text:
## Gardening Basics For Dummies®

by Steven A. Frowine

with the Editors of the National Gardening Association

Gardening Basics For Dummies®

Published by
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Copyright © 2007 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

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## About the Authors

**Steven A. Frowine** was a plant nut even as a child. Since then, his love and sometimes obsession for outdoor and indoor plants has continued to grow. He worked in various horticultural jobs before and during high school and college. Steve has a bachelor's and a master's degree in horticulture from Ohio State University and Cornell, respectively.

His first job after graduate school was to set up a professional gardeners' program at Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden (now the National Tropical Botanical Garden) on Kauai, Hawaii. He later held other professional horticultural positions at Cleveland Botanical Garden and Pittsburgh Civic Garden Center. At Missouri Botanical Garden, he served as chairman of indoor horticulture.

Steve served as an executive at top horticultural businesses including W. Atlee Burpee Company, White Flower Farm, and International Gardening Products. Steve is sought out as a lecturer and has delivered hundreds of talks throughout the country. His presentations are noted for his excellent photography, his knowledge of the subject, and his sense of humor. He has appeared on various national TV shows and writes extensively, authoring many articles for horticultural trade and consumer magazines.

He has served on the boards of various professional organizations, including the National Gardening Association, Garden Writers of America, and the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta. Steve served on the Visiting Committee of Longwood Gardens for six years.

Steve enjoys all plants and has a particular fondness for orchids. He wrote _Orchids For Dummies_ (Wiley Publishing) and _Fragrant Orchids_ (Timber Press). He is also the author of _Miniature Orchids,_ published by Timber Press in spring 2007.

Steve is now president of his own horticultural consulting firm, where he works with various companies in the green industry on writing, photography, marketing, and public relations issues.

**The National Gardening Association (NGA),** founded in 1972, is a national not-for-profit leader in plant-based education, esteemed for its award-winning Web sites and newsletters, grants and curriculum for youth gardens, and research for the lawn-and-garden industry. NGA's mission is to advance the personal, community, and educational benefits of gardening by supporting gardeners, communities, and teachers with information and resources. For more information, please visit www.garden.org.

## Dedication

This book is for all new and veteran gardeners who have discovered or are about to realize the lifelong wonders and pleasures of gardening and the plant world. Please remember that gardening is not primarily about an end result but about the therapeutic aspects of the journey itself. Enjoy this process, and don't rush it! Let gardening become an integral part of your life. You'll be much richer for it.

## Author's Acknowledgments

Simply put, this book would not be possible without the help and advice of Teri Dunn. I am deeply indebted to her.

Natalie Harris, my project editor, was a joy to work with. She cheerfully kept me on track and shepherded the myriad parts of this book to completion, so without her, this work would not have made it to print.

I've been pleased and privileged over the years to witness the good works of the National Gardening Association (NGA). Thanks to this organization, I received the opportunity to produce this book. I hope it does justice to their mission of bringing the joys of gardening to all.

Charlie Nardozzi, a horticulturist with the National Gardening Association, was generous with his time in reviewing and making helpful suggestions for each of the chapters. It was super having a person with his gardening experience looking over my shoulder.

Putting together a detailed outline for a book takes much time and thought. For this book, Michael MacCaskey tackled this important job. Hats off to him for his thoroughness.

As with any book project, the spouse or companion of the writer suffers from neglect. My wife, Sascha, never wavered in her patience and understanding. She has always been supportive and loving, and I'm lucky to have her as my wife!

And last, I must not forget Zoe and Ginger, our two dogs who always kept me company and face every day with enthusiasm.

## Publisher's Acknowledgments

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## Contents

Title

Introduction

 About This Book

 Conventions Used in This Book

 What You're Not to Read

 Foolish Assumptions

 How This Book Is Organized

 Icons Used in This Book

 Where to Go from Here

Part I : Preparing Yourself (And Your Garden) for Planting

 Chapter 1: Getting Ready for Gardening

 Playing the Name Game

 Bringing in Beauty with Flowers (and Foliage)

 Gardening for Your Dining Pleasure

 Working with Woody (or Viney) Plants

 The World Is Flat: Caring for Your Lawn

 Chapter 2: Planning Your Own Eden

 Taking Stock: Evaluating What You Already Have

 Getting Ideas for Your Garden Space

 Zeroing In on Your Ideal Garden Style

 Making Sure Costs Don't Outgrow Your Budget

 Bringing Your Garden Ideas to Reality

 Getting Professional Help for Your Garden Plans

 Chapter 3: Getting into the Zone – Your Garden's Zone

 Different Hardiness Zone Maps for Different Folks

 Fathoming Frost Zones and Growing Seasons

 Zoning Out: Breaking the Zone and Growing Season Rules

 Chapter 4: Live Long and Prosper: Giving Plants What They Need

 Let There Be Light!

 Facing the Fertilizer Facts

 Compost: More than Just a Fertilizer

 Demystifying Soil pH

 Much Ado about Mulch

 Water, Water Everywhere: Tackling Watering Issues

 Air! Air! Plants Need Air!

 Chapter 5: Gathering Your Gardening Gear

 Digging Those, Er, Digging Tools

 Clues to Quality Cultivating Tools

 Making the Right Cut with Cutting Tools

 Putting Power Tools to Use

 Wading through Wondrous Watering Tools

Part II : Flowers and Foliage: Growing for Color

 Chapter 6: Growing Annuals: Adding Yearly Variety to Your Garden

 Finding Flowers that Fit Your Garden

 Mixing and Matching Annuals

 Buying Annuals

 An Annual Event: The Whens, Wheres, and Hows of Planting

 Feeding the Flower Power: Taking Care of Annuals

 Chapter 7: Growing Perennials: Plants That Make a Comeback

 Looking at Perennials, the Repeat Performers

 Planning Long-Term Strategy for Your Perennial Garden

 Finding and Buying Perennials

 Planting Perennials

 Show the Love: Taking Care of Your Perennials

 Chapter 8: Brightening Up the Garden with Bulbs

 Shedding Light on Bulbs

 Social Mixers: Choosing to Combine Your Bulbs

 The Search: Where to Get Your Bulbs

 Getting Down and Dirty: Planting Bulbs

 Taking Care of Bulbs

 Chapter 9: Coming Up Roses

 What Makes a Rose Be a Rose Be a Rose

 Deciding Where to Put Your Roses

 Buying the Best Roses

 Planting Your Roses

 Taking Care of Your Roses

Part III : Stretching Your Garden Beyond Its Boundaries: The Permanent Landscape

 Chapter 10: Growing a Perfect Lawn

 In the Beginning: Getting Ready to Make a Lawn from Scratch

 Seeding and Sodding: Adding the Grass

 Watering a Thirsty Lawn

 Feeding and Fertilizing

 Mowing the Lawn, Cutting the Grass, and Otherwise Giving the Yard a Shave

 Warring with Weeds

 Chapter 11: Reaching New Heights with Trees and Shrubs

 Knowing Your Trees

 Choosing the Right Tree for Where You Live

 Getting Treed! Planting Trees

 Taking Care of Your Tree

 Knowing Your Shrubs

 Planning Practical Uses for Bushes

 Planting Shrubs

 Caring for Your Shrubs

 Chapter 12: Climbers and Crawlers: Growing Vines and Groundcovers

 Looking at How Vines Hold On

 Choosing the Right Vines for Your Garden

 Planting and Supporting Vines

 Maintaining Perennial Vines through Pruning

 Looking at Groundcovers, a Living Carpet

 Planting and Maintaining Groundcovers

Part IV : Producing Your Own Produce

 Chapter 13: Food, Glorious Food! Growing Your Own Veggies

 Varieties of Veggies

 Designing for Dining and Getting Your Vegetable Garden Ready

 Finding Your Vegetables

 Planting Your Vegetables

 Composting for Vegetable Gardens

 Fertilizing Your Vegetable Garden

 Using Frames and Supports for Veggies

 Dealing with Vegetable Pests

 Chapter 14: Adding Spice to Your Garden: Growing Herbs

 Planting Herbs: A Lesson in Adaptation

 Taking Care of Your Herbs

 Chapter 15: Sweet and Crunchy: Growing Fruits, Berries, and Nuts

 Fruit Basics: Knowing and Choosing the Right Fruits for Your Garden

 Finding and Buying Your Fruit Bearers

 Planting Your Fruit

 Taking Care of Fruits

Part V : Designing Special and Fun Gardens

 Chapter 16: Mini Gardens and Microcosms: Gardening in Containers

 Exploring Different Kinds of Containers

 The Inside Track: Getting the Container Soil Right

 Picking the Best Plants for Your Containers

 Arranging Containers for a Container Garden

 Taking Care of Your Container Plants

 Chapter 17: Taking the Plunge: Gardening with Ponds and Fish

 Planning Your Water Garden

 Picking Out Your Water Garden Parts and Supplies

 Installing and Filling Your Pond

 Choosing Plants for Water Gardens

 Adding Fish to Your Water Garden

 Maintaining Your Water Garden

Part VI : The Part of Tens

 Chapter 18: Ten Common Questions from (and Ten Common Answers for) Gardening Beginners

 What's the Difference between an Annual and a Perennial?

 What's Organic Matter?

 Why Does Everything I Plant in My Flower Bed Die?

 How Do I Prepare the Ground for a Brand-New Bed?

 Do I Have to Spray Chemicals on My Rosebushes?

 Do Any Vegetables Grow in the Shade?

 It's Hot and Dry Here and I Don't Want Cacti. What Are My Options?

 What Can I Plant on a Steep Bank to Prevent Erosion?

 How Do I Remove the Weeds from the Lawn without Pulling Them One by One?

 Is There Anything Deer Don't Eat?

 Chapter 19: Ten Quick, Fun, or Handy Garden Projects

 Set Up a Hammock

 Put Up a Rubber Tire Swing

 Install Stepping Stones

 Set Up a Trellis

 Plant a Teepee

 Create Whimsical Garden Art from Castoffs

 Decorate the Front Steps with Potted Plants

 Make Some Plant Labels

 Make a Simple Compost Bin for Your Own Organic Matter

 Combat Garden Pests with Homemade Pepper Spray

 Chapter 20: Ten Garden Projects for Children

 Create a Dinosaur Garden

 Grow a Sunflower Fort

 Make Sunprints

 Plant Mini-Pumpkins

 Write with Seeds

 Trap a Zucchini

 Make a Home-Grown Salad

 Grow Paperwhites

 Set Up a Birdbath

 Attract Butterflies to the Garden

 Appendix: Basic Gardening Resources

## Introduction

Aren't you lucky! You're entering or are already part of the most popular and rewarding lifelong hobby that exists — worldwide. Gardening is a common language that knows no national, socioeconomic, or age boundaries. It's a common thread that binds all of us together. Whether you're discussing your outrageous zucchini harvest of the previous year or sharing your secret tips for prizewinning roses, you've probably found that gardeners have an instant bond, no matter what their level of experience.

Because gardening is a huge topic that encompasses a wide field of cultivation interests and disciplines, it's impossible for any one book to cover everything there is to know about gardening. However, when you're armed with the gardening basics, like those presented in this book, you're ready for just about anything that the art of gardening can throw at you.

Sure, gardening requires some exertion. But it's healthy exercise. It makes you feel a great sense of accomplishment when the flowerbeds are weeded, the bulbs are planted, and the seeds are sown. It's primal. And reaping the rewards of your labor — by cutting flowers for your dinner party or fresh herbs for your salad — is a special joy that makes the noisy, electronic stimulation that surrounds us (cars, phones, MP3 players, and the like) seem trivial. Gardening fosters a deep satisfaction that nurtures your body and soul. That's why this book, _Gardening Basics For Dummies,_ exists. In addition to giving you basic pointers on how to make your gardening as successful and rewarding as possible, it's a celebration of the art and sheer joy of gardening.

## About This Book

In this book, I've tried to distill my over-40-years of gardening experience as well as the knowledge of some of my other gardening friends, because we all learn from each other.

I hope this book is fun reading: Sometimes gardeners can get way too serious about this pursuit. I've always felt that gardening is supposed to relieve anxiety, not add to it. After all, this is gardening, not brain surgery! Making a mistake (and you will) is not a big deal. Gardens can recover quickly from our bumbling efforts to care for them. My main mission in this book is to bring you gardening success and the inimitable pleasure that comes from it. It's no fun if all your efforts end up in the compost pile.

Following the classic _For Dummies_ format, this book gives you the most basic gardening information you need, organized and presented in an easy-to-follow, modular manner. Although you can read from cover-to-cover, you don't have to. This book can function as a reference work, so you can jump in, find what you need, and get back to your stand of birch trees or the koi pond or the garden center or wherever else you'd like to be.

After reading this book, you may not be an expert, but you should be well on your way to taking on most gardening tasks with new confidence. Gardening is part science and part art, and how you mix them up is a very personal thing. After getting a handle on the basics presented here, you can move on to develop your own style and techniques that work best for you.

## Conventions Used in This Book

As you advance in gardening, you find that in certain branches of horticulture (like perennials, some trees and shrubs, and orchids), you're confronted with dreaded scientific names (usually Latin, sometimes Greek). People use such names in these plant categories for very legitimate reasons, and you can choose to follow the path to those reasons later. For now, I spare you that step by mostly using common names for the plants throughout this book. When I do provide the scientific name, I give common plant names first, followed by the botanical name.

As is typical of all _For Dummies_ books, I also shy away from as much jargon as possible, and I explain any terms used right away (often in parentheses following the term). New, defined terms may also appear in _italics._ Horticulture and gardening can be as technical as any other science, but this is not a textbook for Horticulture 101!

The Internet is part of life now and can provide oodles of great gardening information, so I include various Web references. Web addresses appear in monofont. When this book was printed, some Web addresses may have needed to break across two lines of text. If that happened, rest assured that I haven't put in any extra characters (such as hyphens) to indicate the break. When using one of these Web addresses, just type in exactly what you see in this book, pretending as though the line break weren't there.

## What You're Not to Read

If you're short on time and just want to get down to the nitty-gritty, you can skip the stuff in the gray boxes. I include this sidebar information for those of you who want to know the _whys_ of everything or who just want to dig deeper.

## Foolish Assumptions

Because you're reading this book, I assume that, like me, you really love gardening. Here are some other things I assume regarding your possible background and interest in gardening:

  You've seen other folks' gardens that have inspired you, so now you want to bring your own gardening skill to the next level.

  You're concerned about a healthy diet and want to grow some of your own herbs, fruits, and vegetables.

  Your lawn is looking on the tattered side, so you want to spruce it up a bit.

  You've moved into a new place, and the landscaping is nonexistent or dreadful, so you want to change it.

  You love outdoor living and you want to improve the space around you.

  You like the idea of gardening but don't know where to start.

## How This Book Is Organized

The basic goal of every chapter is to give you the information you need to go out and create a garden, or at least plant something, no matter what your level of experience. You may already know a lot about roses, for example, but perhaps you want information on how to start an annual flowerbed; the chapters in this book can help out in that regard. Even if your primary interest is in growing roses or daylilies, or in setting up a basic vegetable garden, you can find useful information in every chapter that you can probably apply to your planting project.

This book includes six parts, which are further divided into chapters. Check out the following sections for an overview of what you can find in each part.

## Part I: Preparing Yourself (And Your Garden) for Planting

Sometimes just getting started can be the hardest part. In this section, your wheels begin turning. Chapter 1 introduces you to the main garden players — annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, vines, and groundcovers — and explains their roles. Chapter 2 helps you put together your grand plan and gives you some ideas of types of gardens to consider and questions to ask yourself. I explain what hardiness zones are and why should you care about them in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 puts your spade in the ground with the basics of garden preparation and your plants' basic needs. And the right garden tools make a big difference, so Chapter 5 takes all the mystery out of tool selection and use.

## Part II: Flowers and Foliage: Growing for Color

Foliage is nice, but most people are in gardening for color. Chapter 6 deals with the almost ever-blooming, frequently dazzling colors of annuals — which ones to choose and how to use them best. Recently, perennials have been the hottest category of plant, probably because of their immense variety and year-after-year performance. These repeat-performers are detailed in Chapter 7. Nothing can perk up your spirits after a long winter better than spring-flowering bulbs or give late color like the summer-flowering types; that's what Chapter 8 is all about. Chapter 9 introduces you to America's favorite flower: the rose. There, I give you tips on which roses are easiest to grow and tell you which are most fragrant.

## Part III: Stretching Your Garden Beyond Its Boundaries: The Permanent Landscape

The lawn frames everything in the garden and is the family playground during the summer. Chapter 10 can help you grow a lawn you can be proud of. Trees and shrubs are considered the "bones" of the garden because they define its shape and are present for many years. I introduce you to the foundational plants that best suit your needs in Chapter 11. And don't forget vines and groundcovers — they can serve as the icing on your garden cake; I profile them in Chapter 12.

## Part IV: Producing Your Own Produce

What can possibly match the flavor of your own warm vine-ripened tomatoes? Or fresh ripe strawberries and raspberries? That's what Part IV is about: home-grown produce. It's healthy and delicious. Veggies start off this part in Chapter 13, followed by Chapter 14 on the pleasures of how to grow and enjoy herbs. Chapter 15 shows you how you can have all the fruits and berries you want.

## Part V: Designing Special and Fun Gardens

This part covers what gardening is really all about — fun! Chapter 16 covers the extremely popular form of gardening that even those space-challenged gardeners can enjoy: container gardening. Water gardens have become the rage because of not only the exotic plants they display but also the wildlife (including fish and frogs) that they provide a home for. Skip to Chapter 17 for details on water gardening.

## Part VI: The Part of Tens

Of course, this wouldn't be a real _For Dummies_ book without a Part of Tens. This part is where you go when you want information fast. Chapter 18 gives you answers to the ten most commonly asked garden questions. If you're handy and like gardening projects, see Chapter 19. Getting the kids involved in gardening early in life is a great idea, so check out the fun projects for them to do in Chapter 20.

## Icons Used in This Book

Icons are the cute little pictures that show up in the margins of the book, right next to certain blocks of text. Here's what those icons stand for:

This image points out some ecological tips that you can follow and use to ensure that your gardening is truly Earth-friendly.

Gardeners sometimes speak their own lingo, which can be a bit confusing for people who are just getting their feet wet (or dirty) in the gardening process. This icon helps to identify and clarify the most common terms you encounter.

This icon points out some major ideas in the book — stuff well worth remembering.

The _Tip_ icon flags notable gardening information that even experienced gardeners may not know. This info can save you time and frustration.

 .jpg)

This icon alerts you to possible problems to watch out for or avoid. These problems may result in injury or at the very least a bad gardening experience.

## Where to Go from Here

A great thing about _For Dummies_ books is that you can start anywhere you want — one part or chapter doesn't depend on any other. For example, if you're interested in growing your own fruit, head right to Chapter 15. No need to start anywhere else!

That said, if you feel more comfortable getting a basic grounding (so to speak) in gardening before plunging right in, start with Part I, Chapter 1. If you're re-evaluating or starting your garden from scratch, then any of the other chapters in Part I are good places to begin. After that, where you go is really up to you, based on your most pressing gardening needs or pleasures.

##### Part I

## Preparing Yourself (And Your Garden) for Planting

In this part . . .

Ready to do some gardening? Even if you don't think you're ready to get your hands dirty (or if you're not sure), the chapters in Part I can help you get started. These chapters give you an overview of the gardening process. They show you how to set up everything for your dream garden and generally arm you with the knowledge vital to successful gardening — which plants you can grow in your area and what they need to thrive, how best to take advantage of the gardening space you have, and how to design the right plans and acquire the right tools to make your garden a reality.

##### Chapter 1

## Getting Ready for Gardening

### In This Chapter

  Understanding how plants are named

  Examining flowering plants

  Checking out trees, vines, and shrubs

  Managing your lawn

No matter what your main gardening interest — be it growing vegetables, making your yard colorful with flowers, picking out just the right tree, or aspiring to have the most gorgeous roses on the block — chances are that you care most about the plants. Sure, gardening can also involve landscaping and lawn care (see the chapters in Part III of this book), or being able to grow your own food (Part IV), or just having a great excuse to play in the dirt (Part V), but for most people, the plants make everything worthwhile.

Of course, keeping your plants alive and making them look their best involves a lot of preparation. This book contains information on caring for your garden plants throughout, but you should especially read through the first few chapters if you really want your plants to grow, thrive, and look their absolute best.

Okay, yeah, I know, you already know you need to plan and prepare your soil to get your garden going, but you _really_ just want to read about plants right now, right? In that case, the rest of this chapter is devoted to the most basic explanations of the kinds of plants you may encounter in the world of gardening. Later chapters in this book go into much more detail about the various types of plants, trees, bushes, and vines, but here I help you get a sense of how plants are similar and different — the first step in turning a brown thumb green. First, though, I explain a bit about names.

## Playing the Name Game

What's in a name? For gardeners, plenty. Gardening is a blend of horticulture and botany, common names and high science, and the names can get a bit confusing. Whether you're looking at plant anatomy or simply want to know what to call a plant, understanding a bit about naming can help you wade through the aisles, ask better questions, and treat your plants right.

## "Hello, my name is . . . ": Getting used to plant nomenclature

Whenever you're talking about plants, knowing how they're named can help you avoid getting tangled up in the Latin. Generally, when looking for plants and flowers, you encounter two types of names — botanical and common. Read on for some info on how the naming system works, and then carpe diem — _pluck the day!_

### Botanical names

The _botanical name_ is the proper or scientific name of a plant. It consists of two parts: the genus name and the species name. The species name is kind of like your own first name (except it comes last in a plant's botanical name). The genus name is similar to your family name (except in botanical names, it comes first). For example, in the plant name _Hosta undulata,_ _Hosta_ is the genus name, and _undulata_ is the species name. _Hosta_ describes an entire genus of famous, mostly shade-loving plants named hostas, and _undulata_ describes the type of hosta it is — a hosta with an undulating leaf shape.

Sometimes the botanical name has a third name, right after the species name, known as the variety. A _variety_ is a member of the same plant species but looks different enough to warrant its own name, such as _Rosa gallica var. officinalis._

Still another botanical name that sometimes comes up is the _cultivar,_ or cultivated variety. Cultivars are usually named by the people who developed or discovered them, and they're often maintained through cuttings, line- bred seed propagation, or tissue culture. In other words, they're cultivated (humans grow, improve, and develop them). An example is _Lychnis coronaria_ 'Angel's Blush.'

A _hybrid_ plant is the result of the cross-pollination between two genetically different plants, usually of the same species but different varieties. This combination can happen because of cultivation, or it can occur naturally through bee pollination between two different plants.

Botanical names are more common with some types of plants than others. For instance, you frequently run into them with herbaceous plants, trees, and shrubs but much less so with roses, annuals, and vegetables. You can find botanical names on the labels and in many garden references.

### Sharing names with distant relatives

If you want to be absolutely sure of the plant you're buying, then remember that the botanical or scientific name, including the cultivar name, is the most exact one. Some common names, like _common basil,_ are very specific. All common basil has the same genus and species, _Ocimum basilicum._ However, a common name like daisy is so general that it may not be very helpful. This term can apply to plants very faintly related found in various genera (genuses). For instance, a "daisy" can be an African daisy ( _Arctotis_ or _Gerbera_ ), Dahlberg daisy _(Dyssodia tenuiloba),_ English daisy _(Bellis perennis),_ painted daisy _(Chrysanthemum coccineum),_ Shasta daisy _(Leucanthemum superbum),_ and many others. If you're shopping by common names, read labels to make sure this particular kind of plant can grow for you.

### Common names

Common names are what you're most likely to encounter when shopping for plants to put in your garden, and they're what you mostly encounter in this book. You can find these names prominently displayed on seed packets or on seedling trays of plants that are for sale. They're kind of like botanical nicknames that gardeners use to describe a certain type of plant without going into a great amount of detail. For example, the _Hosta undulata_ fits into the genus _Hosta,_ so most gardeners merely refer to these plants under the common name of hostas. And you may know that _Hemerocallis_ is actually the genus name for the common daylily, but chances are that most gardeners you encounter just call them daylilies.

## Anatomy 101: Naming plant parts

Beyond recognizing the names of plants, knowing the various parts of plants is also useful. Figure 1-1 shows a nice, healthy perennial plant with the basic parts displayed. You probably already know most of them, but keep these parts in mind, because you need to know them to understand some of the things I discuss in the rest of this book! In the figure, the _taproot_ is the main root of the plant; the _stolon,_ or _runner,_ is a horizontal stem that spreads through the ground to help some perennials propagate.

When you know the parts of plants and the difference between all the plant names you run into, you may be ready to get the lowdown on the types of plants out there!

**Figure 1-1:** The basic parts of a perennial plant, above and below ground.

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## Bringing in Beauty with Flowers (and Foliage)

Flowers are often the first thing that comes to mind when people think of gardening and the first thing people plan to grow when they want to beautify their surroundings. Flowers are marvelous because they come in a huge variety of sizes, colors, and shapes (see Figure 1-2), and no matter where you live, at least one kind of flowering plant can grow there. Even the volcanic crater of Haleakala, on the island of Maui, is home to a flowering plant: the rare silver sword.

Flowers are more than merely the beautiful display they put on, however. If you know the different types of flowers out there, you can take full advantage of displaying them in your own garden. Read on for info on annuals and perennials, as well as a bit on bulbs and roses.

## Amazing annuals

You may already know what annuals are without realizing that you know! These beauties are the flowers, arrayed in flats and pots, for sale every spring down at the garden center — everything from geraniums to impatiens to marigolds. You bring them home and plunk 'em in the ground, and they get right to work, delivering pretty much continuous color all summer long. When fall comes, they start to slow down (some may even go to seed); cold weather eventually causes them to wither and die. Game over. (That is, unless you live in a frost-free climate; in this case, your "annuals" become perennials. See the upcoming section titled "Perennial plants" for more information.)

**Figure 1-2:** Flowers come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, as these popular flowers show.

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For the brief time annuals are growing and pumping out flowers, you get a lot of bang for your buck. A great deal of selection and breeding refinements over the years have made these plants totally reliable. They're hard to kill. Indeed, some of them keep blooming their cheery heads off even when you neglect them.

More sophisticated gardeners have been known to sneer at good old annuals. They're boring. They're _too_ perky. They're "plastic plants." These folks may or may not have a point, but hey, annuals are hard to beat if you want a colorful garden.

In the end, the main drawback of annuals is economic. You have to buy new ones every spring. If you're planting a wide area, running out to buy more year in and year out can get expensive. Time may also be an issue for you — you may grow sick and tired of getting down on your hands and knees and replanting. (If you're getting to that point, consider planting perennials — see the section later in the chapter!)

You can use annuals

  To fill an entire flowerbed (this popular use is why some places call annuals _bedding plants_ )

  In container displays — in pots, windowboxes, patio planter boxes, and more

  To fill a hanging basket

  To edge a walkway

  To "spot" color in a perennial bed

  In edging and as decoration for a vegetable or herb garden

  To cover over or at least distract from a fading spring bulb display

If the info you want on annuals isn't in the upcoming sections, you can get an in-depth look in Chapter 6.

### Caring for and feeding annuals

Luckily, taking proper care of annuals is not rocket science. For the most part, annuals are easygoing, because they're bred to be quite tough and durable. Many can withstand some neglect and still be productive — not that I recommend ignoring them!

Without a doubt, water is an annual's number one need. All that lusty growth and continuous flowering requires fuel. A thirsty plant can't sustain the show for long. Regular, deep soakings are best because they reliably supply water to the roots, which leads to a stress-free life of consistent growth and bud and bloom production. (Note that a drying-out plant favors its roots and, to a lesser extent, its leaves, in a bid for survival, automatically jettisoning its water-hogging buds and petals.) See Chapter 4 for more info on watering.

You can't deny that regular doses of plant food significantly boost your annuals (make sure you apply it according to directions). The leaves become healthier and greener, and you end up with more buds and flowers. Chapter 4 contains information on fertilizer as well.

The rather unromantic term of _deadheading_ simply refers to the practice of pinching or cutting off spent flowers. Your annuals look nicer when you do this, of course, but removing the flowers also serves another purpose: It thwarts the plant from the energy-intensive process of producing seeds, and the plant responds by diverting its energy back into making more flowers.

### Favorite annuals

If you shop earlier in spring (before the garden center has been picked clean, I mean) or go to a place with a big selection, you see lots of choices. If you find certain types too boring or common, look around for alternatives — one big trend these days is familiar annuals in new colors, even bicolors. Get creative! Have some fun! Here are some popular annuals:

  **Sun-lovers:** Angelonia, California poppy, cleome, cosmos, geranium, lobelia, marigold, million bells, nasturtium, nicotiana, petunia, portulaca, salvia, and zinnia

  **Shade-lovers:** Ageratum, cineraria, coleus, forget-me-not, impatiens, nemophila, pansy, primrose, sweet William, vinca, wax begonia

  **Unusual, offbeat, but still easy annuals:**

• **Collinsia:** An easily grown and graceful plant that looks similar to a blue snapdragon

• **Eustoma:** A plant with very long lasting, silk-like flowers

• **Feverfew:** An annual covered with double, mostly white chrysanthemum-like flowers

• **Annual foxglove:** A plant with charming, nodding flowers on a tall spike, adding a dramatic vertical element to any garden

• **Honesty (money plant):** An annual grown for its translucent quarter-shaped seed pods that make it choice for dried arrangements

• **Larkspur:** A plant that's easy to grow by directly sowing the seeds in your garden in the early spring

• **Nemophila:** A plant with sky-blue cup flowers on compact mounded plants

• **Nierembergia:** A ground-hugging plant covered with purple cup-shaped flowers

• **Stock:** An annual with heavenly fragrance and flowers from white to pink to purple

• **Torenia:** A flower that looks like an open-faced snapdragon on compact plants, in shades of blue, pink and white.

### Raising annuals from seed

Of course you can raise annuals from seed! Some are simpler to grow than others. Annuals with very small seeds like snapdragons and begonias are a bit more of a challenge because you need to start them indoors in a bright windowsill or under fluorescent lights.

Just buy the seed packets in late winter and sow them in flats or pots (particular directions are always on the back of the packets). Raise the seedlings indoors until spring weather comes and the soil warms up and all danger of frost is past; then move the plants outside.

Some annuals are so fast-growing that you can sprinkle their seeds on good soil in late spring, right outside, and they'll quickly sprout and grow. This group includes popular ones like zinnias, marigolds, and nasturtiums. This process may require you to do some thinning at some point, but otherwise, it's dead easy. Again, consult the back of the seed packet for details. One advantage to this tack is that you can grow some more unconventional or rare annuals. It certainly makes for a more interesting garden!

### Beholding a one-time show

The very definition of an _annual_ — a plant that goes from seed to flowering to death in one season, completing its entire life cycle in short order — states that annuals are a one-time show. When it's over, it's over. (Except when it's not; if you garden in a mild climate, many annuals merely slow down for the winter but survive.)

If you garden in a cold climate, you can try digging up some favorites or bringing potted annuals inside. Keep them in a nonfreezing place, out of direct sunlight, and let them rest. Cut back all spent growth. Start reviving them with water and plant food when spring returns.

However, if despite your best efforts, your wintered-over annuals don't return to their former glory the following spring, accept their fate, pull them out, and replace them with new ones.

### Annuals that aren't really annuals

False annuals are plants with tropical origins, or ones whose parents hail from the tropics, which means that they're actually perennial — more long-lived — somewhere, somewhere warmer, somewhere far away. These pseudo-annuals can, at least in theory, be kept going over the winter and live to dress up your garden again next year. Examples of these tropical visitors include the coleus, geranium, impatiens, salvia, snapdragon, and wax begonia.

## Perennial plants

For many gardeners, going from growing annuals to exploring perennials seems to be a natural progression. But remember that you don't have to choose! You can grow both and, indeed, your garden is likely to be the better for the diversity.

So, what, exactly are _perennials?_ They're long-lived herbaceous (non-woody) plants — flowers and herbs, mainly. How long they last depends on the plant and the conditions in your garden. But these plants certainly last longer than annuals.

A typical perennial emerges in the spring, grows and often produces flowers and seeds as the seasons progress from spring to summer to fall, and then slows down or dies back in winter. But the plant doesn't actually die; it just rests. The following spring, your perennial returns in glory to repeat the cycle.

Unlike annuals, you don't have to replant perennials every year. Once should be enough — well, if you choose wisely and take good care of your perennials, you ought to get many good years out of them.

Eventually, though, some perennials run out of steam. Their growth gets crowded and they don't seem to flower as well. At this time, you can dig them out and replace them, or you can divide them (perhaps discarding the tired-out center, or mother plant) and replant well-rooted bits for a fresh new start. Chapter 7 can give you tips on division.

Here are some of the many uses of perennials:

  Creating a colorful bed or border

  Filling an _island bed_ (an isolated, self-contained garden, like an "island" in a sea of lawn)

  Mixing them with annuals to assure summer-long color

  Edging a walkway, patio, pool area, or deck

  Interplanting them with roses or other ornamental shrubs to provide year-round interest

  Dressing up an area that was formerly lawn

For the nitty-gritty details on perennials, check out Chapter 7. If you just want the basics, read on.

### In on the ground floor: Groundcovers

Low-growing perennial plants may be handy in a flower border (near the front where they won't be blocked from view) or as an edging, but they have another, very practical use: You can plant entire areas with them, and they can form a low-care carpet. They're especially nice for shady areas where lawn won't grow.

Some favorite groundcovers include ajuga, candytuft, creeping phlox, epimedium, ivy, lamium, lily-of-the-valley, pachysandra, sweet woodruff, and verbena.

For details on groundcovers, please turn to Chapter 12.

### Caring for and feeding perennials

The water needs of perennials vary. Some are moisture-lovers, others are drought-tolerant, and many are somewhere in the middle. Do your homework when choosing plants, not just on what they prefer but on which ones are suitable to the growing conditions in your yard and climate (otherwise, you'll be jumping through hoops trying to please them). Chapter 2 can help you get a grip on how to plan your garden.

One generalization is possible, though: Nothing makes newly planted perennials feel more welcome than plentiful water does. The perennials have gone from a sheltered and confining life in a pot to the wide world of your garden, and water helps sustain the roots and encourages them to establish themselves and expand into their new home.

Many perennials (like most people) enjoy being fed. They respond by growing more robustly and producing more flowers. You're fine with a general, all-purpose garden fertilizer, applied according to the label directions during the height of the growing season. Don't feed your perennials as fall approaches and growth naturally begins to slow. You don't want them producing a fresh new flush of growth that soon gets nipped by a frost. (For some general info on fertilizing, see Chapter 4.)

I have to admit that fertilizing the majority of perennials isn't mandatory. If you plant them in soil that suits them (and do your homework when choosing the plants), they may do just fine without it. Good, organically rich soil and good growing conditions and regular water can sustain healthy, hearty perennial growth for quite some time. Fertilizing merely supplies a boost in these cases.

### Favorite perennials

Lots of places offer perennials these days. The garden centers in spring and early fall are full of them. Unless the place is especially big or sophisticated, you'll find mostly common, tried-and-true choices. If you get a taste for the more unusual perennials, or common ones in uncommon colors, turn to mail-order or Internet shopping. What's out there may astound you — thousands and thousands of fascinating and beautiful plants await!

Here are some favorites:

  **Sun perennials:** Black-eyed Susan, coneflower, coreopsis, daylily, delphinium, gaura, hardy geranium, iris, penstemon, peony, phlox, pincushion flower, poppy, Russian sage, salvia, sedum, and Shasta daisy

  **Shade perennials:** Astilbe, bergenia, bleeding heart, brunnera, ferns, foamflower, goatsbeard, hellebore, heuchera, hosta, Solomon's seal, spiderwort, and violet

### Looking at lifespan

The life cycle of a perennial depends on various factors, notably the type of plant and whether it's happy in your garden. But you can certainly expect to get a minimum of two years and a maximum of a decade out of the vast majority of perennials. For best results, of course, take good care of them.

Most perennials are slow starters. During their first year in your garden, they tend to invest in developing a good root system. Be patient! After that's established, they grow and expand, and the flower show gets better with each passing year. You can hurry things along by fertilizing regularly during the height of the growing season (see Chapter 4 for fertilizing details) and get a head start by planting in the fall (see the next section).

### Considering fall planting

If you shop for perennials in late summer and get them in the ground a good six weeks or more before the first frost, those plants will definitely have a head start over their spring-planted counterparts. In fall, the soil is still warm and welcoming, and drenching fall rains can help water in the new kids. Depending on the severity of your winter, cutting back any new growth and mulching when winter is just around the corner may be good ideas.

For much more on perennials, please turn to Chapter 7.

## Bulbs and roses

Bulbs, which store their food underground, are a richly varied group of plants. The best-known ones like tulips and daffodils are spring flowering, but these plants represent only the tip of the iceberg. Many others, like dahlias and lilies, are summer bloomers. What they all have in common is that they're easy to grow and produce plenty of flowers. Just provide them a sunny, well-drained spot, stand back, and let them do their thing. See Chapter 8 for info on bulbs.

Although bulbs are quite popular, roses are America's favorite flowers for many reasons. They epitomize romance and come in an impressive range of flower colors, not to mention their inimitable delicious fragrances. Lucky for us, modern rose breeders have worked their wonders on this plant to produce roses that are not only stunningly beautiful but also tough as nails.

Roses are no longer the wimps that gardeners loved to think about growing but were afraid to try because of the reputation for being a magnet to every known plant disease and insect pest. Today's varieties are also available in a range of plant habits, from upright to bush forms to those that are ground hugging. Chapter 9 can fill you in on growing roses.

## Gardening for Your Dining Pleasure

For many gardeners, growing food is the real reason for gardening. There really isn't quite anything like the feeling of satisfaction a gardener gets from nurturing and encouraging a tomato plant to put forth the most gorgeous and delicious tomatoes imaginable, or harvesting a healthy and tasty bunch of berries from a tree planted right in the front yard.

Food-bearing plants come in all shapes, sizes, and types, from annuals and perennials, to trees and bushes, to vines that creep along the ground or climb to impressive heights when given the right support. Chapter 13 gives you the information you need to get started on growing your own vegetables. Chapter 14 is devoted to herbs and how you can grow them to enhance the dishes that come out of your kitchen. And Chapter 15 gives you the lowdown on the different kinds of fruit that you can grow and enjoy.

## Working with Woody (or Viney) Plants

Woody plants consist of shrubs, some vines, and trees. Though I come to this group last in this chapter, it's probably a more important garden element than annuals and perennials simply because of the space that woody plants take up over the long term. You may have inherited some trees and shrubs when you moved into your present home, or you may be considering replacing what you have or installing some new ones. Whatever you're thinking, choose and act wisely. Allow these bigger plants the elbow room, the deeper prepared soil, and the light they may need.

The reason trees, shrubs, and some vines are called _woody plants_ is that the bulk of their stems, and branches, are, well, woody — not herbaceous. This growth doesn't wither or die back in the wintertime. Yes, the leaves, flowers, fruits, berries, and seeds may fade and fall off, but the rest of the plant, its "bones," so to speak, abides. And with each passing year, the main stem or trunk grows another layer thicker, and the plant may add additional branches or woody stems. No wonder woody plants are considered more-or-less permanent, and certainly substantial, parts of a home landscape.

The difference between a shrub (or bush) and a tree can be pretty tenuous. _Shrubs_ usually have multiple stems that branch close to the ground, and the plants are often at least as wide as they are tall. _Trees_ are usually higher than they are wide, tend to be larger than shrubs, and usually have one or just a few predominant stems or trunks. These definitions become foggier when a very large shrub gets pruned to one stem to look like a tree or a small tree is trained to have multiple stems and is pruned to be a hedge. In these cases, are they trees or shrubs? Your call is as good as mine!

## Shrubs

You may choose flowering or evergreen shrubs. Both kinds are worthwhile in different ways. Just bear in mind that flowering shrubs tend to have a fairly brief period of glory, and then you're left with only foliage, so pick a shrub whose foliage you like. Good fall color, leaves, and/or berries may also be a factor in your decision. On the other hand, evergreen shrubs, whether broadleaf or needled, are valuable for long-term, consistent green color and, in many cases, a denser-growing profile.

Favorite shrubs for home landscapes include

  **Flowering:** Azalea, broom, buckeye, burning bush, daphne, flowering quince, forsythia, fothergilla, hibiscus, hydrangea, mock orange, smoke bush, sweetshrub, and winterberry

  **Broadleaf evergreen (with spring flowers and more-or-less evergreen foliage):** Andromeda, aucuba, barberry, boxwood, camellia, cotoneaster, gardenia, holly, laurel, mahonia, manzanita, mountain laurel, nandina, oleander, rhododendron, and rock rose

  **Evergreen:** Some cedars, some false cypresses, hemlock, juniper, some pines, some spruces, and yew

Take a look at some of the roles shrubs can play:

  Foundation planting (around the base of your house to add architectural interest, insulation, and security)

  Boundary and hedge plantings (possibly in addition to, or in lieu of, fencing)

  Individual, solo spots of color (specimen plants)

  Mixed-border citizens for more architectural interest (have a mixture of shrubs, or have a mixture of one type of shrub and roses or perennials or vines or all of these)

  Backdrops for a flower border

  Entryway, poolside, deckside, or privacy plantings

For much more on shrubs, please turn to Chapter 11.

## Trees

Trees can raise your property value, improve air quality, prevent erosion, lower your air conditioning costs, and provide a handy support for your hammock. Not too shabby, eh?

For most home gardeners, trees in the landscape are often already present but need care and pruning to look good. Or you may be shopping for one or more ornamental or fruiting trees to add. As with shrubs, your options include deciduous (ones that drop their leaves each fall; they may flower and fruit or have berries or seedpods) and evergreen (with leaves or needles that remain year-round).

Favorite trees for home landscapes include

  **Flowering and deciduous:** Catalpa, crape myrtle, dogwood, dove tree, golden chain tree, horse chestnut, magnolia, redbud, serviceberry, silk tree, snowbell, and stewartia

  **Shade trees:** Ash, basswood, beech, catalpa, elm, ginkgo, honey locust, Kentucky coffee tree, linden, locust, various maples, various oaks, sourwood, sweet gum, and tupelo

  **Evergreen:** Arborvitae, cedar, cypress, false cypress, fir, hemlock, juniper, Norfolk Island pine, pine, spruce, and yew

  **Fruit and nut trees:** Almond, apple, apricot, avocado, cherry, chestnut, citrus, crabapple, fig, filbert (hazelnut), juneberry, loquat, mulberry, nectarine, olive, pawpaw, peach, pear, pecan, plum, quince, and walnut

Roles trees can play involve things like

  Shade

  Privacy (including noise reduction)

  Grandeur and substance in the landscape

  Food (fruits, berries, and nuts)

  Decorative beauty due to foliage (including fall color!)

  Shelter and food for birds and other wild creatures

For much more information on trees in general, please turn to Chapter 11. For info on fruit and nut trees, check out Chapter 15.

## Vines

Annual vines like morning glory, nasturtium, moonflower, and so on aren't woody, but vines — woody or not — can be a substantial presence in your landscape. Vines like to grow upward, though some need assistance in terms of guidance and/or support.

Some vines are valued mainly for their lush foliage. Others flower and fruit, with attractive seedheads or berries by fall — all factors that naturally add to their appeal and affect placement and maintenance. Choose vines based on whether and when you want these extra, color-contributing features. Also, when purchasing, be sure to inquire about predicted mature size!

Some of my favorite vines for home landscapes are

  Akebia   Honeysuckle

  Bougainvillea   Ivy

  Clematis   Jasmine

  Climbing hydrangea   Kiwi

  Climbing roses   Mandevilla

  Creeping fig   Trumpet creeper

  Dutchman's pipe   Wisteria

  Grape

Roles vines can play include

  Cloaking or disguising a fence (especially if it's unattractive; or just use vines to make it into a more substantial barrier)

  Climbing a trellis that's either against a wall or fence or out in the open (if well-supported)

  Covering a gazebo to give shade and privacy as well as beauty

  Decorating a pillar, arbor, or pergola, adding shade and beauty as well as making a major contribution to your garden landscape

  Adding extra, vertical color to your garden (which is especially nice if your garden is small or you want to give it a feeling of enclosure)

  Draping over an outbuilding or shed, an old or dead tree trunk, or another larger structure in need of some softening or disguise

  Providing flowers and edible fruit for decorating and eating

**_Note:_ ** Even ridiculously strong vines can't help you swing from tree to tree, namely because they're attached to the ground and not-so-attached at the top. If you really don't want to stay grounded, Chapter 19 can give you info on installing a tire swing.

For much more information on vines, please turn to Chapter 12. I address climbing roses in more detail in Chapter 9.

## The World Is Flat: Caring for Your Lawn

Some gardeners love lawn care; others think it's just a necessary chore. Whichever way you feel, one thing can't be denied: Lawns, even small ones, can define a garden. They frame and provide a backdrop for all your other plants. If your lawn looks shabby, unfortunately, the rest of your garden creations just don't look as good.

I appreciate that everyone these days is pressed for time and can't spend the time on manicuring their turf like golf course managers do, so in Chapter 10, I give you the basic, nitty-gritty information so that your lawn can do you proud without taking too much time away from the rest of your creative garden pursuits.

#####  Chapter 2

## Planning Your Own Eden

### In This Chapter

  Working with what you already have

  Deciding on your garden style

  Staying within your budget

  Setting up your garden plans

  Hiring a professional

Consider your ideal garden. Perhaps you know you want a handsome woodland shade garden, but what'll it look like? Or maybe you know you want a sunny cottage garden, but what's your vision? Getting to this point in your garden planning is a bit like shopping for a blue shirt. You know you want a shirt and you know you want it to be blue, but you still have plenty of options. Now's the time to narrow in on your target.

By assessing your gardening wants, your gardening needs, and what you already have available for your garden, you can come up with the best garden for you. In this chapter, I lead you through the processes that can help you clarify your vision, and I explain how you can start making your dream garden a reality.

## Taking Stock: Evaluating What You Already Have

Observation! That's the very first step. Forget for a moment what's growing in your neighbors' yards or other home landscapes around town that you see and may covet. It's time to take a broader view — it's all part of the assessing process, a process that can lead you to a gorgeous, successful garden of your own. And don't forget that the garden is part of your yard in general. If you incorporate your garden plans into an overall plan for your yard, the yard itself can become a beautiful extension of the garden.

Identifying and spending some time analyzing what you already have is an important step in planning. After all, every yard is different and therefore presents a gardening challenge. You may be surprised, as you ponder, to discover that you can work quite well with what you already have, making seemingly minor changes to major effect.

Start by looking at the big picture. Here are the basic things to look for that affect your overall gardening plans. The following issues directly influence your planting decisions:

  **Local climate:** Over the course of a calendar year, is your area's climate dry or damp? Generally sunny or generally rainy? Do your winters (or summers) slow everything down or bring plant growth to a temporary halt? The answers to these questions can tell you which plants are likely to grow easily and which ones may require some extra help. See Chapter 3 for info about plant hardiness zones and how they affect your growing space.

  **Type of soil in your yard:** Consider the natural soil in your area. Is it rather sandy? Clay? Loamy (rich, crumbly, and dark)? Acidic? Alkaline? Does it drain rainwater away quickly, or does moisture puddle and linger for days? The answers can help you understand which plants will thrive and which ones will need soil improvements. (If you really don't have any idea, a simple soil test is a good idea — see Chapter 4.)

  **Plants native to your area** **(or already growing in your yard):** I'm not asking that you make a garden out of entirely native plants — after all, you may want to distinguish your yard from the surrounding natural landscape. But finding out which plants (trees, shrubs, grasses, flowers) are native or perform well in your general area, either by observing or by asking around, can further fill you in on what kind of growing conditions you've been dealt.

When looking at plants, make sure you don't choose _invasive exotics,_ which are aggressive nonnative plants that can escape your yard and run rampant. Your state may also find some native plants harmful. For information and details on what to watch out for, visit plants.usda.gov/java/noxiousDriver.

And here are some structural considerations for your garden:

  **Permanence of big structures:** Okay, the house stays. The garage and shed, too, although maybe you can move or replace the shed. What about shade trees? Can and should you cut any of them down, or at least prune them? Big branches may be a hazard, and letting more light into a garden is often welcome.

  **Walkways:** It's hard, but not impossible, to change the path of foot traffic if it's currently in the way of your garden space. So take a hard look and be honest. If you add or replace a walking surface, the yard can look immediately nicer and your garden spot may be neatly outlined.

Options for installing a path include gravel, brick, flagstone, and other paving materials. Wandering paths look nicer and slow down footsteps, but pathways should actually lead somewhere if you want people to use them. Wider paths also slow people down and encourage them to enjoy their surroundings — your beautiful garden.

  **Desire for privacy or shelter:** Good fences can make good neighbors, and materials make all the difference. Big, substantial wooden fences do block street noise and unsightly views but may also create shade and look unfriendly. A lighter or more open design may be better, perhaps softened with a flowering, climbing plant. An alternative is living fences of hedges or an informal line of bushes (evergreen or deciduous, with or without fruit and flowers — turn to Chapter 11 for information). Work with what you have to improve your fence's look, or vow to install or replace it with something nicer.

Before making any major changes, consult with neighbors who'll be affected, especially if you have a neighborhood association that governs big yard projects.

After evaluating these items and the impact they'll have on your future garden, you may find that you have the start of a good plan for forming the boundaries and overall design of your garden.

Don't be intimidated by the beautifully designed and laid-out yards you see in your neighborhood or admire in the pages of gardening magazines or books. Transforming and beautifying your yard yourself, while bringing in outside help only if you think you need it, is perfectly possible. Like any other large project, you'll get further and feel better if you divide it into smaller parts.

## Identifying problems and restrictions

There are certain classic gardening "problems" and, thankfully, myriad solutions. Please don't ever feel overwhelmed — picking out an area to work on and improve and concentrating your efforts can buoy your spirits, and then you can move on to another concern. My advice is to start first with an area you have the time and money to fix up — preferably an area you'd like to start enjoying sooner rather than later.

The main point is to take action. Address the big issues now, and you'll definitely feel well on your way to a more beautiful, enjoyable garden. Read on for some basic problems.

### You have too much shade

A yard or garden space with a lot of shade is often lamented as forcing too many limitations on gardeners. Never fear! This problem is often much easier to remedy than you may think, usually just by pruning some trees and bushes:

**1.** **Go out with clippers and/or a small pruning saw to remove all "nonnegotiable" branches and twigs — anything obviously dead or diseased, particularly the lower branches of thick trees.**

**2.** **Go on to thinning — taking out growth that's rubbing against other branches or crowding the interior of a plant.**

**3.** **For anything you can't handle, call in a certified arborist or a tree company.**

You need the services of a tree company if you decide to take out an entire tree. Check with local authorities; in some areas you need permission to cut down trees. In the end? More sun, more light, and more air — a whole new yard!

If a more permanent structure, such as a house or fence, causes your shade problem, you may still have more planting options available than you think. Review the chapters in Parts II, III, and IV for a variety of ideas on how to grow in the shade.

Regardless of whether bushes and shrubs are a shade problem, you should prune them to remove some or all the offending thicket to keep your garden (and yard in general) looking good. Try an early-spring pruning foray. (This is also the time to do drastic chopping back, say, if you want to reduce a hedge's height; cut no more than one-third at a time — you can prune again next season.)

### You have too much sun

If your garden space is sunnier than you'd like, the quick solution is to add human-made items — try an umbrella or two, a pergola (arbor), or an outdoor tent. For the long term, you can make a planting plan with shade trees (see Chapter 11) and vines that cover trellises and other structures (see Chapter 12).

### Your yard is too big

Here are three good ways to reduce that maintenance-demanding, water- hogging lawn and create ideal spaces for gardening:

  Create garden beds around the sides of the yard, widening or extending them as you can. Alternatively, create what landscapers call _island beds,_ which are flat or mounded beds (in any shape and size you like) in the middle of a lawn.

  Add large, sprawling structures that take up a lot of yard space, such as

• Pathways

• A terrace, patio, or deck

• A pool (swimming or ornamental)

• A potting shed or gazebo

Adding garden beds around these structures really spruces things up.

  Fence in or otherwise enclose individual "garden rooms" within spaces around your yard. The fence can be an artificial fence made of wood or metal, or it can be made of hedges, ornamental grasses, or trellises overhung with vines. Use your imagination!

### Your yard is too little

A small yard can seem bigger, more welcoming, and a lot more charming when you employ a few basic gardening techniques. With these methods, you can transform your cozy little yard into the garden of your dreams:

  Soften the edges of your lawn so they don't seem so imposing. If you have a fence, you can

• Paint the fence a bright color (dark colors heighten the sense of constriction).

• Add lush vines or climbing roses.

• Adorn the fence with potted plants.

  Create a varied layering effect — that is, position different plant types and textures above and behind one another, stepping up to the edges of your yard. Some gardeners literally display a combination of in-ground and potted plants on and around a rack or stepladder.

  Add a focal point — a statue, a small fountain, or one spectacular pot or urn with a big, dramatic plant or showy combination of plants; this move draws attention away from the close boundaries.

### The soil isn't the type or quality you want

More often than you may think, poor soil thwarts gardening plans. People just forget or underestimate the importance of having organically rich, well-draining ground to plant in.

To tackle this problem, try growing only those types of plants proven to work in your soil. See what the neighbors are growing in their gardens, or check with the local nursery for the best plants to grow in your area.

You can also dig into the soil and mix in the materials you want (sort of like making cake batter, only more work). A rototiller is a handy tool to use for this purpose (see Chapter 5). Remember to work down to a depth of 6 to 8 inches for most garden plants — less for shallow-rooted grass, more for trees and shrubs.

### Reclaiming the good garden hiding in your yard

Improving on what you already have in your yard is a quick and easy way to start enjoying a good garden. Timing is often key; that is, make your move at the right time and the project will be less work and will yield faster results. If the project seems overwhelming, by all means, find or hire help.

To improve a flowerbed, rake out all debris, remove all weeds, and add soil amendments in late fall or early spring. Plan what will go in, and remember to avoid overcrowding and to allow for each plant's mature size. Last but not least, mulch the bed to retain moisture and thwart weeds so the bed will hopefully never get out of hand again.

You can reclaim a vegetable garden, even if it's full of weeds — chances are that the garden still has fairly good soil. Get weeds and debris out of there in fall or early spring, repair or install edging and/or fencing, and then dig in some organic matter for good measure (this step's easier now, before you add plants). Then cover the entire area with black plastic or a thick layer of mulch until you're ready to plant to keep out digging critters and thwart a resurgence of weeds.

### Too many weeds!

You can attack these unwelcome plants any time of the year, but you'll make faster progress if you start in late fall or early spring and thwart them before or just as they're sprouting. Use a hoe, smother weeds with plastic or mulch, or carefully use an herbicide (or some combination of these tactics). Then, in midsummer, make sure you don't let weeds go to seed. Pull them, mow them down, and discard them outside your garden to keep them from coming back.

## Taking advantage of your yard's assets

Every garden space has its strengths and its good spots, if only you look, and some of the "problems" I mention in earlier sections can actually be benefits if you see them that way. You can save yourself a lot of time, effort, and grief by identifying these types of spots and working with what you have rather than knocking yourself out to impose an ambitious plan upon your garden space. Go with the flow, in other words! Here are a few examples of conditions you may find within your garden space and how to handle them:

  **Sunny days:** Bright sunshine is beloved by many plants, especially those with colorful flowers. Rejoice and be glad you have it; then go shopping for a wide range of bright and lively plants. Have fun with color combinations. Full sun also affords you the opportunity to grow many vegetables, herbs, fruits, and waterlilies. See the chapters ahead for details on choosing and growing the types that interest you.

  **The dark side:** If your lot in life is shade, don't fret. Consider it a gift, a chance to create a cool, soothing, even enchanting oasis. Without direct blasts from the hot sun, plants in a shady area look fresher and crisper for far longer. Wilting and withering in the heat aren't issues, colors don't get washed out, and not only do flowers last longer, but they also add sparkle and definition. For ideas, read the shade-gardening parts of Chapters 6 and 7.

  **Dry conditions:** Instead of knocking yourself out trying to provide water for thirsty plants, seek out ones that prosper in drier growing conditions. A nursery that offers native plants (and good-looking cultivars of the same) is a good place to start. You don't have to grow only cacti and succulents, though you should check out the amazingly wide range of colors and shapes before you decide not to; lots of exciting dry-ground, drought-tolerant plants are available to gardeners these days.

  **Water:** If your yard's soggy or boggy, stop neglecting the area to weeds or trying to dry it out. Instead, grow plants that relish damp ground. Loads of good-looking choices — large and small, tall and ground-covering, flowering and foliage — are available. Try red twig dogwood, red maples, skunk cabbage, or Japanese primroses.

## Getting Ideas for Your Garden Space

After you take inventory of your garden space and yard in general, consider what _sort_ of garden you want. Before you get bogged down in choosing plants and deciding where to plant them, think in broad terms once again. How do you want to use your garden? What are your needs and expectations? Naming your goals can help you further clarify the details of your plans.

If I had one single, strong piece of advice to give you at this point — and I do! — it would be this: Be realistic. Identify, admit, and allow for special uses and considerations. Working within an honest, clear-eyed framework is so much easier. A beautiful garden can grow up around your "givens."

## Gardening with the kids in mind

If you have young children of your own, or if kids are always visiting, plan for them and their antics. A flower border of precious perennials, some of them delicately supported by stakes, will be in constant danger of being trampled if kids ride bikes or play rousing games of soccer nearby. Although placing your raised-bed vegetable garden right in the center of a sunny lawn may be logical, figure out whether the kids' fun and games work can around it or whether the kids will be running through it.

As parents everywhere know, the key to lowering your frustration level is being flexible. Site the perennials way at the back of the lawn area if you must; shield flowers with a fence or picnic table or living barrier, such as a line of shrubs or berry bushes; locate that vegetable garden more off to the side; and so on. You get the idea.

With kids' short attention spans and wish for quick gratification, it's unlikely that you'll be able to get the children to help you dig up a new planting area, nor would it be safe or advisable to have them help with pruning projects. But you have plenty of other ways to build your kids' interest in gardening:

  **Raise some easy-to-grow plants for kids.** Favorites include green beans (pole beans, on a teepee, so kids can have a fort inside), nasturtiums, morning glories, mini pumpkins, and sunflowers.

  **Plant things kids love to harvest, whether vegetables or flowers for bouquets.** Just make sure you supervise children, especially if they're using clippers or scissors.

  **Encourage help by putting money in the till.** Don't forget the time- honored tradition of paying your budding entrepreneurs for pulling weeds — though the going rate is probably no longer a penny a dandelion!

Flip to Chapter 20 for some fun gardening projects for kids.

## Establishing a good garden for pets

Contrary to popular belief, pets and gardens are compatible. All you need is some creativity to accommodate both of them. However, because the animal is part of your life, you have to consider meeting his or her needs a given when setting out to lay out your yard and garden.

Your biggest concern may be where your pets "do their business." Dog and cat urine can create brown spots in lawns (because it's too high in nitrogen), especially when the pet is a creature of habit and returns to the same spot over and over again. Just water the area to dilute, and the problem should go away. Dusting the area with gypsum can also help.

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Either bury or scoop pet poop — your decision. Just never add this waste to a compost pile or spot where edible plants are growing, because cats and dogs aren't vegetarians, and meat waste products don't belong there. Pet feces can contain harmful bacteria, parasites, or other disease-causing organisms.

Dogs seem to have two basic outdoor needs:

  **Water to drink:** Place a large bowl of fresh water in a spot where your dog can get direct access to it without trampling through valued plants and where no humans will step on it. Replenish the water often, as it may collect debris, dry up, or get too warm if in the sun.

  **Shade to rest in:** Your dog may have his or her own ideas about which shrubs or trees to rest under, but you can influence your pooch's decision by trimming away lower branches so scooting into the spot is easier. You can also create and fill in a "sand beach" area, which also allows unfettered and non-destructive digging, if your pooch is a digging sort.

If you want to have a fenced-in "dog run" area, make sure it has sheltering shade throughout the day in some part and that the run is in a spot where you can see and/or hear your pet (so you don't forget about your four-legged friend!). Dogs don't like to "do their business" in the same place where they rest or play, so the run needs to big enough to allow for both activities.

Outdoor cats need clean, cool water, too, and they also like the sanctuary of a safe, shady spot where they can observe undetected or undisturbed. Watch where they go and improve it for them if you can with extra protection (like their own small, simple cat house) and more space. **_Note:_ ** The sand beach idea is not for cats; they'll think it's an outdoor litter box!

Sometimes cats use tree trunks as scratching posts; little trees can't tolerate this abuse of their outer bark, so rig a collar of tape or wire to prevent the damage.

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If you do bring pet birds in cages outside, do so only temporarily — birds tend to be sensitive to cold nights, wind, or hot sun. Make sure they have plenty of water. And don't leave caged birds outdoors unattended. Vermin are sometimes attracted to the feed in their cages, and curious wild birds that can pass on diseases often visit.

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If you have pets, be careful about the gardening products you use and where you store them. Plan to keep the critters indoors after fertilizing or spraying until the packaging says it's safe. You may also want to consider what you choose to grow and where you plant it: If animals eat a plant that doesn't agree with them, up it comes — on your living room floor! In some cases, a trip to the vet may be in order. Visit the Animal Poison Control Center Web site at www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc for more information.

## Creating space for entertainment

A popular trend these days is outdoor rooms or outdoor living, and it's easy to see why. When good weather comes, who can resist hanging out or dining in the fresh air?

Patio gardens, decks, and terraces adjacent to the house (front, side, or back) continue to be popular because you and your guests have easy access to the house. People can easily pop inside for additional food, drink, or supplies; to use the restroom; or to dispose of trash. Screened-in spots may be necessary if you have a mosquito or other bug problem and still want to be comfortable outside. (For ideas on container gardens for patios, see Chapter 16.)

If you want to place the focal point farther from the house, such as at a gazebo or under a pergola or in a poolside entertaining area, make sure it's well-stocked with beverages and snacks to spare yourself long treks back and forth to the house. Outdoor storage units and shelves should do the trick.

We've witnessed a recent boom in outdoor furniture options — styles as well as materials. From rust-resistant tables, chairs, and benches, to mildew- resistant cushions in bright colors, to handsome but practical umbrellas, you can have a set that looks great even when left out in the sun and rain. Just feast your eyes on the choices at your local home-supply store, big-box retail store, or mail-order gardening supplier. The outdoor lifestyle has never offered so many excellent and attractive choices. Choose stuff that meets your needs, is durable, and has style and color that match or enhance or set the tone for the surrounding garden. (You may also invest in attractive, fitted covers for everything to protect items from the elements when not in use.)

Outdoor entertainment areas ought to connect to the garden so that although people are enjoying indoor-style comforts and amenities, people are still able to savor the unique joys of being outside. You can incorporate potted plants (both colorful flowers and practical herbs or veggies), set out vases of flowers cut from the garden, add hanging baskets, and plant right up to the perimeters. To create a transition from the outdoor entertainment area and the garden proper (and thus gracefully blend them), repeat elements in both places — use the same or similar plants, or incorporate the same or complementary colors ( _complementary colors_ — red and green, blue and orange, and purple and yellow — are across from each other on the color wheel).

Add flair and beauty to your outdoor entertaining area with wind chimes, candles, citronella torches, lanterns, or windsocks.

Whatever you decide to set up, remember to imagine and then accommodate foot traffic — people will wear a path anyway, so plan for it.

## Designing a sanctuary: The quiet garden retreat

A garden retreat needs to be outside and away from the busy world, where you can relax and gather your thoughts in peace, quiet, and solitude. In a sense, any garden can provide retreat for the world-weary, nerve-jangled gardener. But some backyard retreats are more soothing than others. Having a simple and undemanding landscaping and décor can encourage you to relax, not jump up to attend to garden chores or errant weeds.

You needn't turn your entire garden to a Zen-like space. A special corner or tucked-away nook will do. Privacy, protection, and isolation are key elements of a good retreat. Think about adding a fence or wall to block out sights and, equally importantly, sounds. Less-solid screens in the shape of trellises or tall and dense plantings of trees and shrubs or even a gathering of potted plants can also enclose a space. The idea is to make a garden room accessible yet insulated. For summertime relaxation, consider a shady retreat.

Within the walls of your retreat, make a comfortable place to sit or even recline. A full table-and-chairs set is appropriate if you plan to share the space and enjoy meals or quiet cups of tea here. A hammock or a chaise lounge invites reading and relaxing.

Now consider the furnishings — namely, plants and décor:

  The plants that you choose should be easygoing selections that don't require fussing — for shade, try impatiens; for sun, marigolds or zinnias are good choices. Stick to a simple or even monochromatic color scheme, one that's soothing to the eye.

  Consider a water element, such as a small, tubbed water garden or fountain. The inherently soothing sight and sound of water can help block out distracting noises (see Chapter 17 for water garden ideas).

  A judiciously employed ornament, such as a hummingbird feeder, a large clay urn, a garden statue of St. Fiacre (the patron saint of gardeners), or Buddha, can further the mood. Use simple ornaments that have meaning to you and are in keeping with your theme.

## Cooking up an edible garden: Gardening for your kitchen

If you love to cook and enjoy gardening, it's only a matter of time before you long to grow your own produce. A so-called kitchen garden can be modest in size, easy to manage, and produce all the fresh vegetables and herbs you desire. It doesn't need to be extensive or as ambitious as a back-forty vegetable garden. (For help with such a large garden, flip to Chapter 13, remembering that it may require more space and it will require full sun.)

Because a kitchen garden exists for one reason — to generate good things to eat — planting it near your house is best. That way, you can pop out the door, snip the herbs you need or grab a few sun-warmed cherry tomatoes, and put them to immediate use. Ideally, a kitchen or dining-room window overlooks your patch so you aren't likely to forget what's ripe for the taking.

If your goal is to serve healthier and fresher food to your family, go for a variety of classic vegetables and herbs. Even salad skeptics may be won over after they taste a wondrous array of colorful lettuces accompanied by fresh ripe tomatoes. And kids who don't normally enjoy vegetables can discover the joys of fresh, sweet homegrown peas and carrots.

For more on raising vegetables, consult Chapter 13; I cover herbs in Chapter 14.

### Setting up your garden for international cuisine

Consider what kinds of cuisine you like to cook, and you can prepare yourself for an international feast with some of the freshest possible ingredients:

  **Asian:** Opt for various herbs and leafy greens, plus certain kinds of eggplant and onions.

  **Italian:** Be sure to include tomatoes, oregano, and basil, at the least.

  **Mexican:** The easy herb cilantro is a must, as is epazote, and of course, a salsa medley of tomatoes, onions, garlic, and various peppers, hot and mild.

The easiest, most successful kitchen gardens are small and simple. You can always expand later. To get started, I recommend

  **Keeping it sunny:** At least six hours of full sun per day is essential for good growth and ripening of almost all vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers. Morning light is preferable to afternoon because it dries the dew (reducing the risk of disease) and is less stressful than the blazing heat of midafternoon.

  **Setting the boundaries:** Stake out a spot using string rigged between wooden sticks, or try a simpler approach: Use your garden hose as a guide. After you establish the garden, you can edge the bed with bricks or stones or commercial plastic edging. Or dig a roughly 4-inch-deep trench all around the edges. The idea is to keep any lawn grass from encroaching on your kitchen garden.

  **Building raised beds:** If the soil in the appointed spot isn't very good, erect a raised bed from planks standing on edge. Be sure to use untreated lumber, because some wood preservatives may be harmful to edible plants. (Unless you use the more expensive cedar, these wooden sides will eventually rot and need replacing. By then, you may be ready to expand your kitchen garden, anyway.) See Chapter 13 for info on raised beds.

  **Installing protective barriers:** If you garden in deer, woodchuck, or rabbit territory (just to name some of the worst pests), or if you host backyard soccer games, a protective fence around your kitchen garden may be in order. Use poultry wire or wood and sink it into the ground to discourage digging invaders. If the fence doesn't look very attractive, plant fast-growing, lightweight plants to cover it, such as morning glories.

  **Planting a few containers that are literally at the kitchen door:** Try a small tomato plant surrounded by 'Spicy Globe' basil, a cut-and-come-again mix of lettuces and salad greens, and another container of your favorite herbs.

## Zeroing In on Your Ideal Garden Style

After you've determined your basic wants and needs for your garden space, you're ready to decide on its overall style. Gardens come in many types, themes, and moods. Yours can be informal, with less strict boundaries, a more casual look, and a wide variety of plants; or it can be formal, with symmetrical lines, crisp edges, and a limited plant palette. Or it can be one of many variations in between.

Select a style based on the architecture of your house, the lay of the land, or even an idea you saw in a magazine. Your choice also ought to take into consideration the advantages and disadvantages already inherent in your yard and gardening space, as I outline in the first half of the chapter.

A garden is an emotional place for many people — a place of pride and joy, of relaxation, comfort, and meaningful projects. Luckily, a garden's always a work in progress, and you can improve, expand, or totally change some or all of it over time. You should also be open to surprises, like the errant sunflower that pops up near the deck or the herb that self-sows into the roses and ends up looking pretty there. So dream and plan, but be flexible.

## Gardening around a theme

Garden design often goes beyond the types of plants you want to grow and the type of function you want your garden to have. Thematic elements can also influence the look of a garden. Do you have a soft spot for old-fashioned English rose gardens? Or Japanese Zen gardens? Or even sandy deserts filled with cacti and succulents? In the following sections, I list some popular style elements to help you continue clarifying what you may want and need.

If you'd like your garden to be like the styles covered in this book or any other of the large variety of garden styles available, be sure to do plenty of research beforehand to make your space look as harmonious and authentic as possible. And don't forget to make sure your space can accommodate the style! Trying to install an outdoor cactus garden in the Midwest USA may not be your best bet.

### Formal gardens

Keep formal gardens simple (see Figure 2-1). Aim for balance and symmetry so the garden has an air of calm elegance. Here are some tips:

  Use strong lines and boundaries, such as groomed hedges, walkways, perhaps even a reflecting pool.

  Employ single-color plantings, aiming to match or complement your house color, fence, or another element.

  Add stylish pots, urns, gazing balls, or statuary. Keep everything in moderation so it doesn't look cluttered.

### Asian gardens

Asian gardens (Figure 2-2) are usually based on a _garden floor,_ or a broad area of raked sand or stones. Choose fine-textured traditional plants, in pots or in the ground. Try bamboo, dwarf conifers, Japanese maples, iris, azalea, and flowering fruit trees. Then include Oriental-style accessories such as stone lanterns, bamboo fencing, a water basin, or even a small "tea house."

**Figure 2-1:** A complete garden plan for a classy, formal garden. Common names are presented for plants you might want to consider using.

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**Figure 2-2:** A garden plan featuring an Asian-inspired design.

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### Tropical gardens

Put a piece of paradise in your own backyard. Tropical gardens (Figure 2-3) emphasize lots of big, bold, leafy foliage plants (such as cannas, coleus, hibiscus, and taro) in the ground or in large containers. Use bright flowers in hot colors: yellow, red, and orange, as well as bicolors. Then include a water feature, such as a pool, fountain, or stream. You can add drama with extras: birdhouses or cages, colorful pots, gazing balls, and playful or handcrafted décor and statuary.

**Figure 2-3:** A garden plan featuring a planting with a tropical feel.

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### Cottage gardens

Cottage gardens should be overflowing with colorful blooms, so plant these inviting, informal gardens with a generous hand. Include lots of roses and other fragrant plants (including herbs). Keep the plants well-tended (remove spent flowers and stems) but allow them to express their natural exuberance. Finally, add some charming touches — a picket fence, an arbor, whimsical birdhouses, or wind chimes.

### Dry climate gardens

If your area is a little on the parched side, you may want to opt for a dry climate garden. Employ a naturalistic layout, perhaps with a dry streambed or stone pathways, and choose plants that thrive in hot sun, including but not limited to cacti and succulents. Then strategically place accents of colorful or more water-needy plants in pots or in groups.

### Woodland gardens

Woodland gardens, which are often shady, include groundcovers that flower as well as bulbs (for lots of spring color). For fall color, you can plant some native asters.

This garden is most practical if you already have a well-treed lot. Tall deciduous hardwoods like oaks, beeches, and maples are ideal because they provide a high canopy with diffused shade. Seek out diverse forms and colors for the larger plants, from bold hostas to lacy ferns. You can then tuck in non-plant items for color and interest, such as ornaments and garden furniture.

## An inspired idea: Perusing books, magazines, and local gardens

As part of your narrowing-down process, have fun as you gather inspiration. Thumb through back issues of gardening magazines, flagging beautiful photographs and helpful articles. Grab a few of those arguably fluffy gardening magazines you often see at the checkout stand at the grocery store (technically, they're called _SIPs,_ or Special Interest Publications). These publications tend to be heavily photo-driven, lighter on the actual how-to information, but that's the dreamy stuff you want right now.

Also check the gardening books you already own, both practical ones and coffee-table books, and do the same. Visit a well-stocked bookstore or the book section at a garden center and do some more prospecting. Buy a few titles if you find something wonderful and useful.

And don't forget the gardens that aren't too far beyond your front door. Bring your camera as you visit your local botanical garden or arboretum, and take advantage of local garden tours. Walk around surrounding neighborhoods and take pictures of gardens or vignettes that pique your interest.

The object of this exercise is to fill your mind with enticing images of what's possible. You also get to see how other gardeners — in various regions, with different types of yards — have pulled off their woodland garden or cottage garden or whatever you're aiming for. Study their creativity and their solutions; they can help you clarify your vision.

### Tackling the paste-and-ponder method

Some people find their ideas jell best given a little time. If you have an available wall or large bulletin board, try this: Rip out inspirational photos from magazines, gather your photos, and tack them up. Make the display orderly or make it a collage. Then leave it there and walk by every now and then, pausing to admire and study it. Add to it, shift things around, and take pieces away.

This admittedly informal method can really help clarify your thinking and consolidate your planning, especially if you're a visually oriented person. The paste-and-ponder method also helps you keep your eye on the prize, so leave the board up for a while.

## Making Sure Costs Don't Outgrow Your Budget

Having a good garden, or a series of smaller gardens on your property, does cost money. Fencing materials and paving stones aren't cheap. Garden furnishings and décor aren't cheap. Big plants, special small plants, and pots aren't cheap. Potting soil and loam aren't cheap. Fertilizer and pesticides aren't cheap. It all adds up. And, frankly, budgeting is hard when you're dealing with an ongoing project whose look is likely to evolve.

So here's my main advice: Relax. Rome wasn't built in a day. Take small bites, if need be. Tackle one project at a time and see it through, and then move on to the next one. Or divide a large project into sections and allow yourself time — even several seasons or years — to complete it.

One place where you can save money is labor — use yourself, involve your partner or your kids, bribe friends with dinner, or hire neighborhood kids. And remember that, fortunately, gardening is one of those experiences in life whose journey can be as satisfying as the destination.

Here are some other money-saving ideas:

  Grow plants from seed.

  Divide perennials and shrubs and move the pieces to other parts of your yard. (See Chapter 7 for info on how to divide perennials.)

  Get plants from other gardeners — some people may simply give you their unwanted surplus; others will be happy to swap. Join a local garden club, and you may be assured of these transactions!

