Here are my top 10 lessons learned from this past gardening season (Letterman style with the worst being #1):
10)Rabbits like Asters – not much more to say here … I’ve tried for years now to grow various cultivars cause their colors draw you in at the end of summer and inevitably they get chewed up good … NEVER AGAIN.
9)Stop wasting time/effort/money on planting tulip bulbs – the wet soil over winter kills them every time … hopefully planting them in pots in the garage over the winter will yield positive results.
8)Deadhead the Caryopteris flowers much sooner – for whatever reason my Caryopteris ‘Sunshine Blue’ reseeded beyond my wildest dreams all over my gravel driveway … had no idea this was a concern so hopefully I took action soon enough this past fall.
7)Accept the use of annuals – I have ignored annuals forever as I couldn’t justify their 1 year use – I became too obsessed with watching the progress of all the shrubs/perennials/grasses each year. Well consider me a convert now after realizing the benefit of using annuals as fillers in strategic spots and their obvious use in containers. I’ve grown to really like the various coleus cultivars … now let’s see if I can actually use them correctly.
6)The lawn is way overrated – I live on about 2 acres and used to pay someone to cut our lawn on a weekly basis. My bright idea was to finally purchase a tractor so I could control when and how high the lawn was cut. Well it takes me about 2 hours a week to cut the lawn and that time is way too precious. Other than allowing the kids a place to play, me no likey the grass. The effort vs reward ratio is way too low so I will continue to chop away at that lawn over the next few years.
5)Should have purchased more mature conifers – thankfully this year I discovered the awesomeness of conifers and the structure they bring to the garden. I mistakenly purchased too many of them way too small (about 12″) and it will obviously take them a while to grow to the point where they will make a statement. And knowing their mature size I placed them in prominent places in the back of the border so you can imagine how ridiculous it can look when all other plants are already at their mature size.
4)Be more realistic with available time – my scope this past off-season was way beyond any amount of time I would have … MUST STAY PATIENT … I spread myself too thin and never really focused enough on each mini project.
3)Remember the late Fall/Winter season is damn long so must do a better job of planting evergreens – early December through March my garden looks empty … and each year I know it but don’t do enough about it … the ornamental grasses have definitely helped but I need to add some smaller evergreens more strategically to up the winter interest … oh yeah … and I purchased a bunch of red-twig dogwoods this off-season so hoping that will help.
2)Really ashamed of this one – need to start composting – I know I know all the benefits … just need to friggin do it and reap the benefits … please don’t judge.
1)Accept the fact that I have really poor drainage – last winter killed about 10 boxwoods and numerous other shrubs/perennials because of the dreaded “wet feet”. I live in Hunterdon County, NJ and everyone always says “oh yeah you have a high water table there” … OK whatever that means … anyway I need to make sure the “likes wet feet” is included with each plant description. I have planted higher in the wet clay to hopefully offset the wetness … we’ll see.
Now you are officially allowed to judge/critique … I deserve it.
Our front yard is crying for your expertise and hopefully we can get started soon. Enjoyed your thoughts and am really excited that you will be joining the annual gang if only for fillers.
OK.. since you asked for comments I’ll give them..
1) Asters = Yes, rabbits and deer love them, but, you could always use Liquid fence on them..
2) Tulips = They are also a treat for deer. In fact, I hardly carried any this year in the nursery because no one wanted them last year. Bravo that you’ve planted them in pots. Why not start taking them inside and enjoying them inside the house (your wife would love it too I’m sure). They will bloom inside just as nice. Take them in every two weeks for continuous flowers.
3) Annuals = Congratulations on realizing the benefit these plants provide! While they may be an ‘annual’ purchase they are well worth their money. Take a look at my recent blog post on Creative Container plantings and tell me you wouldn’t want that kind of color. You can literally squeeze them into any area (can you tell my fortay is in the greenhouse area?) While we carry a great selection of annuals, you will also want to check out this greenhouse, http://www.greatswampgreenhouses.com they are in Meyersville, NJ and talk about annuals… WOW! (I used to work there too!) Need a deer resistant annual for full sun? FLOWERING VINCA is my number one annual. Looks like an impatien but a completely different leaf. Coleous is a great plant with a vast amount of varities… KONG is great (no I’m talking about KING – it’s the variety name) it has huge leaves.
4) Composting = If you want I can direct you to where you can view my Composting Seminar handout. We will be repeating this seminar this Spring for those of you who ignored the benefits of it before.. 🙂
5) Don’t beat yourself up about the boxwoods and the wet feet.. if you recall, our entire Spring/Summer & Fall was nothing but rain! We expect a lot of calls on the effects all that had on shrubs and trees this year. 🙁
That’s my 2 cents..
My response to your responses:
1)I do use Liquid Fence but admittedly didn’t keep up after all the rain last year. I may try some of the other options this year too … Irish Spring, hot sauce, radio playing (j/k).
2)Can I take the pots inside once I see signs of growth? Grew orange Parrot Tulips … my wife’s favorite.
3)I am going to make the leap to the Vinca this year for sure! 4)Will be there for the seminar for sure … time to take the leap … have plenty of space for it so no excuses
5)I think my problem is that I created a bed around my driveway (about 40 x 10), dug out the grass by hand (ouch) and it is lower then the gravel driveway so all water runs off there. Planted a bunch of grasses and Iteas so the excess water is not as much of an issue.
Hi John,
1) If you’ve been using Liquid Fence for a while, it may be time to change up your product line for sure. Changing your deer repellant every 6 months or so is good. It keeps the deer guessing and over time they will get used to the smell, taste of liquid fence (although, who would ever get used to that hideous taste is incredible – they must not have good noses). Try another deer repellant, but I think you’re better going stronger than the ole’ Irish Spring. While that was an old time favorite back in the day, the herds that pass through now will laugh at it unfortunately. Hot sauce, is a good thought also. You could also try laying Milorganite. Do you know about that product?
2) Yes, you can take the pots in when you see growth up more than 3″ or so. Then, you’ll have to start watering more frequently to promote the blooms and growth as I’m sure they’ve been pretty dry in the garage (which is a good thing).
Leslie