5 Spring Planning Things To Do

The holidays are almost past and that means it is time to start thinking and planning for the spring garden. Below are 5 things to do to start planning for that spring garden. Aside from getting a better start each year making the to do list puts my mind on the sunny days ahead rather than the cloudy cold days overhead!

1. Get rid of the old catalogs! I have a habit of keeping the old seed catalogs way too long. This year I'll recycle any that aren't current. Some people like to clip out their favorite plants from those old catalogs to save in a notebook of some kind for future reference - I'm never disciplined enough to do it but I do think it's a great idea! Of course you can do that digitally with the online catalogs or take photos of the current ones to save on your computer which can help reduce clutter.

2. Evaluate the garden. Go back to last year and figure out the plants that did well and those that didn't. Then plan on replacing the poorly performing plants with other plants that have similar characteristics to those that did well. It's always helpful to make a list of the plants you grow in your garden for this purpose and evaluate each year. That's one reason I love the blog - I can look back at my garden and see a visual record of everything.

3. Plan the garden budget! Here's another task I fail at often. Either things cost more than I plan for or I get  the impulse buy. Having a set budget will help to control your spending (or overspending). I tend to think in categories like "seeds and seed starting supplies", "plants", and "project materials." Plan the plants you need to replace. If you regularly buy annuals you know these are a reoccurring expense so plan ahead for them. The same goes for vegetables like tomatoes and peppers. If you are planning a major project like a new deck or a garden shed (I can speak from experience here) plan on it costing more than you think! Add at least 10% more to cover materials and possible as much as 25% more to give you a lot of wiggle room. If you come in under budget all is well (and you have a nice savings ready to buy new plants!) 

4. Once you have your garden budget purchase your seeds. I've noticed that many retailers offer discounts for early shoppers. This may be more in the plant area than the seed department but is still worth noting. I like to order mainly heirloom seeds and plan on ordering from Baker's Creek. I've found their prices reasonable and their catalog will just make you hungry by looking at it! Other companies are out there like Renee's Garden and Seeds of Change who also have a great reputation.

5. Get ready for later winter early spring cleanup! I always let my perennials stand with their dead branches held aloft and wait until late winter and early spring to cut them back. The extra canopy helps protect the crown of the plant from the cold by making an insulating pocket of air. It may not help all plants but those who are a little finicky when it comes to cold stand to benefit from the standing foliage. In the late winter when the temperatures are starting to warm I cut the foliage back and toss it in the compost bin and to get the garden ready for the next show!

There are five things I try to do to help with spring planning, do you have any other ideas to add to the list?

Perusing and Planning with the Seed Catalogs

I've seen many posts recently about gardening and seed catalogs. Some posts analyze the timing of the seed company's publications. Most posts are simply people salivating in anticipation of what may come! I have to admit it I am doing the same. Ask my wife what my favorite bathroom reading material is and she'll tell you that it's the seed catalog. It doesn't matter which one. I like looking at those pictures and imagining where these plants will fit into our landscape. In two out of three bathrooms in our home there exists a small stack of seed and garden catalogs taunting me with the promise of spring! But that's not all.

I've started marking the catalogs creating an initial planning list for out purchases come spring. I simply put a little star beside the plant I like so I can narrow the list later. The key is to balance what would be nice to have and what you could actually fit into your garden. I think many gardeners buy too many seeds. That's OK though since usually you can store seeds for a year or two and still have viable seeds. I don't think we'll order any plants from the catalogs but we will stock up on seeds. Perennials, annuals, vegetables and herb seed that's where the money is, or rather goes! Why only seeds? It's pretty simple really. Seeds are cheap! If you are willing to put in the time to baby them up until planting it's the best way to go. The key here is to have the room to start them indoors a few weeks in advance. If you start them early you end up in a statistical dead heat with the store bought plants and you've saved dozens of dollars. We almost always start our tomatoes from seed indoors. The one exception was the year when we bought from one of our local high school's agriculture department (Not a bad way to get a few extra plants every now and then). Several times we used little paper cups to start the tomato seeds. You could always go with peat pots or newspaper pots.

I have a general idea of what we will need for next year. There are a few vegetables that we plant every year like tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, radishes, green onions and green beans. This is where I'll start in the catalogs. With the tomatoes I want to try an heirloom variety. The flavor is supposed to be much better even though they are less disease resistant than the hybrids. I've seen a couple that sound good. The Mortgage Lifter has an impressive name, if only it would do the same for us as the name implies! We'll go for some cherry tomatoes of some sort and probably another kind that is conducive to slicing and smacking on a hamburger or slathering with mayonnaise on a BLT.