  Make your own compost (see Chapter 4 for tips). And always compost your fall leaves instead of bagging them and sending them off to the local landfill.

  Buy from the source, whether it's a special daylily nursery nearby or a local brickyard.

  Browse yard sales, junkyards, and antique shops. You may happen across real bargains in garden ornaments as well as pots, gates, trellises, fencing, and so on.

Last but not least, take care of your investments. It's a sad waste to let good, costly plants or garden areas languish or die. The more you know about soil, about planting, about plant care — and this book is chock-full of useful advice — the easier it'll be to do right by your garden. A thriving garden can repay you many times over.

## Bringing Your Garden Ideas to Reality

Now's the time to start getting real. Armed with your ideas and goals and wishes, step outside and bring your plans to life. Some gardeners find that the best time to do this step is fall or winter, when you have fewer distractions from overgrown plants and seasonal clutter. The outline and the "bones" of a yard are more evident then. But whenever you do this step, look beyond what's present. Visualize what will change and what will go in.

When you're ready to sketch out your garden plan, you can do it yourself or, if it seems daunting or is simply not your cup of tea, you can hire a licensed professional (see "Getting Professional Help for Your Garden Plans," later in this chapter). Your overall garden plan doesn't have to be precise or perfect. It just has to do what you need it to do — show you your yard so you can plan what you want to put into it.

### Computer-aided design: Embracing your inner (garden) architect

Once the province of professionals, garden planning software is now available to the general public. Computer programs can take you through entire planning processes and generate detailed plans, alternate plans, and close-up plans. Some come with extensive plant databases. Others offer impressive show-and-grow features to help you visualize what your yard will look like next year, five years from now, and so on.

To use one of these programs, you need

  **Time and patience:** You have to study and decipher these programs to understand what they can do, especially if you have no landscaping training. The journey should be as intriguing to you as the destination, or else you'll get frustrated.

  **Money:** These programs vary a great deal in their cost. The ones designed for amateurs aren't that expensive and have many of the features you need. If you want a full-blown design program like the professionals use, you're talking about a sizable chunk of change, but they're still cheaper than hiring someone.

  **Good equipment:** An old Mac or PC will choke on today's gardening software; you need a powerful machine with plenty of available memory and speed. If the computer runs your kids' video games well (or yours, for that matter), it'll do a decent job with most design programs.

You don't need a fancy large-format or color printer, though — just burn a disc of your plan, take it down to a good copy shop, and have someone else whip up the visuals.

To find software that suits your skill level and needs, do an Internet search, examine advertisements, order brochures, and of course, talk with anyone you know who's used one. Some community colleges, Cooperative Extension Services, and adult-education programs offer classes in using this software — they're worth looking into!

## Sketching out the yard you have now

Using graph paper and the tools necessary to draft out your garden (see Figure 2-4), draw a plan of your site to scale, say 1/4" for each foot. Plot every feature you find on your site, both natural and those you or your predecessors have put in place. Use a measuring tape to get at least approximate measurements. You may want to indicate areas of sun and shade.

If you'd like, you can also use photography to help sketch out your plans, Photograph panoramic sequences of every part of your property, as well as external features (such as views) you may want to enhance or hide. Paste them together to form a wide-angle shot.

## Making your drawing match your dream garden

After you've completed the initial drawing of your yard or garden plot to your satisfaction, you can move forward and add the elements for your garden plan. Here are some recommendations:

**1.** **Gather any pictures you're using for inspiration, and prepare a list of your main goals, assets, and limitations.**

Go to the earlier section titled "Taking Stock: Evaluating What You Already Have" for advice on looking at your yard's challenges and advantages. "Getting Ideas for Your Garden Space" can help you focus on your gardening goals.

**2.** **Study your current plan carefully.**

Decide which features you want to incorporate into your final plan, which ones you want to highlight, and which ones you want to downplay or remove.

**3.** **Place a piece of tracing paper over your plan.**

**4.** **Use a pencil and sketch in or leave out various features and designs.**

Try hard to stick to your theme or overall vision, and attempt to be organized (see "Zeroing In on Your Ideal Garden Style" for details on themes).

When designing your garden plan, you don't have to get bogged down in details, listing every plant by name. Instead, "sun-loving perennials," "blue and yellow bed," or "pots of annuals" may suffice.

**Figure 2-4:** There are many ways to draft out your garden plan, but here are the tools you need to get started.

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After all the elements you've planned for are in place, take a good look at them to make sure the overall drawing matches the initial image of the dream garden you had in your head. If something looks awkward or looks like it needs to be moved or changed in any way, do so! Keep changing that drawing (and redrawing it if necessary) until you have a final plan that satisfies you. Only when your final plan is in your hands should you prepare yourself to move on to the next step.

## Defining key areas so you know where to start

With your sketched yard in hand, your next step is to decide which area you want to start with and to roll up your sleeves. As I repeatedly advise, tackling everything at once isn't easy and often isn't realistic or affordable. Break big projects down into manageable pieces, and do them one at a time.

Like rooms in a house, a garden area has four major elements. And as in building a house, going from the ground up is best. Tackle the four major elements in this order:

**1.** **Floor**

Lawn grass, a groundcover, paving materials, or good, plantable soil

**2.** **Walls**

Supplied literally by a wall of your house; by a fence, hedge, or trellis; or by backdrop of evergreens or shrubs of some kind

**3.** **Ceiling**

Can certainly be open sky but may also involve an umbrella, awnings, overarching tree or large-shrub branches, or a pergola with or without a cloak of plants

**4.** **Furniture**

Literally tables and chairs and benches and the like, but also major containers or garden ornaments and décor

Don't go overboard with garden gnomes and pink flamingos. Limit yourself to one or two ornaments and keep the focus on the sense of space and the living parts of your garden.

### A word in defense of boundary materials

Call me fussy, but I like enclosures and edgings in a garden, which in the context of the key areas in this chapter, can be walls or floors or portions thereof. I mean bricks, stones, plastic materials, wood, iron, and of course, also living plants.

Enclosures and boundaries distinguish the cultivated area from the wild or neglected areas beyond. They embrace the plants and the people enjoying them. They create a sense of order and intimacy so you can focus on and savor what the garden contains and has to offer your senses.

Boundary materials also set the tone for a garden, making it feel formal or informal, elegant or casual. Wisely chosen, they connect a yard to a house or a yard to the surrounding landscape. They enhance the scene and flatter your plants without stealing the spotlight. Good-quality materials endure for years and look like they belong.

## Getting Professional Help for Your Garden Plans

Getting a garden plot ready, especially a large one, isn't easy, and I don't pretend that it is (I have better uses for my creative energy, such as pretending I'm in Hawaii). If starting the process makes your head reel, or if you don't have confidence in your design sense, don't worry. Others can do it for you. They can do everything, in fact, from planning on paper to purchasing to digging the holes and planting the plants. You can confer with or hover over them, or wind them up and let them go. You can even stop them at the point where you want to take over.

Also, be honest with yourself when a project is beyond your ability, unsafe for you, or too time-consuming to undertake on your own. Under such circumstances, go ahead and hire a contractor.

If you decided to get professional landscaping help, be savvy so you get good work and you get what you pay for. Here are some guidelines:

  Before you check the yellow pages, ask around. Word-of-mouth is an ideal way to get started.

  Find a minimum of three possible contractors. They should be willing to make an initial appointment that involves assessing and estimating only; be sure to ask whether they charge for this step (and whether, if you go with them, the fee can be credited to the job).

  When the professionals arrive, have some copies of your plans to show and, if need be, hand them over.

  Ask for a bid in writing. Materials _and_ labor estimates. With a clause for addressing unexpected expenses and overruns. To figure out what a reasonable cost would be, ask friends and neighbors what they paid, and get estimates from multiple sources.

  Check references. Also confirm that the contractor is both licensed and insured.

  Pick someone you like and, more importantly, can communicate with.

  Discuss concerns every step of the way — the more communication, the better. If changes come up, be smart and get the revised plans and charges in writing.

  Pay in installments — give a deposit, then perhaps pay a second installment or more, and finally pay the last one when all parties agree the work is complete and satisfactory. Such an arrangement gives the contractor security and a commitment from you but also prevents you from being taken for a large fee if something goes awry.

Overall, just be clear with one another. Have a budget. Get written estimates. Get your agreement (plan, expectations, _and_ timetable) in writing. Call or visit references. Check and/or supervise the work.

Start the process of hiring a contractor early if you can. Winter is an ideal time. Good people have full calendars, and spring commitments are booked very early. Finding the right professional, somebody you can afford, or someone nearby may take some time; you may interview several before settling on one.

## Landscape architects, landscape designers, and garden designers

Landscapes versus gardens, architects versus designers — confusing isn't it? Various names apply to this group of professionals. Although they each perform a service, you may find quite bit of overlap.

Landscape architects, landscape designers, and garden designers are all professionals, trained in every facet of planning and realizing an outdoor plan. Their scope goes beyond regular backyard gardens or even the landscaping of an estate; many of these folks are capable of laying out a resort, college campus, public park, and so on. They can cope with topography and know how to analyze a site completely, down to its soil and light and existing vegetation. They can design walkways and decks and such in savvy and attractive ways. They can then draw up a design or several alternatives.

In general, _landscape architects_ are space planners who may or may not be very knowledgeable about plants. They're mostly called in for very large commercial or institutional projects and where _hardscapes_ (any masonry or woodwork like walks, patios, gazebos) are a substantial part of the job. You may find that landscape designers and garden designers are more familiar with plants suited to your area and may be more attuned to residential scale projects.

All concerns about cost aside, hiring someone like this to do your yard is a marvelous investment. These professionals tend to notice and address elements and problems you may not have thought of; they propose appropriate and attractive solutions; and they have wide knowledge of both plant material and hardscape components. They're the full planning package.

To find one of these experts, you can consult ads, the Internet, or the yellow pages. Word of mouth may work. If you know of someone who's used one in your neighborhood or town, try to visit and ask the owners how the process went, whether they're happy, and perhaps — if asking doesn't seem too tacky — what it all cost. Garden tours in your area may feature professionally done properties, too, which can also lead you to the person who designed a beautiful garden.

## Landscape or general contractors

_Landscape_ or _general contractors_ are the folks who are usually called in to actually install the job. They do the heavy lifting.

If you're daring (or foolish), maybe you'll try to take down a massive shade tree or regrade a slope or install an in-ground irrigation system or lay out and install a flagstone terrace. Before taking this step, think whether the money you're saving will be enough to pay for the chiropractor you may need afterwards!

But seriously, if you're not used to this work, you can do a lot of damage to you and your landscape. Don't be afraid to ask someone for help to create your vision: somebody strong enough, experienced, and knowledgeable; somebody certified, bonded, and insured as well. A reputable contractor has no problem demonstrating his or her qualifications. Getting help isn't wimpy; it's only good sense.

In short, let someone else do the hard jobs and do them safely and correctly the first time. These folks can install all your residential hardscape needs like walks and walls. Save the fun and creative parts for yourself.

To find a landscape or general contractor, check the yellow pages; ask neighbors; ask at a garden center; check ads in the local newspaper; or copy the number or Web site off a truck parked at another home.

## Master gardeners

A _master gardener_ isn't someone you hire but rather someone you can consult and consider a resource. Master gardeners have to follow a certification process. Throughout the country at Cooperative Extension Service offices (staffing and budgeting permitting, I should add), classes train avid home gardeners or anyone else who's interested in horticulture. Candidates take a core course, often in the fall or winter when life outdoors is less busy.

Certification follows only after the student has completed additional classes and a certain number of hours volunteering in the community. The volunteering can involve anything from manning the phone help line to assisting with community plantings (including school gardens), working with 4-H, holding plant clinics at garden centers, staffing county and state fair booths, assisting with horticulture therapy projects, or helping with workshops that educate the public about gardening.

The hours and courses required for certification varies from office to office, state to state. Getting certified doesn't make a person an expert; it just shows that he or she has made a commitment to learning more about and serving in the local horticultural scene.

Master gardeners aren't paid, so you can't really haul them over to your yard and get them to do your work for you. However, they can help you with questions and point you toward helpful resources. And who knows? In time, you may decide to become one yourself.

To find a master gardener, call the nearest office of the Cooperative Extension Service. You can also run an Internet search or go to www.ahs.org/master_gardeners/index.htm.

##### Chapter 3

## Getting into the Zone – Your Garden's Zone

### In This Chapter

  Deciphering hardiness zones

  Growing in seasonal frost zones

  Cheating zones and growing seasons

Newcomers to gardening are often baffled by all the talk of zones in gardening magazines, books, catalogs, and plant labels. These beginners often hear more-experienced gardeners, garden center staffers, and professional landscapers tossing around zone terms and numbers as well. You may sense that this zone business is some kind of secret code or language that's hard to remember or tricky to understand. It's not. It's really a simple (if generalized) system for describing climate so you can figure out whether a plant ought to be able to grow where you live.

Most plants grow best in roughly the same temperatures and humidity that human beings enjoy, but some plants like it cooler, some warmer. This chapter helps you to know and navigate the zones so you can put the information to use and pick out the right plants as you plan or add to your garden.

## Different Hardiness Zone Maps for Different Folks

If all that gardeners ever grew were locally adapted plants, you'd have no reason to find out or concern yourself with hardiness zones. But of course, you want it all, right? You want to grow exotic goodies from distant lands or plants from allegedly similar but far-off places.

Indeed, you already do have it all: Peonies come from Asia, tulips hail from Turkey, and strawflowers are from Australia. So after your initial infatuation with a plant that's new to you, you can ask yourself, "Is growing this in my garden possible?" Finding out the plant's appropriate zone gives you an answer.

People commonly use hardiness-zone information for trees, shrubs, and perennial plants. Annuals don't get rated, or just don't count, because they live for only one growing season, anyway. Hardiness zones are all about survival from one year to the next. (And anything tender grown in a pot can always be moved inside out of the weather, thus avoiding the issue.)

Just to complicate matters, different zone maps are out there, and some are better depending on where you live. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the most prevalent one that gardeners in North America use, but others exist. The American Horticultural Society's Heat-Zone Map is more useful and popular for people in the Southern and Western USA, while Sunset's Garden Climate Zones Map, though complex, serves the Western states well.

## Taking a look at the world's plant hardiness zone maps

Every part of the world has its own hardiness zones, and most maps are set up the same way. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, for example, is a color-coded or shaded map, sometimes accompanied by a chart that expresses the same information. This book displays the map in the color section, and you can also see the map (and others) in many places after you become tuned in to it — a poster tacked up on the wall at your local garden center, the back flyleaf of gardening books, in the back pages of most garden magazines, or tucked into the interior of your favorite gardening catalog. You can also access it online at www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.

The United States Department of Agriculture published, and has occasionally modified and updated, this hardiness zone map of North America. The most recent map, based on climate data gathered at National Weather Service stations throughout the U.S. and by weather stations throughout Canada and Mexico, came out in 1990. You can find 11 zones marking the average lowest winter temperatures, with Zones 2–10 divided into subzones.

Canada's plant hardiness zone map, suited for Canada's colder climate, shows nine zones, based on average climatic conditions and altitude of each area. The harshest zone is 0, and the mildest is 8. In addition, the major zones are further divided into subzones. For example, Zone 4 splits into 4a and 4b, where zone _a_ is slightly colder than zone _b._ You can see Canada's map at atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/environment/land/planthardi.

The Hardiness Zone Map of Europe presents a general overview of the European continent and can be broken down further into each European nation and the zones within it. You can see this map online at www.uk.gardenweb.com/forums/zones/hze.

China's plant hardiness zone map covers arguably largest and most varied gardening spots in the world. You can view it at www.backyardgardener.com/zone/china.

Plant hardiness zone maps aren't limited to just the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth! You can find online maps for South America and Africa as well. And the Australian government has established a series of maps that many Australian gardeners use to gauge not only planting zones and climates but also rainfall. To view the plant hardiness zone map of Australia, go to www.anbg.gov.au/hort.research/zones. To see Australia's climate zone maps, visit www.bom.gov.au/climate/austmaps.

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Traveler beware: If you buy a plant marked as perennial or hardy in the deep Southern USA or California and you live in a chilly northern region, the plant may be labeled such only for the area where it's sold.

## Warming up to the heat-zone map

The USDA map, although enormously popular and widely used, has its limitations. For example, Zone 7 in Maryland is a world away from Zone 7 in Oregon, or north Texas, or the foothills of California's Sierra Nevada mountains. In many parts of the country, heat rather than cold dictates which plants are able to survive from one year to the next.

Thus, in 1997 (after years of study and research), the American Horticultural Society released its own map, the AHS Heat-Zone Map. Though still relatively new and still being tweaked, this map has proven quite useful to gardeners in the South and West. You can download the Heat-Zone Map at www.ahs.org/publications/heat_zone_map.htm.

The AHS map has 12 zones. Relatively cooler Zone 1 is defined as having only one day of 86°F weather per year; sweltering Zone 12 has 210 days of such heat or more.

Research has shown that 86°F is the temperature at which many plants — that is, their cells, or plant tissue — start to experience damage from heat. That's why that point became the baseline for laying out the heat zones.

U.S. gardeners in areas where the main source of plant stress is not winter cold but summer heat prefer this system. Nurseries in hot areas are starting to refer to these zones more and more. If the heat-zone information isn't supplied for a plant you're interested in, look in newer regional reference books and plant catalogs and Web sites.

## Savoring the Sunset zones

In the Western USA — a region loosely defined as the states of Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington — neither the USDA Zone Map nor the AHS Zone Map gives complete enough information. Complex and varied terrain and dramatic weather variations conspire to make this particular region unique.

So the Sunset Publishing Company, based in the San Francisco area, devised its own Garden Climate Zone Map, which you can find online at www.sunset.com/sunset/garden/article/1,20633,845218,00.html. You may also see it in many publications, from books to subscriber-driven magazines to newsstand issues. Gardeners, landscapers, and nurseries in the West often refer to these Sunset zones.

Sunset's zone map contains 45 zones. Yep, 45. These zones actually cover the entire U.S., Southern Canada, and Northern Mexico, and they're all very individualized and specific. For example, Sunset Zone 3 is defined as _West's Mildest High-elevation and Interior Regions_ and covers much of the area east of the Cascades in the Northwest, where residents see snow cover in winters but also blazing summers. Zone 16 is _Northern and Central California Coast Range Thermal Belts,_ from Santa Barbara County to Marin County; this area gets drying summer winds, fog, and a climate made mild by proximity to the ocean.

These Sunset zones can particularly empower a new or frustrated Western USA gardener, especially if the source of plants also uses the same zones. So ask at the local nursery or garden center — realizing, of course, that nobody stays in business for long by selling plants that don't thrive. Or go out and buy Sunset publications tailored to your particular zone and do some reading and research; then go shopping near or far when you know just what you want.

## Reading plant hardiness zone maps

Take a look at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, either in the color section of this book or online at www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap. Notice that Zone 1, located at the top or northernmost part of the map, is coldest; Zone 11 is at the bottom, or southernmost part, and is warmest. In terms of hardiness zones established in the USA, Zones 1 and 11 represent the extremes. The bulk of the United States, though, fits into Zones 5, 6, 7, and 8. Originally, the zones were conceived to be 10° F apart.

As you study the map or chart, say you find that you live in USDA Zone 7. So you determine that this means

  You should be able to grow any tree, shrub, or perennial labeled "hardy to USDA Zone 7."

  You probably can't grow plants that are less cold-hardy, such as Zone 8 or 9 ones — your colder winters may harm or kill them.

  You can grow plants labeled for farther north, even more cold-tolerant ones said to be "hardy to Zone 6 or 5."

However, every rule has an exception. Most gardeners can stray one, maybe two USDA zones from their own when making plant choices and the gamble will pay off. See "Zoning Out: Breaking the Zone and Growing Season Rules," later in the chapter.

You often see a plant's projected USDA Hardiness Zones expressed as a range. For instance, most clematis hybrids are said to be "hardy in Zones 3 to 8." This statement means anyone gardening in Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 ought to be able to grow one; the plant should survive your winters.

Basic zones are based on the average annual minimum temperature — in other words, as cold as winter gets. Thus, in the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Zone 6's lowest winter temperature (on average) is –10°F.

Why base zone maps on cold temperatures? After all, other things doom plants, such as high heat, lack of water, too much water, too much or too little sun, and the wrong soil. But over the centuries of gardening, people found that cold is a better predictor of what will survive than any of those other (admittedly important) factors.

Climatological data comes from the horticulture industry, university researchers, botanic gardens, and so forth. Sometimes when a new plant enters commerce, the zone rating is conservative and after a while — with more people growing the plant in different areas and with more research — they find the plant to be more or less cold-tolerant than they originally thought.

### A hot issue: Global warming and zone changes

In 2004, the National Arbor Day Foundation released a revision of the USDA's Plant Hardiness Zone Map. This map, which you can find at www.arborday.org/media/zones.cfm, shows that the zones have shifted northward since 1990. Some people see this change as a clear sign of global warming; others claim that the Arbor Day Foundation's 15 years of data collection is statistically inconclusive. Most gardening sources still use the USDA's map.

The USDA is reportedly revising its map, though it hasn't released a timetable for when the map's due out. If global warming continues to accelerate, as many people fear and as more and more scientists believe, the averages will rise. But for now, expect the numbers of the zones to remain the same, even if the details of each zone changes.

The most important revisions made to the existing zone maps so far have been to list finer details. For example, in the USDA map, the more central zones have been split into halves, so you can also see Zone 5a and Zone 5b and so on, with the _a_ being somewhat colder and the _b_ being somewhat warmer. Canada's map includes even more split zones.

## Fathoming Frost Zones and Growing Seasons

Whether a plant can survive the winter isn't your only concern. You know annuals are going to live for only one season, but you also want to know how long that season will be. After all, you may not be pleased if your dahlias die before flowering or your tomato plants freeze before producing much fruit. Unfortunately, hardiness zones don't tell you much about the length of the growing season. Enter the frost zone map.

Zones are determined not only by temperatures but also by the _climate,_ which combines temperature readings, rainfall, humidity, wind, air pressure, and other factors. Climates in frost zone maps are generally determined by _growing season,_ the time during which — hold onto your hats — plants add new growth. The last spring frost and the first fall frost bookend the growing season, marking a nice period of frost-free days. Basically, this time period is your window of opportunity to plant and nurture and enjoy your home landscape, whether you're growing flowers or edibles. Make the most of it!

In really mild areas, such as parts of Southern California, Florida, and the Gulf Coast, the entire year is likely to be frost-free and wide open. The rest of us may feel we're not as lucky (but just remember that those folks, and their plants, have to contend with intense summer heat and humidity, not to mention bugs that are never killed by frost). Look at it this way: If you have a colder winter, you get a break, a chance to stop and relax — and a chance regroup and plan for an even better garden next year, after the last frost is past.

The length of a growing season varies somewhat from year to year but is generally about the same. You probably already have a sense of your growing season, but if you really need to know, finding out is fairly easy. Call your nearest Cooperative Extension Service office, ask a knowledgeable gardener or garden-center staffer, or watch your local newspaper for the frost dates (which can vary from one year to the next). Many gardeners also use frost zone maps, like the one here: www.avant-gardening.com/zone.

Here's how to calculate your growing season: Suppose you live in Denver, Colorado; your last frost is May 3, and your first fall freeze is October 8. That gives you 157 days in which to garden. Or suppose you live in Las Vegas, Nevada; your last frost is March 7, and your first fall one is November 21. You get 259 days of growing.

Winter doesn't mean a gardener can or should be idle in the downtime. You can find plenty to do if you're so inclined to capitalize on the "shoulder seasons." You can be plotting for the future, starting seeds indoors with the plan to put them out in the ground the minute the last spring frost passes; you can be reading and discovering more about plants; you can be fussing with cleaning and sharpening your tools; you can enjoy yourself as you care for indoor plants; and you can be placing orders with mail-order suppliers — all activities that feed into the process and joy of having a wonderful garden.

## Zoning Out: Breaking the Zone and Growing Season Rules

Despite all the zone maps and all the research, hardiness remains an inexact science. Although some plants turn out to be surprisingly tough, others succumb unexpectedly. The easiest thing you can do is to set your sights on plants said to be appropriate for your area. Here are some tips on deciding what you can grow, even if you're not sure about the zone:

  **Peek at your neighbors' yards.** Chances are that if a type of plant is succeeding right nearby, it can grow well, survive, and thrive for you, too.

  **Buy local.** When you get plants that were raised in your area (not in some distant place or coddled in a greenhouse), they're much more likely to be able to handle whatever your local weather dishes out. After all, they've already experienced some of the harsher conditions and survived so the seller can offer them to you. Production fields out back or right nearby are your cue.

  **Grow native plants.** Plants that come from your area or region — ones you've seen growing in the wild, perhaps, or certainly in local parks or botanic gardens — are sure to be well-adapted and set not only to survive but to prosper. How do you know whether a plant is native? Ask where you buy, or look it up.

By the way, some local nurseries that promote or segregate native plants may also have nice _selections_ or _cultivars_ for you to choose from — improved versions of native plants (they may have smaller or more- compact size, different flower colors, bigger or longer-lasting flowers, and so forth); keep an eye out.

You can, however, force plants to grow in your hardiness or frost zone by taking advantage of _microclimates_ (pockets of different growing conditions) or by using tools to extend your growing season. The following sections tell you how you can sometimes beat the zone system.

## Managing your microclimates

Features in your yard, both natural and human-made, often modify the overall climate and create small areas with distinctly different environmental conditions (including hardiness zones). Here, your zone rating may go up or down by one or possibly even two levels, changing your planting options.

A _microclimate_ (a small, usually isolated area that is warmer, cooler, drier or wetter that most of its surroundings) can be anywhere from a few feet wide to a few hundred feet wide. **** Examples of a microclimate include a low area, a south-facing area, the north side of your house or other structure, an exposed hilltop, a slope, any enclosed and sheltered area, a spot close to the foundation of your heated basement, and so on.

Look for marked differences in these areas:

  **Water:** Proximity to a pond, stream, wet ditch, or the ocean can make temperature fluctuations less dramatic.

  **Soil:** Different types of soil can create protective or stressful growing conditions. For instance, clay soils hold moisture and heat and thus can reduce stress in dry or very cold conditions. Very sandy soils drain well and are great where excessive water is a problem, but in hot and dry conditions, they can put plants under severe water stress.

  **Wind:** See how strong the winds are and how often you get air movement in a particular area. Winds are very drying.

  **Temperature:** One spot may be significantly hotter or colder than its surroundings. Note that cold air often flows over a landscape like water, settling in low areas and creating cold pockets.

A useful tool for determining temperature variation is the _maximum- minimum thermometer_ (also known as a Six's thermometer). This thermometer can measure the high and low temperature during a given time and can measure the extremes of temperature in a location. See Figure 3-1.

  **Light:** Note dramatic differences in amount of daily sun and shade. Human-made structures (yours or a neighbor's) as well as trees can contribute to these changing conditions.

**Figure 3-1:** A maximum-minimum thermometer gives you an idea of the outdoor temperature ranges in your area.

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## Cheating the system: Creating microclimates

Ah, here's where gardeners can and do cheat their zone ratings so they can successfully grow plants they shouldn't be able to and satisfy their zone envy. You can actually create microclimates (see the preceding section for general info on microclimates). Usually, the aim is to raise the temperature. For example, you can create a nice Zone 8-ish spot in a colder Zone 7 garden by employing a few gardening tricks:

  **Safety in numbers:** Planting less-hardy plants in groups helps make them more resilient and better able to withstand temperature extremes and drying winds. The local humidity is likely to be higher in a crowd, too.

  **Mulch:** A layer of organically rich mulch moderates soil-temperature fluctuations. It also helps hold in soil moisture so you don't have to worry about lack of rain or having to water quite as much.

  **Heat traps:** These structures help retain heat. Row covers, hot caps, and cold frames (see Figure 3-2) are well-known ways to trap heat, thus raising the immediate temperature and/or protecting vulnerable plants from cold weather. You can purchase heat traps or build your own.

  **Water:** Proximity to water has a moderating effect on temperature, so you may have luck pampering a slightly tender plant by growing it next to a water feature on your property (natural or artificial).

  **Wind and sun blocks:** Fences, walls, buildings, and other structures offer shelter from drying winds and blasts of snow. Warmth and humidity can build up close to them, allowing you to coddle some tender plant. They often also create more shade, which can be cooling or inhibiting, depending on your plant's needs.

**Figure 3-2:** Putting a cold frame to efficient use.

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## Stretching your growing season

Maybe it's the rebel in us all. Maybe it's natural restlessness. Maybe it's an urge to make maximum and efficient use of available time. But gardeners do like to try to push the envelope in order to grow more or better or different plants.

You can dig up many tricks and techniques along these lines, and you certainly may come up with a few of your own as your experience grows. The following sections describe some favorite rule-benders that you can try if appropriate to your garden, your needs, and your climate.

### Building protection

If frost will damage a plant, perhaps you can still have it outdoors by shielding it somehow. This idea applies both to setting plants out a bit too early in the spring and leaving them in the garden a bit too late in the fall.

Use row covers, blankets, burlap, plastic sheeting, or extra mulch (compost, weed-free hay, or pine boughs). Water well; hydrated roots can withstand cold and drought better.

### Bringing the plants inside

Potted plants, provided they're not too big or heavy, may be pretty easy to move indoors for a time. Most plants tend to grow less and be less productive or unproductive during the winter months, so you also want to reduce water and plant food. You may even cut the plants back and just keep the pots moist enough to keep the roots alive until spring returns.

### Emergency protection: Keeping Jack Frost at bay

You may find you tried to stretch the growing season a little too far, or perhaps the weather experts missed the mark on the date of the final frost. A big chill is creeping up, and you've already used mulch and blankets as much as you can to keep the plants warm. What's a gardener to do? Try a little emergency frost protection.

Spray vulnerable plants with water to slow or prevent plant injury caused by chilling (as Florida orange growers know all too well when a rare frost threatens). How does this work? Cold, dry air tends to draw the moisture out of leaves and from the ground; the spray of water raises the humidity levels, which in turn reduces moisture loss. Also, in order for water vapor to condense or for water to freeze, the water has to release heat, which in turn warms the plant. The plants need to be kept wet until the danger of freezing has passed; using a sprinkler system is the most practical way.

Prized plants or special herbs that you want to save can also come inside when you dig them up out of the garden and put them in a pot. Again, they may not grow full force, but you can try to keep them alive. They may experience cooler temperatures inside but not the hard frost that would damage or kill them outdoors. If you plan to enjoy these plants longer, give them a warm and sunny spot on a windowsill or insulated sunroom. Water and feed moderately, and keep an eye out for pests.

By the way, dried herbs, canned vegetables, carefully stored (and cured, where applicable) fruits and vegetables all keep the bounty and memory of the garden alive in the off-season. So do dried bouquets and potpourris.

##### Chapter 4

## Live Long and Prosper: Giving Plants What They Need

### In This Chapter

  Letting in enough light

  Figuring out fertilizer, compost, and mulch

  Testing for and adjusting pH

  Getting the right amount of water and air

  Ensuring plant stability

Time to get down and dirty! When you properly prepare the foundation of your garden, making sure plants can get what they need, success follows. The formula's as simple as that.

Well, maybe not so simple. Is your soil already in great condition? Do you have just the right amount of soil nutrients and rainfall so your garden can thrive without any help from you? Not likely! For most people, improving the soil they have and taking charge of garden watering are necessities if they really want their plants to thrive. This chapter tells you how to give plants a boost.

Some of the information in this chapter may seem like common sense, but read each section carefully, anyway. I describe some techniques and have tucked in some tips that experienced gardeners use to save plenty of time, grief, and money.

The needs of plants aren't weird or complicated, but you may find that if you omit any of the recommendations in this chapter — either on purpose or unintentionally — trouble can follow. So consider this chapter a bit of a checklist as you get your garden ready for growing! Ready? Here you go. The work you do now can save you a lot of effort later.

Improving a bed or area prior to planting is so much easier than doing so after. Do these tasks early if you can. If you can't, well then, at least make it a practice to dig really fabulous holes for each plant.

## Let There Be Light!

Every plant needs at least some light in order to grow and prosper, but the amount really varies. Mushrooms (which are actually fungi), for instance, can grow in bins in a dim basement or shed; daisies and waterlilies, on the other hand, crave hot, full-on sunshine. Plenty of plants rest in the middle of these two extremes, of course. And some plants, like azaleas and daylilies, grow well enough in less-optimum light but don't flower well in the shade. In terms of labeling, just remember that _full sun_ usually means six or more hours per day; _part-day,_ of course, refers to less.

You may assume that flowers drink up the light, but actually, the leaves do most of the work. Leaves are the main "engine room" of a plant. For a plant to operate, thrive, and increase in size, all plant parts (except flowers) need to play their roles in photosynthesis. Roots draw in water, but the real energy production takes place primarily in the foliage. Light helps produce the fuel.

Long hours of plentiful sunlight, with varying angles throughout the day, are important so that every leaf — even the ones lower down on the plant — gets the chance to receive light. The good news is that no matter what light conditions your yard has to offer, at least something should be able to grow there. Sun plants and shade plants are labeled, and of course gardeners try to accommodate them. If you need plant ideas along these lines, not to worry — the plant chapters in this book have plenty of suggestions for you.

The warmth of the sun, even more than actual light, inspires flowers to unfurl. Sunlight from the east (morning light) is considered cooler, and western sun (afternoon light) can be scorching. Many plants prefer a site with some morning sun, even until midday, and late-afternoon shade. Other plants are able to endure even the hottest conditions. A plant's tolerance, of course, varies by region. You can place the same plant in a sunnier spot in the far North than in the South.

If you have plants growing in a spot that receives a blast of late-afternoon sun, be sure to monitor their water needs closely so they don't dry out. If you find they're struggling, you can help them by installing something to cast a shadow, such as an arbor, or by planting a tree or large shrub in just the right spot. Even companion perennials or annuals planted nearby can cast enough shade to bring needed relief.

Here are some signs that a plant is getting too much sun:

  Flower petals dry out.

  Leaf edges look burnt or dried.

  Flower color looks faded or washed out.

  The entire plant starts to flag.

And here are signs that a plant isn't getting enough light:

  Growth is sparse.

  Stems are lanky and spindly.

  The distance between leaves, where they're attached to the stems, is especially wide.

  You see fewer flower buds and, thus, fewer flowers.

  The entire plant leans toward the light sources.

Some of figuring out the proper location is trial and error — you're aware that roses like a full day of sun, but you really want that bush to go in the nook that gets afternoon shade. Give the spot a try. If the plant's unhappy, you can always move it to a more appropriate spot.

## Facing the Fertilizer Facts

_Fertilizing_ — that is, supplying your plants with supplemental minerals — is an important part of gardening. I address the specific needs of specific types of plants in their respective chapters. What follows here isn't the last word on the subject but rather a quick introduction. A well-timed dose of fertilizer really boosts a plant. You can't argue with success!

Just as a healthy diet allows a person or animal to prosper, so does a good and appropriate supply of nutrients keep a plant healthy and happy. Plants have complex systems in need of chemicals to help them produce their own foods. The three primary plant-growth elements, or nutrients, are as follows:

  **N (nitrogen):** Enhances stem and leaf growth (for most plants, nitrogen ends up being the most important nutrient)

  **P (phosphorus):** Contributes to flower production, fruit production, seed production, and root growth

  **K (potassium):** Ensures general vigor; helps plants resist disease

An all-purpose, balanced formulation contributes to overall plant health. These top three nutrients are usually listed on the back labels of bags of fertilizer that you can buy in any garden supply store. They're usually listed in order as numbers on the package (N-P-K). A _balanced_ fertilizer (one that contains the three most important elements — nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) may show up as 5-10-5 or even 5-10-10. Nitrogen-heavy lawn fertilizer usually has a high first number. You can find are plenty of other variations, depending on the intended use of the fertilizer.

A fertilizer label often tells you which kind of fertilizer is best for your particular garden. If in doubt about your garden's exact needs, talk to someone at your local garden nursery or supply store. Chances are that their own garden needs aren't much different from yours!

Certain plants demand more or less of the top three nutrients (for instance, lawn grass loves nitrogen best — consult Chapter 10 if you need to know more about that). But most garden flowers are not specialists, which is why generally fertile soil is desirable and why all-purpose fertilizer is most commonly recommended.

Good soil also contains secondary nutrients, like calcium, magnesium, and sulfur, as well as some trace elements, called _micronutrients,_ that enhance plant health and growth. You usually don't have to add these nutrients to the soil. However, soil tests sometimes indicate that gardeners should add micronutrients or secondary nutrients, especially calcium (see "Finding out your soil's pH" for info on soil tests).

Fertilizing good soil is often optional. If you have fertile, organically rich soil, many of your plants may do just fine without it — particularly if you develop the habit of amending the soil regularly (once or twice a year) with more organic matter. If your garden soil is organically rich, it's fertile and thus should have the major elements. If not, or if you're pushing your plants to peak performance, you can use plant food or fertilizer, natural or organic, to supply or supplement these important nutrients.

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Constantly fertilizing lousy soil isn't a good idea. Not only is it a lot of work and expense for you, but it's also a losing battle. Salts build up, plants are never really healthy in the long term, and the soil texture remains poor. You're far better off increasing the organic matter and just using fertilizer as a nutrient boost for your plants — if they need it. _Organic matter_ — once-living material that releases nutrients as it decays — includes compost, dehydrated manure, chopped leaves, damp peat moss, and ground-up bark.

Depending on what you use, how much, the plant in question, and so forth, the effects of adding fertilizer can be impressive. But they're not instant. Wait two weeks to a month before assessing the results.

"Feed the soil, not the plants!" is an old gardening adage, and frankly, these are words to live by, folks. You can't go wrong taking the time and effort to build up soil fertility and structure at least once a year, more often if the opportunity presents itself. Dig in organic matter, add it to every planting hole (except when planting trees and shrubs), _top-dress_ (sprinkle some on the soil surface at planting time), and _side-dress_ (deliver more over the root zone midseason). Why? Because plants and soil organisms like to eat it up and ask for more.

## What to feed: The great natural versus chemical debate

Quite honestly, only you can decide which plant food is convenient and successful for your own garden. A plant doesn't know the difference between one form of an element like nitrogen and another — it's nitrogen in any case. Some gardeners swear by one fertilizer and use only that kind; other gardeners use a variety of fertilizers. The only way to know which fertilizer you should use is through personal trial and error. That said, you need to know a few things about natural and chemical fertilizers to help you make your decision. Check out Table 4-1 for a side-by-side comparison.

### An off-season exercise: Adding organic matter with cover crops

If you have a large flower bed or big vegetable garden, one fairly easy and undeniably efficient way to give it a dose of organic matter is to plant a _cover crop_ at season's end: You grow plants just to maintain and improve the land during the off-season to prepare the garden for next year.

Sow the cover crop according to the directions on the bag and let the plants grow. It should hog the area to sufficiently thwart weeds. And of course, a cover crop provides plentiful organic matter and limits erosion. Good choices include annual rye, buckwheat, clover, winter barley, and winter rye. Here are some tips based on your region:

  **In mild-climate areas:** Sow the cover crop in mid-fall. When the plants are about a foot high and are still soft and green, dig them in (if practical) or till with a rear-mounted rotary tiller (see Chapter 5 for info on rototillers). Then let the plants decompose or meld for a month or more.

  **In cold-climate areas:** Just plant the cover crop in fall and let winter kill it. The stuff will decompose at least somewhat, with or without snow cover. Till the area in spring, when the ground is workable again. Wait a few weeks before planting the area.

Table 4-1 Differences between Natural and Chemical Fertilizers **Trait** |  **Natural Fertilizers** |  **Chemical Fertilizers**
---|---|---
Form  | Are organically based; examples  | Come in various forms,
| include compost (homemade or  | including granules,
| store-bought), manure, fish emulsion,  | powders, and concentrated
| cottonseed meal, bloodmeal,  | liquids; examples include
| bonemeal, and liquid seaweed  | baggedand boxed fertilizers
|  | in various formulations,
|  | including Miracle-Gro and
|  | Osmocote.
Cost and  | Pound for pound, are generally  | Are usually affordable and
maintenance  | more expensive in terms of the  | easy to maintain
| amount of fertilizer they provide,  |
| but they also improve the soil and  |
| tend to last longer than chemical  |
| fertilizers  |
Effects on soil  | Tend to improve soil texture and  | Do not contribute to long-
| quality  | term soil fertility
Presence of  | Can include beneficial minor  | May or may not contain
secondary  | elements  | these nutrients; check the
nutrients and  |  | label
micronutrients  |  |
Effect on  | Feed helpful soil organisms  | Usually have a neutral effect
organisms  |  |
Rate of  | Tend to release nutrients slowly,  | Are a fast-acting way to
release  | so plants aren't damaged, but  | jumpstart plant performance
| results aren't always as dramatic  | but must be applied correctly
|  | so they don't injure or burn
|  | your plants; special slow-
|  | release chemical fertilizers
|  | are the exception

## When to feed your garden

Whether you're using store-bought or natural fertilizer, such as compost or manure, most plants like to be fertilized at planting time, just to get off to a good start. Thereafter, you may fertilize again on a monthly basis. Reduce or stop when fall's cooler weather arrives. Fertilizer inspires fresh new growth, and you don't want that then — fall is a time for plants to slow down and approach dormancy, and cold weather can damage new growth. (You should, however, feed the _lawn_ in autumn to stimulate root growth; feeding grass in the spring pushes excess leaf growth that the roots can't support — see Chapter 10 for details on lawns). Again, for advice on specific plants, read more in the Parts II through V of this book.

If you're using store-bought or chemical fertilizer, read the label to figure out how to deliver the fertilizer and how much to use. Some fertilizers work best if you dig them right into the soil; others are better delivered in dilute form when you water. The label can also tell you how much to use per square foot of garden area and how often to apply. For bagged organic fertilizer, read the label; otherwise, do some research on your own.

More is not better! (Though if you're fertilizing with compost, using too much is almost impossible — see the next section.) Plant fertilizer is like aspirin. The right amount is beneficial; too much is harmful. So don't get carried away. Remember that some fertilizers are types of salt, and high concentrations of any salt can kill plants. Always read the label and follow the directions carefully. To get the amounts right, you may have to pull out the tape measure and figure out how many square feet of lawn or garden you need to cover.

Some gardeners like to fertilize their plants half as much, twice as often. That's perfectly okay. Just make sure you dilute properly and get your measurements right. (Gardeners often use this technique with roses and many houseplants.)

## Compost: More than Just a Fertilizer

Yeah, I also talk about compost in the fertilizer section, but compost is useful and necessary to your garden in so many ways other than as plain fertilizer. Because it's organically rich, with good texture, compost is just about the best thing you can add to soil. What works best really depends on the type and fertility of your native soil, but you can't go wrong digging in quite a lot of compost. Compost lightens heavy clay soil and gives needed substance to sandy soil. Less-extreme soils can still benefit.

In any event, half-compost and half-native soil isn't excessive. Some really keen vegetable gardeners forgo native soil altogether and use 100 percent compost to grow incredible crops. Using solely compost is most feasible in raised beds. Roots relish it. You can get healthier, happier plants.

Don't use soggy or overly dry compost. Compost should be fully decayed, dark in color and crumbly in texture. This issue is more significant with homemade compost than the bagged, store-bought sort. For homemade, you're fine if you take it from the bottom of the pile (most store-bought composters have a convenient hatch there). See Chapter 13 for info on how to make your own compost.

Whether you're planting a new rose, a young perennial, a handful of bulbs, or a bunch of annuals, always dig a hole both deeper and wider than the root ball. This practice gives you an opportunity to make a great new home for the plant, an area the roots can eagerly expand into. Either scoop some compost into the bottom of the hole (where a lot of root growth should occur) or mix compost with the native soil (try a 50-50 mix).

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Skip this step of mixing in organic matter for trees and shrubs. The latest studies show that trees and most shrubs do better in the long run if you keep the plants in native soil; in amended soil, they may not grow past the planting hole. However, if you plant them in native soil, they can easily grow beyond the planting hole. (Flip to Chapter 11 for info on trees and shrubs.)

In general, potted plants like a lighter medium. Go ahead and put a handful or two of compost in along with the potting soil, but don't be heavy-handed. Chapter 16 can fill you in on container gardening.

Quite a few gardeners make their own compost, a process that can take three months to a year to complete. Many gardeners also use a compost bin for this process, like the wooden one in Figure 4-1, though you can just pile the compost in an isolated and sectioned-off portion of your yard. Your compost pile should be kept slightly damp but not soggy. Stirring or turning the material every few weeks can speed up the decomposition process. When the compost is dark brown, is cool to the touch, and has a pleasant "earthy" smell, it's ready to use.

**Figure 4-1:** Many gardeners find wooden compost bins attractive and easy to use.

|
---|---

Good material choices for mixing and making your own compost include

  Chopped-up leaves (smaller pieces decompose more quickly)

  Any young weeds that have _not_ gone to seed

  Old lettuce or other salad greens

  Prunings from healthy plants

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Don't compost weeds that have gone to seed, any diseased plants, or any plants that have been sprayed with herbicides. Also, animal fats or spoiled meat are not recommended and often attract rodents.

## Demystifying Soil pH

The _pH_ (and you can find various arguments about exactly what pH stands for) is the measure of your soil's acidity, and it's often a huge area of debate among gardeners. I try to keep this discussion simple so I don't make your head spin, especially if you have little or no acquaintance with chemistry.

Too low of a soil pH means the soil's too acidic, and too high of a pH means the soil is alkaline. Generally speaking, you want your soil pH to be on the _slightly_ acidic side for the vast majority of garden plants. Extremes are rarely good. The pH scale ranges from acidic to alkaline — 0 to 14, with 7.0 as neutral. The really good news is that many soils are fairly close to neutral.

Acidic or alkaline soil isn't bad soil or bad for plant growth per se. But the minerals in the soil that are important to plant growth and health have a tough time getting to the plants when the pH isn't right for the particular plant. Scientists have discovered that beneficial soil bacteria don't function well unless the soil pH is relatively close to neutral. These bacteria are important because they break down organic matter and make sure nutrients are in forms that plants can use.

Of course, some plants prefer or are well-adapted to pH levels that are a little more acidic or a little more alkaline. And some soils are naturally so; when in doubt, you can take your cue from the native plants.

Examples of plants that like acidic soil include blueberries, azaleas, rhododendrons, most other broadleaf evergreens, and heather. So in the New England states, where many soils are acidic, you see native blueberry plants. And if gardeners in that region want to grow blueberry bushes (albeit improved, bigger-sized fruit varieties), they should have good luck.

Examples of plants that like alkaline soil include penstemon, dianthus, baby's breath, and beets. So in the Southwest, where many soils are more alkaline, you see native penstemons. And if gardeners in that region want to grow these flowers (native species or improved selections), they should have good luck.

## Finding out your soil's pH

You can do a little detective work by observing which native plants are thriving and then confirming that they have a preference one way or another.

Or you can run a soil test — use either an inexpensive kit or arrange one of those more-intense tests where you take soil samples from various parts of your yard and mail the dirt in to a lab. The nice thing about doing this more-intense test is that the lab report not only tells you the pH (and a few other useful things, like the nutrient levels in your soil) but also gives you specific recommendations on how to improve or alter your soil. Check with your local Cooperative Extension Service — workers there may be able to run the tests for you at a minimal cost.

## Adjusting your soil's pH

Of course you can adjust your soil's pH! Gardeners do it all the time when they know their lot in life is extreme soil, or even when they're just trying to please some special fussy plant. It's not a big deal. You just dig in something that nudges the pH in the direction you want it to go:

  **If your soil is too acidic:** To raise the pH, dig in dolomitic limestone, bonemeal, or wood ashes.

How much? I knew you were going to ask that! The answer has to do with how much ground you want to alter or improve. If you really need to adjust the pH, I strongly recommend you get that lab-analyzed soil test, because the lab can give you good, tailored directions on what to do and how much amendment(s) to add. Just so you know, though, the general rule of thumb for adding granulated limestone is between 5 and 10 pounds per 100 square feet of garden area.

  **If your soil is too alkaline:** To lower the pH, dig in some acidic organic matter such as peat moss, sawdust, well-chopped leaves from oak trees, or pine needles. Alternatively, you can add calcium sulfate, iron sulfate, aluminum sulfate, or powdered sulfur.

If you don't let the sawdust, leaves, or pine needles decompose somewhat before adding them to the soil, they can leach nitrogen from the soil as they break down. And too much peat moss can waterlog the soil as well as make it quite acidic. Consider adding no more than one part of organic amendment to three parts soil. You need professional advice on application rates if you decide to go with powdered sulfur or other additives.

## Much Ado about Mulch

Mulch is a good gardening habit but not mandatory. But, ooh boy, do the benefits make it worth the effort! A really good job of mulching your garden usually

  Inhibits weed germination and growth (and not only are weeds unsightly, but they also they steal resources from your plants!)

  Holds in soil moisture, protecting your plants from drying out so fast

  Moderates soil-temperature fluctuations (this benefit is especially valuable during that turbulent-weather period in spring when you don't want your plants to be stressed)

  In cold-winter areas, protects plant roots from winter cold and helps prevent _frost-heaving,_ in which plants are literally pushed out of the ground by the natural expansion and contraction of the soil as it cools off and heats up

  In hot-summer areas, helps keep plant roots cooler

  Depending on what you use, adds a bit of welcome nutrition to your garden as it breaks down

Sound like good enough reasons to use mulch? Yeah, I thought I'd convince you. Read on for the lowdown on mulches.

## Knowing your mulches

First of all, I can't name any "right" or "best" mulch. Benefits vary in different climates and parts of the country. Some mulches are free, right in your own backyard; you can purchase others locally. Experiment to find out what you and your plants prefer.

Table 4-2 provides the basic information you need to know about some of the more popular options.

Table 4-2 Comparing Mulching Options **Type of Mulch** |  **Advantages** |  **Concerns**
---|---|---
Grass clippings  | Is cheap, readily  | Decays quickly, so you have to
| available, and easy  | replenish it often; if you use weed
| to apply  | killers on your lawn or nitrogen-
|  | heavy fertilizer, it may adversely
|  | affect other parts of the garden; can
|  | turn slimy if you apply more than an
|  | inch or so at a time; if the grass
|  | went to seed before you cut it, the
|  | grass seeds can germinate in your
|  | garden beds (yikes!)
Wood or  | Looks neat and  | Pine bark mulch is fairly acidic,
bark chips  | attractive; stays where  | which you may or may not want for
| you put it; is slow to  | your garden; if you apply too deeply
| decay  | (over 3") or apply a deep layer up
|  | against tree and shrub trunks, you
|  | may create a hiding spot for a bark-
|  | damaging rodent, especially during
|  | winter
Decaying leaves  | Smothers weeds very  | Is not especially attractive; if it
| well; helps hold in soil  | contains seeds, they can germinate
| moisture  | and become a weed problem; if the
|  | leaves are soft, like maple leaves,
|  | the mulch can mat; if it's acidic (oak
|  | especially), it can lower your garden
|  | soil's pH
Compost  | Is free and plentiful if  | Makes a good place for weeds to
| you have your own  | take hold; fresh compost (especially
| compost pile; adds  | if it contains manure or grass
| nutrients to the soil as  | clippings) can burn plants
| it breaks down  |
Peat moss  | Looks neat and tidy; is  | Can be expensive; if dry, will repel
| versatile — also functions  | water; becomes crusty over time
| as a soil amendment  |
Straw  | Is cheap and easy to  | Is so light it can blow or drift away;
| apply  | may harbor rodents, especially over
|  | the winter months; isn't very attrac
|  | tive for ornamental plantings
Hay  | Is cheap and easy to  | May harbor rodents, especially over
| apply  | the winter months; isn't very attrac
|  | tive for ornamental plantings;
|  | probably contains weed seeds!
Gravel,  | Has a nice, neat look  | Can allow weeds to sneak through;
pebbles,  | (though not "natural");  | provides no benefits to the soil
or stone  | is easy to apply; won't  |
| wash away easily and  |
| will last a long time;  |
| doesn't need to be  |
| replenished over the  |
| course of a season  |
| in colder climates  |
Plastic (garden  | Keeps weeds at bay;  | Watering and feeding is hard (you
plastic, black  | holds soil moisture and  | need to cut openings for plants); can
plastic)  | warmth in  | be difficult to apply unless you're
|  | doing an entire area at one time;
|  | isn't very attractive

## How to apply mulch — and how much

If you're ready to start applying mulch to your garden, here's what you need to know to ensure you get the best possible use of your mulch:

  **When you plant:** Applying mulch right after planting something is easy. Use a shovel or scoop with a trowel. Spread the mulch over the root-zone area but not flush up against a plant's base or main stem (which can smother it or invite pests or disease).

Depth depends on the sort of plant. Annuals and perennials are fine with an inch or so of mulch; shrubs, roses, and trees need 3 or 4 inches or more.

  **During the growing season:** Add more mulch midway through the growing season or whenever you notice it's depleted. You may have to get down on your knees or wriggle around a bit as you try to deliver it where it's needed without harming the plant or its neighbors. Again, use less for smaller plants, more for bigger ones.

  **In the fall or for winter protection:** Depending on the severity of your winters and the amount of snow cover you expect (a blanket of snow can act as a protective mulch, actually), you want to cover an overwintering plant well. You can cut down perennials first and then practically bury them under several inches of mulch. You shouldn't trim back shrubs and rosebushes at this time, but you don't have to be as careful as you were with midsummer mulching because the plant is no longer growing actively. For freezing winters, 6 or more inches around the base of these is good.

These amounts are guidelines only. You have to tailor them to your climate, growing season, and specific plants.

To limit erosion, don't excavate large areas that are on a slope without planting or at least mulching soon, especially during the spring, when rainy weather can cause washouts.

## Water, Water Everywhere: Tackling Watering Issues

Sure, without moisture, plants die. Everyone knows that. But you may not know why water is so incredibly vital. The answer is threefold, actually:

  Sufficient water pressure within plant tissues creates _turgor,_ or rigidity, so the plant can stand up. A plant without turgor pressure collapses.

  Water keeps nutrients flowing through the soil, the roots, and the plant parts as they should; it keeps the show going.

  The show is the chemical process of photosynthesis, which you no doubt remember from biology class in school. The plant uses light, carbon dioxide, and water to make sugar (a pretty impressive trick). Without photosynthesis, plants can't grow or develop flowers or fruit.

Keeping a close eye on your plants is easier said than done, of course, but the following sections tell you what you need to know, to keep in mind, and to watch out for when evaluating just how much moisture your garden needs.

## Providing plants with the right amount of moisture

How do you make sure your garden has the right amount of moisture? Relying on natural rainfall would be nice, but natural rainfall is hard to count on (though it does kindly water your garden for you from time to time). Gardeners always seem to have to supplement the moisture, a little or a lot. You just need to keep an eye on things and pay attention to your plants. Read on for the warning signs of too much or too little water.

### On the dry side

If you know what to look for, you can figure out your plants' watering needs. Plants actually prioritize when water-stressed, so look for the early warning signs:

**1.** **If a plant isn't getting enough water, flower petals and buds are the first things to be jettisoned (or fruit if it has developed), because making and maintaining them takes so much energy and water.**

**2.** **Next to go are the leaves, which shrivel.**

**3.** **Then the stems flop.**

**4.** **Underground, the roots go limp.**

Obviously, if your garden is in this condition, it needs more water.

### Bogged down

Telling when a plant doesn't have enough water may seem to be a snap, but keep in mind that there's definitely such a thing as too much water. If puddles form in your garden or an area of it's quite soggy, all the pores in the soil fill. When this happens, no free oxygen, which needs to get to the roots, is in the soil (See "Air! Air! Plants Need Air!" later in this chapter).

Meanwhile, some plant diseases (like mildew and blight) travel via water and can easily develop and spread in soaked conditions. Sodden roots blacken and rot, and all the aboveground growth subsequently dies. Garden plants in these circumstances, of course, need less water. See "Dealing with drainage problems" later in the chapter to find out what to do.

Unfortunately, an overwatered plant looks the same as one that's underwatered! The reason is that an overwatered plant is actually suffering from dehydration because the roots have been damaged by too much water (actually, too little oxygen, because the water has displaced the oxygen); the roots can't absorb water, so the plant wilts. One difference is that overwatered plants don't recover from wilt when you apply additional water, but underwatered ones generally do.

## Determining which watering system to use

The amount of water your garden needs depends on what kind of soil you're using, what your climate is like, and what kinds of plants you have. Shallow-rooted plants, for example, need more water than deep-rooted ones for the simple reason that they're closer to the soil surface, which dries out more quickly in the heat of the sun. Deep roots can reach the more consistently damp lower soil layers.

For many gardeners, getting enough water to their gardens is the biggest gardening challenge. If you're crunched for time or have a large area to water, installing in-ground sprinklers and irrigation systems may be a good idea. Employing the use of a regular watering system, such as drip irrigation or an in-ground system, is the best approach to ensuring a consistent moisture cycle to grow happy, healthy plants. However, in-ground watering systems tend to be expensive and should be installed by professionals. If you're looking for suppliers of irrigation systems, the companies in the Appendix may be a good starting point.

Of course, you can always water your garden yourself, by hand, and really that's a great way to do it, because you can personally inspect each plant. For details about equipment like soaker hoses and portable sprinklers to help you with your watering, please check out Chapter 5.

Whether you water by hand or use a system, here are some things you may want to keep in mind:

  Watering your garden early in the morning, before the sun is fully overhead, is usually best. Watering at night can make plants susceptible to diseases that cause them to rot.

  Some plants in your garden, such as melons, may require more water than others, in which case watering by hand is probably best.

  If you don't have an outdoor spigot close to your garden for convenient hose hookup and watering, a rain barrel may be a good substitute for keeping water close to your garden. Various mail-order suppliers sell rain barrels.

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Make sure you get a barrel that's tall enough so pets can't get in, or put on covers to reduce drowning risks to pets and children. To keep mosquitoes out, use products like Mosquito Dunks, which are donuts of a type of bacteria that's harmless to humans but deadly to mosquito larvae.

  Usually, watering the soil rather than the leaves is best because the roots are what absorb water, and they're in the soil. Also, wetting the leaves can result in more disease problems. Still, on a very hot or windy day, watering the leaves can reduce wilt and lower leaf temperatures.

  Unless you have a very large garden, sprinkler heads that you attach to garden hoses are usually better suited for lawns than gardens. If you decide to use one, make sure the sprinkler covers the entire garden area evenly and doesn't water things you don't want watered, like your lawn furniture or windows.

  No matter what kind of garden you have or which watering system you use, infrequent deep soakings are better than frequent shallow waterings.

## Cutting back on watering

Even if you don't live in an area experiencing drought, you don't want to waste water, no matter what you pay for it or how much you have to use. Remember that for most efficient delivery, water in early to mid-morning — after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day sets in and much of the water evaporates. And mulch, mulch, mulch individual plants and entire beds to hold in the water right by the roots, where plants most need and appreciate it. I go into more detail about mulch earlier in the chapter in "Much Ado about Mulch."

Wherever possible, build up a basin of mounded-up dirt or mulch around the edge of the rootball of each plant at planting time. Water goes right in the basin and soaks directly down into the root system instead of running off onto the lawn or driveway or elsewhere where it isn't needed.

The method of delivery can also save water: In-ground irrigation systems are wonderfully efficient, as I mention earlier in the chapter, and soaker hoses are also good. Drip systems shouldn't produce any appreciable runoff on slopes. And although some sprinklers are good, others are very wasteful. Check out mail-order catalogs that specialize in types of sprinklers. They're filled with good information on how to choose the right ones.

Depending on what kind of soil you have and how well it absorbs, you may find it worthwhile to run the water slowly rather than fast, and perhaps ten minutes on, ten minutes off — either or both of these techniques often drenches an area quite efficiently with little waste.

### Deciding whether you need professional help

Valves, risers, timers, controllers, moisture sensors, and pipes, oh my! If all these parts and how they should go together makes your head spin, hire someone. Hire someone who's done it hundreds of times; find such a contractor via your local garden center, in the yellow pages, or through a reference from a friend or neighbor. (Get a written estimate for the work, labor, and parts, and check references.)

However, if you're an affirmed do-it-yourselfer, handy, and confident, by all means, install your watering system yourself. Check with your local utility companies — gas, water, and electric — (if the system's underground) before doing any digging to avoid costly and potentially dangerous accidents. Detailed information and advice is available (where else?) in _Lawn Care For Dummies_ (Wiley), by Lance Walheim and the editors of the National Gardening Association.

Rain gauges are useful for measuring water when you apply it with overhead sprinklers. For drip systems, run them for an hour or two and then dig down into the soil around the plant to see how far down and wide the moisture has penetrated. Run the system longer if it hasn't yet penetrated deep enough to reach the root zone. After you do this exercise a few times, you should know how long to run the system each time you water.

Another way to cut back on the amount of watering you need to do is to use drought-tolerant plants in your garden. Gardeners in the Southwestern portion of the United States are particularly good at this type of gardening, largely through necessity. Drought-tolerant plants include cacti, succulents, ceanothus, rock rose, native dryland plants and their cultivars (such as penstemon and gaura), and deep-rooted perennials like prairie natives and their cultivars (such as baptisia, liatris, black-eyed Susans, and purple coneflowers).

## Dealing with drainage problems

You know you have a drainage problem in your garden when heavy or even moderate rain leaves puddles that take forever to drain. Or you may find out, to your dismay, that under a few inches of okay soil in your yard is a stubborn layer of _hardpan_ (most people discover this water-resistant barrier — often packed clay — when they dig a deeper-than-usual hole, say, for planting a big shrub or a tree).

Really damp areas (especially in humid periods or in shady spots) are slow to evaporate water, whether from rain or from your sprinkler. Then plant diseases can get begin, particularly on foliage. The answer here is to try to improve the air circulation: Prune overhanging growth and give individual plants more elbow room. And when you're in charge of watering, supply it to the roots instead of allowing it to splash the entire plant.

Obviously, bad drainage isn't good for any garden plant, not just trees and shrubs. If you're smart or lucky, you can deal with the problem before you plant or redo an area. Here are some options, from the simple to the high-tech:

  **Try improving the soil.** Dig in lots of organic matter. Soil with a high organic-matter content allows excess moisture to drain through while absorbing needed water. Sounds paradoxical, but it's true. (For info on improving soil with compost, check out the earlier section titled "Compost: More than Just a Fertilizer.")

  **Build and garden in raised beds.** You control the soil within, and thus it drains well and your plants are happy. Problem averted.

  **Create a rain garden or a bog garden, and plant only water-loving plants.** Water-loving trees and plants include maples, willows, astilbe, ferns, filipendula, beebalm, mint, various sorts of irises, and canna.

  **Route water flow away from the garden area.** Just get out there with a trowel or shovel and create some diversion channels. Of course, you don't want to send the problem to another important part of the yard or foist unwanted, excess water on your neighbor. Send it down the driveway and on into the street, or into the gutter. This water needs to head for the storm drains. (If this plan isn't practical, dig a hole nearby, fill it with gravel, and route the channel there.)

Fertilizer runoff can harm rivers and streams, so if you use this technique, be especially careful that you don't use excessive fertilizer and that you apply it at recommended times so the plants use the nutrients rapidly. See the earlier section "Facing the Fertilizer Facts" for info on proper application.

  **Make a gravel channel.** Follow the advice about rerouting water flow, but dig the channel somewhat deeper and fill it with crushed gravel or pebbles. You can hide it from view for some or all of its length by scooping a little soil over it. It'll still do its job of slowly but surely taking the water away.

  **Use perforated plastic pipes, lightly or deeply buried, to divert the water to where you want it to go.** Home supply stores sell pipes specifically for this purpose. These pipes usually come in various forms and sizes of plastic; clay tiling is also available, but it's too heavy and expensive for most homeowners.

  **If the problem is severe and you can't seem to solve it, drainage tiles, a French drain, or a curtain drain are options.** Installing one of these systems can be a very expensive and involved process. Hire someone experienced to advise you, explain the options, and install.

## Air! Air! Plants Need Air!

A sometimes overlooked necessity for plant life is air (and not just carbon dioxide). Without air, plants struggle and perish. Yes, the free oxygen in the air is part of the photosynthesis recipe, produced by the plants themselves, but another practicality is even more visible here. Air movement around your plants prevents disease, especially fungal diseases that gain a foothold when the air is too "close" and humid and when wet leaves can't dry or don't dry quickly.

Underground, oxygen between the particles of soil is important. Plant roots, or more accurately, their little root hairs, are busy. They take in that oxygen, absorb water, and then release carbon dioxide. If this process is thwarted, as in waterlogged soil, the roots can't function properly, they begin to rot, and the plant surely suffers.

I'm not suggesting you set up a fan out there in your garden, but here's what you can do to make sure your plants are getting plenty of air:

  **Don't let soil get compacted.** If it's quite wet, don't walk on it or dig in it. Loose soil is airy soil.

  **The addition of organic matter, especially in dense clay soil — something I keep harping on, I know, but it's so important — helps keep it aerated.**

  **Never kill an earthworm.** Earthworms help break up and aerate your soil. Rejoice in their presence! Welcome them!

  **Make sure your garden is well-drained (see the preceding section on drainage).**

  **Don't crowd your plants together in the garden bed if they're susceptible to mildew or black spot.** Give everyone a little elbow room!

##### Chapter 5

## Gathering Your Gardening Gear

### In This Chapter

  Gadgets for digging, stirring up the soil, and battling weeds

  Tools for pruning, hedging, and making other cuts

  Powering up with gas- and electric-powered tools

  Checking out slick watering tools

You can find deep and abiding pleasure in a good tool, in finding and using the right equipment for the job at hand. This statement is as true for gardening as it is for, say, cooking or woodworking. In this chapter, I survey the tools you probably need (and want) to aid you with your gardening, and I advise you on their selection and care.

Here's where you get to roll up your sleeves at last and get into the really satisfying work that's the heart and soul of successful gardening. Quality, well-chosen tools allow you to put your plans into action! This chapter covers the most common and general tools you likely need for successful gardening, and it includes pointers on how to pick the best ones. (I also list some suppliers in the Appendix, in case you need a starting point.)

The difference between the right tool and the wrong tool is the difference between back-breaking labor and joyful efficiency.

## Digging Those, Er, Digging Tools

Dogs (and kids) often dig for no apparent reason, for the sheer pleasure of getting deeper into the ground and letting the dirt fly. Gardeners, on the other hand, dig with a purpose — to create a new planting bed or hole, to create a trench, or to harvest a delicious, homegrown root vegetable. Nonetheless, gardeners have the right to have fun in the dirt! And having fun turning the soil is possible when you have the right tool.

## Getting down with shovels and spades

Shovels and spades are digging tools, and you may be astounded at the array available. "Necessity is the mother of invention," as the adage goes, and never is this truer than in the great variety of shovels in the world. Each one was invented by someone with a specific kind of digging in mind. However, generally speaking, digging tools fall into two main types: shovels and spades. Choosing one within a type requires matching it to your needs — the sort of soil it'll be digging, plus your own height and body strength.

What's the difference between a shovel and a spade? Well, generally, it comes down to the shape of the digging edges:

  **Shovels have rounded edges.** The rounded tip is meant to allow easy, sword-like penetration of a variety of soils and materials. You also want a dish that's stiff and strong and able to hold dirt.

  **Spades have square edges.** The main purpose of this digging tool is to lift, move, and throw with ease. It's supposed to be easier on your back — just slightly flex your knees and thrust it in and out of the pile of leaves, compost, or topsoil you're working on. (It's also good for mixing concrete and delivering it neatly to its appointed spot.)

When you go shovel (or spade) shopping, you may observe various grades and prices. You get what you pay for, folks. A so-called "homeowner" or "economy" shovel looks good enough, but it may not stand up to tougher jobs or rocks in the ground. Contractor shovels, on the other hand, have a thicker blade and strong attachments for forging where the blade meets the handle. Be sure to pay close attention to the labels to know what kind of shovel you're looking at. You can usually find a range of quality at a single store.

Forged shovels and spades are the best because they're made of a single piece of metal. Stamped ones are okay for lighter jobs, but because the metal is cut from a single thickness, they're not as strong or tailored to a job.

To determine whether a shovel is well-made, examine where parts come together (assuming the shovel you're contemplating is not all one piece). Rivets and welding points are weak spots, though often necessary. Avoid anything with sloppy workmanship. The following sections outline other things to look for.

### A strong shaft

The reason the shaft is straight is simple: Bends or curves create weak or stress points. Do check that the tool you're thinking of buying has a nice, straight handle. Material is equally important. A "solid hardwood handle," although desirable, is also rather vague. You want a strong, solid, splinter-resistant wood; ash is considered the best, with hickory in second place. Maple is okay, too, though it's heavier and can break in unpredictable ways.

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Painted shafts? No doubt they're attractive in their jaunty color and smooth texture, but beware: A coat of paint may be hiding weaknesses or flaws, such as knots or grafted pieces of wood. Better to go with a plain, unadorned model so you can see what you're getting (and paint it yourself at home if you'd like).

Metal (including steel) and fiberglass handles are also available. Though they can be quite strong and weather-tough, their drawback is that when they bend or break, the tool is finished. And either of these materials may transport uncomfortable or numbing vibrations into your hands and arms. Also, metal tools can be darn cold during the winter (and they conduct electricity if you happen to electrical live wires — yikes!).

### The correct handle

You need good leverage; the right grip, well-designed and durably constructed, delivers just that. Seek a comfortable fit for your hand and peer closely at the rivets that attach the handle to be sure they're neatly installed and flush. You'll likely see the classic D-handle most often, usually made of durable but lightweight plastic (which can and does crack or break down over the years due to use and exposure to sunlight, though you can certainly get many good years out of it). A good handle is easy and comfortable to hang onto, especially during twisting and lifting motions.

A variation on the D-handle is the so-called YD handle, which is longer and potentially sturdier. The two sides of the handle converge in a Y, and a crosspiece of wood (usually metal-reinforced) joins them. This design has the advantage of dissipating twisting forces.

Last but not least is the T-handle, which is excellent for two-handed pushing work, such as in the shallow-angled spades that gardeners use to edge planting beds or peel off turf or topsoil. The drawback is that the impact of your digging travels straight into your wrist, so look for a coated handle or wear gloves to alleviate the shock, at least somewhat.

### A good angle or cant

_Cant_ refers to the angle between the head of the spade or shovel and the ground. A lower angle is best for digging and holding soil; a steeper angle is better suited to lifting and tossing soil and other materials. To check the cant, place the tool on the ground and see how flat it lies.

### A well-designed frog

The _frog_ is the open-backed tube or socket, meant to fit the head of the tool to the shaft. It's vulnerable to collecting dirt along its length, so unless you assiduously clean your shovel after every use, the dirt eventually starts to rot the wooden handle. Some shovels have metal welded over this area to prevent that, which helps, although the front side is still a point of weakness.

## Trowels: More than just little shovels

A good trowel is an indispensable gardening friend, with you through thick and thin for many years. Consider everything I say here, but definitely pick one that feels right to you when you hold and use it. As with shovels and spades, many different kinds of trowels are on the market. You have plenty of choices, so be sure to pay attention to the labels at the store and ask for assistance if you have trouble determining which trowel is right for you.

As you may have gathered if you read about shovels in the preceding section, good-quality materials make for a more effective, longer-lasting trowel. The blade (from cheapest on up to best) is made from

  Stamped metal

  Aluminum

  Forged carbon steel or (no rust!) stainless steel

Top-of-the-line trowels feature a carbon steel blade that's epoxy-coated to resist wear and rust. As for the handle, good, strong wood is what you want — ash or hickory is best. Avoid cheap trowels of lightweight materials, because they seem to bend or even break at the slightest challenge.

A sign of a quality trowel, one that can stand lots of use, is one whose wooden handle meets its metal blade in a strong and lasting manner so it won't bend or break, of course. Cheap ones employ a simple tang-and-ferrule design. The _ferrule_ is the circular clamp that holds the blade to the handle, and the _tang,_ or _shank,_ is the part of the blade extending into and usually through the ferrule. After a while, the ferrule tends to loosen and rattle around on the trowel's shank. This statement is not to criticize all tang-and-ferrule attachments; good, solidly anchored ones exist and are sometimes even reinforced with rivets. The alternative is a one-piece metal trowel.

The one-piece metal trowels may send tiring shockwaves into your hands as you work and be icy cold to the touch, but clever manufacturers have solved this problem by coating the handle with rubber or PVC plastic. For other types, seek a smooth wooden handle so you don't get splinters or blisters. In any event, you should be able to squeeze the handle comfortably, with little stress to your wrist.

Some trowels have a hole drilled into the very top part of the handle, perhaps with a string or leather thong loop for hanging and storing the tool when it's not in use. Though this feature may seem frivolous, it can be a handy extra if you're the sort of person who needs to be reminded to bring your gardening tools indoors and clean them up after use. Another feature you may appreciate is a ruler stamped or etched into the blade — built-in rulers are helpful when you're planting various sorts of bulbs or other flowers that require varying planting depths.

## Garden forks: Not for dining!

Although not an essential garden tool, many gardeners come to find that a garden fork is quite handy and more agile than a spade or shovel for some digging jobs. You drive this shovel-size tool into the soil and then pull back on the handle and rock it to break and loosen soil. It's useful for digging up bulbs and root crops, including onions and potatoes. It's also good for scooping jobs (moving compost or hay from one spot to another, for instance). Garden forks tend to be shorter than pitchforks and have shorter, flatter tines.

Yes, you can find many different kinds of garden forks, though you'll notice that the four-tine model is standard. As with shovels and trowels, pay close attention to what the labels say and ask a store clerk for assistance if you need help determining which type of fork is right for you.

A strong ash or hickory handle is desirable. As for the prongs, they'd better be strong — stamped or forged steel or high-carbon steel, maybe slightly incurved to resist the temptation to bend, with tines that taper to a point. Solid-socket construction where the handle meets the tines is critical because this tool can really take a beating in use, and you don't want it to bend or break.

You want widely spaced tines so you expend less effort when digging.

## Dabbling in dibbles (or dibbers) for poking holes

A _dibble_ (or dibber) can be a very nice tool to have. Essentially, it's a hand-held poking tool that creates a planting hole in the ground. The tool is generally cylindrical and comes to a point, somewhat like a stubby, sharpened pencil; larger ones may have a curved handle. End to end, the dibble may be up to 10 or 12 inches long. Fat ones are popular for bulb-planting or creating a hole for a larger seedling, while skinny ones are great for planting seeds or setting out smaller seedlings.

Why bother with dibbles? Because like any good tool, they make a project easier — your hand becomes much slower to tire. You can purchase one of many examples available from your local garden supplier, or you can make your own by sharpening a broken hoe, shovel, or broom handle. For small jobs, you can use a sharpened pencil or wooden dowel.

Though a simple tool, a good dibble is often a two-part item. The top half, or handle, allows a comfortable grip and thus is usually wood or strong, durable plastic. If designed well, you should be able to grab the dibble almost like a pistol or screw gun, which reduces stress to your hand and wrist as you work. In any event, the bottom or digging or prodding half is best made out of strong, stiff metal, such as carbon steel.

Some dibbles have a hollow tip so that when the tool penetrates soil, the dibble captures displaced soil so you can set it aside. However, if you're working in clay, this type of tool probably isn't your best bet, because the soil tends to get stuck in the hollow and can be difficult to remove.

