Newsletter3

Well, I started out today by scanning the internet for useful links
regarding garden planning. I was hoping to find a site that had an
actual map that you could customize online and make into a portrait of
your yard, then you could fill in the plants you wanted and surprise, a
new garden! But as time ran short and I wanted to get this newsletter
out today, I could only find 1 simple one. It looks cute if nothing
else. You can find it at:
http://www.gardenerspath.com/gardenplanner/

I also got to thinking, "Hey, this is Spring Cleaning time" and fell
across a great site for organizing EVERYTHING, with free tips and lists.
Check this one out at:
http://www.listorganizer.com/

Time for this weeks newsletter on planning your garden. You'll find a
lot of what-if's at this stage. What if I changed that bare area into a
shade garden? What if I moved those bushes over to the side of the
garage? What if I just don't have the time this year with the new baby?
It all comes down to one thing-PLAN IT OUT ON PAPER! Clear off the
kitchen table, get yourself some plain white paper and some graph paper,
and make a list of all the things you want to do in your garden this
year. Then make a list of all the things you'd have to do and shop for
to make all your great ideas happen. Is moving that big bush really
going to be worth it, or is putting extra effort into a new herb garden
more practical? Once you have put it all down on paper, it is so much
easier to pick and choose what you can realistically do this year. If it
makes you feel better, make next years list while you're there, so you
can feel better about putting off some things you want to do but realize
this isn't the year to do it.

Time for the graph paper. Now, I am no artist, but I try my best to put
down rough lines where everything in my yard is. Then I laugh at my
drawing. Next I identify the type of areas I have to work with. I happen
to have a little bit of everything, a shady area, a full sun area, and a
dappled shade area. It makes for an interesting variety of plants. Have
you decided on colors yet? What about an English cottage garden this
year, or maybe an all white garden with evening blooming moonflowers? I
found a great site for picking out plants just right for all your areas.
Just fill in their questionnaire regarding amount of sun you have,
whether you want to start seeds indoors or direct seed, etc, and in
seconds they'll give you a huge list of plants that fit your needs. Try
it!
http://www.burpee.com/gardenwizard/gardenwizintro.asp?

Another great source of free information I've found is my local
nurseries. They take such pride in their work and they love to give
advise above all else. Use this valuable resource to find out what is
best for your yard. Bring your drawing with you! Shade in your full sun
areas one color, your shade another color and so on. They will really
appreciate looking at your drawing rather than trying to picture your
yard in their head in between other customers.

As you begin to select plants, consider your climate zone. Find out how
large the plants will become in a few years. For flowering plants,
consider their colors, height, and the time of year they blossom. Put
tall plants behind short ones so the short ones aren�t shaded. Plan your
garden to have continuous color from the first flowering bulbs of early
spring to hardy mums in the fall.

Why not try a series of raised beds filled with topsoil? Or if you have
a hillside, why not use railroad ties or 4x4�s and make a tiered garden?
They look great with bonsai mixed in here and there, and large
differently shaped rocks to let rock cress climb over and hang off of.
Go to a used book store and buy some used gardening magazines and cut
out pictures of what you want, then focus on how to make it happen. Want
to start right away? Here is a nice site for seeing what you might be
able to do in your garden right now, just fill in the blanks.
http://www.chestnut-sw.com/growform.htm

Once you have made your decisions, all it takes is the determination to
see it through. Whether this is the year you start gardening for the
first time or you�re a seasoned gardener looking for new ideas, I will
try to help you every step of the way. Future newsletters will include
container gardening, composting, interplanting, vegetables, herbs,
perennials, lots of different topics. What would you like to read about?
E-mail me at: [email protected] and let me know!
Happy Growing!

DBS