Top Garden Tips for 2021!
Many of us spent far more time at home over the last year. For a lot of people, this meant rediscovering the joy of taking care of the yard and garden.
I don't know about you, but sometimes it can be daunting to watch a show on TV or some expert gardener on YouTube and then traipse into Home Depot or the local nursery and try to choose the right materials to reproduce anything like the gorgeous backyard paradise they just showed on the screen.
After a few attempts and watching a lot of money (in the form of plants croaking and turning brown) getting tossed into the compost bin, it seemed like a good idea to get some relevant information!
Here are a few ideas and resources to give you an advantage as you get spring underway outside around your home this year:
1). Go local. While it's fine to shop at the big box retailers with garden centers - and sometimes you'll find a real landscape expert running the checkout counter - your best bet is often to look for the local organic nursery or garden center. The staff at local nurseries are often dedicated gardeners with a lot of experience to share. Here are some things to look for in a great nursery.
2). Know your zone. The USDA has developed specific "hardiness zones" that can help you choose plants - perennials, annuals, grasses, shrubs, and trees - that are most likely to survive and thrive in each area. Each state can cover more than one zone! If you look on the little information tags in the plant pot, you'll often see the zone(s) listed. This information will guide you with dates for when to plant, as well. Here's a comprehensive guide to the planting zones for each state.
3). Have fun! As I shared in a recent newsletter, working with your hands in the dirt and watching things grow can have surprising mental and emotional benefits. In addition to creating outdoor living spaces that are beautiful and relaxing, getting reconnected with the vital circle of life can boost your spirits and give you an infusion of joy - especially when you share the experience with family members or a friend.
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