### Taking care of your things: Garden tool maintenance

Use those skills you picked up in kindergarten — make sure you pick up after yourself and clean up your things! Keep your tools out of the weather, no matter what they're made of, and bring them indoors after use. Otherwise, dampness causes wood to rot, and exposure to sunlight breaks down plastic parts. Plus you don't want anyone running over them on foot or with a bicycle or vehicle — for their safety as well as the good of the tool itself. And make sure you store sharp objects away from where kids or pets can get to them.

Keep tools clean. They're always going to have some dirt, soil, or other material adhering to their blades after a project, but take the time to hose or wipe it off — this simple step really, really prolongs a digging tool's life. Just make sure the tool is dry before storing, because many tools are made of high carbon steel, which rusts easily if not coated in rust-resistant material.

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Owing to its smaller size and the scope of appropriate planting projects (namely, planting bulbs or seedlings), you shouldn't be stooping or bending when using your dibble. Sit or squat on the ground, or kneel. This position also allows to you keep an eye on hole depth. Don't get carried away, lazy, or tired and start plunking things into too-deep holes!

## Clues to Quality Cultivating Tools

What exactly is cultivating, anyway? After all, this is gardening I'm talking about, not _farming._ All it really means in the context here is stirring up the soil and fighting weeds. These jobs, quite honestly, always seem to go hand in hand. You need to do them for the good of the soil and the survival and prosperity of your garden plants. Cultivating tools exist to make the job easier and more efficient, regardless of whether you're tending a vegetable garden or a flowerbed.

Removing whatever is growing in a spot (whether weeds or wild plants or old lawn, or whatever) creates open ground — which, like a good gardener, you should improve prior to planting (see Chapter 4). So you do everything you're supposed to do, and then what happens? A crust forms. Water may puddle and seedlings may strain to poke through. You need to gently break it up, and that's where cultivating tools come in.

Weeds love freshly cleared ground. They're fast; they're aggressive. They creep in, or birds and other animals deliver them. Seeds that had been slumbering below the surface now have the light, warmth, and moisture they need to sprout. However they arrive, weeds elbow out the plants you want and hog all the resources to boot. What to do? Mulch if you can (see Chapter 4 for details) and cultivate!

## Ho, ho, hoes

All sorts of hoes are available, and the one or ones you choose to invest in is partly a matter of what you feel comfortable using and what you need them for. For maximum efficiency, both pushing and pulling action is desirable. At any rate, hoes tend to be long-handled, which is fine, but their blade also needs to be right for the place where you use it. If you'll be working in cramped spaces, like the rows of a vegetable or herb garden, pick a narrow-bladed one, of course. About 6 inches wide is standard.

A good hoe should not be a lightweight or wimpy tool — you mean business. Choose one with a strong, durable hardwood handle (such as hickory or ash). Forged steel is standard for the blade. If either of these parts gets worn out or damaged, replacing it is an option. As for the point of attachment, the handle should be snug and secure in a hole in the top of the blade, even reinforced with rivets, so there's no risk of its falling off.

Sharpness counts! Your hoe will be sharp when you first bring it home. But you have to keep it so, or else it'll do a sloppy or damaging job. File it often to maintain its beveled edge.

Hoes do a better job on ground that has recently been watered or rained upon. That's because the weed roots they're meant to be tearing out depart damp ground much more easily and completely than those in dry soil.

### Chemical warfare: Pesticides

The use of chemicals to control pests — including weeds, insects, rodents, fungi, and microorganisms — is a very complicated subject that varies in its regulations by state. Luckily, most chemicals sold to consumers are relatively safe. The most toxic ones have been taken off the market or are available only to certified appliers. Visit npic.orst.edu/index.html for general pesticide info and www.pesticideinfo.org/Index.html for a pesticide database. And finally, check out www.epa.gov/pesticides/about for pesticide info from the Environmental Protection Agency.

You can also look through the plant-specific chapters for more info on using pesticides and other methods of pest control.

## Weeding out poor weeders to get to the best

Unlike the hoe, or a layer of smothering mulch or black plastic, a weeder is a hand tool, a clever handheld weapon in the war on weeds. You can usually take out the invading marauders one at a time. As such, using a weeder is better than attacking the enemy with your bare hands. You can use the same vigor — or frothing rage, if it comes to that! — but a weeding tool makes your efforts more productive. A good weeder helps you extract the entire plant (as you know from dandelions and other weeds, leaving a bit of root behind usually means that the war isn't over yet).

Just take a look at the many options — try out something — or make an effort to match the weeder to the weed, because some tools are specialists. You need a forked end, for example, to get plants with taproots, and the "mini-hoe" action of a typical hand weeder works better on shallow-rooted and well-hidden weeds where your aim is merely to slice off the aboveground parts of the plants. Personally, I don't find weeders with rotary blades to be very useful.

Because weeders go into the difficult zones of tough soil and tenacious root systems and may contend with daunting obstructions, including rocks and other impediments, they need to be both very tough and somewhat flexible or resilient. Steel is best, of course, though not all steel is created equal. Sturdy gauge steel is fine, and stamped steel is adequate, but if you want a truly powerful and long-lasting weapon, spend your money on a higher-quality forged steel weeder.

Most weeders are meant to be used down on the ground, as close to their quarry as possible. This means you have to sit, kneel, or squat, which reduces strain on your back and allows you to bring maximum force to the job at hand. If the ground is damp or uncomfortable for you, do your weeding perched on a mat or kneeling on one of those nifty low gardening stools.

Take out weeds earlier rather than later, because smaller weeds are always easier to attack. Work when the ground is damp from a rain or recent watering, and you should find the job much easier.

### Putting an oscillating hoe to use

An _oscillating hoe_ (also known as an action hoe, hula hoe, or stirrup hoe) looks different from the average hoe. Rather than a solid piece of sharp metal, it's a shallow open box (like a cookie cutter) of double-edged blades, and it moves about 1/2 inch back and forth as you push or pull it. Thus, it can cut in two directions and is also self-cleaning (debris slips off with each back-and-forth motion). It's especially effective for combating established weeds in heavy soil.

This sort of hoe is amazingly easy and fun, almost relaxing or hypnotic to use. The stirrups may be as big as 7 inches across or as small as 2 inches across.

## Making the Right Cut with Cutting Tools

So many great cutting tools are available for gardeners! This area has seen remarkable innovation in recent years, making everything from harvesting flowers and fruit to major pruning jobs neater and more efficient than ever before. Treat yourself to some good cutting tools — they make life (and plant, tree, and shrub maintenance) so much easier.

Keep 'em clean. As with digging tools, or any garden tool at all for that matter, cutting tools get dirty with use. If you're good about cleaning them after each use or at least when grit, sap, or pitch builds up on their blades, they'll serve you much better and for much longer.

For information on how to prune and trim trees and shrubs, see Chapter 11.

## Getting a handle on hand pruners

Hand pruners: You should know that many serious gardeners value these handheld cutters above all else — they carry these gadgets everywhere (in a special belt holster or tucked in their back pocket) and are reluctant to lend them. Why? A good pair fits your hand comfortably and takes care of a wide range of gardening jobs, from snipping off the spent stems from last year's perennials to cutting roses for a vase to cutting away a pesky sucker to trimming a favorite shrub or ornamental tree. In a word, pruners are handy!

You may see hand pruners called _secateurs,_ especially in English publications.

In general, hand pruners are intended for use on anything 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch in diameter (depending on the type) — which covers a lot of gardening cutting jobs, actually. If a branch is thicker, your pruners and your hands will strain and the pruners won't be able to do a good job.

The best pruner handles are designed to absorb shock but are still lightweight and strong. Usually, they're made of aluminum alloy and coated with a smooth, durable vinyl (usually red!). The more-expensive hand pruners come in left- and right-handed models.

As for the blades, you want tempered carbon steel. It'll start off sharp and need to be resharpened by you or someone else (which is never expensive) from time to time to maintain the bevel, but it'll hold up well and last a long time. You usually use a whetstone for sharpening, though you may be able to find gadgets made for sharpening pruners that can make the job much easier. Sometimes just replacing nicked up blades is easier. Better hand pruners have replacement cutting blades you can purchase.

Here are some other considerations when you're looking for a good hand pruner:

  If you're investing in a good, professional-grade pruner, you may one day want to replace the blades rather than the entire tool, so discern now whether that'll be possible.

  A safety latch is very important so the clippers don't spring open when you don't want them to, such as when they're not in use or when they're lodged in your pocket. A good pruner should click in and out of position easily, ideally with a flick of your thumb.

  The spring that holds the pivot, keeping it tense, should operate smoothly, without catching, without hesitation. Try it out a few times to make sure.

  Some clippers have a nice feature on the bottom blade, a groove that helps carry sap and pitch away from the tool. You should be in the habit of cleaning your pruners after every use anyway, but this little extra certainly helps.

Though you may feel like dozens of different kinds of hand pruners line the store shelves, the tools are really all variations on two themes — bypass pruners and anvil pruners. Both types are approximately the same size but operate differently:

  **Bypass pruners:** By far the most common, these pruners make neat, even, shave-close slices, thanks to a beveled cutting blade.

  **Anvil-style pruners:** These pruners earn their name because the cutting blade comes down on a slender, non-cutting "anvil" blade, so a flush cut isn't possible. This tool is right for cutting very tough or dead wood. Some anvil-style pruners have a ratcheting action, which makes cutting easier.

## Hedging your bets on hedge shears

The basic design of hedge shears has changed a little over the years to become even more efficient than ever before. Basically, you're looking at a tool that's from 1 to 2 feet long from tip to handle's end (unless you get an especially long-handled model). This form allows the average-size person to slice away while standing comfortably. These cutters are meant to be used to trim hedges, whether evergreen or deciduous. They're too big and unwieldy for spot-cutting jobs or regular pruning.

The shafts are either light but tough tubular steel or heavier hardwood, usually with cushioned grips to make your work more comfortable and your grip more secure. The cutting blades are long and sharp, the cutting edge is ideally beveled, and the base (near the fulcrum) may have serrations for those occasions when you encounter especially tough branches.

You can get better results and longer use if the blades are tough, drop-forged carbon steel. Check also that the point where the cutting blades meet the handles is secure and tough.

The blades of hedge shears vary. Wavy-edged ones help keep branches in place as you work without gathering dirt or roughening the cut. Serrated-edged ones can tame unruly stems of wayward shrubs by holding them while you cut.

Assuming you can run a cord from a power source out to your hedge or other shrubs that need occasional shearing, electric hedge pruners are worth considering. They can often do a neater and faster job, which may be important to you if you have a lot of hedge to cut or are striving for a formal, tidy look.

## Branching out with loppers

A lopper is a sort of in-between cutting tool. By that, I mean loppers are what you reach for when the branch is too thick for hand pruners yet too leggy to be managed with a saw. In these cases, which come up more often than you may think, there's no better tool for the job than a lopper.

A good pair of loppers has long, strong shafts of steel, fiberglass, or hardwood. At the ends, where you grip them, you want either vinyl or rubber handles, just to alleviate vibrations from cutting and make the work more comfortable. At the top, the curved hook and blade ought to be tough metal such as forged carbon steel — sharp, of course, and beveled. The point where these two elements come together needs to be strong and secure; look for strong, stout pins or rivets, as well as rubber bumpers.

Use loppers on wayward vines, on overgrown shrubs and hedges, and on small ornamental or fruit trees. You may find loppers especially handy if you have to reach into the greenery or work in tight quarters. Employ a pair of loppers when you need to cut something 2 inches in diameter or less. Some of the special ratcheted types can tackle somewhat larger material.

## Moving up to pruning saws

The pruning saw is such a simple tool that people tend to underestimate it. The first thing you need to know about pruning saws is _accept no substitutes_. Don't use any household or carpenter's saw in its place. Those tools aren't curved — a feature of the pruning saw you can immediately appreciate when you use it. Plus the blade may be too thick, which chews up the branch instead of severing it, or the cutting teeth may not be right for the branch you want to cut. Invest in the saw that's meant for gardening! It's never expensive, and you won't be sorry.

Use a pruning saw on branches that won't yield easily to loppers — basically, anything over 3 inches or so. You can manage thicker branches using the standard three-way cut (see Chapter 11 for details).

 .jpg)

If the job seems too big for your pruning saw — if you feel the slightest overmatched or in danger — hire someone else to do the job or use a chainsaw instead. (See the upcoming section titled "Chewing through chores with chainsaws.")

End to end, a typical pruning saw is between 14 and 20 inches long. Some shorter folding ones are handy for smaller jobs and are easy to carry in your pocket. The handle is traditionally of pistol grip design so you can hold and wield it securely and safely; it's usually wood, but it may be tough plastic. As for the blade, seek something that's rust-resistant and strong, such as tempered steel alloy. Look closely at the teeth — you want the _tri-edge_ blades (the ones with three bevels), because this shape makes for the fastest, neatest cuts. Plain lance-toothed pruning saws are still around and are admittedly cheaper, but the cutting can be rough going.

What's the advantage of a folding saw? It's simply a safety feature, eliminating the need for a scabbard of some kind for carrying or storing the saw when it's not in use. Beware of cheap folding saws, though! A well-designed folding saw locks securely in both the open and closed positions.

The _bow saw,_ which is a D-shaped saw, is bigger and more formidable, up to 3 feet long, intended only for bigger pruning jobs on larger branches. It allows both a push and pull cut. The frame should be of rigid steel so the blade is kept taut (or you can tighten it before each use).

## Putting Power Tools to Use

Plenty of power tools are designed to make certain gardening chores faster and easier, but go easy on purchasing many of these. For small gardens, they can be overkill, and many of these tools are noisy, which can really detract from what's supposed to be a relaxing and quiet pursuit.

In this section, I describe some powered garden tools that you may find useful. Many of them make the work go much faster than the hand-powered alternative. Just be sure not to buy something too big for the job — the purchase could end being too expensive and too daunting. (For information on lawn mowers, see Chapter 10.)

## Safety first: Controlling your power tools (so they don't control you)

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When using power tools in your yard, you have to take precautions to protect yourself from harm:

  Wear appropriate clothing (long sleeves, long pants, and steel-capped boots), eye protection, and perhaps ear protection as well.

  Always read the manual so you understand how the machine operates.

  Make sure you know how to turn it off.

  Make adjustments only when the tool is off.

  Some tools become hot as you use them — be careful to avoid burns.

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Obviously, when a tool is not in use, it should be safely stowed indoors, out of the path of foot traffic; make sure you have it secured, in its off position, and sheathed or covered if it has sharp parts. Here are some more safety tips:

  **For gas-powered tools:** Double-check that there are no leaks (sniff!). Store extra fuel in containers intended for that purpose; then label these containers and keep them out of the way in a cool, dry spot.

  **For electric-powered tools:** Always use a circuit breaker; check the cord often for signs of wear or damage to the insulation or connectors. If you need an extension cord to run the tool out to the project spot, get one of those bright-orange ones so the cord is readily visible to you and others.

  **For tools in general:** Service the tool annually (at season's end is best; surely by early spring). If you don't know how to or don't want to, hiring someone else to do it isn't expensive. Wipe or scrub the entire exterior clean and drain all fuel at the season's end. Sharpen dull edges and replace worn parts.

## Chewing through chores with chainsaws

Chances are you don't need a big, powerful chainsaw like the ones road- clearing crews use. Plenty of good, smaller-size ones are suitable for homeowners — some are gas-powered (they have two-stroke engines), and some are electric-powered (which have the advantage of being quieter). Either way, confirm that important safety features are present, namely

  A two-handed switch

  A chain brake that triggers if the saw kicks back

Although a chainsaw can be invaluable, it can also destroy hedges that were meant to be trimmed with hedge shears and can do major damage to you if you don't show it respect!

## Working with weed trimmers and weed whackers

Weed trimmers and weed whackers can do a lot of different things around your yard and garden: They can cut grass (especially in tricky, hard-to-reach spots like under a fence and along edges and borders) and trim weeds and light brush (for info on lawn care, check out Chapter 10).

These useful tools come in different sizes and varying rates of power. They also come in three forms:

  **Gas-powered:** Noisy but effective and portable; they tend to be heavier than other types, but weight can vary a great deal depending on the power of the unit

  **Corded electric:** Less powerful, but not as loud and may be just fine for your needs; your extension cord may limit where you can go

  **Battery-operated:** The quietest and least powerful (running out of juice after around 30 minutes) but very portable

The less-expensive string trimmers employ a rapidly spinning nylon string that does the cutting but wears away slightly as you work (as more string is fed out), so be sure to keep a backup supply or backup coil on hand. Fancier trimmers have a two-line system that reduces cutting time. Superior, usually gas-powered models use fixed plastic blades.

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Be careful about operating these tools near trees, because they can bite into the trunk, making a wound that not only looks bad but may contribute to the tree's decline (especially if it's a small, skinny tree).

## Tilling soil with rototillers

Consider the rotary tiller, or rototiller: You may need one of these soil-eating machines if you're going to create a large new flowerbed, a production cut-flower garden, or a vegetable garden (or to install a new lawn) — any project too daunting to undertake by hand.

If your property is large or you like to keep busy with such projects and revisions of them, you may want to consider buying a tiller. But for most situations, you're better off renting what you need (check the yellow pages under Equipment Rentals or Rental Services). The only drawback to renting, or borrowing from a neighbor for that matter, is that the tool may not be well-maintained, which slows down the work or may be dangerous. Here's how tillers compare:

  **Full-size tillers:** These beasts are for the bigger jobs. They're heavy, and figuring out how to navigate and control them takes some strength and practice. But the powerful spinning tines do a great job of chewing up soil, mixing in compost or other amendments, and spitting everything out to create a fluffy, loose, wonderful planting bed. The tines may be in front, in the middle, or in the rear.

These tillers come in various sizes. For heavy duty jobs like cultivating heavy soil for the first time, the larger tillers are more practical. The larger tillers are really intended for very substantial row crop gardens that are a quarter acre or so. For frequent use, after the initial cultivation, the smaller tillers are usually fine and are much easier to handle.

  **Hand-held mini tillers:** These lightweight helpers come either gas- powered (two- or four-cycle engine) or electric (120-volt, much quieter); typically, they weigh 20 pounds or less. Choose an electric mini tiller based on how far from an outlet you'll be. These tool s are suitable for smaller-scale projects and do a fine job of mixing amendments into the soil. Plus, you can control them so you don't go where you don't want to go and don't stray into the root zones of established shrubs or perennials.

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Turning over the soil inevitably brings dormant weed seeds to the surface, where they're only too happy to germinate and start growing. And if you till any weeds, alive or dead, into the ground, you may release and churn up their seeds as well. Your best bet is to try to clear an area of weeds _before_ you do any tilling.

## Wading through Wondrous Watering Tools

Well, you _know_ you need to water your garden, but what you may not know is that you have quite a range of options. If you match the watering tool to the job, your plants will do better and, just as importantly, you won't waste water.

The watering tools that I describe in this section are actual tools, not whole watering systems. Most in-ground watering systems really should be installed by a professional.

## Hoses

The good old garden hose — it saves time and steps. You can just drag it out to the right spot, turn it on, let it go, and come back later. Coil it up when it's not in use. Keep it for years. Simple, right?

Well, not always. Cheap hoses and older ones have an annoying flaw: They kink and tangle. If you aren't watching, you can waste water and sometimes harm plants as the hose lashes around. Then you have the problem of hoses that crack, burst, and leak after being left out in the sun or run over by the car, or that just break down after what seems like not very much use. Read on for some important considerations when buying a garden hose.

### Materials and construction

The best, most long-lived hose is one that's composed of layers. The inner layer needs to be flexible, a nice smooth rubber or synthetic tube. To protect it and give it toughness, it's covered or coated with at least one outer layer of nylon fabric or mesh. The outer skin beyond that, the part you touch and see, needs to be of a material that doesn't break down after prolonged exposure to sun and weather. It also needs to resist punctures and scratches. Usually, the outer layer is vinyl, or a vinyl-rubber blend, and it's often green or black. Multi-layered hoses may seem a bit fatter or heavier than the inexpensive alternatives, but as usual, you get what you pay for.

The standard, vinyl-coated, layered hose comes in different forms: namely three-ply, four-ply, and five-ply. As with anything, heavier duty versions, like the five-ply, are more expensive. Heavier duty hoses don't kink as often, can take higher water pressures, and last longer. For occasional watering jobs, the lower ply will work fine; for more frequent use and longer life, go with the higher ply.

Other types of hoses include

  **The soaker or leaky hose:** This hose "sweats" water slowly out along its entire length via tiny holes.

  **The flat hose:** Made of cotton canvas, the flat hose is lightweight and compact.

  **The patio hose:** The end of the patio hose is designed to attach to a sink faucet.

One more thing to look for when hose-shopping: The fittings at the ends should also be of good quality. Their job is to attach seamlessly to a faucet (or sprinkler, if at the other end) without leaking or spraying. How do you judge quality? If they're cast brass rather than cheap metal, they're built to last. A stamped, galvanized steel fitting never seems to hold up over time.

### Sizes

The most common hose size is 5/8 of an inch in diameter, which works very well with typical municipal water pressure (30 to 50 pounds per square inch). You may have cause to go down to 1/2 inch or up to 1 inch — the skinnier one delivers water more slowly; the fatter one, more quickly.

Length depends on how far you have to reach the hose. For flexibility, you may want to buy your hose in 25-foot segments rather than longer lengths and just join them together as needed for different areas of the garden. Also, shorter lengths are lighter and thus easier to lug around.

### Storage and placement accessories

Coils and hose caddies are nice accessories to have. You see, a hose comes coiled and stores well coiled in its original direction and loop size — in other words, a hose has _coil memory._ Letting the hose return to this state when not in use is better for the hose's longevity.

A hose guide **__ **is a simple but worthwhile gadget. A stake anchors the guide in the ground or in pre-drilled holes in your patio or pathway, and it holds the hose in place, even along curves or around corners. In this way, the hose can't stray onto a path or across your garden plants.

### Repairing a hose

Hoses seem to undergo more abuse than just about any other type of gardening tool, and chances are that sooner or later you're going to find yourself owning a hose with some end or thread damage. When this happens, determine whether repairing the hose end is worth the trouble. If the hose wasn't cheap and the damage is minor, by all means, give it a try. The following figure shows you how to fix a hose end.

For hoses that develop leaks, patch kits are available wherever hoses are sold. Always patch only when the hose is completely dry.

## Nozzles

An awful lot of hose accessories are out there. Rarely are they expensive, so you can give one a try and see how you, and your plants, like it. Here are some of the common ones; they all screw onto the end of a standard hose:

  **Watering wand:** This gadget extends your reach for watering hanging baskets or irrigating the back of a deep flowerbed. The _rose,_ or head, at the end of the wand delivers the water in a gentle, drenching spray. The watering wand is also nice for watering potted plants and seedlings if you keep the water pressure low so you don't dislodge the little plants. Get a wand with a thumb-operated on-off valve so you can move from plant to plant without wetting things you don't mean to or wasting water.

  **Jet-spray nozzle:** Usually brass, this tool focuses water into a strong, stiff spray. It's ideal for hosing off muddy tools and boots or cleaning a walkway or driveway.

  **Adjustable round nozzle:** A refinement of the jet-spray nozzle, this nozzle can also deliver a softer spray right on down to a mist — all by twisting it until the water is coming out the way you want.

  **Misting head:** Though small, this tool can be a bit pricier because it usually comes in brass or brass-coated die-cast metal. It delivers water in a fine mist, nice for little emerging seedlings.

  **Pistol-grip nozzle:** Usually made of tough, UV-resistant plastic, this nozzle is a favorite among gardeners because you can vary the intensity of the spray by applying pressure to the trigger and thus use it throughout your garden.

  **Fan head:** This tool delivers a drenching sweep of water from its broad, broom-head-like end, making it a good choice for bigger watering projects like irrigating a newly planted shrub or rosebush.

  **Multiple-head nozzle:** These nozzles are showing up more frequently on the market. They have several types of nozzles built into one head and are quite handy.

## Hose-end sprinklers

Here's another way to put your good hose to work: A hose-end sprinkler is designed to screw into a standard hose and rest on the ground wherever you drag it and set it down; it then delivers water in a spray pattern in the immediate area. Clever designers have come up with all sorts of nifty alternatives, so you should have no trouble finding a sprinkler you like and that suits the lay of your particular landscape. Here's a rundown of the common ones:

  **Fixed-spray sprinkler:** These sprinklers are the simplest types and are perfectly satisfactory for watering small areas. They deliver a fine, soft rain, rather casually (that is, without a super-reliable pattern).

Use them on the lawn or for watering flowerbeds and shrubs; they're less effective under trees because they fling water up into the branches, where it's neither needed nor especially appreciated. You may have to run the water on low or get a heavier model if it tends to flip over on its side or upside down, a common problem.

  **Whirlybird sprinkler:** A spring-loaded arm breaks the shooting stream of water into droplets as it snaps back into place, which makes this sprinkler revolve. This deceptively simple design can actually accomplish a very thorough watering job in a circular shape.

  **Rain tower:** The rain tower is just an impulse sprinkler like the whirlybird, but it's elevated on an adjustable tripod contraption so it can water a broad circle. Therefore, it's terrific for watering large areas of tall plants, such as a corn patch or vegetable garden.

  **Oscillating sprinkler:** You have to set or assign these sprinklers their job, which can be a full-yard swing from left to right and back again, or a half-swing to the left or right, or just a held, stationary position. Oscillating sprinklers are marvelous for watering lawns and broad plantings. Splurge on the more expensive units; they last much longer and offer a greater range of settings that can make your watering more accurate and efficient. Compared to a whirlybird sprinkler, oscillating sprinklers tend to lose a lot of water to evaporation.

  **Tractor (traveling) sprinkler:** The tractor sprinkler is a little more high-tech, at least for a homeowner. The small water-driven tractor scoots slowly across a lawn, using the laid-out hose as a guide. Meanwhile, a simple revolving sprinkler mounted on top does the watering. Some models have three speeds, for lighter to deeper watering.

## Water timers

If you have a good idea how much watering your plants need but don't want to or can't be there, the water timer's for you. Though no bigger than a coffee can, some of these gadgets contain a small computer that you can program for watering time and duration. Others have a clever intermittent feature that delivers the water in on-off cycles (for instance, five minutes on followed by a ten-minute rest) over a period of time (say, three hours) before shutting off automatically. This allows the soil to efficiently absorb the water with far less runoff and evaporation. The fancy battery-operated types with all the settings are handy if you need all these features, but if you're after simplicity and dependability, you can't beat the spring-operated ones.

One end of the timer attaches to the faucet, the other to the hose end — you have no batteries, no wires to worry about. Some timers are more elaborate (and expensive) than others, so have a clear idea of your needs as well as your technological savvy when you go shopping. You can find water timers wherever gardening supplies are sold, as well as at specialty greenhouse supply companies.

Water timers are most often used with professional installed sprinkler systems (which I cover in Chapter 4).

##### Part II

## Flowers and Foliage: Growing for Color

In this part . . .

The first thing many people notice when looking at a garden is color, be it yellow, blue, red, pink, or various shades of green. The chapters in Part II introduce you to the wonderful sources of gardening color that the plant world supplies: annuals, perennials, flowering bulbs, and roses. Although it's easy to think only of flowers when looking to give your garden an impressive color palette, these chapters also introduce you to the great possibilities that foliage plants, such as hostas, can provide. As you read about these plants, be sure to jot down information about the ones that interest you. When you're ready to start looking for them for your own garden, you may find the plants you've picked out are even more beautiful and interesting face to, er, plant!

##### Chapter 6

## Growing Annuals: Adding Yearly Variety to Your Garden

### In This Chapter

  Identifying annuals

  Working with bedding plans

  Selecting and purchasing annuals

  Planting and caring for annuals

  Getting rid of pests

For sheer flower power, annuals are hard to beat. Because they have to complete their entire life cycle in one growing season — which is the technical definition of the term _annual_ — these plants work fast. They go from seed or seedling to full-grown plant, bursting with flowers, in short order, delivering color when and where you need it.

This chapter can help you choose and place annuals in your garden. It also fills you in on their basic care requirements so you can get the most out of them. Gardening with annuals, more than ever, is easy and rewarding.

## Finding Flowers that Fit Your Garden

Modern-day annuals are impressive indeed. They've been bred to produce abundant flowers and lush foliage throughout the heart of the growing season. They rush to flowering because their means of reproduction is by seed. And to get there, the flowers must come first. This great output guarantees bountiful garden color and also makes most annuals great for bouquets. By the time fall comes and seeds form (if they do, before frost), the plants are spent and die. By then, though, you should certainly have gotten your money's worth! Annuals are very gracious guests. Figure 6-1 gives you an idea of how an annual progresses through life.

**Figure 6-1:** Following an annual's life cycle, from seed germination to seed production.

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Not surprisingly, a huge range of annuals is on the market, and more annuals arrive every year. Demand is market-driven, innovation pushes on, and the upshot is that you can choose from many, many different annuals — no matter where you live, no matter what growing conditions your garden offers. The variety of annuals allows you to find countless plants that are specific to warm or cool weather. (For more info about annuals that love sun or shade, check out "Deciding where to plant annuals," later in this chapter.)

## Some like it hot: Warm weather annuals

Lots of annuals thrive in hot summer weather, tolerating even periods of prolonged drought in style. Many annuals have this preference because their predecessors, or ancestors if you will, originated in warm, tropical climates with long growing seasons. All plant breeders did was capitalize on or preserve these qualities while improving the plants' appearance or expanding the color range.

Some warm-weather annuals are actually perennial in some regions but are used as annuals in other areas because they're not hardy there (they don't survive the winter). For instance, snapdragon can be a perennial in the South but is used as an annual farther North. Some tropical plants are also commonly used for temporary display.

Examples of favorite warm-weather annuals include impatiens, Madagascar periwinkle, and marigolds.

## Some annuals like it cool

Some annuals have their origins in areas with colder winters and mild but not blazingly hot summers. Plant breeders have stepped in to improve these plants' flower production (the more blooms, the merrier!), add new colors, and select for compact plant _habit_ (shapes or forms). The result is a huge range of good, tough plants that even gardeners with shorter growing seasons can count on. Examples of favorite cool-weather annuals include cleome (spider flower), pansy, Johnny jump-ups (a type of viola), trailing lobelia, and calendula (pot marigolds).

North or South, cool-loving annuals are often a fine choice for the parts of your garden where shade prevails. The shelter of a fence, pergola (a type of arbor — see Chapter 12), porch, or overhanging tree keeps the plants cooler, preserving their flower color, prolonging bloom time, and protecting the plants from drying out in the hot sunshine.

Southern summers are generally too hot for cool-season annuals. Enjoy them until late spring and then tear them out as they begin to flag and replace them with something more durable.

## Mixing and Matching Annuals

Fun and creative combinations, of form as well as color, are so easy with annuals! Assuming you plant them in a hospitable spot, they're so eager to grow and so certain to bloom that you can be artistic with confidence. The following sections tell you how you can design your annual bed with respect to the shape of the plant, color, and scent. Figure 6-2 also shows an idea of how to set up a flowerbed of annuals.

For more info on designing a flowerbed, see Chapter 2.

**Figure 6-2:** An idea for annual flowerbed. The common names of recom-mended annual plants are shown.

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## Good habits: Taking advantage of shape, height, and structure

Contrary to popular belief, not all annuals are little bloom-studded muffins. Hardly! Try to install annuals with a range of plant habits — variety is the spice! Check out Table 6-1 for some of your options.

Table 6-1 Appearance and Habits of Annuals Type  | Description  | Examples
---|---|---
Low growers  | These annuals can create a carpet in  | Fan flower, sweet
| your flowerbeds, not only covering  | alyssum, million
| open ground or making a "skirt" at the  | bells, and portulaca
| base of taller plants but also generally  |
| spilling over and softening the edges  |
| while adding welcome interest and color. |
Spiky growers  | Spires of pretty flowers, whether loose  | Snapdragon,
| and airy or dense and commanding, are  | larkspur, and salvia
| wonderful punctuation marks in a display.  |
| They break up monotony, standing out  |
| from the crowd even as they keep the  |
| eye moving. |
Petite, compact  | These little cuties pack a lot of appeal  | Trailing lobelia,
annuals  | into a small space, making them perfect  | diascia, small
| for containers (small pots as well as  | pansies, and
| window boxes or big, deck-side planter  | nierembergia
| boxes), edgings out in the garden proper,  |
| or in any spot that needs reliable  |
| coverage that'll be viewed at close range.  |
Mound-formers  | The mainstay of many garden displays,  | California poppy,
| plants with a lower-growing, rounded  | geranium,
| habit are valuable because they fill in  | impatiens,
| their allotted space so well and are hand-  | nasturtium, and
| some when viewed from any angle.  | French marigold
| Closely planted, they're excellent for  |
| edging or masses of dependable color.  |
Big annuals  | Count on an impressive show and lots of  | Sunflower, cleome,
| color — quickly! This sort of annual is  | zinnia, and
| wonderful for fence-side, along a wall of  | flowering tobacco
| the house or garage, or in your entryway  |
| garden.  |
Great annuals  | These annuals have such a range in  | Zinnia and marigold
that range from  | height that no matter what your needs,  |
small to tall  | you can probably find one that fits.  |
Leafy plants  | Don't forget foliage! So-called _foliage_ | Coleus __
|  _annuals_ may flower, but their main attrac-  |
| tion is their handsome, colorful leaves.  |
| Rimmed, variegated, striped, splashed,  |
| or dappled; red, maroon, white, yellow,  |
| cream, or chartreuse — you can find all  |
| sorts of variety and opportunities to make  |
| exciting, stand-out displays with these  |
| plants.  |

Here are some good ideas for making annual diversity work for you in your garden displays:

  **Small in front, medium in the middle, and tall in back:** This tried-and-true guideline works because plants don't block one another from view, and the stepping-up effect simply looks great and adds dimension to your flowerbed. It makes a display look full and is especially effective in small or tight spaces. Thus, for island beds (in the middle of your lawn, say) or containers, you want small plants on the edges, then medium plants, and finally tall ones in the center. See Figure 6-3 for an idea of how to vary heights in your flowerbed.

  **Repetition and balance:** Plant so that one plant habit (or form) recurs at regular intervals in the display. This touch supplies continuity and naturally looks pleasing. Vary what happens between if you wish.

  **Simplicity:** The smaller the area is, the more important it is to avoid clutter. Use several or many of one kind of plant, together. Or stick to one sort of plant habit but vary the types of plants or the colors.

Gardeners usually don't combine annuals with perennials because when frost kills the annuals, big holes appear in the planting. However, annuals are great to add among smaller, newly planted perennials to provide fast color the first season. The following year, the perennials come into their own and fill the space once occupied by the annuals.

**Figure 6-3:** You can add dimension to a flowerbed by planting short annuals in the front and tall ones in the rear.

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## Combining colors

As a painter or interior decorator may say, with justifiable envy, "Wow, what a palette!" Annuals come in literally every color of the rainbow, and the only limit is your imagination. If you want to be absolutely sure of a splashy display, you can use the following principles.

However, sometimes rules are made to be broken, or sometimes a combination idea happens accidentally or just occurs to you. Not only are annuals reliable, but they're also forgiving. So feel free to try anything, removing or shifting plants around as you fine-tune. Yes, you can move an annual from one place to another without much trauma (just get all or most of the root system when you do, and water the plant in well in its new home until it adjusts).

Throwing a bunch of flowers together in a flowerbed or container can look like a lively bouquet, or it can look like a hodgepodge. So try to decide on a mood or focus and stick to it. Here are some useful color principles you can try:

  **Go for the bold:** Mix annuals in bright primary shades of red, yellow, and blue. Ideally, they're of the same color intensity so one doesn't steal the spotlight. Yellow zinnias with blue calibrachoa is a stunning combo.

  **Hot, hot, hot!** Compose an exciting, traffic-stopping display out of any or all of the following: hot pink, bright orange, ruby red, magenta, and bright purple. Try some bright orange marigolds combined with purple petunias.

  **Soft and sweet:** If you like romantic, soothing pastels, go for colors of similar strength or intensity; combine pale yellow, lavender, pink, baby blue, and cream rather than white. A tranquil pairing is lemon-colored osteospermum with powder blue verbenas.

  **Aim for contrast:** Colors considered opposites (complementary colors) — such as orange and blue, yellow and purple, and red and green — look terrific together. Orange nasturtiums topped with blue salvias is a good choice.

  **Use neutral hues:** These colors go with everything and thus make nice, calming filler in a display that may otherwise look busy or cluttered; try cream, beige, silver, or gray (supplied by foliage if not flowers). An occasional white-flowered annual is also welcome in color-filled layouts. Silver leafed foliage plants like the dusty millers can be nicely combined with any white-flowered plants like angelonias or petunias.

## Buying Annuals

Because annuals are a one-shot deal — that is, good for only one growing season — you have to buy new ones each spring. You have two options: seed packets and nursery starts. The following sections explain the differences.

## Starting with seed packets

The almighty seed is the symbol of a new beginning. Buying your annuals as seed packets gives you four important advantages:

  **You can get an earlier start.** Starting seeds indoors takes time and space, but it's not at all difficult — and it's a great way to chase away the winter blues.

  **Thanks to a broader selection in the seed-packet world, you can grow unusual annuals or new and different colors of popular ones.** Look in seed catalogs that come in late winter, or browse the company Web sites. You have all sorts of wonderful choices!

  **Quantity!** Any given seed packet can contain 100 or more seeds. Even with some attrition, using seed packets is a great way to grow a whole lot of plants.

  **It's inexpensive.** Sure, experienced gardeners bemoan the rising cost of seeds over the years, but, really, it's still the best deal in town, always substantially cheaper than buying young plants.

Be sure to shop early for best selection, and always check the packet to make sure the seeds are fresh. (The packets should be stamped with an expiration date of later this year or next year or should say "packed for [current year]" — see Figure 6-4.) Store the packets in a cool, dry place so the seeds aren't tempted to germinate until you're ready to sow them in flats. For details on how to sow seeds, see Chapter 13.

For a listing of some mail-order seed and flower companies, check out the Appendix.

## Starting with nursery, well, starts

You generally see nursery starts at the garden center or home store in mid-to-late spring. Small annual plants are generally sold in six-packs or larger, with each cell holding a single young plant. These plants were raised from seed or from cuttings in a greenhouse and need a little TLC (shelter from cold and wind, regular water so they don't dry out) when you get them home.

**Figure 6-4:** Packets of fresh seeds contain planting information, details about the plant, and packing dates.

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Here's what to check before buying:

  **Labels:** Labels should contain useful information, such as flower color and mature plant size, as well as the name of the plant.

  **Blooms:** A blooming plant may be more attractive, and it lets you check that the color is what you want, but the flowers take energy away from the roots. When you get the plant home, cut or pick off any flowers or buds.

  **Well-rooted plants:** Pop or wiggle a plant out and check the rooting. If the seedling promptly falls out of the soil mix, it hasn't been in the cell or pot long enough. If you see a mass of white roots, the plant has been in the cell too long and is stressed.

  **Healthy appearance:** Is the foliage crisp and green? Just a few yellowing and bedraggled leaves aren't necessarily a problem — you can pinch those off. But you should look in the crown and the _nodes_ (where the leaves or leaf stalks meet the main stem) for insect pests or signs of them.

## An Annual Event: The Whens, Wheres, and Hows of Planting

Well, of course, in Northern gardens, annuals bloom in the summer months — and often, they start in spring and don't quit till fall. Lucky gardeners in milder areas with longer growing seasons can enjoy some annuals, especially those that are frost tolerant, year round. Your growing conditions and climate dictate how soon the show gets started, how long it lasts, and where and how you should plant your annuals.

## Filling in the garden after the last frost

If you live in an area with a long growing season, you can go ahead and sow annual seeds straight into the ground, secure in the knowledge that they'll sprout, grow up, and start pumping out flowers, all in plenty of time. This approach is generally easy and cheap. Gardeners with shorter summers can either start seeds inside or buy seedlings.

Freezing weather kills or at least severely damages most annuals. Therefore, the trick is to know your last spring frost date and your first fall frost date — these dates bookend the annual-gardening year. (If you don't know, ask an employee at a local garden center, a more experienced gardener, or someone at the nearest office of the Cooperative Extension service. Note that the dates are averages; they can vary somewhat from one year to the next.) You can check out Chapter 3 for more information on plant zones and growing seasons.

### Planting in late spring

The majority of annuals are frost-sensitive. In other words, a freeze can damage or kill them. Frigid temperatures also make annuals much more susceptible to disease damage. If these small plants are damaged by cold, they may never quite recover. Don't risk it: Plant your new annuals in the ground only after all danger of frost is past. The same goes for plants you're putting in containers (though you can bring the pots indoors on chilly nights if you have to — see Chapter 16 for info on container gardening).

Gardening fever hits us all on the first warm spring day. But warm _air_ isn't necessarily what you're waiting for — warm _soil_ is. If the ground is still semi-frozen or soggy from thawing cycles or drenching spring rains, it's better to wait another week or two. No, you don't have to take the soil's temperature before proceeding. Just remember the wise advice of garden author Roger Swain: Don't put plants in a bed you yourself wouldn't be willing to lie on!

### Planting annuals later in the season

Of course you can plant later in the season! Plant and replant all summer long if you want and into fall if you garden in a mild climate. As long as the plants are willing and able to grow and produce flowers, why not?

Because blazing hot weather is stressful, avoid planting during such spells or at least coddle the newcomers with plentiful water and some sheltering shade until they get established. A dose of all-purpose fertilizer (applied according to the instructions and rates on the container) may also hasten latecomers along.

## Deciding where to plant annuals

By and large, annuals are resilient plants that tolerate a wide range of growing conditions. But some have preferences for more or less sun, and these specialists allow you to dress up such areas for maximum impact.

### Planting in the sun

Full-on, warm sunshine inspires many annuals to grow robustly and generate loads of flowers. You can always tell if a sun-loving annual isn't getting enough light, because its stems become leggy and lean toward the light source, and flower production is disappointing. So let them have it! How much is enough? Six to eight hours a day suits most. My favorite annuals for sun include cosmos, nasturtiums, zinnias, marigolds, and cornflower.

### Planting in the shade

Banish gloom in your yard's dim and tree-shaded areas with shade-loving annuals. Plenty do just fine in shade. Indeed, their flowers last longer without the stress of the sun beating down on them. White and yellow flowers really add sparkle, individually or massed. My favorite annuals for shade include tuberous and fibrous begonias, impatiens, and torenia.

If your shade areas have poor soil or are laced with tree and shrub roots, don't despair. Instead, just display the plants in pots, setting them here and there or in clusters. Or dig holes in the ground and stick the plants — pots and all — in the hole. Doing so makes changing them out easy, too. (A clever idea: Hook hanging baskets over tree branches and fill them with shade- tolerant annuals.)

## Getting annuals in the ground

Annuals are simple to plant. Just follow the label directions for spacing, a nd dig a hole deeper and wider than the root ball. Add some compost to the hole or mix the native soil with organic matter (see Chapter 4 for details). If desired, you can add some dry fertilizer in the planting hole and water it in, or you can fertilize the annual after planting (check out the upcoming "Fertilizing" section).

Annuals are most frequently sold in _market packs,_ in which six or so plants are each in separate cells. Merely turn the pack upside down and gently push each plant out of its cell from the bottom. Don't pull them out from the top because the stem may break off from the roots. After removing the plants from the packet, plant them in the ground so that their rooting mass is slightly below the soil surface. Firm the soil around the plants and then water them in well.

## Feeding the Flower Power: Taking Care of Annuals

Although annuals are usually so full of gusto and not much slows them down as they hurtle from spring planting into the summer months, don't assume they're no-care plants. Low-care, yes, but not to be neglected. Attend to their basic needs, and they'll do you proud. Pamper them a little, and your yard can be a showpiece.

## Watering

Sufficient water is always important for growing plants, but even more so for productive annuals; consider it fuel for the ongoing show. Moisture hydrates the roots, plumps up the leaves, makes buds swell and open, and sustains the flowers. Don't allow your annuals to wilt before being revived or they'll be stressed out and unable to perform their best. Regular watering is ideal. Keep the following in mind when setting up a watering schedule for your annuals:

  **Spring watering:** If your area gets normal, drenching spring rainfall, your newly transplanted-into-the-garden annuals may not need supplemental water from you. But remember how important early watering is — it encourages the roots to gain a foothold in their new home before the plant can properly turn its attention to growth and flowering. So water on day one and keep an eye on things in the ensuing days and weeks.

  **Summer watering:** Established annuals tend to be pretty tough and often forgive your watering lapses. But they'll certainly be healthier and look much better if you give them water at regular intervals and nurture them through periods of drought.

  **Fall watering:** In some areas, rainfall may take care of your annuals at this time of year. But if not, continue to water as needed so your annuals look terrific right up to the finish line (the first frost).

Your best watering methods **** depend on how many annuals you have and how close together they are. Options range from a gentle spray from a watering can to soaker hoses to a sprinkler. Watering in the morning hours is best so the water can soak in and hydrate the annuals through the hot midday.

## Fertilizing

Strictly speaking, fertilizing annuals isn't necessary, but for best performance, it's highly recommended. Remember, annuals are high-energy plants that respond impressively if you fertilize them regularly. See Chapter 4 for more information on fertilizing.

The effects of adding plant food can be dramatic but not instant. Keep an eye on your annuals for a week or two or even three before concluding that you've given them enough.

By and large, annuals lap up nutrients eagerly and use this extra nutrition to produce more and healthier growth and to bloom like gangbusters. So you'll be amply rewarded for your efforts!

## Mulching

A layer of mulch 1 or 2 inches deep around the base of your annuals is a great idea. Mulch keeps encroaching weeds at bay and conserves soil moisture. Plus it looks nice! Favorite mulching materials include bark chips, shredded bark, straw, pine needles, grass clippings, and cocoa hulls. Keep the mulch at least an inch away from the stem of the plant to keep insects and disease from getting into the plant. For more info on types of mulch, flip to Chapter 4.

## Grooming

Like any other garden plant, an annual looks better if you stop by every now and then and give it some personal attention — some grooming. Annuals soon replace pinched-off bedraggled leaves with new ones.

Plant diseases and insects are harbored in wilted, browned, spotted, or yellowed leaves (indeed, pests and disease may have caused the damage). So always get rid of those unhealthy leaves when you see them, and don't forget to scoop up any that have fallen at the base of your plants. Such tidiness can arrest a problem or even clear it up.

You can get more flowers through _deadheading,_ or removing spent blossoms. Annuals aim to go to seed, and when you cut flowers for bouquets or remove spent blossoms, you're thwarting this natural process. The plant responds by generating more buds and flowers. If you're diligent, the plant may never get a chance to go to seed.

## Dealing with annual pests

Annuals that were healthy when you brought them home and that you planted in an appropriate spot with adequate moisture rarely develop any problems. Annuals are pretty tough by nature. That said, sometimes one or many hungry bugs show up to dine on your display. This section gives you the basics on the most common culprits, along with some advice on how to battle them. Of course, if things get bad enough, you can just yank out the plants and buy new ones — though just to be safe, put the replacements in a different spot.

### Aphids

Aphids come in all colors and are often prevalent, so people tend to worry about them too much. It's easy enough to rub these plant-sucking insects out, literally, by squishing them with your fingers. Or hose them off with a strong spray of water. Some companies sell ladybugs as natural aphid controls, though ladybugs aren't too dependable — keeping them in your yard is a challenge.

### Cutworms

Cutworms are actually moth larvae. These little fellows rest in your garden soil by day and emerge at night to dine on your annuals, especially newly planted, juicy ones. A clever and safe control is to press a collar of cardboard (a six-ounce tuna fish or cat food can works well as a template) around the plants. The collar should go 1 to 2 inches into the ground and 2 or 3 inches above ground level; the natural growth of your annuals may soon hide this barrier from view.

### Japanese beetles

If you live east of the Mississippi, you've probably seen Japanese beetles — they're approximately fingernail-size and copper-colored, with green heads and legs. They eat all plant parts, though chewed-up leaves are their hallmark. Hand-pick Japanese beetles (a great money-making project for your kids!) and drown them in a bucket of soapy water.

### Slugs and snails

Ravenous and disgusting creatures, slugs and snails can decimate your annual flowerbeds and even get into container displays. If you don't catch these pests in the act, you'll certainly spot their giveaway slime trails. These critters are mainly active at night and especially relish damp conditions.

Watering early in the day and spacing plants so they aren't crowded may help, but sterner measures are necessary if you have many snails and slugs and they persist. You can set traps that you buy down at the garden center or set out pie trays of cheap beer. Alternatively, protect your plants with barriers of copper strips or sharp diatomaceous earth (fossilized algae — again, available where gardening supplies are sold) — slugs and snails won't cross these. A relatively harmless pelletized form of iron phosphate sold as Sluggo is a safe and effective control.

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Don't pour salt on slugs; salt can damage your plants. Also, some slug and snail products, like metaldehyde and iron sulfate, can be poisonous to pets. Opt for the safer controls first.

### Spider mites

You may not spot the actual culprits — spider mites are really tiny reddish, brownish or yellow spider-like pests — but you will see their webs on the leaves of your annuals. These pests are particularly prevalent when the weather is hot and the soil is dry. Combat them by picking off and destroy-ing affected foliage; rinsing or spraying surviving leaves; or spraying with insecticidal soap.

##### Chapter 7

## Growing Perennials: Plants That Make a Comeback

### In This Chapter

  Examining perennials

  Designing a perennial garden

  Getting perennials of your own

  Putting plants in the ground for the long haul

  Keeping perennials happy

Perennials are flowering plants that are meant to last — several years, at least, and sometimes much longer. So ideally, they're a wise and practical "one-time investment," unlike the annuals you have to buy and replant every year; therein lies their great appeal and value.

Yes, you may have detected a note of hedging. Perhaps you've even heard the old gardener's joke: "A perennial is a plant that had it lived, would've bloomed year after year." After you go to the effort of acquainting yourself with handsome perennials and bringing them home, you sure don't want them to totally miss the boat and turn out to be expensive annuals!

Don't worry. Get your perennials off on the right foot and give them the care they need to thrive (it's perfectly easy), and you won't be disappointed; you'll be thrilled. This chapter can arm you with the basics so you can be a successful and happy perennial gardener!

## Looking at Perennials, the Repeat Performers

The broadest definition of a _perennial plant_ simply states that it's a _herbaceous,_ or non-woody, plant — as opposed to, say, a shrub or tree (see Chapter 11) — that last a couple years or more. Perennials, like lilies and daffodils, can be bulbs (Chapter 8 contains info on bulbs). Herbaceous perennials are plants that have foliage that dies back to the ground, and new foliage and shoots sprout from their overwintering roots next spring.

Perennial plants are a wonderfully varied group, quite possibly the most varied group a gardener can work with. No matter where you live and what your growing conditions are (climate, soil type, sun or shade), you have plenty of plants to choose from. So which perennials should you include in your garden? Start off by knowing which general group can work best for you: hardy perennials or tender perennials.

## Hardy perennials

The broad group of hardy perennials is justly popular in colder climates (they're generally appropriate for gardens in USDA Zones 3–8 — see Chapter 3 for details on hardiness zones). These plants emerge each spring, producing foliage and flowers. Come fall, their top growth dies down and the show is over for the year. But the roots live on underground, waiting to revive and do it all again when warm weather returns.

Popular examples of hardy perennials include aster, columbine, coneflower, daylily, delphinium, mums, penstemon, peony, phlox, and Shasta daisy.

## Tender perennials

Contrary to popular belief, the upper parts of the Northern Hemisphere don't have the corner on perennials. Lots of plants from milder climes (say, USDA Zones 8, 9, 10, and warmer, right on into the tropics) meet the perennial description. These repeat performers burst forth in warm spring weather, enjoy the summer months, and slow down or die down in the fall, roots still very much alive. They return in glory when the year cycles around to springtime again.

Obviously, you can grow tender perennials with impunity if you're in a mild-climate area. However, everyone else can enjoy them, too: Gardeners just have to get the tender treasures through winter, because these plants can't tolerate or survive cold temperatures. (See the section titled "Preparing perennials for winter," later in this chapter, for details.) Or certainly, you can leave your tender perennials in the garden to perish over the winter — which makes them, essentially, annuals and means you may ending up buying new ones next spring.

Popular examples of tender perennials include angelonia, coleus, gerbera, impatiens, and pentas.

## Planning Long-Term Strategy for Your Perennial Garden

So many great perennials, so much variety is available that one of the great joys — and challenges — of growing them is combining different kinds of perennials in plantings. But because different perennials bloom at different times, and because of the relatively slow growth of perennials (compared to annuals), perennial gardening usually involves some advance planning so you can get the most bang for your buck and get the exciting look you want, when you want it.

Don't be intimidated. If you're displeased with a result, you're still in better shape than a painter. Instead of throwing out the canvas, you can simply pull out or move a plant and even replace it with something else until the result looks great. And while you're waiting for perennials to take hold, you can fill in the bare spots with some annuals (see Chapter 6) or bulbs (Chapter 8).

That said, perennial gardening doesn't have to be a hit-or-miss operation. You can gather information from others, using their knowledge and ideas. Copy or approximate what you like, or borrow a good idea as a jumping- off point. Inspiration is all around you — in books, gardening magazines, and other gardens, both public and private. Above all, have fun! Perennial gardening is a very enjoyable hobby, with a broad and forgiving learning curve.

## Choreography: Timing perennial blooming

Although some perennials bloom all summer long, just like your favorite annuals, others do not. They have a period of glory that peaks for a week or several weeks, and then the show subsides.

Gardeners have lots of ways to find out in advance when a perennial will bloom and for approximately how long. Look it up in a gardening reference book. Do research on the Internet. Check a print or online gardening catalog (bearing in mind, however, that some merchants may exaggerate!). Look on the tag or label. Ask a garden-center staffer or someone who's a member of a gardening club. Best of all, ask someone in your area who's already growing your perennial of choice, because performance varies by climate and even soil conditions.

Nature being as flexible and fickle as it sometimes is, your show may run longer or shorter than you originally planned, or you may end up with some overlap. However, coordinating plants to share the stage at _approximately_ the same time works. You can fine-tune later, after you've basked in your early successes.

Perennials fall into several different categories of bloomers. See Table 7-1 for a rundown of perennials in terms of when they bloom.

Table 7-1 When Perennials Bloom Blooming Time  | Description  | Examples
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Spring bloomers  | These babies are quick studies. They  | Basket-of-gold,
| tend to emerge with the bulbs, gener-  | bleeding heart,
| ating colorful flowers early in the  | columbine, forget-
| growing season. Afterwards, the  | me-not, hellebore,
| foliage may remain for a while or die  | lady's mantle, and
| down completely until next year.  | Solomon's seal
Early summer  | Plant these plants to bridge the gap  | Peonies and poppies
bloomers  | that sometimes occurs between the  |
| first splash of spring and the full-on  |
| summer flowers.  |
Midsummer  | The glory of high summer! Midsummer  | Black-eyed Susan,
bloomers  | bloomers begin growing with warm  | crocosmia, daylilies,
| weather and finally show off their  | Shasta daisy, and
| flowers when summer is in full swing.  | hardy geranium.
Late summer–  | These flowers are a welcome sight  | Astilbe, boltonia, and
fall bloomers  | just when the weather seems too hot  | Japanese anemone
| and the garden looks tuckered out.  |
Fall bloomers  | The gardening year's last hurrah can  | Aster, dahlia,
| be quite colorful, and if you have bright  | goldenrod, mum,
|  fall tree foliage, the combined effect  | and sedum
| can be really fabulous.  |
All-summer  | If all the planning you want to do is for  | Bellflower, blanket
perennials  | a show of long-term color, try planting  | flower, coneflower,
| all-summer perennials. Mix and match  | coreopsis, daylily,
| various colors and forms as you like.  | evening primrose,
| Note that these plants tend to be sun-  | gaura, hollyhock
| lovers, so prepare a spot in an open  | mallow, Jupiter's
| area of good soil, and take good care of  | beard, veronica,
| them so they can do their best for you.  | and yarrow

## The living palette: Keeping colors in mind

As with annuals (please see Chapter 6), color is one of the best parts of perennial gardening — the fun, creative, and satisfying part! Realize that for any given plant that you like, it probably comes in different flower colors (and sometimes, as with the numerous hostas, in different leaf colors), which gives you even more options. There are few absolute color rules today, but please see Chapter 6 for ideas on the types of color combinations you'd like to try.

## Designing perennial beds and borders

The most common way to display perennials is together, in a large flowerbed or, space permitting, a long border of either meandering form or with firm boundaries. Quite honestly, these methods of growing perennials are purely practical: You can prepare the soil, plant them together, and care for them together (see the upcoming sections "Planting Perennials" and "Show the Love: Taking Care of Your Perennials").

Here are some basic layout tips and techniques that the professional garden designers use, easily transferred to your own garden (for additional planning advice, flip to Chapter 2):

  **Plan to be in scale.** Some sense of proportion between your home, garage, and/or shed (whatever's nearest to the proposed perennial garden) is key. A big house, for instance, does best with wider beds and taller plants; a smaller one is better served by a series of smaller beds and lower-growing plants.

  **Match garden style with structures.** A casual bungalow, cottage, or one-level home likes an informal perennial garden, with wavy-edged boundaries; a larger or more imposing home, or one with strong architectural elements and lines, needs a more formal, straighter-edged approach.

  **Try a dress rehearsal:** Lay out the lines of your proposed garden in advance with a hose, outdoor electrical cord, rope, or even chalk or flour. Set potted plants or lawn chairs or whatever here and there within its bounds as stand-ins (these items should match the perennials in terms of mature height and bulk, not the size of the plants you buy); stand back and assess. Tinker with the plan until you're satisfied, and then sketch it on paper so you can remember it on planting day.

After you have your layout planned, you're ready to begin your plant selection. In addition to choosing plants for the bloom times and colors, take these points into consideration when choosing your plants:

  **Consider height and width.** Perennial gardeners have to be patient and be able to imagine the future because new plants are small. Find out your chosen plants' expected mature sizes and allow them enough elbow room in your plan. Plan to position taller-growing plants to the back of a traditional border or the center of an island bed; array lower growers at their feet. If you need help visualizing, some software programs let you see what your garden will look like as plants mature.

  **Mix it up.** Nature loves diversity, and the variety looks great — it keeps the eye moving even as it lets individual plants stand out. So intersperse a variety of plant forms, from spiky ones to mound-formers.

  **Match the plant to the growing conditions.** Save yourself a lot of grief and wasted money and effort by choosing plants that are clearly labeled as sun-lovers or shade-lovers, as the case may be in your intended site. Figure 7-1 gives you an example of a shade garden, and Figure 7-2 shows a sun garden plan, each with appropriate plants labeled for the two different types of gardens.

As for soil conditions, some perennials like the dirt rich and moist; others like it dry and only moderately fertile. Do your homework here, too. (Of course, you can improve or alter the existing conditions if you like. See Chapter 4 for advice.) If you have a dry garden, you may want to consider the plan in Figure 7-3. Or if you have very rocky soil, you can take advantage of the situation by creating a perennial rock garden.

**Figure 7-1:** If you have a shade-filled area for planting, such as one beneath a group of trees, try a garden plan such as this one.

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**Figure 7-2:** If your yard gets a lot of direct sunlight, here's a garden plan that will truly give you a great day in the sun!

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**Figure 7-3:** Dry gardens can still be beautiful with the right plants, like the drought-tolerant perennial beauties included in this plan.

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## Finding and Buying Perennials

If you have a clear idea of which plants you want, you're ready to go get them. You can acquire a perennial plant in many different ways, but I cover the most common methods in this section.

Very few gardeners grow perennials from seed — it takes too long, and most gardeners want only a few plants of each variety. Besides, the best varieties today are clones, and you can't grow them from seed.

## To the market: Getting perennials in containers

You can usually purchase partially grown perennial in pots, and they come in a variety of pot sizes, from a mere 2 inches on up to 5 gallons. Both mail-order nurseries and local retailers sell perennials in containers (see the next section for info on mail-order perennials). The larger the plant is, the more mature — and expensive — it is, and the more immediate your gratification; however, a smaller plant can catch up quickly if you plant it in an appropriate site and give it good care. Consider also how big of a hole you want to dig.

Here are some important ideas to remember so you can be sure of getting a good potted plant:

  **Buy a healthy plant.** Examine the entire plant:

• Look above and below the leaves as well as along the stems for signs of insect or disease damage. A few yellowing leaves are fine.

• Examine the crown for signs of rot (no good, obviously) and fresh new shoots (very good).

• Pop the plant out of its pot and examine the roots. They should be crisp and viable, often white or brown, not wiry, wry, limp, or black. Avoid pot-bound plants.

  **Choose a plant that's not yet in bloom.** Some growers force plants into early bloom so they'll look good at the stores, but don't be seduced! The trip home in your car or adjusting to the transplanting process often causes blossoming perennials to jettison expendable growth; in other words, they ditch petals and unfurling buds.

If your new plant sheds its flowers on the way home, make sure you plant the perennial well and care for it; it may bloom again soon enough. However, many perennials don't rebloom, so the show may be over until next year. You're best off choosing a plant that's conserving its energy.

  **Don't buy out of season.** Bargain perennials aren't always a bargain. Those plants for sale in midsummer have a stressful time of establishing themselves; fall-planted ones may do just fine or may succumb to winter's cold (see "Fall planting" ahead).

  **Have a few alternatives in mind.** You can't always get what you want, but with all your options, you should be able to find something that works.

## Buying perennials through mail-order

Buying through mail-order can be very convenient. You can shop from a catalog or on a Web site in the dead of winter or in the middle of the night in your jammies. Also, you can spend plenty of time thinking over your plans. After all, mail-order companies often carry a broader range of varieties than local providers do. And after you order your plants, you get them delivered to your door at the right time to be planted — all without standing in line!

Just make sure you pick out a company that's been in business for a while, that's able to answer your phone or e-mail questions, and that your gardening friends have had good experiences with. You can start your search with some of the companies I list in the Appendix.

The following sections outline how the plants may look after their trip. Or you can check out "Preparing for the actual planting" for info on how to treat the plants after they arrive.

### Potted plants, ready for action

Some mail-order nurseries ship small perennials in small pots. If you get a live-plant shipment, open it immediately upon arrival, even if you're not going to plant anything that very day. Inspect the plants as I describe in the preceding section, and quarantine any plants of questionable quality. Call the nursery immediately if you see a problem so you can work out a refund, merchandise credit, or replacement.

Small potted plants aren't necessarily baby perennials. Such young plants take too long to grow, and mail-order nurseries want you to jump right in and enjoy your garden. So the small plants nurseries ship out tend to be 2-year-old, field-grown plants that have simply had a "haircut" of the top growth prior to shipping. A good, strong root system is just what you want. Don't worry: Fresh, new top growth will soon follow!

### Their roots are showing: Dormant, bareroot perennials

Bareroot perennials are the typical mail-order product. Selling perennials this way is simply more practical for some plants for a variety of reasons. For instance, baby's breath and baptisia have root systems that are sensitive to being moved in and out of the ground and various pots too many times. Other perennials, like daylilies and peonies, have large roots systems that don't fit well in smaller pots. These bareroot plants are also dormant and lightweight, which makes shipping cheaper and less risky.

Like potted mail-order plants, bareroot ones are usually 2-year-old, field- harvested plants. They were probably dug up the previous fall, just as they became dormant, and kept in climate-controlled cold storage until spring-shipping season. Bareroot plants consist of a hearty root system and some trimmed-down stems; little or no leaf growth should be evident.

## Acquiring free divisions from other gardeners

If you're a practical or frugal person, you may gladly accept gift plants from friends and neighbors. Usually, free divisions are surplus plants, which means that these plants have been growing a little too well in their garden of origin. This is good news for you — it means the plants are in robust good health, and it also means that sort of plant probably really thrives in your area.

You can also obtain divisions from mature plants already growing in your yard if you're creating a new gardening bed or expanding an old one. See the section "Dividing perennials" for information on how to separate your plants, and check out "Preparing for the actual planting" for advice on how to treat your divisions after you receive them.

## Planting Perennials

Perennials are probably the hottest topic these days among garden enthusiasts and plant suppliers. As a result, information about how to select and plant them abounds. Reputable garden centers have knowledgeable salespeople, and universities, garden centers, and public libraries sponsor various workshops and lecture programs about them. If you need more information than you find in the sections ahead, check out these sources and the books in your public library or local bookstore.

## Figuring out where to plant perennials

Good news — there's a perennial for almost any growing situation your yard can dish up. Make a match between the conditions you have to offer and the known characteristics of a plant, and you're halfway there. A little care from you on planting day and beyond, and your perennials are sure to thrive.

### Sunny locations

Lots of perennials adore sunshine. They grow more compactly when they get enough sun (as opposed to becoming lanky or leaning towards the light source), and they produce more and better flowers.

_Full sun_ means six or more hours per day. If you have to choose between a spot with morning sun and a spot with afternoon sun, most sun-loving perennials seem to do better with the afternoon site. This situation varies somewhat on your climate. If you live in the deep South, a plant that grows best in full sun in a Northern climate may perform better in a spot protected from hot, late afternoon sun.

Because sun can be drying, either choose dryland natives or help out the plants with regular watering and a moisture-conserving mulch around their root systems.

Favorite sun perennials include artemisia, armeria, basket-of-gold, blanket flower, coneflower, coreopsis, delphinium, gaura, lavender, penstemon, peony, sea holly, and yarrow.

### Shady spots

Judging from many gardening books and magazines, a beautiful garden is full of sunshine and flowers, and those of us with shade are doomed to a dull and boring display. Not so! Many perennials prefer shade, prospering in a range of conditions ranging from deepest woodland gloom to areas of dappled or filtered light to those that get morning sun and afternoon shade.

Not only that, but many plants appropriate for shade have beautiful leaves — you can find amazing variety in shape, texture, and even color. And you may be pleasantly surprised to hear that plenty of shade plants produce attractive flowers.

Shade is actually a benefit to many plants. Lack of direct sun means their leaves look healthy and lush, without burned edges or tips, without drying out or wilting. Sunlight also tends to bleach out the beauty of variegated leaves (leaves that are marked or rimmed in white, cream, or gold), whereas in shade, such foliage thrives and lights up the scene. Shelter from the sun's hot rays also preserves flower color.

Favorite shade perennials include ajuga, astilbe, bergenia, bleeding heart, brunnera, coral bells, corydalis, many ferns, goatsbeard, hellebore, hosta, lady's mantle, lamium, lily-of-the-valley, lungwort, Solomon's seal, and sweet woodruff.

### Dry soil

If sandy, gritty, or fast-draining soil is your lot, a fabulous perennial garden is still possible. Save yourself a lot of blood, sweat, and tears by working with what you have. Sure, digging in some organic matter at planting time (and on an annual basis) is good advice that you should follow when you can, but your gardening life can be a lot easier if you go native. You don't have to pour on water you don't have, and you may be delighted with the easy maintenance and attractive look.

That's right: Go native. Perennials native to dry ground are your best bet. Before you protest that they aren't attractive or are probably weeds, take a fresh look. Peruse the offerings at a local nursery that specializes in indigenous plants. Visit a public garden or botanic garden with displays of natives. _Your eyes will be opened._ Botanists and horticulturists feel your pain and have been working hard over the years to find out which ones adapt best to gardens and which ones are prettiest. There are even selections or cultivated varieties (cultivars) that are significant improvements over their wild parents — new flower colors and bigger, longer-lasting flowers on more-compact, handsome plants.

Favorite dry-soil perennials include black-eyed Susan, blanket flower, baptisia, butterflyweed, evening primrose, gaura, penstemon, phormium (a tender perennial in most regions), and yarrow. And don't overlook cacti and succulents — a well-stocked local or mail-order nursery can convince of their astounding range and beauty.

### Wet soil

Soggy, boggy ground is usually written off as a lost area or liability. But what if that damp side yard, wet back forty, or perpetually muddy roadside ditch were to come alive with handsome leaves and blooming color? It's certainly possible. A host of plants actually like wet feet; a little research can point you to the ones that are a match for your problem-spot's conditions.

You may have to wade in prior to planting and get the spot ready. Bring your rubber boots and create a hospitable open area with gusto and determination! Yank out most or all the existing vegetation so it doesn't compete with the desirable incoming perennials. If warranted and practical, dig a drainage trench to route excess water away from the spot. Perhaps dig in some organic matter to improve soil fertility and drainage, if only a little.

After you've planted the area with appropriate moisture-loving perennials, not much more should be required. The plants' basic need — water — is already present. If the plants are happy, they'll increase over time, reducing the need for weeding or indeed, any intervention on your part. If they grow too lushly, why, you can rip out and discard or give away the extra plants.

Cardinal flower, daylilies, forget-me-not, Japanese primrose, marsh marigold, and turtlehead are good plants for wet soil. Don't apologize for the wet soil: Go ahead, call it a bog garden! And if you're ambitious, make the boggy area the entry to a new water garden — see Chapter 17 for details on ponds.

### Clay soil: Soggy soil at its worst

If your yard has clay soil, you already know it. Slick and soggy in wet weather and nearly impenetrable in dry, clay soil is actually composed of lots of densely packed, very tiny particles. Clay leaves little space for air and water to circulate, and the result is heavy ground that drains poorly. Needless to say, many perennials — or rather, their roots — have a hard go of it in such conditions (and so does your shovel or trowel, for that matter).

Clay soil does have some advantages, believe it or not. It's often fairly fertile because it holds nutrients and water so well. And of course, it's slower to dry out in hot weather, which can help your plants.

At any rate, if clay is your lot in life, you have three options:

  **Improve the soil's structure.** Add organic matter. Doing so can help lighten and aerate the area, making it more hospitable to perennials and other plants and allowing water to drain away better. Dig organic matter in often and deeply — compost and/or well-rotted manure are up to the job. (For details on soil improvement, check out Chapter 4.)

  **Go with what you have.** Plant clay-tolerant perennials, such as beebalm, cardinal flower, chrysogonum, epimedium, many ferns, galax, gunnera, Japanese iris, Japanese primrose, marsh marigold, or myosotis.

  **Bypass it.** Grow your perennials in raised beds (see Chapter 13) or pots (Chapter 16).

## Deciding when to plant perennials

Perennials tend to be rather tough and forgiving plants in terms of picking the right time to plant them, but generally, most people plant perennials in either the spring or the fall.

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Perhaps the best way to know when to plant perennials is to know when _not_ to plant them. For example, avoid planting perennials in stressful conditions, or you will, as the saying goes, reap what you sow. No-no times include

  Any blazing hot day

  Any time of drought

  Any time when frost is predicted

  Any time when the ground is soggy or still frozen

  Right after a deluging storm or flood

Read on for some seasonal planting advice.

### Spring planting

Springtime is the preferred time to plant perennials for good reason. All the conditions these plants relish and respond to are in place: warming soil, warm sunshine, longer days, moist ground, and regular rainfall. Roots quest into the ground, taking up water and nutrients to fuel growth, and _top growth_ — foliage, stems, and flowers — surges forth.

When getting ready for spring planting, make sure you do the following:

**1.** **Harden the plants off.**

Just like you wouldn't plunk a new goldfish into its tank without letting it adjust to the temperature, you don't want to give your perennials an environmental shock. Let new plants adjust to life outdoors for a few days or a week by sitting them in a sheltered spot, such as on the porch or against the semi-shady side of the house. Start the plants off for just a few hours, and increase the time until they're outdoors 24/7. (But bring perennials indoors or cover them if there's a threat of a late frost.) Cover them with single layer of newspaper to reduce the light intensity and wind exposure.

**2.** **Choose a cool, cloudy, or damp day to plant, or plant in late afternoon.**

The hottest part of the day (midday to early afternoon) is a bit stressful to both you and the plants!

**3.** **Plant in good soil, create a basin of soil or mulch around each plant, and give a good, soaking watering.**

Check that the water drains in where you want it.

**4.** **Mulch after planting.**

Not only does this step hold in soil moisture and moderate the effects of fickle, fluctuating spring temperatures, but it also keeps weeds at bay (they love to grow this time of year, too).

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Here are some things perennials find very unpleasant. During spring planting, do not

  **Handle the plants roughly.**

  **Plunk a root-bound plant into the ground.** Either tease apart the roots a bit or lightly score the sides with a sharp knife, which inspires new root growth. _Then_ you may place the perennial in its planting hole.

  **Plant perennials in waterlogged ground, or drench them right after planting.** A moderate dose of water is a needed drink; too much water prohibits oxygen from getting to the roots, and the plants literally drown or rot.

### Fall planting

Autumn turns out to be a fine time to plant many perennials in temperate climates. The soil and air are cooler now and sunlight is less intense, so the weather's less stressful for newcomer plants. Competition from weeds isn't likely to be a big problem, either.

In some regions, rainfall becomes more regular, too, which helps provide the moisture the perennials need to start good root growth. And their roots _do_ grow — the plants simply aren't programmed to start producing lots of new leaves or flowers at this time of year. Yes, the perennials will soon head into winter dormancy, but fall planting often gives these perennials a head start over their spring-planted counterparts.

When spring rolls around, you may notice the difference. The fall-planted perennials should be raring to grow, larger and more robust. You can expect a good show. All this, plus you won't have to elbow through crowds at the garden center. You now know something that many gardeners don't. Seize this opportunity!

Fall planting also applies to perennials you want to dig up and move to a new spot and to _divisions_ (strong, rooted pieces of overgrown plants).

When getting ready for fall planting, make sure you do the following:

  Buy good, strong plants. These plants have the best chance to establish themselves in your garden.

  Mulch a little at planting time, about 1/2 to 1 inch, to hold in soil moisture and warmth; mulch even more as winter arrives, another 2 or 3 inches after the ground freezes, to protect the plants during the cold months. (For more info on mulching options, see Chapter 4.)

  Cut back the top growth, just to further urge the plant to concentrate on root growth.

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Here are some things to _avoid_ during fall planting:

  **Fertilizing:** Fertilizing inspires a fresh spurt of young shoots and leaves, which are vulnerable to cold damage. You want perennials to enter their winter dormancy.

  **Plant late-bloomers:** Late bloomers (like asters, mums, black-eyed Susan, and perennial ornamental grasses) are better planted in spring.

Make doubly sure, before you find out the hard way, which plants relish fall planting and which do not. You can always double check at wherever you buy perennials in the fall. Reputable nurseries don't sell plants that resent being planted this time of year. Some fall-planting favorites are daylilies, peonies, oriental poppies, and rhizomatous iris (for info on plants with rhizomes and bulbs, see Chapter 8).

## Preparing for the actual planting

How to plant your perennials has a lot to do with how you acquired them, whether by mail-order, from the local nursery, or as a division from a fellow gardener.

If you purchased your plants mail-order as pots or bare roots, here's what to do when they're delivered to your home:

**1.** **Unpack immediately, and inspect the plants.**

As with potted ones, you want to be on the lookout for obvious problems of pests or rot. And you want to see crisp roots. You shouldn't see any green stem or leaf growth yet, or at least not much.

**2.** **Hold the plants in a cool, dark place until you're ready to plant them — perhaps for a few days or a week at the most.**

The refrigerator is also fine. Mist them lightly if they seem dry.

If you can't plant right away, pot them, water well, and care for them in a sheltered location.