The problem is wanting to try a bit of everything. We have limited space in both our garden and our stomachs so we must restrain ourselves from over planting. That being said I would love to have enough in my garden to give to our neighbors and friends throughout the summer so I'll plan ahead for some extra.

Sunflowers will have to be planted. There are several varieties including the giant Kong. A sixteen footer! I'm not sure we need one that big but the others could make a great temporary screen the birds will love! Last year the gold finches flocked to the sunflowers. The cardinals weren't too shy either. Maybe I can make enough to supplement our winter birdseed. I can't make it through the whole winter on what I can produce but maybe one or two fill ups.

There are also perennials and a bunch of them! Where can I put them all? One that already has a place in my mind is catmint (I'll comment about catmint after Christmas). Delphiniums would definitely be an excellent accent to several places in our landscape. They have a quasi-fantasy type quality about them reminiscent of a medieval castle garden. Perhaps some more achillea and salvia?

I shouldn't leave out the herbs. How many different kinds of basil can I use? The purple leaved varieties are really interesting and there is a small compact form that is pretty unique. Mix them with some of the traditional large leaved basils, oregano, rosemary and thyme and you have the makings of a pretty good kitchen herb garden.

There's a lot to think about. Maybe that's why gardeners enjoy getting the catalogs in the mail. It's a chance to plot, plan, dream or scheme your way to a better garden. I think in many ways gardeners are collectors who always want something new or unique to add to their collection. At least that's what I think.

Blank Slate

It will be fun to think of what next year's growing season will bring. The yard here is pretty much a blank slate still. I've done a few things, like making a garden bed or two, making a bird bath garden, and added trees but there is a lot left to do to fit my vision of what this yard could be. Everyday I can think of a new thing to add to the landscape. Today I started thinking about a small herb garden bordered with stone in the front yard near our walkway. I'll add that one to my to do list. Over in the right column of my blog I have the "Ever-Growing List." It's my to do list that just keeps growing, kind of like kudzu. As I knock off jobs I'll talk about them and post pictures of the process.

I'm looking forward to starting on the raised beds for my vegetable garden. This past year all I could do was plant some potted tomatoes and peppers which never amounted to much. Our house was fixer upper and much of our time and expense went into making it habitable. With the vegetable garden raised beds are definitely the way to go. I helped my parents build some a couple years ago and their veggies have produced more than they could eat.

What I'm planning will be a 2 year process. This first year I will build the basic wood frame out of 2"x8" boards. I plan on having 4 4'x6' beds and 2 4'x4' beds. I'll set them up into 2 "L" shapes. The second year I'll expand them to 16" tall. At least that is my current plan.

My next project will have to be planting the Arbor Day trees I ordered. The trees are only shipped when dormant so I haven't seen them yet but I can't wait to get them in the ground!

The Summer Garden is Coming to a Close

I sadly saw yesterday a weather report that mentioned the "F" word - FROST.  It's coming very soon, most likely Sunday and/or Monday nights.  While there are some good feelings about this - like a rest period for the gardener - it's also a time I dread.  Those fresh tomatoes from the garden will soon be a thing of the past.  We've frozen some sauce to enjoy over the winter in soups or pasta but it's not as great as walking out under the summer sun and picking that ripe juicy tomato for my turkey sandwich. I'll probably cover our tomatoes for the next couple weeks to try and resist the cold a just little longer but the summer garden is quickly coming to a close.  I use old sheets to cover them since they don't transfer the cold through them like plastic does.

The fall garden is partially planted with lettuce, spinach, Brussels spouts, kale, and chard.  I'll plant the other half of the bed next week and other beds as I clear away more of the summer garden.

This year has gone by extremely fast.  I've been busy working at Farmer's Market, starting my own small gardening business (it sure isn't easy!), trying to help a children's garden get started, and of course all of our gardening activities around our house. A time of rest this winter will be welcome.  But the gardening off-season isn't just a time for garden addicts to relax and recover - true gardening addicts plan!

Gardeners plan for the seeds they buy, they plants they want to grow, what new garden beds they want to make, and all kinds of other things.  Gardening addicts also prepare what they can for the growing season.  It's time for me to build a few more raised beds to replace the old ones. I also have a greenhouse I need to set up very soon.  It's a small one but with some creativity will help me next year as I prepare plants for customers.  It's just another step in becoming a real nursery one day.

This winter I'm also hoping to put together a few small e-books.  I hear it's the thing to do now and that more people read them than the physical paper books.  I'm not sure - I've still never read an e-book!  If you have a topic you want me to cover in e-book format let me know and I'll see what I can do. I'm considering putting together a raised bed garden layout book and one on plant propagation but there are so many possible topics that could be covered.

