How to Plant a Garden

It would be interesting to find out how many plants actually survive when planted in the urban landscape. And beyond that how many actually thrive. Plants in nature have an advantage over those planted by man for a number of reasons.

Natural planting occurs as seeds and sometimes vegetative matter ends up in a favorable planting environment in terms of soil, light and water. This is why certain plant species flourish in different climatic and geographic zones.

When homeowners in search of the perfect tree or shrub walk the aisles at their favorite local nursery, they are often at a disadvantage once selection is made and their new purchase arrives home to await planting. At the nursery the product was professionally cared for intensely on a daily basis.

Disaster Often Follows once the Uninformed Homeowner brings his New Living Purchase Home, for the following Reasons

1. Plants are transported in open bed pickups during scorching summer conditions, which won’t kill plants but can highly stress, shred leaves, which can predispose bark tissue to sunburn and possible insect wood bore infestation.
2. Spring arrives and you dream of your future back yard – you can’t wait and impulsively buy plants before you’re actually ready for them. Purchase is made and product sits on the side of the home and receives improper care in terms of light and water.
3. Uninformed purchase was made on the basis of plants’ visual characteristics.
4. Life support in terms of irrigation, proper drainage and grading has not been installed or completed. Again, plants are often not cared for properly.
5. Garden sales entice homeowners to purchase plants before they are ready to plant.
6. Poor advice was given by unqualified nursery personnel.

The Following Advice Should be Helpful in Avoiding the Aforementioned Plant Pitfalls

It’s fun to check out the local nursery but resist buying and bringing plants home before they are ready to be planted. Installing a landscape is a process that should be done in methodic order as follows.

1. Design or conceptual lay-out on paper – Hire professional designer for full design, or consult with Certified Nursery-person as to plant selection
2. In-ground swimming pool installed if one is desired
3. Rough Grading
4. Patio and walks installed – Stub utilities for irrigation, drainage, electrical, and gas lines for BBQ or Fire-pit
5. Trenching and installation of irrigation, drainage, electrical, and gas lines
6. Trenches backfilled and water-jetted to avoid settling
7. Additional soil and compost delivered if needed
8. Final grade completed including mounded areas
9. Time to plant trees, shrubs and ground covers – have them delivered in protected truck
10. Low voltage light fixtures installed
11. Bark or other type ground cover laid out
12. Install sod, hydro seed or hand-seed grass seed

Please note that this order is not always followed, however this is in general how contractors work from start to finish.