**3.** **On planting day, rehydrate the roots by soaking them in a bucket of tepid water for a few hours.**

Here's how to handle plant divisions (see "Dividing perennials" for info on doing the separation):

  **Keep plant divisions moist.** Don't let them dry out! This idea is especially important if you're not prepared to plant the divisions in your garden right away. Place them in a plastic bag or box and sprinkle on some water or temporarily pot them; water well.

  **Clean them up.** Clip off or tug out weeds and limp, yellowing, or damaged foliage. Cut off flowering stalks (don't worry, they'll generate new ones soon enough). Right now, you just want to the divisions to devote their energy to establishing their roots in your yard.

  **Plant in a prepared area and keep an eye on them.** Don't just toss divisions on the ground and hope for the best, even if your friend characterized them as tough guys. They need time, water, and weeding to get their legs under them.

See the preceding section for seasonally specific planting tips. For advice on planting perennials that come from a local store or supplier, please review the planting instructions for annuals in Chapter 6.

## Show the Love: Taking Care of Your Perennials

Generally, perennials require the same type of care as annuals (see Chapter 6) with a few modifications that depend on the type and size of your perennials. Mature perennials can grow quite large and may require some help in staying upright, or they may need to be trimmed down or separated if they grow too large or crowded for their space. They also attract fewer pests than annuals, but they do attract the critters. Here I give you advice on how to handle all these basic perennial care issues.

## Supporting with stakes or rings

Because some perennials are tall, or tall and broad, a little support is a good thing. It not only keeps the plant more in bounds and manageable, but it also prevents the plant from keeling over under its own weight. You've been waiting for those flowers — don't let them cast downward or flop on the ground!

Using a stouter or larger support than you think you need never hurts — if your perennials are healthy and happy, they're probably going to need it.

Resourceful gardeners like to rig their own plant supports, and certainly, nothing's wrong with bending some old coat hangers or recycling sticks and stakes of various kinds, including tree branches or twigs. But your local garden center, home store, or favorite mail-order catalog may well have a perfectly affordable alternative, like the ones in Figure 7-4, saving you the time and effort.

Here are a few important tips to remember about using perennial supports:

  **Install early.** Press a _peony hoop_ (a ring on legs that's useful for many more perennials than just peonies) over the plant well before it reaches the hoop's height. This way, you can center the support right over the plant, and when the perennial does grow as expected, the stems, leaves, and flowers will froth over the hoop and hide it from view — without a struggle. Early installation also reduces the risk of damaging the root system as you poke the support in.

  **Press the support in deeply.** At first, the support may be equal to the job, but as the plant grows ever-larger, the stake or hoop may lean or slump. Anchoring the support deeply at the outset can make the support more stable and stronger. A foot or more into the ground is usually best, depending on the plant.

  **Help out with ties.** As the plant grows, check on it and fasten the stem or stems to the support at regular intervals. To avoid abrading the plant tissue, use soft material (not wire! Try string or cloth); if you loop it once around the stem and create a second loop for attaching to the support, the plant will be able to move in a breeze but still be held gently but firmly to its appointed place. (Use green string or cloth, and you'll hardly be able to see it.)

  **Be tidy!** Remove and store or discard the support at season's end. This step will also remind you to cut back the perennial (and mulch if your winters are cold). With a season's experience under your belt, you should now know whether the support is the right one for the job and thus worth saving or replacing. If you need something more substantial, add it to your springtime shopping list.

You really don't know whether a perennial needs support until you grow it. Whether a support is necessary depends not only on the type of plant but also on cultural conditions — a plant that may be self supporting in full sun in a protected location may need to be staked if grown in a shady spot or one with a lot of wind. Perennials that do need support need it every year.

## Practicing good grooming habits

Perennials look better with a little grooming, but don't feel you have to fuss over them constantly. Just remove dead or damaged stems, wayward ones or ones that are crowding others. The same goes for foliage that doesn't look good. And always clip or snap off stems at ground level (beheaded and short stems don't look good). You can pinch off smaller branching stems or individual leaves.

### Off with its head! Deadheading your plant

_Deadheading_ is just a gardening term that refers to the practice of removing spent flowers or flower heads. Not only does it leave your perennials looking nicer, but it also encourages more blooms. Deadheading works by thwarting the plant's natural inclination to go from flower to seed and thus finish up for the year. If you deadhead, the chemical messages that put that process in motion are stopped and the plant redirects its energies into making more buds and thus more flowers. You can keep a perennial in bloom a lot longer by doing this.

So make a habit of deadheading your perennials every time you walk by. Toss the faded flowers on the compost pile. Or bring your clippers along and cut bouquets while the flowers are still in their prime — cutting fresh flowers has the same effect as later deadheading!

**Figure 7-4:** Plant supports do more than support plants; they can also help them grow better and produce more blooms.

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Spring and summer, when perennials are growing, are the best times to groom. The grooming doesn't traumatize the plant, and new growth can soon fill in and hide your cuts.

## Dividing perennials

A number of perennials need periodic dividing. You know when yours do because the plants are growing in ever-denser clumps and the flower show isn't as prolific as it was in previous years. The interior of the clump, in particular, may become disappointingly unproductive.

Luckily, rejuvenation is both possible and easy! Just review Figure 7-5 and follow these steps:

**1.** **Dig up the clump, taking care to get as much of it as possible without damage.**

Most roots are in the top 12 inches of soil, and the root's mass will usually be the diameter the plant plus 3 to 6 inches beyond the plant. For digging and transplanting, going larger than this shouldn't be necessary.

**2.** **Cut or cleanly break the clump into two or more pieces (divisions), __ each with an obvious growing point and some roots.**

Work on the clump quickly so the plant parts don't dry out too much (you can cover them with a tarp or mist them occasionally if need be). Discard any unproductive portions and any shriveled or rotten parts. Leave the roots surrounded with the soil to protect the root hairs from drying out and becoming damaged.

**3.** **Replant the new pieces, some in the same spot and the others perhaps elsewhere in your yard (or give them away to other gardeners).**

Water the divisions in well, and look in on them regularly. They should generate new, smaller, vigorous plants.

**Figure 7-5:** Two different methods for dividing a perennial. The method on the right is recom-mended for plants with thick or dense root structures.

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Here are some tips for success:

  Good timing is important to give the new pieces the best chance of prospering. Early spring is usual, but you can divide some (notably poppies and peonies) in the fall.

  You can pry apart fibrous-rooted perennials with your bare hands; all others require sharp, strong, clean tools that are equal to the job: a stout knife, a trowel, even two spades or gardening forks braced back- to-back.

  Plant in good (fertile and well-drained) ground. Perhaps the original spot could use a dose of organic matter before you return pieces to it; when planting elsewhere in your yard, prepare a bed in advance so you can move quickly. See Chapter 4 for info on soil amendment.

## Preparing perennials for winter

If you live in a cold are and want to overwinter your tender perennials, simply dig up the roots or entire plant and bring it indoors to a nonfreezing spot to spend a few months as a dormant or semi-dormant houseplant. Pot the plants in any good soil and grow them in a cool (40–50°F) and bright area. Keep them barely moist. The idea here is to just keep them alive until you can plant them back outside after the danger of frost next spring. Then with warmer temperatures and brighter light, they'll spring back to life.

You can also trim and prune down your perennials and use mulch to protect them through the winter. See Chapter 4 for more information on mulch.

## Dealing with perennial pests and diseases

Good news — perennials aren't especially pest-prone. If they're growing in an appropriate spot with elbow room and you water regularly, they're in good shape. And healthy plants are your best defense against potential problems.

There are but a handful of common perennial-garden pests. Read on for their descriptions and some ways to control them:

  **Aphids:** These small whitish critters congregate on stems and nodes, sucking the life out of your plants. A strong spray from the hose can dislodge them. Ladybugs can also make a quick meal of aphids, so don't get rid of these helpers.

  **Black vine weevils (snout beetles):** In late spring and early summer, these critters are harmless pupae resting in your soil. Then the adults emerge and eat the foliage of dozens of perennials (and lay eggs for the next generation while they're at it). The telltale sign is notched leaf edges, especially lower down on the plant where the insects find more shelter. Starting in early fall, the newly hatched grubs eat roots.

Launch your counterattack in fall by releasing beneficial nematodes (roundworms), available from well-stocked garden centers and mail-order sources; apply according to label directions. Other pesticides are registered for controlling these creatures; check with you local Cooperative Extension Service agent for more information.

  **Leaf miners:** These bugs form brown or tan or clear traceries — tunnels or channels — on affected leaves but rarely kill the plant. Just remove and discard affected leaves, and the plant will generate new ones.

  **Root nematodes (roundworms):** Affected plants develop severely distorted growth. Rip the plants out and discard them before the problem spreads.

  **Voles:** These little rodents slip out of their underground tunnels when you're not looking and nibble on your perennials, especially the leaves but also roots, seeds, and bulbs. They're a bit larger than mice, with a shorter tail and smaller ears. You can try trapping them with a baited mousetrap, but the best deterrent is a cat who's a good hunter. Castor oil as a repellent works fairly well (see the "A slick trick for keeping out moles and voles" sidebar). You can also surround plants with small moats of sharp gravel.

As for diseases, they, too, are mercifully few on healthy perennials. You may encounter mildew or other fungal diseases. These problems appear as spots or a powdery coating on leaves, and severely affected plants may have distorted growth and buds that fail to open. If the problem is bad, tear out the plants or resort to spraying with a fungicide.

If fungal problems are chronic in your garden, your best line of defense is good air circulation, particularly in hot, humid summer weather. Also, be sure to pick off and discard sick leaves or clean up fallen affected leaves around the base of your plants. Regular, even watering right at the roots (that is, not splashing the leaves) is also wise.

Of course, an easy way to avoid both pests and diseases is not to grow vulnerable plants! You can deliberately seek out varieties touted as resistant.

### A slick trick for keeping out moles and voles

If you're having problems with moles (or other small animals), try using this formula to drive them out of your yard:

  1/4 cup castor oil

  2 tablespoons liquid detergent soap

  6 tablespoons water

Blend the castor oil and soap together in a blender (they won't mix properly otherwise). Add the water and blend again. Store this mix in a container till needed.

When you're ready to apply the solution to the area where the moles are active, mix 2 tablespoons of the solution into 1 gallon of water. Pour it into the problem area (all over the affected area, not just down the holes).

##### Chapter 8

## Brightening Up the Garden with Bulbs

### In This Chapter

  Finding out what bulbs are

  Planting different kinds of flowers together

  Selecting and purchasing bulbs

  Putting bulbs in the ground

  Caring for bulbs

Plant them, forget them, and wait to be surprised and delighted! Along with perennials, bulbs provide some of the earliest color in gardens. They can also provide some of the latest: Suppliers sell bulbs for all growing seasons — spring through fall — not just early spring. This chapter explores all you need to know about choosing, planting, and caring for these beauties.

## Shedding Light on Bulbs

A _bulb_ is a structure that grows underground; it stores food during its dormancy and then supplies energy for an emerging plant. You know what bulbs are if you buy onions or garlic at the grocery. Good ones are dense and have some heft to them, plus a thin papery skin for protection; as bulbs age, their robustness diminishes and they dry out. They sometimes begin to sprout the beginnings of green leaves out of their tops. Gardeners also consider foods like potatoes, sweet potatoes, ginger, and water chestnuts to be bulbs.

Garden bulbs are actually much the same as the ones at the grocery. Good ones have some plumpness and density because they're full of healthy, moisture-filled plant tissue. They really are a package of life! With the right conditions, and in time, they're sure to generate leaves — and the big payoff, gorgeous flowers.

## Defining terms: Bulbs aren't always, well, bulbs

When you shop for garden bulbs, you may immediately notice some variations on the underground-storage theme. The minor but key differences are worth knowing because they affect not only what sort of plants the bulbs produce but also how to divide them to get more plants. Here's a rundown of some of the plant structures that gardeners call bulbs:

  **True bulbs:** Bulbs are composed of concentric fleshy scales, or layers, which are actually modified leaves (see Figure 8-1). Yes, just like an onion. At the base of a true bulb is a _basal plate,_ the place from which the roots grow. Examples of true bulbs include allium (flowering onion), amaryllis, daffodil, hyacinth, and tulip. Interestingly, when you cut a bulb in half, you can see the future plant parts — stem, leaves, flowers.

Offsets that you can pry off and plant may appear (see Figure 8-2). In some cases, notably with lilies, you can grow new plants from individual scales.

  **Corms:** These structures resemble true bulbs somewhat, with a growing point on top and a basal plate at the bottom (see Figure 8-3). However, they don't have the clasping modified leaves; technically, corms are swollen underground stems. Also, they use up their store of food in one growing season — though new little _cormels_ (baby corms) often appear atop the old one to carry on. Examples include autumn crocus, crocus, crocosmia, freesia, and gladiolus.

**Figure 8-1:** As you can see from the protective layers in this cross-section, a bulb is really a plant in a protective package.

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**Figure 8-2:** True bulbs form offsets that you can pull apart to form more plants.

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**Figure 8-3:** Corms resemble true bulbs in many ways; this corm has little cormels at its base.

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  **Rhizomes:** Rhizomes are thickened stems that grow horizontally; the roots grow down from the underside (see Figure 8-4). The tip tends to have a primary growing point, though productive side-buds are common, and you can cut them off and plant the buds individually. Examples of rhizomes include agapanthus, bearded iris and many other irises, canna, and lily-of-the-valley.

**Figure 8-4:** Rhizomes grow sideways.

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  **Tubers:** Tubers are swollen stem bases. Roots grow from their sides as well as their bases, and you may see multiple productive buds. A classic example of a tuber is the potato. Other examples include most anemone, tuberous begonia, caladium, cyclamen, dahlia, and gloxinia.

The way to divide tubers varies by the type — dahlias, cyclamen, and gloxinia involve different methods. Generally, you want to cut the tuber so that each piece contains a bud.

  **Tuberous roots:** These structures are in fact roots, not modified stems (see Figure 8-5). Fibrous roots, like fingers, radiate outward from a central point. You can easily divide these roots to get more plants, making sure, of course, that each piece has at least one bud on it. Examples include alstromeria, clivia, eremurus, and ranunculus.

Many gardeners discuss the differences between hardy bulbs and tender bulbs. Unfortunately, making the distinction isn't easy, because a tender bulb in one climate (like Zone 4) may be a hardy one in Zone 7. Generally, _hardy bulbs_ can survive wintering in the ground without too much trouble, whereas _tender bulbs_ have to be dug up and stored. Your local nursery can help you determine which bulbs are considered hardy in your area.

**Figure 8-5:** Tubers roots look like swollen roots.

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## The time of the season: Looking at early and late bloomers

Many bulbs bloom in springtime — those bulbs are the most familiar and beloved to gardeners in cold-winter climates. However, fewer but no-less-pretty ones make their show in summer or even fall. See the next section for examples of these types of bulbs.

The terms _early, mid-season,_ and _late_ abound in bulb descriptions. All this naming system means is that some bulbs burst forth earlier rather than later — all during the springtime. A month or more of time can separate the first snowdrop from the first tulip or the first tulip from the last tulip. The expected bloom time is worth knowing so you can plan for continuous color or set up nice color duos or spectacular full-bed shows.

The reason people plant most spring-blooming bulbs in the fall is not just so the plants can get a head start on root growth. These bulbs also need a period of cold (so obligingly supplied by a winter in the ground) to maintain their biological clocks. The warmer, thawed-out but moist soil of spring, not to mention the warm sun above, coaxes them at last to burst into their full and glorious potential. In mild-winter regions, gardeners can buy some bulbs pre-chilled (these plants have a limited selection compared to all the spring-bloomers), or gardeners can refrigerate regular bulbs for a specified period (at least eight weeks) and then plant them in late winter or early spring.

## Getting acquainted with the most popular bulbs

You can find many different types of bulbs, but they all have one thing in common: They're packages of life just waiting to be planted. They differ from seeds in that they contain within them the beginnings of leaves, stems, and flowers. All they need is to be planted and watered, and the growth process can begin.

The common spring-flowering bulbs include tulips (Figure 8-6), noted for their impressive range of flower types and colors; daffodils, some of the most rugged and easiest to grow of all bulbs; and lilies, which, by planting different varieties, you can have blooming from late spring to early fall. Check out the color insert for a look at some of these bulb superstars, and see the following sections for advice on how to let them take the spotlight in your garden plans. In this chapter, I also introduce you to some less-known players that are well worth your while.

**Figure 8-6:** A tulip bulb, waiting to flower.

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## Social Mixers: Choosing to Combine Your Bulbs

A lone bulb isn't much of a show; nor, in truth, is a scattering or a row of a mere dozen. Bulbs are meant to be planted, enjoyed, shown off in generous numbers. The more, the merrier!

This need for company isn't just because bulbs are small plants. In fact, some plants can grow fairly tall and even sport big, dramatic flowers. The case for putting in lots of bulbs, in sweeps or mix-and-match displays, is compelling: The whole is inevitably greater than the sum of the parts. Flowering bulbs simply look fabulous in groups; their natural exuberance is multiplied.

Read on for some design ideas (for general info on designing a garden, go to Chapter 2).

## Combining various types of tulips

If the only tulips you know are the classic red ones lining a neighbor's walkway, you're in for a treat. The world of tulips is amazingly varied. You can find a wonderful range of hues, from royal purple to golden yellow to shell pink to pure ivory white; there are also many fabulous bicolors, especially the smashing red-and-yellow and pink-and-green ones. Forms also vary, from the popular goblet-shaped flowers (mainly the _Darwin hybrids_ ) to ones that resemble plush peonies or elegant lilies. Some tulips have flared or fluted petals or petals with fringed edges. Some are nearly knee-high; others are surprisingly low to the ground. All tulips are equally easy to grow.

But before you get carried away with an ambitious planting scheme, remember also that although tulips are always spring bloomers, they don't all bloom at the same time. You can find everything from "single early" to "double late" tulips, and you have to take these designations into account if you want your plans to work out. Check out the following tips for different types of displays:

  **For single-color displays:** Use a large quantity of the same exact tulip variety and plant closely.

  **For mixed-color displays:** Stick to a theme, such as pastel or bold colors. Tuck in a few bicolors that tie the display all together. Of course, if you have lots of space, going for the full rainbow can be fun, but to be effective, such a show needs to have a generous number of tulips in every hue.

  **For a longer-lasting show:** Research the bloom times so you get a range. Then mix up the varieties up throughout the display so it doesn't look unbalanced and so something is always in bloom.

  **For smaller areas or pots:** Choose tulips of different heights and place the taller ones in the middle. That way, you can distinguish each one, and the variety and complexity of the show gives it more splash.

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Don't plant your tulip display in a shady spot. Some spring bloomers don't mind, but tulips do.

## Mixing up your daffodils

Daffodils simply don't have the color range that tulips do, but they do offer a fresh elegance in their whites, creams, yellows, oranges, and near-pinks. Daffodils come in about a dozen different forms, too, which aficionados call _divisions._ These varieties include the ever-popular trumpet forms; little ones that bloom in clusters; daffodils with tiny, almost flat trumpets; and flowers with trumpets so plush with petals they hardly seem like a daffodil at all.

A great feature of daffodils is that nothing likes to eat them! Not squirrels, not mice, not voles, not rabbits, not deer!

And many daffodils are scented. Most have a light, sweet perfume that's not overpowering. (If you're after knock-your-socks-off fragrance, check out the jonquil type of daffodils.) To capitalize on fragrant daffodils, plant them in quantity so they can make an impression. Or at least plant enough so you can spare some for bouquets and enjoy that wafting sweetness indoors. Here are some tips for choosing daffodils:

  **For single-color displays:** Daffodils whose petals and trumpet are both the same color, all-white or all-yellow, make excellent massed displays, lovely in their simplicity. For a little more definition, you can seek out a few differently named varieties in the color you like. Varied forms can make such a display more intriguing.

  **For mixed-color displays:** A planting devoted entirely to yellow-and-orange bicolor daffodils is a lot of fun. You can tuck in a few solids just to keep things interesting. Another nice idea is to mix the white-petaled, so-called pink-trumpeted daffodils with some plain whites.

Blending all the colors and forms doesn't tend to work well, because the pastel daffodils jar against the bolder hues and a mix of varied forms often looks too busy.

  **For a longer-lasting show:** Situate daffodils in an area that gets part-day shade or filtered light.

  **For smaller areas or pots:** You're best off devoting a limited area to a single variety or two compatible ones. Miniature growing varieties are also a perfect choice.

Don't mix daffodils of differing bloom times. When a daffodil is done blooming, you need to let the leaves die down (so they can replenish the bulb's energy stores for next year's show). Having some yellowing or drying leaves among up-and-coming bloomers doesn't look good at all!

## Combining different kinds of bulbs

Ah, combining different kinds of bulbs is the most fun of all! A great coordinated burst of flowers is such a thrill to behold, especially after a long, cold winter. For maximum impact, you want a range of colors, sizes, shapes, heights, and bloom times. See Figure 8-7 for a mixed garden.

**Figure 8-7:** Interplanting a variety of bulbs to extend your bulb season from early spring to early summer.

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You can pull off this daring combination in two ways. The easy way is to buy the mixes offered by bulb merchants, often at quantity-discounted prices. The merchants do all the planning work for you; all you have to do is plant. If you're more of a do-it-yourselfer or you have some specific or creative ideas, by all means, research and make your own mix. All the information you need is on the bin or bag label or in the catalog descriptions. Exercise your creativity and design your own plan.

Here are few tips for success:

  **Make growing conditions as good as they can be:** (See the upcoming "How to plant bulbs" section; the needs of most bulbs aren't that different). With properly drained soil and good lighting conditions, bulbs have the best chance of performing their best.

  **Buy good bulbs and plant them promptly.** Cheap, poor-quality bulbs or ones that sit around drying out too long before going in the ground are bound to be a disappointment, thwarting your vision for a colorful display.

  **Planting at different depths is okay.** Different bulbs are supposed to be planted at different depths, so a mixed planting will be pocked with some deep and some shallow — like a holiday fruitcake. That's fine, just so long as you don't plant one bulb right over another (and even if you do, the lower one will probably find a way around the obstruction and poke up and bloom anyway). See Figure 8-8.

  **Casual is better than formal.** Mixed plantings that are laid out in neat patterns can be done, but they run the risk of looking rather stilted. A variety of bulbs cast about informally ends up looking livelier.

**Figure 8-8:** Planting bulb varieties in layers.

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### A daffodil by any other name . . .

What's the difference between a daffodil and a narcissus? None! _Narcissus_ is the Latin name for the genus common to all daffodils.

Jonquil, another common name ascribed to daffodils, is proper only when you're referring a particular type, or division (Division 7), of daffodil called _jonquilla._ Essentially, the name refers to the species _Narcissus jonquilla_ and its hybrids. These plants are the ones that have multiple flowers to a stem, and the blooms are usually very fragrant. In other words, all jonquils are daffodils, but not all daffodils are jonquils.

## The Search: Where to Get Your Bulbs

Making a successful, beautiful bulb display doesn't begin at planting time. It begins when you go bulb-shopping or bulb-swapping. Neighbors can be a great resource for extra bulbs when they're dividing their bulbs. But do be picky: Free bulbs aren't a bargain if they aren't strong and healthy.

Bulb quality can vary, so starting with good ones is important. Here's what to look for:

  **Appearance:** A fresh, good-quality bulb is plump and clean, without obvious damage to its outer layers. Avoid bulbs with disfiguring dents or blemishes, which can let in rot-inducing bacteria. Bulbs may contain a small amount of green penicillin mold, which is rarely harmful. Some bulbs, like anemone and ranunculus, always look dried up.

  **Heft:** Pick up a bulb and handle it for a moment. Then pick up a few others from the same basket or bin (of the same variety) and compare their weights. Bulbs that feel lightweight relative to their peers are likely to be dried out and not viable (they may even be last season's leftovers, for all you know). While you're at it, gently squeeze the bulb. A squishy texture indicates rot, but a good, firm feel means the bulb has sufficient moisture content.

  **Size:** With bulbs, bigger is better. A larger bulb has more stored reserves and therefore can produce larger and more flowers on more substantial stems. You get what you pay for; you can get incredible deals on bulbs, but they may be too young and small to bloom.

## Buying bulbs from home stores and nurseries

You can buy bulbs in so many places these days. If you're a novice and need some planting information, want top-size bulbs, and need help with your selection, garden centers and nurseries are often your best choice. Home centers have a reasonable selection but usually sell smaller bulbs, and they rarely provide much gardening information.

Here are the advantages of buying bulbs in person:

  **Instant gratification and impulse buying:** You can get the bulbs you want, or come across others that tempt you, and buy them on the spot.

  **Immediate planting:** Shopping and planting on the same day is an option if you have the time and are feeling gung-ho.

  **The chance to observe the bulbs:** You can handle the merchandise before buying, checking the bulbs' appearance, heft, and size.

And here are the drawbacks:

  **Poor storage conditions:** Normal display-rack or display-box conditions aren't ideal for bulbs. Some may dry out; others may sprout prematurely. The smaller the bulb, the faster it dries out. In spring, summer-blooming bulbs are often displayed in home stores weeks, if not months, before the soil is warm enough for planting them.

  **Lack of variety:** Selection isn't all that varied.

Buy spring-blooming bulbs early for late-summer to early-fall planting. That way, the bulbs will be fresh and in the best condition, and you'll have the biggest selection.

  **Questionable contents in the bin:** Bulbs may get into the wrong bin as customers pick through them. You may end up with the wrong color or a completely different type of bulb.

When selecting your bulbs, read bin or packaging labels with care so you know the names of what you're buying as well as something about the plants, like how tall they get, when they bloom, whether they grow in sun or shade, and how far apart and deep to plant them.

## Purchasing bulbs through mail-order

Sometimes you just don't have enough time to get to a retail store or you want a particular variety of bulb that's not commonly found in your local garden center or home supply store. This is where buying from a mail-order supplier can be a real advantage.

Here are the perks of sending away for your bulbs:

  **Quality:** Mail-order bulbs are frequently bigger and fresher. Every step of the way, from climate-controlled storage to the cushioned box they arrive at your door in, mail-order bulbs get premium treatment.

  **Selection:** Catalogs and Web sites devoted especially to bulbs are impressive: You can browse beautiful bulbs you've never seen at your local garden center. The selection of cutting-edge varieties also comes into play, because bulb merchants often work directly with Dutch growers to get the new and improved bulb varieties that sometimes aren't produced in enough quantity to be distributed by mass merchants.

Take a look at the disadvantages:

  **Wait time:** There's a lag between the time you place your order and the day you receive your bulbs.

When you order the bulbs matters. If you order bulbs in spring or summer to be sent the coming fall, you may wait many weeks. It you order them in the fall, delivery usually just takes a few weeks, sometime less. Wait time also depends on the supplier. If the seller has the bulbs in his or her warehouse in the U.S., the bulbs are usually shipped faster than if they have to be sent to you directly from Holland.

  **Inability to inspect the merchandise:** You can't handle or inspect your bulbs until they arrive. However, all reputable mail-order suppliers guarantee their wares and will replace bulbs or refund your money if the bulbs don't meet your expectations. Find and read the guarantee and return policies, just in case you have to use them.

Check out the resources in the Appendix at the back of this book if you'd like a list of some mail-order companies to consider. And look for deals — larger quantities and mixes are often discounted.

## Getting Down and Dirty: Planting Bulbs

There's a right time for everything in gardening. The general rule for bulbs is to buy and plant them as soon as they're available in the market. That's when bulbs are most viable.

## When to plant bulbs

Bulbs aren't instant-gratification plants. They need some time in the ground before they send forth stem, foliage, and flowers. But they're not inert when they're in the ground, of course. They're generating root growth, which will help nourish the show as well as anchor the plants in place.

The following sections explain what different types of bulbs require, depending on when they bloom.

### Planting spring-blooming bulbs

Spring-blooming bulbs require a chilling period. They're dormant when you get them and break dormancy only after the chilling. Winter conveniently supplies this necessary cold period! That's why you put the bulbs in the ground the fall before you want them to bloom.

### Planting summer-blooming bulbs

Most summer-bloomers, such as gladioli, calla lilies, dahlias, tuberous begonias, and crocosmias, love warm soil and toasty summer sun. If you garden in a mild climate (Zones 8 to 10 — see Chapter 3), you can plant these bulbs in the early spring and expect flowers by summer. If you garden in a colder area, early spring planting isn't feasible. Instead, wait until late spring or early summer — the same time locals plant tomatoes outside — or start bulbs early indoors in a warm spot and care for them until danger of frost has passed; then you can move the plants outdoors.

In either case, regular doses of all-purpose fertilizer (applied according to label directions) can nudge your plants into faster, more robust growth and more and better flowers.

To get flowers earlier and longer from these summer bloomers, visit a nursery in late spring or early summer (or place your order then with a mail-order house, either via catalog or Web site) and buy a larger, pre-started plant.

### Keeping your cool: The skinny on forcing bulbs

_Forcing_ bulbs may sound cruel, but the term merely means that you're encouraging the plants to bloom early by treating them in a special way. You can force potted bulbs into early bloom, but they still need 8 to 16 weeks to chill (generally the larger the bulb, the longer the chilling time). Place the bulbs in the fridge, in an unheated garage that doesn't freeze, on chilly basement stairs, or in a _cold frame_ (a wooden or concrete block box buried in the outside soil during the cold months). Some of the easiest and most popular bulbs to force are paperwhites.

As soon as you pot the bulbs you want to force, you have to keep them cool and the soil lightly damp. If the soil dries out, their roots won't form, and if the temperatures are too warm, the flower buds in the bulbs may end up being _blind_ or will _blast_ (they'll shrivel and never develop into full blossoms).

Forcing spring bulbs has two stages, and the first is the rooting period. For the rooting stage, place the potted bulbs in any cool (40–50°F), dark spot for 10 to 16 weeks. Some varieties take longer than others. Don't worry if the temperatures aren't in this range every day; the temperature range is just the ideal. The important point is that the bulbs are in a cool, not freezing, place to root. A refrigerator is perfect.

**Tip:** Before moving the potted bulbs to the next stage, look at the drainage holes in the pots. Roots should be growing out of the holes; if they aren't, put the potted bulbs back into a cool, dark area until they are. One of the most common ways people fail in this game is by not allowing the bulbs to root sufficiently before going to the next stage. Alternatively, the bulbs may be ready to come out of the big chill when you see at least an inch of top growth and the bulbs don't move when you try to wiggle them by hand.

After the bulbs are well-rooted, you can move them to the growing-on phase, where the foliage starts to grow and the eventually bulb blooms. First, you want the bulbs to adjust to warmer temperatures and higher light, so place the rooted bulbs in their containers in a cool, bright spot that's around 60°F for a few weeks. Remember to keep the soil lightly moist. Next, move the bulbs to an area that's slightly warmer — mid to high 60s — and very bright to finish the plant's growing-on cycle. A sunny, south-facing windowsill is fine. Turn the pots a quarter turn each day; otherwise, the stems will lean toward the light. You can also place the bulbs so their foliage is a few inches from a two-tube, or preferably four-tube, fluorescent light fixture.

The bulbs should bloom in about three to four weeks. The blossoms will last longer if you move the bulbs to a spot that's cool (in the lower 60s) and not quite as bright (without direct sunlight).

### Planting fall-blooming bulbs

Spring gets all the attention, to be sure, but some bulbs bloom in fall, and they're gorgeous and easy to grow — and they're a wonderful sight to behold when the gardening year is winding down. Among this group are the autumn crocus ( _Colchicum autumnale —_ no relation to true crocuses — or _Crocus speciosus_ ), winter daffodil _(Sternbergia),_ Guernsey lily _(Nerine bowdenii),_ saffron crocus _(Crocus sativus)_ , and even a species of snowdrops _(Galanthus reginae-olgae)._ If your local garden center doesn't have these, look for them in specialty bulb catalogs or on gardening Web sites.

Fall-blooming bulbs have a dormant period, too: summer. Thus, you ought to plant them in late summer — as soon as they're available — because the plants are ready to wake up. Some bulbs, like the autumn crocus, send up their leaves in spring and flower leaflessly in fall. Usually, these bulbs spring to life soon after planting — within a few weeks — though you'd best mark the spot so you don't forget them and plant something over them. In any event, the flowers will arrive on schedule.

## Where to plant bulbs

Bulbs are some of the least demanding of all plants, but they appreciate your efforts to give them as good of a growing area as possible (with well-drained soil); they may reward your efforts with years of bountiful flowers.

### Flowerbeds

Flowering bulbs are very happy in prepared flowerbeds. They receive the good, loose soil they relish and the elbow room they need. Here are two good approaches:

  **Bedding schemes:** Perhaps you've seen these beds in public display gardens: broad areas devoted to nothing but, say, tulips. The mass of color can be very impressive. You can prepare these flowerbeds at home. Pick a nice, open spot, choose a large amount of the same or very similar bulbs (in terms of color, height, and/or bloom time), and plant them fairly close together.

  **Mixed beds:** Bulbs are only part of the show in a mixed bed; they can share the stage with early-blooming perennials (Chapter 7), some colorful annuals (Chapter 6), and perhaps a few sheltering shrubs (Chapter 11). The overall show never declines: Whether you're waiting for the bulbs to burst into bloom or waiting for their fading foliage to die down, you always have something to look at and enjoy.

### Containers

Growing bulbs in containers handily solves every display problem. Individual plants can get exactly the sort of soil and planting depth they prefer. When the bulbs come into bloom, you can place them front and center on your porch or patio or even tuck them into a flowerbed and enjoy them at their peak. You can turn or elevate the container to show off the flowers to best advantage. And when the blooms and foliage begin to fade away, you can move the plants out of sight and replace them with pots of fresh reinforcements.

Something about a potful of blooming bulbs is so immediate and perky. They're right before your very eyes, cheerily delivering their jolt of color. You can line your front steps with them or place a pot in the middle of the patio table, like a living bouquet.

Pots dry out faster than garden-bed soil. Keep your potted bulbs watered. Consistent water (that is, every day or two instead only when the plants are gasping) leads to a healthier, longer-lasting show. Also, if you're in a cold climate, be sure to pot your bulbs in containers that can freeze without breaking, like plastic.

One drawback: In most climates, bulbs grown in containers are spent after one blooming cycle. If you enjoyed them, you have to start over next year with fresh new bulbs, unless the pot is large enough for the bulbs to go through their dormancy and remain in good health.

For ideas and tips for container gardening, consult Chapter 16.

### Naturalizing: Plants gone wild

_Naturalizing_ is just a gardening term (and a rather sensible one, actually) to describe bulbs usually planted in large informal drifts, where they remain undisturbed and multiply. You can naturalize in a grassy area, under fruit trees or other deciduous trees, at the edge of a wooded area, or on an embankment. You want a semi-wild area, because the bulb foliage should be able to die down undisturbed after the plants finish blooming. Over time, the bulbs tend to increase their numbers, spreading out the show with each passing year, with virtually no effort from you.

To begin, invest in a large amount of good-quality bulbs. On planting day, literally toss them out over the chosen area and plant them where they land. This display ends up looking more spontaneous and, well, natural.

## How to plant bulbs

Planting bulbs is simple. But before you start, be sure the chosen spot has good, well-draining soil. Bulbs rot in soggy ground and struggle in sandy soil; the addition of some organic matter eases these problems considerably. Follow these planting steps for the best results:

**1.** **Dig the hole.**

If you're planting only a few bulbs or you're spot-planting (tucking bulbs in among other plants in a mixed bed), use a trowel. Various bulb planters are on the market, but frankly, I don't find them very useful unless the soil is loose. If you're planting lots of bulbs, break out the shovel and make a trench.

Not all bulbs are the same size, so not all bulbs should be planted the same depth. The general rule is _three times as deep as the bulb's height._ This guideline varies a bit based on your soil type. In sandier soils, you can plant a little deeper; in heavy clay soils, a little shallower. If you forget how deep to plant your bulbs, consult the supplier's label or catalog. Too shallow, and your bulbs may poke their heads above the soil surface too early and get damaged by wintry weather; too deep, and they'll take longer to emerge.

Roots grow out of the bottom of the bulb, so the quality of the soil underneath it is more important than what you pack the hole with. If you're amending the soil with organic material like compost or sphagnum moss (see Chapter 4), dig somewhat deeper-than-recommended holes so you can accommodate this addition.

Distance apart varies with the type of bulb and the sort of display you have in mind. If you crowd the bulbs underground, the eventual show may suffer. Certainly, don't let the bulbs touch one another. The general rule is _at least three bulb-widths apart "on center"_ (from the center of one bulb to the center of the next) _._ But experience can tell you what the bulbs you've chosen tolerate and how dense you like your displays.

**2.** **Add a fertilizer.**

Use a fertilizer that has a higher phosphorus number, such as a 5-10-5 fertilizer (see Chapter 4 for info on fertilizer grades). Phosphorus (the _P_ in the N-P-K on fertilizer labels) is important for the root growth as well as flower production. Just sprinkle the fertilizer in the bottom of the hole and scratch it in so it mixes with the soil a bit. (For more on choosing and using fertilizer, see "Fertilizing your bulbs," later in this chapter.)

If the ground is bone dry, water a day or so before planting so the ground is damp but not muddy when you're planting the bulbs. If you want to wait to fertilize, you can scratch the fertilizer into the surface of the soil in the spring as the bulbs are growing.

**3.** **Put in the bulb (see Figure 8-9).**

You want the _nose,_ or growing point, to point up and the roots, or basal plate from which they'll grow, to point down. (If you can't tell, plant the bulb on its side — the plant will figure it out in due course! Botanists call this nifty skill _gravitropism._ ) Make sure the bottom of the bulb is in contact with soil; if you leave an air pocket, the roots can dry out and the bulb won't grow or won't grow very well.

**4.** **Backfill and water.**

As you scoop soil back into the hole, firmly press it in place to prevent air pockets. Water well (some settling will occur) and then add a bit more soil as needed.

**Figure 8-9:** Securely place the bulb's basal plate against the bottom of the hole.

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Indicate where you've planted your bulbs so you don't plant other flowers in the same place. Mark the locations with permanent nonrusting, nonrotting labels like those made of zinc or copper.

## Taking Care of Bulbs

Because bulbs come as a package of life — that is, with the embryonic plant and flower within, plus stored food to fuel the growth — they demand little from you, the gardener. With a little tender, loving care — not a lot — they can do their thing and be wonderfully reliable.

## Watering your bulbs

Just like grocery-store onions, bulbs rot with too much moisture. And yet, they need water to generate roots and get growing. But don't fret — there's no mystery or careful balancing act. Just grow bulbs in well-drained soil; they can use the water they need, and any excess moisture should drain away.

Fall-planted, spring-flowering bulbs have it easy if you live where fall rains water them in and spring rains wake them up. (Of course, in an uncharacteristic dry spell, you can provide supplemental water.) Summer- and fall-bloomers appreciate water most when they're beginning to emerge and again when they open their flower buds. Water at these times only if the soil is dry.

## Fertilizing bulbs

Although newly planted bulbs have all the stored foods they need to perform the following spring, annual fertilizing can help keep this show going year after year.

A general-purpose fertilizer works fine for bulbs. A higher phosphorus content is often recommended simply because it inspires root growth as well as flower production. So go ahead and use the 5-10-5 or something close to this ratio.

People often recommend bone meal for bulbs, with its approximate formulation of 2.5-24-0. Alas, modern-day, store-bought bone meal is highly sanitized, and its benefits are questionable. Nonetheless, some bulb enthusiasts swear by it. This natural material tends to be very slow to release it nutrients, so some gardeners prefer using _super phosphate_ instead; this material is rock phosphate that has been treated with sulfuric acid to make it more soluble. It's 20 percent phosphorous (0-20-0).

Some people debate over where to place the fertilizer. In the hole? On the soil surface (top-dressing)? The case for adding plant food to the planting hole is that it's right at the roots, where plants need it (some people are concerned that direct contact with fertilizer will burn a bulb or its roots, but not all bulbs are so fragile). The case for soil-surface feeding is that the nutrition can filter into the growing area more gradually.

What to do? Try whichever way is more convenient for you, and judge the results. You can always switch methods.

You need to fertilize only once, and you have three opportunities to do so:

  **At planting time (usually in the fall):** I describe this option in the previous "How to plant bulbs" section. Fertilizing at planting time gets the bulbs off to a good start.

  **As growth starts, usually in early spring:** This fertilizing improves the current season's display. Individual plants will be more robust, with brighter, longer-lasting blooms.

  **Post-bloom:** While the foliage dies down naturally, this little boost sends food down to the bulb to fuel next year's show.

The standard application rate for fertilizer is a tablespoon or small handful per square foot, but read the label on the fertilizer package for exact directions. Always apply fertilizer to damp ground, and water it in afterwards if there's no rain so it penetrates the soil and gets to the root zone.

## Mulching

Mulch helps keep down weeds, can add organic matter to the soil, retains moisture, and stabilizes the soil temperatures. Stable soil temperatures are important so the bulbs don't sprout too soon and risk freezing damage from a late spring cold snap.

Shredded leaves, compost, or bark chips are all fine choices for mulch. Sprinkle it lightly around your bulbs just after planting them or when they're up and growing. And add some more mulch after the show is completely over.

## Fighting bulb pests

If you were a rodent tunneling around underground and you came across a nice, plump bulb, how could you resist? The main predators of bulbs are mice and voles (not moles, actually — moles are carnivorous, dining on insects and worms and such; mice and voles may use the tunnels of moles). Squirrels and chipmunks are more likely to sniff out the tasty treats above ground and dig up your bulbs, sometimes strewing remnants about your yard. These rascally rodents are enough to make even the most mild- mannered gardener homicidal.

Rodents love tulips and crocuses, but they avoid daffodils, fritillaries, and amaryllis and its relatives (these bulbs are poisonous, and the critters seem to know it). Here are some strategies for keeping your bed of bulbs rodent-free:

  Fill each planting hole with small, sharp gravel.

  Make a "cage" of screen or hardware cloth, fill it with soil, plant your bulbs inside it, and then bury it at the correct depth.

  Make a raised bed especially for bulbs. This bed should be about a foot deep. The bottom layer, at least 2 inches thick, should be small, sharp gravel. To accommodate the bulb's roots, at least 6 inches of good soil can go over the gravel. Plant the bulbs and cover with 2 inches of gravel or even sand. Last, lay a thick layer of mulch (up to 6 inches) of hay, pine needles, or shredded leaves over everything. Remember to rake off the mulch when spring comes.

  Prior to planting, spray your bulbs with a foul-tasting repellent marketed for this purpose. Two common brands are Mole-Med and Ropel. Let the bulbs dry before planting. Castor oil is also a common, safe, and reasonably effect repellent that you can apply to the bulbs and/or the ground they grow in.

##### Chapter 9

## Coming Up Roses

### In This Chapter

  Examining rose types

  Deciding what you want your roses to do

  Purchasing and planting roses

  Giving the plants the care they need

What can roses do for you? Just about anything (well, anything becoming to a plant). They're long-lived plants, they deliver plentiful and gorgeous color, and you get to pick your own bouquets to enjoy indoors (or give away to your dazzled friends!). And many of them are deliciously, seductively scented. The color pages of this book contain some beautiful

Of course roses are beautiful — in fact, roses, a traditional symbol of beauty, are arguably the most gorgeous blossoms that exist! They certainly look wonderful in a corsage or vase. There, you can't help but admire their form and notice that they're fairly long-lasting off the bush. But here's a secret gardeners know: There's so much more to roses — different flower forms, different colors, different scents (some are quite fragrant, others are fruity or spicy), and even different plant forms.

All this can be yours — really! This chapter tells you what you need to know about choosing, planting, and caring for roses. Some information about roses is beyond the scope of this book, so I recommend picking up _Roses For Dummies_ (Wiley Publishing, Inc.) if you just can't get enough of roses. There's nothing quite like enjoying the pride and pleasure of your very own!

## What Makes a Rose Be a Rose Be a Rose

Officially, roses are shrubs of the genus _Rosa,_ but growers weren't completely content with bushes. Roses now come in a huge array of sizes and forms. This unique and splendid variability means that if you like roses, you can display them in all sorts of settings.

Some roses are large standalone bushes, capable of being the main showpiece of a large yard. Some are dense enough to form impenetrable hedges (when planted in a row), a nice way to get a living fence. Other types of roses, although still bushy, are compact enough to find a home in a mixed flower bed or to thrive in a container. Some roses even have a spreading form and are low-growing enough to serve as groundcovers on embankments or curb strips. And don't forget the climbers and ramblers — some of these roses can cover your shed or garage if you let them; others naturally remain a manageable size as they drape their loveliness over a simple garden arch.

Ever-popular miniatures range from patio-planter-box or hanging-basket size all the way down to little peewees that you can tuck into small decorative pots, alone or with other plants. Some enthusiasts like to tuck the miniatures right into the ground — not their traditional use, but why not? They certainly add a reliable splash of color in any sunny bed.

The trick is to choose the right rose for the spot you have in mind. The following sections cover some important options for you.

## Checking out blooming habits

Back when roses were first introduced into cultivation, they tended to throw a great late-spring or early-summer show. And then it was over. Gardeners didn't see this tendency as a problem. People were so taken with the beauty and fragrance of the rose blossoms that they didn't complain. These early rose varieties were usually full-petaled (full of so many petals that you could rarely see the center of the rose) and richly fragrant.

Many spring bloomers are still in commerce to this day, and they're well worth growing. Spring bloomers are full of splendor and romance, their short period of glory notwithstanding. They're generally called _old garden_ or _vintage_ roses. Sometimes their French or Italian-sounding name is a giveaway. (For more information on these lovelies, read the upcoming "Species and old garden roses" section.)

Roses that don't just bloom in late spring or early summer and finish are a modern development. (The year 1867 was the benchmark with the introduction of the first hybrid tea rose, 'La France.') Repeat-bloom roses don't actually bloom nonstop; if you observe carefully, you may notice that they cycle in and out of bloom.

Assured blooming cycles, shortened gaps between them, and longer-lasting blossoms are all the result of a long, complex, and varied genetic background and many different and protracted breeding programs, both in America and abroad. All you really need to know is that many modern roses can produce blossoms for you all summer long and often well into fall. How many other flowering shrubs, or even flowering perennials, can claim that?

## Looking at hardiness

Don't worry about hardiness! Generally speaking, roses run the gamut of hardiness, and you can find varieties that can grow almost anywhere in the North America, from USDA Hardiness Zones 4 or 5 to 9 or 10. Some roses tolerate colder, Northern winters; others prosper in mild climates. Just as with any important plant purchase, you should make sure that the rose of your choice is considered hardy in your area (see Chapter 3 for info on plant hardiness zones).

Also, just as with any other important plant purchase, you may be willing and able to pamper a marginally hardy rose plant. Winter mulching is important, especially with _grafted roses_ (roses with cold-hardy roots and a less-tough rose variety on top). Details about when and how to do this care, and what material to use, are ahead in the section "Maximizing winter hardiness."

## Identifying the various rose types

Look closely at the plant tag or catalog description to find out what type, or class, of rose you're considering. Among the numerous, widely-used, and generally recognized types, you can find genuine differences. Know what you want and what you're buying! Read on to see your options, and look at the color photo pages for pictures of some of these varieties.

### Hybrid teas

Because hybrid tea roses are so widely grown, they're perhaps the first type of rose that comes to mind when you think _rose_. They're surely the queens of the rose world, with their handsome growth habit and elegant flowers. Hybrid teas come in medium-to-tall bushes and usually have a distinctive vase-shaped profile. Elegant pointed buds precede the big, gorgeous, refined-looking flowers that are usually one to a stem. These flowers are often bred with long cutting stems, so hybrid teas are great for bouquets (see "Using roses as cut flowers"). They bloom continuously throughout the growing season.

### Floribundas

Shorter and more compact than the ubiquitous hybrid teas, floribundas are — as you may guess from their name — cluster-bloomers. This quality makes them excellent landscaping roses, in groups with one another or as part of mixed flowerbeds. They're also a better choice for smaller spaces and smaller gardens. Floribundas were bred to be hardier than hybrid teas, so they're a better choice for colder climates, where they don't need the pampering that hybrid teas do.

Floribundas also remain in bloom all summer. In any given cluster, you may observe some in bud, some partially open, and some fully open blossoms. This staggering keeps the show going and is also a nice quality in a homegrown bouquet.

### Grandifloras

A grandiflora is a big, upright-growing plant with large blossoms. The flowers appear in clusters, as with a floribunda. A cross between hybrid teas and floribundas, grandifloras are hardier than the teas but not as cold-tolerant as floribundas. These plants bloom all summer. Some experts consider them a subclass of the hybrid tea.

### Polyanthas

Polyanthas are similar to floribundas but are technically older and less intensely bred. Polyanthas have a nice, compact, shrubby habit — they're a bit informal but charming. Their smaller flowers, which the plants produce in profusion, remain in force all summer long.

### Species and old garden roses

_Species_ are, as you may guess, old, historic roses that survive to this day because some enthusiasts deemed them worth preserving and perpetuating. They're the wild forbears of modern roses, and they exhibit admirable vigor, natural toughness, and casual, exuberant beauty. Yes, they tend to bloom only in spring. You may have a niche for these classics, or you may leave them to the fanatics. The best way to decide is to view one for yourself.

_Old garden roses_ are historical roses that generally bloom only once a season, in late spring or early summer for a few glorious weeks. Sometimes referred to as _vintage,_ _heirloom,_ or _antique roses,_ some old garden roses are species, which means they grow in gardens today the same as they grew in nature; others are hybrids of the species, or newer human-designed varieties. You can assume that the historical roses that didn't survive were either not very tough or were replaced by improved versions; as you may also guess, a number of excellent vintage roses have contributed their qualities to other sorts of worthy rose hybrids.

So grow these survivors with confidence. The best selections are at specialty nurseries. See the source list (in the Appendix) for some places to try.

You should know that this group includes numerous subcategories: albas, Bourbons, centifolias (cabbage roses), China, damasks, gallicas, hybrid musks, hybrid perpetuals, moss, noisettes, Portland, Scotch, and tea roses. Whew! How can you sort through this bounty? My advice is to read the individual descriptions or visit the nursery and then pick the one that captures your heart, no matter what it's called.

### David Austin or English roses

Starting in 1963, British nurseryman David Austin electrified the rose world by successfully combining beautiful, full-petaled, richly fragrant old garden roses with modern ones to produce attractive, romantic plants. Many of these plants also feature improved disease resistance and a much longer blooming period. Today other breeders have waded in and contributed, so the more proper term is _English roses._

### Shrub or hedge roses

_Shrub_ or _hedge roses_ turns out to be a catch-all term for lots of roses. To warrant the title, the rose should have a big, broad, shrubby habit, good weather-resilience (be cold-hardy but also able to tolerate hot, humid summers), disease resistance, and less-refined but often quite pretty and frequently fragrant flowers. Shrub roses are bred to be covered with blooms throughout the summer months.

But wait — there's more. This group has subgroups that are distinctively different from one another. Here are the more widely available ones:

  **Canadian or Explorer roses:** Yes, these roses are bred in Canada and are thus able to survive the rigors of a Northern winter (most are rated cold-hardy to Zone 4, some even to Zone 3). They're proudly named after famous Canadian Explorers.

  **Buck roses:** The late Dr. Griffith Buck, a horticulture professor at Iowa State University in Ames, succeeded in selecting and developing attractive shrub roses that are genuinely low-maintenance and able to tolerate the Midwest's notoriously cold winters, fickle springs, and blazing hot and humid summers.

  **Rugosa roses:** Originally hailing from Asia, these coarse-leaved, extremely thorny bushes are now a common sight along the Eastern seaboard — so much so that people mistakenly think these species roses are native, even to the point of calling them _beach roses._ Their flowers tend to be single (with just a few petals and blossoms that open rather flat) but come in bright shades of pink, red, maroon, and white. And best of all, they're intensely fragrant, with a scent that's undeniably spicy. The hips that follow in fall tend to be big and bright, which makes the bushes look perky and festive until the birds eat all the rose hips.

Yes, the plant breeders have waded in, mainly to improve the flowers (double rugosas, for instance, sport more petals per flower). Rugosas make excellent, low-care hedges.

  **Meidiland roses:** Weather-tough and disease-resistant, these French-bred roses tend to form a relatively compact plant no more than 4 feet high and wide, so less pruning is necessary. The flowers are pretty and sometimes scented.

  **Simplicity hedge roses:** The rose-breeding giant Jackson & Perkins bred these roses, and the plants are without peer if you want a casual-looking shrub with plentiful, informal flowers. Overall, these plants are tough and handsome. The original Simplicity hedge rose is pink, though white, crimson, yellow, and purple are also available.

### Miniatures

Miniatures sport small leaves, small buds, and small flowers — all in scale with one another. These little rosebushes are cute and perky, ideal for pots but also sometimes a nice colorful touch in a mixed flowerbed or planted in a ribbon as an edging. Their diminutive size belies the fact that they're very tough and are often more winter-hardy than their larger counterparts.

### Tree roses or standards

If you read _Alice in Wonderland_ as a child, or more accurately, studied the illustrations, you know the tree roses, or standards! They look like compact, continuous-blooming shrubs atop a tall, bare stem, like a fancy living lollipop. Because they look formal, they're a grand sight flanking an entryway or walkway or growing by a swimming pool, alongside a deck, or in any formal garden area. Gardeners often display them in large pots, but you can certainly plant them in the ground. They're not winter-hardy, however, so protect them if you have cold or freezing winters (read "Maximizing winter hardiness," later in this chapter).

But what are tree roses, exactly? Basically, they're a rose grafted on to a bare stem — a two-part plant (or a three-part, if that bare stem has been grafted onto a special rootstock). Basically, the grafting simply lets you get many familiar roses — a 'Peace' or 'Mister Lincoln,' for instance — in tree form. Such details aren't ultimately that important for you, the consumer. Just choose a plant that looks well-done and appears healthy.

### Climbers or ramblers

Long, pliable _canes_ (stems) are the main characteristic of the climbers and ramblers; this trait allows you to train these roses on a support such as a tree, trellis, fence, or archway. Although older rambling roses bloom just once every spring, modern ones can go all summer.

These plants aren't technically vines because they have no way to attach themselves well to a support. They need your help and guidance — use judiciously placed, nonbonding ties (strips of cloth are ideal). For advice on how to encourage climbing growth, see "Roses as vines," later in this chapter.

### Groundcover or landscape roses

In recent years, rose breeders have been working on groundcover and landscape roses (the Flower Carpet series are the most widely available). These plants are just lower-growing roses that tend to sprawl outwards rather than upwards. With dense growth, some thorniness, and scads of pretty flowers all summer, they're an outstanding landscaping solution if you love roses and have a broad, open strip in need of coverage — a hill or embankment, say, or a sunny side yard, or an area you want to route foot traffic around rather than through.

## Deciding Where to Put Your Roses

Roses have become more sociable! Although some lovers of these special flowers enjoy planting them in beds by themselves (so gardeners can give the plants special care and make them more accessible for cutting), other folks have decided to let them join company with the other garden players — herbaceous perennials, bulbs, and shrubs. The choice is yours.

## Planning your beds and borders

Ah, beds and borders are surely the most popular and beautiful way to show off your roses. When you invite a rose or several roses into your garden, don't just plunk the roses into the ground at random. Instead, plan ahead to create splendid beds that incorporate roses into your landscape or mixed flower beds. Your plan can be as elaborate as the one shown in Figure 9-1, or as simple as creating a small bed of three or four types of roses.

**Figure 9-1:** A large, classic plan for a very elaborate rose garden. The blank sections indicate where each rose bush should be planted.

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Apply a few landscape tricks and techniques, and the results can be quite splendid:

  **Let the sun shine in.** Roses love sun — at least six hours a day. Their foliage is denser and healthier in full sun and flowers are more plentiful. So the appointed spot can't be shaded by nearby shrubs, a fence, or the house. (Or if it is, hopefully the shade is early morning or late-day.)

  **Pick the site** **— it should have ample elbow room so the plant can grow freely and healthily.** The rosebush shouldn't block or be blocked by other plants. It needs space so that air can move freely around the rose plant. Location is a fairly important garden decision!

  **Match the rose to the spot.** Consider mature height and width (whoever sells the plant to you can provide this info if it's not on the tag). You're going to love and cherish this plant, so it's sure to reach its full potential in, say, two or three years.

  **Let big plants come first when selecting plant locations.** If your bed or border will have other flowers — perennials and annuals — chances are your rosebush or bushes will be among the larger players. If you're working with a newly cleared area, no problem. Just reserve a corner or the back spot that can accommodate the plant's mature size. If the rose is a new addition to an existing display, you may have to coldheartedly remove plants that'll be in the way (transplant them elsewhere in your yard or give them away so you don't feel so guilty).

  **Match your garden.** Use your eyes, nose, and heart. Choose something gorgeous. Pick a color that you like. A rose will be in bloom over a long period, unlike some of your perennials or shrubs, so it needs to be a color you can live with and enjoy over a long period, something that'll go with nearby plants or a hue you can build a display around. For ideas on what kinds of plants go well with roses, see the sidebar entitled "Letting your roses mingle with other plants."

  **Consider color.** Roses are red (and pink and yellow and cream and orange and white and purple and so on). Because most roses bloom all summer — and lustily if they're happy and healthy — the blossom color becomes a major contribution to any mixed-flower bed or border. Here are some of my favorite themes:

• **Romantic pastel:** White, cream, pink, and pale yellow roses

• **Hot shots:** Red, crimson, maroon, orange, and bicolors of these

• **Bright lights:** Pure whites and bold yellows

If you want to find out more about landscaping with roses or landscaping in general, check out the book _Landscaping For Dummies,_ by Phillip Giroux, Bob Beckstrom, Lance Walheim, and the editors of the National Gardening Association _._

## Using roses as groundcovers

Roses may not be the first plant that springs to mind when you're in search of a good groundcover, but if the site is sunny, you can do it! The plants may never be as low as, say, a carpet of vinca or pachysandra. But low-growing roses, no more than 1 or 2 feet high, can grow just as dense, prevent erosion, hold weeds at bay, and generally fill in a broad area quite nicely.

Unlike traditional groundcover choices (see Chapter 12), your ground- covering rosebushes will be full of colorful flowers for most or all of the summer — an appealing sight! Their thorniness, whether light or thick, can also be an asset. Nobody, not even the cat, will try to walk through!

Of course, you want to use roses that are either specifically bred for or singled out as groundcovers. Here are some good ones to look for:

  **'Baby Blanket':** Light pink

  **'Electric Blanket':** Hot pink

  **'Flower Carpet':** White, red, yellow, maroon, or bicolors

  **'Jeeper's Creeper':** Single white

  **'Magic Blanket':** Creamy white

  **'Red Ribbons':** Red

  **'Sun Runner':** Yellow

  **'The Fairy':** Pink

Alternatively, certain enterprising gardeners have found that some climbing and rambling roses can easily be induced to sprawl along the ground. You just have to anchor, or peg down, the canes at regular intervals so they go where you want them to go. (Foot-long pieces of sturdy wire, such as a piece of a coat hanger, may be bent into a U-shape and pressed into the ground over a stem — this technique works great! Do this anchoring in winter or early spring, though, when seeing what you're doing is easier.) Try one of the following types:

  **'Dortmund':** Red

  **'New Dawn':** Pink

  **_Rosa banksiae lutea:_ ** Yellow

## Screening with roses

Why not have a living fence of roses? Wisely chosen and properly spaced, a screen of rosebushes can do everything you ask: block unsightly views (of a street, neighbor's yard, trashcan, or storage area); diminish noise; keep out intruders (hooray for thorns!); keep pets or children in (again, hooray for thorns!); or define a boundary. You get all this, plus the look is more informal, more colorful, and far prettier than any wooden or metal fence could hope to be!

Roses suitable for this screening job are easy to find. Recommended screen roses include **** Simplicity hedge roses (many colors), 'Bonica' (pink and white), 'Knock Out' (red, hot pink), any rugosa rose, and any of the very hardy 'Morden' shrub roses. If they're not specifically touted as _screen roses,_ here's what to look for:

  **Dense growth habit:** So they fill in and crowd out weeds

  **Thorniness:** For safety and security

  **Flowers that appear all over the entire plant, not just at the top:** For a uniform show (fragrance is also a plus, if you plan to be nearby to enjoy it; otherwise, it's optional)

  **Low care requirements:** Because a screen or hedge isn't something you want to pamper or fuss over; you want disease- and pest-resistance and minimal pruning

## Using roses as vines

Climbing roses are a great choice where you want extra color or lack space. If your garden is horizontally challenged, go up! Although you can choose from many flowering vines in the world — clematis, trumpet creeper, and honeysuckle, to name but a few — there's nothing quite like a rose to bring real lushness and bountiful color. If you choose a modern climber, the color can last most or all of the summer. Choosing a climber with fragrance can double your pleasure.

A trellis or arbor is the traditional choice as a vine support (and certainly you want a strong one — flimsy plastic is not equal to the job); use a support that's out in the open or against a wall, fence, or porch. For more information on vines and supports, flip to Chapter 12. You have other appealing options as well:

  A wire or wooden arch, standing alone or as a continuation of your garden fence

  A standalone pillar or post

  A teepee

  A pergola (arbor)

  The side of the porch

  An open-design fence

  A dead tree that's too much trouble to dig out

  A gazebo

## Buying the Best Roses

At garden centers, in large retail stores, or even sometimes arrayed out in front of your grocery store, you've probably seen potted roses for sale. They may be in a plastic pot, a sturdy cardboard box, or even a plastic poly-bag _._ These forms certainly aren't the only ways to get roses: You can also buy them bareroot, as I describe in a later section, though with bareroot roses, you don't the instant gratification of having a rosebud almost ready to bloom as you can often get with a potted plant.

_Where_ you get your rose may be a more important consideration than the form the plant comes in. Potted or bareroot, the rose at the nursery is a good bet because you can personally inspect it for quality and health. You can also get the staff to help you select and evaluate the plants you want.

## Getting a potted rose

Plastic pot, cardboard box, or plastic poly-bag — what's common to all these editions is that the plants are showing growth on top and their roots are in soil mix below. Here are the real advantages of getting a potted rose:

  You can see and inspect the plant before deciding to buy it.

  If you want, you can take it right home and plant it that day.

However, buying potted roses has disadvantages, too. Depending on the venue, the plant may not be well-cared for (it may be getting too much hot sun and not enough water, for instance). It could also be root-bound, especially if it's been in the same pot too long.

Here are some things to check when picking out a potted rose:

  **Labels:** Is it labeled with its name and planting/care instructions?

  **Flowers:** Is it in bloom? ( **_Note:_ ** Traveling home, and the trauma of transplanting, may cause a rose plant to jettison its flowers; you're better off buying one that's only in bud if you want quick color.)

  **Stems and roots:** Do the stems look plump, green, and healthy? Are the roots plump, white, and healthy? (To check roots, probe them with your finger or temporarily pop the entire plant out of the pot.)

  **Signs of disease and pests:** Are there signs of insect pests or diseases, such as webs or yellowed or black-spotted leaves? (See the section titled "War of the roses: Tackling rose pests" for details.)

### Grafted versus own-root roses

When you go rose-shopping, you may notice that roses are labeled as grafted or own-root roses. Lately, the growing trend goes toward more own-root roses. What's this all about?

A _grafted rose_ is actually two plants: the stems (or _canes_ ) of one plant and the root system of another. In grafting, horticulturists play around with a sort of Frankenstein assembly — they take a piece of one plant, attach it to a closely related plant, and encourage the parts to grow together. Ideally, a grafted rose is the combination of a weather-tough, vigorous rootstock and a possibly more frail but desirable and attractive _scion,_ or top.

A grafted rose plant has a telltale knob, bulge, or bump low down on the stem right above the root system. Certain rootstocks have been used to confer vigor, uniformity, disease resistance, or adaptability to certain types of soil. However, the rootstock may generate suckers (errant canes) — or leaves and even flowers — that look nothing like the main plant; a bitter or snowless winter can kill the top and leave you with only the rootstock rose (in which case, you may as well rip out the entire plant and discard it).

An _own-root rose,_ on the other hand, is entirely one plant and one plant only. It's raised from a cutting, and it grows on its own roots. You can recognize these plants because they bear no sign of a graft at the point where the canes meet the roots; the seller also proudly labels the plant as _own root._ If you prune it low or winter damages it, it'll resprout true to type — that is, as itself, as expected. Winter damage, although unfortunate, is not a disaster. And you don't get suckers. Own-root roses are often (but not always) longer-lived than their grafted counterparts. On the other hand, plant vigor and productivity (the amount of foliage and flowers) varies. Some own-root hybrid tea roses, in particular, are not as tough or uniform as their grafted counterparts.

How do you decide? If you have cold, harsh winters, you may be better off with own-root roses. Elsewhere, you can grow either type and judge the results for yourself, which vary according to the rose variety.

## Purchasing a bareroot rose

Bareroot roses (see Figure 9-2) come partially or fully bagged or boxed. When you look inside, you see plain stems and roots, perhaps along with some wood shavings or other slightly moisture-retaining material. Fear not! A bareroot plant is a dormant plant, and this appearance is normal.

Buying roses in this form gives you several advantages. Because bareroot plants are dormant, you get to put them in the ground earlier (in mid-spring, as soon as the soil is workable). And because they've never been cramped into a pot, the roots are likely to be in good condition and ready to go into the ground. Bareroot roses also tend to be cheaper than potted ones; cost is a consideration especially when you're putting in a hedge or boundary planting and need to buy many.

The disadvantage to getting bareroot roses is that they may be harder to find (though you can always order them by mail). Also, they aren't going to leaf out and make buds right away; they spend their early days in the ground on root growth.

Here are some things to check when picking out a bareroot rose:

  **Name and instructions:** Is it labeled with its name and planting/care instructions?

  **Plant quality rating:** Is it labeled with its grade? The grade tells you about the number of canes the plant has and their thickness (see the "Exposing the truth about bareroot rose grades" sidebar).

  **Cane condition:** The canes should be thick, succulent, and green but not quite leafing out. Are the stems viable? They should be flexible and crunchy, not brown or black (if only a few are discolored, just snip them off).

Even though bareroot roses are dormant, you still have to protect their roots. Lay bareroot roses in a shallow trench and cover the roots with dirt if you can't plant them immediately upon receiving them. When you're ready to go, see the upcoming section titled "Planting bareroot roses."

If you buy through mail-order, the plant will be bareroot because dormant plants are safer to ship (and because this form is lightweight compared to a potted plant). You have to shop via a colorful printed or online catalog, place an order, and wait for delivery, but the selection is likely to be far broader than what you find at any local nursery. Mail-order is the way to go if you desire a specific rose, something special or rare.

**Figure 9-2:** A bareroot rose plant, showing the various parts.

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Worried about arrival? Don't be. Mail-order nurseries have sophisticated weather watch programs, and the companies don't ship until conditions are safe. After all, suppliers want you to be a happy customer. You can see the Appendix of this book for a list of good mail-order companies.

### Exposing the truth about bareroot rose grades

A plant is rated on the number and thickness of its canes (stems); the American Association of Nurserymen sets these standards, and all reputable rose suppliers adhere to them. Here's how they compare:

  **Grade No. 1:** The best bareroot rose; bigger, with more numerous and thicker canes

  **Grade No. 1 1/2:** A midway rating, for a rose that's not as robust as a 1 but still has more and thicker canes than a 2

  **Grade No. 2:** The bargain rose — this lowest rating indicates a smaller, younger plant; it's still worth growing, but it'll take longer to reach maturity

## Planting Your Roses

Deciding when and where to plant your roses is easy: A sunny spot is key, because roses adore sunlight. A full day, or at least six hours of sunlight a day, is best for roses. And unless you live in a really mild climate, you need to plant your roses at the beginning of the growing season. High summer is too stressful, and fall is too late. The ground should be _workable_ — that is, thawed and warmed up, and not soggy. And of course, you probably don't want to plant roses too close to your water faucet or anything else you use regularly, unless you don't mind dodging thorns.

Because bareroot roses are dormant plants, they can go into the ground in late winter or early spring. They should make a slower and better-paced transition into life in your garden as the season ramps up.

Plant a potted rose early in the growing season (late spring or early summer) — about the time you generally find them for sale. If your climate is cold, wait until after the last frost. But don't wait too long, simply because hot summer weather stresses a freshly transplanted plant.

Good soil is also very important. It should be rich in organic matter and drain well. If it isn't, import some good loam (rich, crumbly soil) and compost, or at least mix the existing soil half-and-half with premium soil. (See Chapter 4 for garden preparation.)

_How_ to plant roses is a bit more complicated than when and where, but here I give you the basics.

## Putting containerized roses in the ground

When planting roses that come in containers, your first order of business is preparing the hole:

**1.** **Eyeball the pot the rose came in and dig a hole a bit wider and deeper.**

You can set the pot in, plant and all, to check yourself.

**2.** **Loosen the soil on the sides and in the bottom of the hole, using your fingers or a trowel.**

This way, the roots can head outward and downward more easily when they're ready.

Then prepare the plant:

**1.** **Water the plant well — until liquid runs out the bottom of the pot — before planting.**

**2.** **Groom the top half of the plant.**

Clip off damaged stems, flowers, and buds. Leave on as much good foliage as you can. You can cut down to the highest five- or seven-leaflet leaf group. Cut to an outward-facing set of leaves to encourage new growth away from the center of the plant.

**3.** **Run a butter knife, ruler, or other similar flat object all the way around the inside edge of the pot to loosen the plant.**

Squeezing the container sometimes helps. Gently pop it out.

And here's how to plant:

**1.** **Rake your fingers up and down along the root ball to loosen the soil and roots.**

Don't fret if a few roots break off.

**2.** **If the rose is really root-bound, take a moment to help it further.**

Score the sides of the dense rootball with a sharp knife, up and down, in two or three places. Don't make a deep cut — just 1/2 an inch in is fine. This step stimulates new root growth.

**3.** **Holding the plant by the rootball (not the top growth), set it into the prepared hole, and backfill good soil around it.**

**4.** **Make a basin of soil or mulch around the plant when you're done; then water.**

The basin should be about 12 to 18 inches in diameter so the water that it collects soaks in directly over the root zone of the rose. This basin makes for easier watering (which you should do right now — give it a good soaking). If the plant settles too low in the hole after the watering, wiggle it back up.

**5.** **For a grafted plant, mound soil over the bud union to serve as insulation to protect this vulnerable portion of the rosebush.**

## Planting bareroot roses

If you're ready to plant, you begin, as usual, with digging (if you can't plant right away, see "Purchasing a bareroot rose," earlier in this chapter, for info on how to keep the roots viable). When digging the hole for bareroot roses, you have to accommodate roots that are currently open to the air. Here's how to prepare the hole for bareroot roses:

**1.** **Dig at least a foot deep and perhaps a little wider so you can accommodate the rose's roots without cramping, pushing, or bending them.**

**2.** **Loosen the soil on the sides and in the bottom of the hole, using your fingers or a trowel.**

This way, the roots can head outward and downward more easily when they're ready.

**3.** **Mound up a cone of soil in the middle on which to rest the plant.**

This method is much easier than trying to sift soil back in around the roots as you go.

Bareroot roses are a little unique because you especially want to encourage new growth from the dormant plant. Here's how to prepare the plant:

**1.** **Slide it out of its protective sleeve, pick off any packing material, and groom the plant.**

Cut off any damaged, black, or rotten stems or roots (see the upcoming "Grooming" section for details).

**2.** **Shorten all the canes to about 8 inches long.**

This step reduces stress on the plant when it goes into the ground. Don't worry — it'll surge into growth pretty fast! Make each cut at a 45-degree angle to an outside _eye_ (the swollen bump on the stem) to direct new growth outward.

**3.** **Shorten the roots with a little 1-inch haircut.**

Cut off an inch to stimulate new growth.

**4.** **Re-hydrate the plant.**

Stick the roots in a bucket of lukewarm water for a few hours before planting to help it plump up.

Here's how to plant:

**1.** **Hold the plant in one hand atop the center mound and spread the roots out over it.**

**2.** **Backfill good soil in and around the plant, pressing down lightly as you go to eliminate air pockets.**

**3.** **Make a 12- to 18-inch basin of soil or mulch around the plant when you're done.**

This step makes watering easier. Give the plant a good soaking! If it settles too low in the hole after the watering, wiggle the plant back up.

## Taking Care of Your Roses

Roses have a reputation for being difficult to care for, but don't be intimidated. Roses are actually quite middle-of-the-road, horticulturally, in terms of their needs. This section gives you the basics, but realize that if you forget or muff something, the plants are surprisingly forgiving. Just get back on track. (Consider reading _Roses For Dummies,_ by Lance Walheim and the editors of the National Gardening Association, if you want even more information on rose care.)

## Watering

Roses like and need water. The rule of thumb is to make sure roses get about 2 inches a week. Like so many other garden plants, deep soakings are much better than frequent, shallow waterings. Set the hose at the foot of the rose (hopefully, you created a nice basin when you planted it — see the preceding planting sections) and let water trickle in. Or if you have a big bed of roses or roses and companions, use a soaker hose or install an in-ground system (Chapter 5 can fill you in on watering tools). All these methods are good because the water gets right to the roots. You avoid waste and don't splash water on the foliage (as a sprinkler does), which invites fungal diseases.

## Fertilizing

Unless your soil is fabulously fertile, some supplemental fertilizer is very nice for your roses. It inspires robust growth and more flowers. Also, a well-nourished plant is healthier and is thus less likely to succumb to stress, disease, or insect attacks.

Use an all-purpose garden fertilizer, because it has balanced amounts of N (nitrogen), P (phosphorus), and K (potassium). Fertilizers touted especially for roses — such as Rose Food — are fine but not mandatory. In spring, as the plant emerges from dormancy, you can water with a tablespoon of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) dissolved in a gallon of water to promote strong canes.

Always water before applying fertilizer so the plant is plumped up and under no stress. Watering also helps deliver the food more evenly and more gradually. You can also water right after feeding your roses, to help move the nutrients into the root zone faster. Better still, water with a hose-end "deep root" fertilizer attachment.

Foliar (leaf) feeding is another way to supplement your roses' fertilizing program. Use any water soluble fertilizer, mix it up in a tank sprayer or sprinkling can, and apply so that it just drips from the foliage. This form of fertilizing is seldom sufficient for all the nutrient needs of roses, but it's a nice pick-me- up in addition to your regular fertilizing program. Fertilize early enough in the day so the water has time to evaporate — wet leaves can invite fungal disease.

## Keeping roses in shape

Cutting off dead or damaged canes, removing spent flowers, and doing some pruning can keep your roses looking sharp. The following sections tell you how to make sure your flowers stay presentable.

### Grooming

Using sharp clippers, you can spruce up your rosebushes whenever something unattractive about the plant catches your critical eye. I'm not talking about major shaping cuts here (see the upcoming "Pruning" section), just tidiness. Here's stuff you can cut out any time you see it:

  **Dead wood:** Remove dead canes down to the ground level.

  **Damaged wood:** Cut it back into about 1 inch of healthy wood.

  **Misplaced stems:** Take off stems that are rubbing together (choose one and spare the other), stems that are taking off in the wrong direction, and stems that are trailing on the ground.

