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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-05-14, Page 17THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2003. PAGE 17. Seasoned gardener offers tips for beginners By Janice Becker Citizen staff Before turning that first shovelful of dirt in the spring, there are several things for the novice gardener to consider in the effort to create a beautiful landscape. “The first consideration is the amount of time you realistically have to spend on gardening,” said Betty Battye, experienced gardener and president of the Blyth Horticultural Society. A garden filled with annuals is the easiest, she said, with minimal care and the blooms are there all summer. However, there is no change with the seasons. “With a perennial garden, there is something different every couple of weeks. It is an ever­ changing landscape from April to October,” said Battye. Once the type of garden is decided, Battye said one should look at the locations to determine the amount of sun at various times of the day, the degree of shade and the type of soil. It is also very helpful to tour the area, looking at other gardens to see what is preferred and what works. “Don’t just read gardening books,” she said. “What works in Toronto won’t (necessarily) work here.” Gardeners often love to discuss their plantings so Battye suggests stopping and talking to those who have something of interest. When selecting . plants, Battye suggests purchasing locally-grown varieties to help ensure hardiness to the weather, moisture needs and soil types. There are several local nurseries which offer good choices. During the selection process, reading plant labels will help determine spread, height of plants, spacing and sun needs, all critical components when placing them in beds. Battye recommends choosing perennials which clump rather than spread. These can be divided in the following years to further fill beds or create new ones. Spreaders need to be contained or grown in areas where other plants will not be overtaken. Some good choices for beginners include astilbes, autumn joy sedum, hostas for the shady spots, black or brown­ eyed susans, rudbeckia and a nice ground cover, said Battye. With some bulbs planted in the fall, the garden IIow to keep gardens healthy Here are a few tips from gardening experts to keep your garden healthy. • Invest in top-notch soil. Good soil will ensure healthier plants that are better able to ward off pests and disease. Work in plenty of sphagnum peat moss or compost. • Water your garden in the morning instead of the evening. This allows the plants to dry off quickly, preventing many fungal diseases. • Mulch with grass clippings, wood chips or other mulches as much as possible. This will reduce watering and weeding and prevent soil-borne pathogens from splashing onto plants during watering and rain. • Don’t allow your plants to get too dry. This stresses them, and stressed plants attract pests and disease. • Look at your plants daily. Get in the habit of taking a morning or evening stroll around the garden. Most problems can be stopped easily if detected early. • Pinch off diseased plant parts. This will often slow or even stop the problem. • Give plants the right light. Too much sun or too much shade stresses plants, making them more susceptible to problems. • Choose the right plants. Pick ' VANDRIEL EXCAVATING INC. plants that are well-suited to your region. Don’t try to acclimatize fussy exotic plants that don’t do well without extensive spraying, feeding, watering or other care. • Keep your garden well weeded. Not only will it look better, but plants that have to compete for sun, water and nutrients are more likely to get diseases and pests. - News Canada can grow from there. When just getting started, annuals can be used to fill in the spaces into which the perennials will eventually spread. Battye suggests visiting plants exchanges which take place in many communities in the spring. “It is a great opportunity to try new and different varieties which have worked in others’ gardens.” Day lilies are another nice choice as they clump and the leaves fill in around other perennials when the lily blooms are gone. They are also long- lasting. However, before the first plants are placed in the soil, good preparation of the bed is required. In early spring, weeds should be dug from the garden, as tilling or pulling leave the roots in the ground. If additives are needed to improve the quality of the soil, these too should be mixed into the bed. Once the planting is completed, mulch placed around the plants not only helps prevent weed growth, but adds a finished look to the garden. It is also helpful to learn what the weeds look like as there are only about six varieties, she said. “If you know these then it is easier to weed the garden.” Battye recommends making a chart of the garden at the end of the year, so in the spring, it is easier to remember which plants are in what location. An advantage to perennial gardening is the lack of water required through the season. Battye said it is best not to water the gardens as it promotes shallow root growth which is detrimental to the long-term life of the plants. Battye has more than 100 varieties of perennials in her gardens and is still experimenting, changing and moving plants. Though some gardeners prefer specific colours, Battye said she likes a less formal look with a mixture. “It is like a patchwork quilt.” Battye has discovered through her years of gardening that it is a learning process with which one becomes more comfortable and confident the more it is done. “A garden should be pleasing to the eye, whatever you enjoy. 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