The Fall Color Project is still underway but so far no one has posted for it yet.  It won't be long before the colors peak so stay tuned for some great fall color!

Also don't forget about the contest for Lowe's Creative Ideas.  You have a chance to win a $50 gift card to Lowe's just for commenting on my mum project posts.  The second post will be up as soon as the mums are fully into bloom and I can take a photo!

I hope you can forgive the randomness in today's post.  I've been cooped up due to rain the last couple days and am ready for some sunshiny fall days!

Rethinking the Front Sidewalk Garden

Our front sidewalk garden has always been a tricky thing. I plant the plants I like there but I've rarely given consideration to other people who walk down the sidewalk which is becoming problematic. It's a problem because of two things: many of the plants I plant attract pollinators (which doesn't bother me a bit but does bother those who are afraid of bees and wasps) and several of the plants are becoming to big for their britches so to speak. My wife doesn't like to walk down the sidewalk and chooses to walk into the grass. When people decide that walking through the grass is easier (or safer) than the sidewalk I think there's a problem!

The solution may sound simple - plant the right plants in the right space but it is really much more complicated when you sit down to choose the plants. For this area I'll adopt new planting strategy - plant for foliage. It's not really a new strategy as I've done it in other gardens but it will be new for this garden.


Let's take a look a what is in the garden:

Butterfly Bush - It's staying both my wife and I like it where it is and since I cut it back severely each spring it does get out of hand.
Nandina (2) - I'm not a fan of nandinas and would love to remove them both but my wife likes the one in the center so it wills stay (for now...)
Bird's Nest Spruce - I'm a big fan of this plant but it's planted too closet to the butterfly bush, it needs a new home.
Yew - the Densiformis yew I discovered on the discount rack three years ago are doing great. Foundation plantings for $10 - you can't beat that!
Euonymous fortunei - This variegated evergreen is getting leggy and I wouldn't mind removing them but I'm deferring to the wife again ;).
Catmint - This one attracts many of the pollinators especially the big bumble bees. I'm keeping one in the garden for sure but may move the second one.
Irises - These aren't a problem but need moved to allow them room to grow.
Echinacea - When in bloom the coneflowers attract plenty of butterflies and the stingy pollinators too.
Spirea - It was here when we moved in and grew back from its roots. It's now too big for its spot and will need moved.
Gaillardia - An offspring of an 'Oranges and Lemons' that reverted back to one of it's parents.
Phlox - This looks great every spring! It does need a hair cut though - did I hear anyone say cuttings?
Heath - It was looking sad this spring but seems to have rebounded.
Mums - Some giant red mums are in need of a new home. The flowers aren't giant, just the plant. It's spilling over onto the sidewalk in a large bush - and I never pinched it back. Of course it didn't pinch me first! ;)
'Silver Mound' artemisia - I like this plant but it looks in really sad shape right now. A mid-summer pruning was probably needed to keep it bushy. 'Silver Mound' is also spilling over the sidewalk. It's a look I like but maybe not here.
Salvia 'East Friesland' - EF looks awesome every spring and after a hard pruning it comes back great. I really don't think I can move these - I just don't want to! They attract pollinators in droves though.
Daylilies - Most likely these are 'Stella's and they look nice but are another pollinator attractor!

I've also planted a few annuals in the mix but they really don't factor in on the decision much. I could go after more sun tolerate coleus plants next year for their foliage color.
What to move? Echinacea, 1 catmint, 'Silver Mound', Gaillardia, Irises, Spirea, Bird's Nest Spruce, and a nandina.

What to replace the plantings with? That's the question isn't it? With so many options out there to choose from it becomes very difficult. I once saw a beautiful chamaecyparis that would have been great along the sidewalk but it's hard to find and can be expensive. Another idea would be to use a combination of shorter ornamental grasses with some sun tolerant heuchera.  I'm looking for interesting foliage plants that don't get extremely tall.

What would you suggest?

Thrifty Gardening Tips Part Six: Making a List

Here is Part Six of The Home Garden's series of posts on how to garden on a budget.

I began planning this post with the intention of talking about the importance of planning a garden. After typing and typing I realized that this is a subject so large that it really needed to be broken down into smaller sections. One of the first things I like to do to plan out my projects, gardens and plantings is to make a list! Just consider this Dave's take on garden list making or even Garden List Making 101!

Why make a list? For me it helps me to organize my thoughts and ideas. I can start as broad as I want to and write down everything I can think of or be fairly narrow and specific.

How does making a list save you money? First think of the different kinds of lists you can make that are related to your garden and you will see how they can be used to organize your garden budget.



