 Growing Gardens
with Julia Hancock
Know Your Garden
Taking time to get to know the foibles of our gardens can save us a lot of money and effort in the long term. There are several factors that should be considered when scrutinising your property with a view to planning a garden.
Obviously, the lie of the land is the most important - whether there are frost pockets in winter, boggy patches, areas that never receive any sun, hot spots that are difficult to keep watered, etc. Topographical alterations are an expensive and sometimes foolhardy undertaking and should be avoided in most situations, particularly if such work may disturb or endanger plant and animal species that inhabit the area.
Soil is both friend and foe to the gardener - few of us are blessed with rich, red, friable loam and have to cope with clay, rubble and pure sand. Putting energy into improving the soil, even if it is just in small areas to start with, is essential if good results are to be achieved. Compost, compost, compost has become a mantra to some of us, but it's a good thing that one can never have too much of.
Familiarise yourself with all the vagaries of your local climate. Although there seems to be no pattern to the weather these days, take into consideration wind and water flow to prevent disasters occurring to your plants and property.
Have a clear idea in your mind of what kind of a garden you want, and develop a plan that fulfils your needs. Don't grow plants you don't like just because they are trendy or your neighbour has given you a cutting. Be selective unless it's your life's work to collect one of everything for botanical reference.
Most importantly, be realistic about your own ability - both physical and financial - to construct and maintain your ideal garden. Don't burden yourself unnecessarily - a garden should be a solution, not a problem.
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