When I first came to Georgia twelve years ago, I quickly discovered that the plants I loved and grew in Ohio didn't work with the soil and climate of Georgia. Instead of fighting a losing battle, I decided to use plants native to the area. They thrived and worked well with the different kinds of wildlife in the area. If you'd like to transition to native plants in your landscape design, here's how to do it:
1. Assess your site. Figure out drainage and sunlight exposure. Determine nutrients in your soil by taking soil samples. If needed, add organic material like compost, or topsoil, preferably to a depth of 6-8 inches.
2. Plan your design. Group similar plants together by their water and sunlight needs. Plant taller plants in the back and shorter ones in the front. Use a variety of plant types that will provide year-round interest.
3. Select native plants: Trees, shrubs, perennials, and grasses. In my area, White Oak, American holly, Eastern White Pine, oakleaf hydrangea, black-eyed Susan, purple coneflower, sunflowers, switchgrass, and river oats work well.
4. Remove invasive, non-native species.
5. Mulch and water.
6. Plant to attract pollinators: milkweed for monarchs, bee balm for bees...
7. Maintain properly. Allow plants to reseed and spread naturally.
8. Use local resources. Your state probably has organizations and plant societies dedicated to native plant gardening. You can look for them online.
Today's IWSG question is: If you could sit down and have an adventure, fight, or enjoy a beer or wine with a fantasy character, who would it be? Dumbledore from Harry Potter. I wouldn't want to fight him, but it would be cool to have an adventure with him or sit down and chat. He's such a cool, wise old dude. Who would you choose?
Gardening tip: You can soak dish sponges in water and put them at the bottom of your potted plants to help them stay hydrated. Do this before you add the soil.
Clever tip.
ReplyDeleteHarry Potter characters are very popular today.
Black-eyed Susans grow very well here, too. So do green beans!
ReplyDeleteHi, Sherry!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that tip about using a soaked dish sponge to hydrate containerized plants. Last fall, Mrs. Shady and I had a garden plot installed in our backyard and planted quite a few native shrubs. To our delight, their blossoms and berries attracted pollinators. Our specimens are now starting to bounce back from the harsh winter we had up here in the north. We had prolonged drought most of last year. I hope this year I won't need to do as much watering as I did then.
Take care, dear friend Sherry. I think about you often.
Good spring April post. We are actually looking at native grasses and plants for our backyard. I finally convinced my husband to go water wise. I'll no doubt post once it's done.
ReplyDeleteA Harry Potter adventure would be fun. I don't read much other fantasy, so not up on characters. Too much futuristic stuff is rather bleak - I'm not a bold brave one. Ha.
Take care!
I liked your sponge tip for garden pots. Thank you! Dumbledore would be a fun one to hang out with.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to use that sponge tip now with all my pot plants. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry, awesome tip about using the sponge.
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry - wise post ... and just enjoy the peace of your garden. I think I'd enjoy spending time with the Mousehole Cat - he's a cat - book written by Antonia Barber - I'd be in Cornwall, with the fish market on my doorstep and wonderful scenery - good walks ... can't think of a character! - Cheers Hilary
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