The List of Plants I Want
This is a fun list to make. I just go through the garden catalogs either the physical ones that come through the mail or online and select anything I might want in my garden in the future. Then I can easily break the list down into smaller chunks based on plant type, color or garden location. Then when I see the plant at a discount, on sale, or at a plant swap (there's a Thrifty Gardening Tip for another time!) I can pick it up at that reduced rate.

The List of Plants I Have
This could be a very helpful list to prevent buying the same plant again. Of course you may want that same plant again and this list will ensure that you can find and match the same name. Or you could just buy one and propagate the rest (you can bet that topic will be a future tip)! I recommend writing down the botanical name and the cultivar name on the list. The botanical name is by far more important since often there can be several variety names.

The What Worked and What Didn't List
Gardeners experiment with new plants often, it's just a gardening fact of life! Keep track of those plants that did well and you can use them again but also keep track of those that failed or did poorly so that you will remember and can prevent history from repeating itself!

The List of Gardens and Plants
This list has all of the plants from each garden area in the yard. If you find a compatible plant that would work well in that garden you can add it to your collection. It is also helpful if you notate the amount of sun and shade that the garden gets.

The Future Project List
I made a short project list just the other day. This list not only helps to stay organized but can aid in mapping out the cost of the projects. Once you know the project cost then you can fit it into your budget.

The Consolidated List
The first four lists could easily be consolidated into one great big garden list perfect for your garden notebook. Just take the elements you feel are important and write them down in a spreadsheet type format (or use the spreadsheet program on your computer).

Here's an example of a list I might put together for my Birdbath Garden.

Botantical Name	Common Name	Number	Sun/Shade	Garden	Success?
Buddleja	Butterfly Bush	1	Full Sun	Bird Bath	Very Good
Coreopsis 'Sunfire'	Tickseed	3	Full Sun	Bird Bath	Very Good
Salvia Nemorosa 'Caradonna'	Salvia	5	Full Sun	Bird Bath	Very Good
Echinacea 'Sunset'	Coneflower	2	Full Sun	Bird Bath	One Very Good, One Getting By

I could have added many more categories for the table but this might be a good way to chart the success of certain plants in different parts of the garden. If I were to use a spreadsheet I would be able to sort each category, which would be a major advantage!

By making lists you enable yourself to have the best information of what your garden is, what it wasn't, and what it will be. If you follow your lists, you will save money. But making lists will only work if you stick to it. That doesn't mean that you can't spontaneously buy a new plant every now and then, but the lists could aid you in the decision process.

For more tips on how to garden on a budget visit these other Thrifty Gardening Tip posts!

Thrifty Gardening Tips Part 1: Buying and Saving Discount Discount Plants
Thrifty Gardening Tips Part 1 Follow Up: Buying and Saving Discount Plants
Thrifty Gardening Tips Part 2: The Generosity of Gardeners
Thrifty Gardening Tips Part 3: Save Gas, Only Mow Where You Go
Thrifty Gardening Tips Part 4: Think Small Plants
Thrifty Gardening Tips Part 5: Make Compost

My August Project List

August isn't a great month for planting plants here in Tennessee but it is a good time to get other projects done. That is if you can stand the heat! I have several things that I would like to get finished before the beginning of fall and I thought I would write a list to help keep myself organized.

Here's what I have planned:

Project 1
Finally install the latticework around the base of our deck. The deck looks very unfinished and plain right now. Once I get the latticework installed it should close off the underside of the deck effectively.

Project 2
Install the raised bed landscape timber planters. After completely the latticework I want to build one level of a raised bed around the deck and part of the house. It's not a hard project but it will take a little time.

Project 3
Build the patio. This project has been on my radar for quite some time. Thanks to Uncle Sam and his economic stimulus check writing abilities we have the funds available to install one. We chose to use paver stones with a retaining wall edge. I think it will come together very nice in the end but it will mean a good deal of work until then. It's a project with many parts:

1. Layout the edging stones to get an idea of what the shape of the patio will be. Done
2. Clear the area of weeds and grass. In progress
3. Level the patio area.
4. Dig the edging trench.
   
5. Spread gravel in the edger trench.
6. Install the edging stones.
   
7. Lay down landscape fabric. (One of the only places I would use it!)
8. Spread gravel.
9. Spread sand over the gravel.
10. Lay the paving stones down.
11. Work sand in between the paving stone cracks.
12. Enjoy my hard work!

Project 4
I hope to build an arbor out of the old patio wood I acquired last fall.

Project 5
Build a perennial seed starting bed from the patio wood I mentioned in Project 4.

It's kind of intimidating to list my projects out like that but I've worked on sand and gravel based patios a couple times before and I know what is involved. I listed them with numbers but they aren't prioritized. I'll do what I can do when I can do them! There is no rush on Projects 4 and 5 I just listed them to keep them in my mind!.

