in part shade and you’d like a spring-flowering shrub, you could choose between flowering quince, viburnum, and a number of other species. The Plant Clinic can help with plant selection.
Group plants by need: You will have less work to do if you place plants that have similar needs together. For example, group plants that need regular watering near the outdoor faucet. For a dry, sunny spot, choose only drought-tolerant plants.
Learn more: “The more you learn about your site and your plants, the better decisions you will be able to make,” she said. Consult the Arboretum’s plant advice at mortonarb.org/trees-and-plants. Learn more about designing a garden at mortonarb.org/landscape-design.
For tree and plant advice, contact the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum (630-719-2424, mortonarb.org/plant-clinic, or [email protected]). Beth Botts is a staff writer at the Arboretum.