  **Suckers:** In a grafted plant, these errant canes emerge from below the graft union (the bulge at the base of the bush). The suckers look different from the rest of the bush — they're often smoother, straighter, and lighter in color. Another clue: They sprout leaves and occasionally mongrel flowers that look nothing like the main bush. Off with their heads! (Well, more precisely, cut them off flush to the ground.)

### Deadheading and tidying up leaves

_Deadheading_ is just a gardening term for cutting or snapping off spent flowers. The plant looks better when you get rid of them. Also, because the goal of all flowering plants is to stop flowering and produce seed (in the case of rosebushes, to make rose hips), deadheading thwarts the process. So the plant is fooled into making more flowers. Deadhead away!

Whenever you see badly damaged, diseased, or dead leaves, remove them. To be on the safe side, throw them in the trash rather than in the compost pile. Otherwise, the leaves may spread disease.

### Pruning

Unlike the grooming cuts I describe in the previous "Grooming" section, actual pruning has a timing requirement. Early spring is best. If it's still winter, your overeager cuts may lead to frost damage. Pruning is pretty straightforward. Don't forget your tough leather gloves and maybe a good, thick, long-sleeved shirt:

**1.** **Remove all non-negotiable growth.**

This step means making all the grooming cuts described in the "Grooming" section if you haven't attended to them already. Some winters are hard on rosebushes, and so early spring is a fine time to cut out the parts that'll never recover or come back to life.

**2.** **Thin the plants.**

The easiest way to thin is to clip out the crowds of twiggy, thinner growth. That may be sufficient, or it can at least allow to you stand back and assess the plant's density and form better.

**3.** **Shape.**

Aim for a balanced-looking plant with evenly distributed canes, with the center of the plant somewhat open.

Use clean, sharp clippers, and cut at a 45-degree angle. Cut near a _bud eye,_ the tiny brownish or reddish bump on the stem (not to be confused with a thorn). Experts advise cutting 1/4 inch above a bud eye so the bud eye doesn't dry out. Figure 9-3 shows you a typical rosebush before and after pruning.

Beyond the basics of pruning roses, here are specific pruning tips for certain rose types (see the earlier section "Identifying the various rose types" for info on how some of them differ):

  **Hybrid teas:** Prune every early spring. You can cut back almost all the canes, sparing the five or so best ones.

  **Old garden roses:** Do _not_ prune in early spring, or you may remove the coming show. Restrict your cuts to cosmetic trimming and shaping right after they finish blooming.

  **Grafted roses:** Don't cut any closer than about 6 inches from the bud union unless you're removing diseased or dead wood.

**Figure 9-3:** A rosebush before and after pruning.

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  **Shrub roses:** You can cut vigorous shoots originating near the ground back by about a third in early spring. Branches coming off shrub roses can be shortened to about 1 foot long. And keep after the twiggy growth, or you may have an impenetrable thicket in a few years.

  **Minis:** Spare the minis — they're so small already. Just shape miniature roses lightly in early spring, and maybe take out old stems every few years to make way for newcomers.

  **Tree roses:** Clip and shape tree roses in early spring and immediately after flowering. Vigorous growth, unchecked, makes for a top-heavy, unwieldy plant.

  **Climbing roses:** Many climbing roses bloom on last year's wood, so prune only what you need for maintaining the shape you want — the process is similar to what you use for old garden or heirloom roses.

## Maximizing winter hardiness

A lovely prize of a rosebush really may need and deserve a little tender, loving care heading into winter. You can take your protection cues from experienced gardeners in your neighborhood — ask them what they do and when, as well as what they use. Here's some general advice that should do the trick for most iffy rosebushes in most areas:

  **Give the plant a good soaking in late fall before the ground really freezes so it heads into winter well-hydrated.**

  **Stop deadheading.** Consider leaving the rose hips on in late fall to induce dormancy (and feed wild birds).

  **Remove all dead leaves in late fall.** Removing the leaves gets rid of disease spores that may be on the leaves; otherwise, these spores can overwinter and start a new disease outbreak the following year.

  **Mulch the plant.** Wait until the ground has frozen, and then gather 2 to 4 inches of shredded leaves, compost, or dirt and mound it up over the base of the plant.

If your winters are really harsh, you can pile it higher or even wrap a cylinder of chicken wire around the entire plant and dump in soil, which is one of the best insulating materials. You may even want to tie the canes together to help prevent wind damage. Tying the canes together also makes them more compact and easier to protect with mounded soil. Don't uncover the plant until you're sure spring has truly arrived, and then, do so gradually. Scoop off or hose off the mulch over a period of several days or a week.

For a grafted plant, keep soil or mulch mounded over the graft union to protect it. In colder climates (Zone 6 and lower), you should've buried the bud union a few inches under the soil when you first planted the rose.

Many tea roses are grafted to rootstocks that are tenderer than those of some other roses. This sometimes makes them vulnerable to winter kill, so winter protection is especially important for grafted teas, especially in climates in Zone 6 or lower.

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Avoid those styrofoam rose cones for winter protection; they can heat the plants too much during January thaw and other unexpected rises in temperature.

## War of the roses: Tackling rose pests

I'm not going to lie — other creatures as well as humans adore roses. But here's the good news: Many modern roses have been bred for resistance to common rose pests and diseases. More improvements show up every year, so roses are definitely a case of where newer is often better.

Just as with humans, if the rose plant is in good health, it's far less vulnerable. So review and apply the care advice I give in the previous sections. That said, forewarned is forearmed, so here's some straight talk about the most common potential foes. Take a look at the list of least-wanted insects:

  **Aphids:** These critters are tiny, pear-shaped sucking insects that especially relish new growth. They excrete honeydew, a sticky, sweet substance that can turn black as sooty mold grows on it. (Ants may appear to eat this but don't harm your rosebush otherwise.) Knock aphids off with a stiff blast from the hose, or spray with insecticidal soap. Never spray when the temperature is above 80 degrees.

  **Japanese beetles:** These metallic-looking copper and green bugs are really creepy, especially when they appear in great numbers. In small infestations, you can bravely pick them off and drown them in soapy water (don't squish them — you'll just releases attractant pheromones!). Japanese beetles are late risers, so if you go out early in the morning, you can shake the sleepy critters into a plastic baggie. If the infestation's bad, you may have to spray with Sevin (check with your local garden center, and always follow label directions exactly).

  **Thrips:** Thrips are tiny yellow or brown bugs that lead to misshapen leaves, deformed buds, and discolored flowers (with brown spots). They especially love light-colored roses and are most common in early summer. You can spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Roses are also vulnerable to some pretty unpleasant fungi. Check it out:

  **Black spot:** Rose leaves develop small black spots with fringed edges. The fungus that causes black spot is worse in hot, humid weather.

To treat, remove and destroy affected leaves (don't add them to the compost pile). Prune the plant to improve air circulation, and water in the morning. Some sprays that fight this disease include summer oil (a light horticultural oil), neem oil, a baking soda solution, sulfur-based sprays, and strong chemicals — ask at your local garden center.

  **Powdery mildew:** This fungus appears in dry weather, creating a white powdery residue, especially on the leaves. You can spray with summer oil, a baking-soda solution, an antidesiccant (which prevents drying out), or a sulfur-based fungicide.

  **Rust:** This fungal disease is most common in dry weather. Get rid of affected leaves, and water carefully only at ground level. Spray options include dormant oil, lime-sulfur fungicide, or rusticide (again, check with your garden center and follow label directions exactly).

##### Part III

## Stretching Your Garden Beyond Its Boundaries: The Permanent Landscape

In this part . . .

Gardening is more than planting flowers and vegetables in a garden bed — it actually encompasses entire yards, whether you add trees and hedges to enclose your garden space, add groundcovers to further define and outline your garden beds, or neatly trim and enhance your lawn so your garden is well showcased on all sides. Sure, much of this type of work falls under the category of landscaping (covered in greater detail in _Landscaping For Dummies_ ). But if you garden with these other elements in mind, you can look on not only your flower and plant beds but also your entire growing space as your garden.

##### Chapter 10

## Growing a Perfect Lawn

### In This Chapter

  Making a new lawn or adding grass to an old one

  Watering and fertilizing your yard

  Cutting the grass

  Giving your lawn some fresh air

  Battling weeds

Ah, to run and play, or nap, or wiggle your bare toes on a lush and perfect greensward — it may seem like an unattainable dream, but good news! A fine-looking lawn is perfectly doable and within your reach if you approach the project gradually, doing the right thing month to month and year to year.

Lawns consist of many different small plants, often different varieties of grasses — almost like a miniature stand of corn (they are related!). So growing grass is like raising a crop or a specialty garden of turf grass.

Extensive lawn care is beyond the scope of this book, so if you want more information than what I present here, I highly recommend picking up _Lawn Care For Dummies_ (Wiley Publishing, Inc.). It's worth it to put a lot of effort into your lawn, because a good lawn makes everything else look good, and a gorgeous, well-kept lawn sets the tone for an entire yard. You know that old saying about how a rising tide raises all the boats in the harbor? The purpose of this chapter is to demystify the basics. Find out what to do, when, and how, and then you're in business.

## In the Beginning: Getting Ready to Make a Lawn from Scratch

Chances are, if you're a homeowner, you already have a lawn of some kind. But if you're a new homeowner or have bravely decided to start a lawn with a clean slate, maybe you envy those who have already-established lawns. Well, they should envy _you._ You have a fabulous chance to get off on the right foot. If you do it carefully and do it right, the new lawn can surely be a showpiece. This section shows you what a new lawn needs and how you can provide it.

## Preparing your yard for a lawn

Before you do anything, you need to rid your property of all those things that you wouldn't want in a lawn: No weeds, no horrible old remnants of a failed lawn, no rocks, no construction debris, no toxic waste, no junk, no cars you plan to fix up, no dead and dying plants, no roots from long-gone plants. Scrape, dig, haul away — do what you must.

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In most states, you're legally required to check for utility lines before digging. So call the gas company, phone company, cable company, and water company if you have to dig. They're only too happy to come out, check, and flag the stay-away and don't-dig areas for you.

After you've cleared the space for your lawn, make sure you follow the advice in the next few sections.

### Start with weed prevention

The minute you clear an area, weeds rush in to fill the void. Unless you're prepared to forge ahead quickly, these eager settlers are a problem. But they don't have to be. Consider that if you treat the area for weeds now, before putting in the new lawn, they won't be there when the lawn goes in. Talk about a fresh start! You can kill weeds and weed seeds on-site in lots of ways.

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Cultivating or tilling the area, although it makes you feel like a gardener, is perhaps the worst thing you can do if you want a weed-free lawn. You're sure to dredge up all sorts of long-dormant weed seeds and bits that can regenerate. Instead, if the area isn't too big, cover it with black plastic or organic mulch (rather thickly — 6 inches isn't overkill). Any inexpensive, lightweight mulch that's readily available is a good choice — try peat moss, pine needles, or even a thin layer of ground-up leaves. Straw is a better choice than hay, which usually contains weed seeds.

The object is to keep out light and water and smother any ideas lingering weeds may have of germinating. If possible, keep this barrier in place for a month or even a full season. After the grass starts to sprout, don't be concerned with removing the mulch. Just let the small seedlings grow through the barrier; it'll eventually decompose. Raking it up can dislodge and damage the young grass plants.

For more information about dealing with weeds, see the "Warring with Weeds" section later in the chapter.

### Improve soil quality

You rarely think of your yard as a garden, yet it is — a garden of grass. When you want to put in a new lawn, now's your chance to supply that fertile, well-drained ground that all gardens love so well. Lay down plenty of organic matter (such as compost, _leaf mold_ [composted tree and shrub leaves], or well-rotted manure). Add topsoil, too, but only if you can get a weed-free batch. You can mix these goodies with the native soil if it's not dreadful. Otherwise, provide at least 6 to 8 inches of the good stuff, the depth to which grass roots generally grow.

### Grade the yard

Lawns grow well and look splendid on fairly level ground. Seeing to the gradient before planting, of course, is best. You want your lawn to slope slightly, away from your house. Otherwise, both rainfall and zealous watering can lead to a wet basement and a weakened foundation. Work when the ground is moist (dry soil resists grading) and use a shovel, a rake, and even a carpenter's level. It doesn't have to be perfect, but do the best job you can.

If the grading process daunts you — and it should if your yard's terrain is full of hills and dales or you know darn well the land slopes towards your foundation — by all means, hire a contractor. See Chapter 2 for more infor-mation on getting some help.

### Check the drainage

Make sure your soil drains okay. If the lay of your land or the soggy or clay-laden quality of your soil is cause for concern about drainage, do get help. Gravel-filled trenches, French drains, underground pipes, and so forth are all remedies, but installing them is not for the amateur or the faint-hearted! See Chapter 4 for more tips on dealing with drainage.

## Designing the lawn

After you have your ground prepared, you're ready to contemplate actual lawn size and shape. Some of the improved area may go to bordering walkways or flowerbeds. You want to allow for edgings. Eventually, you may decide to place a tree or two in the middle. Design is really up to personal preference, and you can apply some of the tips for designing a garden to lawns as well (see Chapter 2). But for now, make sure your lawn has the following qualities:

  It's out in the open — plentiful sunshine is a recipe for lawn success.

  It's not in a spot people constantly walk through (to get to a door or a patio). In these areas, installing a paved walk or graveled path would be more practical. Installing walkways before you start your lawn usually works best.

  The lawn's not too big; it's in scale with your house and the rest of your property.

  Its shape is compatible with the surroundings. A strict, straight-edged, geometric lawn is formal — is your house's architecture formal, too? Perhaps softer, less-rigid boundaries would be better. You can purchase or make plywood or metal forms for these boundaries.

## Seeding and Sodding: Adding the Grass

Whether you're starting with a new lawn or trying to improve an already-existing lawn, the grass is the real point and makes all the difference in the world. Unfortunately, having great grass isn't simply a matter of going to the store and buying grass seed.

You can choose from many types of grass seed, and the type you need depends on the climate you live in, the amount of light your yard receives, and whether you have any texture, color, and height preferences for your lawn. Some people like slow-growing grasses so they don't have to mow quite as often. Other people insist on having Kentucky bluegrass in their yards — regardless of whether they actually live in Kentucky. I cover many of the options available to you in the next few sections.

Some people even choose to have a lawn without grass. You can get out of planting grass by using clover or low-growing groundcovers like thyme or, in shady areas, moss. For more information on groundcovers, hop on over to Chapter 12.

## Determining the kind of grass you want or need

If you're shopping and you don't yet know what you want in your lawn, browse the grasses available, looking for one that appeals to you and seems like a match for your growing conditions. If you're really at sea, call a landscaper or lawn-service company and have someone come over to view the intended site and discuss your options.

If you don't know what you have in your existing lawn and you want the new grass to blend in properly, do this simple step: In about late spring or early summer, when the grass is thriving, dig up a representative chunk and take it to your local garden center, Cooperative Extension Service, a good landscaper, or even a lawn-service company representative. These professionals know or can point you to someone who can identify the grass.

Please note that grass comes in many varieties and their relatives — hundreds, in some cases. The differences may be pretty subtle. Don't worry, though. Some grass varieties perform better than others in any given area, and the way to find out is to ask someone knowledgeable, such as a staffer at your local nursery, a landscaper, or a lawn-service person. Don't forget the Cooperative Extension service if you have an office nearby. (Hopefully, the people who order grass seed and sod for your local retail stores know what they're doing and order only what prospers in the area.)

To complicate matters — but not too much — grass blends within each category of grass are popular. _Blends,_ which usually contain two to four varieties of one type of grass, are smart because they make a lawn more resilient (a pest or disease problem won't cause the entire show to falter) and more adaptable (grass will show up in both sun and shade areas of your yard). You also need to consider whether you need warm- or cold-weather grass and whether you want to go with seed or sod. Read on!

## Cool-season and warm-season grasses

Cool-season grasses are the grasses of the North — the parts of the country where summers, although warm and sometimes humid, are short and where winters are cold and often snowy. These grasses grow actively in spring and fall, slow down a bit in summer, and start to go dormant in the winter. Just so you know, these grasses do best at temperatures between 60 and 80°F and survive freezing winter temperatures; they can't tolerate truly hot weather without going dormant. Favorite cool-season grasses include Kentucky bluegrass, fescue (fine and tall), bentgrass, and perennial ryegrass.

For details on cool-season grasses, including info on appearance, descriptions, and care instructions, see Table 10-1.

**_Note:_ ** Check out "Mowing the Lawn, Cutting the Grass, and Otherwise Giving the Yard a Shave" for more information on mowers. "Thatch: Don't Let It Weigh You Down" can tell you about that problem.

The West Coast covers a huge area with various climates; bluegrasses and perennial rye grasses work for most of these climates, but be sure to check with your local garden suppliers to find out which varieties perform best in your area.

Warm-season grasses are the grasses of mild climates, including the South and the Gulf Coast, areas where summers are notoriously hot and long, often humid, and where winters are mild but rarely freezing. As you may expect, these sorts of grasses don't survive extremely cold temperatures. Their toughness applies to hot weather. From late fall to early spring, the off-season, they simply turn brown. Favorite warm-season grasses include bermudagrass, bahiagrass, buffalograss, centipede grass, St. Augustinegrass, and zoysiagrass. For more details, see Table 10-2.

## Growing lawns from seed

Growing a lawn from seed is cheaper than installing sod. It's satisfying, and it feels like actual gardening. The disadvantages are that it takes longer to become a lawn, you have to protect the baby lawn from birds and pedestrians, and watering just right is tricky but critical. Most grasses do fine from seed; however, zoysiagrass, buffalograss, and centipede grass are most commonly sold as _plugs,_ which are __ small plants, sprigs, or stolons (ask for planting advice from wherever you buy the plugs) or as sod (see the next section).

To sow a new lawn — or do patch repairs with seed — make sure you start at the right time. Up North, with cool-season grasses, the ideal time's in the fall. The ground is still warm, and fall rains may help with the watering. Late spring is also possible, so long as the new lawn has a chance to get up and running before really hot weather hits. Warm-season grasses are best sown in the mild days of late spring — again, you want to get it going before blazing summer heat arrives.

To prepare the soil, follow the instructions earlier in the chapter (see "Preparing your yard for a lawn"). Basically, you want to clear out an open area of weeds and obstructions, add some organic matter, and rake it neat and level. Before planting is also the perfect time to put in sprinklers or some more-elaborate in-ground watering system. Chapter 4 gives more details on this kind of equipment.

Buy good-quality seed. If a bag simply says _Kentucky bluegrass,_ be forewarned that it may be a grab-bag of older varieties. Better to get a bag that touts its contents in loving detail, naming the names of the varieties it includes. You're likely to see the following choices:

  **Straights:** Only one kind of grass, or only one variety; St. Augustinegrass and bermudagrass are often sold this way.

  **Blends:** Up to four different varieties of one type of grass; for example, a tall fescue blend may include more-or-less equal amounts of the tall fescue varieties 'Virtue', 'Monarch,' and 'Duster.'

  **Mixtures:** Combinations of different types of grasses; for instance, Kentucky bluegrass is often mixed with some fine fescue and perennial ryegrass. Make sure your mixture is not loaded with cheaper, coarser grass varieties — read the label carefully!

You can even find disease-resistant varieties or grasses with some bug-killing extras (see the "Endophytes: Grass's live-in guests" sidebar near the end of the chapter). If you're at a loss of what to choose, get some professional advice.

### How much seed to use

As with calculating the amount of fertilizer to spread, you need to know the square footage of your lawn. (So spend a moment to figure that out — you know, length × width, or the radius squared × pi. If you can't remember this elementary-school math, get a smart kid to help you — bill it as a practical lesson! By the way, if you know your yard size in acres, 1 acre equals 43,560 square feet.) Then consult the bag of seed to find out how much is recommended, or check out Table 10-3. Don't plan to overdo it — excessive seed only makes a weaker lawn: The seedlings are all fighting for limited soil space, nutrients, and light.

Table 10-3 Grass Seed Amounts and Time till Germination Type  | Pounds per 1,000 Square Feet  | Days to Germination
---|---|---
Bentgrass  | 1/2 to 1  | 6 to 14
Bahiagrass  | 6 to 10  | 18 to 28
Bermudagrass  | 2 to 3  | 10 to 30
Centipede grass  | 1 to 2  | 15 to 25
Fine fescue  | 3 to 5  | 7 to 14
Tall fescue  | 6 to 10  | 7 to 12
Kentucky bluegrass  | 1 to 2  | 14 to 21
Perennial ryegrass  | 4 to 5  | 5 to 10

### How to spread seed

You need the help of some sort of tool so the seeds spread as evenly as possible. Buy this tool at a home-and-garden supply store; for bigger jobs, you may prefer simply to rent the necessary equipment or hire someone else to do the job. Generally, though, here are your choices in approach (see Figure 10-1):

  **Cyclone spreader:** This hand seeder is relatively cheap and easy to use. Dump in the seed and then trot along the seedbed, turning the handle as you go. The seed sprays out in a semi-circular pattern. Obviously, this method isn't very practical for larger lawns, but it's just fine for modest-size ones.

  **Rotary spreader:** A wheeled or handheld spinning spreader (also known as a _broadcast_ or _centrifugal spreader_ ) is perfect for bigger lawns. You just fill it up and walk along slowly, pushing it at an even pace.

  **Hydroseeding:** This technique involves spraying the yard with a mixture of grass seed, water, fertilizer, and mulch. Most people hire someone to do the work for them. Hydroseeding is usually less expensive than sod but costs more than regular seeding. Many times, people lay biodegradable netting on steeply sloped areas before they're hydroseeded to prevent erosion. This technique is usually very successful as long as you keep the seeded area damp.

**Figure 10-1:** Spreading seed with cyclone-type and rotary spreaders.

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No matter how you spread the seed, start by applying two side-by-side header strips at the bottom and top of the lawn first to provide turning space (see Figure 10-2). The header strips should run along the short edges of a rectangular lawn. If your lawn is round, oval, or irregular in shape, just do the perimeter (see Figure 10-3).

Go back and forth the longest way until you've finished applying seed. Shut off the spreader occasionally to prevent double applications. For instance, shut it off in the header areas, when approaching and leaving a tree, when backing, when turning around, and anytime you come to a complete stop.

## Your own turf: Growing lawns from sod

The real advantage of using sod is that it's fast! It also smothers weed seeds. After being laid down, it's not as vulnerable to birds, foot traffic, or drying out. It's also easier for getting a lawn going in shade or on a slope. However, sod is much more expensive than sowing seed, and for some gardeners, it feels like cheating!

**Figure 10-2:** How to spread grass seed in a rectangular-shaped lawn.

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**Figure 10-3:** How to spread grass seed in an irregular-shaped lawn.

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You can lay sod just about anytime, so long as the ground isn't frozen. However, the best time is right before your chosen type of grass is about to surge into its peak growth period. So for cool-season grasses, try to lay sod in early fall or early spring; for warm-season grasses, mid- to late spring is ideal. If rain is in the forecast for _tomorrow,_ plant sod _today!_

Have bare ground ready to go. It should be moist to best receive the sod — too dry is unwelcoming, and too soggy or muddy is no good, either. Use a good, sturdy steel rake and give the ground one last, neat leveling before you begin.

Check around with your local suppliers for the best deal on the best type of sod for your area, and buy the sod as close as possible to when you want to use it. Sprinkle it with water to keep it moist and cool, but don't make it drippy and soggy (it'll just tear if you do that). Never let it sit around for more than a day if you can help it! Ideally, pick it up the night before and plant it the very next morning.

Here are some recommended tools for laying sod — see also Figure 10-4:

  A strong, sturdy steel rake

  A sharp knife, for cutting pieces and patches

  A board to kneel on so you don't squash the sod with your knees

  A hose and sprayer, to keep the sod moist as you work

  A wheelbarrow, to transport sod

  A water-filled roller, to smooth the lawn at the end of the job

To lay the sod, rolling out the green carpet isn't necessarily hard or complicated work, but you do have to work fast so the sod doesn't dry out. And if your lawn is big, the sod rolls can be heavy and unwieldy. Line up some helpers.

**Figure 10-4:** Sod-laying equipment.

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Here are some tips for sod-laying success:

  Keep things damp! At no time in the process should the sod be allowed to dry out— and when it's finally down, soak the daylights out of the new lawn!

  Place edges tightly against boundaries and edges.

  Stagger the ends of the sod pieces, as if you were laying brick.

  Keep leveling the area with the rake as you go.

  Water _every day_ (or more often if the weather turns hot) — frequent light waterings help the sod establish itself.

If all goes well, the roots start growing into the new soil in about a week.

Some warm-season grass varieties are available as sprigs and plugs, which are kind of like small chunks of sod. Plant these pieces at the recommended intervals and firm them in place quite well. Keep the soil moist until they're established. You may start fertilizing about a month after planting. Ask your supplier for details.

## Watering a Thirsty Lawn

Watering is the _most_ misunderstood aspect of lawn care, so pay attention, folks! Lawn grasses are _not_ notoriously resilient or deep-rooted, so you can't neglect them in this department. Of course you have to water them often when they're first installed and are getting established — up to twice a week, depending on the type of grass and your climate. Established lawns need water whenever they get dry, which likewise depends on temperature, humidity, amount of sunlight, wind, and soil type. The following sections give you some more information on how to water well.

Whenever possible, water your lawn in the morning hours, certainly before lunch. At this time, you probably have residual moisture or dew from overnight, and water soaks in better on slightly damp ground. Also, this timing gives the lawn a chance to absorb the drink in the warmth of the sunny day (a drenched lawn at night, especially a humid night, is an invitation to disease). Also — as you may remember from long-ago science class — water and sunlight work together to fuel photosynthesis and subsequent plant growth. Help your lawn do what it needs to do: grow.

## Getting the water balance right

Figuring out the details about watering can be kind of a juggling act, but you can at least avoid the extremes. Gardeners know of some classic, telltale signs that an established lawn is crying out for water. Don't let it get to the point of a crisis. Here are the signs that your lawn is a bit parched:

  When you walk on it or somebody rides a bike over it, the lawn grass shows the marks — that is, it doesn't bounce back.

  The color changes. Once shiny green, the blades now look rather dull; they may even get a smoky, gray-blue color. Yikes!

  You plunge in a stick, screwdriver, or soil-moisture sensor to a depth of at least 6 inches and two things happen: It doesn't go in easily, and it comes up dry.

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Grass certainly needs regular waterings (whether from you or Mother Nature), but on the other hand, overwatering can be dangerous because it

  Deprives the roots of needed oxygen

  Causes wasteful runoff, sometimes carrying soil and fertilizer with it

  Destroys soil structure

  Encourages disease activity

When you do water, how much water to use is something you figure out on the job. I have no universal answer here, because so much depends on the type of grass, the setting, the type of soil, and your climate (including how often it rains). However, a general rule is between 1 and 11/2 inches per week. Water more when the weather's hot and less when it's cool. The object is to wet the entire root zone but not saturate it. This concept is especially true on heavy clay or _loamy_ _soil_ (rich soil with mixed particles).

After you successfully wet the entire root zone, observe how fast the lawn absorbs the water so you know how often to water. Generally, you want to let the soil dry out between waterings. Shallow-rooted grasses, naturally, get thirsty again sooner than deep-rooted ones. It's in your best interest (less work for you; a healthier lawn — _win-win,_ as lawyers are fond of saying!) to encourage deeper root growth by not underwatering. Once or twice a week should do the trick.

Frequently cut, shorter grasses dry out faster than ones that you let grow a little taller between mowings.

## Boosting watering efficiency

Here are a few ideas to help you get the most out of your lawn-watering, reducing waste and saving on your water bill:

  Watch — don't walk away or leave on errands! If the lawn gets soaked and runoff starts, you can intervene right away. Keep busy in other parts of your yard and check back for runoff every 15 minutes or so.

  Water slowly. Water runs off if you put it on too fast, especially on parched ground.

If runoff starts and you turn off the hose and check saturation depth, only to find that the water hasn't soaked in deeply enough, don't worry. Try the 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off method until you can verify that the water has succeeded in reaching at least 6 inches down.

  Yank out weeds and other encroaching plants. Weeds suck water away from the lawn.

  Mulch any adjacent bare or open areas of soil to reduce evaporation.

  Make sure you don't have any leaks at connections, including the originating faucet and in the line(s).

## Feeding and Fertilizing

A lawn is actually a dense gathering of many plants, clamoring for nutrition. Even if your yard is blessed with wonderful, organically rich soil (you've put in a lawn over a former farm field or barnyard, say), over time, it won't be enough. The lawn will grow thinner with each passing year.

A well-fed lawn grows densely and is healthy. And a healthy lawn, like a healthy person or a healthy pet, is strong enough to resist disease and pests as well as environmental stresses. If you don't want your lawn to cause you trouble, don't neglect fertilizer. Fertilizing your lawn is pretty straightforward, really, and the following sections explain how to do it.

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Never apply fertilizer without water. Water dilutes it appropriately and helps deliver it to the roots, where the grass can put it to good use.

Many common weeds adore infertile soil. Indeed, that preference may lend itself to a good definition of a _weed:_ an opportunistic plant that grabs and dominates this niche. If you underfertilize your lawn, the secret will get out, and weeds will run right over the top of it to colonize the area.

## What's your type? Deciding on the kind of fertilizer

As you may know, fertilizer contains three main elements (nutrients) critical for good plant growth — nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Nitrogen is the one that enhances foliage and stem growth. That's why nitrogen dominates lawn fertilizers. Common formulations include 22-3-7 and 21-0-0. Chapter 4 covers garden fertilizer in some detail, but here I discuss fertilizer that's strictly for lawn use.

When you go shopping for lawn fertilizer, read the labels very carefully (see Figure 10-5). You'll probably find three types:

  **Quick-release lawn fertilizer:** With this fertilizer, you get a gratifyingly quick response; the lawn greens right up after application. However, because the lawn consumes it quickly, you have to apply frequent subsequent doses.

  **Slow-release lawn fertilizer:** This plant food supplies the same nutritive benefits as quick-release fertilizer but not as quickly. You can expect consistent, sustained growth, and you don't need to apply it as often.

  **A mix of both:** A mixture of quick-release and slow-release fertilizers lets you have the best of both worlds.

**Figure 10-5:** A typical lawn fertilizer label.

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Most commercial lawn fertilizers are inorganic (synthetic); but you should know that as far as the plants are concerned, the nutrients are the same. Yes, inorganic fertilizers are manufactured chemically; they come in granules, powders, and liquids and are fairly inexpensive. And yes, people worry that they damage — or at least don't enhance — soil biology. But especially for lawns, constant renewal of the organic content isn't so easy (you're not digging it up every spring like the vegetable garden). Synthetic fertilizers are easy to get and use, and they may turn out to be your choice out of sheer convenience.

Organic fertilizers include things like fish emulsion and manure, which you dilute and spray on the lawn or apply and water in. Sometimes they're a bit smelly, at least immediately, but they're not something any red-blooded gardener would recoil from. Natural fertilizers often contain trace amounts of other elements, but these elements aren't desperately needed in most garden soils. At any rate, the advantages of organic fertilizers are clear: the improvement of soil texture and slower, more measured action.

Assuage your guilt, if any, over choosing the inorganic lawn fertilizer by using it properly and responsibly. And realize that abuse of organic ones can cause serious problems in the environment, too. Here are some of the problems excess fertilizer can cause:

  **Damage to the lawn itself:** There can too much of a good thing. Excessive nitrogen burns your lawn (the grass literally looks torched). Or the fertilizer may inspire overly lush growth, which is an open invitation to lawn diseases and hungry lawn pests. Fast, lush growth has another downside — you have to mow a lot more often!

  **Damage to the environment/watershed:** Please, don't be wasteful! **** Water runoff carrying nitrogen-laden fertilizer pollutes groundwater, streams, lakes, rivers, and marshes — even estuaries and the ocean if you're in range. Blooms of algae can occur, water plants can be damaged or have their growth habits altered, and the changes can adversely affect animals that live in these places and depend on these foods. And don't forget — to make water safe for drinking, water treatment facilities have to deal with any contaminants that end up in your rivers, reservoirs, lakes, and streams.

Sandy soil alert: Nitrogen travels quickly through lighter, quick-draining soils and leaches away. You don't have to forgo feeding your lawn, but be careful. Try applying half as much, twice as often, or use only slow-release lawn food.

## Knowing your serving sizes: How much fertilizer is enough

To determine how much fertilizer to use, you have to read the label on the bag or container and follow the application directions _to the letter._ All recommendations are based on 1,000 square feet of lawn (go out and measure). Generally speaking, the typical dose never exceeds a pound per 1,000 square feet of lawn. Like aspirin, more fertilizer is _not_ better — for the lawn or the environment!

## Checking out the feeding schedule

First, you need to know when _not_ to fertilize your lawn. For example, don't bother in the winter or off-season. Let a sleeping (or dormant) lawn lie. And don't feed in especially hot weather. Grass plants respond to the stress of blazingly hot days by slowing down their growth, and a jolt of fertilizer during this time isn't a good thing. That pretty much leaves spring and fall. You may also feed during the summer months, depending on the weather and the type of grass.

Here's a cool-season grass feeding schedule:

  **The minimum:** Once in the fall; this schedule keeps the grass plants growing longer, encouraging root growth and thus providing the reserves the grass needs for quick green-up when spring rolls around again.

  **A little better:** Once in the fall and again in late spring; the late-spring feeding jumpstarts the new season (don't go too early, because you get overly lush top growth at the expense of root growth, plus you may inadvertently fuel a burst of young weeds).

  **Pampering:** Start in late spring and repeat at regular intervals into fall, perhaps every six to eight weeks during active growth; hold off in midsummer if the weather's really hot.

And here's your warm-season grass feeding schedule:

  **The minimum:** Once in late spring; this feeding sends the grass into the height of the growing season well-fueled.

  **A little better:** Once in late spring and again in late summer/early fall; the second, later feeding is intended to send the grass into winter in good condition.

  **Pampering:** From late spring through late summer/early fall, every six to eight weeks during active growth; suspend fertilizing in midsummer if the weather's really hot or you're having a prolonged drought.

See "Warm-season and cool season grasses," earlier in this chapter, for details about the types of grasses these schedules apply to.

## Mowing the Lawn, Cutting the Grass, and Otherwise Giving the Yard a Shave

Mowing the lawn may be the job you love to hate, or you may relish the sweet scent of freshly mown grass. But no matter how you feel about it, it has to be done. Everyone can agree that a mown lawn looks better than the alternative — a rangy, overgrown neglected patch.

Mowing also has a purely practical side: It maintains your lawn's health. Mowing regularly

  **Helps fight weeds:** Mowing helps prevent weeds from germinating and invading. How? Mowed at the right height, lawn grass shades out both weed seeds and seedlings. If weeds begin to grow, mowing chops off their heads, thwarting their drive to grow and mature and spread.

  **Makes the grass grow more densely:** Well, you know how when you pinch off the tip of a houseplant, it reacts by producing more-lush growth lower down on the plant? The same principle is at work when you mow and remove a grass blade's growing tip — the plant is inspired instead to spread out.

Basically, mowing turns grass into a lawn (and not, say, a wildlife preserve for ticks). Read on for some advice on the act of mowing and the basic mowing equipment.

How often you should mow depends — surprise, surprise — on how fast your grass grows. You'll be busy in the height of the growing season, to be sure. Three key factors affect growth rate:

  **The time of year:** Warm-season grasses grow fast in the hot summer months. Cool-season ones are motoring during spring and fall (summer's heat slows them down).

  **The amount of water:** More water equals more grass equals more mowing. If you're sick of mowing, cut back on watering. But be careful; if you cut back too much, your lawn may show signs of distress or go brown and dormant (see "Getting the water balance right," earlier in this chapter).

  **The amount of fertilizer:** More nitrogen and more lawn food equal more grass and more mowing.

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Don't mow when the grass is wet. This advice holds even if you don't have an electric mower (and especially if you do). Wet grass is tough to mow; it mats and mushes and cuts unevenly. The clippings settle in damp globs, smothering the grass. It also rots with a rank smell! Later, when things are dry, you find out your hard work resulted in what looks like a very bad haircut. Also, cutting wet grass promotes the growth and spread of lawn-disease organisms. Not worth the trouble, not worth the risk!

How high to mow varies by grass type. In general, though, warm-season grasses spread out as they grow and may be mowed at a lower height, whereas cool-season ones, owing to their more upright growth habit, are better off cut higher. Don't get too concerned about these requirements, though. Figure 10-6 gives you an idea of where to start, but ideal mowing heights are just that: ideal. (For a general list of ideal mowing heights, see "Cool-season and warm-season grasses.") Do the best you can, and of course, watch how your particular lawn responds to your regimen. You'll get into a groove.

**Figure 10-6:** Setting mower height.

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Adjust your mowing height according to the weather. If temperatures are really high, let the grass be taller; short haircuts are for cooler weather. Longer grass is better able to cope with the stress of drought and heat.

Suppose heavy rains inspire a burst of growth, or you go away on vacation and the lawn gets a little out of control. It happens. Don't fret. Respond with a two-part attack. The first mowing, set the blade higher than usual and go to it, mowing only some of what you really need to (and you may need to do some raking after). Follow up a few days later with a second mowing at the proper or usual height.

For information on types of lawnmowers and their maintenance, please see _Lawn Care For Dummies_ (Wiley Publishing, Inc.).

## Warring with Weeds

The reason you can get weeds in and around your lawn is the same reason your lawn grows there — it's open and it's sunny. Even if you're a wonderful lawn steward, totally eradicating these pesky invaders is nearly impossible. But as in other parts of your yard and gardens, you can work things out so you still enjoy and feel proud of the plants you planted.

The main thing to understand here is that although lawn grass is a perennial, many lawn weeds are not — they're annuals. This information can color your battle; forewarned is forearmed!

Common lawn weeds include dandelion, plantain, crabgrass, dock, English daisy, ground ivy, moss, henbit, oxalis, and yellow nutsedge.

## Preventing lawn weeds

Good news — in point of fact, ideal lawn conditions and ideal weed conditions are not exactly the same. So to try to get the upper hand, follow these tips:

  **Provide and then nurture good ground.** Grass likes fertile, loose, middle-of-the-road soil, and many weeds do not. Weeds like poor, compacted soil. Some like it soggy; some like it parched. Any way you can nudge your lawn area toward the good and the moderate can help.

  **Mow often.** This move chops off the weeds at the knees. In particular, you want to the thwart the development of flowers (and definitely the seeds or seed heads that follow — that's how weeds love to reproduce).

  **Mow at the right height.** If you scalp your lawn grass too short, weed seeds and seedlings suddenly get the light they need to grow. Longer is better, in this case. The grass will shade them out.

## Treating already-weedy lawns

Having too many weeds in a lawn is more than a call to arms; it's a wake-up call. Something isn't right if they're winning. On the other hand, you can and, frankly, will have to live with a few. To get rid of the weeds you already have, follow these tips:

  **Assess and correct.** If your lawn were healthy, you wouldn't have so many weeds, and that's the truth. So what's wrong? Are you not watering or feeding enough, which stresses the grass and eventually leads to sparser growth and areas where weeds can sneak in? Are you mowing too low, which allows weeds to germinate? Go read the earlier basic care sections on watering, fertilizer, and mowing to see what you can figure out.

  **Hand-pull.** Yank out weeds one by one each time you pass by — be sure to get all of the root system — or try an all-day assault. If you get the kids to do it ("What'll you pay me?"), teach them the importance of getting out the entire root system. You may be able to purchase a tool for digging dandelion roots out in their entirety.

  **Consider weed-killers.** But don't take herbicides lightly, no matter how frustrated and annoyed you are. You have to examine environmental and toxicity and safety issues. You don't want to harm your lawn or other garden plants in the process (or people and pets who may wander out there). Getting the right weed-killer for the job and applying it properly and especially _at the right time_ are key. (Pre-emergent herbicides, which are somewhat less toxic, are used early in the year, before the weed seeds germinate; post-emergent ones damage and kill growing weeds, some through the leaves, some all the way down through the root system. Corn gluten, an organic pre-emergent, is applied in the fall.) Get your enemy weeds properly identified, read labels, ask questions, and be careful if you decide to go ahead.

  **Get professional help.** Consult a lawn-care company and see what the workers say. A reputable company won't put a bandage on the problem by applying an herbicide without talking to you first about the conditions that allowed weeds to prosper.

  **Renovate.** Now may be the time to take out that sorry lawn and start over. Check out the info in the section "In the Beginning: Getting Ready to Make a Lawn from Scratch," earlier in this chapter.

Or rather than try to get rid of the weeks, you can learn to live with them. Who is your lawn's worst critic? Why, you are, of course. Stand back — across the street, or over in the driveway, say — and look at the lawn. Is it generally thick and green at this vantage? You don't want to surrender (you can still hand-pull whenever you have the time and inclination), but perhaps you can reach a truce and even start to appreciate some of the diversity in your yard. Some people consider clover a weed, but it adds nitrogen to the soil, feeding the grass; besides, you may get lucky and find a four-leaf clover!

##### Chapter 11

## Reaching New Heights with Trees and Shrubs

### In This Chapter

  Checking out tree types and picking out the right tree

  Planting and caring for trees

  Examining shrubs

  Deciding what to do with your shrubs

  Planting and caring for shrubs

Trees and shrubs are important because the basic point of gardening is the cultivation of plants — and that concept includes the woody plants. Trees are normally the biggest and longest-lived plants in yards, with shrubs not far behind, which is why giving serious thought to their selection and placement is so important. A mistake costs a lot of time, not to mention expense. Conversely, a correct choice adds immeasurably to the good looks of your home, to your comfort, and ultimately to the value of your property.

Shrubs are usually less than 15 to 20 feet tall, and trees tend to grow taller than that. You can find small-size trees and large-size shrubs — plants that blur the line. Your real object is to pick out something that fits into the location you have in mind, so what the plant is called may not really matter. And yet classification can have some bearing, because trees and shrubs have somewhat different growth habits that have less to do with how tall they get and more to do with how wide they get or how much space they take up.

Here's the scoop: Ideally, a _tree_ has a single main stem, and the branches appear up higher and spread outward. Generally, shrubs don't grow like that — not without pruning help, anyway. Most _shrubs_ are multi-stemmed and over time form a barrier or thicket (which is why they make good hedges or property-line plants). So think what you want the plant to do for you. Plan the look you want. Stand and ponder the appointed spot in your yard.

For your tree and evergreen types, shopping tips, and advice on planting and care, read on. I discuss trees first, and shrubs follow in this chapter. For specific information on the planting and care of fruit- and nut-bearing trees, though, please see Chapter 15.

## Knowing Your Trees

If you're shopping for a tree or just trying to figure out what to do with one you've inherited in your yard, a basic understanding of its characteristics can help you out. The object is for the tree to enhance your property, so you really need to know your options, which I cover in the next few sections.

## Exploring evergreen trees

People often refer to all evergreens, including Christmas trees, as pines, but of course, the truth is that they're so much more than pines. The term frequently refers to trees with needles — but this case is not always so (see "Broadleaf evergreens," coming up). Calling them _conifers_ (cone-bearing) covers much of what the experts classify as evergreens, but again, not all.

In botany, _evergreens_ are plants that don't lose their leaves or needles all at once on a yearly basis like deciduous trees do in the autumn. By this definition, most tropical plants are evergreens, and some conifers, like the larch and the bald cypress, are deciduous because they shed their needles each year. Small wonder that this term is confused!

Always find out what the mature height and girth of an evergreen is before you commit yourself. Even if the tree grows slowly, say, only a few inches per year, you may find in time that the plant is wedged too close to the house or is banging its head on an overhanging eave. You can slow down an evergreen's growth rate somewhat by not pampering it (reducing water and fertilizer) or placing it in a less-than-ideal spot, but why stress the tree? You're better of making a match between site and plant.

### Needled evergreens

Good landscape trees in the needled group include pines, spruces, cedar, arborvitae, larch, fir, Douglas fir, dawn redwood, juniper, and yew. (Please note: Larch trees and dawn redwoods are unique — their needles yellow and drop in the fall, and the trees generate fresh ones every spring.)

Within these groups, the gardener can choose from many attractive variations, as you can soon see if you visit a good nursery. You have no need to get the plain old (species) forest tree when you can get a descendant or variety that grows shorter and neater or has handsome, distinctive bluish or golden needles or bears shorter or longer needles.

Regular shearing, which I mention in the "Shearing hedges" sidebar at the end of the chapter, can keep a needled evergreen in the size and shape you want. However, picking a tree that fits your chosen spot may save you maintenance work.

### Dwarf needled evergreens

You can look into a whole class of evergreens called _dwarf evergreens_ or _dwarf conifers_ that are worth considering, especially if your yard is small. These trees often range from tiny little 6-inch tufts to knee-high miniature trees. If you have the space and the inclination, a grouping of dwarf evergreens, perhaps coupled with some judiciously placed rocks, can make a splendid display. Dwarf evergreens also make nice hedges, boundary plantings, foundation plantings, and path side edgings.

**_Note:_ ** _Dwarf_ can also mean small in relation to the regular tree of its type; a dwarf white pine (depending on the variety) may grow to 15 feet tall, which is, in fact, dwarfed by a regular white pine, which can grow 80 to 100 feet tall! That may not quite what you have in mind when you see that cute plant in a one-gallon pot. Read the label.

### Broadleaf evergreens

Good landscape trees in the broadleaf group include Southern magnolia, holly, olive, bay laurel, madrone, Toyon, ironwood, strawberry tree, live oak, and citrus. These trees are an outstanding presence in the home landscape. They have a settled and substantial look about them that's very appealing. Use one of these plants where you want a classic, even old-fashioned air of permanence. And yes, they generally hold their leaves over the winter months.

Read descriptions carefully: In very cold areas, the leaves of plants listed as semi-evergreen may fall, curl, or become discolored until spring, when fresh reinforcements are generated.

Unlike their needled counterparts, many broadleaf evergreens sport attractive flowers and fruits (or berries), so you may get some spring or early-summer glory. And some broadleaf evergreens even provide colorful late-season interest that can rival the changing colors of deciduous trees. To make the most of this quality, make sure late frosts don't damage the buds (so pick a variety touted as cold-hardy in your area) and also ensure that you don't inadvertently prune off the show before it begins (read the later section called "Life and limb: Pruning judiciously").

Broadleaf evergreen trees do best in soil that's slightly acidic. If you're not sure whether your yard offers the right growing conditions, get a soil test and amend the soil as recommended beforehand. An acidic mulch, such as chopped-up dried fall leaves from oaks or pine needles, also helps. (See Chapter 4 for more info on soil prep.)

## Falling for deciduous trees

The definition of a _deciduous_ tree is simply one that sheds its leaves every fall and generates new ones the following spring. Good landscape trees in this group include maple, dogwood, beech, gingko, cherry, katsura, birch, linden, oak, tuliptree, buckeye, ash, palo verde, sweetgum, aspen, and redbud. Consider all your options! Each of these trees comes in many different forms or varieties. A well-stocked nursery should offer many options.

Deciduous trees keep life interesting. They have a different appearance in every season — fresh new leaves in spring; often flowers in spring or summer; possibly a fall leaf-color change; and finally, a stark, architectural profile and perhaps interesting bark in the winter months. Many of these trees also bear fruit or nuts — see Chapter 15 for information on these types of trees.

Many deciduous trees end the gardening year in a blaze of glory, especially in colder-climate areas. Because you generally purchase young trees in the springtime, you may forget about fall color. But if autumn color is desirable, find out whether your chosen tree is known to put on a show. Some Japanese maples, for instance, are pretty but plain green-leaved trees all season until fall creates an astounding and spectacular change to crimson, orange, burgundy, or cherry red.

Favorite trees for spectacular fall color include maples (especially Japanese and sugar maples), gingko, sweetgum, katsura, hawthorn, sassafras, crape myrtle, sourwood, and mountain ash.

By and large, deciduous trees tend to grow faster than evergreens, making them a good choice where you want faster gratification, faster results. Within the different kinds, or species, the speed of growth varies considerably — ask when you buy. Growing conditions are also a factor. If your site is stressful for a tree (poor soil, not enough light, windy, and so on), it won't perform as expected. Fast growers include willow, tuliptree, poplar, and gray birch.

### Deciduous shade trees

One of the primary reasons for choosing a tree is shade. Its cooling shelter is something to look forward to, and the dappled light under its arching branches is something to savor on hot summer days. In time, a seat, bench, or table underneath may be in order. Sited near the south-facing side of your house, a shade tree can help cool the house in summer, saving you money on air conditioning. Choose wisely so your vision can come true.

Get information on the ultimate mature size of any tree before you buy. If the one you thought you wanted is predicted to be too big for the spot, don't despair — ask about smaller-size options within the group or opt for a reasonable substitute. If the nursery staff's answers don't satisfy you, do a little research on your own.

The best shade trees are ones with a single, thick main trunk. Discover whether this growth habit is natural for the tree you have in mind; if it isn't, you can cut off side trunks while the plant is still young.

Consider what you want to grow under your shade tree. You can place the tree in the middle of your lawn when you first bring it home, but as it grows, you may find that the grass below becomes thin, scraggly, or dies back altogether due to the lack of sunlight as well as the tree's roots hogging the soil's nutrients and moisture. Down the line, then, prepare to underplant your shade tree with shade-tolerant grass or a shade-loving, drought tolerant groundcover. Or if you plan seating under the tree's shelter, maybe place nothing but mulched ground around the tree's base.

Trees with weeping habits are not ideal shade trees because their downward-swooping branches don't allow a person to stand under them comfortably, never mind underplanting or placing seating in its shade. Classic examples are weeping birches, beeches, and willows. These trees are lovely in their own right and still deserve to be grown, but grow them in some spot where using their shade isn't important to you.

### Flowering deciduous trees

Get double the pleasure from a landscape tree when you choose one that flowers. Generally, the show is early in the gardening year, and generally, it doesn't last long. But that brevity doesn't mean you can't revel in its beauty. Favorite flowering trees include crabapple, dogwood, Japanese tree lilac, ornamental pear, flowering cherry, redbud, and fringe tree.

Depending on what's going on nearby or in the rest of your garden, the flower color of your flowering tree may or may not be a part of a larger display. An easy way to avoid a clash is to plant a white-flowered tree — or conversely, to favor white-flowered spring bulbs, perennials, and shrubs in the vicinity. But if you're daring, beholding some red tulips at the feet of a red-flowered dogwood or a redbud tree — or the Easter-egg hues of pink and purple hyacinths skirting a cherry tree — can be a real thrill.

For best results, observe your new tree's flower color — and blooming duration — for one spring or two. That way, you can decide whether existing companions please you or whether you should install some good ones for _next_ year.

## Choosing the Right Tree for Where You Live

A classic mistake that eager homeowners make is choosing a tree based on looks alone. A tree is a significant, long-term investment, so make your selection carefully.

Native trees are often a smart choice; they're already adapted to local weather and soil, not to mention they're probably resistant to common area pests or diseases. If which trees are native and which aren't isn't obvious to you when you go shopping, ask. Or better still, first visit a nearby park, botanical garden, or arboretum where trees are mature _and_ labeled.

Horticulturists breed or select cultivars of native trees, and these cultivated varieties are seen as variations or improvements on their wild forbears. Where available, they may be your best bet of all because they build off of natural adaptations.

Otherwise, just make a smart match: If your soil is naturally dry, sandy, or quick-draining, don't choose a thirsty tree like a birch or a willow. Keeping it healthy and looking good would only become a major, and perhaps frustrating, project. Shop close to home — reputable local nurseries have plenty of stock that ought to thrive for you. If your chosen site has any special or unique conditions (boggy soil, say), tell the salesperson so he or she can assist you in making an appropriate choice.

Beware of shedders: Trees that dump leaves, seedpods, nuts, or cotton end up being a lot of extra work unless you're prepared to handle it. Examples include poplar, mulberry, cottonwood, willow, sweetgum, eucalyptus, horse chestnut, and black walnut.

Consider shade density. If you prefer dappled shade (and hope to grow lawn underneath the tree), choose a tree with a lighter canopy. Examples include ash, birch, honeylocust, and linden. If you want dense shade, go for an oak or maple.

If your summers are long and hot, you don't want a new young tree to just dry out and die, even despite extra water and attention from you. Your ideal tree should have small rather than large leaves (this includes needles!). Leaves with less surface area conserve moisture better. The tree should also have deep roots that can travel to where sustaining moisture is. Good drought-resilient trees include Eastern red cedar, live oak, hickory, Kentucky coffee tree, honeylocust, persimmon, bur oak, pin oak, gingko, laurel, pines, mesquite, Aleppo pine, blue Atlas cedar, and jacaranda.

## Getting Treed! Planting Trees

Trees take up space. Okay, maybe the sky's the limit with vertical space, but you have to account for the horizontal space — how big around, how broad, how spreading — that a tree requires. A tree in a crowded or cramped setting, or one that has outgrown its spot, runs the risk of becoming not only unhealthy and a hazard but also a sorry sight. A poorly planted tree is also a big pain the neck to chop back or remove, if it comes down to that. So plan ahead!

## Not just for Arbor Day: Deciding when to plant your tree

The best time to plant trees is spring. New, young plants are surging into growth and — assuming you plant your new tree or trees in a good spot and with care — are full of energy for the months ahead. In other words, spring planting corresponds favorably to a tree's metabolic cycle. Roots can grow, and the tree can settle in. A tree's a big plant, after all, and it needs all the time it can get to adjust to its new home.

Fall planting is the second choice. Fall may be the first preference for gardeners in parts of the country having a very early hot spring and summer. Fall is also ideal for transplanting if you live in an area where the weather is cool and damp. Do be sure to plant early in the fall so the trees have a chance to become established before very cold weather moves in and the ground begins to freeze.

## Finding a suitable location

When trying to decide where to put a tree, first find out your chosen tree's mature size. Figure out the standard dimensions of the exact variety you've chosen. Varieties vary. For example, the handsome English oak _(Quercus robur)_ in its "plain old species" form can reach 100 feet tall, whereas a cultivar of it called 'Westminster Globe' gets to only about 45 feet. Here's a less dramatic example: The standard kousa dogwood _(Cornus kousa)_ has the potential to get about 20 to 30 feet high and wide; if that's way too big for your yard, you can look for a cultivar, such as 'Elizabeth Lustgarten,' which remains under 10 feet or so.

The information you need should be on the tag, on a sticker on the pot, or available from the garden center's inventory list (flag down a staffer). Or you can get it from reference books, in nursery catalogs, or with a little Internet research.

Now, assume the tree _will_ get that big, even though research has suggested that tree-dimension results vary from place to place, from garden to garden, and from garden settings versus park or wooded settings. Better to overestimate than underestimate! Then read on for info on how best to place your tree.

### Avoiding trouble spots

Trees are a long-term investment, and you're best off if you find them a good home in the first place. Put some thought into the place that's most likely to make your relationship with your tree a comfortable one.

Bring the info on the tree's mature size, and march out boldly into your yard or garden with your tape measure and some means of marking the outline (even a length of garden hose or heavy-duty electrical extension cord will do). Mark the spot, making a big outline. It doesn't have to be precise or perfect — this outline is for the purposes of eyeballing the tree's potential.

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Consider the following factors when you situate your tree:

  **The initial dig:** Assess your desired location to see whether digging there is possible and practical. Call your utility companies to have them mark where your phone, electric, gas, and sewer lines are before you make any decisions.

  **Root-system potential:** Where the roots will end up is a very good question, and tracking down the answer isn't always easy. But you're safe in assuming that the roots will eventually extend farther than the reach of the tree's branches (the _drip line,_ landscapers call this).

Some trees, such as willows, seek water, and they tend to thrive right by the septic system (where they can cause expensive damage). Keep trees away from septic fields. Other trees are shallow-rooted and may uproot the surface of a driveway or sidewalk if you plant them too close.

  **Canopy encroachment and leafy obstructions:** Know the ultimate height of the trees you're buying before planting them under utility lines. And remember that planting trees and shrubs close to the road can be hazardous! When placing these plants, provide yourself and visitors with adequate lines of sight when you're pulling in and out of your drive.

Now is the time to discover whether your tree's going to collide with your garage or shrub border or driveway or encroach on your neighbor's property as it grows — and to adjust your plans accordingly, either by scooting the projected site over by several feet or by switching your plans to a smaller tree. Mark the middle of the rough circle, because this place, of course, is where you'll dig your tree's hole.

Figure out whether you'll want to do other substantial digging nearby. A strong, well-developed root system is critical to the health of a tree. Roots anchor the tree into the ground and are its lifeline in obtaining the huge quantities of water and nutrients that it needs from the soil (see Figure 11-1). Amazingly, most tree roots are in only the top 18 inches or so of the soil! This fact illustrates why you have to be careful not to damage trees' vital and vulnerable roots when digging nearby.

**Figure 11-1:** Examining the root system for a typical tree.

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### Designing to conserve energy and block the wind

Sometimes the addition of a tree, or trees, is practical as well as decorative. Not only do trees look attractive and provide a suitable support for your hammock, but they also filter pollutants from rainwater, reduce the amount of water that ends up in storm drains, decrease ozone, and put out a nice supply of free oxygen. Not too shabby! You can also use trees to help conserve energy by shading the house in the summer, letting sunlight in during winter months, and blocking the wind. Depending on what you want the tree to do, some trees are better candidates than others.

To shade the house in the summer, plant deciduous trees where you get southern or western exposure. If possible, try to shade the air conditioning unit. After the trees shed their leaves in the fall, they'll let the winter sun warm your house.

Evergreens often serve as windbreaks to protect gardens, homes, and other structures. Ideally, a windbreak tree has certain useful qualities:

  It grows fast.

  Its branches and twigs aren't brittle.

  Its foliage is naturally thick.

  It develops deep roots or a taproot to help it remain anchored.

  It tolerates drought (because winds dry it out).

  In groups, it grows densely.

  It bends before it breaks.

Use a row of trees to block prevailing winds. Planting a double row of evergreens is sometimes more effective.

## Planting your tree

Planting involves a point of debate. You may know that welcoming other new plants (say, a perennial or a rosebush) to your yard with amended soil is a good idea. The usual advice is to dig the hole and mix some of the native soil with some good organic matter, on the grounds that few of us have fabulous, perfect native soil in our yards. Should you do this for an incoming tree as well? Actually, no — not because digging a tree-size hole is a lot of work. And not because anyone assumes that your yard has fabulous, perfect native soil. A tree's roots are eventually going to expand well beyond the planting hole you make for them. They need to go deep and wide over time.

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If you make the initial hole full of wonderful, organically rich soil, tree roots may never journey beyond the bounds of your planting hole. And journey beyond it they must if the tree is to grow and eventually reach its mature size. So do the roots of your new tree a favor and don't coddle them with amended, improved soil in their youth. They have to adapt to their lot in life!

If you're installing a tree on a lot that was recently built upon, improving the soil _is_ necessary. You can pretty safely assume that the soil is not only compacted (from all the construction equipment running over and over it) but also of poor quality. In fact, the topsoil may have been scraped off long ago, when the site was being prepared. That leaves subsoil, which is often lousy, poorly draining, and maybe full of rocks. Therefore, make all planting holes as big as you can (bigger than you would otherwise), remove all rocks and debris, and then backfill with a combination of that subsoil and some good organic matter such as topsoil, loam, compost, and/or dehydrated manure.

In the next few sections, I give you details on how to handle trees depending on how they come to you: as a container tree, a bareroot tree, or a balled-and-burlapped tree. For now, though, here's the basic information you need on how to plant a tree. Just follow these steps:

**1.** **Lay a tarp on the ground (or position a wheelbarrow) near the planting site.**

You can shovel or scoop planting-hole soil on and off the tarp as you work, thus avoiding making a mess of your lawn or planting area.

**2.** **Dig a substantial hole, twice as wide as but only a few inches deeper than the rootball.**

Rough up the sides of the hole with a shovel or garden fork. Make sure you have a mound of loose soil in the bottom as you set the tree in to allow for easier development of roots into the area.

**3.** **Set the tree in the ground at the level it was growing previously.**

You should be able to observe a soil line where the roots meet the main trunk.

**4.** **Hold the tree erect and in place as you backfill the soil.**

If you can't do both at once, get a helper to do one of these activities while you do the other.

**5.** **Water well to eliminate air pockets, which can cause some settling; then add more soil as needed.**

**6.** **Create a basin of mulch or soil around the edge of the planting hole to catch rain and future waterings.**

The size of the basin depends on the size of the tree, though it's generally 2 to 3 feet in diameter.

**7.** **Mulch the area well to help keep the soil from drying out and to keep weeds or encroaching lawn grass at bay.**

Keep mulch an inch away from the trunk of the tree.

**8.** **Add a stake (or two or three if the tree is wobbly) to encourage straight growth.**

This stake also helps the tree withstand wind until it's established and well-anchored in its new home. But don't stake too firmly; you want to the tree to be able to move with the wind without whipping back and forth, which can cause root damage.

### Container trees

Sometimes young trees are offered for sale in 5-, 10-, 20-gallon, and larger pots. They need to get out of these containers soon! Otherwise, they run the risk of becoming rootbound. You can check root condition at the nursery before buying; simply tip the pot to the side to see whether the roots are in a dense tangle or whether some roots are questing out of the drainage holes in the bottom — both signs of a rootbound plant.

Buying a slightly rootbound seedling tree is okay. When you get it home and are about to transfer it to the planting hole, you can score the sides vertically with a sharp knife (a mere 1/4-inch slice); rather than harming the rootball, this act forces the roots to generate fresh new feeder roots at the incision.

### Bareroot trees

Bareroot trees are dormant, but they won't be for long if spring is in the air. However, you can buy them earlier in the season and plant them earlier without fear of transplant shock. When in the ground, they emerge from dormancy and start growing at a gradual rate.

Regardless of whether you buy a bareroot tree at a nursery or order one via mail-order, do check it over for quality and health. The roots should be crisp and white or brown. A few bedraggled or blackened limp ones can be clipped off, but if you notice a lot of these, you have an unhealthy specimen.

You may observe that the tree has little or no signs of green leaves or buds. For a novice gardener, buying one of these is indeed an act of faith. But it will come to life; it will!

Here's a special tip for bareroot trees: If you have a mere slip of a young tree, consisting only of one main stem and no limbs as yet, cut it back by about a third prior to planting. Yes, this trim sets back upward growth for a while, but it also allows the young tree to direct more energy into root growth, which is so important at first.

### Balled-and-burlapped trees

Balled and burlapped is a time-honored way to sell a tree. It indicates that the plant was recently dug out of the ground. The burlap and twine is there to hold the rootball together, usually along with some soil. This state of affairs is meant to be temporary; the wrapping is just to make transporting easier and neater.

If for some reason you can't plant your "b&b" tree right away, it can keep for a few days or a week if you stash it in a shady, sheltered spot and keep the burlap dampened.

Make sure you remove every bit of this burlap covering and all the twine or string on planting day. Arborists used to advise that you tear open only the bottom of the burlap and let the rest rot in the planting hole over time, but this idea has been discredited. Also, some modern burlap and string have plastic woven in, which never breaks down and can constrict growth.

## Taking Care of Your Tree

Trees, sadly, are often cared for only when first planted and then they're left to fend for themselves in landscapes after they've matured. People usually end this isolation only if the trees become diseased or damaged. Yes, you should take special care of your tree when it's newly planted to help it get established, but you should also make a habit of caring for it season by season, year by year, as it matures and grows. A healthy tree is a happy tree, and trees reflect the care you put into them in their beauty. Healthy trees often make the most beautiful trees, after all.

## Giving trees a tall drink of water

The most important times to water a tree are when it's newly planted — indeed, throughout its first year — and during dry spells. Deep, soaking waterings are ideal. If you've made a basin around the tree on planting day (as I advise in the previous "Planting your tree" section), the water will go where needed instead of dribbling away.

Lay a hose at the base of the tree and run it on a slow trickle. Check back at intervals to make sure the water's soaking in. If it starts to run off, stop for a spell, let the water soak in, and then resume.

If you're wondering whether the water you supply is actually reaching the roots, dig about a foot down with a trowel and find out. You may be surprised to discover that you have to water for much longer than you thought. Trees are heavy drinkers!

Soak new, young trees twice a week their first year. Mature trees, of course, can go longer. How long depends on the type of tree, your soil, and the weather. When in doubt, water mature trees about once or twice a month during the height of summer.

In a drought, don't wait until the tree is shedding leaves or wilting to apply supplemental water (assuming your municipality doesn't forbid watering) — withholding water is very stressful for an already weakened plant.

Water bags are very handy for watering recently planted trees. Simply place these clever devices around a tree at the ground level and fill them with water. They're designed to slowly release water so that it gently saturates the soil around the tree roots without running off. See Figure 11-2.

**Figure 11-2:** Water bags give trees a long, slow drink.

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## Fertilizing trees

Whether to fertilize a tree is strictly your call. If you know your garden soil isn't very fertile or you want to pamper a new, young tree, you may fertilize monthly or even more often during the growing season. Check at the nursery or garden center for tree fertilizer and apply or dilute according to the label directions.

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Stop fertilizing as fall approaches! Plant food inspires fresh bursts of growth, which cold weather or an early frost can damage. Fall is the time when your tree should be slowing down in preparation for the coming winter, anyway.

## Life and limb: Pruning judiciously

Pruning a tree and pruning a bush are really quite similar processes. You can really prune trees any time. Prune to remove obviously dead or damaged growth, to keep the tree healthy and your landscape beautiful, and to remove potentially dangerous branches that could fall and create a lot of damage.

Use sharp tools so you don't mash or rip your tree's growth, and use the right tool for the job — if handheld clippers struggle to make the cuts you want, graduate to loppers or a saw (flip to Chapter 5 for info on tools). Figure 11-3 shows you the basics on pruning trees and bushes. More-detailed information on pruning bushes is located later in the chapter in "Pruning for shape and rejuvenation."

In the spring, you can also remove suckers and watersprouts right at the base, whenever they appear, to help keep your tree well-groomed. _Suckers_ are shoots that originate underground from the roots; _watersprouts_ are the usually fast-growing vertical shoots that sprout along a branch or the trunk of the tree.

Winter is the best time to do maintenance pruning. The tree's profile is easier to see and assess, and the tree can recover from your cuts. Thin out tangled growth, a crowded interior, and generally shape the crown. Remove branches that are crossing one another or are in danger of rubbing against each other.

### Training and pruning young trees

If you can get 'em while they're young — that is, prune a tree wisely and properly while it's still small — chances are that you'll have little more to do when it's older. Also, such cuts are smaller and consequently heal faster. But what you cut depends on what your goals are. Perhaps you want a single trunk. If so, watch and pick a trunk, and remove the competing leader or leaders.

**Figure 11-3:** Four common ways to prune trees and shrubs.

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Because distance from the ground never changes and distance between branches never changes, make your cuts only after careful observation of the entire tree. You want evenly spaced branches going up in a spiral so the mature tree will be attractive and full from all angles. Pick your keepers and remove all others.

### Maintenance pruning of mature trees

Sometimes a branch, or more than one, needs to be removed from a large tree. Perhaps it was damaged by some sort of accident or a storm, or perhaps it's threatening a roof or power line.

Big limbs are best removed in a three-cut approach (see Figure 11-4) so you can lower them in pieces to the ground without damaging anything or hurting anyone. This approach also ensures that their removal doesn't involve ripping or twisting, which mars the tree itself. You may have to tie a rope securely to the branch's end so you, or a helper, can control its fall.

**Figure 11-4:** Removing a large limb in three steps.

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Here's how the cuts work:

**1.** **Make an undercut several inches out from where the branch attaches to a larger limb or the trunk, partway through.**

**2.** **Make a cut from the top of the branch a few inches farther out.**

As a result, the branch breaks off cleanly.

**3.** **Remove the stub flush against the main branch or trunk, thus finishing the job neatly.**

Don't bother with glue or tree paint. The wound will heal itself.

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If the branch is heavy, up high in the tree, or seems to warrant the use of a chainsaw rather than a handsaw, this is a job for a professional arborist. For branches that are threatening a power line, notify your power company of the problem. If they don't take care of it, consult a professional arborist who's experienced in working around power lines.

Ask at a local garden center, ask neighbors who have had tree work done, or look in the Yellow Pages for a licensed, certified arborist. Then have the arborist over to look at the job, and get a written estimate. At this time, your instincts can tell you whether the arborist seems confident and competent. But still find out whether the he or she is insured and has training credentials, and get the number of at least one other customer as a reference. You don't want to hire an amateur and incur damage or have an accident on your property for which you may be liable. If you can, ask to see the arborist's work. Steer clear of those who _top_ trees (lop off the ends of terminal limbs). This mutilation results in an unsightly, stubby-looking tree with large wounded limbs that are susceptible to disease and insect infestations.

Candle growth is the tender new growth (before the needles have expanded) of conifers. You can cut or "pinch" these growths when they're young to encourage branching (see Figure 11-5).

**Figure 11-5:** Pruning candle growth on evergreens.

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## Raising the stakes: Offering some support

Staking is usually warranted only when the trunk is frail or exposed to strong winds. Wood stakes or metal, it doesn't especially matter, so long as the stakes are quite long, strong, and sturdy.

Stakes should be sunk deep into the ground — another reason to stake when the tree's young (with a larger tree, you may find the roots obstructing the way or you may harm the roots as you plunge in the stake). Unlike staking, say, a top-heavy dahlia, tree stakes are _not_ placed right close to the stem they're meant to support. Tree stakes are much more effective when you put them a distance away (just beyond the watering basin is good — see the previous "Planting your tree" section) and connected with string or wire or cloth to the tree. See Figure 11-6.

**Figure 11-6:** Two different ways to stake a tree. Use the method on the left if wind comes from one direction, and use the method on the right if wind comes from several directions.

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To avoid laceration of the tree trunk or branches, protect wire or twine with plastic or a length of hose, or use a softer material such as cloth strips.

If you drive two stakes into the ground on opposite sides of a small tree and connect each one to the trunk, the result is quite stable; using three stakes balances the tree even better, especially when you have prevailing strong winds. You can probably remove the stakes after the first year — their work is done, and the youngster ready to stand on its own.

## Knowing Your Shrubs

Shrubs are the real workhorses of the home landscape. For all intents and purposes, regard them as permanent or long-term fixtures. They're something to see and appreciate in all seasons, bringing heft and stability to your yard. And after they reach mature size, you can maintain them that way with little trouble. So it behooves you to choose wisely, matching your yard's growing conditions and getting the look you want. In the following sections, I tell you about the different types of shrubs.

Consult your local garden center or an agriculture extension agent to find out which cultivars are best suited to your area and also to know which shrubs are invasive and potentially illegal to grow in your area.

## Nonflowering shrubs

Just like trees, shrubs may be deciduous or evergreen, needled or broadleaf (see the earlier "Knowing Your Trees" section). Here are some of your best bets for nonflowering shrubs. Check with your local garden center or cooperative agricultural extension to see which specific varieties of these trees and shrubs are best suited to your area:

  **Evergreen needled:** Some ideal needled shrubs include Japanese yews, mugo pine, junipers, boxwood, dwarf conifer, and arborvitae.

Some herbs also fit this category, such as sage, lavender, oregano, thyme, and rosemary. See Chapter 14 for information on herbs.

  **Evergreen broadleaf:** Broadleaf shrubs that keep their leaves year-round include Japanese pieris, mountain laurels, boxwood, sweetbox, wintergreen barberry, and various hollies.

  **Deciduous:** If you want shrubs that drop their leaves every year, consider privet, beautyberry, snowberry, various euonymus, alpine currant, and various willows.

Some deciduous shrubs can give you a fantastic show before shedding their leaves. Favorite shrubs for spectacular fall color include barberry, aronia, winged euonymus (burning bush), blueberry, oleander, viburnum, and smokebush.

## Flowering shrubs

Flowering shrubs give you the most bang for your buck. You get the benefit of their foliage all season long, so they're a substantial presence in your yard while other flowers — annuals and perennials — come and go at their feet. But these shrubs also contribute pretty flowers. Some shrubs flower in spring, summer, and even the fall, but spring-flowering shrubs are the most common.

Spring-flowering shrubs come in many hues, and matches are fun to make when you're viewing the yard as a whole. Bloom times may or may not match up, though. (If only bridal-veil spirea, frothing with lacy white flowers, bloomed at the same time as the white magnolia!) Of course, in different parts of the country, spring may be extended so that you don't get much overlap, whereas in colder areas, such as in the Midwest, the same spring bloom is compressed into a much shorter time, so you see much more overlap.

From time to time, you need to prune flowering shrubs, mainly to shape them. The right timing is important, or you may accidentally cut off the buds before they have a chance to flower! Consult "Pruning for shape and rejuvenation," later in the chapter, for details.

Some flowering shrubs are deciduous and some aren't. Deciduous azaleas are, of course, deciduous, whereas evergreen azaleas and rhododendrons are not.

Favorite spring-bloomers include lilac, spirea, forsythia, daphne, ceanothus (California lilac), rhododendron, azalea, heather, winter jasmine, mock orange, viburnum, California flannel bush, and Chinese empress tree. If you want to look into obtaining bushes that sometimes bloom in summer or early fall, look into roses (see Chapter 9), broom, hydrangea, clethra, potentilla, Rose-of-Sharon, butterfly bush, Russian sage, abutilon (flowering maple), and golden raintree.

## Planning Practical Uses for Bushes

Sometimes gardeners grow shrubs in groups, rows, or masses — for purely practical reasons, not just for their beauty. Of course, their beauty is a nice plus! For best results, plant the young shrubs close together but not so closely that they soon crowd one another (which leads to misshapen growth and poor health). Finding out and planning for their mature size can help you space them appropriately.

Here are some possible uses and recommendations:

  **Visual screens and sound barriers:** A boundary of shrubs around a patio, or deck, or along a property line does more than screen out a view of the outside world (your neighbor's house, driveway, or trash bins or a busy street). It creates a sense of enclosure and intimacy. It may also cut down on noise — a nice plus. Some good choices include holly, rhododendron and azalea, hydrangea, privet, and rose. For year-around privacy, be sure to choose evergreen plants.

  **Hedge or fence:** Closely planted shrubs, shoulder to shoulder, can act as a living fence along a property line or anywhere you need to put up a barrier. People and animals are discouraged from crossing, and the hedge looks a lot nicer and softer than many fences may. Some good choices include mountain laurel, holly, chokeberry, yew, abelia, and privet.

  **Foundation:** A traditional use of shrubs is as a way to hide a home's concrete or stone foundation from view. As side benefits, foundation shrubs help integrate your home into your landscape and may help hold in both warmth in winter and coolness in summer. Some good deciduous choices include __ cotoneaster, daphne, firethorn, flowering quince, and hydrangea; good evergreen choices include camellia, aucuba, nandina, cephhalotaxus, holly, rhododendron and azalea, spruce, and yew.

## Planting Shrubs

A shrub needs elbow room. Eventually, it'll reach its mature size and growth will slow and stabilize. At that point, the shrub shouldn't be crowding other plants, including other shrubs and your flower garden, nor should it be encroaching on areas where you need to walk or keep things, including garden furniture. The ultimate height and width of the plants are things you need to plan for even before you buy your shrubs.

Know the limits; find out the projected mature size of the shrubs you want ahead of time. This information ought to be on the nursery tag or on a label on the pot; otherwise, someone on the nursery staff can tell you, or you can look it up. Read on for some planting info.