Staying Organized or How to Tread Water...

This is a hard topic for one so organized as I (which would be not). Organization is something I have gotten better about over the years but I still fall woefully short of any real system. I'm probably like most people, I intend to start getting organized. Then I actually start doing a few things to get organized. Then a few days later the system is abandoned, not because it was a bad idea or wasn't working, but because I just forgot about it. I'll say things like "I'll write that down later." It's amazing how later changes from hours, into days, into weeks, and into never! I'm fortunate to have a decent enough memory to retain my to do lists for the yard, although other things seem to get lost in my head. This blog has really helped me lay out my thoughts and ideas. It gives me a written record and a voice for my thoughts. Hopefully next year, after this year's plantings have finished, I can look back and see what worked, what didn't, what to do again, and what I wish I had never attempted. Here are a few things I do to keep myself organized that may help you tread the waters of organization!

1. I save all the plant labels until I can go through them and write them down. I shove all the labels into a plastic bag in the garage until I have the time or the inclination to sit down and write them down in a spiral notebook. That usually happens when it's 102 degrees outside in August and I have a few moments of free time. Writing the plants down helps me keep track of what we have in the yard.

2. This brings me to talking about my notebook. My notebook isn't fancy, just a plain and thick spiral notebook. In my notebook I make drawings of plans, sketches of garden ideas, and write information about plants. I've written lists of plants that I want in my landscape as well as seed purchase lists for this year's garden. I've even written down some of my successes in plant propagation, although I am behind in this area.

3. I am trying to keep all the paperwork in one place. This is very difficult since I'll take a magazine and read it in one room and look at the plant catalogs in another room. I tend to leave stuff in the kitchen where it gets in the way or leave books where a little two year old can grab them! My notebook migrates from room to room either with the books or the magazines. I recommend keeping all the catalogs in one place and all the books together on the shelf.

4. Everything has a place so put it back! All the tools need to be kept together to make them easier to find. I've messed this one up many times. My pruners often go into the yard with me and end up where I do. Somehow they abandon me somewhere and I have to go back to find them. The big tools all get put right back into the garage corner where they live and pass the moments between uses but those small little tools love to move around when I'm not looking.

5. Spreadsheets on the computer are a good way to see what you have purchased. That is if you can keep up with it. I've started several spreadsheets I just haven't put in everything I should. The best time to do this is as soon as you get a new plant or garden purchase. Put things like the plant name (both common and botanical), purchase price, and how many of them you have. You can even incorporate your gardening budget into the spreadsheet, that is if you really want to know how much you are spending!

6. Use the all important To-Do List. For a to-do list to be useful it needs to be in a good location, somewhere you can easily find it, somewhere you see it almost everyday. Somewhere
important, somewhere like on your blog! By sticking that nagging to-do list up on this blog I can see what I have planned for the next millennium. Hopefully it won't take that long! I've done a couple posts about my to-do list which probably makes me sound like I have my act together but the truth is if I didn't have it on this blog I don't know if I would be so organized at this point. Since I check this blog regularly I see the list all the time. If you think about the nature of a blog in its most basic element it is a web-log. It is a journal for documenting your own history. For me it is the perfect place to put that old to-do list. If you don't have a blog put your list somewhere you will see it. The bathroom mirror or the door to your garage are both good places to pin your list.

7. Probably the most important thing you need to stay organized is discipline. Keep doing everything you can to stay on track with your system. Be regular with writing things down. Make a habit of putting things in the right place. It's definitely easier said than done.

I hope these ideas are useful to you. Like I said at the beginning of this post, organization is not my strong point. This blog has done a lot of good toward keeping my head straight. If you have some other organizational ideas please share them! I could use the help!

My Project List: Plotting and Planning for 2008

Garden projects and chores are like kudzu, they grow fast and long and sometimes seem insurmountable. They develop a life of their own. Here is part two of my to-do list. This is where I plan and plot over what is next. As I write I can think of quite a few things to add to the list. Like buying the seeds for this season. I'm still trying to sort out all the choices to what I can reasonably plant. I will probably order more seed than I need. I dream big I guess. Here is a list of projects that need to happen soon!

My Project List: The Done or Begun List

The Veggie Beds

I'm planning two "L" shaped raised beds made from 2"x6" or 2"x8" lumber. The middle of the "L" would be a square and rise one extra level above the rest. The dimensions will be approximately 4'x6', 4'x4', and 4'x6' for each "L."

