Home and Gardening

Gardens can be a feast for the senses. However, beautiful gardens do not just appear overnight. They take careful planning and work, so it is important to consider some tips on starting a garden.

From a contained flowerbed in the front of your house to a floral retreat that spans an entire yard, gardens come in all shapes and sizes. A smaller, more contained garden offers a quick beautification of the space while also being easier to create and maintain. Gardens on a larger scale require more planning and cost much more money to begin and keep up. These gardens, on the other hand, can provide a much more dramatic impact when completed.

Once you’ve determined where and how big you want your garden to be, it is time to start considering the types of plants you would like to use. From bright, colorful flowers to creeping greenery, the possibilities are endless.

However, not all plants are ideal for every garden. There are a variety of factors to consider when picking out plants. The following are tips on starting a garden:

1. Sun/shade. Some plants flourish best in the sunlight. Others, such as hostas, prefer the coolness of shade. You must consider the location of your garden and pick plants that are best suited for the amount of sunlight your garden receives.

2. Water. While all plants need water to survive, some thrive on more moisture than others. If the garden is in a rainy climate, be sure to pick plants that are not easily drowned out. Likewise, gardens in a dry climate need to have drought-tolerant plants, such as the purple coneflower, that survive without much water.

3. Size. Though most plants are purchased in their infancy, they can grow to a range of sizes and shapes. Therefore, it is important to research just how big the plants will become. A well-rounded garden will have a wide range of plants, big and small, often planted in aesthetically pleasing layers to create the most interesting visual for the eye.

4. Bloom. Plants bloom at different times throughout the year. While some bushes may be green year round, others will die out in the fall. Similarly, flowers will bloom at different times. Some peak in early summer and then remain stagnant throughout the rest of the year. Some flowers, such as day lillies, might bloom all summer long. It is important to be sure you have picked a good variety of plants that bloom at different times so there is always color in your garden.

5. Perennial/Annual. There are two basic kinds of plants. Perennials will return year after year, which means they usually cost more upfront, but will not need to be replaced in subsequent years. Annual plants die off at the end of the season and must be replaced each year.

These tips on starting a garden are only the beginning of the journey. The real joy of gardening comes in watching your hard work blossom.