## Deciding when to plant your shrubs

As with trees, plant in the spring! This timing gives young plants an opportunity to establish themselves in your yard, a few months in which to develop roots that both anchor and fuel the show this year and for years to come. Local nurseries have the best and broadest selection waiting for you in spring.

Fall planting is also possible, right after summer's heat begins to dissipate and well before a frost is expected — four to six weeks before frost is a good time frame. Gardeners in mild-winter climates tend to have better luck because of the longer spell of hospitable weather. Either way, though, don't expect significant aboveground growth (new leaves or flower buds); some root development at this point can give new shrubs a jumpstart on next spring. To help the plants prepare for dormancy, don't fertilize fall-planted shrubs.

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Avoid summer plantings, even if the shrubs are on sale! Summer heat and sun are stressful for newly planted shrubs and they may struggle, dropping leaves and buds. If you simply must, coddle the youngsters with some sheltering shade and plentiful water.

## Situating your shrubs

Where to plant your shrubs has as much to do with the ground quality as with the location. A single shrub, sited solo and out in the open, is what landscapers call a _specimen plant._ People view it from all angles. So attend to the ground below (is it good soil or can you improve it? Is it free of obstructions, including tree roots and utility lines?) and attend to the space around (will it have enough space to grow and reach its full potential?).

Shrubs are great in rows or sweeps, as screens, barriers, or hedges, and as foundation plants. For best results, clear the area in advance and make sure the shrub isn't too close to a building, fence, or other obstruction that may inhibit or halt its growth. Depending on how many shrubs you're installing, either dig a line of individual planting holes or make a big, long trench.

The concept of shrub borders isn't new, but it goes in and out of garden fashion. The idea is to plant a group or row of shrubs that are different sorts, weaving together a compatible, textured show. It can have an informal or wild look, or it can be an artful tapestry. Because the different plants have different growth habits or profiles, you may need to intervene from time to time with your clippers or loppers to keep the look you want and to discourage more aggressive growers from dominating.

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Pay attention to your lines of sight if you're planting in the front yard. A shrub too close to the road can make pulling out of the driveway a harrowing experience.

## Perfecting your shrub-planting skills

Amending the planting hole is usually a good, practical idea. If you know your yard's soil isn't that great, or if your new shrub has a particular soil requirement (for instance, rhododendrons prefer acidic soil), by all means, make soil adjustments. The rule of thumb is half native soil and half organically rich amendments (which can be any or all of the following: topsoil, compost, dehydrated manure, loam, or slightly moistened peat moss). Chapter 4 has more info on soil amendments.

For the shrub to receive the maximum benefits of the improved soil, the planting hole should be as big as you figure the rootball will become over time (the rule here is that the rootball ultimately will become as deep and wide as the plant above is tall and wide).

In the next few sections, I give you a few more details on how to plant your bushes based on the form they're in when you buy them, whether as container plants, bareroot plants, or balled and burlapped. For a general approach to planting bushes, no matter what form they arrive to you in, apply the info in the earlier section "Planting your tree." (Follow all the instructions save for the last one, on staking.)

### Container shrubs

Suppliers commonly sell shrubs in pots. Your main concern is that the plant not be too terribly rootbound. Tilt the pot and nudge out the root system for a look, if possible. The roots should fill the pot but not be an impenetrable mass; some roots may be questing out the bottom drainage holes. (If the root system seems small for the pot or dirt spills out all around, the shrub is not well-rooted; bypass the plant in favor of a better specimen.)

When you're ready to plant back at your house and you coax the rootball out of the pot for the last time, you can help encourage new growth. Using your fingers, tease tight roots loose, especially on the bottom. If the side roots are fairly tight and resistant, you may score them very lightly with a sharp knife (1/4 inch deep is all) on four sides to inspire fresh root growth when the plant's in the ground.

### Bareroot shrubs

Occasionally, shrubs are available earlier in the season or via mail-order as bareroot plants. These plants are dormant plants and, truthfully, don't look too promising, but don't be fooled. You should see no evidence of green growth on the top part. The root system should look healthy, though, with crisp white or brownish roots (if you have wiry, black, or limp roots — only a few — clip them off; if you see a lot of these, the plant is in rough shape; reject it).

Bareroot shrubs can go into the ground earlier in the spring, because they're still dormant and won't be traumatized by the cooler soil and air. Properly planted, they come to life gradually along with the rest of nature.

### Balled-and-burlapped bushes

Larger shrubs and field-dug ones are often sold balled and burlapped, later in spring when freezing weather is past in cold-winter climates and fall through spring in mild-winter climates. The root system is wrapped up in a protective cover of burlap that's laced securely in place. This wrapping allows you to get the plant from nursery to home without a mess.

Eyeballing this mass can give you an idea of how big a hole you need to dig — aim for at least several inches deeper and wider than the rootball. A hole the size of the mature plant, partially filled with a mix of native and amended soil, may be even better.

Prior to planting, remove or cut off all the burlap and twine. In the past, some landscapers and gardeners simply opened up the bottom of the bundle and put the plant in the hole, leaving the remaining burlap and string to rot over time in the hole. But this tack is no longer advisable — today's burlap and twine may contain plastic, which doesn't biodegrade. Take it all off!

## Caring for Your Shrubs

A well-cared-for shrub is beautiful and healthy, and it remains so. Frequent attention to the plant's needs is crucial the first year or two, less so as the years go by and the plant becomes an established part of your yard. The following sections give you the basic information that you need to take very good care of your bushes.

## Watering

When first planted and indeed throughout the entire first growing season, water your new shrubs deeply and often. Deliver the water directly to the root area (a hose trickling slowly into the basin you created on planting day is perfect). Twice-a-week watering may be necessary through the spring and summer months — slow down and stop at the beginning of fall, sending the plants into winter with one last good soaking.

A young plant can't tolerate dry spells and drought because its roots are still developing and may not dive very deep into the ground. An older, established plant can withstand drought better but shows signs of distress by dropping petals, unopened buds, and dried, curled, or yellowing leaves — don't let the situation come to that. (Dramatic cycles of soaking and drying out are also stressful for a plant and weaken it, making the shrub more vulnerable to pests and disease. Neglect becomes a downward spiral.)

Lay down a layer of mulch, at least an inch or two thick, in spring or summer, all across the shrub's root zone. This mulch helps retain soil moisture. It also keeps encroaching weeds or lawn grass, competitors for soil moisture, at bay. Keep mulch 1 inch away from stems.

## Fertilizing your shrubs

For newly planted shrubs, some people have found starter solutions useful. They consist of water soluble fertilizers (usually high in phosphorous) and vitamins and hormones that stimulate new root growth. Regular fertilizing can begin the second year

  To boost overall plant health and vigor

  To help green up the leaves and encourage thicker foliage

  To promote more buds and thus more flowers

Apply a general-purpose garden fertilizer, diluted according to the label directions. For best results, feed every two weeks or monthly throughout the growing season.

If your yard's soil is good or the plants seem fine without fertilizer, of course, leave well enough alone.

### Shearing hedges

_Shearing_ is a term used to describe the pruning method used most frequently to create or shape hedges. Instead of hand pruners, you use hedge shears, the hand or electric type, to do the job.

In pruning shrubs, try to maintain the natural shape of the plant. A common mistake is to shape shrubs with a wide top and narrow base. Lack of sunlight shades out lower interior growth, resulting in a woody base.

Unfortunately, many gardeners use or misuse this same technique, shearing, to shape shrubs into balls or other geometric shapes. Your shrubs beg you not to do this! It results in a yard full of shrub lollipops! They look very artificial, and after you start this process, you're forced to keep it up every year. Save yourself work and your shrubs embarrassment by pruning them to their natural form.

## Pruning for shape and rejuvenation

Most shrubs require at least some pruning to control growth and to shape the plants. Always use sharp, clean tools; try clippers for the smaller branches and loppers for the larger ones. Electric hedge trimmers can be useful when shearing hedges (see the sidebar) but are not recommended for other pruning. Hand tools do the job more precisely with cleaner cuts (see Chapter 5 for info on tools).

Late winter or early spring is the best time to work on your shrubs because they're dormant then. Also, if the shrubs are deciduous, they aren't cloaked in foliage at these times and you're better able to see and assess the branches' forms and condition and the plant's overall profile.

Shrubs grown for their flowers that bloom in spring and early summer are an exception to the spring-pruning rule. If you cut them in early spring, you remove the coming season's show. Wait until just after blooming is finished. The shrub gets time to recover and to generate new flower buds for the coming year's blossoms before winter comes.

Knowing when to prune shrubs that you enjoy for both fruits and flowers (such as viburnum and rose) is hard because you're forced to sacrifice either some of the flowers or some of the berries or hips. Your best bet is to split the difference: Do some trimming right after bloom and cut the plant a bit more in the fall (in the case of viburnums, you can call the fall pruning _berry harvesting_ — the berries are very decorative, nice for holiday swags and wreaths).

Getting an overgrown shrub — one that's too big, too wide, or growing thick and wild — back into shape takes time and patience, but it's possible, and you'll be so proud of the results. This pruning is not hard work, but it does take several years. Follow these steps and the illustration in Figure 11-7:

**1.** **Remove all non-negotiable growth.**

Cut out all dead, diseased, broken, or damaged wood. Cut this growth right down to the ground and get it out of there. The shrub should look better immediately!

**2.** **Take out a few of the older stems.**

Don't remove all of them — not more than about a third for starters. Let the plant recover for a year before you decide to remove even more.

**3.** **The next winter, shorten the remaining stems to just a bit lower than the height you want the shrub to be.**

Then let the shrub grow — the wounds will soon be hidden from view and in ensuing years, you can maintain the plant at the size you want.

**Figure 11-7:** Rejuvenation pruning, or thinning, for shrubs. Left is the bush before pruning, and right is the bush after pruning.

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##### Chapter 12

## Climbers and Crawlers: Growing Vines and Groundcovers

### In This Chapter

  Observing vines and how they climb

  Deciding which vines suit you best

  Providing support, planting, and caring for vines

  Checking out groundcovers

  Planting and taking care of living carpets

People give so much attention to flowers, both annual and perennial (see Chapters 6 and 7 respectively), that they sometimes forget the rest of the story — or rather, they forget that gardeners have other important possibilities for their gardens.

When you include vines, you decorate the vertical plane of a fence, wall, or trellis. When you add some groundcovers, the horizontal plane of the yard gains a living carpet, an attractive alternative to a span of cement or gravel or lawn grass. Some plants, notably English ivy and wintercreeper, can fill either role.

Vines and groundcovers are very important in gardening because they embrace and effectively soften the floor, walls, and ceiling of your garden. Properly planted and, in the case of vines, supported, these versatile plants are both easy and essential. Use vines and groundcovers to make the most of limited space or to make a sprawling area more intimate. This chapter gives you the information you need to get started.

## Looking at How Vines Hold On

Vines are interesting plants. Consider this: They've evolved to seize and enjoy a niche in the crowded world of plants, opportunistically going wherever the available space and adequate sunlight are. If their roots are secure and nurtured in the soil below, the top growth of vines is amazingly flexible. A vine can clamber through other plants, up or sideways as needed, and navigate tight spots until it arrives where it can bask and thrive. Pretty impressive!

Vines have adaptations that help them in their journeys. Or to be more specific, vines have their ways of hanging on as they climb. This information is important to know because it impacts the area or support structure you choose for your vine — you don't want damage, and you want the going to be easy. The following sections give you an overview of climbing methods, also illustrated in Figure 12-1.

**Figure 12-1:** Star jasmine climbs by twining; grapes climb with tendrils; Boston ivy climbs via holdfasts; and climbing roses tend to sprawl.

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## Twining

Twining is the simplest means for a vine to climb onward and upward. In _twining,_ a vine's stems spiral around a support on their own and are thus anchored. Interestingly, some vines prefer to ascend clockwise, others counterclockwise. You can peer closely at your vine to discover which it is. Or you can try this fun backyard experiment: Find a stray stem and wind it around the support. If it stays in place an hour or half a day later, you guessed correctly; if it stubbornly unwinds and slings itself back into the open air, you guessed wrong.

The key to a successful display is to provide ample support, or supplementary support (such as strings attached to a wooden trellis), to guide growth in the direction you want. Favorite twining vines include morning glory, star jasmine, moonflower, and wisteria.

## Tendrils

_Tendrils_ are not the vine's stems itself but thin, short little appendages on the vine that do the grabbing and attaching work. Technically, tendrils may be modified branches or leaves. Though small, vine tendrils are often quite tough and resilient, hanging on even in a high wind or blustery storm or when pushed about by passing people or animals.

The key to a successful display is matching the thickness of the support or parts of the support to the tendrils' size so they have the ability to grab on and wind around more than once for more stability. Generally, thinner is better; if you still need sturdiness due to the plant's overall weight, try steel, cast iron, or stout plastic. Favorite tendrilled vines include sweet pea, grape, and passionflower.

## Adhesive discs

Adhesive discs are actually modified tendrils, with the same toughness and resilience as tendrils but with an extra boost: Each tendril has a disc-like suction cup at the end. At any rate, these amazing structures afford a vine great adaptability — the vine can grab onto many kinds of supports, especially relatively smooth walls.

Though discs thrive with a smooth wall, they don't do well on rougher textures, such as brick, stone, and wood. Some of my favorite adhesive-disc vines include Boston ivy, crossvine, and Virginia creeper.

## Holdfasts

Some vines, like climbing hydrangea, Boston ivy, creeping fig, wintercreeper, and trumpet vine, attach themselves with small, rootlike structures along their stems called _holdfasts._ These vines thrive growing up slightly rough surfaces like bricks, wood, or stone. You can even hide unsightly chain link fences in several seasons with a combination of ivy or wintercreeper (both are evergreen, so they look nice in winter) and trumpet vine (for color and attracting hummingbirds in summer).

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Holdfasts can wend their way into porous surfaces like the mortar between bricks, eventually breaking down the mortar.

## Sprawling

Vines in the sprawling group don't have the advantages of the others. All they really have going for them is long, pliable stems that adapt to and look good when allowed and encouraged to grow upward. Yep, _encouraged._ You have to help by hooking or tying them along their lengths so they can scramble in the right direction and stay on their supports.

The key to a successful display is to start tying or otherwise attaching the stems to the support early and often. Use wire, wire hooks, twist ties from the kitchen, string, twine, yarn, or rags. If you're worried about abrading the stems, opt for the softer material. Loop the tie once around the stem and once around the support instead of tying the plant and support directly to one another. If you don't want the ties to show, use thinner ones or green ones that the vine's foliage can hide.

Favorite sprawling vines include climbing roses (if thorny, the thorns may prove nominally helpful in grabbing and staying on the support) and jasmine.

## Choosing the Right Vines for Your Garden

Ask yourself what you want from a vine. Do you have a good spot, or can you create one? Some vines are big, rambling plants; others can fill and remain in their allotted spaces. Some vines offer temporary coverage, and others are long-lasting. Figure out whether you want flowers or fruit and whether you want the vine for part of the growing season or all.

The following sections cover the kinds of vines available and how you can match a vine to your wants and needs and the environment you can offer. ( **_Note:_ ** You may want to choose the support before choosing the vine. If so, see the later section called "Planting and Supporting Vines.")

## Considering your basic options

Like other plants, vines fall into annual and perennial categories. Read on for info on which kind of vine may be a good fit.

### Annuals and tender perennials

If you want quick gratification, annuals and tender perennials are for you. The vines grow quickly. If they're genuine annuals, they're capable of growing from seed to plant to flowering-and-fruiting plant over the course of one growing season. If they're tender perennials, they can accomplish much the same thing but benefit from a head start indoors (because they can't go outside until all danger of frost is past).

Neither annuals nor tender perennials tend to survive a typical, cold North American winter with temperatures that go down to freezing or below; thus, gardeners have to replace these vines each year. The tender perennials survive in Zones 9 through 11. Favorite tender perennials include black-eyed Susan vine, cup-and-saucer vine, bougainvillea, jasmine, and passionflower; favorite annual vines include moonflower, morning glory, climbing nasturtium, and annual sweet pea.

### Hardy perennials

For a longer-term, dependable investment in your garden, perennial vines are a practical choice. Much like the perennials in your flowerbeds, perennial vines typically spend their first season getting established. An old gardener's saying describes the growth pattern of most perennial vines well: "The first year they sleep, the second year they creep, and the third year they leap!"

In ensuing seasons, these vines return reliably and put on a good show year after glorious year. Please note that over time, their growth may get woody and some pruning may be necessary. Some favorite perennial vines include Boston ivy, English ivy, clematis, climbing hydrangea, mandevilla, creeping fig, crossvine, akebia, honeysuckle, hardy kiwi, silver lace vine, trumpet creeper, and wintercreeper.

Perennial vines can differ in their foliage:

  **Deciduous:** The definition of a _deciduous_ vine is one that sheds its foliage at the end of the growing season (just like a deciduous tree). And just like a deciduous tree, the vine may treat you to a colorful fall foliage display first. Winter is a dormant period, and then the vine revives the following spring. Favorites include clematis (the fluffy fall seed heads are an attraction), silver fleece vine, trumpet vine, hardy kiwi, and climbing hydrangea (when the leaves fall off, you can admire the handsome shedding red bark).

  **Evergreen:** Evergreen vines keep their foliage over the winter months (individual leaves do get replaced over time, but you don't run into wholesale or dramatic shedding time). In colder areas, the leaves may look rather freeze-dried, but they hang on. In milder climates, winter's show is mainly foliage, not flowers or fruit. No matter where you live, if you don't want a barren-looking winter in your yard, evergreen vines are worthwhile. Favorites include various kinds of ivy, creeping fig (tender perennial), crossvine, and some honeysuckles.

Beyond these vine basics are still other details to consider before picking out the vines for your garden. I cover those next.

## Love me tender? Deciding whether you need cold-hardy vines

Before choosing your vines, consider whether your yard and climate can support hardy or tender vines. You can avoid disappointment by picking out a perennial vine that can survive winter in your climate (see Chapter 3 for hardiness zone info). You can certainly grow a vine that's even tougher (if you live in USDA Zone 6, for instance, you can have a vine rated to Zone 4) for extra insurance. But if you live in Zone 6 and choose a vine that's rated hardy only to Zone 8, it probably won't survive.

_Hardy_ really means cold-hardy, and it indicates a plant that can survive weather that goes down to freezing — 32°F or below. Its foliage may fall off, but its roots remain safely viable under the cold soil and snow and ice. Just as with other perennial plants, hardy vines benefit from a little extra protection over the winter months, namely several inches of mulch over the root area.

As for tender vines, unless your climate is quite mild (USDA Zone 9 or 10 or even 11 — I'm talking parts of the deep South, the Gulf Coast, the dry West, and Florida), the vines are unlikely to pull through. Your best bet is to consider a tender vine an annual. Yank it out in the fall, after cold weather withers its growth (or let winter kill it if you're feeling lazy), and buy a new one or try something else next year.

Can you cheat? Of course! Accomplished gardeners consider it a badge of honor to succeed in growing something that's considered not-hardy for their area. If you're really fond of a tender vine, you can cut it back, dig up as much of the root ball as possible, pot it, and keep it inside during the cold months. Put it in a nonfreezing place and water sparingly so its growth slows down, yet not so little that the plant dries out and perishes.

If a vine is _marginally hardy,_ meaning only a zone away from yours, it may survive a mild winter in your garden. Or you can increase its odds of survival by growing it in your warmest garden spot (or microclimate — for more info on this concept and how to exploit it, see Chapter 3) and mulching it well when winter approaches. Be prepared to lose the top growth (everything above ground); the aim is to keep the roots alive so they can regenerate next spring.

## Sizing up your vines

Keep your head when vine-shopping. Although the flowers or foliage of a certain vine may win your heart, you need to find out about its growth habit and pace before you commit yourself. Some very pretty vines are — to use the wry term of an experienced landscaper — house-eaters. Wisteria branches can separate gutters and support beams from a house. Hops grows very fast, and if it runs out of space, it may send tendrils out to grasp at passersby.

To avoid scenarios of an out-of-control vine, spend a few minutes assessing the spot you want to place a vine. _How high is it?_ For upward growth, you can be fairly indulgent, though you probably don't want something that'll overgrow the house. _How broad is it?_ is the more pressing question. Keep these general dimensions in mind when you go vine-shopping.

So how do you find out whether your vine will politely stay by your arbor or attempt a hostile takeover of the Southeastern U.S.? Mature vine size is usually expressed as a range — for instance, "8 to 10 feet tall and up to 4 feet wide" — because, of course, dimensions vary according to the plant's health and the growing conditions and care you provide. Check the nursery label, catalog description, or a reference book, but consider this estimate conservative.

Make sure you allow elbow room. If a vine's appointed spot is too narrow, you'll be trimming and shaping constantly, plus poor air circulation can lead to fungal diseases that mar the appearance. Count on planting most vines at least a foot away from their supports, for starters. A spot that's too confining is, frankly, a darn shame; vines are at their best when allowed to be their exuberant selves.

## Examining site considerations for vines

You can find a vine for almost every part of the garden. The idea is to make a match so the plant thrives. Examine your gardening site carefully and watch out for the following when deciding on the vines you want.

### Amount of sunlight

How much sun reaches a vine can have a big effect on the plant's quality of life. Check out the following sun conditions:

  **Sun:** Lots of vines like full sun, growing lustily and producing plenty of foliage, flowers, and fruit or seed heads. But the vigorous growth requires energy to fuel it, and plentiful sun alone is not enough. Make sure your sun-loving vine has good, fertile soil and ample water. Favorite sun-loving vines include ornamental grape, hops, passionflower, black-eyed Susan vine, climbing nasturtium, bougainvillea, morning glory, and trumpet vine.

  **Partial shade:** Plenty of vines prosper in part-day sun, filtered sun, and eastern- or western-facing exposures. Indeed, some cooling shade keeps the plant looking lush, and its flowers and fruit are less prone to fading or falling off prematurely. Favorite partial-shade vines include jasmine, ivy, and climbing hydrangea.

  **Shade:** Yes, some vines do just fine in shady spots, some even tolerating life on the north side of your house or under the shelter of tall trees. Not surprisingly, their main attraction tends to be their leaves. Use these plants to create a cool, soothing oasis from the blazing heat of summer. Favorite shade vines include ivy, akebia, and wintercreeper.

### The choosy clematis: Requesting sun **and** shade

The clematis vine is a special case. This popular flowering vine has unique growing requirements that, if you ignore them, deliver disappointing results. Here's what the plants want, believe it or not: full sun on top and cool, shaded roots. How can you supply this? Situate the plant beside your porch or deck, where the stems can be out in the open but the roots are afforded some protection. Or at least mulch the root area well after planting, and position a few shade-casting shrubs or perennials in the vicinity. If you make your clematis vine happy, it'll do you proud.

### Soil quality

The majority of vines prefer fertile soil that's neither too soggy nor too dry. Obviously, prepared ground is important so that the roots can establish themselves and expand without running into obstructions, so it's always wise to prepare the spot ahead of time: Dig down about a foot and mix in some compost, humus, or rotted manure.

Some vines, such as hardy kiwi, do better when the soil is slightly acidic; others, such as the clematis, like it _sweeter_ (more alkaline), so add some lime to the planting area if necessary. (Test your soil first; flip to Chapter 4 for info on soil tests.) But most vines are happy with average soil — which is what most people have, anyway.

### Weather exposure

The majority of vines appreciate a little shelter, which can come from their support, a wall or fence, or even just the nearby plants of your garden. If you grow a vine out in the open, winds can dry it out and may tear it off its support. (In other words, vines are team players, not solo performers. But isn't that why you want to invite some in your garden?)

## Planting and Supporting Vines

Planting a vine is really no different from planting either an annual or a perennial (see Chapters 6 and 7). What really matters with a vine is how you plan to support it. Whatever you choose for supporting and displaying your vines, be sure it's equal to the job. It's a pain in the neck to keep pruning back a heavy plant, a disappointment to witness a rampant vine knock down a support or cause it to lean, and a hassle to have to constantly intervene to send growth in what you consider the correct direction. Head off these problems at the pass.

In fact, your best bet is to decide on, and find a place in your garden for, a support _first;_ then choose an appropriate vine. But if you choose the vine first, at least do smart, practical matchmaking with the support.

## Giving vines a little backup: Trellises, fences, and arbors

You may buy trellises, fences, and arbors fully or partially assembled or as a kit from a variety of sources — home and garden centers, hardware stores, and specialty catalogs. Figure 12-2 shows you a sampling of the types of supports available.

Shop around not only for the best price but also for the best quality. Support is not the place to cut corners. Some shopping considerations follow.

**Figure 12-2:** Typical store-bought supports for vines — a fan trellis, an arbor, and a lattice.

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### Evaluating materials and construction

Supports generally come in wood (cedar or redwood are best), metal, or plastic. Consider the support's construction: Examine the width of the individual slats or pieces, of course, but also inspect the intersections and joints. Are they strong and secure? Braces may be optional or necessary, and so may hooks that help hold the item in place (for attaching a trellis securely to a wall, for instance; some supports just can't stand upright alone).

Knowing how the vine clings to the support can give you some hints about ideal support shape or materials. See "Looking at How Vines Hold On," earlier in this chapter, for details.

### Staying grounded: Anchorage

Remember that in order to be securely anchored in your landscape, the support has to be pushed well into the ground — a foot deep is not too much, depending, of course, on the weight of the mature plant that it'll bear. Factor in that reduction in height when looking at the support to buy as well as when envisioning it plant-draped in your garden.

## Using trees and shrubs as living supports

Yes, a vine can twine and climb another plant, particularly a tree or shrub. It happens all the time in nature; walk through any woodland, and you can see plenty of examples. But you may be worried that the vine will steal the show. Or smother the living support. Legitimate concerns! Of course, you want to make a match. Don't pair a heavy, aggressive vine with a young dogwood tree, for example. More-mature trees are more welcoming and less daunted. Avoid vigorous twiners like honeysuckle and wisteria, which can literally strangle and squeeze the life out of a tree or shrub over time.

The match should also be aesthetically successful. Trees or shrubs that either don't flower or only have a fleeting display are best, because you don't want a clash or competition in the color department. Evergreen trees, shrubs, and hedge plants are also more accommodating this way.

One practical concern is soil. Both the vine and its host need everything the soil has to offer — physical support for their root systems, nutrients, and water. One way around this potential conflict is to start the vine growing farther away and train it toward its tree or shrub, which it'll eventually ascend. Or you may be able to place a potted vine at the base of the host plant — you just have to remember to stop by often to feed and water the vine (Chapter 16 can tell you about container gardening). In any event, ideally the soil is as good as possible for both plants so they can both be healthy and happy.

Sometimes an old tree dies or has to be cut back to a bare trunk or stump. A vine turned loose over such a relic can turn a potential eyesore into a garden highlight.

## Maintaining Perennial Vines through Pruning

You may have an idealized vision of a vine in your garden, draped lushly over a trellis, pergola, or even gazebo, alive with beautiful flowers. Just realize that to get from here to there, you have to do some work. Vines don't grow quickly and to exactly the right height before stopping to coast on their loveliness.

Perennial vines look their best if you cut them properly. Pruning can and does help a reluctant vine bloom. But first, make sure you've attended to the more obvious requirements:

  **Sufficient sunlight:** If the plants don't receive enough sunlight, removing some crowding stems should help.

  **Watering and fertilizing regularly:** A thirsty, undernourished vine will jettison expendable growth — namely buds and flowers — in favor of the survival of its leaves.

If all that checks out, some judicious pruning can jumpstart flowering. Thin out old, unproductive wood in the hopes that new growth will fare better. Never cut back severely. Many perennial vines bloom on _old wood,_ wood that grew the previous year. That's why you don't want to chop out all of it. _New wood_ simply means this year's new stems. These newcomers may yet be productive if they have room to grow and you meet their needs.

One thing to try is root-pruning, or cutting back some of the root system without digging up the entire plant. This technique can jolt a plant into fresh productivity.

Pruning, of course, is essential for maintaining the shape of the plant. The growing season is the time to trim your vine to stay within its limits. No trauma or harm to the plant should result. Early spring is the time to remove dead and damaged growth. Thin out old wood while you're at it. If you act before the vine leafs out, the wood and stems are easier to see and work with. Also, cuts don't bother a dormant plant — the coming spring growth surge will allow it to recover and replace stems.

In late fall, as top growth dies back, you can go ahead and chop it off, as you would any other perennial plant heading into winter. Leave several inches to a foot remaining.

Always take off dead and wayward branches at the base of the vine, or as near as you can get. Sharp clippers or loppers make the work so much easier (see Chapter 5 for info on the tools of the trade)! Remove dead branches any time you see them — winter, spring, summer, or fall. They're not going to come back to life, so timing is not an issue! Still, the best time to remove wayward branches is spring, before the plant is fully clothed in leaves and buds. Take out branches that are turning back toward the plant's center, rubbing against others, or heading off in the wrong direction.

Don't be afraid to cut back stems that are going the wrong way or refusing to remain on the support. Keep after your vine as it grows, editing out wayward stems as you spot them and training and tying the rest in the way you want. This practice is especially important while the plant is still young. Older vines get obstinate.

## Looking at Groundcovers, a Living Carpet

By definition, a _groundcover_ is a low-growing plant that naturally forms a colony or mat, making a living carpet in your garden. Groundcovers can be real problem-solvers, growing where nothing else will (including lawn grass) and sprucing up otherwise undistinguished or difficult-to-landscape areas. Height is generally under a foot or so, but more important to you is whether the plant can do the job you ask: provide good-looking coverage of its appointed spot.

In any event, the more you know about groundcovers, the more you may be sold on them. They're some of the most useful, easy-to-care-for plants you can have.

## Examining groundcover varieties

Gardeners can deal with various types of groundcovers — almost a staggering variety — so a good way to start is to make your choice based on growing conditions already present in your yard. You still may have to make a few improvements prior to planting, such as cutting back encroaching or overhanging branches or making soil amendments, but the idea is to match the plant to the site. That way, the groundcover can prosper, and you can congratulate yourself on your gardening savvy.

Here's a sampling of the various groundcover forms and functions that may be available in your area:

  Sunlight

• **Full sun:** Cheddar pink, candytuft, blue rug juniper, potentilla, creeping thyme, and sempervivums

• **Partial shade:** Epimedium, bearberry, plumbago, cotoneaster, wintercreeper, Aaron's beard, liriope, sedum, and creeping phlox

• **Full shade:** Ajuga, European wild ginger, ivy, lily-of-the-valley, pachysandra, periwinkle, and sweet woodruff

  Drainage

• **Dry or well-drained soil:** Sedum, prickly pear, pachysandra, ajuga, creeping thyme, and bush cinquefoil

• **Moist ground:** Plumbago, liriope, epimedium, creeping phlox, European wild ginger, and lily-of-the-valley

  Basic appearance

• **Shrubby-looking:** Barberry, cotoneaster, bush cinquefoil, and juniper

• **Delicate-looking:** Epimedium, creeping phlox, and sweet woodruff

• **Evergreen:** Ivy, pachysandra, creeping juniper, periwinkle, sweetbox, skimmia, and wintercreeper

  Accessories and features

• **Edible parts:** Cheddar pink (flowers), sweet woodruff (leaves and flowers), thyme (leaves and flowers), and creeping rosemary (leaves and flowers)

• **(Inedible) berries:** Cotoneaster, bearberry, sweetbox, skimmia

• **Attractive or showy flowers:** Candytuft, creeping phlox, epimedium, periwinkle, sweetbox (fragrant), skimmia, and lily-of-the-valley

• **Handsome foliage:** Epimedium, lilyturf, ivy, pachysandra, and wintercreeper

### Enjoying flowering groundcovers

Like other perennial plants, many groundcovers bloom — some just for a week or two, some on and off for many weeks. A low-growing but flower- studded display adds a lot of charm to a garden. Just make sure the color fits in with its surroundings.

Oh, yes: Be patient — let the groundcover get established for a year or two before expecting a good flower display. Favorite flowering groundcovers include cheddar pink, candytuft, potentilla, plumbago, Aaron's beard, creeping phlox, lily-of-the-valley, and periwinkle.

Good growing conditions (especially fertile soil and ample sunshine) and consistent water inspire the best flowering performance.

### Taking foliage color into consideration

A lot of garden color flows from nature's bounty of green, and sophisticated garden designs often rely on green's infinite variety — from rich mint green to apple green to chartreuse and every shade in between. Mix and match various greens within a groundcover display, and you can enjoy a rich tapestry:

  **Variegated leaves:** Particularly in shade, leaves that are dappled, spotted, striped, or rimmed in white or gold really stand out and add welcome sparkle. Try lamium or wintercreeper.

  **Purple, red, or burgundy leaves:** These colors have the effect of anchoring and giving solidity to groundcover displays because they look rich and substantial. Try heuchera or ajuga.

  **Fall color:** Like trees and shrubs, some groundcovers have good-looking foliage when the weather starts to turn cold. Try bearberry, cotoneaster, lowbush blueberry, or sedum flowers.

## Reaching out: How the groundcover spreads

A good groundcover is one that gets right to work, growing ever-outward and filling its assigned area. The right growing conditions, including decent soil and adequate water, certainly help this process along. But take a closer look at the groundcover you're considering. Its means of spreading is worth knowing so you can encourage it (and should it become too eager or rampant in time, so you can manage it or rein it in). The following sections tell you a bit about how groundcovers reach out.

### Branching out from the crown

A groundcover that expands outward from the crown sends out stems that get ever-longer over time, but you can trace one all the way back to the center of the original plant. Such groundcovers may need to be anchored or pegged in place at intervals to keep them where you want them or to guide them (see "Keeping groundcovers in shape: Pruning and pegging," later in this chapter). Examples of plants that branch out from the crown include creeping thyme, cotoneaster, and periwinkle.

### Sending out new roots

If the groundcover sends out roots along the stem or at nodes, as the plant stems travel along the ground, new roots may drop down opportunistically into the soil at intervals. These new roots generate a new young plant. You can separate these young plants from the originating stem and even move them if you want; just be sure to treat them as gently and indulgently as any seedling. Of course, this ability can become a liability over time as the plant makes inroads into places where you didn't want it to go; in such a case, cutting back the advancing edge, especially early in the growing season, is often necessary. Examples of plants that shoot out new roots include ivy, wintercreeper, and pachysandra.

### Self-seeding

If a groundcover flowers and seeds follow by season's end, the plant's natural inclination is to drop them in the vicinity. This practice means a new crop of seedlings by next spring — and thus you have a self-seeding groundcover. Assuming you can count on this ability, you can get away with planting fewer individuals at the outset. Examples of plants that usually propagate by seed include epimedium and bearberry.

For a more natural look, setting groundcover seedlings out in neat rows makes your display look more like a crop or vegetable-garden plan than the carpet you seek. For best results, stagger the rows and make sure all plants are equidistant from one another in all directions. Instead of a large square or rectangle, grow groundcovers in a natural-looking swath.

## Spacing out: Considering the room the groundcover takes up

Because the size definition of a groundcover is pretty loose, you're free to choose whatever appeals to you. But of course, the plant should fit whatever you want to get out of the site. Mature-plant dimensions are, or should be, on the plant tag or container or included in a catalog's plant description. Otherwise, you can certainly look it up in a reference book or online. **_A word of caution:_ ** Different cultivars of the same type of plant are not always created equal. For instance, although some cotoneasters lay low and sprawl, others are practically bushes.

Here are your size options and what they can do for you:

  **Taller groundcovers:** Ground-covering plants that grow up to 1 foot or more in height have the advantage of creating a barrier. Pedestrians, kids on bikes, and pets are less apt to pass through. So use such plants at property lines, in an unfenced front yard, or even to landscape a curb strip. Examples include candytuft, creeping juniper, potentilla, bearberry, plumbago, hypericum, and some varieties of liriope.

  **Intermediate groundcovers:** These groundcovers are of moderate height, say, 8 to 12 inches high at most. These plants are ideal for creating low-maintenance sweeps and swathes, in shade or out in the open. You can place taller plants, including perennials and shrubs, beyond or among them — effectively, intermediate groundcovers simply set the stage. Examples include some varieties of liriope, epimedium, lily-of-the-valley, creeping phlox, and candytuft.

  **Low-growing groundcovers:** True carpeters, under 6" high or even less, are better in broader, more irregular-shaped settings such as under shade trees, in a side yard, or flanking a walkway or entrance area. They can create a transition from hard surfaces to garden. When established, some withstand foot traffic, some do not. Examples include creeping thyme, cheddar pink, sedums and sempervivums, ajuga, and sweet woodruff.

In terms of spreading, knowing the ultimate reach of a single plant is worthwhile simply so you know how many you need to plant. The goal is for them to mix and interlink and overlap so that, ultimately, you can't distinguish individual plants. If you overplant, you can yank out surplus plants. If you underplant, on purpose or not, fill in the open areas with weed-suppressing mulch until the plants reach their mature size and inhibit invading weeds on their own.

You can buy fewer plants and space them a foot or more apart and wait for them to fill in whatever way they will (which, depending on the plant, its growth rate, and the hospitality of the site, can take one or more seasons). If you're impatient or in a hurry, you can get more plants and space them closely so the carpet fills in well in the first year.

## Exploring site considerations for groundcovers

Some groundcovers are well-adapted to challenging growing conditions. So rather than struggle to change or improve that troublesome spot in your yard, why not turn it over to a groundcover that's likely to thrive? Here's what to look for in the site you have in mind:

  **In the** **shade:** The quality of life in shady areas varies: Soil may be thin or poor or it may be organically rich; the area may have some sun; tree roots may hog all the water and nutrients; or the area may be naturally damp. So choose your groundcover also based on what kind of growing conditions are available in addition to the reduced light. Try ajuga, European wild ginger, ivy, lily-of-the-valley, pachysandra, periwinkle, or sweet woodruff. Make sure the area is cleared of competing weeds and the soil is organically rich.

  **In dry soil:** Sandy or gravelly soil may be your lot, or hot sun may bake the ground even if it isn't poor-quality. Hot sun and periods of drought may be factors. Luckily, some plants stand up to such difficulties in style. Try sedum and sempervivums, pussytoes, potentilla, or bearberry. Make sure the area is cleared of competing weeds and that you water the young plants until they're established, at which time they'll be drought-tolerant

  **In poor soil:** Ground that's perpetually infertile (and that would be a nuisance or too much work to improve) can still host certain groundcovers. These plants hail from poor-soil areas in the wild and adapt to similar conditions in a garden setting. Try creeping thyme, sempervivums, wintercreeper, or pachysandra. Clear the area of obstructing and competing weeds first, and water the young plants regularly until they're established.

  **On a slope:** Notoriously difficult to landscape, a slope allows water to run over and through it, no doubt carrying away both valuable moisture and nutrients that may have otherwise sustained some plants. Don't despair. A few groundcovers don't mind life on a slope; these stalwarts grab on and stay, beautifying the area even as they prevent future erosion. Try juniper, periwinkle, bearberry, or cotoneaster. Either terrace the slope or erect some soil berms to help the plants retain water while they're getting established.

When planting a groundcover on a slope that already has existing vegetation, don't dig up the whole slope. Just do individual planting holes. When the newcomers start to spread, gradually yank out adjoining plants to make way for them.

For additional color, you can interplant spring-blooming bulbs in with an evergreen groundcover. The groundcover will hide wilting leaves as the bulb display fades. See Chapter 8 for more info on bulbs.

## Planting and Maintaining Groundcovers

Planting groundcovers is like planting annuals and perennials (see Chapters 6 and 7), though you want to pay careful attention to how much the mature groundcover is expected to spread so you can gauge how close or far apart to plant the individual plants. When they're in the ground, though, the truth is that groundcovers actually don't need much care — which is a big reason why people grow them. But a little attention every now and then, and especially at planting time, goes a long way toward having a handsome display. Read on. (And see Chapter 4 for some general info on watering, fertilizing, and mulching.)

## Watering

Although most groundcovers are pretty resilient characters, no seedling can gain a foothold and thrive if you allow it to dry out. Regular, consistent watering, especially in the early days, is essential.

A good, gentle, deep soaking — as from a soaker hose or a sprinkler — is better than frequent but shallow watering. You want your groundcover roots to go deep, not just to anchor themselves in place but also to be able to tolerate the heat of summer and periods of drought.

## Fertilizing

Feeding groundcovers isn't required. The majority of groundcovers emerge as tough, vigorous plants without any extra help. However, if growth seems thin, leaf color is pale, and flower production is disappointing, you can dose them every now and then with a general, all-purpose garden fertilizer to boost performance. Always follow the label directions regarding dilution and timing.

## Mulching

Mulching on planting day is important! Without a doubt, mulching is the single most valuable and helpful thing you can do for your groundcover display. Lay mulch down on planting day around the seedlings to keep encroaching weeds at bay and to help retain soil moisture.

If you've spaced the young plants widely and are banking on their filling in the open areas in time, mulching is also key. Weeds love open space and tend to take advantage faster than you may believe. So cover the exposed areas in your display with 1 to 2 inches (or more) of mulch. Replenish as needed. In time, your plants will indeed fill in and the mulch will simply break down and contribute texture and perhaps organic matter to the area's soil — which is a good thing.

## Keeping groundcovers in shape: Pruning and pegging

Plants bounce back from cuts better when they're growing strongly, so it stands to reason that the best time to prune a rampant grower (or where warranted, mow) is at the height of the growing season — summer, in other words. Don't, however, make the cut on a blazingly hot day or during a prolonged dry spell, or the surviving plant parts may suffer.

Groundcovers that exceed their allotted boundaries can and should be sheared back as often as necessary. Start early in the gardening year and keep after them with regular haircuts; if you wait till late summer or fall, you may have a major hacking job on your hands.

If your groundcover spreads by branching out from the crown (see "Reaching out: How the groundcover spreads"), you may want to peg the vine in place. Simply arch a piece of the long stem and pin it to the ground with soil staples, which are just U-shaped pieces of metal that you can buy or make from pieces of metal coat hangers. After a month of so this, the stem that touches the ground will sprout roots and become its own plant.

## Getting weeds out (and keeping them out)

Most weeds are sun-lovers, and the good news is that — depending on its eventual mature height — your groundcover should be able to defend itself, at least somewhat, by shading out weeds. The ultimate defense against weeds in a groundcover display is thick growth. Eventually your plants should dominate.

However, unless your groundcover is a naturally thick, dense grower, weeds can and often do insinuate themselves into the display. Weedy invasion isn't just unattractive. Those weeds are competitive thugs and that grab the soil nutrients and moisture that your plants need and even shade out necessary sunshine.

There's only one remedy: Yank out the interlopers. You can't use an herbicide because you'd endanger the desirable plants. No, you have to wade in and pull out the weeds. Weed after a rain or after a good soaking watering, and the invaders come out of the ground more easily. Then get rid of them. Young weeds are easier to pull out, but you have other practical reasons for an early assault: Young weeds hopefully haven't yet started to reproduce, whether by runners or seed. Get them out of there before they can increase their numbers!

##### Part IV

## Producing Your Own Produce

In this part . . .

For many gardeners, veggies, fruit, and herbs are what gardening is really all about — the satisfaction and pure culinary joy of growing your own food, and perhaps growing better produce than what you can find at the local grocery store. The chapters in Part IV show you how to get started doing just that. Whether your preference is tomatoes plucked straight from the vine, berries harvested from their bushes, or herbs like peppermint and rosemary coming as fresh as possible to your kitchen, you can enjoy produce grown all by your lonesome — with a little help from Mother Nature, of course.

##### Chapter 13

## Food, Glorious Food! Growing Your Own Veggies

### In This Chapter

  Looking at veggies and vegetable-garden fruits

  Getting seeds and transplants

  Preparing your bed, sowing seeds, and planting

  Making safe compost for edibles and feeding your food

  Supporting vegetable plants

  Keeping pests away

For the cost of a packet of seeds, you can have your own, homegrown produce. The requirements are simple: good soil, moisture, and full sun. This type of gardening is usually called vegetable gardening, even though it also involves growing items that are technically fruit, such as tomatoes and melons (Chapter 15 can fill you in on growing traditional fruits and berries). Growing your own produce — or vegetables, as it were — can be fun and fairly easy for the beginner gardener. This chapter gives you the basics. If you want even more information, please check out _Vegetable Gardening For Dummies_ (Wiley Publishing, Inc.).

If you're new to vegetable gardening, you may have a vague sense that it's complicated — seeds to start indoors and other things to sow outside or plant right into the ground; garden layouts that deliver the best results somehow; weird insect pests; and the mysteries of harvesting — When? How? Should you cure (dry the harvest)? Relax. Start small, taste success, and let your knowledge and triumphs grow from one year to the next.

Growing your own veggies really isn't and shouldn't be about saving money — though you may, even after factoring in your labor. It's about freshness (and thus nutrition; freshly-harvested vegetables are always nutritionally superior to anything you buy at a supermarket — even at your local farmer's market). And it's about flavor — oh boy, is it about flavor!

## Varieties of Veggies

Lots of wonderful and worthwhile types of vegetables are available — too many to list, really, but they're fun to explore. Read this section with the goal of figuring out what you may want to grow where you live. Favor vegetables that are too expensive at the store or never available locally. Treat yourself to new foods or enticing variations on old standbys.

Vegetable varieties vary in many ways. That's what makes vegetable gardening possible for everyone and keeps it so interesting. You could garden all your life and still not get around to growing all the tempting choices that would prosper in your particular region!

_Days to maturity_ refers to the time elapsed between sowing a seed and picking the harvest for those veggies that are directly sown. Something like a radish or mesclun salad mix can accomplish this in 30 days or less. For plants that are normally grown from transplants, like peppers and tomatoes, the maturity time dates from when the small plants are planted in the ground until they bear.

Generally speaking, varieties of the same vegetable are ready at around the same time, give or take a few days. If you have a big gap, there's an explanation. For instance, 'Easter Egg' radish is ready in 25 days, but 'Summer Cross' takes 45 days because it's one of those giant white Oriental daikon types.

Please note that the days-to-maturity figure is relative — it's a prediction. Results vary according to your climate and the conditions in your garden. So consider it a ballpark figure or a way to roughly plan how fast some veggies are ready to eat relative to others.

## Growing vegetables by seasons

Matching your vegetables to your season length is sensible advice. If your growing season is approximately 90 days, growing anything billed as maturing in that amount of time or less ought to be easy. If you push the envelope, be prepared to help that variety with an early start indoors or some extra coddling in the fall. With experience, you can find out what you can and are willing to do.

First, though, get an idea of the growing seasons that you have to contend with (for info on growing season, see the frost zone info in Chapter 3). Typically, the vegetable-gardening season is summer, bookended by late spring and early fall. Gardeners mark the start by the last spring frost date and the finish by the first fall frost date (although some crops, like parsnips and kale, can stay out in the cold a bit longer and even gain improved flavor).

Your local weather forecaster may announce the frost date each spring (last frost) and fall (first frost), or you can call your local garden center or the nearest Cooperative Extension Office and ask. The dates vary somewhat from one year to the next.

If your growing season is long and warm, you can get started earlier and maybe even plant two or three rounds of crops. You may, however, have to contend with hot, dry weather at the height of summer, which is stressful for some vegetable crops (so mulch them and supply extra water).

If your growing season is short, you can still have a very bountiful vegetable garden. Choose vegetables that mature faster, and try some season-extending tricks. Here are two favorites:

  Start seeds early indoors or in a cold frame, which is basically a box made of such materials as wood or concrete blocks covered with a glass or plastic sash that protects smaller plants from extreme cold and wind. Raising them to seedling-size until putting them out in the ground is safe. (See the upcoming section "Starting your own seeds indoors.")

  Use plastic coverings (from row-cover sheeting or tunnels to cones to recycled milk jugs to "water wall" wraps) to keep a plant and its immediate soil nice and warm. See Figure 13-1.

**Figure 13-1:** A "water wall," consisting of plastic sleeves filled with water, offers cold protection.

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You can grow some vegetables during the winter. Yes. Really! In mild climates, you can enjoy kale, carrots, leeks, and root vegetables all winter long. You may have to mulch them and then poke under to harvest but, hey, it's worth it! You can even sow salad greens in October and harvest extra-early in spring. Mmm.

Table 13-1 gives an overview of which vegetables tend to do better during which seasons.

Table 13-1 Ideal Seasons for Growing Vegetables Type  | Description  | Examples
---|---|---
Cool-season  | These plants tolerate some frost  | Asparagus, beets, broccoli,
vegetables  | and temperatures between 55  | Brussels sprouts, cabbage,
| and 70°F. As such, they're fine  | carrot, cauliflower, collard,
| choices for gardeners in more  | endive, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce,
| northern areas or, in milder  | onion, Oriental greens,
| climates, for growing in a cool  | parsnip, peas, potato, radish,
| spring or fall.  | Swiss chard, spinach, turnip,
|  | and turnip greens
Warm-season  | These plants are readily harmed  | Beans, corn, cucumber,
vegetables  | by frost; they also fare poorly in  | eggplant, melons (muskmelon/
| cold soil. Grow these plants in  | cantaloupe, watermelon),
| temperatures ranging from 65 to  | pepper, sweet potato,
| 80°F. They're good in the South  | pumpkin, squash, sweet
| and West and elsewhere during  | corn, and tomato
| the height of summer.  |
Perennials  | These edible plants live from  | Asparagus and rhubarb
| one year to the next, typically  |
| producing good crops their  |
| second or third seasons and  |
| thereafter. You can grow them  |
| in most climates, providing a  |
| protective winter mulch if  |
| warranted.  |

In planning a veggie garden, think ahead to what your favorite vegetables are and how you will make use of them. Focus on those delectables that you use a lot or that you like but are expensive or difficult to find in your local market. Maybe it is ethnic vegetables, or ones that are particularly ornamental.

For example, if having a fresh tasty salad is one of your summer pleasures, try lettuce and greens of all colors and textures to give you variety (see Figure 13-2). Consider growing gourmet cucumbers or carrots to go with it. Sweet cherry tomatoes are another tasty additions that you will want to add.

## Defining hybrids

You may see the term _hybrid_ on seed packets and in seed catalogs. All it means is that the vegetable variety in question is a result of a cross (through pollination) between two parent plants of the same species but different subspecies or varieties.

Generally speaking, crossing two different plants — plants of different kinds or species or families or orders — doesn't work (you can't cross a carrot with a tomato without splicing some genes). No seed is produced, or the seed that's produced is infertile and doesn't germinate. This setup is nature's way of keeping species unique and things somewhat orderly. But an early-ripening tomato crossed with an especially juicy and tasty one — now we're talkin'!

**Figure 13-2:** An ideal and ornate garden plan for salad lovers.

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An F1 hybrid (first filial hybrid) is the first generation resulting from a cross between the parent plants; F2 and F3 hybrids, then, are the results of subsequent crosses of the crosses. Complicated! Often experimental, too. (Austrian monk Gregor Mendel actually laid out the basics of heredity for us in the 1800s with his experiments with garden peas.) Don't fret. Seed companies do this work under highly controlled conditions, winnowing out the duds and making sure the plants can replicate desirable results with precision. All you have to do is buy the good seeds.

Uniformity, predictability, and disease resistance are the results of combining the genetic traits of two good parents and repeating the same cross. Hybrid offspring are often more robust and productive than either parent. Something called _hybrid vigor_ often appears, a healthy exuberance that seems to result from the good qualities of one parent canceling out the bad of the other.

What's the catch? Actually, I can name two. Producing hybrid seed requires the seed company to maintain the two parent lines and often to laboriously hand-pollinate, so hybrid seeds are more expensive than the alternative (see "Appreciating heirlooms"). Also, there's no point in saving seed from a hybrid that you like and replanting it next year — it won't "come true" — that is, it won't be the same and indeed may exhibit various mongrel qualities from either of its parents. So you're bound to purchase fresh new hybrid seeds each year if you want to grow a hybrid variety that you like.

Favorite hybrid vegetables include 'Big Boy' beefsteak tomato, 'Blushing Beauty' bell peppers, 'Nantes' carrot, 'Salad Bowl' leaf lettuce, 'Silver Queen' sweet corn, and 'Crenshaw' cantaloupe melon.

## Appreciating heirlooms

Heirloom vegetables are vegetable varieties that people save and pass on for more-practical home-gardener virtues such as excellent flavor and a prolonged harvest period. Commercial seed companies, on the other hand, breed for uniformity as well as good shipability (thicker, tougher skins on tomatoes and squash, for instance) and ripening-all-at-once (for harvesting convenience). You may prefer heirlooms.

When a variety is called "open pollinated," it means the seeds are the result of natural pollination by insects or wind. With veggies that have open-pollinated seeds (on-hybrid varieties), you can save the seeds and plant them again next year; they'll be the same. Heirloom varieties are simply those that have been passed down through generations of gardeners, like any other family heirloom. Realize that older ones that are still in circulation have obviously stood the test of time and should be worthwhile.

Specialty seed catalogs have wonderful selections (do an Internet search or comb the ads in gardening magazines and send for the catalogs). Many mainstream catalogs are offering more and more heirloom vegetables in response to popular demand. You can also nose around your neighborhood gardeners, community gardens, and/or farmer's markets to meet other like-minded gardeners who can share their seeds and knowledge of them.

Whether it's a nice tradition, a survival skill, or a way to honor gardeners of the past, saving seeds from your favorite vegetable varieties is a fun and rewarding skill. Depending on what else you grow in your garden, cross- pollination can interfere and must be prevented, either by covering flowering crops (to keep insects and bees from tampering or the wind from contaminating) or staggering planting dates. At season's end, you have to harvest ripe seed, extract it from its fruit, dry it, and store it in a cool, dry place until you need it next year. If you'd like to give seed-saving a try, I suggest starting with squash or pumpkins — they're easy. For details on techniques as well as much more fascinating and useful information on heirloom vegetables, check out Seed Savers Exchange (www.seedsavers.org).

What's the catch with heirlooms? Well, they're not as perfect or uniform- looking. Because heirlooms aren't commercially bred, they may be more colorful and more variable in size and shape than their hybrid counterparts. Also, their skins may be thinner, so you get great flavor, but they don't travel well and may be vulnerable to bruising — or they may have lots of seeds inside (as in certain squashes and pumpkins), causing you a bit of extra work to separate out the edible parts.

Favorite heirloom vegetable varieties include 'Moon and Stars' watermelon, 'Tom Thumb' baby butterhead lettuce, 'Gold Nugget' winter squash, 'Ragged Jack' kale, 'Super Italian Paste' tomato, 'Henderson's Bush' lima bean, and 'French Breakfast' spring radish.

### Genetically engineered plants: A miracle or a monster?

Boy, is this an emotionally charged issue! Most people are either strongly for or against this issue. There are few fence sitters.

Here are the common points made by those who support genetically engineered plants:

  Using them can lead to higher yield and less pesticide use.

  Genetic engineering is merely an extension of traditional breeding.

And here are the common points made by those who are against genetically engineered plants:

  As with all new technology, it could lead to unknown side effects to the environment and to humans.

  It uses artificial techniques and dangerously alters genetic material.

So, you choose sides.

So far, only large-scale agronomic crops like corn, wheat, rice and soybeans, are being genetically altered, mostly because that is where the big money is and this process is very expensive.

## Designing for Dining and Getting Your Vegetable Garden Ready

Most produce is, of course, grown in a vegetable garden, and it's always best to get your garden started before even acquiring your plants. Of course, you have to dig into the soil and work in organic matter. One of the first steps, however, is designing your garden.

## Sketching out your plan

The best planning advice is simple: Start small. Just be sure you locate in a spot where expansion is possible, should you want to make a bigger garden in ensuing years. As for actual size, it depends on what you want to grow. Just to give you a general idea, here's what you can put in the following standard-size gardens:

  A 6 × 8 foot plot can support a couple tomato plants, maybe some bush beans, and some lettuce.

  A 10 × 18 foot plot can hold all that, plus a couple space-consuming squash plants and cucumbers, and maybe some carrots or beets.

  A 20 × 24 foot plot can hold all that, plus peppers, leeks, broccoli, turnips, and maybe some herbs as well.

  A 40 × 60 plot allows you more of everything, plus some bigger items, such as corn (corn isn't worth growing unless you can have a dozen or more plants because otherwise they don't pollinate or pollinate completely, and you end up harvesting gap-toothed ears) and asparagus or rhubarb.

Sketch out your vegetable garden plan on paper ahead of time. Figure out how much space to allot to individual plants — and don't forget to allow for space between the rows, or paths, so you can tend the plants. (Mature sizes of various vegetable varieties are noted on seed packets and often in catalog descriptions.)

Allow for succession planting: If something is harvested early in the summer, lettuce, say, or peas, you can then free up that space for another crop, such as carrots. Succession planting is a good trick, but to pull it off, you may need to do some research as well as some trial and error — and be willing to invest the time and effort. See Figure 13-3 for a plan that may work for you.

**Figure 13-3:** Garden plan showing succession plantings.

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_Intercropping,_ also called interplanting, is really very simple. Just have two different plants share the same part of the garden in an alternating or checkerboard pattern. This setup can look rather nifty, but it has practical advantages as well. Smaller, faster-maturing plants can grow with larger, slower-growing ones and so you always have something to harvest. And plants that appreciate a little shade can grow in the shelter of taller ones (have pole beans next to lettuce or spinach, for example). See Figure 13-4 for an example.

**Figure 13-4:** Garden plan showing interplanting.

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## Working with the sun: Where to plant vegetables

Most fruiting vegetables like the environment sunny and open — the soil is warm, light is plentiful, and they grow easily, developing and ripening their fruit with minimal stress or impediments. (If conditions are not ideal, they make less fruit and take longer to ripen — also, the plants may lean or grow toward the light source in a bid to get as much as they can.) Examples of sun-loving vegetables include tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, okra, eggplant, and corn.

To maximize needed sun, site your vegetable garden in a south-facing spot; plant taller plants to the north end so they don't cast shade over their shorter fellows.

Some vegetables are less dependent on full sun, which can fade or dry out their foliage or slow their growth. Or the plants may just may like cooler temperatures. Vegetables that gardeners grow for their leaves fall into this group, as do ones with edible roots. Examples include lettuce, mixed greens (mesclun), chard, potatoes, carrots, and turnips.

To maximize sheltering shade, grow these vegetables in an east- or west-facing garden; site taller plants and objects (including trellises, teepees, and caged or staked tomatoes) in front of and to the south of these shade-lovers. Or grow these plants earlier in spring or in the fall — assuming you have enough time to ripen them before winter comes, that is — times of the year when the sun is lower in the sky.

## Using planting patterns and systems

As much as you may like to toss a packet of seeds into a pile of dirt and let the plants grow where they fall, you may be better off working with some kind of system. The following sections provide info on how you can design around a natural garden, raised beds, or existing landscaping.

### Natural garden beds

Natural garden beds can be in-ground or mounded up, without need of wooden edges. Either way, work the soil between 8 and 12 inches deep to accommodate the roots of most vegetables.

Natural beds don't need any kind of edging, but you do need to remove the sod if you're turning part of the lawn into a garden. It is best to remove the sod with a sod knife (a special tool that can be rented) or a spade. For larger jobs, you can rent a sod cutter, which is a machine that penetrates the soil about three inches deep and cuts off the roots of the sod. It can then be rolled up and removed. For smaller jobs, you can rent a manual sod cutter or you can use a spade.

It is important to remove the sod and then rototill. Don't try to rototill over the grass. First of all, only larger rototillers are capable of doing this, and secondly, if you till in the grass, it will be impossible to completely remove the grass and it will constantly re-sprout — a real pain!

As far as other weeds go, remove as many as you can before you till or work up the soil. Then when new ones sprout remove them as soon as possible —when they are young and before they go to seed (and produce more weeds!)

More ambitious vegetable gardens need plenty of paths and rows to allow access — for you, for a hose, for a wheelbarrow. Ideally, you want access from all four sides of a particular bed. Build pathways into your master plan when you're first sketching out the layout. Then, to clarify where the paths are and also to prevent weeds from seizing the open space, "pave" the paths with a layer of straw (not hay), dried grass clippings, or gravel.

### Raised garden beds

Using raised garden beds is a very practical way to construct a good vegetable garden. They have good drainage, the soil warms up quickly in the spring, they're easy to weed (high off the ground), and you're less likely to step on and compact the soil, so roots can grow better in looser, well aerated ground. Just make bottomless wooden boxes between 8 and 12 inches deep, set them in a sunny, flat area, fill with good soil, and away you go. Native soil can be used if it's of good quality, otherwise half native and half added purchased soil would work fine. See Figure 13-5 for how to build a raised bed. If you use more than one raised bed, space them so you can walk between them or bring a wheelbarrow down the row. Construction tip: Brace each corner with a corner post for extra stability.

Note that the wood you use should be untreated lumber. Treated wood may leach harmful preservatives, which is not a risk you want to take when raising edibles. Rot-resistant redwood or cedar is great; other softwoods, including pine, tamarack, and cypress, can also do but tend to rot away after a few years and need replacing. You can certainly use plastic, cinder blocks, and even bales of hay to establish a box. Just be sure the walls are securely in place before adding soil to the interior.

If tunneling rodents are an issue where you garden, keep them out of your raised bed by lining the bottom with a layer of chicken wire. Use a slightly-too-big piece so you can pull it partway up the sides and tack or staple it in place.

## Prepping your soil

The biggest mistake beginning vegetable gardeners make is using lousy or too-thin soil. Gardening is not rocket science, folks (even if NASA _is_ working on growing vegetables in space). Please, before a single vegetable begins its hopeful, potential-filled life in your yard, give it a very good home! This prep work can save you untold disappointment and, perhaps more than any other factor, assure a bountiful and delicious harvest.

**Figure 13-5:** Making a raised bed. First build up the earth for planting (A). Then plant your garden and put up the wooden walls to contain everything. This prevents you from damaging your garden during planting.

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If you're working with a brand-new vegetable garden (or one that fell fallow and you're bringing it back to life), I suggest you stake it out and get it ready the autumn before you plan to plant. This act gives the soil and the amendments you've added time to settle and meld. It also means you have less work to do next spring.

If a fall start isn't possible or practical, go ahead and prepare the ground in spring — but don't start too early. If the ground is still semifrozen or soggy, digging in the soil can compact it and harm its structure. How do you tell whether it's ready to be worked in? Grab a handful and squeeze — it should fall apart, not form a mud ball.

Follow these steps when preparing your soil:

**1.** **Dig deep.**

Most vegetables are content with 6 to 8 inches of good ground for their roots to grow in. If you're planning to grow substantial root crops (potatoes, say, or carrots), go deeper still — up to a foot or more (yes, you can use a technique called _hilling,_ where you mound up good soil around crops like potatoes, but this method doesn't excuse your making a shallow vegetable garden).

**2.** **Fill 'er up.**

Add lots and lots of organic matter! Try compost (make your own — see "Composting for Vegetable Gardens" later on), dehydrated cow manure, shredded leaves, well-rotted horse manure (call nearby stables), or a mixture thereof. If your yard happens to be blessed with fertile soil, adding organic matter is less crucial, but most soils can stand the improvement. Mix it with the native soil, fifty-fifty, or even more liberally.

Here's a word about difficult soils: Maybe your area's soil is notoriously acidic, or very sandy, or quite obviously lousy for plant growth. The good news is that organic matter can be like a magic bullet in that it helps improve whatever you add it to. You have to replenish the organic matter at the start of every growing season or maybe even more often. (If the soil stubbornly resists improvement, resort to setting raised beds atop it and filling these bottomless boxes with excellent, organically rich soil.)

## Finding Your Vegetables

Generally, most gardeners buy their vegetables as seed packets or as young transplants or container plants. People often purchase plants and seeds in the spring from a variety of places, including markets, home stores, and nurseries. Racks of veggies sprout up everywhere in the springtime! You'll notice different brands and companies and quite frankly, not huge differences in price.

Whether you choose to grow plants from seed or buy started plants may depend on cost, the kind of selection you want, when you want to begin, and the type of plant. Read on for the basics of how these beginnings vary.

### Buying seeds

Seed packets are particularly popular because they help save money and provide a broader, more interesting selection. Upon purchase, or certainly upon opening a new seed packet, you quickly notice an awful lot of little seeds in there! The reasons are many: The company wants to make you feel as though you're getting something substantial for your money, and when you sow, some won't sprout or will be thinned out later.

Furthermore, you get enough for successive sowings or to save for next year (note that little seeds, like lettuce seeds, tend to dry out if stored for a year, whereas big seeds like beans can keep for several years). Keep seeds in a dry, cool (non-freezing) place until you're ready to sow them.

Certain seeds can, and should, be started indoors, well before the garden outside is awake yet — so read the labels to see whether indoor starting or _direct-sowing_ (sowing outside, when the soil and weather is warm enough) is recommended for the area where you live. (See "Sowing and planting your vegetables" for more information.)

### Buying nursery transplants

You can purchase transplants, container plants, or seedlings locally — at a garden center, home store, farmer's market, spring fair, or from roadside entrepreneurs — or from mail-order companies. Someone else has done the seed-starting work for you; all you have to do is choose, take 'em home, and care for them. If you can't get the plants into the ground right away, set them in a sheltered spot out of the hot sun and the wind and water them often (small pots dry out alarmingly fast, and young plants can't tolerate neglect).

Transplants are the way to go if you can't or don't want to bother with seed-starting, or if you wait till the last minute to decide what you're growing this year. They're worth the upcharge for the convenience.

Just as with seed-shopping, you can shop for different varieties (buy three different kinds of tomatoes, for example). Again, though, the selection may not be too exciting comparatively.

Ones to buy pre-started include tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Certain vegetables simply don't transplant well from a wee pot to the garden. Direct-sow plants like corn, carrots, and potatoes.

Of course, you can also create your own transplants from your own seeds. I explain how under "Starting your own seeds indoors," later in this chapter.

## Planting Your Vegetables

When getting ready to plant, the first rule is to pay attention to which items are cool-season vegetables and which are warm-season vegetables (see the earlier section on "Growing vegetables by seasons"). You can start cool-season vegetables earlier and put them in the ground earlier because they're more tolerant of cooler temperatures (some can even go outdoors before the last frost). However, you should put warm-season vegetables out or sow them only after all danger of frost is past. After you figure out which veggies are which in your planting plans, you're ready to determine when to start planting. (For info on location, please refer back to "Working with the sun: Where to plant vegetables.") And then, of course, you're ready to plant!

## Deciding when to plant your veggies

Determining the date of the last frost is your green-light date, the date when you're now free to plant vegetable seedlings or direct-sow vegetable seeds into the garden. The last frost date is in late spring, but the date varies from year to year. You can find out down at the local garden center or from the nearest office of the Cooperative Extension Service.

### When to plant transplants

If you have seedlings ready to go into the garden after the soil is ready and sufficiently warmed up — seedlings of your own or ones you've bought — your garden can get off to an earlier start. This timing puts fresh food on the table sooner. In the final analysis, your garden will be more productive this year! Vegetables that you can start early indoors include cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant.

Remember, if you start too early, your seedlings may be too big too early, making them a little hard to accommodate and care for — you may even have to start over. Here's a general list to get you started; you can tinker as you get more experience raising various sorts of seeds. Yep, get out your calendar — some counting backwards is in order:

  **Onions:** 12 to 14 weeks before the safe planting-out day (which in the case of onions is 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost)

  **Broccoli, collards, and cabbage:** 5 to 6 weeks before the safe planting-out date (which is after the danger of snow and ice is past but while nights are still chilly)

  **Lettuce:** 5 to 6 weeks before the safe planting-out day (which is 4 to 5 weeks before the last frost)

  **Peppers:** 8 to 12 weeks before the last frost

  **Tomatoes and eggplant:** 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost

  **Cucumbers and melons:** 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost

### When to sow seeds directly

Gardeners generally sow seeds directly in the garden after the last frost, after the soil has warmed up and the weather seems to have settled into an early-summer groove. Direct-sowing in cold and/or soggy soil is a bad idea — it's muddy work for you, and the seeds usually sprout poorly or rot; then you have to start over. Best to wait for the right time.

Though you can buy tools and gadgets to help you with this work, there remains something so primal and satisfying about going out with a seed packet and digging in the dirt with your hands.

Vegetables that you can direct-sow include lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, turnips, beets, cabbage, carrots, beans, corn, parsnips, cucumber, lettuce, and tomatoes (in warm climates).

## Sowing and planting your veggies

How to plant vegetables really depends on the form in which you've acquired them. Do you want to plant seeds, or do you want to plant transplants that you've acquired? Or do you want to combine both approaches and create your own transplants from seeds? Here I give you information on all three approaches, starting with creating your own transplants from seeds.

### Starting your own seeds indoors

A sure way to banish the winter blues, as well as get a jumpstart on your vegetable garden, is to start some seeds indoors early. To find out how early, consult the back of the seed packet; you want to time it so you have several-inch-high seedlings in late spring, after the danger of frost in your area has passed. Refer to Figure 13-6 and follow these steps:

**1.** **Select a good spot.**

In milder climates, gardeners can sow seeds early in a cold frame or greenhouse, if they have one. Everyone else has to make do indoors. The best spot is an area out of the path of household traffic. You don't want people bumping into your tender sprouts or curious pets coming around. The spot should also be warm and out of drafts. A basement, sun porch, and spare room are all good options. Some people even raise seeds on the tops of dressers, cabinets, or refrigerators!

**2.** **Provide light.**

Some seeds germinate under a thin layer of soil mix and some are pressed lightly on top, but in all cases, the seedlings that sprout need between 12 and 16 hours of light per day — that's a lot.

Sunlight from a window is not at all ideal. It's pale and limited in late winter and early spring. To make your seedlings work, you need artificial light. Fluorescent is best, and a timer at the outlet can help you regulate the hours it's shining on your baby plants. See Figure 13-7 for a good light setup.

**3.** **Prepare pots or flats (which need drainage holes).**

Begin with sterile seed-starting mix. (This mix is available in bags wherever gardening supplies are sold. It looks like very fine potting mix.) Fill the containers about three-quarters full with dampened, not drenched, mix (Figure 13-6A). Tamp the surface flat and level with the flat of your hand or a small piece of wood before sowing.

**4.** **Okay, sow!**

The back of the seed packet can tell you how deep and whether you should cover the seeds with mix. The packet can also tell you how far apart to place the seeds. Sow carefully by hand — a pencil tip is a useful tool when placing small seeds (Figure 13-6B).

Don't sow too many seeds! This overplanting can lead to a forest of seedlings, growing too thickly for you to thin them without damaging some.

If you're sowing into a flat, make little furrows with the pencil tip or a finger and space the seeds up to an inch apart (Figure 13-6C).

**5.** **Cover.**

Cover the container the very day you plant. Plastic wrap is great, but depending on the size of your starting containers, you can instead use a plastic bag (Figure 13-6D). This covering holds in warmth and humidity, giving the seeds the best chance of absorbing moisture and getting going. Don't seal too tightly, though. A tight seal causes condensed water to drip back down into the mix, making things too soggy.

**6.** **Check back daily.**

Don't let the planting mix dry out, or the seeds' growth will come to a halt. Open the bag a couple hours every few days to let the soil breathe some fresh air. Then close it back up. The best way to keep developing seedlings evenly, consistently moist is with bottom watering. Just set the container into a few inches of water (in the sink or a tray) and let it wick up the water it needs before returning the container to its spot.

**Figure 13-6:** Using seed-starting trays.

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**Figure 13-7:** Seedlings growing under fluorescent lights.

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The first little seeds usually take a week or two to poke up their heads. But what a thrill! Here's what to do now to ensure that they survive and thrive:

  **Snip away extras.** Use tiny scissors (fingernail or beard-clipping ones work well) to gently cut weaker seedlings away at soil level. Pulling, rather than cutting off can damage the roots of the surrounding seedlings. The properly spaced survivors gain better air circulation, which is important for their health, and their developing roots don't have to compete for precious resources.

  **Water from above with a fine spray.** As the seedlings grow bigger, bottom watering may no longer be practical. You can shift the flat's plastic covering on and off for ventilation — after a while, the young plants become too tall, and you have to remove it completely.

  **Start fertilizing.** A diluted, half-strength flowering-houseplant fertilizer delivered with a regular watering is just fine. Fertilize about every two weeks.

  **Check that the seedlings are well-rooted when they're several inches high.** Never tug on the stem! Gently tug on the true leaves (not the first, or _cotyledon,_ leaves that come up). If the seedlings hang on and otherwise look husky, they're ready to get hardened off (see the next section).

### Planting transplants in the garden

Regardless of whether you grow your transplants yourself or purchase them from a supplier, the first step toward getting them into the ground is the hardening-off process. This interim step in the life of your precious baby seedlings is a way to ease them from their plush indoor life to the realities of life in the real world — outdoors in the garden.

After the threat of frost has passed, move your seedlings outside to a place that's sheltered from sun and wind. Start with an hour a day, and gradually work it up to 24 hours over a two-week period. (Bring the seedlings indoors or cover them on chilly nights or if frost threatens.) Stop fertilizing them. If you bought your transplants from somewhere else, you may be able to shorten this process by asking the seller whether they were hardened off (or if they were displayed for sale outdoors, you can pretty well assume that they were).

When the seedlings are hardened off, you're to get the seedlings off to a good start. Ideally, work on an overcast day (or plant late in the day) when the hot sun won't stress them or you. Here's what to do:

**1.** **Water the seedlings well the morning you plan to plant.**

**2.** **Dig individual holes.**

The holes should be at least as deep and wide as the pot the seedling comes in. How far apart to dig depends on the plant. The tag that comes with should have this information, but when in doubt, allow more elbow room rather than less. Seedlings may look puny, but if you give them a good home, they'll soon take off like gangbusters.

**3.** **Pop each plant out of its pot carefully, handling the seedlings by gently gripping the leaves.**

Tease apart the roots on the sides and bottom so they'll be more inclined to enter the surrounding soil in their new home. Place the roots gently in their hole and tamp the soil in around them firmly to eliminate air pockets.

You can plant tomato seedlings deeper than they were growing in their pot; in other words, you can bury much of the stem with no harm done; just keep one or two sets of leaves above ground and gently remove the lower ones. Not only does this planting depth lead to better stability in the hole, but the stem also responds by making more roots along the buried part.

**4.** **Water; then mulch.**

Gently soak each seedling quite well, using a wand attachment on your hose or a watering can. Then lay down an inch or two of mulch an inch out from the base of each seedling and outward to conserve soil moisture as well as to thwart sprouting weeds. Don't let the mulch touch the stem, or you risk insect and pest problems later on.

Offer a little protection. Sudden exposure to sun and wind can stress out little plants. Get them through the first few days by setting some boxes or boards nearby to create a barrier — or set a few lawn chairs out in the garden over the seedlings. It helps.

### Sowing seeds directly into the garden

All danger of frost is past, the air and soil have warmed up, and the ground is slightly damp or even somewhat dry. In other words, it's very late spring or early summer, and you're ready to sow your seeds.

Assuming that the garden area is prepared and ready to go, head outdoors one fine day with seed packets, a trowel, a planting dibble or hoe (depending on the size of the project), and something to sit on. Be prepared to get a bit dirty and sweaty and to feel the warm sun beam down on your head and shoulders as you work. Don't rush — putting seeds in this good Earth is a wonderful, soothing, productive feeling!

Follow these steps:

**1.** **Make planting holes or furrows.**

Recommended planting distances are noted on the seed packets.