Our Patio

We need to figure out what we can afford to spend on this one. Ideally we would have some sort of natural colored paving stones that would give it a cobblestone look and maybe one day add a pergola. It would be a dry fit patio with no mortar as this is probably the easiest way to lay a patio. The porous nature of a dry fit patio allows for good drainage.

The Deck Rail

This should be done already. I've wasted some time on it trying to figure out if I want to redo the deck in some way. Now I think I just need to make the quick fix for safety reasons. One rail has become separated from the corner post due to the corner post warping. It wiggles and wobbles yet so far has not fallen down. Our deck was not very well put together to begin with and this is really no surprise.

Add Lattice Work Around the Deck

We would like to add a 2' wide sheet of lattice work around the bottom of our deck to screen off the bottom. Then we would like to put in a raised bed planting area around the deck. It would make another excellent cutting bed once it is built!

Weeds

This is destined to be a spring chore or whenever I can get to it. The caladium and hosta bed as well as the front walkway bed will both need new mulch. Speaking of caladiums I will probably need to get more bulbs. I may remake it into more of a heuchera bed. However I decide to plant it I'll still do the old newspaper trick after pulling out the majority of weeds from the beds.

Re-pot House Plants

Several of our house plants need re-potting including our peace lilies, an anthurium, and possibly a couple others. Mostly to replenish the soil but in the case of the peace lilies to divide.

The Deciduous Hedge

I started the border hedge with a row of Salix integra (Japanese Dappled Willow). This is a good plant for a deciduous hedge as it could grow up to 10 feet tall, grows quick, responds well to pruning, and likes the moist area where the hedge is to be planted. It also has some unique foliage as its new growth emerges in spring with a dappled variegation. I will probably incorporate some butterfly bushes and some ornamental grasses in some way to close up the hedge more and add some different plants for seasonal interest.


The Herb Garden

Since it's too cold to really do much outside this project is still in the planning stage. What I need to decide on is whether to attempt a knot garden, go for a formal herb garden look, or allow it to become a more random natural looking bed. A knot garden would be neat but those are very difficult to plan out. It would be interesting to try though.

Use the Wood

A short time ago I picked up some used lumber for some projects. I had several ideas for the wood including some raised beds for starting perennials and cuttings, making some wooden planters, building a small bridge over a drainage ditch (I'll expand on that one later), and using it for an arbor.

The perennial planting bed would be one of the easiest to do since I just want a place to start my perennials from seed to transplant later. All I need is to get some deck screws and cut the boards to fit. Six inches deep would be plenty for these beds which conveniently is the width of these boards. Then I would fill with dirt and be done.

The wooden planters would look nice but take a but more planning and work. They would need to be sanded and painted to match the house color (or at least come close).

The bridge will cover a small drainage ditch in the back yard. I thought of filling it in at one point but now I think turning it into a dry creek bed might be the best way to go. On the other side of the bridge is a shady area that may one day become a shade garden with all sorts of good shade plants.

The arbor is probably the easiest to construct. I just need to get some 4"x 4"s, 2"x 2"s, and some bolts. I'm not planning on anything fancy just a basic entry arbor to our shade grove in the back corner of the yard.


Where to Start?

By far the most important project to be right now is the veggie bed. We're ordering several types of seeds to start and better have a place for them to go! We do have a little time for that since the last frost date is usually April 15th. Here is the prioritized list based of three factors: time, money, and convenience.

1. Perennial Bed and Arbor - tie
3. Fix the Deck rail
4. Lattice work around the deck
5. Veggie Garden Raised Beds
6. Install planting bed around deck
7. Deciduous Hedge
8. Herb Garden
9. Re-pot houseplants
10. Weeds - at any time!
11. Install the patio

I may not stick to this order but it all needs done at some point. The deciduous hedge and herb garden need to wait until spring for planting.

What to do on a Cold Winter's Day

On a cold morning such as this you might be wondering "what can I do in the garden?"  Or you might be wondering "why does he know what I'm wondering?"  Or...maybe not, whatever the case is cold winter days are good for the garden and the gardener.  The garden needs those cold winter days to get enough stratification time for seeds to germinate, chill time for bulbs, and dormant time for trees and other plants.  They need a rest - just like the gardener does.  Winter is also the perfect time for the gardener to design his or her garden plans for the year.

When I say garden plans I'm not necessarily talking about a formal garden plan.  Those are great to do but you don't have to have a formal plan to get a good start on the gardening season.  My plan of attack is much more general and usually starts with seeds. I try to determine what I want to grow and what I need to buy.  Often I have plenty of seeds leftover from last year to plant and don't have to reorder the same seeds but I always like to try a couple new things in my garden every year.  A new tomato, a new melon, a new hot pepper, a different colored zinnia or coneflower, or anything else I might have an interest in growing.  Every year I want to learn something new about the garden and growing new things is one way to do that.

