Your first perennial(s) planted in 2024?
rouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)
12 days ago
last modified: 9 days ago
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rob333 (zone 7b)
12 days agolast modified: 12 days agorouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a) thanked rob333 (zone 7b)Related Discussions
First plant swap, new perennial bed, kinda confused
Comments (9)I worry about the weeds and am thinking about putting cardboard down and then mulch on top. You go with that idea but expect to replace it a year or two down the road. It's worked for me for the most part but it isn't the be-all and end-all of gardening--there are some weeds that will grow right up through the cardboard and mulch (ask me how I know this to be true). Still, it's been effective more than it hasn't in several of my garden beds. I understand putting the taller ones in back and making sure that everything is spaced properly. Don't lose sight of the truth that whatever you're going for is right for you but may not be right for another gardener (or what you're planting). I like the look of space between my perennials because that's the look that pleases my eye. What pleases your eye is what pleases your eye & you get to decide that on your own but the plants themselves will ultimately determine the look of your garden. Generally speaking, garden designs adhere to certain standard designs or patterns but they're not guidelines that are carved in stone. I took a huge, rectangular garden that existed before I moved here, divided it in half diagonally, stuck a granite garden bench in the center, curved the edges and laid a granite patio in front of the bench. Not the look the bed had prior to me having my way with it but to my eye it looks a lot more appealing than it did before. Did I buy a garden design book? Yep--bought several and while they gave me ideas, none of the formal gardens worked for my property. I ended up with what worked for me so I'll suggest you sit down with a drawing pad & sketch what you see in your mind. I don't regret doing that and am vastly satisfied with what I've achieved. Don't forget you'll have failures along with the successes. It's been the lesson I've had the most difficulty learning but the successes have mitigated the failures. There's SO much enjoyment when things return reliably year after year I'm reassured the plants I've worked to set in the ground truly are perennials and those that have disappeared are few and far between....See MoreWhat is your perennial plant's holding area like?
Comments (22)Did I really post this that long ago?!!? I got caught up in work and that and a lack of sleep have made my days blur. Now that I'm rested, and back to working only 6 days a week, ;) I can finally get caught up here, and get back to the gym! Thanks for all the replies. It's nice for my plants and me that we're not alone. Yes I occasionally talk to them. Is that part of anthropomorphizing, I don't know but that won't stop me doing it, anyway. :) Wow thats some pretty impressive holding areas. I hope to implement my plan immediately, and also incorporate some ideas from here. Eric_oh IÂm in the same boat, but even worse than you. IÂve had perennials hanging out for an embarrassing length of time, and the plants are suffering for it. Mxk3 I had an area like that, with even fewer hours of sun than you, and was going to use it as a holding area, but found myself mysteriously with a whole bunch of shade plants instead, lol. It IS my only real shade area of course, so I couldnÂt leave well enough alone. (GardenerÂs shrug). Bean_counter, I wish I had the room to make a large, larger, and never largest, lasagna bed, but I donÂt. It sounds perfect to me. Nancyd, I did just pick up a big self watering container, but think I'll make a few as well. The home made self watering containers are easier on my pocketbook. :) As for having a place for everything before buying, well that would put the kibosh on my spontaneous purchasing, and what would be the fun of that. :) I know, I know, I'm teetering on the edge of the hobby controlling me. I am not addicted!, lol. Donn thanks for the pics and descriptions. You have a great set up there. I never even thought of vertical storage,. I could so see getting a three tiered shelf unit and filling it with more plants on hold. My idea of heaven. Of course watering would have to be automated. So cool to picture that. Gardenchick, your area sounds wonderful, and I love plant shopping. :) Diggingthedirt does your not wanting to look at your holding area-com-pot ghetto, mean itÂs a problem. ;) I have ghetto guilt to btw, so youÂre not alone! From one ghetto guy/gal to another, maybe we should forgive ourselves and accept our ghetto ways, lolol. I will if you will. Seriously thatÂs why I asked this question. Guilt loves company. Athenainwi, my daughterÂs name is Alena, and your name reminded me of her. SheÂs leaving for Kenya soon, to plant trees on a nature preserve so IÂm thinking of her a lot right now, and worrying. I do the worrying so well, youÂd think I was born to it. I have to force myself to water this year. IÂm just too busy. The lawn is brown except for the dandelions, :(, and the plants are so neglected. Oh well thereÂs always next year. I hope some plants will stick it out till then. Diggerdee lovely home for all the plants. IÂm glad you mentioned the number 3 and 4 with the word years. I feel even less alone now. This is the reason I donÂt get into winter sowing. It is a nice cheap way to make lots of babies, but then the babies have to be planted and watered! I just donÂt have the time. Twrosz, lucky you, making a bed out of a holding area. I wish I could do that, but room is at a premium here, so itÂs not to be. Gardengal48 I think youÂve coined the phrase for me, Âheeling inÂ. I love it. Your holding area sounds great with the nursery tables. I have some very large wooden containers and love them as I donÂt have to kneel or bend over to tend them. I would love that for my whole garden as I age. Wendyb youÂre a plant sitter too? How interesting. Maybe thereÂs a job in there for someone. "Plant sitter, will sit at your garden or mine. $14 an hour. Includes watering and weeding. Do not do Greenhouse windows." ;) Thanks again for keeping me company, and giving me ideas, as usual. Yeona...See Morewhere do you plant your baby perennials?
Comments (17)I potted up about 150 perennial seedlings last year into small nursery pots, because there weren't enough garden beds ready when everything started sprouting. By the fall, only about 30 were still in pots and they are out there overwintering in the pot ghetto. Hope they make it okay. I planted most of them throughout the Spring-Summer-Fall, usually in little groups, 6-12 inches apart. I tucked them into existing beds and created new beds as the season went along. I expect to be moving many of them around this year, but I do that every Spring, even with mature perennials. A holding bed is a good idea, but I've never gotten it together to create a special holding bed. Surprisingly, quite a few of the WS'n perennials bloomed a little in the first year, especially if they were planted out early enough. The slower-growing perennials (like Baptisia) and perennial vines were still pretty small though....See MoreBest new plant(s) in your garden (2018)
Comments (35)RE: BLUE CHIFFON My experience is that it is not sterile, but it seeds much much less than other ones. I had a pink one that left hundreds and hundreds of seedlings. I think Blue Chiffon is so pretty it's worth the risk of a couple dozen seedlings. You can reduce the # seedlings by deadheading before the seedpods form. If you are late, you lose....See Moregardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
12 days agolast modified: 12 days agorouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a) thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)LaLennoxa 6a/b Hamilton ON
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