In this part of the country, a common thought among the green thumbs out there is that planting before Memorial Day is a big no-no.
That idea originated long ago when people thought the threat of a late spring frost would be over, so now that the holiday has passed, it’s time to get your hands dirty.
Maude Odgers, who is a professional garden designer and has cared for the town of Peterborough gardens on a volunteer basis for more than two decades, said it takes a lot of work to create a garden area that is consistent year after year, and the key is to start with something that’s manageable and branch out from there.
“It’s hard, so go slowly and think about what you really want,” Odgers said.
Often, Odgers said, she sees people who want a specific plant or tree, but it just doesn’t fit with their soil type or won’t get the necessary sun (or shade) that leads to successful growth – but they buy and plant it anyway with mixed results.
She said the No. 1 thing she tells people is to read the label when they go to a nursery. It might be disappointing when that shrub you had your heart set on just won’t work, but it’s better to find out beforehand than when it just doesn’t grow to its full potential after being planted.
“Have a plan before you go and have an idea of what you want,” she said. “It’s fine to do some on a whim, but you have to know it’s the right place for it.”
That’s where Abby MacFarland, owner of House By the Side of the Road in Wilton, and her staff come in.
MacFarland has been owner of the Wilton garden center since 1971, and over the years has gained plenty of experience when it comes to helping people pick out the right selection for planting and providing helpful tips to make your purchase lead to the garden and property space you’ve always wanted.
“We get pretty in depth because we want there to be success,” MacFarland said.
MacFarland said phones have made the process a little easier because people will come with pictures of their areas as well as plants they may like to try out.
From there, MacFarland talks about how much sun and shade the area gets, and whether it’s a damp area.
“People will just grab and go and not ask a lot of questions,” MacFarland said. “But we’re always here to help.”
When it comes to soil prep, Odgers said most people think it’s best to till up the soil and move things all around before digging holes and planting. But Odgers said there’s a new school of thought that you should not disturb your soil. That’s because it causes harm to some pretty important micro-organisms that have been establishing below the surface since the fall. There is, of course, the need to add compost to any planting area for those extra and all-important nutrients, but Odgers suggests moving things around just enough to incorporate the new material is all that is needed.
“The most important thing about gardening is having good soil,” Odgers said.
But there is one instance where you want to leave the compost out of the equation.
“If you’re planting a tree, you don’t want to add compost,” Odgers said. “Because then the roots will stay right there and you want them to go down vertically and out laterally.”
Now it’s all about having a plan, with the ability to adjust when necessary.
For the beginning gardener, the plan might be as simple as just wanting to start a garden. And that’s fine, Odgers said, but it goes back to making sure what you plant will work. Choosing the right vegetables for the soil conditions and sun-to-shade ratio is important to whether the harvest later in the season will produce anything you can actually eat.
While some plants like peas – in order to reach their full potential – would have already been started indoors and then transplanted to a more permanent spot outside, Odgers said its still the right time to get most of your vegetables in the ground.
Some people don’t have the space or time to start their own perennials or vegetables from seeds, which is why starter-plants from a garden center are a nice option.
“We really sell ones that are hardy for the area,” MacFarland said.
Once a shrub or tree is put in the ground, water is of the utmost importance, Odgers said. At least twice a week for three weeks is her rule of thumb until it’s established in the new environment. A common misconception, Odgers said, is that people think that a day of rain will replace a day of watering.
“It all helps, but I don’t count rain as a watering,” Odgers said. “Because it all depends on how wet the soil is.”
MacFarland agrees with the importance of watering the right amount.
“The most important thing, especially once we get into the hotter months, is water,” she said. “Everything that you’re planting now really needs water.”
So if you’re planning on leaving town, make sure you have someone who will be there to help care for your garden.
“We say water is the most essential job because if you over water something it will die, or under water it will die,” MacFarland said.
If you just bought a house – or let your gardens grow out over the last few years – and they need some TLC, there’s no time like the present to make some changes. But Odgers cautions against doing too much at one time. She recommends starting in one area and getting it into a workable condition before moving on. There’s no sense in trying to rip up every garden area and revamp it all at once.
“It’s hard to go slowly and think about what you really want,” Odgers said.
And even though the prime planting season is right now, Odgers said there’s no reason why you can’t work on gardens and plant throughout the year. Vegetables need a certain amount of time, but things like a new rhododendron or evergreen bush can be planted at any time. Just remember that the further into summer you get, the more watering to establish whatever you plant will be key.
“There’s nothing wrong with planting all season long, you just have to stay on top of it,” Odgers said. “Fall is also a great time to plant.”
Another thing to think about when choosing what to plant this year is what it will attract. Odgers said there are guides that are helpful when it comes to bringing birds, bees and butterflies to your gardens.
“Think about having a friendly environment for all wildlife,” Odgers said, while adding not the kind of wildlife that will eat what you’ve planted.
As the season goes on, keep up with maintenance, like cutting back and pruning right after things bloom.
And don’t forget the role that natural mulch can play, Odgers said.
“It’s a really important part,” Odgers said. It helps retain water, suppress weeds and when it breaks down, helps improve soil quality.