Once the seeds are planned out I have to figure out when I need to plan them.  I have to start seeds early indoors if I want to maximize my harvest.  Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants get started first.  Of those three the tomatoes grow the fastest so I start them about 8 weeks before the last frost date in our area while the peppers and eggplant I'll add a couple more weeks onto the start time.

When do I start seeds for peppers, eggplants, and tomatoes?
Vegetable	Date	Count Back
Tomato	February 25th	8 weeks
Pepper	February 11th	10 weeks
Eggplant	February 11th	10 weeks
Our usual last frost date is April 15th.

The vegetable garden isn't the only area that needs planning.  I have to allow for mulching the other beds and when I hope to get that done.  I like to plan a couple projects ahead of time so I have a good idea of what I'll be getting myself into!  You can look back at my January 1st post for some of those garden project ideas.

While all these catalogs are pouring in through the mail I take a note of anything that is so outstanding I have to have one.  There are lots of plant selections that I usually have to say "no, maybe next year" to.  Either I don't have the time, space, or the money to get everything. I really don't order many plants through mail order catalogs other than seeds.  I really prefer seeing the plant at a nursery and bringing it home.  You can get larger plants at a good value from actual nurseries but sometimes you have to sacrifice on selection.

Caryopteris 'Longwood Blue' from 2009

On cold winter days I like to think about how the plants I already have are growing, particularly the trees.  They were all small when I planted them but aren't as small now!  This means my garden will undergo changes.  The caryopteris I planted along a border garden has to be moved.  They need more sun than the crape myrtles will let them have.  That garden is now more suited to part-sun or shade plants.  That was my goal in the beginning but now I have to do some work to fill in the spaces that will be left by the evacuated caryopteris plants.  I have about 7 varieties of hydrangeas that I plan to propagate that will fill in that area nicely.

There's a lot to do on a cold winter's day!

5 Things to Consider Before Planting

Recently I ordered plants (which I'll cover in another post) and while choosing the plants I used a few criteria to guide my selections.  I wouldn't rule out purchasing plants just because they might miss one or two of these characteristics but I do know that when all five can be found in the same plant I've got a winner!

Soil Conditions
The soil conditions in my garden range from pretty good to downright awful. The front yard is severely lacking in organic matter and consists mostly of clay and limestone gravel from the construction of our house (hello builders bring back the soil please!) When I dig I hit little rocks from the gravel and kick up tons of water-retaining-clay. In the back yard I have better quality soil and the plants thrive there with little help. When I select a plant I either have to find one that does well in clay soil or I'll have to plant it in the backyard gardens.

Drought Tolerance
Our rainfall in the south is consistently inconsistent. The spring brings loads of moisture (last May we even had floods) while our summers can be severely dry. Plants need to be able to tolerate the drought conditions yet handle the wet springs. This is also another reason why soil conditions are important. A soil filled with good organic material will retain water during the dry periods.

Wildlife Benefit
Pollinators and wildlife can benefit when I pick plants with nourishing flowers or produce some sort of edible berry or seed. Hollies, pyracantha, and beautyberry all produce fruits that the birds can feast on to help them through the winter while coneflowers and other perennials produce seeds that the birds love!

Invasiveness
If the plant catalog says "self-sows" I'm always cautious. Many self-sowers are easy to control but other can be problems. In general if it's on our state list of invasive plants I try to avoid adding it to my landscape. That doesn't mean it can't be controlled but it does mean it will require some work!

Overall Aesthetic Quality
In many cases this is what gets you to look at the plant to begin with, it just looks good! I try to fit it into a location with companion plant that will complement each other. Contrasting foliage with flowers, creating backdrops for berries (like Winterberry - Ilex verticillata), and long flowering periods are all factors to consider. Foliage, flowers, cand colors all factor in to providing and excellent accent in the garden!

How do you make decisions on what plants to buy?

Herb Seeds for 2008 (A Growing Challenge Post)

The herb garden will be a new experience for me. In the past I have used pots for the herbs, this year I'll see what I can do with the in-ground Herb Garden I have planned (Herb Garden Layout). Most of the plants will be from seed but not all! Here is what we decided on for the herb garden:

Basil
This is one of our staple herbs that we use very often. We picked several kinds including Dark Opal Purple (the name says it all, it's purple!), Sweet Basil, and Bush Spicy Globe. I'm curious about the last one as it is supposed to grow into a nice little ball shape. It should make an interestingly shaped plant for the herb garden.

Thyme
The package calls it common thyme, but common or not everyone always could use a little more thyme.

