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However (and you knew there would be a “however” didn’t you)…. The secret to growing great plants is to invest in a little knowledge and the soil. The root zone of your plants will determine how the top half of any plant will perform. While this sounds obvious, the truth is, most beginning gardeners do not pay enough attention to soil preparation.
So, that said, here are our 5 essentials for successful planting this spring:
1. Match the plant to the exposure. If your garden or balcony is sunny, design your garden using heat-loving plants. We encourage you to look for plants that can dry out between water applications. The “Sunshine” impatiens that look so good in a hanging basket at the garden center around Mother’s Day are one of the worst choices for placing in a sunny location, despite their name. Their moisture rich stems are loaded with water, and they need to stay that way, or they collapse in front of you.
Conversely, if you are planting in a shady place, avoid most of the flowering plants that will tempt you and steer your purchasing power towards green: ferns and foliage plants that tolerate low light.
2. Dig a hole three times wider and 50% deeper than the root mass of the plant and backfill it with quality soil, like triple mix (equal parts soil, peat moss and compost). Place the plant a little deeper in the hole than it exists in the pot you purchased it in don’t be afraid to bury a centimeter of soil around the main stem of the plant. This is only true of perennials and annuals, as shrubs and trees need to have water flow away from their root zone. We recommend that you plant them above the soil grade by a few centimeters and mound quality soil around them, but NOT up the stem or trunk.
3. Compost. If you have a compost unit or pile, now is the perfect time to remove the finished material and add it to your existing garden soil. It is nutrient rich. Be generous. This is not salt and pepper. If your garden soil is clay based and heavy, add generous quantities of sand to open it up and allow water to move through it freely.
And when planting in containers, always use new potting mix, not the soil of last year. It will be fine used in your garden (so don’t throw it out).
4. Water. Every plant needs water shortly after it has been planted. Even a desert plant like a cactus. For most garden plants, a deep drink that reaches down to the lowest roots of the plant is necessary. Add more water as the top 2 or 3 centimeters of soil dries out. Use your finger to determine this. As the season progresses, pull back on the frequency of water applications.
5. Mulch. After all your planting is done, mulch around each plant with finely ground up cedar bark about 3 to 5 cm thick. This will reduce the need for water by up to 70% and reduce weeding up to 90%.
Which reminds us, weeding and watering are essential to the long-term health of your garden. As May turns into June be sure to have an eye out for these important tasks and who knows, maybe this will be the year that you win a community award for the best-looking garden on the street.
We certainly hope so.
With our best wishes for planting success,
Mark and Ben Cullen
Merchants of Beauty.
www.markcullen.com
www.cullensfoods.com
www.foodandsheltergoods.com
www.treesforlife.ca
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