Calhoun County, AL – When new gardeners ask, “What do I need to invest time and money in planting first, in my landscape”? My answer is, “Perennials and heirloom plants”! Why? Because as time goes by, seasons turn into years and the original perennials you planted have created magnificent root systems. These perennial roots can be divided and relocated inside pots, raised beds, and used as gifts to other family members and neighbors. You always want to establish first in the yard: bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes. Be sure to draw in your garden journal a simple map with the names of the items that you plant. These maps survive when some of the plant tags do not. At family gatherings be sure to inspire family members to share heirloom plants that belonged to your Great Grandmother or other ancestry connections. At these family gatherings write down the plant names, and their colors, and be sure to list the nicknames that plants were called. One of my goals has been to share my mother’s garden heirlooms with my other family members. I write a description of the plant before I gift it to the family. These plant notes become keepsakes in the future. Another goal I have is to show photographs of dormant plants compared to when they are blooming. Why? New gardeners get discouraged as they struggle to plant a dozen items compared to a 25-year gardener having a thousand unique plants that bring joy every season of the year. Every gardener starts the same blank canvas in their landscape. Be sure to take before and after photos of your plant’s progress.
Betty Clark is a contributing writer. She has been an organic gardener since 1998. The signature flower she grows is Dahlias. She has a straw bale garden, a raised bed garden, and an in-ground garden. Both her surnames are agricultural farming families (8 generations). Her hobbies include ancestry research, antiques, continued education classes, and workshops. She also has a background in marketing & promotions including expos. To contact Betty Clark with gardening questions: [email protected]