Cilantro
We love cilantro in guacamole and Mexican flavored dishes. It should go well with the peppers I have planned for the vegetable garden! One interesting note: the seeds are the spice called coriander.

Chives
I'll have to plant some potatoes in the garden to go with the chives. Chives go well with many things like chicken, burgers, and even eggs.

Oregano
This one is called Mediterranean oregano. The oregano should see a good deal of use.

Parsley
I haven't tried parsley but I thought we would give it a try.

Sage
We bought a packet of broad leaf sage seed to add to the mix.

Lavender
We have two types to try. One is the traditional Lavender augustifolia and the other is called Lavender Lady. Lavender Lady is said to flower in the first year. The plants are smaller than typical lavender at about 8-10 inches.

Rosemary
The rosemary we have will come from cuttings off of a giant plant my mother has and one that I was given at Christmas time. It's amazing how easy rosemary is to root! You can layer it or just cut it off and let it root in water.

Planning the Herb Garden

This post was originally written on December 9th, 2007 I'm bumping this post up to see if anyone has any suggestions.

When spring comes I plan to install a herb garden in the front yard which is sloped in toward the house. Since it is winter time and most outdoor tasks are finished it is a good time to plan ahead and figure out what to put in the herb garden. I want to put in a variety of herbs, both ornamental and functional. Rosemary is a must and is easily obtained for free (Thanks mom!). It's also a good perennial herb that works as a shrub. Basil is another one I have to put in the herb garden. Italian foods are an addiction for us. I want to have a couple different types of basil. There are some dark purplish colored basils that would look great mixed in with other rich foliage. Anyone have any suggestions for good ornamental and functional herbs?

Planning for a Summer Wedding Landscape

This summer there will be another wedding in the family. My wife's brother will be getting married to his longtime girlfriend on July 12th. What does this have to do with gardening? The ceremony is going to be help at my in-laws house in their backyard and I will need to help plan the landscaping for the area surrounding the ceremony. There is a lot of work ahead! The colors they have in mind are green, yellow, and white. After the wedding the plants will need to be easily adaptable to the surrounding landscape. We are in the initial stages of planning right now and I'm thinking about what kinds of vegetation to plant. I'm considering various shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses. Later we'll think about annuals for the instant color. Everything that flowers will need to be a repeat bloomer or flower in mid-July.

We are also contemplating a hardscaped area that will eventually become a small patio. The ceremony will take place on the stone patio that will be positioned beneath the three big trees in the picture below. The plan for the hardscape will be to add soil to the area then lay the stone on top of the soil and plant ground cover in between the cracks of the stones. I don't want to dig around the tree roots for two reasons. One I could hurt the tree and two the tree could hurt me, or at least my back! By laying the stone on the soil we will allow for drainage for the trees and won't disturb any roots and it will save me some aches and pains.


We may use some pots and planters here and there but most of the plants will need to go into the ground. The ground in this area of Tennessee is very full of rocks and clay and digging down may not be the best option. Berms may be necessary.

Do you have any suggestions for shrubs and perennials? Good foliage color and good timing for blooming is important. I'll think about the annuals later! (July 12th is the target date and the colors are green, yellow, and white.)

Herb Garden Layout (A Corridor Pathway)

Here's another idea I had for my herb garden. I've been planning my vegetable garden with a shrub/perennial ring around it. This herb corridor would lead up to a small entry gate going into the garden area. The beginning of the corridor would start close to our future patio (a project for later this year). The herb garden would have the same plants as my earlier plan but the numbers on this plan have changed. I added four butterfly bushes to bring some flower color and pollinators to the herb garden.

The advantage to having it in a corridor/pathway is mostly convenience. It's closer to the house and easier to reach the plants than my other plan would have been. The disadvantage is probably that it won't have the formal look. That's OK since it's more practical and I like things a little less formal anyway!

Here is the key for the herb garden:

1. Stepping Stones: the stones will be recessed into the turf and planted with a low growing stepable ground cover like thyme.
   
2. Butterfly Bushes: I have several cuttings of butterfly bush that I started in the fall.
   
3. Rosemary: I have four cuttings that are rooted and need to get two more.
   
4. Purple Leaf Basil
   
5. Miscellaneous Herbs: Italian parsley, chives, mint (in pots!), Thyme, and cilantro
   
6. Italian Basil

I'm not sure if I'll go this route or the first one I designed. I may even do another design still. It all depends on the final placement of the vegetable garden.

Other Related Posts:

Herb Seeds for 2008
My Herb Garden Layout
Get in the Zone
Planning the Herb Garden

The Benefits of Gardening in Raised Beds
My Vegetable Garden Layout
My Vegetable Garden Layout Part 2