One of the most important decisions you’ll make is what plants to choose for gardening. Unfortunately, picking the wrong plants can be a costly mistake and cost you time and money. So whether you’re a beginner gardener or an experienced green thumb, read on for some helpful tips on picking the right plants for your garden! This article will discuss how to pick the right plants for your garden. We will cover everything from choosing the right plants for your climate to selecting plants compatible with your soil type.
Contents
Assess The Size Of Your Outdoor Space
Plants need room, and if you don’t provide them with their piece of territory, there may be hell to pay. Start small by measuring out the size of your garden plot with a tape measure, a sheet of paper, and a ruler. Consider how much, if anything, you’ll need to make a good impression by taking measurements of your existing space and comparing it to what you can anticipate with a planned garden layout.
This is a crucial first step to allow you to make choices about scale, furniture, and other hard-standing or lawn issues. Then, once you’ve sorted out your facts and figured out how much area you have to develop things and where you want your garden borders and beds to be, you’ll know what you can accomplish with your plan.
Check The Sunlight and Shade Conditions In Your Garden
Different plants need different amounts of sunlight to grow, and it’s essential to know how much sun your garden gets before picking out your plants. Note the areas in full sun, partial sun, and full shade. If you’re not sure, spend a day observing your outdoor space at different times of the day.
Once you’ve determined the amount of sun your garden receives, you can start to pick out plants that will thrive in those conditions. For example, if you have a garden that gets full sun all day long, you’ll want to choose plants that need lots of sunlight. On the other hand, if you have a garden mainly in the shade, you’ll want to select plants that don’t need as much sunlight.
Choose Suitable Plants For Your Climate Zone
Another critical factor to consider when picking out plants is your climate zone. Every plant has a specific climate zone that it is best suited for. Visit the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to find out your climate zone. Once you’ve determined your climate zone, you can pick out plants suitable for your area.
For example, if you live in a climate zone classified as “warm,” you’ll want to choose plants suited for warm climates, such as succulents and cacti. On the other hand, if you live in a climate zone classified as “cool,” you’ll want to choose plants suited for cool climates, such as ferns and mosses.
Select Plants That Are Compatible With Your Soil Type
Another critical factor to consider when picking out plants is your soil type. Not all plants grow well in all kinds of soil, so it’s essential to select plants compatible with the kind of soil you have. To find out what type of soil you have, take a soil sample and have it tested.
Once you know what type of soil you have, you can start picking out plants compatible with your soil type. For example, if you have sandy soil, you’ll want to choose plants that are suited for sandy soils, such as cacti and succulents. On the other hand, if you have clay soil, you’ll want to choose plants suited for clay soils, such as azaleas and rhododendrons.
Garden Visitors
Slugs are only the tip of the iceberg. The goal is to keep visitors from going far past slugs into your yard. Ensure that you can protect your plants while keeping visitors out of danger. Consider any poisonous kinds that may be harmful to your or a neighbor’s cat or dog, such as lilies, while developing your garden ideas. In addition, consider any pets that may dig up or chew plants, such as foxes, badges, or rabbits, who will use your garden as a part of their habitat/normal stomping ground.
There are many different types of plant life, such as flowering vines like morning glory or honeysuckle, which can attract various beneficial insects to your garden. If you know you have hedgehogs, birds in the yard, bugs, and more, consider adding a water feature to your garden.
Plant In Numbers
When planting trees and shrubs, always leave enough space for them to grow – at least two feet around small plants and five feet around large plants. When filling in a border or bed, always plant in odd numbers. This looks more natural and pleasing to the eye, but it also helps avoid creating ‘plant islands’ where pests can easily assemble.
Make sure that you don’t overcrowd your garden with too many of the same type of plant; this will make it easier for pests and diseases to take hold. Instead, try to mix different plants to all benefit from each other.
Think Low Maintenance But Visually Stunning
Finally, always remember how much time you have on hand and wish to devote to maintaining your garden planting ideas to keep your outdoor space looking its best. There are several low-maintenance garden ideas for people who want a self-sustaining garden. Topiary, for example, is straightforward to maintain, and box plants require clipping once or twice a year.
Choosing easy-to-care-for choices that provide visual intrigue and intriguing focal points while also providing a nice sound backdrop to any planting design is a great way to add interest. Also, suppose you tend to forget to water your garden, select comfortable plants without being watered too often. In that case, lavender and pelargoniums are excellent choices and shamrocks. However, if you’re a beginner, roses may be too difficult.
Conclusion
The best way to pick the right plants for your garden is to consider all of the factors that will affect plant growth in your specific garden. By considering climate, soil type, and garden visitors, you can narrow down your options and choose plants that are more likely to thrive in your particular environment. And, by thinking about things like aesthetics and maintenance requirements, you can ensure that you end up with a garden that you love spending time in. So get out there and start planning your dream garden today!