**2.** **Follow the "three friends"** **rule — plant three seeds per hole.**

At least one will likely sprout well. If all three do, you can thin out two of them later to favor the most robust one.

**3.** **Cover each hole as you go, tamping down the soil to eliminate air pockets.**

**4.** **Label.**

The now-empty seed packet, stapled to a small stick, is a long-time labeling favorite, but you can simply write the name of the vegetable (and variety if you're growing more than one of the same kind) as well as the date on a stick with a marker and plunge it in at the head of the row.

**5.** **Water well with a soft spray so you don't dislodge the seeds**.

A wand hose attachment is good, as is a watering can with a rose head. If your vegetable garden is fairly big, use a sprinkler.

**6.** **Mulch.**

Lay down an inch or two of mulch after watering over the entire bed; keep the mulch an inch away from your new planting so that the seeds don't have to try to get through the barrier. Mulching conserves soil moisture and discourages sprouting weeds.

## Composting for Vegetable Gardens

Perhaps you've been wondering why so many vegetable gardeners have compost piles. The short answer is that it's downright sensible. Compost is a bountiful and free source of organic matter, which vegetables adore and consume like crazy. To have it always handy when you need it is unbeatable. Compost is a pile of organic waste that breaks down into rich, dark, crumbly material that jubilant gardeners call black gold! It's an excellent way to add humus to your garden, and it also acts as a natural, slow-release fertilizer. You also get to feel virtuous and efficient because you're not sending perfectly useful materials away with the household garbage.

Store-bought compost, bag for bag, may not strike you as terribly expensive, but it really starts to add up when you're starting or caring for a vegetable garden. You're better off making your own. And hey, it's easy.

Okay, here's the short course on creating compost for your vegetable garden. If you have need of mountains of compost or get really into composting, you can try out some more-sophisticated methods and rigs. For now, though, follow these steps:

**1.** **Pick a good spot.**

The location should be level and out of the way of foot traffic but not far from your vegetable garden. A sunny spot is better than a shady one, because warm sunshine helps the pile warm up so the contents break down faster.

**2.** **Erect on this spot a cage, square or circular.**

The cage needs to measure at least 3 by 3 feet to be effective. Commercially available bins of tough black plastic with a lid on top and hatch in the bottom ("Darth Vader" bins) are this size, or you can make your own out of chicken wire, concrete blocks, wooden pallets, lumber, or even piled-up hay bales.

**3.** **Create a base.**

Set or scoop in a layer (several inches to a foot thick) of thin branches, chopped-up corn stalks, or something along those lines.

**4.** **Layer away!**

A proper compost pile, if viewed in cutaway, resembles a layer cake. Each layer should be a few inches thick. Alternate green (grass clippings, young pulled weeds) and brown (ground dried leaves, shredded bark) layers. In other words, organic material that is softer (green) will decompose more quickly.

Smaller or shredded bits break down faster than big chunks. If you're adding dry stuff, soak the pile with the hose or a watering can right after adding to moisten it. (See the upcoming list of acceptable and unacceptable materials.)

**5.** **Check on your pile and turn it every few days or whenever you add more material.**

A good mix heats up to between 100 and 120 degrees — on warm summer days, you may see the pile steaming. Turn it (with a stick, shovel, or pitchfork, whatever works) to keep it working. Your compost is ready to use when it fails to heat up again after turning. See Chapter 4 for more information.

Here's what should go into a vegetable compost pile:

  Coffee grounds and tea leaves (even tea bags; just remove the staple)

  Crushed eggshells

  Corncobs (chop or grind them up first)

  Vegetable and fruit peelings and leftovers

  Shredded leaves

  Shredded newspaper (just the black-and-white pages)

  Straw (not hay — it contains weed seeds)

  Prunings from your yard (chopped small)

  Lawn clippings

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Here's what shouldn't go into a vegetable compost pile:

  Big chunks of yard debris

  Plants that are diseased or full of insect pests

  Weeds

  Plant debris that's been treated with weed killer or pesticides

  Any meat product (bones, grease, and fat included)

  Fruit pits and seeds (they don't break down well and attract rodents)

  Cat, dog, or other pet waste (which may contain meat products or parasites)

When in doubt as to what should and shouldn't go into your compost pile for your vegetable garden, you can set up a rule for yourself. It isn't foolproof, but it can definitely give you peace of mind: Remember that the veggie plants soak up the materials that come out of the compost. If you wouldn't put it or part of it in your mouth, then don't put it on your compost pile!

If your compost pile seems to be breaking down too slowly, you can add these jumpstart materials in moderation to boost things a bit: commercially available compost booster (beneficial microorganisms), bloodmeal, bonemeal, cottonseed meal, or dried manure (from vegetarian animals only).

## Fertilizing Your Vegetable Garden

If your vegetable garden has fertile soil enhanced by compost and other organic materials, fertilizing may not be urgently necessary. Still, vegetables are a hungry group, and feeding them can certainly speed growth and improve your harvest.

The main nutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), which is why the labels of general-purpose fertilizers have three numbers. A fertilizer such as 10-10-10 is a _balanced_ fertilizer because it contains equal proportions of all three nutrients, whereas a 15-0-0 is obviously nitrogen-heavy. Other elements are necessary for plant growth, but plants need them in much smaller amounts, and they're often already present in the soil (also, many commercial fertilizers include them).

Nitrogen enhances the growth of leaves and stems; phosphorus helps flower, fruit, seed, and root production; and potassium ensures general vigor and increases your plants' resistance to disease. So for most vegetable crops, your best bet is a balanced fertilizer.

_Fertilizer_ is anything, organic or inorganic, that provides nutrients for growing vegetable plants. ( _Soil conditioner,_ on the other hand, is material that improves your soil structure.) Just to give you some context, here are different ways to nurture your crops:

  **Side-dressing:** This term means sprinkling some fertilizer beside the plant, rather than on the plant itself. Dry fertilizer can be scratched into the soil with your fingers or an implement such as a trowel or fork. See Figure 13-8.

  **Foliar feeding:** You add foliar fertilizer to water (diluted according to label directions, of course) and then spray it right onto the leaves — plant foliage.

  **Top-dressing:** Top-dressing is when you apply fertilizer over the surface of the garden.

**Figure 13-8:** Side-dressing fertilizers.

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Always follow label directions regarding how much to apply. Too much is not good — you can overdose or burn your plants. Good timing is also important. Usually, you're advised to feed the plants at planting time to get them off to an early and vigorous start. A second, midseason application is worthwhile if you're growing a succession of crops in the same row or intercropping (see "Sketching out your plan," earlier in this chapter, for info on these growing methods).

Liquid fertilizers are concentrated, so you have to dilute them in water according to label directions; you're allowed to do two half-strength doses rather than one full-strength, if you like. Liquid fertilizers are mostly used for foliar feeding. Dry ones, on the other hand, come as powder or granules and need to be watered in.

Dry fertilizer that remains dry never does any plant any good. Dampen the garden before and after watering so the fertilizer can get into the soil and down to the roots, where it's needed.

For information on how to decide between organic and inorganic fertilizers, please see Chapter 4.

## Using Frames and Supports for Veggies

Oh, those little seedlings — how fast and tall some of them grow! Midway through the summer, they're big; by August, they're out of control. You compromise the health as well as the manageability of certain crops, not to mention their productivity, if you don't step in with some kind of support. And the time to do so is well before the plant becomes unwieldy. (Support is also important if your vegetable garden is out in the open and is occasionally subject to blustery winds.)

The time to get started on support is when a plant is a few inches high. The support is so much easier to position then, plus — and this idea's important — when you plunge a support into the ground near a seedling, you don't harm it or its root system. Procrastinate, and you may.

Your support options include:

  **A wooden, metal, or plastic stake:** Plunge this support deep (a foot or more) into the ground near the plant so the support will be stable when it's weighted down with foliage and the rest. Site the stake near the main stem (not right on top of it! — a few inches away) and secure the plant loosely with soft ties as it grows; as the plant fills out, it'll eventually hide these ties from view.

  **A trellis:** Don't use the sort of trellis you train a climbing rose or clematis on but rather something broader and less decorative, something with plentiful horizontal wires or slats for tying onto.

  **A teepee:** A teepee is a good choice for climbing plants that can get rather tall, such as pole beans or miniature pumpkins and squash. You can buy a wooden, plastic, or metal teepee, or rig one out of branches and twigs pruned from your yard. (See Chapter 19 for info on using a teepee as a place for children to play.)

  **The fence:** A climber or tall-growing veggie can lean on the fence if you site the plant nearby, but you may have to help guide it and anchor it with string and/or the occasional tie.

  **Cage:** Wire cages are sold specifically for supporting tomatoes, but they turn out to be useful for other vegetable crops as well, such as sugar-snap peas, cucumbers, and smaller melons. Get the tallest cages you can, or put one atop another, because many tomatoes easily grow 6 feet or taller, easily toppling shorter cages. See Figures 13-9 and 13-10.

**Figure 13-9:** Supporting melons.

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**Figure 13-10:** Two different types of tomato cages.

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To secure the veggies to the support, don't use material that abrades or cuts into a plant, such as wire or twist ties; use something soft, like lengths of cloth (rip up old t-shirts or pillow cases) or plastic tape. Also, when you tie, loop one end around the support first, and then pull the tie over to the plant and make a loop there as well — like a figure-eight. Do this tying loosely. This way, the plant won't be harmed and can also move a bit, safely, in a breeze.

Vegetables that need or benefit from support include peas, pole beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, small squash and zucchini, mini pumpkins, and melons.

Row covers (Figure 13-11) are usually made of plastic or spun synthetic fabric. They serve as miniature greenhouses. They hold in heat, protect the plants against wind and in some cases shade the plants and reduce the plant's exposure to insects.

Garden dusters (Figure 13-12) are used to apply a very fine coat of powdered insecticide or fungicide to the surfaces of leaves. They're most effective when used early in the morning when there's no breeze and the leaves have dew on them so the dust can better adhere to the plants.

**Figure 13-11:** Row covers.

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**Figure 13-12:** Garden duster.

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## Dealing with Vegetable Pests

If you build it, they will come, sorry to say. Because you're growing edible plants, you should be very reluctant to throw chemical remedies at pest problems in your vegetable garden. Fortunately, you can choose from plenty of proactive, less-risky strategies and deterrents.

Of course, as with so much of gardening, a plot in good health — with good soil, ample fertilizer and water, and elbow room for good air circulation — resists such problems better than an unkempt or crowded one. Also, always

  Select disease-resistant varieties.

  Clean up garden debris promptly.

  Keep after and yank out all weeds, which harbor and feed various pests.

  Rotate crops (see the earlier "Turning your garden around with crop rotation" sidebar).

Always make sure you know what or who is attacking a crop — watch at odd hours, such as in the morning or evening, set a trap, or creep in close to the affected plants and look under leaves and in nodes (where leaf stalks meet the stem). Telltale signs also include nibbled leaves and collapsing stems — here again, a little poking around should reveal the culprit. If it's an icky bug, capture a few, stick 'em in a baggie, and show them to someone who can help you identify them.

There is not much that home gardeners can safely do if the vegetables have fungal disease. The best thing is to purchase disease resistant varieties and grow them under good conditions (sufficient air flow, fertilizing and watering). If disease is suspected, it is usually best to uproot the plant and discard it in the trash, not the compost pile.

## Rodents, rabbits, and other miscreants

Mice, shrews, moles, voles, gophers, and other little rodents often burrow in mulch, either to nest or to root around for seeds to eat. Replace the mulch with gravel. Or reduce it, or at least scrape it away from the bases of your plants. A cage or barrier of chicken wire or poultry netting under or around the perimeter of the garden can also discourage the rodents, provided the holes are too small for them to squeeze through. You can also try trapping them or flooding their holes/tunnels with the hose. A cat who's a good mouser is the best bet.

Rabbits, woodchucks, raccoons? These brazen marauders may make you homicidal enough to reach for a gun, hand grenade, or poison-baited trap, but you can choose from some less drastic (and more humane) tacks. The best defense, quite honestly, is a good garden fence (include a gate, of course, so _you_ can get in and out). Select one that's tall enough to discourage climbing over, but also sink it several inches into the ground to discourage digging under. Other remedies that are said to work include hot sauce, commercial repellents, bags of human hair (collected from a salon), a noisy radio, water-gun repellents, and leaving an alert dog nearby.

## Deer

First of all, let's be completely frank here: Gardening in deer country is a challenge, and modern-day deer are overpopulated because of fewer natural predators and because their natural habitats are shrinking due to development. And when they're hungry, they'll eat almost anything, including the contents of your vegetable garden.

The best defense is a good garden fence. But because deer are good leapers, it needs to be quite tall — 8 feet or so. A lower fence may work if you set it at a 45-degree angle or even lay it on the ground on the theory that deer don't like to get their hooves snagged. For extra insurance or if the deer are really hungry and persistent, you need an electric fence (hardware, home, and farm-supply stores sell this) or a double fence — two 10-foot fences, 6 feet apart.

## Birds

Birds are mainly a threat to newly planted seeds and ripening fruit (especially berries — see Chapter 15). Cover the seeds with soil and/or netting to discourage them; cover plants with netting until the fruit is ripe and you're able to pick the harvest.

## Bugs

Correct identification is key. Capture a few and show them to someone who knows (a garden-center staffer, a landscaper, or another, more experienced vegetable gardener) or look the bugs up. If you can't find the pest, a sample of typical damage should help your expert identify the culprit.

As you can see in the upcoming culprits' table, I'm not hastening to recommend spraying chemicals in a vegetable garden. Try other tactics first.

If you catch the problem early, it's not unrealistic to manage by picking off offending bugs and drowning them in soapy water (not a coffee-can of gasoline — this method makes a disgusting and toxic brew that's hard to dispose of) or putting the bugs in a zipper-type plastic bag. Or shower the plants with water. Often a good spray with the hose can drown and knock off offending pests.

Spray with pesticides only as a last resort, because you can harm unintended targets (plant and animal) or taint your garden soil. To be on the cautious side, you also want to thoroughly wash your harvest before eating or cooking. Always get the right product for the targeted pest and follow the directions on the label to the letter. Note that most sprays are most effective when used in the early stages of a pest's development. Examples of sprays that you can use include insecticidal soap, neem oil, horticultural oils, and garlic or pepper spray.

Table 13-2 lists the common culprits.

##### Chapter 14

## Adding Spice to Your Garden: Growing Herbs

### In This Chapter

  Growing and cultivating herbs

  Bringing in the harvest

If you suspect that the definition of _herb_ is a bit loose — it includes rosemary but also nasturtiums — you're right. Defining an _herb_ is easier said than done, but the important thing to keep in mind is that herbs are plants that not only have ornamental merits but are also useful in some way. Just to complicate things, some plants called herbs are fast-growing annuals (see Chapter 6), and others are long-lived perennials (Chapter 7).

Gardeners grow many herbs for their foliage, which is often deliciously scented; people value others for their edible flowers, seeds, or roots. A lot of herbs are a boon in the kitchen, adding exciting new dimensions to all sorts of recipes. Still others are reputed to have healthful or healing properties. The uses of the various herbs are too many and too detailed for the scope of this book, so please pick up _Herb Gardening For Dummies_ and _Herbal Remedies For Dummies_ (Wiley Publishing, Inc.) if you want more information about these fascinating plants.

Even with that broad definition, the majority of herbs have common growing conditions and harvesting techniques. Herbs are usually very easy to find — look for them where you buy your annuals and perennials; or perhaps you have some friends, relatives, or neighbors who won't mind your taking some herbs from their yards and planting them in your own. And here's some good news: Herbs are among the easiest and most rewarding of all plants to raise. This chapter fills you in on how to grow and care for herbs.

## Planting Herbs: A Lesson in Adaptation

When you're planting your herbs, there are no hard or fast rules, folks! Herbs are wonderfully versatile and flexible, and as I tell you at the beginning of the chapter, herbs come in a huge variety of annual and perennial types of plants.

The main thing to do is to pay attention to the type of herb you're trying to plant: Is it an annual? A perennial? Fast growing? Slow growing? Is it an invasive plant, like mint, or does it get along well with other plants? These considerations are important before you start adding herbs to your garden — and probably even before you acquire the herbs themselves! Do you research beforehand: Ask your gardening friends or the staff at the local nursery, or consult _Herb Gardening For Dummies,_ to find out more about the growing habits of certain herbs.

## Getting the timing right

When you plant your herbs really depends on the plant, but you can't go wrong planting herbs the same way you plant vegetable seedlings; that is, plant them out in the garden after all danger of frost is past (see Chapter 13 for info on vegetable gardening). The reason this strategy works for most herbs is that a lot of them aren't especially cold-tolerant. This technique also gets them in the ground under encouraging conditions: warm soil, warm air, and a good summer stretching out ahead of them. They should surge right into robust growth.

Obviously, if your climate is fairly mild (as in the South and Southwest, the Gulf Coast, and most of California), you can plant herbs earlier in the year than, say, someone in New England or the upper Midwest, who's better off waiting until Memorial Day or so.

Avoid planting herbs — even if you spot plants for sale somewhere at a bargain price — in the heat of summer. Planting then stresses out even dryland natives like oregano and lavender. Also, obviously, if a cold winter is coming on, now is not the time to put out herbs. If you want to enjoy some herbs during the winter months, you're better off growing them in pots that you bring indoors to a sunny windowsill. See Chapter 16 for details on container gardening or check out the upcoming section titled "Potting your herbs."

## Helping herbs find their place in the world

When you're deciding where to plant your herbs, just remember that most herbs like plentiful sunshine and appreciate well-draining ground (as opposed to very dry or very soggy sites). Read on for your placement options.

### Inviting herbs into your current garden

If you're considering planting your herbs in an already-existing garden, here are two options:

  **Herbs growing by vegetables:** Adding edible herbs to your vegetable garden is a good idea. They like the same growing conditions of fertile soil and full sun, and when you're in the mood for a spontaneous summer meal, everything you need is right at hand. Some of my favorite choices include basil, dill, parsley, cilantro, fennel, thyme, and chives. Check out Chapter 13 for info on vegetable gardening.

  **Herbs mingling with flowers:** This type of planting works best for herbs with pretty flowers of their own, as well as ones that can contribute attractive foliage. Imagine not just how pretty the flower bed will be but also the intriguing homegrown bouquets you can assemble if you widen your palette to include some herbs. Favorite choices include sage (including the kinds with colorful leaves), dill, mint, basil (especially the purple-leaved kind), artemisia, and borage. For info on growing annuals, flip to Chapter 6; Chapter 7 discusses perennials.

### Creating an herb garden

For many gardeners, the best solution for growing herbs is just to put them all in their own garden. Follow the usual rule for flower gardens; namely, place taller herbs to the back or in the middle of a bed, with shorter ones at their feet, so you can see, appreciate, and access everything for care and harvesting. Allow every plant ample room to spread — if some herbs emerge as thugs over time, stealing the stage from less aggressive growers, just chop them back or take them out of the display altogether (see the sidebar called "Going solo").

You can choose from many types of herb gardens, but generally herb gardens are either formal or informal. You'd do wise to plan a formal garden ahead on paper, making a geometric design (composed of squares? Composed to look like slices of a pie?) to your liking — take a look at Figure 14-1, or flip to Chapter 2 for advice on designing a garden. Install the layout first, with edgings and pathways in place; use bricks, rocks, gravel, or even grass. Edging plants such as small boxwood plants, germander, or a sheared low hedge of lavender or dusty miller also work but require more care.

**Figure 14-1:** A formal herb garden plan.

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If you prefer informal herb gardens, take note: A casual bed devoted to all herbs can look delightfully cottage-gardeny, or it can look like a jumble. (A jumble is bad: It's hard to care for and harvest from, and crowded plants become more vulnerable to pests and diseases.) So make a plan on paper for this sort, too — set it up like your vegetable garden or your favorite flower garden — and then see what happens, making alterations as you see fit. Aim for a harmonious mix of foliage colors and types, with the occasional exclamation point of a flowering herb.

### Going solo

Some herbs are meant to be alone. These plants are tall or hog horizontal space. They also monopolize resources of soil nutrients and water or have a tendency to grow rampantly. In other words, they're not good team players. If you really want them, why not just segregate them in their own area, bed, or pot? Plants that do better solo include mint, oregano, and marjoram.

### Potting your herbs

A lot of people like to grow herbs in pots, which contains their growth and makes them handy for cooking. Container gardening is also a terrific way to raise edible herbs that you use often in your kitchen.

The most important thing to do for potted herbs is keep them watered; potted plants dry out notoriously fast, and cycles of soaking and drying out aren't good for a plant's health, even a tough little herb plant. ( **_Note:_ **The Mediterranean herbs — such as thyme, rosemary, lavender, sage, and oregano — prefer poor, almost sandy soil; they'll rot if too wet. Use a sand or pebble mulch around them.) So site potted herbs where you won't forget about them, such as right outside the back door or on the patio in full sight of the kitchen window. A window box (see Figure 14-2) is a particularly effective and practical way to grow herbs in a container. See Chapter 16 for more information on container gardening.

Some herbs, such as mints, lemon balm, and lemon verbena, can become garden thugs. They're very invasive, so containers are perfect for keeping them where you want them and preventing their wandering and taking over. (Check for square stems on plants — these traits can indicate that you're dealing with thugs.)

Mixed displays can look great. Fill larger pots with several different herbs or assemble a gathering of individual pots and array them on a deck or patio. You can even tuck a potted herb into your garden proper as an accent, shifting it around as you see fit. If color or interest seems to be lacking, just choose especially decorative or colorful pots — they make a dramatic difference and add to the fun.

Frequent harvesting from potted herbs has an important benefit, by the way. When you snip off the tips, the remaining plant is inspired to grow more thickly and compactly — which looks better in a pot.

**Figure 14-2:** A window box of herbs.

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## Putting herbs in their place: How to plant

Planting herbs is as easy as 1-2-3 and really isn't much different from planting an annual or perennial. When planting a new herb in a garden, just follow these basic steps (if you need tips on preparing the garden beforehand, see Chapter 4):

**1.** **Using a trowel, dig a hole in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.**

The hole should be slightly deeper and wider than the pot the herb is currently in. Add a little compost or other organic material to the bottom of the hole for the roots to grow into, and scrape the sides of the hole to loosen them, which encourages the herb's root system to grow beyond its current size.

**2.** **Pop the plant out of its pot.**

If tugging is necessary, handle the plant by its stem, never by its leaves. Using your fingers, gently tease the roots on the bottom loose and loosen some on the sides as well.

**3.** **Plant the herb at the same depth it was growing in the pot (if you're not sure, look closely on the stem for a soil line).**

Backfill soil in and around the hole, and firm everything into place with your hands to eliminate air pockets. Soak thoroughly.

When choosing a planting spot, be sure to find out and take into account your herb's expected mature size. You don't want it to be crowded or cramped; it won't be as healthy or productive.

Planting herbs in a container is a bit different from planting in a garden. Follow these steps:

**1.** **First, choose an ample-sized pot and be sure it has a drainage hole in the bottom.**

Most herbs can't tolerate wet feet.

**2.** **Fill the pot with damp potting soil mix.**

Pre-moistening the mix makes the job soooo much easier!

**3.** **Eject the herb seedling from the pot you bought it in, place it in, and water it.**

Containers, particularly clay pots, tend to dry out quickly, especially when placed in the sunny spots that herbs like. Although many herbs are tough customers and drought-tolerant, subjecting them to extreme cycles of drought and drenching causes stress. Don't neglect your potted herbs! Place them in plain sight or in an area you pass by often so you don't forget them.

## Raising herbs from seed

The majority of herbs are easy to grow from seed. Also, some types of herbs — interesting or offbeat or rare varieties — are often for sale only in seed form. Here's the good news: Unlike some flower and vegetable seeds, you don't have a long wait from sowing to productive plant.

To plant your herb seeds, follow these steps:

**1.** **Prepare a flat of sterile soil mix or the pot in which you plan to keep the herb(s).**

Be sure the flat or pot contains drainage holes to prevent the possibility of rot.

**2.** **Sow the seeds on top of the mix or under a thin layer of mix, whichever the seed packet recommends.**

The packet should also advise you on how far apart to sow.

**3.** **Care for the seeds for a few weeks or until the seedlings are several inches high and ready to be transplanted.**

Bottom watering is advisable, as is warm and indirect light — again, the necessary details will be on the seed packet. Place the container in a tub or sink in which it will be watered. Gradually add warm water (this will penetrate the soil quicker than cold water) so that it reaches a depth of about half the height of the container in which the seeds are sown. Let the container sit in this warm water until the surface of the soil in the container is wet (it will be a darker color). This may take an hour or so. Then either remove the seed container from the tub, or let the water out of the sink and allow the excess water to drain from the container.

Many herb seeds are quite small, and seed companies give you much more than you need in a single packet (for example, a typical packet of basil seeds can have 250 individual seeds in it!). Don't use them all at once.

The biggest mistake beginning herb gardeners make when sowing seeds is sowing too thickly. The result is a forest of small plants! Be conservative when sowing, and even so, you may still have to thin. (Wait till the seedlings have at least a second set of leaves before thinning; then carefully, carefully cut out the weaker plants with tiny scissors.)

## Taking Care of Your Herbs

Caring for herbs isn't much different from watching out for your other annuals and perennials, but herbs may have a few special requests. The following sections tell you how to make sure your herbs have to what they need to succeed, including protection from the baddies of the insect (and mite, snail, and slug) world.

## Providing an herb's basic needs

Although each type of herb has its own growing requirements, it's pretty safe to say that most herbs are unfussy plants. Most prefer full sun. Most prosper in good, moderately fertile soil. And most require that the soil be well-drained so they get the moisture they need to grow but don't suffer from wet feet. If your chosen site is lacking in any of these requirements, take steps to improve it. Clip back overhanging trees and shrubs. Add organic matter such as compost and/or dampened peat moss, as well as some sand to poor soil to improve its texture. (See Chapter 4 for more information.)

Herbs rarely need fertilizer! In fact, excess fertilizer may lead to lax, floppy growth that's unattractive and vulnerable to diseases and pests; it may also inhibit flowering.

Some herbs like "sweeter" soil (soil with a higher pH; alkaline soil — see Chapter 4). If your garden's soil is towards the acidic side, a sprinkling of lime powder or chips at the herb's base at planting time may be in order. Examples of herbs that like this include chia, lavender, and echinacea.

Make sure you water in your herb plants on planting day. Then water the plants often in the following days and weeks until they become well-established. Well-established herbs may be fairly drought-tolerant, but that doesn't excuse you from getting them off to a good start while they're young.

Some herbs really prefer soggy ground. The drawback is that if you put them in such a spot, they may grow too rampantly; be willing to let them do as they will. If that's not practical, simply raise them in a pot and keep the pot well-watered and/or set in a saucer of water so the growing mix is perpetually damp. Examples of herbs like this include mints, beebalm, cardamom, chervil, goldenseal, and sorrel.

### Caring for potted herbs indoors

Herbs are easy and fun to grow inside, which may also extend the harvest for you if you have cold winters. They're best on a kitchen windowsill, provided it gets plenty of sun. That way, they're handy when you need them for a recipe; plus the sight of them certainly adds character and pleasant fragrance to your kitchen. Here are couple other tips:

  **Turn herbs occasionally so they're healthier and look fuller/balanced.** Potted herb plants naturally grow towards the source of sunlight, and they may start to lean or look one-sided unless you give them a quarter-turn every few days.

  **Trim or harvest often.** Life in a pot is pretty confining for most herbs, and you don't want them to outgrow their space or start getting floppy or lanky. So cut off tips often; this trimming inspires the plant to branch and go grow more densely and compactly.

After a while, the herbs may naturally peter out and need to be replaced. So enjoy them to the fullest while they're in their prime!

## Dealing with herb pests

Believe it or not, many herbs are pest-free, which is one of the many reasons gardeners find these plants so easy and fun to grow. Some herbs even _repel_ pests from themselves as well as adjacent plants. However, you may meet a handful of pests. If you do, act quickly to rescue your harvest, either by treating the plant or by tearing it out and getting rid of it before the problem can spread. Check out Table 14-1 for a rap sheet of the major troublemakers.

The pests that go after herbs may seem as varied as the herbs themselves, but here are a few defensive strategies you can take to protect your herbs:

  Make sure your herbs are in good health, well-watered, and in particular have sufficient elbow room.

  Remove affected leaves; pull out severely infested plants and throw them away before the problem spreads.

  Dislodge small infestations with a spray from the hose; larger insect pets may be hand-picked and destroyed.

  If you have to spray, try insecticidal soap, which is nontoxic. Make sure the pest you're targeting is listed on the label, and then carefully follow the directions regarding how and when to apply.

  You can combat certain pests with beneficial insects (such as ladybugs or lacewings). Look for more information — as well as help in attracting or acquiring the right helper — from a good garden center or from your Cooperative Extension agent, or do an online search.

  Get a little help from some friends. Some herbs may help each other out by keeping pests at bay.

If you succeed in beating back a pest and later want to use the herb for fresh eating or to cook it, be sure to wash it thoroughly first!

##### Chapter 15

## Sweet and Crunchy: Growing Fruits, Berries, and Nuts

### In This Chapter

  Deciding what kind of fruit to grow

  Purchasing fruit-producing plants

  Planting fruitful trees, shrubs, berry patches, and vines

  Providing care

Homegrown fruit, berries, and nuts take more time and care than some other kinds of gardening. Although soft fruits like strawberries, grapes, and raspberries yield delicious results within few months or less, tree fruits and nuts require more patience and can take several years to be productive. Fruits and nuts also require a different sort of preparation than trees and bushes that don't bear them. But at harvest time, the work is all worth it! In almost every region of North America, you can find a type of fruit or nut (or variety of fruit or nut) that's well-adapted and fairly easy to grow.

**_Note:_ ** Many gardeners collectively group fruits, berries and nuts together as a topic because the cultivating methods are similar for all of them. So for the sake of making the descriptions in this chapters simple, when I mention fruit, please keep in mind that I mean fruit, berries, and nuts unless I say otherwise. Also, all of the fruit-bearing plants in this chapter, except strawberries, are woody. Strawberries die back to the ground with only their crowns and roots that overwinter so in that way they are much like most herbaceous perennials. All the fruits in this chapter are "perennial" in that they come up every year and are winter hardy.

For now, though, let your imagination savor the aroma of sun-warmed fruit, picked fresh in your own yard. Then read on as I help you make that vision a reality.

When is a "veggie" a fruit? I guess this is a bit of garden trivia, but a "fruit" is defined as a ripened ovary. You can think of it as "pregnant flower." Using this definition, many plants that are known as veggies, like melons, cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers, are literally fruits — even though they are technically fruits they are considered veggies by gardeners.

## Fruit Basics: Knowing and Choosing the Right Fruits for Your Garden

Realistically choosing the type of fruit you can support and grow is important, making the difference between easy success and frustration or failure. Before you get your heart set on a certain kind of fruit you want to grow, do a little research.

Now, you know that fruits come later in a plant's seasonal cycle, right? First the flowers bloom, and then the petals fall as the fruit starts to swell (pollination from the same or an adjacent plant may be necessary — bees often help out). At first small, hard, and green, a fruit expands in size and changes color on the way to becoming juicy and ripe. The seeds or pits are nestled within (except for in the odd case of strawberries), and the flesh of the fruit is actually meant to protect and nourish the seeds, which is why small plants may eventually sprout and grow where unharvested ripe fruit falls to the ground.

Why not just produce seeds? Why go to all this effort? The probable answer is that fruit-producing plants adapted themselves so that birds and animals would eat them and therefore distribute the seed far and wide. Back in the mists of history, food gatherers discovered that the flesh of fruit could also nourish people. The art and science of cultivation led to better fruit size, quality, and flavor. Modern-day fruit varieties are much improved over their wild forbears but require care to achieve a good harvest.

## Examining the types of fruits

Not all types of fruit are suitable or easy for home gardens, owing to their size or growth and maintenance requirements. Date palms, for instance, or pineapple, are tough to grow. However, home gardeners do have a wide range of choices available. Here are some examples:

  **Tree fruits:** Apple, apricot, cherry, citrus fruits, crabapple, pear, peach, nectarine, plum, avocado, loquat, kumquat, pineapple guava, pomegranate, persimmon, banana, and fig

All nuts are technically "seeded fruits," including peanuts!

  **Vine fruits:** Grape and kiwi

  **Shrub fruits:** Blackberry, raspberry, gooseberry, currant, and blueberry

  **Groundcovering fruits:** Strawberry and melon (for info on growing melons, see Chapter 13, on vegetable gardening)

Another thing you might want to consider when looking at types of fruit is how long you have to wait before getting a yield. For instance, groundcovering fruits are annuals, at least in a climate that has frost, while strawberries are perennials, but both produce fruit the first year. Most shrub fruits take two or three years to yield substantial amounts of fruit. Fruit trees take a few to several years to bear, depending on variety and type of rootstock they're on. Dwarf fruit trees tend to bear sooner, within 3 years, while trees on standard rootstocks can take 4 or more years.

Most woody fruits can last many years. There are apple orchards and vineyards that are generations old. In general, when fruits start losing their productivity it is time to replace them with newer stock.

## Getting the lowdown on chill factors

You can find many named cultivars (cultivated varieties) within each type of fruit, and you need to choose one suitable to your climate and growing conditions. Some fruit plants are obviously better-adapted to certain climates than others. Avocados don't work as a crop in cold regions; some pears and raspberries are better in mild areas, and others are adapted to Northern climes; most apples (but not all) like to be cold and North, too. Although you may be able to push your boundaries or cheat a bit in your garden with smaller plants such as perennials, coddling a more substantial resident such as big bush, vine, or tree isn't always practical. (Check out Chapter 3 for info on growing seasons and plant hardiness zones.)

Take your cue from what sorts of fruits appear to be prospering in your area or what's for sale at your local nursery. Call your nearest Cooperative Extension Service office and get recommendations not only for the types of fruits but also for the most suitable and cold-hardiest cultivars within each kind. In the meantime, here's what you need to know about high-chill and low-chill fruits:

  **High-chill:** High-chill trees require more hours with temperatures below 44°F (7°C) to break dormancy and grow in the spring. High-chill trees don't perform well in mild climates. Many apples, pears, cherries and deciduous fruit and nut trees are rated by the number of hours of chill they require.

  **Low-chill:** Low-chill deciduous fruit trees require fewer hours of with temperatures below 44°F (7°C) in order to break dormancy. These types of deciduous fruits and nuts do best where winters are mild.

Review Table 15-1 for further details on popular trees. **_Note:_ ** _Chill hours_ means the total cold-season hours below 44°F (7°C).

## Studying your size accommodations

Adding fruit plants of some kind to your home landscape is not just about harvesting delicious fruit. The size of the plant is important, as is the relative beauty of its flowers and foliage. Ideally, the plant fits in and enhances the attractiveness of your yard even when it's not producing fruit.

Pick a plant that fits into its allotted space in your home landscape. Be realistic, because fruit-bearing plants already require consistent maintenance without you also having to constantly cut them back in an effort to get them to fit in a too-small area.

To find out predicted mature size of a specific cultivar, look on the label, ask a nursery staffer, or look up the plant in a reference book, nursery catalog, or on the Internet. If your space is limited, go looking for a _dwarf cultivar_ or one explicitly billed as having a _compact growth habit._ For instance, check out the 'Colonnade' apple tree, which has a single main trunk that only grows to 10 feet tall with short branches. Don't consign yourself to a career of constant shaping and pruning to keep an eager plant small unless you have the time and inclination! (Constant chopping back also runs the risk, of course, of reducing your potential harvest, not to mention making the plant look awkward or unattractive.)

Access may also be a consideration for you. If you dream of simply strolling out with a basket and gathering up fresh fruit, choose a fruit that doesn't require a ladder to care for and harvest from. Examples of favorite, more-compact growers include currant, gooseberry, blueberry (both high-bush and low-bush), strawberry, and some blackberry, raspberry, and grape cultivars. Figure 15-1 shows a typical strawberry garden plan that allows easy harvesting.

**Figure 15-1:** Strawberry garden plan aligned for easy harvesting.

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Generally, two kinds of fruit trees are suitable for a home garden: regular and dwarf or semi-dwarf. The latter are best if your space is limited, of course. Caring for and harvesting from fruit trees often requires a longer reach, namely use of a ladder and pole saws or long-reach pruners. Examples of favorite taller or larger fruit plants include apple, pear, peach, apricot, plum, citrus (lemon, orange, and grapefruit) trees, and kiwi vines.

Here are a few more ideas to consider as you explore how to fit fruits into your garden:

  Use a line of berry plants as a property boundary.

  Put single berry plants at the corners of your vegetable garden.

  Use a shrub or small tree fruit in your foundation planting.

  Plant a fruit tree in your entryway garden (so long as it gets enough sun).

  Create a small orchard in your back forty.

  Expand your vegetable garden to include a strawberry or melon patch.

  Add a berry bush or two to an informal shrub border.

  Plant berry bushes at the base of a gazebo (not blocking, of course, the way in).

  Site one or more fruit trees in an informal lawn, slight slope, or other open area.

  Plant fruit trees in your streetside curb strip (after some soil improvement, no doubt).

  Plant a fruiting vine so it grows over a pergola or archway, creating shade below.

  Grow a dwarf fruit tree in large container on a sunny patio or deck.

If you have the room, you can also simply install a full-blown fruit garden, like the in Figure 15-2.

Because some plants can't pollinate themselves, you may have to allow room for two or more plants. See the following section for details.

**Figure 15-2:** Plan for a good-sized fruit garden.

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## Going solo or in pairs: Looking at pollination

Certain fruits require cross pollination to set their fruits. Sometimes it is sufficient to plant more than one of the same variety, and other times you must plant a different variety of the same type of fruit to get best results. It is very difficult to generalize which fruits this pertains to. The best approach is to carefully read the catalog or ask the sales person you are buying from whether the plant is self fruitful or requires a different or additional pollinators. If your supplier can't answer this question, buy from someone else. You need a supplier who knows for sure.

## Finding and Buying Your Fruit Bearers

Unlike some annual and perennial flowers and veggies, fruit-bearers are not plants you want to try raising from seed — it takes forever! Not only that, but many fruit bearers do not "come true" (have the traits of their parent plants) from seed. No, for the fastest and most gratifying results, buy plants. Here's my general advice, before delving into the different forms in which you can buy fruit plants:

  **Always buy from a reputable source.** Ask around, nose around, and examine the source's guarantee and refund policy. Your local Coopera- tive Extension Service office may be able to point you toward good nearby sources.

  **Don't bother with bargain-hunting.** You get what you pay for.

  **Require a label and/or accurate identification.** This label includes not only the type of plant (for example, apple or Northern highbush blueberry) but the also the cultivar ('McIntosh' or 'Bluecrop,' respectively).

  **Ask or look for some assurance that your choice is "certified" or "virus-tested."** Virus-infected plants don't always look diseased, at least not at first. If you skip this step and bring home an infected plant, it'll decline over time, and you may never know why or may think you did something wrong.

  **Check visually for plant health.** Both top growth and the root system should be intact and in good condition, showing no signs of damage, rot, galls, or pests.

At local nurseries, buy the largest plants you can find and afford so you can get off to a faster start. Confirm that the plant's well rooted by poking into the soil mix and/or tipping the pot and sliding it out to see for yourself. Favor plants with buds over ones that are already flowering, because the trip home or the transition from pot to garden soil is likely to make them jettison blooms early in favor of establishing their roots in their new home. New buds, flowers, and eventually fruit will come along in due course!

You can also get fruits bareroot. Although a bareroot fruit tree may look like nothing more than a slender branch (a _whip_ ) with some roots, you're still concerned with the quality of the root system in particular. Many broken or dried-out roots are not a good sign. You may end up trimming either the top growth or the roots prior to planting (see "Bareroot plants," in the upcoming planting section), but you want to head into the project with a good plant.

With mail-order, though, my main advice is to shop with a specialist. Avoid nurseries where the plants aren't clearly or fully identified. Steer clear of nurseries that offer fruit plants only as a sideline. You want people who propagate and ship the plants themselves; they know what they're doing, and this streamlined system also keeps the quality higher and the costs down. Find such companies in the ads in gardening magazines (particularly in the classified ads in the back) or online.

## Planting Your Fruit

When you think you're ready to plant, the first thing to do, probably even before you acquire your plants, is prepare the soil. It is a far, far better thing to deal with the soil before you plant than after — a berry bush, fruit tree, or strawberry patch is a major landscape investment, and there's no sense in cutting corners from the get-go.

Good-quality soil is especially important when raising edibles. You want your crop to be both safe and tasty. Do a soil test on the intended spot (buy a kit, follow the directions, mail the sample into a lab, and await recommendations — for more information, see Chapter 13).

Because you remember to name on the form the sort of fruit you intend to raise (hint, hint), the recommendations for soil improvement that come back from the lab are tailored to that crop. For example, blueberry bushes prefer a lower pH, so the lab may suggest that you add some sulfur to make your ground more acidic; peach trees and certain European grape cultivars like conditions a bit more alkaline, and some supplemental lime may be in order. Note that these amendments take time to move through the soil, so try to add them the fall prior to spring planting.

Organically rich soil, not surprisingly, is ideal. It offers a slow-release reservoir of nutrients your fruit-bearing plants need and relish. Dig some in ahead of time, and replenish it at least annually. It lightens heavy clay soil and improves sandy soil, making the entire area more hospitable to plant roots. Good choices include compost, well-rotted manure, rotted sawdust, chopped up leaves, and spent mushroom soil. Yes, adding periodic doses of fertilizer can also help your crop along, but you need this initial foundation.

## Making the prepared soil deep and wide enough

As with so many other plants in your garden, fruit-bearing plants need ample space for their roots to develop. Sufficient soil both nourishes and anchors plants. Take measure of how extensive the root system is on planting day, and then go farther to allow for future growth.

For example, because strawberry plants generally send their roots 6 to 12 inches down, you should provide them with prepared soil that's at least that deep, with several more inches to spare. An apple or plum tree, on the other hand, may send roots many feet deep into the ground over the course of its career; you're not likely to be willing or able to excavate a major hole and have to count on the chosen spot having decent soil. Just give a young rootball ample space. Usually, a hole 12 to 18 inches deep and wide does the trick. Remember to scrape the sides of the hole with your shovel or trowel to loosen the soil and thus help the roots expand beyond its bounds.

As for width, accommodate the rootball and then some. For a fruit tree, although you may not dig a hole that extends as far as the branches and roots may someday extend, you can spread amendments out that direction, mix them in, and leave them to work their way down gradually.

## Choosing the best time to plant fruits

Here's the basic principle about timing, folks: Plant to allow maximum time for the fruit plant to get growing before the most stressful conditions of the year occur. In colder climates, **** get the plants in the ground in the springtime so they can enjoy a nice, long summer before cold weather arrives in the fall. Wait till after danger of frost is past so young buds aren't harmed or killed. Plant bareroot plants as soon as you can work the ground in spring.

In mild climates, the stressful time is the height of the hot summer, so you're often better off planting fruits in the fall or early winter. This timing allows young stock to establish their root systems before being called upon to produce new spring growth. Still-warm soil and, hopefully, drenching fall rains can welcome the new arrivals and hasten this process along.

## Deciding where to plant your fruits

Gardeners talk about three main factors that you should consider when finding a home in your landscape for fruit, nut, and berry plants. Ideally, you want to satisfy all these conditions so your crop doesn't struggle:

  **Sun:** Plentiful sun is a requirement — I'm talking at least six to eight hours a day, or even more. Fruit simply doesn't develop or prosper in shady conditions (even plant foliage may suffer or be sparse). So choose a south-facing spot, or in a pinch, east or west-facing. (Morning sun — an east-facing exposure — is better because it dries morning dew; morning dew that hangs around too long can cause fruit to rot.)

  **Elbow room:** Pick a site out in the open, well away from the shade cast by a house, other building, fence, or other obstruction. Prune back any nearby shrub or tree branches that may be encroaching.

Planting distances vary for type of fruit and the rootstock it's on. Read the planting distance guidelines in the catalog or on the plant label.

  **Drainage:** You want a spot with decent soil and good drainage. No berry-producing plants or fruit trees like wet feet (naturally damp spots or ones that hold rainwater for more than 12 hours). This waterlogging deprives the roots of needed oxygen and may actually inhibit the uptake of some soil nutrients.

If drainage is iffy in your yard, favor an upland spot or slope. In any event, planting fruits in the lowest part is never advisable. Heavy clay soil is a problem — though improving drainage by digging in lots of organic matter is possible. Alternatively, you can go to the trouble of creating a broad and deep (up to a foot, depending on what you plan to grow) raised bed. See Chapter 13 for more info on raised beds.

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Here's where _not_ to plant and why:

  **Low, boggy areas:** These spots have poor drainage.

  **Steep slopes:** Slopes are hard to plant, and the plants are hard to care for.

  **Shade:** Fruit doesn't develop without days in the sun.

  **Lousy soil:** Plants struggle in poor soil.

  **The middle of a pampered lawn:** Lawn fertilizer is too nitrogen-heavy for fruit plants to tolerate, and mowers and string trimmers can be a hazard.

  **Against a wall or fence:** Barriers crowd a plant, and poor air circulation is not good for its health (the exception is an espaliered fruit tree — see the upcoming section titled "Supporting and training your fruit").

## Getting your fruit in the ground

How to plant fruit depends very much on the type of fruit you want to plant and what form it comes in. In the following sections, I first give you some pointers on planting according to whether your fruit is initially available to you in a container, as a bareroot plant, or as a balled-and-burlapped tree. Then I tell you how to plant a berry patch, because you handle growing berry patches slightly differently from other ways of growing fruit.

### Container plants

Container plants are the form in which you commonly find berry bushes and some small fruit trees. Assuming you have an appropriate spot ready, the planting process is simple and logical if you follow these steps:

**1.** **Choose a good day.**

All danger of frost is past, but the weather is overcast or drizzly. A hot, sunny day is too stressful. If the weather is clear, at least plant later in the day.

**2.** **Prepare the plant first.**

Water it well and let excess drain away. Groom it lightly, trimming away any damaged branches and leaves. Pinch off buds, if any (most, not all); this act encourages the plant to redirect its energies toward root development. After the plant establishes itself, it'll surely generate new buds, anyway.

**3.** **Pop the root system out of the pot.**

If the root system is thick and dense, sliding a butter knife or stick around the perimeter should dislodge it, or perhaps you can cut the container away with tin snips. Tease the roots loose on the bottom and a bit on the sides — this act encourages the plant to venture out into its new home in your garden soil. If the plant is rootbound, score the sides at four or so even intervals with a sharp knife, slicing only about an inch in — this scoring severs girdling roots and inspires new feeder roots to start growing.

**4.** **Plant it at the same level it was growing in the pot and water.**

Backfill soil into the hole and firm it into place to eliminate air pockets. Water well, let the ground settle, and add more soil as needed.

### Bareroot plants

Most fruit trees, and sometimes berry-producing shrubs, are sold as bareroot plants; strawberry plants are commonly sold in small bareroot bundles. These plants are dormant, which means you can buy and plant them earlier in the gardening year — as soon as the soil is dry enough to crumble easily in your hand. If you can't plant right away, store bareroot plants in a cool, shaded spot and keep the plant moist.

On planting day, here are the steps to follow:

**1.** **Prep the plant first.**

Unwrap the plant, and if the roots are more than a foot long or look damaged or frayed, trim them back with clean, sharp clippers. Then soak the roots and stem in a bucket of tepid, muddy water (add a handful of soil) for a few hours or overnight to rehydrate them. As for the top growth, if the plant has branches, shorten them to few inches (cutting to just above an outward-facing bud); this trim inspires vigorous, spreading growth. If the tree or shrub is a mere whip (single stem), cut it back to 2 or 3 feet tall if the grower hasn't already done so.

**2.** **Make a mound inside the hole.**

Use the excavated soil (or a mixture of it and some organic matter) to make a mound in the hole; You'll set the plant here and array the roots on it, so make the mound tall. To allow for some settling, adjust the height of the mound so the plant will stand about 2 inches higher than it stood at the nursery (How do you know? Look for the telltale old soil line low on the trunk).

**3.** **Add the plant and position it.**

Place the tree or shrub atop the mound and spread the roots out evenly on all sides. Be careful not to bend or break them, and don't crowd them either. If the tree is branched, orient it with the lowest branch facing southwest — this positioning will eventually help shade the trunk and lessen the chance of sunscald. If the site, being out in the open, is windy, lean the tree ever so slightly into the direction of the prevailing winds.

**4.** **Backfill.**

Hold the plant steady (or get a helper to do so) and scoop soil back into the hole. You may have to bounce the plant up and down slightly as you work to settle the soil among the roots. When it stands on its own, add more soil, tamping it down gently with your hands as you work to prevent air pockets.

**5.** **Create a basin.**

Make the basin about a foot or two out from the trunk, mounding up soil to several inches high. Fill it partway with compost or other organic material, which will nourish the new young feeder roots that are developing. Top off with some weed-inhibiting mulch.

**6.** **Water.**

Finally, soak slowly and thoroughly today and at least once a week for the rest of the season, unless you get good rainfall. A young fruit tree or berry bush is a thirsty plant.

### Balled-and-burlapped plants

Fruit trees and larger berry-producing shrubs may be available in balled-and-burlapped form. It indicates that the plant was recently field-dug, and the purpose of the burlap or other cloth and trusses is to hold the soil protectively in place around the rootball. Here are the steps to follow to return the plant to the ground in your own yard:

**1.** **Get the hole ready.**

The size of the rootball in this case is perfectly obvious, which is nice. Make the hole slightly bigger, both for maneuverability and also to encourage the roots to move outward in their new home. Assuming the plant is not too big, you can check your work by temporarily holding the trussed plant in the hole.

**2.** **Double-check depth.**

Set the trussed rootball in the hole, and then place a piece of lumber or a rod of some kind across the top of the hole. The top of the root mass should meet it. If not, you know what to do — take it out and dig more, or backfill a bit.

**3.** **Unwrap the plant.**

Do this unwrapping outside the hole but right nearby. Cut off or unwind all rope, twine, string, or whatever is holding the burlap or cloth in place. Be especially careful to get off any material binding the trunk. Modern burlap may contain synthetic (plastic) material that practically never decays, so don't leave the burlap on. Some rootballs are also enveloped in a planting bag or wire basket — whatever you have, remove it.

**4.** **Plant.**

Set or wiggle the rootball into the prepared hole and backfill thoroughly to eliminate air pockets. If the tree is branched, orient it with the lowest branch facing southwest to eventually help shade the trunk and lessen the chance of sunscald. If the site is windy, lean the tree slightly into the direction of the prevailing winds.

**5.** **Create a basin and water.**

Make the basin about a foot or two out from the trunk, mounding up soil to several inches high. Fill it partway with compost or other organic material, and top off with some weed-inhibiting mulch. Soak slowly and thoroughly at planting and at least weekly till the end of the season (unless you get good rainfall). Watering is particularly critical because the rootball may have dried out while it was out of the ground, despite its protective wrapping.

### A berry patch

Want to grow raspberries, blackberries, or marionberries? Planting a berry patch is a little different because you have to prepare an entire area and install future support. I advise starting with a single row. The reason for the trellis is that it keeps your plants upright (rather than in a slumping tangle); this method keeps the plants drier and thus less prone to disease, and they're much easier to harvest from.

If you are space challenged and still want to experience the sweet flavor of homegrown strawberries, plant up a strawberry jar. It is a vertical container with "pockets" to hold the trailing plants. I recommend that you select the everbearing or day neutral varieties so you can enjoy the fruits throughout the growing season. For more information on container gardening, see Chapter 16.

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Don't grow cultivated berries anywhere near wild brambles or near an area where you grow or have recently grown eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, or strawberries — all these plants can host diseases that are harmful to cultivated berries.

Here are the steps to follow when creating your berry patch:

**1.** **Make the row.**

Clear out an area of all weeds, grass, and physical obstructions. The row should be about 2 feet wide and as long as you want.

**2.** **Create a planting trench.**

The roots of berry bushes are likely to grow down to about a foot deep, so excavate to at least that depth. Improve the soil with organic matter and with amendments that adjust the pH, if recommended by a soil test.

**3.** **Erect support.**

The object is to keep the canes off the ground and not to crowd them. You want good air circulation, which lessens the chance of disease. Use wooden posts (rot-resistant wood, like cedar) or metal posts, plunge them deeply into the ground, add braces if warranted, and then run strong wire between them to support and confine the plants. Your support setup options include

• A patch with posts at four corners

• Single posts at each end of your row

• Single posts with crosspieces.

The standard advice is to rig the wires at 2- to 3-foot intervals.

**4.** **Plant.**

Space the bushes at even intervals, 2 or 3 feet apart down the row and right under the lowest wire. Follow the previous planting directions in "Container plants," including giving each plant a good soaking.

**5.** **Cut back.**

After planting and watering is complete, tiptoe into the patch with your clippers and cut the plants off at ground level. I know, this shearing sounds drastic, but you may be eliminating canes that harbor diseases; plus, you don't want the plants to charge into early growth and fruiting. Instead, this step forces your new berry plants to focus on establishing and expanding their root systems. New canes will appear soon enough.

## Taking Care of Fruits

Modern fruit cultivars are bred to be productive and deliver a bountiful harvest. This trend is all well and good, but there are downsides. The sheer volume and weight of lots of fruit can cause a plant to slump, slouch, bow down, or trail fruiting branches on the ground. Also, humans aren't the only critters who like to eat fruits and nuts, and keeping these crops protected well enough so you can have something to show for all your hard work can be a challenge. In this section, I give you the pointers you need to keep your fruit healthy, happy, and plentiful enough to enjoy!

## Watering

Although too much water or poor drainage can drown a plant or encourage disease, fruit plants still need moisture. Shallow-rooted crops, like blueberries and strawberries, especially need ample water. If your climate provides natural rainfall, you may still have to supplement it. The most critical periods are at planting time and during fruit swell.

I recommend trickle irrigation for watering berry-producing plants, either with a soaker hose, a regular hose set quite low, or an in-ground system with emitters especially designed for this purpose (see Chapter 4). These methods allow the water to reach the roots evenly and gradually and yet avoid wetting the fruit (wet fruit is susceptible to rot, a particular concern for raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries).

## Fertilizing

Unlike, say, vegetable crops, the majority of fruit-bearing plants are not heavy feeders. If your soil is fertile or you've improved soil fertility prior to planting, feeding is not a big part of maintenance. (Sure, commercial orchards dose their trees and bushes on a regular basis, but they're aiming for maximum yields; home growers can afford to be less indulgent.)

In any event, apply fertilizer to soil that's neither excessively acidic nor excessively alkaline (address soil acidity prior to planting anyway after having a soil test done).

When you do feed your fruit trees or berry plants, use a complete, balanced, all-purpose fertilizer applied at the rates described on the label. More is not better! A dose in spring as the growing season begins is a good idea, and perhaps fertilize once again when the fruit is starting to form. (Don't feed later in the season, which can inspire fresh new growth that may not have time to harden before cold weather sets in and potentially damages tender shoots.)

Some fertilizers can be top-dressed. Top dressing is the surface application of fertilizer that is scratched into the top inch or two of the soil. You poke others into the ground at intervals above the root system. The nutrients get to the plant roots only when watered in. In fact, you're best off watering before and after feeding the plants.

No particular type of fertilizer can compel your fruit to bear at an earlier age. The age of bearing is mainly influenced by the variety, how and when you prune, and by some rootstocks in the case of grafted fruit trees.

## Cutting back on mulch

I know, I know, you're always being told to mulch garden plants to keep weeds at bay and conserve soil moisture. But mulching is not as critical with many fruit plants because the trees tend to cast shade over their bases, which helps with such matters. Mulch can even be a detriment in a berry patch or small orchard because it can harbor pests — hungry little rodents or voracious slugs.

## Supporting and training your fruit

To keep your harvest off the dirt and in the air where it's able to develop freely and enjoy good air circulation and plentiful sunshine, supports may be in order. A wide variety is available, depending on the fruit you want to grow. Figure 15-3 shows two different ways to train grapes with supports. There are several methods of training grapes.

**Figure 15-3:** Two common grape-training systems.

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Supports also help keep a developing harvest visible and accessible and serve to train the fruit in a certain way to make it easily accessible; they also ensure a larger harvest. This support may involve anything from bracing boards under a heavy branch to a sturdy trellis to rigs of posts and wire. Figure this need into your plans when selecting both a spot and a cultivar.

All of the systems have one thing in common: They are designed to keep the vines off the ground so the fruit has good air circulation, exposure to sunlight, and is easier to harvest. If your vines don't end up looking just like a book drawing, don't worry. It is not critical.

Fruit tree training systems, on the other hand, are designed to expose the fruit to good air flow (to reduce disease) and to bright sunlight (to ripen the fruit), and to encourage a tree structure that is strong and will encourage more fruit production. The ones in Figure 15-4 are fairly easy one to follow, but others may be equally as successful.

Espalier trees are trained to grow in one dimension or plane (again, see Figure 15-4). They are commonly used against fences or buildings. Their shapes can be quite artistic and ornamental. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, they also result in high-quality fruit that is easy to tend and harvest.

## Pruning

Fruit-bearing plants need regular pruning. It keeps the plants in bounds, attractive-looking, healthy, and — perhaps most importantly — helps them be more productive.

Always use clean, sharp tools when you prune. _Clean,_ because you don't want to spread disease, and _sharp,_ because blunt cutters mash and crush stems and branches. And always use the right tool for the job; applying a hand-held clipper to a thick branch is frustrating and foolish (Chapter 5 can fill you in on tools).

Finally, if any of this sort of maintenance is too difficult, too dangerous, or too time-consuming, consider scaling back your plans or hiring qualified help. Whatever you do, don't let the problem go. A neglected fruit tree or berry patch is a sorry sight, not to mention hard work to reclaim.

Here's the general rule: Prune fruit plants when they're dormant. You're better able to see what you're doing without a lot of foliage and so forth in the way, both in terms of shaping the plant and making sure you cut right above a bud. You also get little or no sap bleeding. And when growth starts up, the plant should grow as you plan and direct.

**Figure 15-4:** Three common fruit-tree training methods.

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### Tree fruits

A crop of tree fruits can be heavy, so shape a tree from an early age so it has a strong framework that can bear the weight. That said, do no more pruning on a young tree than is totally necessary, or you risk delaying its first crop.

_Scaffold limbs_ are evenly spaced, come out from the main trunk at wide angles, and over time have a spiral arrangement around the trunk. Take out branches that crowd, cross, or shade others, right at the trunk (leave no stubs, in other words).

In later years, do an annual pruning to maintain this early form. Cut to reduce the fruit load and stimulate new shoot growth. How much should you cut? It depends on the size and heft of the particular fruit and the bearing habit of the tree. So read up in more detail on your particular tree or get the advice of a more experienced fruit grower.

Apples, pears, and other tree fruit often have _June drop,_ in which immature fruit fall from the tree. This natural fruit loss is a reminder to thin the fruit. Too many fruit clustered too closely together don't ripen well, nor do they reach their ideal size. Thin so you have 6 inches between fruits. Remember that pruning and thinning are harder on you than on the plant.

A grafted fruit tree is one where the top part of the tree (called the scion) is grafted or joined to the rooting portion of the plant called a stock or rootstock. The rootstock of the tree determines its vigor and growth habit (full sized or dwarf) while the scion determines its flowering and fruiting characteristics. By grafting you're able to get a desired result –like a dwarf growing tree with a strong, vigorous roots system that bears large, flavorful fruit.

### Shrub fruits

Fruits that grow on bushes need to be prevented from becoming crowded; a tangle is difficult to prune, tricky to harvest from, and more prone to diseases and pests. You don't have to do much the first season or two, but in subsequent years, you have to make an annual habit out of thinning out the older wood (older branches, older canes). This pruning makes way for the new shoots, which, believe me, are _always_ coming on. If you see a lot of new shoots, you may even have to thin out some of them. Figure 15-5 shows how to prune raspberry bushes; you can apply this method to most other shrub fruits.

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Some berry plants produce fruit on first-year canes, some on second-year canes, so be careful that you don't cut out all the productive canes in your zeal to control the patch. You can find out which kind your berry bushes are either by simply observing or by asking when you purchase the plants.

**Figure 15-5:** Raspberries should be pruned so that they don't grow together too densely. Dense bushes produce less fruit.

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The normal bramble life cycle of many shrub fruits is to produce a vegetative cane _(primocane)_ in the first year; it overwinters, becomes a fruit-producing cane _(floricane)_ the following year, and then dies. So your training becomes a cyclical matter of supporting these stems, encouraging them to stand up and trail outward along the wire, and removing them at ground level when they're through at the end of their second year. You can use cloth ties or just guide the fast-growing, lax, thorny stems.

### Vine fruits

How you prune grapes, hardy kiwi, and other vining fruits depends on the sort of support you've chosen for them and how much space you allow them to fill. At the outset (the year you plant), cut back rather drastically to a few buds. This trim channels energy into growth of one or two main stems or "trunks."

Subsequent side branches, evenly spaced off the main trunk, are called _cordons_ and are considered more or less permanent. Often, the more of these, the better — it makes for a fuller and more productive vine in the long run. So give the plant good care (regular water, fertilizer, and so on) in its first season or two so you can encourage plenty of cordons. Off of these come the third tier of branches, known as _fruiting arms._ These structures get a season to produce and then should be cut back somewhat or all the way back to the originating cordon in order to stimulate new ones and a fresh crop. That's it. Not as hard or complex as you thought, eh?

If you don't prune a vine fruit each year, it can soon grow longer and higher until the fruit you want is far out of reach. To bring it back down into range, all you need to do is identify and cut back to a main trunk and some evenly spaced cordons; cut back while the plant is dormant.

## Dealing with fruit pests

Homegrown fruits are so delicious that we aren't the only ones that like to eat 'em. If a certain kind of pest or disease is a common problem in your area, choose a variety that's billed as resistant. Your local Cooperative Extension agent should be able to help you with this selection.

And, of course, a healthy plant is a more resistant one. So take good care of your fruit plants, making sure they have the sun, space, air circulation, water, and food they need to thrive. In particular, water at the base of the plants so the foliage and fruit doesn't become wet; this method heads off at the pass all sorts of fungal problems.

In case these preventive measures fail, the following sections outline some tactics for warding off the competition.

### Targeting birds, bugs, and beasties

No matter how healthy your plant is, you may still end up doing battle with the animal kingdom:

  **Birds:** These flying scavengers adore berries and strike with precise timing, at the peak of ripe perfection. Don't allow this pilfering! Cover the plants after flowering is over (so you don't thwart pollination) but before green fruit begins to ripen. Use plastic netting, cheesecloth, or anything that covers the plants but still lets in light, air, and water. For larger berry patches, some gardeners rig a wooden framework over them and drape the protective cloth over this; then they can just lift one end to harvest, like raising a flap to enter a tent.

Covering the trees with netting may or may not be practical, depending on their size. At the least, you can try draping netting over the lower branches and letting the birds have the higher-up fruit, which is harder for you to harvest, anyway (see Figure 15-6). Hanging bright and noisy objects from the branches, such as pie tins, sometimes works.

**Figure 15-6:** A fruit tree or shrub covered with netting keeps the birds at bay.

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  **Rodents:** Gnawing critters can do extensive damage to fruit trees. Wrap- ping the trees with a protective covering sometimes helps. Also, be sure not to pile mulch up against the trunk of the trees over winter. Doing so can provide a cozy hiding place for these creatures that may make a meal of the tree bark during the freezing weather.

  **Bugs and other creepy crawlers:** Sorry to say, you're up against all sorts of buggy threats, from ravenous caterpillars on apple trees to aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites that infest citrus trees. If you're already growing an allegedly resistant variety and you're genuinely giving your plants good growing conditions and good care, the situation seems so unjust! What can you do? You're not out of the fight yet:

• **Practice good sanitation.** Remove all plant debris at the base of the plants and groom the plants often to get rid of any growth or fruits in poor condition or already affected. Get rid of all of this material — send it away with the household garbage!

• **Identify the culprit.** You can't truly fight back until you know thy enemy. If you need help with identification, take an affected plant part and/or the suspect to your local nursery or a knowledgeable landscaper.

• **Try nontoxic weapons first.** If practical, knock off pests with a blast from the hose or hand-pick the offenders. Spray with insecticidal soap (or a fungicide, if the problem is a disease and not a pest). Introduce beneficial insects that target this pest.

• **Spray pesticides only as a last resort and with an appropriate product for the problem.** Always follow label instructions to the letter regarding dose and timing, and protect yourself with full-body clothing and goggles.

• **Inspect and wash off all fruit before eating or cooking it.** You may learn to tolerate small imperfections rather than declare an all-out war.

### The blanket effect: Spraying fruit trees

Well, it's a cold, hard fact, folks: Unless you don't mind finding tunnels in your ripe fruit, biting into a fat worm, or having to discard the crop you worked so hard to grow, you have to do at least some spraying. The spraying is preventive. Spraying controls both bugs and diseases that can harm your crop.

Organic or synthetic, the product you want for this job is an all-purpose mixture of fungicide and insecticide labeled for orchard use or a dormant oil. Buy these products at any nursery or garden center in the springtime. Follow the label instructions regarding application and timing to the letter, and be sure to wear protective clothing and to use a good, clean sprayer.

##### Part V

## Designing Special and Fun Gardens

In this part . . .

Of course, all gardens are special and fun, but the ones I cover here in Part V are truly, well, special and fun. They're a little bit different from what most people think of as gardens. Do you live in an apartment or have no yard to speak of but want a garden, anyway? Or can you spend hours watching goldfish in outdoor ponds, and you dream of a garden pond of your own? Fear not — you can create these slightly unconventional gardens with the information in these chapters. Just read on!

##### Chapter 16

## Mini Gardens and Microcosms: Gardening in Containers

### In This Chapter

  Looking at different containers

  Choosing your soil mix

  Picking out the right plants

  Grouping containers

  Caring for your miniature gardens

Raising plants in containers is quite possibly one of the most satisfying and fun types of gardening. It's so easy — all you do is supply the right soil and water and fertilize as needed. And the show is perfectly versatile and portable! You can move pots around to capture more sun, to join a grouped display, or to decorate front steps, a back patio, or a tabletop. You can even use potted plants to inject color or interest in your in-ground displays. With a variety of containers, some attractive and colorful plants, and a dash of creativity, you can really boost your home and garden's interest and appeal.

I cover the basics of container gardening in this chapter. If you want a lot of detail about container gardening, I recommend reading _Container Gardening For Dummies_ (Wiley Publishing, Inc.).

## Exploring Different Kinds of Containers

Container gardening is all about, of course, growing plants in containers of all kinds. Going hunting for pots and other potential containers for plants can be a lot of fun. Often you put the horse before the cart — in other words, you choose the pot first and the plant second. This order isn't mandatory, of course, but it has the advantage of letting you picture and plan the look you want.

Before you impulsively start collecting all sorts of pots, remember three key practical concerns when picking out a container:

  **Drainage:** Most potted plants don't like to sit in soggy soil, so a way for the water to drain through is critical. Turn over every pot or potential container to see whether it has drainage holes. If not, perhaps you can add a hole with an awl or high-speed electric drill/masonry bit. You can grow plants in pots without drainage holes, but doing so requires a lot of care to make sure the roots of the plants aren't sitting in water. **_Note:_ ** If you don't want water getting onto the display surface, naturally you want to include a saucer. Lots of pots are sold as pot-and-saucer sets.

**_Tip:_ ** Don't risk breaking an expensive or unique pot by trying to make a drainage hole. Instead, use the container as a _cachepot,_ a decorative pot that hides another container: Fill the bottom 2 inches of the pot with pea gravel, and the put the plant into a smaller plastic pot that fits into the ornamental one.

  **Color:** A neutral hue (white, tan, brown, or plain green) lets the plant be the star. On the other hand, a brightly patterned container adds drama and excitement to an otherwise rather ordinary plant display. You can also look into matching a color on the container to a flower or foliage color. Done well, this effect can be quite fabulous.

  **Longevity:** Think about whether you want to use this container for just one summer or whether it's going to be a long-term feature of your yard and garden. And decide whether you want to leave the pot exposed to the elements all winter. Inexpensive pots, of course, tend to be less durable, to break or crack or fade when left out for a long time in the sun and weather. Thicker, heavier pots are much more of an investment. This concept's true even if the plants within change over time or from one year to the next.

The following sections give you a rundown of container sizes, shapes, materials, and other trappings that help you hold things together.

## Examining standard container materials

What a container is made of is actually very important, and it's something you should be aware of when searching for the perfect container. For example, you want a container that

  Is nontoxic to plants

  Doesn't overheat quickly in the hot summer sun

  Is durable enough so it can continue to serve and support its contents and look good on display

Here are the container material options you're likely to encounter:

  **Plastic:** Lots of containers are made of plastic, from flimsy to substantial. It's a very practical material, inexpensive and versatile. However, it tends to hold in moisture and not breathe well, which may or may not be a problem for your chosen plants.

If you go with plastic, have fun — don't limit yourself to the ubiquitous white and green plastic pots when with a little searching, you can find other colors and even patterned ones. Some of the better faux terra cotta plastic pots are really quite attractive and are a great lightweight alternative to pottery or real terra cotta.

Self-watering plastic containers are getting a lot of attention these days because they make watering a snap and are perfect for vacationing gardeners who have to leave their thirty plants unattended for several days at time.

  **Terra cotta:** Technically, terra cotta is unglazed pottery. It's a garden classic and looks handsome in so many situations. It's generally quite affordable. Drawbacks? Well, it wicks moisture away from plant root systems, and over time, it tends to develop cracks or flake. Because terra cotta absorbs water, which expands when it freezes, the container can crack and break if you leave it outdoors when the temperatures dip below freezing.

  **Glazed pottery:** With glazed earthenware, you get to enjoy the greater heft of clay but have more color options and perhaps elegance as well. These containers are fairly durable, though they, too, can crack in winter if any small portion isn't glazed.

  **Wood:** Containers of wood, especially softwoods like pine and fir, sop up moisture and eventually rot or fall apart. Yet there's no denying the wonderful rustic look. The solution may be to nest a plastic pot inside a wooden container. Otherwise, you may get more use out of something constructed from rot-resistant wood such as cedar.

  **Metal:** You can press metal containers into plant-holding service. Remember the need for a drainage hole and beware of displaying it in full sun, which causes it and its contents to really heat up. Some possibilities include old olive-oil containers, buckets, and cast-iron kettles.

  **Concrete:** When you want a tough, long-lasting, cold-resistant container, concrete is a fine choice, whether as an urn or as a planter box. It can be pretty heavy and hard to maneuver, though. Therefore, it's often wise to put it on the chosen spot before filling it with potting soil and plants.

## Thinking outside the pot: Alternative choices and offbeat containers

More unusual containers can be a lot of fun and add unexpected pleasure or whimsy to your displays. If the item is not entirely suitable (an odd shape, or not conducive to providing good drainage), simply nest a plastic pot inside it and let developing plants hide the actual container from view over time. Check out these options:

  **Hanging baskets:** With a hanging basket, always make sure that you've accounted for drainage and that the resulting display is adequately supported by wires, chain, string, rope, or what have you, because a full hanging basket can be quite heavy. If taking the display down to water it is a hassle, try using a watering wand. Some possibilities include plastic, clay, wood, and coconut- or moss-lined wire rigs. See Figure 16-1.

  **Wall containers:** A wall garden is a clever and often quite charming way to display container-grown plants. You fasten them to a fence, courtyard wall, or other vertical surface (or a trellis against one), preferably at eye level so you can readily appreciate them.

Many containers intended for this use have one flat side so they can go flush against the wall (these containers are sometimes called a _half pot_ ); though this feature isn't a requirement, it does look better and allow the plants within to grow upright. Obviously, the supporting wire, brackets, or hooks have to be equal to the job, and that means holding the weight of a _filled_ container. Although you can rig something yourself, well-stocked garden-supply stores often have a nice selection of these containers, and they come with whatever support is necessary.

  **Old shoes and boots, tea kettles, wicker baskets, cookie tins, old tires, wagons and wheelbarrows, and more:** You can recycle all sorts of wacky and whimsical objects to hold and display potted plants — just use your imagination! Browse garage sales, thrift shops, junk piles, or even your own garage, basement, or attic. Any vessel of weather-resistant material can be a candidate. Containers that at one time held toxic chemicals like oil barrels should be avoided, also those constructed of wood products that contained harmful preservatives, like creosote.

Oddball choices work best when the plants within don't overwhelm them or spill over the sides and hide them from view, so choose smaller plants or ones that are slow-growing. Also, refer to the caution about attending to drainage.

**Figure 16-1:** Typical hanging basket.

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### A barrel of fun: Whiskey barrel gardens

The word _whiskey_ comes from a Gaelic phrase for "water of life," and plants can certainly live a happy, well-watered life in a (whiskey-free) whiskey barrel. Half whiskey barrels are a popular choice for planting many or larger plants, including small trees or even waterlilies and other aquatics (in a plastic-lined miniature pond — see Chapter 17 for details on water gardens).

Line a barrel with plastic or use a plastic insert made for this purpose before planting; you want to prevent the rot and loosening stays and slats over time and also to protect the soil and thus plants from absorbing any leached tar or creosote that may be lingering. And don't forget that one of these barrels filled with anything is mighty heavy, so move it to its intended site beforehand.

Whiskey barrels are pretty standard at garden centers and home supply centers, along with plastic look-a-likes.

## The Inside Track: Getting the Container Soil Right

Because a container-grown plant is confined to its space, its roots can only find nourishment and anchoring in whatever soil you provide. So soil is not the place to cut corners — take a moment to provide a welcoming environment. The following sections give you info on choosing a potting soil or making your own.

Don't use regular old garden dirt. It's often too heavy or dense, plus it may not drain well in a container setting. When wet, it tends to stay soggy too long — and then it dries into hard mud. It may even contain weed seeds, an unwelcome guest you may not discover until it's too late. No, you definitely want to use those bags you buy at the garden center or home-supply store.

## Purchasing a soil mix

A container garden is a good case for store-bought soil mix, which is _not_ heavy and dense: It contains and holds nutrients your plants can use, and it drains well. Potting soil can contain all or part of the following ingredients:

  **Organic matter:** The organic matter in potting mix is typically some or all of the following: dried manure, compost, peat moss, and finely ground bark. It adds nutrients to the soil.

  **Perlite:** Perlite appears as little crunchy white "pebbles" (they're actually smaller than most pebbles); interestingly, perlite is a natural volcanic ash that's been superheated and fluffed up, like popcorn. This substance increases the flow of air while helping the soil hold water.

  **Vermiculite:** This mineral has been heated and fluffed up, though its form is flat and flaky. It increases airflow, retains moisture, and helps make minerals accessible.

  **Coarse or "sharp" sand:** The sand in soil mixes is not beach sand, which is too salty, or river sand, which is too fine. Coarse sand helps with drainage.

  **Moisture-retaining gels:** When they come into contact with water, these gels swell up and then slowly release it back into the mix over time.

  **Fertilizer beads:** These fertilizer sources usually look like tiny yellow or brownish BB's.

  **A bit of charcoal:** Manufacturers include charcoal mainly to absorb odors and gases from the natural decomposition process of the other ingredients.

