by Jolene Ottosen for the Chaparral Green Thumbs
Garden Planning Tips
Whether you are in a newly built home or have decided that you want to do something new or different with your yard, developing your space can be a daunting task. When we moved into our home, both of our yards were mostly lawn with a few young trees, shrubs, and perennials. I should also add weeds to that list – there were a lot of weeds. While we were not starting from scratch, there wasn’t much. Over the years, as I got more and more interested in gardening, I have added to and enlarged the existing beds, planted a number of things, moved many of them later on, and am now, finally, starting to see a yard that looks more like what I want.
The biggest setback for me was the lack of a plan. I didn’t really have much of a budget to put towards my yard so I started to do what I could when I could, without a lot of forethought. I had empty spots, so I found or bought plants or seeds and just started plunking them in. Sometimes that worked and sometimes it didn’t. After a great deal of trial and error my yard is starting to look established and I have some plants I love, but I must admit that I have some strange combinations. A little planning would have gone a long way.
For those of you in a situation like mine, here are a few things to consider as you start planning your yard.
Use
What do you use your yard for? The bulk of most people’s yards are lawn. From an environmental point of view, a lush green lawn needs far more water and fertilizer than many other plants, but for some people, they are easier to maintain and if you have kids, they provide a good space to play. I always dream of a front yard full of perennials, but I know that I am not ready to maintain a space like that (I am not the most dedicated at weeding and deadheading), and we have kids who use our lawn. If all you want is lawn, then just have lawn. If you want more than lawn, think about how you want to use the space and then move onto the next consideration.
Sunlight and Zone
Be realistic when planning your yard. Be truthful with yourself about how attentive you are going to be and keep in mind the amount of sun your space gets and what zone you live in. No matter how hard you try, some things just won’t grow here.
Before you start your plan, take a good look at your space throughout the day and try to keep track of how much sun different areas get. Also consider existing plants both in your yard and those around you. Your neighbour’s small trees are going to grow, so think about how that will affect your yard. If a plant needs full sun, that means it needs at least six hours of direct sunlight for the entire growing season, not just in the middle of summer when the sun is at its highest. Part sun means at least three to six hours. Calgary’s zone has changed in recent years, we are now zoned 4a which means that most plants zoned for 2 and 3 will do well here, and many that are zoned for area 4 will too. Keep in mind that the zoning information that comes with plants also indicates what zones they have been tested in. If a plant that can grow well in zone three was only tested in zone four, the label will only say zone four, so talk to garden centre staff, but be aware that different centres will have more knowledgeable staff than others.
Soil Type and Moisture
While you are looking at light, look at moisture and soil type. Will you be planting in soil you brought in or is this what was here after construction? Again, be realistic about how much amending you can afford and are willing to do. Some plants are heavy feeders and need rich soil that is full of nutrients while other plants are the opposite and do better in poor soil.
The same goes for moisture. Where does this bed sit in your yard? Is it low and moisture tends to pool there or is it fairly high and therefore fairly dry? Are you willing to change the elevation? How much watering are you willing to do? Watering is my biggest issue. I really don’t like to use a lot of water from both an environmental and economic point of view, so I have rain barrels, but I also don’t always have time to be watering them by hand like that system requires. My goal for this year is to invest in two more barrels and to build higher platforms for them so that I can use a hose and get my watering done a little faster.
Budget
When I say budget, I am thinking of both time and money. Gardening can be both as expensive and time consuming as you want it to be. If you don’t have a lot of money work in stages and be ready for things to take time. Smaller plants and seeds are far cheaper than larger more mature ones but will end up the same size eventually if well maintained. Also remember to budget for the less exciting things like mulch, as that will keep your moisture from evaporating and will help keep the weeds down, which saves you time and money in the long run.
If you can only start with one bed, choose the area that will have the most impact for you. If having a lovely showcase at the front of your house matters the most, start there. If you care more about creating a space for you in the back, start there.
If you are moving in stages, however, do at least some maintenance with the less developed parts of your yard. My sister lives in a newer community in the NW and has spent the last few years combating weeds and pests of the four-legged variety that are flourishing in a number of the unkempt yards around her. To say that puts a strain on neighbourly relations would be putting it lightly!
Hopefully this has given you a few ideas and a place to start with your yard plans. Over the next few months Green Thumbs will be sharing more planning ideas with regards to plant budget tips, low maintenance choices, and native varieties.
If you are interested in more information about the garden, email us at [email protected].
