Everyone will have their own idea as to what a garden is, or should be. That is what makes gardening a bit of a challenge on times. The right answer for one, is not always the right answer for others. A garden is normally an individual statement about you. It is more or less impossible to find two gardens that are identical. How then do we cover the subject - How to Garden?
The one thing that that is common to the vast majority of gardens is the fact that most have plants such as shrubs,
Pink Penstemon flowers
Gardening seasons start and finish at different times each year! We do not intend to get involved in arguments about which month is in which season!
So, until we set up office at various places around the world, I ask you to treat this guide as a general idea as to what you should - or should not be doing - in your garden this month! The South of the UK is different to the North - (climatically) and our ever-increasing audience from the USA are well aware of the differences between states, and as such are ever-forgiving of some of what I write!
Gardening Tips and Ideas
The great thing about gardening - and having a garden is that it is generally your own creation. We are all different; we all have our own rules; all gardens are different; our needs as gardeners are different. And of course, every gardener will have tips on how to succeed.
So much is the difference, that offering or seeking advice is fraught with problems especially from afar, such is the case with this page! There are many simple questions asked about how to garden, but the answers are not normally as easy. Trying to write ten garden tips which are applicable to all types of gardening is more or less impossible. Here on this page we simply set the scene and provoke you to thoughts (hopefully), then follow up the details for the success rules for the different gardening sections.
Pink Penstemon flowers
Perennials are one of the most versatile groups of plants that can be used in the garden. Other than the range of colours in many assorted types of flowers, many perennials can be grown just for their foliage effect.
Most of the Perennials used in the garden are hardy perennials - even if they die down each year. They will be back the following year - more robust and with more flowers! That is why they are known as 'Herbaceous Perennials'.
Perennials have the widest range of foliage effects, so suited to all types of garden situations. They are economic - lasting for many years - often for the price of a single bedding plant, such as a geranium - or even a petunia.
Apples
Fruit growing in the average garden, is probably one of the biggest gardening Taboos! There are several reasons for this. The main one seems to be that growing 'fruit' is difficult and requires a lot of time and knowledge!
If those are your main worries that have stopped you from attempting to grow fruit, then your worries are over! Growing fruit in its various forms, requires no more knowledge than growing any other plant successfully.
Our definition of fruit, is simply something that can be picked off a plant and eaten - either in its raw state, or by cooking first. We are not going to get into the argument as to whether a Tomato is a fruit or a vegetable!
Anyone with any space whatever, can grow fruit. Apples and fruit trees can now be grown in containers on the patio - as well as in an orchard. Strawberries -yum yum - can be grown in a hanging basket or a window box even!
Vegetables
There has never been more incentive to grow some if not all of your own vegetables as at the present time. Environmental and economic conditions - and yes - a hankering for the 'good life' all add up to good reasons to Grow your Own vegetables!
Most important, is the part that vegetables (should) play in our diet general health. All animal life depends upon the eating of vegetation. Even carnivores have to eat fellow animals who feed on vegetation!
The growing of vegetables is not about 'goody goody' but about basic healthy eating and living. There has to be a stronger move towards eating vegetables - and fruit - if we wish to pursue a vital health well into our old age.
Container Gardening
Container gardening - or growing plants in pots - has seen a huge increase in popularity during the last ten years. The reasons for the increased popularity of growing plants in pots are many and varied. Container compost for pot grown plants have improved; the range of plants available for containers has increased; container gardening it is an 'easy' way to garden; you can have colourful plants nearer to the house etc etc etc.
Plants in pots and tubs also make for great colour photographs - the gardening magazines love them. It helps to 'brighten up' magazines and books. You can also have a 'container garden' wherever you want it to be, and change the containers round regularly.
