Tips for selecting landscape plants??

 


Hello

1. Size is everything. Mature plant size is the number one item people
tend to
ignore when selecting plants. Plants need a few years to reach
their mature
size. Often people don’t want to wait several years for a
landscape to fill in,
so they will space plants too close to each
other, or to the house, the sidewalk
or street. Space plants according
to their mature size, not the size they are at
the time of purchase,
and be patient.
2. Believe the plant tags. Plant tags are not just for marketing and
attracting
attention. They provide valuable information from the grower
that needs to be
noted by the buyer. These plant tags usually note plant
characteristics such as
mature size and spacing, as well as site
requirements such as soil type, light
and moisture.
3. Know your soil. Think of soil as the foundation of your landscape
and get to
know it by taking soil samples. The University of Minnesota
will test your soil
for a small fee and report what your soil contains
and is lacking. Select plants
based on your soil type.
4. Watch the sun. Consider how the sun moves across your landscape. A
plant
requiring “full sun” typically needs six or more hours of full
sun per day.
“Part sun” means about 3 to 6 hours a day, “full shade”
means the plant receives
no direct sun throughout the day. You may want
to sketch your landscape and note
the hours of sunlight that various
areas receive.
5. Locate plants according to water needs. Xeriscaping refers to
designing areas
of landscape that don’t require supplemental irrigation
and uses techniques such
as hydrozoning (grouping plants in a landscape
according to moisture
requirements), minimizing turf areas, efficient
application of water and plant
selection. Although we live in the land
of 10,000 lakes, gardeners and landscape
designers need to be diligent
about conserving water. Thinking about using less
water in your
landscape will lead to better plant choices.

Thanks for reading
Have a great day




--
colin11

 


colin11;870593 Wrote:

Thanks everyone,
Some of you have made it quite clear that you would move on.  I think
this is
probably the answer.  I will finish this year (can't be long
now!) and decline
to attend in the Spring.
Many thanks.
Boo




--
Boo

 


colin11;870592 Wrote:

soil. It may contain microbes or insect larvae that will hatch

> once it warms

up inside a cozy home. Instead, opt for bags of potting

> soil purchased at the

garden center. This soil is sterilized so that it

> contains pure soil and other

ingredients, but no harmful insects or

> microbes. Most commercial potting mixes

include a porous material such

> as vermiculite, the tiny white pebble-looking

things in the mix. These

> allow water to drain freely. Many also contain

fertilizers to boost

If your going for richer soil I recommend looking at
www.takesumi.co.uk. I found
it really useful restoring depleted soil
that was under a shed we have removed.

As for your decision it really depends on the depth of your pockets. If
you can
afford premium topsoil that's probably going to be better but
bulk bought soil
will, of course, be just fine. Then you'll have more
to spend on whatever you
plant! It's also important to remember that
microbes are an important part of
soil too, so I don't necessarily buy
into the sterile idea.




--
Maggie344

 


Maggie344;870745 Wrote:

www.takesumi.co.uk.

under a shed

can afford premium topsoil that's probably going to be better but

> bulk bought

soil will, of course, be just fine. Then you'll have more

> to spend on whatever

you plant! It's also important to remember that

> microbes are an important part

of soil too, so I don't necessarily buy

My advice, mix any "topsoil", the cheap version will do just fine, with
good
quality organic compost. About 5 to 1 is a good mix, thats 5
topsoil to 1
compost.

Don't worry about shrinkage, it will happen no matter what you do, so
you will
need to top up every year or two.

Most, not all, gardening plants and shrubs prefer a friable soil with
plenty of
food. Mixing organic compost with the topsoil will achieve
this.

Raised beds are a great way of growng gardening plants and shrubs.

And its the best way to grow vegetables, if ever you want to.

I've used this method for years on a heavy clay soil and the results
have been
1st class.

Good luck and all the best
Gardenjunkie




--
Gardenjunkie

 

Thank you, this site was very helpful!
wrote: