Planting Tips for the Beginner

Once the soil has been prepared and your plants have been chosen or reached the point where they can be transferred from flats of seedlings to garden beds, there are a few things to keep in mind as you get prepare to actually get the plants into the ground.

First, consider the conditions the plant will need, and the height and width the plant will achieve once it is mature. When we first started gardening, we went out and enthusiastically planted lilacs in the front and back yard, liking the look of the compact two and a half or so feet of greenery, as well as the profusion of delicately scented flowers. Within a few years, however, the shape and size of the lilac will be considerably different. Take this into consideration when planting trees (since they will add shade and potentially block views), as well as shrubs—even when planting perennials as well, since the taller plants may need staking or add shade which will influence what can be planted directly next to them.

Another thing to consider is the accessibility of the beds, as well as the areas within the beds where you have chosen to place the plants. If you have a perennial border, you can space the plants out a fair bit. Planting the same thing in large numbers (“mass plantings”) means that you can create unity and a visual flow, and spend less time planning than you would on a more complex design, where design principles might need to be consulted more carefully. In either case, it is a good idea to think about colour combinations before you begin. Some people like to get out colour charts (such as you would find at an art store) and plan things visually ahead of time. Other gardeners prefer to work on instinct, laying things out as they go. Either way, make sure you place the plants where they will go, while still in their pots, so that you can get an idea of the overall effect before you begin to dig. Remember also that most plants can be moved later, if need be. If you need to shift things around, check first to make sure that the plant variety will be tolerant to the move. It is best to avoid hot summer days when you make these kinds of changes—begin in the spring, or else wait until the fall for this kind of work, and make sure to water generously.