To be honest, the majority of potted plants are perfectly happy with a general, all-purpose potting soil mix. You may want to buy a more specialized one if you're growing something with special needs — for instance, potted azaleas like a mix that's more acidic, and cacti, of course, like one that has a higher sand content.

Of course, if you're aware of a certain plant's special requirements, nothing's wrong with buying regular, general potting soil and then mixing in whatever else the plant needs — sand, lime, moisture retaining gels (see the next section), whatever.

You may see _sterile_ potting mix touted on the bags and bins. All the term means is that the mix has been treated to kill possible pests, diseases, and weed seeds. That's a good thing!

You get what you pay for. Cheap potting soils seem to have too much peat moss or poorly shredded bark, or they lack perlite or vermiculite. You can't always rip open a bag in the store and shove your hand it to check it out (though some places have a display of samples to help you choose). So read the bag with care — not the claims about how terrific the contents are but rather the list of ingredients and their various percentages.

## Whipping up your own soil mix

Yes, you can create your own soil mix, but it's not really a matter of saving money, because you have to purchase individual ingredients separately and then mix them. It's certainly not a matter of saving time, either. What it is, my friend, is a matter of control. When you make your own mix, you can make sure every bit of it is of good and consistent quality. Best of all, you can customize. If the store-bought mix seems too heavy, you can easily lighten it by stirring in some more perlite or some finely ground bark. And of course, you can make a blend that's more acidic or more alkaline as need be. The most commonly available bark is composted, hardwood, fir, or pine bark — all are fine to use.

Here, then, are some recipes to follow when stirring up a batch of your own mix:

  **A standard mix (also sometimes called _houseplant thirds_ because it's so suitable for the majority of common houseplants):** One part packaged soil, one part peat moss, and one part perlite or sand.

  **A light mix, for plants that like good drainage:** Two parts peat moss, one part sand, one part perlite, and maybe a dash of powdered lime (the mineral, of course).

  **A heavy mix, for plants that like their soil more moisture-retentive:** One part peat moss, two parts bark, one part sand, and maybe a dash of powdered lime.

  **Tree and shrub mix:** One part sterilized topsoil, one part peat moss, two parts bark, one part sand, and maybe a dash of powdered lime.

Moisture-retaining _soil polymer gels_ are a good idea if your pots dry out really fast or you're going on vacation or if you're simply not the sort of person to water diligently. These gels naturally absorb moisture when you water the plant, swell up with it, and then gradually release it to the roots for them to use between waterings. They come in crystal form and should be mixed into the soil prior to planting. Follow package instructions; even a little too much makes your soil mix's texture a bit slimy, but that ewww factor may be a small price to for the convenience.

To properly plant a container:

**1.** **Dig a hole about twice as wide and a little deeper than the pot you are taking the plant from to put into the container.** Mix ample amounts organic material with the soil you remove from the hole.

**2.** **Knock the plant out of the pot by holding the pot upside-down and tapping its rim on a hard surface, or thumping the bottom of the pot with your fist.**

**3.** **If the roots look like they've wound around the bottom sides of the pot, pry them loose with your fingers or cut through them shallowly (vertically) with a sharp knife.**

**4.** **Put enough soil in the bottom of the hole to bring the crown of the plant (the spot where the roots join the stem, or, if you can't see the roots, the top of the root ball) about even with the surrounding soil surface.**

**5.** **Fill the soil in and around the root ball, making sure you press it in firmly, to eliminate any air pockets.**

**6.** **Water the plant deeply with a slow stream of water. If the soil around the root ball settles, fill in the depression with more soil.**

**7.** **Cover the soil with a layer of mulch (shredded bark, compost, wood chips, for example).** This will keep the soil moist and cool, allowing the plant to become established.

Many gardeners use pebbles in their containers, which aren't really necessary, especially with today's well-draining potting materials.

**Figure 16-2:** A cross-section of a container, ready for planting.

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## Picking the Best Plants for Your Containers

So you're ready to start choosing plants. I know what you're thinking: small ones! Well, of course, but size doesn't have to be a limiting factor. Almost any sort of plant can adapt to life in a container. For instance, you can try a small herb plant or a wee bonsai-size Japanese maple in a small ceramic pot; or you can grow a wide array of herbs or flowers (or both! why not?) or a dwarf edition of any number of popular trees in a big planter box or tub. Look through plant chapters in this book for ideas. You can even grow bulbs in containers — forcing bulbs indoors is a popular practice among container gardeners (see Chapter 8 for details).

A container display looks best and serves its residents best when plant and pot are in proportion to one another. You don't want a little plant to get lost in a big pot, nor is it practical or attractive to allow a larger plant to teeter in or look top-heavy in a too-small pot. Plus, the roots need to fit without being crammed in there. So make a match. (Think ahead to a plant's potential size, not the youngster you first install.)

Consider what you want your display to do for you. Then read on for some advice on how to pull it off.

## Up close and personal displays

If you like to have potted plants where you're nose-to-nose with them almost daily, such as on a deck or patio (or indoors for that matter), choose plants with interesting details. I'm talking pretty or very colorful flowers, fragrant flowers, fragrant foliage, unusually shaped or colored leaves, or edible parts. Avoid plants that attract bees, that don't smell too good, that have prickers or thorns, or that have rambling, unruly growth habits, like Japanese barberry.

Many container gardens exist indoors or in shady areas like porches and patios. If you want your close-up container garden to look its best in a shady location, be sure to pick out plants that grow well in shade. See Figure 16-3 for an example of a container garden you can design for the shade.

**Figure 16-3:** A container planting for the shade can be just as full and vibrant as one for the sun.

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## Tucked in attention-grabbers

For pots that you strategically position to draw interest to their part of the yard or their companions, you want lush, dramatic leaves, big flowers, and attention-grabbing colors — anything that causes you and your garden visitors to trot over for a visit and a closer look. So avoid plants with fine or wispy textured leaves and stems, ones with small or fleeting flowers, and ones with dark colors (which recede into the shadows).

## Containers of mixed company

No rule that says a container should hold only a single plant, so feel free to tuck in several types, in effect making a mini garden. Remember, when planting, don't crowd — the plants will fill in and grow upward and outward, and you want the show to last a while and not require constant editing (in other words, you want to avoid a lot pruning, trimming, even the necessity of taking out an entire plant that's too jammed). Here are a few guidelines to get you started:

  Combine plants of similar needs.

  Include both foliage and flowering plants.

  Include plants of different forms: spiky or strappy-leaved, rounded or mounded, and low and trailing. This sort of variety works well out in the regular garden and translates easily to container compositions, just on a smaller scale.

  Position taller plants in the middle (or to the back if you plan to display the container against a vertical surface so people can't view the plants from behind); put shorter plants at the taller plants' feet.

  Place plants with trailing or cascading stems at the very edge so they can get where they want to go unimpeded.

Mixing colors in a containerized display is an art, and done well, it makes a wonderful impression — something you're really proud of and delighted with. Remember, the color can come from foliage as well as flowers, and often the colorful foliage delivers a longer-lasting show. Here are some color combinations you can try:

  **Bold, primary colors:** Mix one or two plants each of blue, yellow, and red. Look for ones of similar "strength" or intensity.

  **Compatible combos:** Colors that fall between the primary colors (called secondary colors) tend to be harmonious companions. Try yellow-orange with violet-blue or red-orange with blue-green.

  **Pastel hues:** Stick to selections of softer hues (pink, pale yellow, soft blue, light purple, cream rather than white, and so on). If you're including foliage plants, complement with gentler ones such as those with gray, silver, or sage-green leaves.

  **Single-color shows:** Combine several different plants that share the same flower color. Sure, you may end up with slight variations in tone, but you actually want that; it makes a more diverse and interesting display (firm matches or all the same plant can end up looking like a dense color blob).

  **Opposites attract:** Contrasting colors always look fabulous together, particularly if they're of similar strength or intensity. Try blue with orange or purple with yellow.

  **Color boosts:** Favor one hue, say, purple, and then tuck in a close-by hue for subtle contrast, such as a blue companion. Try an all-red show with a dash of orange or yellow, or an all-pink display with a jolt of red, and so on — you get the idea!

  **An all-foliage display:** Green is a color, too! If you're putting a pot in a shady spot, consider filling it with a variety of leafy plants of different forms and slightly different shades of green. This setup makes for great texture and complexity.

Gardeners grow plenty of plants mainly for their colorful or patterned leaves. Examples include hostas, coleus, ferns, ornamental grasses, cannas, and all sorts of houseplants, just to name a few.

## Arranging Containers for a Container Garden

Just because plants are in different pots doesn't mean they can't be neighbors. Setting up containers in small or large gatherings has practical advantages: You're more likely to remember them and water and fertilize them at the same time, keeping the entire display looking good. Groups also tend to raise the plants' local humidity and to moderate the effects of hot sun, which can be a good thing, depending on what you're growing.

Groupings can also be wonderfully attractive and appealing if artfully arranged. I give you a few suggestions, but make sure you also experiment and vary the show from time to time. That's one of the many beauties of raising plants in containers — you can cycle plants in at out of the show as you see fit (taking away something that's struggling or no longer blooming, for example, and replacing it with something similar or completely different).

Here are some container grouping ideas:

  **Group various-sized containers.** Put tall containers to the back, shorter ones at their feet so you don't block any one display from view. Try not to group containers of widely varying sizes, though — tiny pots at the feet of big tubs just go unnoticed. Mix and match complementary pot colors, materials, and forms until you get a look that pleases you. Or create a gathering of all the same type of pot but with a variety of sizes, forms, and contents (plants).

  **Display containers on a tiered stand.** Tiered stands are practical because ideally, they allow room for each pot of plants to distinguish itself from its fellows; they also permit good air circulation. Keep the entire thing as sturdy as possible by leaning or even securing it to a wall or other backdrop support, if warranted. Don't put heavy or top-heavy plants on upper or rickety shelves — instead, set these containers lower down and reserve the narrow and upper shelves for smaller containers. For a more interesting look, intermix types: Don't put all only-foliage plants together and all flowering ones on a separate shelf.

  **Tuck in non-plant extras.** Some gardeners have a lot of fun boosting the interest, whimsy, and/or colorfulness of potted plants by adding some décor. These accents can be anything from a small ceramic turtle or bird, to a whirligig, to a decorative birdhouse on a stick or even a faux flower.

## Taking Care of Your Container Plants

Container plants require the same care as plants in a yard garden or flower bed, with one important difference: Any plant growing in a container can't do what regular, in-ground plants do, which is rely on a boost from rainfall, send roots off far or deep in search of moisture, and/or derive what they need from a wider area. When you live in a pot, it's a small world after all.

Container-grown plants that endure drastic cycles where they dry out and then get drenched are generally unhappy customers. The extremes stress out the plants. And of course, if you rush in to rehydrate a plant wilting in distress and you're too late, it drops all its leaves, swoons, and dies. Be consistent! The most vulnerable container plants are:

  **Newly-potted or exposed plants:** These babies need the help of regular water to establish themselves, to send their roots out into their new home, to get their legs under them. Plants grown in full sun or windy, exposed locations, are vulnerable, too, because they dry out so fast.

  **Plants grown in dark-colored pots:** Dark colors absorb more heat. Plants in light-colored containers have a slightly easier time of it because the pot reflects light and therefore heat.

  **Plants with large, thin leaves:** Plants whose leaves have a lot of surface area really rely on water to remain hydrated and plump as can be. Plants with small leaves, succulent leaves, or needle-like foliage are better able to cope with dry times.

  **Plants in lighter soil mixes:** Light soil mixes drain moisture away faster.

  **Plants that are root-bound:** Plants whose roots take up most of the pot don't have enough soil to hold moisture for them to use as needed, and they should be transplanted. To know when to transplant — turn the container upside down and knock the plant out of the container by thumping the bottom. Examine the roots. If the roots have hit the outside of the pot and are starting to mat together, it's is a good time to transplant. Don't wait until the roots start to circle the inside of the pot. Another telltale sign: Roots shooting up at the surface or out the bottom of the pot.

## Gauging your container garden's water needs

The top inch or so of the soil mix in any given pot is sure to dry out faster than the rest below. So don't trust your eyes to tell you whether the pot is thirsty; plunge in your thumb or a finger to a depth of at least 1 inch and as much as 3 inches to find out whether there's moisture at that level before concluding that the mix is dangerously dry. (Okay, you can also buy a product called a _moisture meter_ and insert its long, needlelike probe into your pots to get a fairly accurate reading. If you like gadgets, go for it. But keep in mind that you're sacrificing a prime opportunity to play in the dirt.)

Watch for drooping or wilting, or a tired or off-color overall look to the plants. Also, if you can pick up the container, you may notice that it feels too light.

To water your plants properly, you have a variety of options; use whatever's convenient for you and for the potted plants. Look into using the hose, with a hand attachment to deliver the water more softly; a watering can, perhaps with a long neck and with or without a "rose" shower attachment; drip emitters; or a plastic watering tube inserted into the middle of the container. In some cases, _bottom-watering_ (setting the pot on a saucer or tray of water and letting it soak up what it needs from below) works quite well. Lately, there's been a lot of innovation with self-watering pots, and you may want to invest in one of those.

No matter how you water, be gentle. A jolt or direct hit can splash soil out of the pot and maybe even dislodge your plants. Also, sloppy watering tends to wet plant foliage, which is wasteful and can lead to fungal diseases.

Here are a few moisture-conserving tricks for plants that dry out too fast:

  Spread a very thin mulch on the surface of the potting mix.

  Move pots into the shade for part of the day.

  Sink a pot partially or fully into the ground in your garden.

  Nest a small potted plant in a larger container that can "take the heat" for it.

  Yank out any weeds that appear in your containers — weeds are notorious water pigs!

Many tropical plants, tropical houseplants, and large-leaved plants appreciate a little extra humidity; a little more than what's available naturally in the air. Here are a few good ways to help them:

  Set their pot on a tray or dish of pebbles, where excess water from above can stay and gradually evaporate, which effectively raises the local humidity.

  Get in the habit of misting such plants regularly. In fact, keeping a water-filled mister right nearby is a good way to remind yourself to do this.

  Clustering or grouping such plants is always a fine idea — there's strength in numbers. The close proximity encourages a damper micro-climate and reduces sunlight on the sides of the pots, because some of them will block, or partially block, one another. (Plus, keeping them in a group can look quite splendid.)

## Fertilizing your container plants

Life in a pot is finite. A newly potted plant may be able to subsist on the nutrition inherent in the potting mix. But after a time, that food source becomes depleted. You can repot, of course, but it may be far easier simply to get in the habit of feeding your potted plants regularly.

Potted plants grown for their flowers or fruit especially benefit from fertilizer, because producing these things requires so much energy.

How often you fertilize depends on the plant and the pot size and all that. However, the rule for the garden at large still applies: Feed at the start of the growing season to get the plants off to a roaring start, feed at regular intervals during the height of the growing season, and start slowing down and stopping in the fall when the show is over.

Fertilizer leaches out or washes away with every watering, so you need to keep it up. Also, the limited amount of soil in a pot limits the amount of nutrients it can hoard and supply to the plants.

Especially with smaller pots, feeding twice as often at half the strength is a good idea.

Unless you're growing something fussy or offbeat, or something with special requirements, a general all-purpose garden fertilizer is perfectly fine for almost all potted plants. It comes in different forms, so experiment to discover what you and your plants prefer. Options include liquid fertilizers, dry or granular fertilizers, fertilizer beads, and fertilizer sticks. Whatever you decide, always follow the label directions on how and when to apply to the letter — like aspirin, more is not better!

##### Chapter 17

## Taking the Plunge: Gardening with Ponds and Fish

### In This Chapter

  Deciding what kind of water garden you want

  Choosing supplies

  Adding some greenery

  Working with fish ponds

  Keeping your water garden in good shape

Water doesn't just add life to a garden; it adds atmosphere as well. Whether you're talking about a barrel or a tub with a few plants or an in-ground, naturalistic pond, gardeners often cite water features as the elements that truly complete a garden.

Truly, water brings magic. Maybe it's the reflections of passing clouds; maybe it's the soothing sound of a trickling or splashing fountain; maybe it's your gasp of awe when your first waterlily blossom bursts open; maybe it's a child's excited shout when a dragonfly or small frog visits. The magic is all this and more. Go ahead: Read this chapter and take the plunge, because — good news — water gardening is easier and more affordable than ever before.

## Planning Your Water Garden

The main thing you need to know about planning a water garden is that almost all the effort and expense is at the outset. After a water garden, large or small, is up and running, it's surprisingly easy to maintain. You have to ensure that the important needs of the plants and the fish are already met before you even acquire them, and you do that through careful planning. The following sections run you through some planning considerations.

Your pond's size, the elements you add, and other factors can affect cost and maintenance. Make sure your take a realistic look at your budget and the time you're willing to invest in your water garden. "Picking Out Your Water Garden Parts and Supplies" gives some details on cost. For information on upkeep, see "Maintaining Your Water Garden," later in this chapter. And if you need basic planning advice, including tips on defining what you want, gathering ideas, and putting the plan in action, flip to Chapter 2.

## Looking at location

You can find the answer to many of your questions about garden type when you know _where_ you'd like your garden to be, and that's why picking a good spot should now be the first order of business. Even before you go shopping, you need to evaluate the area where you'd like to put a water garden and determine its basic requirements:

  **Sunlight:** Most water garden plants adore full sun and bloom with gusto as a result — specifically, 6 or more hours per day is great. Any spot where you can put a sunny flower bed or a vegetable garden can also host a water garden.

  **Openness of the area:** You want ample elbow room, not just so the plants have the space they need but also to allow access and, well, room to appreciate. Perhaps you want to put in a bench or dining set nearby. Sufficient air circulation is also good for the health of the plants and any fish.

  **Current large vegetation:** Trees and shrubs interfere with roots from below, and these big plants shed leaves, twigs, petals, and fruit from above, which can encourage algae to grow. Avoid putting your water garden under or too close to trees and shrubs.

  **Levelness of the land:** Levelness is important because water always responds to gravity and you don't want runoff or spillovers. Granted, few spots are _perfectly_ level, but you can always make the necessary minor adjustments during installation.

  **Location of utility lines:** Digging into power lines, gas lines, fiber optic cables, phone lines, pipes, and other such things can be expensive and incredibly unpleasant. Call your utility companies to have these lines marked — most do so for free. Also, consider the location of your power outlets before planning to use a pump.

  **Available room:** If you aren't sure you want a large water garden, start small, even if you have room for more; just set up one or more container displays. However, if you have the space and the dream of a big, beautiful pool of water, find or create a good spot in your yard and go for it. Realize that you are unlikely to "do over"; install a pond that's as big as or slightly bigger than you want. (Heed the famous words of the landscape contractor who remarked, "None of my clients ever complained that their water garden was too big!") A water garden appears to shrink in size when filled with water and plants. Make sure you have enough room for the kind of water garden you want.

  **Desire for fish:** Not all water gardens have fish or are even appropriate for fish, but it's best to start off by assuming you won't have fish; you can add them later after your water garden is established and healthy and you've had a chance to evaluate its capacity to maintain fish.

For overwintering fish in cold climates, it's a good idea to have someplace in the pond that it is at least three feet deep so the water won't freeze all the way to the bottom of the pond. If you are concerned about this, you can also add a floating de-icer heater especially developed for this purpose. See your local pond supplier for details.

Instead of having an elaborate water garden, you can certainly put a small tubbed display or little pool with running fountain in a shady nook. Just heed all the rest of the requirements I describe in the preceding list, and if you add plants, don't expect flowers; pick plants based on their handsome foliage.

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A child or pet can drown even in a few inches of water. You never want to risk that. For this reason, some municipalities don't allow water gardens (particularly in-ground ponds) in front yards. But front yard or backyard, a water garden should be watched, so site it where you can see it from elsewhere in the yard and also ideally from a window inside the house. Caution children and supervise them. Erect an encircling low or high fence (with a gate, of course) if required or warranted — better safe than sorry. Poolside edgings, judiciously placed, can also restrict or inhibit access — I mean hardscape edgings like rocks, as well as lush plants. Adjacent seating can even help as it provides a safe and relaxing viewing opportunity.

## On the level: Deciding between aboveground and in-ground gardens

If you know where you want your water garden, you can begin to explore the physical form that your garden will take. Water gardens generally are either above ground in a container of some sort or set into the ground as a pond. Read on for some points to consider when deciding which type to go with.

### Aboveground water gardens

Consider where you've decided to locate your pond. Aboveground water gardens are a commanding presence in a landscape. For this reason, gardeners generally site them where people can enjoy them up close, such as on a patio or deck, or next to one, or against a wall or fence where blocking things from view or obstructing foot traffic isn't an issue. Figure 17-1 shows a typical container, or aboveground, water garden.

Aboveground displays involve an important practical concern, too. They're substantial and heavy. You want to make sure that you can find a container, tub, or liner that can support the weight of the water without buckling or bursting. One way around this is to erect a support around it, insulated if you like. Use stones, bricks, or timber.

Last but not least, a broad lip or edge allows you to sit beside the display, to admire and care for the fish and plants within. Aboveground tubs and water gardens, therefore, are a good choice for anyone who can't or prefers not to do a lot of bending and stooping.

**Figure 17-1:** A con- tainerized water garden, ideal for porches, patios, and balconies.

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### In-ground water gardens

In-ground water gardens, of course, look more natural and thus are the best choice when you want to integrate a water garden into a lawn or garden. After the liner of your choice is in the ground, you can attractively edge it in stone or brick and some landscaping (picture some lush hostas or irises, or even simply some drooping ferns). The end result becomes an enchanting garden focal point or destination, and it can look like it's always been there! See Figure 17-2 for a nice plan for an in-ground water garden.

In addition to accommodating the site issues I describe previously in "Looking at Location," you also have to deal with the issue of potential runoff or seepage of water and dirt (or mud!). An in-ground pond should never be flush with the surrounding terrain. Here are two ways to handle this issue:

  **Allow for a raised lip.** Seat the lip an inch or more above the ground. Don't worry about its looking unnatural; edging materials and pondside landscaping can hide the edge from view.

  **Grade away from the pond's edges.** This grade encourages runoff to travel away rather than into your display. If your site has a slight slope to it, a berm or retaining wall may be necessary, and a drainage trench on the uphill side is wise. Creating planting ledges within your pond, as shown in Figure 17-3, can also help.

**Figure 17-2:** A garden plan featuring a garden "backdrop" for an in-ground pond.

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**Figure 17-3:** A cross-section of a pond plan showing ground pool critical depths and planting ledges.

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## Choosing the best lining

When you know the type of water garden you want, you have to take the garden's lining into consideration. Most soil is porous, so without a waterproof liner the water will eventually leak out. Also, water gardens being what they are, leakage can be a serious problem if you don't line them properly. Liners generally consist of two types — flexible liners and hard shells:

  **Flexible liners:** By this term, I mean the big sheet that you lay into a hole and trim to fit. It's a special, durable kind of plastic — usually butyl rubber or a material called EPDM (that stands for ethylene propylene diene monomer, folks. Personally, I'd just stick with the acronym). The advantage is that the size and shape of the pond is _your_ choice. It's also easier to conceal the edges from view because they're not rigid. Foot for foot, medium and large ponds lined with this material are cheaper than pre-formed. However, flexible liners don't last as long as hard shells, and they puncture more easily. Also, the installation is trickier.

  **Hard shell liners** : These black pond liners come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The most popular shape is a simple kidney, but you can get an amoeba, a muffin, or a Japanese, among others. Some hard shell liners come with side shelves; some offer the option of a spillway slot so you can connect two ponds or add a stream or waterfall to your display. In any event, the standard depth is 18 inches; some of the big ones are deeper.

## Picking Out Your Water Garden Parts and Supplies

Unless you're especially handy, buying and installing some of the stuff you want for your water garden can be daunting. But you _still_ want or need the stuff, right? No problem! Start by getting some good advice. Talk with a specialist or landscaper who installs water features, or call a mail-order supplier, and discuss your options. Their expertise can be invaluable. Even if you end up hiring someone to help you, you should still be an educated consumer.

As with any form of gardening, the cheapest road toward installing your water garden is to do all of it yourself, and many home and garden centers now stock everything you need to bring your garden plans to life. If you don't have a water-garden supplier near you, numerous mail-order houses can help and offer impressive, wide-ranging selections to boot.

Going with the cheapest versions of things isn't always wise — you get what you pay for. Buy supplies for your water garden from a reputable source and be sure you understand the return, refund, or replacement policy, just in case.

Here's a list of the things you're most likely to need and what they'll probably cost you:

  **The pool itself:** The container or liner is probably your biggest expense. Tubs and other suitable smaller containers range from about $30 up to $100; special plastic liners (or enough of the special, puncture-resistant sheeting to make your own shape) can run be as low as $15 for something that'll fit in a half whiskey barrel to as high as hundreds of dollars for a substantial, shaped, in-ground form. If you haven't yet decided what kind of pond you want, review the previous sections.

  **The inner workings — pipes, tubes, valves, filters, fountains, fittings, pads, screens, holding tubs, and more:** Yep, these interlocking and sometimes complex pieces of hardware are part of the show behind the scenes. They may be under the water or they may run behind or next to your display, or both. Match the item to your display's size and water volume; the vendor can help you with this. See Figure 17-4.

When all is said and done — that is, when these fixtures are installed and doing their job — your job becomes two-fold: Keep them clean and in good repair, and hide these manmade items from sight behind or below lush plants or rocks so the natural look prevails. I cover some of these items in more detail later in the chapter.

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Water and electricity can be a dicey combination. And yet, it's often nice or critical to have items that run on electricity associated with your display, such as a pump-driven fountain or waterfall, a filter, or atmospheric lighting. My main advice to you on this issue is two-fold:

• Hire help. Unless you're a licensed electrician, don't mess with installing and hooking up wiring around a water feature. Get it done right by someone experienced. This person can also help you with hiding the lines from view.

• GFCIs (ground filter current interruptors), or GFIs (ground fault interrupters), are a must on every electrical item associated with a water garden. This extension-cord style device automatically and instantly shuts off power when it detects a leak in the electrical current (thus preventing shock).

  **Edging material (brick, rocks, flagstone, wood, whatever):** These items are purely gardener's choice, and the cost and amount needed depend entirely on your plans.

  **Plants:** Waterlilies and lotus can run from about $25 up to $50 or more, per plant. Other water plants, from irises to canna to floating heart to underwater/oxygenating plants, are often much less. See "Choosing Plants for Water Gardens," later in the chapter, for more information.

As for pondside landscaping, that of course varies depending on your taste and the style of the display.

  **Fish:** Goldfish and their near relatives are pretty cheap; the big koi can be very pricey. We're talking fish as cheap as a buck and thoroughbreds that run hundreds of dollars apiece. And don't forget the filter and the fish food they'll need. Again, I cover fish in more detail later in the chapter in "Adding Fish to Your Water Garden."

Before you commit yourself to adding fish, get your water garden set up _first;_ then do your research into the types and number of fish your water garden can support — it may be less than you think (note that fish overcrowding is bad for fish health as well as water quality).

Here are a couple things you _don't_ need to buy for your water garden:

  **Potting soil:** It's a water-gardening no-no (it's too light, so it floats away). Use heavy garden soil from your own yard. For more details on planting water plants, consult "Choosing Plants for Water Gardens."

  **Creatures:** If you build it, they will come! Aside from fish, your display may support dragonflies, frogs, turtles, and birds. Some are obviously welcome; others, such as mosquitoes in still water, turn out to be pests.

**Figure 17-4:** Common pond equipment: pumps, filters, and valves.

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## Pumps

A pump's job is to recirculate water in your water garden or to power a filter, fountain, stream, or waterfall. Make sure the equipment is a match for the job, or you'll burn out the motor or not have enough power to do the job — again, seek expert advice here. Estimate the pump's capabilities conservatively. That way, your pump can manage the job without being maxed out. Pumps are essential to produce waterfalls, are useful to circulate water and thus oxygenate the water for the fish. If there are no fish or water features, pumps are not needed.

Packages, catalogs, and Web site descriptions can give you performance charts if you want to study them. The basic gist is how many gallons per hour they can handle. _Head_ or _lift_ refers to the various heights above the pump that it can raise water. Just remember that one cubic foot in your pond holds 7.48 gallons of water! Here are two types of pumps for water gardens:

  **Submersible:** These sorts of pumps are sunken out of sight in the bottom of a water garden (or raised up a bit on a cinder block or other support while still underwater), quietly keeping the water moving. These pumps are fine for small to medium ponds. Some water gardeners stash them in a mesh laundry basket, which makes hauling them out, when necessary, a bit easier.

  **External:** Site this larger, noisier pump close to your pond (hide it from view behind a plant or other barrier). It can power big jobs — large water gardens, a series of ponds, or displays that include a stream or waterfall.

## Bubblers and fountains

For many people, a fountain or a bubbler is an essential part of a water garden. These items work like this: A small, submerged pump circulates water up through plastic tubing into the fountain or bubbler, which returns it to a catch basin. From there, the water's routed and pumped back up through the tubing.

A fountain, of course, sprays water up into the air, whereas bubblers cause water to simply gurgle out, not spray up. Bubblers create a sound like a stream and don't generally need as powerful of a pump as fountains require because the water is not lifted as high. Water-garden suppliers, home and garden centers, and mail-order suppliers offer an amazing array of choices. For perhaps more stylish or customized fountains, search on the Internet or prowl arts and crafts shows. The pump and tubing generally come with it, so you don't have to bother with power and capacity calculations.

For fountains, height and shape (from a gentle, misty fan to a towering spurt) is determined not only by the power of the pump but also by the nozzle on the fountain's head. Often the same fountain can be fitted with a variety of nozzles, so examine your options carefully.

## Filters

Using mesh or foam screens, a mechanical filter traps algae and larger pond debris, thus keeping your pond water cleaner. Not surprisingly, you have to rinse it out often and replace it periodically. A pump attached to a filter protects the pump and keeps the water moving through: dirty in, cleaner out. Match your filter to your water garden (or run the risk of ruining the pump by burning it out — or at least causing yourself too-frequent rinsings). If your water has a lot of algae and fine particles, you don't want a real fine mesh, obviously.

Biological filters are larger, more expensive, pondside contraptions, recommended for pools with lots of fish or many large fish such as koi. The water is cleansed with gravel and beneficial bacteria; fish waste is converted from ammonia into nitrate, boosting water health for the fish as well as the plants. See Figure 17-5.

**Figure 17-5:** It's important to properly align the elements in a biological filter so it will work properly.

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## Installing and Filling Your Pond

Here are some steps to take when building a simple pond, with out all the bells and whistles of bottom drains and fancy filtration systems. If you want these items, I suggest talking with a water garden or pond specialist, or a contractor:

1. Before digging your pond, have a plan where you are going to put the soil you remove. You could add it to raised beds in your vegetable garden or use it to add height to a waterfall you want to have on one of the end of your pond.

2. Dig with whatever shovel you are comfortable. One that is long handled will be easier on your back. If the job is a larger one you might consider hiring a contractor with a backhoe to do the heavy work.

3. After the pond has been dug (and earthen shelves have been left for your water plants), put down a layer of about two inches of sand. This will serve as protection for the liner from rocks or roots that might be jutting up. Most people then add an underlayment material which further protects and cushions the liner.

4. Now lay down the liner. You may need a few people to help you with this because ones of any size are quite heavy.

5. Secure the edges of the liner with rock or brick and begin filling it with a hose. If it is a very large pond you may have to call a company that specializes in providing large quantities of water for swimming pools.

6. Once the pond is filled you can trim of the excess liner with a sharp knife. Use flat stones to create an edge or coping around the pond.

7. Let the water settle for few days and then put in your plants. Try not to step into the pond, but if you have to, do it wearing only socks on your feet, so you don't damage the liner.

## Choosing Plants for Water Gardens

Stocking a pond is such fun. Water plants, especially the ones that bloom, are so gorgeous. They're not at all hard to grow, and you can purchase many of them from retail or mail-order garden suppliers. When your water garden is set up, their main need — water — is already fulfilled. Before start looking for water plants, here are a few tips for success:

  Always keep water plants in pots while they're in your water garden (except for floaters). This move controls their growth and makes maintenance easier. If you use tap water and plan to add fish, wait 48 hours before adding the fish, to allow chlorine in the water to dissipate. The chlorine won't hurt your plants.

  Use heavy garden soil in your water garden, never bagged potting soil mix, which is far too light and drifts off to make a mess. To keep the heavy garden soil from getting away and muddying the pool, top off each pot with an inch or so of pea gravel.

  Use plant tubs or pots with no drainage holes. This step ensures that the heavy garden soil doesn't get loose in your water garden.

  Proper planting depth is usually 1 to 6 inches below the water's surface. So elevate the pots on blocks, bricks, or overturned pots. Some pools have shelves along the sides that are meant to support potted water plants.

  Buy and pot water plants in late spring, lowering them carefully into warmed-up water. Hardy water plants can go in water that has reached 50° F; tropical ones have to wait for at least 70° water.

  Don't overplant, or your plants will crowd one another and require constant pruning or even eviction (packed-in waterlilies do a desperate and unattractive thing called _pyramiding,_ where their leaves rear up into the air). Your goal is two-thirds coverage of the water surface; this amount looks nice, prevents algal growth, and still allows some open water for reflections.

## Waterlilies

Two basic kinds of waterlily, hardy and tropical, are available. To the uninitiated, they seem much the same, but these plants have significant differences. Provided you attend to the water-temperature requirements, you can grow either or both kinds in most parts of the country. Here are the some descriptions and varieties you're likely to encounter:

  **Hardy waterlilies:** Hardies are generally smaller (flowers _and_ plants) than tropical waterlilies, and the hardy flowers usually float on the surface of the water among the leaves. The varieties you're likely to encounter include bright yellow 'Joey Tomocik,' ruby red 'James Brydon,' hot pink 'Mayla,' pastel pink 'Pink Grapefruit,' and pristine white 'Virginalis.'

  **Tropical waterlilies:** Tropicals have larger flowers and are often more sprawling plants. They proudly hold their flowers above the leaves. Common varieties are sunset-hued 'Albert Greenberg,' lavender-pink 'General Pershing,' royal purple 'Panama Pacific,' and raspberry pink 'Miami Rose.'

As for color, waterlilies come in shades of white, cream, bright and soft yellows, red, pink, and salmon. The tropicals extend the range into some gorgeous hues of blue and purple. Waterlily blossoms centers are usually yellow (sometimes with the _stamens_ — stalks with pollen sacs — tipped in a petal-matching color); the contrast between the bright center and petals can be quite stunning. As a bonus, some waterlilies are sweetly fragrant, especially the tropicals.

## Lotus

As a symbol of creation, the lotus stakes its place as a sacred flower in Buddhism and Hinduism. To be sure, lotus is one of the most exotic and beautiful creatures in the plant kingdom: the big, dramatic stalked leaves are attractive, and they shed droplets of water like quicksilver — gorgeous! The buds and blossoms are utterly magnificent, and the large, unusual seedpods are decorative in their own right.

Despite their big size, lotuses grow from a surprisingly delicate, banana-shaped rootstock. Get one in spring and handle it exceedingly gently, especially when potting it. Favorite lotus varieties include ivory white with hot pink margins 'Chawan Basu,' yellow-to-cream 'Perry's Giant Sunburst,' and rosy pink 'Momo Batan.' Here are the growing requirements:

  **A big, big planting tub, full of heavy garden soil (and no drainage holes):** A tub that measures 24 x 9 inches, such as a laundry tub, is reasonable.

  **Enough space:** Not every water garden can hold a lotus. Some varieties can spread 10 or 12 feet or more, with those leaves rearing up on 7-foot stalks. Submerge the potted lotus in an inch of water to start; then move it to 4 or more inches over time — less is better, though.

  **Sun:** Lotuses need at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day. (A lotus will tolerate some shade if the air temperatures are warm and if you aren't banking on getting it to bloom.)

  **Plenty of food:** Poke fertilizer into the pot often, and carefully, to avoid disturbing that fragile rootstock. Four to six waterlily-fertilizer tablets monthly is a typical dose, but get exact information from the place where you buy your lotus.

  **A long growing season if you want the flowers and pods that follow:** A short summer won't do — lotuses really need two or even three consecutive months of temperatures over 80°.

  **Patience:** Lotus often spends its first season just getting used to life in its tub and in your water garden. Lush growth and — maybe, just maybe — those sensational flowers usually happen the second season.

## So-called marginal plants

_Marginal plants_ are the plants that supply height in a water garden (or vertical interest, as landscapers say). Though you may have seen them in containers or growing on land in damp ground, they're well able to grow in a pot that's immersed in an inch or more of water. Other names nurseries use for this sort of plant include _bog plants, emergent plants, pondside plants,_ and _moisture-loving plants._ Marginals grown for attractive foliage include canna, mosaic plant, papyrus, various irises, arrowhead, spike rush, umbrella palm, and elephant's ear. If you want beautiful flowers from your marginals, check out canna, golden club, various irises, pickerel weed, and lizard's tail.

Like waterlilies, some of these plants are winter-hardy; others are tropical. The tropicals can't go in the water till the weather has warmed up to at least 70° F and must come out when the water and weather begin to cool down in the fall (to be discarded as annuals or overwintered indoors — see "Winterizing your plants and fish" for more information). Hardy ones are fine in 50° or higher water.

Water gardeners can grow either tropicals or hardies or both kinds almost anywhere in North America. Mix and match them for a more interesting, textured display. Favorite hardy marginals include arrowhead, cattail, golden club, various irises, lizard's tail, pickerel weed, and spike rush. Favorite tropical marginals include canna and water canna, papyrus, mosaic plant, umbrella palm, and elephant's ear.

## Floaters and submerged plants

Though not as flashy as some of the others, floaters and submerged plants are important to a successful water garden. Floaters are welcome because they help fulfill that two-thirds-coverage requirement for the water garden's surface. They also provide shelter for fish and use nutrients that may otherwise feed unwanted amounts of algae. Favorite floaters and submerged plants include eelgrass, fairy moss, parrot's feather, water hyacinth, water lettuce, and hornwort.

Submerged plants can fill a similar role or just hang out under the water. Occasionally you'll see submerged plants billed as _oxygenating plants,_ though the oxygenation doesn't occur constantly; They generate oxygen underwater only during the daylight hours. If you peer into the water, you may see tiny bubbles percolating from their foliage into the surrounding water.

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Many popular floaters and submerged plants are a problem in the wild. They multiply amazingly fast, clogging waterways and upsetting the balance of nature. It's now illegal to sell or transport some. So don't cheat — buy only from a reputable nursery, make sure they go straight into your water garden, and _never, ever_ improperly discard any part of them. That means don't toss or dump them into wild or manmade waterways or even your back forty or compost pile. Play it safe and bag up unwanted plants and plant parts, and send them away with your household garbage.

## Adding Fish to Your Water Garden

One of the main reasons many people want a water garden in the first place is so they can have fish. Fish make the whole scene come alive! Care of pond fish is very similar to caring for aquarium fish, except you have to deal with the issues related to keeping fish outdoors. You have plenty to discover about the selection and care of pond fish. Get help and information from wherever fish are sold.

Two types of fish are commonly kept in water gardens: Common goldfish and koi, or Japanese carp. For common goldfish, keep 1 inch of fish per 5 gallons of water. Koi, because they're so big, need a bigger pond and a rate of 1inch per 10 gallons of water (and ones over 6 inches require even more space to roam). See Figure 17-6. For advice on helping your fish survive the winter, see "Winterizing your plants and fish." For more information on keeping koi, read _Koi For Dummies._

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Koi can be very destructive to plants. They like to eat 'em! So protect your plant roots or, better yet, stick with goldfish that cause much less plant havoc.

Adding game fish is only practical with large ponds, a half acre in size or more. Those kinds of ponds are beyond the scope of this book. Native fish can be stocked, but most people opt for ornamental, cold-loving fish like goldfish. Most garden centers and pet stores stock fish that are appropriate for ornamental ponds.

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A common beginner's mistake is adding too many fish in a pond; it's bad for the fish and bad for your water garden. Results of overcrowding include excessive fish waste (which can smell bad and fuel algal blooms — check out "A sea of green: Controlling algae in troubled waters") and poor fish health — ick. Be conservative and don't add many fish, especially to smaller water gardens and container displays.

**Figure 17-6:** Koi (bottom) and ornamental goldfish (top).

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Here are the basics of adding fish to your water garden:

  **Don't use chlorine or chloramines!** If you filled your water garden with municipal tap water, it's been treated with either or both of these chemicals. Although these chemicals kill bacteria and make for safe drinking water, it's harmful to fish. Luckily, if you let the water sit for a few days, the chlorine will dissipate; as for chloramines, they have to be neutralized — ask your water department for help.

  **Let the water warm up before adding fish.** Allow the water to warm while you're waiting for water-treatment chemicals to subside. The fish will appreciate that (hose water is chilly).

A well planted pond will provide lots of hiding places to protect your fish from predators. Also, to keep predators like raccoons and herons out, the edge of the pond should abruptly fall off by 2 to 3 feet so these creatures can't wade into get the fish. Also, some people buy heron decoys to put at the edge of the pond to frighten off other predators.

  **Add the fish gradually.** Fish are cold-blooded, and they need time to adjust to the temperature of their new environment. The best method is to float them in the water-filled baggie they came in on the surface for a few hours; then release them.

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Don't overfeed your fish! The general rule is that however much food they consume in 5 minutes is all they get. Uneaten food fouls the water. Overfed fish are unhealthy and also generate too much waste. Truth is, you really don't _have_ to feed your fish at all. They can survive on the natural foods in the water. But it is fun to feed the fish, so if you want to, do it sparingly. Once a day is plenty.

## Maintaining Your Water Garden

As I hint in this chapter's introduction, taking care of an installed and stocked water garden is pretty easy. You'll be out there admiring it and monitoring the progress of waterlily buds and other bloomers anyway, so just turn those frequent visits into a brief check-up.

The main water-garden water issue occurs when the water level drops. On hot summer days, you can lose a bit to evaporation. Top off the water garden with the hose; just make sure the end of the hose is immersed and that the flow of water doesn't dislodge a pot or plant. (Yes, I do caution you about the dangers of chlorine and chloramines in municipal tap water in the preceding section, but that info's for when you're pouring in many gallons for the initial filling; a little bit of those chemicals entering the water now shouldn't do your fish or plants any harm.)

If you come out some morning and the water level has dropped dramatically, your liner is damaged and leaking. Siphon off more water until you find the problem spot; then stop and patch it. (Patch kits are available wherever liners are sold.) Insert a garden hose so that one end is submerged. Then take the other end of the hose and take it so it is below the level of the end in the pond. Inhale once to start the suction and this should get the water flowing. If the pond is lower than the ground surrounding it, this manual suction won't work so get a submersible pump. Put it in the pond and attach tubing to the output end of the pump. Turn it on and it will rapidly drain the pond.

## Taking care of the plants

Because water-garden plants are potted, sooner or later they run out of food, even though you've potted them in organically rich heavy garden soil. Your best bet is to feed with waterlily tablets, available wherever water-garden plants are sold. These tablets have a balanced formulation that's ideal for waterlilies, lotuses, and marginals. They're easy to poke in (use a finger, dibble, or even a broom handle), and they break down gradually while nourishing the root system.

Feed your water plants on planting day and monthly thereafter throughout the growing season. Slow down and stop as fall approaches so the plants can enter their normal dormancy.

As the summer progresses, water plants can exceed their bounds and grow a little too lustily. Always remove stems and leaf stalks right at the base (where the pea-gravel layer begins in the pot) so nothing is left to rot and foul the water. Cut or twist the pieces off; never yank, or the whole plant may come out in your fist!

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Don't toss the pieces back in the water where they can break down and foul and water! Add them to the compost pile or dig them straight into a vegetable-garden's soil. For potentially invasive floaters and submerged plants, play it safe and add them and their prunings to the household garbage.

## Winterizing your plants and fish

As fall approaches, the water temperature will cool down, you'll cease fertilizing, and the plants will begin to go dormant. Lower the water level a few inches, and float a ball or block of wood on the surface to prevent a total freeze-over. (A complete coating of ice is bad because it prevents the exchange of oxygen and allows toxic gases to build up. Fish and plants below, even when dormant, can perish.)

Tropical plants should be hauled out of the pond and tossed onto the compost pile. Or if you want to overwinter them indoors, get the details from wherever you bought the plants or try to find a more experienced water gardener to help you. Some tropicals can stay in heated aquariums; you can strip others of all growth and store their little tubers or rhizomes in damp sand.

Hardy plants should be hauled out, too, and given a haircut, leaving only a stub of foliage. If your winters aren't too severe, (Zone 6 or warmer) you can return them to the deepest part of the water garden (no elevating supports now) for the coming months. Otherwise, they can come indoors to a non-freezing place, heaped with straw or another blanketing of mulch until spring returns.

Many pond fish can remain outside during the winter, but it really depends on where you live and on the type of water garden you have. Depending on these conditions, you may have to set up an aquarium inside your home and transfer your pond fish there over the winter season. Again, get help and information from wherever you buy your fish.

Fish that remain in the pond slow down and go dormant in cold weather, just like hardy plants. Reduce feeding in the fall. Eventually, they'll retreat to the deepest part of the pool, perhaps burrowing into some muck there. If you fear for their survival, you can net them and keep them in an aquarium for the winter.

## A sea of green: Controlling algae in troubled waters

If your water turns a murky green, the first thing to remember is, _don't panic!_ The second thing I want you to know is that no garden pool is ever completely clear and algae-free. Indeed, algae is part of the ecological balance. A small amount, visible as a slightly green (or bronze) cast to the water, or as a coating that forms on the sides, is both normal and healthy. That said, algae gets out of hand at times.

In the early days of a new water garden's life, there's inevitably a flush of algal growth, called a _bloom._ This bloom occurs because plenty of light is available, not to mention dissolved nutrients to nourish it. Small or shallow water gardens are the most vulnerable because they heat up faster, and algae love very warm water. Wait it out. As your waterlilies spread their pads and other plants grow and contribute to the desirable two-thirds coverage I mention throughout this chapter, the algae should subside.

If a smelly pea-soup prevails, you do have a problem, but you also have options. Diagnose the cause, and then take steps to treat it:

  **High water temperature:** Algae prospers with warmth. Add more plants, particularly floating plants, which can out-compete the algae for minerals dissolved in the water. Provide extra, cooling shade, such as a large beach umbrella overhead in the hottest part of the day.

  **Excessive fish food:** The food the fish don't get around to eating breaks down in the water, adding to the organic broth. Fish waste and its byproduct ammonia also encourage algal growth. Try feeding fish less ("only as much as they can consume in 5 minutes" is the rule) and/or take out some fish. Install a filter to help remove fish waste. Treat the water with a liquid ammonia remover (such as Ammo-Lock); follow label directions with great care.

  **Excessive nutrients:** The source may be runoff from your adjacent garden or lawn, or perhaps you're overfertilizing your water garden plants. Cut back on the fertilizer and/or create diversion and drainage channels to keep runoff away. Keep yellowing and fading plant parts trimmed off (don't let them break down in the water). Also, make sure leaves and other lawn debris doesn't end up in the water.

  **Improper water pH level:** Buy a simple kit and test (first thing in the morning is the best time to check). It should be between 6.5 and 8.5, ideally around 7.0. Adjust with water garden chemicals as necessary (get the products and advice from wherever you got the test kit).

You can use your bare hands to remove algae, but understand that hauling out algae is a temporary solution. It can make your display look better for a while, but if you don't address the cause, more will soon replace it.

##### Part VI

## The Part of Tens

In this part . . .

Here's where you pick up some quick-and-dirty information (well, if you're gardening, dirt's probably involved, right?) about a variety of areas that may interest you as a gardener. Find out what most people ask about gardening when first starting out — chances are you've asked a question or two from the list. And get information on fun garden projects for yourself and your kids.

##### Chapter 18

## Ten Common Questions from (and Ten Common Answers for) Gardening Beginners

### In This Chapter

  Identifying plants and problems

  Investigating plant health

  Special growing conditions: Knowing what to plant where

  Fighting deer, weeds, and erosion

There are just as many different questions as there are different gardeners, but some questions seem to pop up more than others. Those questions are the ones I answer here. And don't think that only beginners ask about gardening — the pros often have questions, too. In fact, some old hands may find some of the information here useful as well. So read on!

## What's the Difference between an Annual and a Perennial?

Plant classification is something that often confuses new gardeners, so here are the short-and-sweet answers: An _annual_ lives for only one growing season; a _perennial_ slows down or dies back in the winter months but comes back bigger and better the next year, and the one after, and so on. Whether a plant is an annual or perennial may depend on the climate of where you live.

So you have to buy and plant new annuals every year, while perennials are a long-term investment. You can see Chapter 6 for the lowdown on annuals and Chapter 7 for info on perennials.

## What's Organic Matter?

When plants and animals die, bacteria and fungi and other critters move in and break down the dead material into simpler substances. The end product is a smorgasbord of nutrients for your plants.

_Organic matter_ is any material that originates from a living (well, once-living) creature; you can dig this matter into your soil, and as the material decays, it improves the soil's condition. Examples of organic matter include compost, dehydrated manure (never fresh, which "burns" the plants), chopped-up fall leaves, peat moss (which is most effective if pre-dampened), ground-up bark, and so on. You may have some of this stuff on hand, or you can certainly buy it bagged. See Chapter 4 for more information.

## Why Does Everything I Plant in My Flower Bed Die?

If you have an epidemic of sick or dying plants, you're probably not cursed. Your problems may be due to one of many not-so-supernatural reasons, and you can take some steps to narrow down the possible culprits, like poor soil acidity or lack of sunlight or water. Improve or modify these items one by one until the health of your plants improves. For more information on evaluating these items and maintaining the proper conditions in plant beds, see Chapter 4.

## How Do I Prepare the Ground for a Brand-New Bed?

Completely clear the ground you want to use of weeds, rocks, roots, and other debris. Make the bed deep enough for the roots of the plants you want to put in there; about 6 to 8 inches should suffice for the majority of choices. You can borrow or rent a tiller, or use simple shovel work, depending on the size of your growing area and your own strength and inclination. Then improve the soil. Add organic material. Almost any soil benefits from the introduction of some good organic matter. See Chapter 4 for more information.

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Call your electric, telephone, cable, and gas companies to verify locations of underground utilities in your yard before you start digging. Hitting one of these things with a tool could cause you serious harm through electric shock, or at the very least damage the utilities in your house.

## Do I Have to Spray Chemicals on My Rosebushes?

You don't have to spray chemicals on your roses — if you choose the right rose bush in the first place. Find out the main problem in your area: Rust? Mildew? Insect pests? Jealous, scheming neighbors? Then get good advice on resistant rose varieties. Rose breeders have been answering the call for tougher plants, so often some of the brand new ones are good choices. Oldies-but-goodies, especially naturally durable shrub roses, are also worth looking into. See Chapter 9 for more-detailed information, or look for the information on these Web sites: www.organicrosegardening.com/index.html or socialsciences.ucsc.edu/casfs/publications/rose_primer.html

## Do Any Vegetables Grow in the Shade?

Well, tomatoes won't do too well in shade, but you can certainly grow a fine crop of lettuces and mixed greens, as well as kale and collard greens. Peas, broccoli, and cabbage can get by with less than full sun. Some root crops like onions, radishes, and turnips also manage in somewhat shady growing conditions. For more on vegetable gardening, flip to Chapter 13.

## It's Hot and Dry Here and I Don't Want Cacti. What Are My Options?

Good for you for wanting to be different and more creative! To make your landscaping look a little less thorny, take a look at native plants, ones that are adapted to your local growing conditions. View them in other gardens or public/botanic gardens in your community. Find them for sale at garden centers that specialize in them, at large general-purpose nurseries (often off in their own section), or at botanic-garden plant sales. You may be amazed at the diversity and beauty available.

## What Can I Plant on a Steep Bank to Prevent Erosion?

To keep "steep" dirt from washing away, you want something fast-growing with grabbing roots to stabilize the soil. Ideally, you also want something that'll last a while, spread out, and cause you little trouble. If the plant excludes weeds by forming a mat, better still. Plants that meet this tall order include bearberry, creeping juniper, pachysandra, cotoneaster, and shrub roses. Daylilies also work well because they have fingerlike roots that really grab on. You can also look into having the slope terraced and planting each step or level. Or install a rock garden — the rocks may help hold the soil in place (besides, rock-garden plants like quick-draining ground, and slopes fit the bill).

## How Do I Remove the Weeds from the Lawn without Pulling Them One by One?

In truth, you'll probably always have some weeds in your yard, because nature favors diversity. Taking good care of the lawn — that is, not neglecting it — can help. Ultimately, if you must have a lawn that's close to weed-free, you'll probably have to resort to using some type of selective herbicide (weed killer). Opt for liquid materials that you can surgically spray only on offending weeds and not on your entire lawn. See Chapter 10 for more information.

## Is There Anything Deer Don't Eat?

Deer will eat almost any plant if they're desperate! The problem here is deer overpopulation due to shrinking natural habitat and a lack of natural predators. Deer get hungry, they wander into your yard, and they dine on anything and everything (especially in winter, when natural food is even more scarce). One beleaguered homeowner is not going to solve this problem. Although some repellents supposedly protect garden plants (noisemakers, foul-smelling sprays, bags of human hair from the local salon), the only sure deterrent is an 8-foot-tall fence all the way around your yard (possibly electrified).

You can try planting things that deer favor less (plants with thorns, for instance, and some bitter-tasting perennials and herbs; for complete lists, check with your nearest Cooperative Extension office).

##### Chapter 19

## Ten Quick, Fun, or Handy Garden Projects

### In This Chapter

  Adding useful structures to your yard or garden

  Beautifying your outdoor space

  Making your own compost and pest repellant

So your garden is all planted, the lawn is mowed, everything is landscaped to your satisfaction, and now you're itching for something else to do to your yard. Don't fret — you still have plenty of ways to make your yard even better and to help you enjoy it even more (preferably while sipping a cool lemonade). This chapter contains some fun ideas you can consider.

## Set Up a Hammock

You can string up a hammock between two strong trees or on the porch, or set up one of those free-standing hammocks in a shady spot. Then go take a well-deserved nap. After you mow the lawn. Before you shower. After you pour yourself a cold drink.

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When stringing up a hammock, make sure you tie it very securely and stretch it _tight_ between its two supports, whether they're trees or porch posts, so you don't hit the ground while taking an outdoor nap. And above all, make sure those trees or porch posts are very strong and secure and in no danger of breaking under your weight!

## Put Up a Rubber Tire Swing

What would summer be without a tire swing? What would childhood be without one? Just make certain to choose a limb that's strong and far enough away from the trunk and everything else to allow for swinging (and not for smacking into things). Also make sure the rope you use is stout and that the knots around the tree limb and tire are very, very secure. A strong chain may be a better idea, with large metal hooks to hold. Have a kid help you decide how high off the ground the swing should be. (And remember to dump water out after a rain so mosquitoes and other bugs don't hang around.)

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As with any swing, make sure that your kids know to play safely around the tire swing, and supervise them when they're using it. Check the rope or chain often to make sure it's still secure. Check the tree limb, as well — tire swing ropes have a habit of sawing through their tree limbs if used a lot.

## Install Stepping Stones

Stone paths lend architecture and accessibility to your garden and yard, and they make great projects. However, you have to do your planning beforehand to make sure you do it right. Laying the stone atop the ground rarely works; you need to seat the stones in a base of sand or stone dust (which you can buy at the same place where you purchase the stones). Dig down a few inches — make the base slightly wider, too — and then add enough base material to fill the hole. Set the stones down and wiggle them into position. If you're laying a terrace or walkway, separate individual stones by 1/2 to 1 inch. Pick up a copy of _Landscaping For Dummies_ for more information.

## Set Up a Trellis

Like paths, trellises add architecture and functionality to many yards and make good weekend projects. The kind of trellis you choose and how securely you position it depends on what you plan to grow over it. Climbing roses, climbing hydrangea, wisteria, and grapevines are quite heavy — use stout wood, heavy-duty plastic, or cast iron for these, and plunge the "legs" deep into the ground so the trellis doesn't wobble. Clematis and morning glories can go on lighter structures. See Chapter 12.

If you're growing a vine that blooms and/or likes sun, don't set up a trellis completely flush against a house wall or a fence; vines need space to grow and good air circulation, and too-close growth can damage the wood or paint of the backdrop

## Plant a Teepee

A teepee is a practical support that looks so much better than a regular pole. Small kids can hide within.

The teepee ought to be at least 6 or 8 feet high, depending on what you're growing. Read the seed packet or the plant label for the ultimate plant height and then plan accordingly. You don't have to use lumber — how about slender branches? Lash three or more tall branches or poles together, and stick them a few inches into the ground to make them stable. As for the climbing plant that will cloak it, you want something lush and fast-growing. I suggest pole bean, scarlet runner bean, climbing nasturtium, or morning glory. Set at least one or two plants at the base of each support.

## Create Whimsical Garden Art from Castoffs

Make a "bouquet" of worn or discarded tools, cinched together with wire. Set the bouquet in the vegetable garden or flower bed or mount it on a gate or fence.

## Decorate the Front Steps with Potted Plants

Potted plants are an easy way to add color and beauty to front steps as well as porches and balconies. If your steps are shady, use herbs or shade plants (or both). Colorful pots that contrast with the contents, or even match, add a lot of splash and are a welcome sight. Move potted plants on and offstage as their prime comes and goes, and bring in replacements. But above all, keep these plants watered. Plants in pots dry out amazingly fast. See Chapter 16 for more tips.

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Be sure to keep the plants out of the way of people climbing the stairs. You don't want to trip and hurt yourself on your beloved plants!

## Make Some Plant Labels

Plant labels are important items that too many gardeners put off using. They're especially important when you're digging up or planting bulbs in the fall and you can't remember where you planted what! Make the labels out of popsicle sticks, laminated seed packets, pieces of old mini-blinds, rocks — whatever you like. Use waterproof marker or acrylic paint. This project is great for one of those late-spring rainy days, when you or the kids are feeling antsy.

## Make a Simple Compost Bin for Your Own Organic Matter

Sure, you can buy a compost bin, but if you have an open spot that gets sun yet is out of the way, setting up a homemade one is easy. Plan for your bin to be about 4 feet in diameter; smaller piles don't heat up well, slowing decomposition.

Use about four wooden or metal stakes, which should stand about 3 feet high (a size that keeps the bin manageable for maintenance) when plunged into the ground. Wrap galvanized poultry wire or snow fencing around these "corners," and use lengths of wire to cinch the ends when they meet. Put a base of twigs or dried cornstalks on the bottom before beginning to add organic waste.

See Chapter 4 for more information on using compost.

## Combat Garden Pests with Homemade Pepper Spray

Get those cucumber beetles, leaf hoppers, and cabbage loopers (those very hungry caterpillars) out of your yard once and for all with pepper spray. Pepper spray doesn't hurt your plants or the environment, but most insects and other pests don't like it.

Here's the recipe: Mix 1 gallon water, 6 drops dish soap, and 2 tablespoons hot red pepper. Let the pepper spray sit overnight, and then shake it well. Store the mixture in a spray bottle and spray it on the vulnerable plants. Re-spray after it rains, and make sure you rinse off your veggies very well after harvesting them, unless you want them to taste like hot peppers!

##### Chapter 20

## Ten Garden Projects for Children

### In This Chapter

  Growing fun plants to play with and use

  Getting creative with seeds and sunlight

  Creating outdoor environments for watching birds and butterflies

Many kids are fascinated by how plants, and even birds and butterflies, grow and thrive in the world just outside their front doors. So why not give children the chance to play in the dirt and get up close and personal with insects and earthworms? Spending time outdoors teaches kids about science, gives them room to play and relax, and trains kids to find entertainment beyond the warm glow of the computer or TV screen.

You can find easy ways to help your children love gardening just as much as you do! Here are some fun project ideas to get your budding botanist a good start in the world of gardening.

## Create a Dinosaur Garden

This time-honored project will be around as long as there are small children with plastic dinosaur action figures. Just set aside a shady corner that includes ferns and some rocks. Your children can make their toy dinosaurs run rampant in the miniature jungle. While you're at it, try creating a designed dig area by burying some bones or other garden artifacts that are just waiting to be discovered.

## Grow a Sunflower Fort

Buy sunflower seeds for those big, huge, tall sunflower varieties, and plant them in a square or circle in a sunny spot in your yard. Water and fertilize them often and be amazed as they surge into growth. With luck, the plants may support one another, or you can provide support stakes. Your kids can spend hours playing inside the "rooms" the sunflowers create.

You can also create a teepee by growing climbing plants on several poles lashed together. See Chapter 19 for details.

## Make Sunprints

Buy light-sensitive paper — many toy stores and school suppliers carry it. Have the kids go out in the yard and pick things — flowers, pinecones, seed pods, interesting leaves — and lay them on the paper in the sun for about 7 minutes. Children can create patterns if they'd like. Then rinse the paper with lukewarm water and let it dry. This nature-inspired art is suitable for framing!

## Plant Mini-Pumpkins

These cute little pumpkins are so much easier to grow to orange maturity than traditional jack-o-lantern pumpkins, and many children love growing and playing with them. The vine rambles, like any squash-family plant, so make sure you give the pumpkins enough room to grow. Organically rich soil is important, too. See your local nursery about getting varieties that do well in your area.

## Write with Seeds

It's fun to plant seed in the pattern of letters and see how they grow to form living words. Radish seeds work great because they're easy to pour and maneuver (more so for little fingers than adult fingers, actually) and they germinate in a couple days. You and your child can do your names, your initials, even a happy face.

## Trap a Zucchini

Take a see-through plastic bottle out to the garden when zucchini fruit are just forming; slide the neck of the bottle over the little fruit. It'll keep growing inside the bottle, probably even filling it! Any size bottle will do. The fruit will stop growing when it fills up the container.

It's safer to use a plastic container. In fact, a good approach is to cut the bottle in half, lengthwise, then enclose it around the developing fruit (like a mold), securing the container with rubber bands. Then, when the plant fills the container, the bands can be removed and the fruit will be shaped like the container. Try some fanciful containers, like the animal figures frequently used for honey containers.

## Make a Home-Grown Salad

Kids have fun trekking out to the vegetable garden with a big basket and picking the ingredients needed for the dinner salad. After bringing everything inside and washing up well, the kids can slice, tear, chop, and serve the salad to the grownups (and save some for themselves!). It's particularly fun for kids to make faces or patterns with cherry tomatoes or sliced big tomatoes.

Be sure to have the kids pick only what you need from the garden and no more!

## Grow Paperwhites

These sweetly scented, white-flowered daffodils are very easy for children to grow. They don't even need soil — a dish of gravel will do. Just don't forget to keep paperwhites watered. Roots form and grab onto the gravel, green leaves shoot up, and those pretty, fragrant blossoms soon follow. The bulbs are usually for sale in the fall in stores that carry gardening supplies. See Chapter 8 for more information on forcing bulbs.

## Set Up a Birdbath

Bring the kids along to the local nursery or hardware store to pick out a bird bath, and discuss the merits of size and style. Get the kids involved in picking out a good spot in the yard — in the open but not far from sheltering shrubs or trees so skittish birds can get to safety if need be. Kids can have fun spying on the birdbath from the house or across the yard. The birds may be slow to discover and use the bath, but after they do, their antics can provide hours of entertainment.

Pick up a book on bird species so your kids can have fun identifying the various types of birds that visit the bath.

## Attract Butterflies to the Garden

Plant a guaranteed butterfly-magnet plant like butterfly bush _(Buddleia)_ or butterfly weed _(Asclepias)._ Milkweed and lantana are other fine choices. Your kids can have much fun watching as the local butterflies, and possibly even hummingbirds, visit the bush.

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Using pesticides in your garden will also kill the butterflies and other desirable insects. If you must use pesticides, use them with great care.

Look for a book about butterfly species so your kids can have fun learning about the butterflies that live in your area.

##### Appendix

## Basic Gardening Resources

So many resources for purchasing plants and tools or just gathering information are available that beginning gardeners are often intimidated by the vastness of it all. With this appendix, I attempt to break down the sheer volume of gardening information into some simple, basic Web sites that you can use as a starting point for exploring the resources at your disposal. These recommended sites offer a wealth of info on many aspects of gardening, and they're the ideal place to start when exploring the universe of gardening on the Web.

From practical tips to the latest research, universities offer valuable info and give a regional perspective. National organizations also have regional and local branches, and their sites tell you of events to attend, groups to join, and gardens to visit. If you have a particular plant passion, you're likely to find a plant association of like-minded gardeners on the Web. Many offer expert advice, publications, and regional gatherings. You can also find many sites on organic gardening, which can help you create a garden that's healthy for your family, for wildlife, and for the environment. And of course, you can search through numerous online mail-order companies that can supply you with what you need to get your garden started. Pull up a seat to your computer and get ready to explore! (In case the computer doesn't appeal to you today, I also give you the phone numbers and addresses of the mail-order companies so you can request a catalog.)

**General gardening information**

About.com: Gardening gardening.about.com

GardenWeb www.gardenweb.com

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html

**Internet Directory for Botany** herba.msu.ru/mirrors/www.helsinki.fi/kmus/bothort.html

**University resources (USA)**

Ohio State University: Yard & Garden ohioline.osu.edu/lines/hygs.html

Purdue University: Consumer Horticulture www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/ConHort.html

University of Illinois Extension: Horticulture web.extension.uiuc.edu/state/programarea.cfm?ProgramAreaID=3

Virginia Cooperative Extension www.ext.vt.edu/resources

University of Arizona Cooperative Extension: Home Horticulture ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden

Texas A&M: Aggie Horticulture aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/tamuhort.html

University of Florida: Crops (Including Home Garden Crops) edis.ifas.ufl.edu/TOPIC_Crops

University of California Cooperative Extension: California Gardening groups.ucanr.org/gardening

**Gardening organizations**

America in Bloom www.americainbloom.org

American Community Gardening Association www.communitygarden.org/about.php

American Horticultural Society www.ahs.org

Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants (ASGAP) farrer.riv.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/

Canadian Gardening canadiangardening.com/home.shtml

Communities In Bloom www.communitiesinbloom.ca/

Garden Club of America Garden www.gcamerica.org

The Garden Conservancy www.gardenconservancy.org

The Gardeners of America/Men's Garden Clubs of America tgoa-mgca.org/Clubsearch.asp

Hobby Greenhouse Association www.hobbygreenhouse.org

Master Gardeners www.ahs.org/master_gardeners

The National Arbor Day Foundation arborday.org

National Gardening Association www.garden.org

National Garden Clubs www.gardenclub.org

National Wildlife Federation: Backyard Habitats www.nwf.org/backyard

Ontario Horticultural Association www.gardenontario.org/flash.htm

Plant a Row for the Hungry www.gardenwriters.org/Par/index.html

Seed Savers Exchange www.seedsavers.org/info.html

**Plant associations (USA)**

American Dahlia Society www.dahlia.org

The American Bonsai Society www.absbonsai.org

American Rhododendron Society www.rhododendron.org

The American Rose Society www.ars.org

The Herb Society of America www.herbsociety.org

The International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society www.iwgs.org

North American Rock Garden Society nargs.org

**Organic gardening experts**

How to Compost www.howtocompost.org/

Organic Gardening Basics www.organicgardening.com/channel/1,7502,s1-2,00.html

Rodale Institute www.rodaleinstitute.org

World of Organic Agriculture: USA www.soel.de/oekolandbau/links_northamerica.html#usd

Worm Digest www.wormdigest.org

**Mail-order companies: Flowers**

The Antique Rose Emporium 9300 Lueckemeyer Rd. Brenham, TX 77833 Phone 800-441-0022. Web site www.antiqueroseemporium.com This specialist offers easy-to-grow old garden roses.

Busse Gardens 17160 245th Ave. Big Lake, MN 55309 Phone 800-544-3192 Web site www.bussegardens.com Busse Gardens offers cold-hardy and unusual perennials and native plants.

Bluestone Perennials 7211 Middle Ridge Rd. Madison, OH 44057 Phone 800-852-5243 Web site www.bluestoneperennials.com Bluestone offers more than 1,000 perennials.

Carroll Gardens 444 East Main Street Westminster, MD 21157-5540 Phone 800-638-6334 or 410-848-5422 Web site www.carrollgardens.com Carroll Gardens offers a wide selection of rare and unusual perennials, bulbs, herbs, vines, roses, and shrubs.

Dutch Gardens 144 Intervale Rd. Burlington, VT 05401 Phone 888-821-0448 Web site www.dutchgardens.com Dutch Gardens offers more than 200 varieties of flower bulbs direct from Holland.

High Country Gardens 2902 Rufina St. Santa Fe, NM 87507-2929 Phone 800-925-9387 Web site www.highcountrygardens.com High Country Gardens feature water-thrifty wildflowers, winter-hardy perennials, native shrubs, and cold-hardy cacti and succulents.

Jackson & Perkins Roses 1 Rose Ln. Medford, OR 97501 Phone: 877-322-2300 Web site www.jacksonandperkins.com Jackson & Perkins is one of the world's largest producers and sellers of roses.

Lilypons Water Gardens 6800 Lily Pons Rd. P.O. Box 10 Adamstown, MD 21710 Phone 800-999-5459 Web site www.lilypons.com Lilypons specializes in all aspects of water gardening.

Roses of Yesterday and Today 803 Brown's Valley Rd. Watsonville, CA 95076 Phone 831-728-1901 Web site www.rosesofyesterday.com This business is a grower of rare and unusual heirloom roses and selected modern roses.

Shady Oaks Nursery 1601 5th St. S.E. P.O. Box 708 Waseca, MN 56093 Phone 507-835-5033 Web site www.shadyoaks.com This nursery specializes in hostas and other shade perennials.

Stokes Tropicals 4806 E. Old Spanish Trl. Jeanerette, LA 70544 Phone 337-365-6998 Web site www.stokestropicals.com Stokes offers an extensive collection of bananas, plumerias, and other exotics.

Thompson & Morgan Seed Company 220 Faraday Ave. Jackson, NJ 08527 Phone 800-274-7333 Web site www.thompson-morgan.comThompson & Morgan offers a wide selection of rare and unusual flower and vegetable seeds.

Van Bourgondien P.O. Box 2000 Virginia Beach, VA 23450-2000 Phone 800-622-9959 Web site www.dutchbulbs.com This company imports and sells Dutch bulbs and perennial flowers.

Wayside Gardens 1 Garden Ln. Hodges, SC 29695 Phone 800-213-0379 Web site www.waysidegardens.com Wayside Gardens offers a wide selection of bulbs, perennial flowers, shrubs, and trees.

White Flower Farm P.O. Box 50 Route 63 Litchfield, CT 06759 Phone 800-503-9624 Web site www.whiteflowerfarm.com White Flower Farm offers more than 700 varieties of annual flowers, perennial flowers, bulbs and shrubs.

**Mail-order companies: Vegetables, Herbs, and Fruits**

W. Atlee Burpee & Co. 300 Park Ave. Warminster, PA 18974 Phone 800-888-1447 Web site www.burpee.com This venerable old seed company sells a wide selection of flower and vegetable seeds and fruits.

Gurney's Seed & Nursery Co. P.O. Box 4178 Greendale, IN 47025-4178 Phone 513-354-1491 Web site gurneys.com Gurney's is a full-line vegetable and flower seed company.

Johnny's Selected Seeds 955 Benton Ave. Winslow, ME 04901 Phone 877-564-6697 Web site www.johnnyseeds.com As specialists in vegetable, flower, and herb seeds, Johnny's offers varieties for growing in short-season areas.

Miller Nurseries 5060 West Lake Rd. Canandaigua, NY 14424-8904 Phone 800-836-9630 Web site www.millernurseries.com Miller Nurseries has a complete line of fruit trees and shrubs, including dwarf apples.

Park Seed Company 1 Parkton Ave. Greenwood, SC 29647 Phone 800-213-0076 Web site www.parkseed.com Park Seed Company has been selling bulbs and flower and vegetable seeds since 1868.

Raintree Nursery 391 Butts Rd. Morton, WA 98356 Phone 360-496-6400 Web site www.raintreenursery.com Raintree offers fruits, nuts, berries, bamboo, and unusual edibles.

Richters Herb Specialists Goodwood, ON L0C 1A0 Canada Phone 905-640-6677 Web site www.richters.com Richters offers an extensive selection of herb seeds, plants, books, and products.

Seed Savers Heritage Farm 3094 North Winn Road Decorah, IA 52101 Phone 563-382-5990 Web site www.seedsavers.org

Seed Savers offers a large selection of heirloom vegetable and flower varieties from around the world. They're also the largest nonprofit seed-saving organization in the United States.

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange P.O. Box 460 Mineral, VA 23117 Phone 540-894-9480 Web site www.southernexposure.com This company offers a good selection of heirloom vegetables, flowers, and herb seeds for the South.

Stark Bro's Nurseries & Orchards Co. P.O. Box 1800 Louisiana, MO 63353 Phone 800-325-4180 Web site www.starkbros.com This nursery offers a large selection of fruit trees and shrubs.

Territorial Seed Company P.O. Box 158 Cottage Grove, OR 97424-0061 Phone 800-626-0866 Web site www.territorial-seed.com This company's a supplier of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds especially adapted to the Pacific Northwest.

Willhite Seed Inc. P.O. Box 23 Poolville, TX 76487-0023 Phone 800-828-1840 Web site www.willhiteseed.com Willhite specializes in melon varieties, all types of vegetable seeds, and specialty varieties from France and India.

Womack Nursery Co. 2551 Hwy. 6 DeLeon, TX 76444-9631 Phone 254-893-6497 Web site www.womacknursery.com This company offers a good selection of fruit trees and nuts for the South.

**Mail-order companies: Tools and Supplies**

Charley's Greenhouse & Garden 17979 State Route 536 Mt. Vernon, WA 98273 Phone 800-322-4707 Web site www.charleysgreenhouse.com This hobby greenhouse expert has a full line of greenhouses and supplies.

Gardener's Supply Company 128 Intervale Rd. Burlington, VT 05401 Phone 800-876-5520 Web site www.gardeners.com The largest retail home garden supply company in the country offers a wide range of pest controls, hard goods, and tools.

Gardens Alive! 5100 Schenley Pl. Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 Phone 513-354-1482 Web site www.gardensalive.com Gardens Alive! is one of the largest organic pest control and fertilizer suppliers.

Harmony Farm Supply & Nursery 3244 Hwy. 116 North Sebastopol, CA 95472 Phone 707-823-9125 Web site www.harmonyfarm.com Harmony offers a good selection of irrigation systems, organic fertilizers, pest controls, and tools.

Kinsman Company P.O. Box 428 Pipersville, PA 18947 Phone 800-733-4146 Web site www.kinsmangarden.com Kinsman Company offers gardening supplies and fine quality tools, window boxes, and planters.

Lee Valley Tools Ltd. P.O. Box 1780 Ogdensburg, NY 13669-6780 Phone 800-871-8158 Web site www.leevalley.com Lee Valley offers a wide selection of gardening tools and supplies.

Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply P.O. Box 2209 125 Clydesdale Ct. Grass Valley, CA 95945 Phone 888-784-1722 Web site www.groworganic.com Peaceful Valley offers an extensive listing of organic gardening pest controls, fertilizers, tools, and seeds.

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