Learning The Gardening Basics

Learning The Gardening Basics

A Basic Shopping Guide For First-Time Gardeners

by Angel Kennedy

Landscaping a yard means choosing plants, shrubs and trees to provide color and interest. Shopping from a nursery means seeing what you want in a variety of stages and having a knowledgeable staff available for any last minute questions. Here are the stages, from the decision to delivery, of beginning the process of decorating a yard. 

Making a Decision

When just beginning a new landscape it is important to start small. Consider adding one or two trees or shrubs, a handful of blooms in the garden and fill a container for the patio or add a couple of window boxes as accents. 

Trees: When shopping for trees consider the scale and purpose. Trees should not dwarf a home, so select types that will only grow a few feet higher than the roof. Trees and shrubs will typically come with root balls wrapped in burlap. Look for items with fresh burlap to be assured it was prepared during the current season. The root ball should be round and not lopsided and the burlap moist with no new growth poking through the material. The trunk should be in good condition and the leaves or needles healthy.

Shrubs: Decide if the shrubs will be for ground cover or accents, as borders or for privacy. Evergreen shrubs maintain privacy year round and deciduous often include beautiful flowers that add to their appeal. Both require some trimming and leafy shrubs increase raking, so keep this in mind when purchasing. 

Flowers: When adding flowers choose a mix of annuals and perennials. The perennials reduce the investment and work in following years and the annuals make it easy to have some variety each year. The blooms on annuals typically last a little longer than they do on perennials. It is also a good idea to test the soil and choose flowers that thrive in this environment or correct the soil to match the type of flower that is preferred. It is also important to decide where the garden is going before making any purchases so the flowers that are chosen will survive in the shade, sun or combination that the area provides. 

Getting Them Home

Remember that wind and extreme temperatures will affect any plants. Cover everything with a tarp if using a truck to transport the purchase. Ask the nursery staff about delivery if a large number of plants were purchased. People that lack transportation or are concerned about getting items homes in a timely fashion because of the distance between the house and the nursery can consider the option of an online nursery. Most of these companies ship bulbs and bare root trees and shrubs that are easier to ship. They will typically wait until the correct planting time to ship, so the greenery will need to be planted as soon as it arrives. Reputable dealers pack and ship items safely and many will provide planting instructions or have a customer service department for more information. Their items are often priced a little higher than what local nurseries will charge but this is not always the case.

Novices that worry about wasting money by choosing items not correct for their yard or soil can contact local universities for assistance. Many colleges have extension programs that help people to test their soil, learn about the plants and trees that do best in the area and offer tips to help people avoid common mistakes. Local gardening clubs and the staff at nurseries also always have people anxious to provide additional advice to new gardeners. Places like The Flower Ranch can also help with your gardening needs.


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About Me

Learning The Gardening Basics

Once I bought my first home, I realized I wanted to dedicate a portion of the yard for a garden. I wanted to grow some fruits and veggies that I could use inside for cooking, but I wasn't sure how to get started. Fortunately, a neighbor of mine heard about my project and suggested a great continuing education class about beginning gardening. When I started going, I was overwhelmed, but I quickly realized that the information was valuable and interesting. Check out this website for details about the garden equipment and supplies you need to ensure a beautiful, bountiful garden.