Details, Details, Details

Hardscaping First

It is tempting to jump right into creating the garden beds, but if you are working with a large design that includes driveways, pathways, or patio areas, you should start with hardscaping first.

The main reason I am recommending you start here is because of the cost involved with having hardscaping installed. The material is expensive compared to most plant material. It also takes time to install long pathways and large patios. Plan on it taking longer than you think.

Once you have your concept and planting plans completed, I highly recommend finding a contractor to work with that can create hardscape areas based on your plans. Things may change slightly depending on the material available and what the contractor can build — no worries. If it is a large change, redo your measurements and go back a step to adjust the planting plans. Then you can move on to the next step: soil.

Invest in Good Soil

Investing in good soil is probably the single best decision you can make when creating a new garden. The plants will be happier as a result and they will establish faster, giving you a better result. I recommend using a 3 in 1 garden soil mix when creating beds. It is simple and effective, giving your plants a good medium to grow into.

Depth is also important, as is the types of plants you are using in your design (think about growing space and pot sizes).

• 6 inches (15cm) is the absolute minimum for perennials (and will likely be somewhat tricky to install depending on your existing conditions and soil)
• 9 inches (~23cm) is better for planting perennials; 12 inches is fantastic
• trees and shrubs will require more: 12 inches (30cm) to 18 inches (~46 cm), depending on the size of the plant material used

What About Water?

You should have a plan in place for how you intend to water the garden before you do your site preparations (particularly if you are putting in a below-ground system).

My general rule of thumb is that you need to look after your new plants for at least three years while they get established. Trees may need to be looked after for even longer, depending on their initial size and what the growing season is like weather-wise year to year. If you live in an area that has recurring droughts in the summer, you will likely need to water every year.

How long should you water? That again depends on your site conditions and what your weather is like in a given season. Watering every second day for at least 30 minutes is a good place to start. Shady places will likely require less watering than sunny places (but not always).

If you are unsure, stick your finger an inch or two in the ground to check for moisture before and after watering. It’s not a glamorous way to check, but it gets the job done. If the soil is dry, you will need to water for a longer period.

A word of caution: the amount of watering needed will change as the seasons change. Don’t assume that watering for 30 minutes every two days is adequate or necessary throughout spring, summer, and fall.