Hints for your Georgia garden!

19/06/08 00:14 Filed in: Gardening Hints & Tips

Georgia Garden Hints
Instead of think of plants as drought tolerant, it by far better to think in terms of plant management ie putting the right plant in the right place. This involves first selecting the correct plant either for the shade, slope, type of soil, temperature, light, pest tolerance etc. Then thoughts should be turned to soil amending and mulching. Correct watering of the plant depends on whether it’s newly transplanted from another part of your garden. Once a plant is established and this can take anything from 1 – 3 months most plants can withstand a drought situation because they are in a specific landscape microenvironment.

An example of this is the Burford Holly which is perfectly happy in full sun or partial shade. However, if placed in the shade its flowering/berry potential drops drastically and also the condition of the leaves changes.

Care of Newly Transplanted Plants:

Summer is definitely not the time to transplant plants. Sometimes, though one has no choice. If you follow these simple rules, you will have a chance of success.

* Water the plants the day before moving
* Try to transplant when its overcast or during the cooler evening hours
* Water plant before removing from pot, making sure the soil adheres to the roots
* Do not leave exposed plants lying around in the sun whilst you dig holes.
* Water the hole before inserting plant
* Insert plant and water until the water fill the hole half way. Once settle fill with remaining soil
* Firm soil gently and re-water whole plant, including leaves
* If possible, shade plant for the next couple of days from the sun
* Check plant for the next couple of weeks, watering daily

Newly transplanted trees also can be stressed and regularly watering can go a long way to becoming established. However, mulching is a very important aspect in its maintenance. This should be applied to a depth of at least 3” of composted mulch (ie pine bark, leaves, wood chips etc) extending from the base of the tree but not resting on the trunk out to the drip line (ie the end of the tree’s branches). Mulching helps conserve moisture, control soil temperature, helps eliminate weeds and protects the tree from machinery.

Here are a few ideas to provide color/interest for your garden:

Lantanas

Purple Coneflower

Mexican or Texas Sage

Knockout Roses

Crape Myrtle

Varigated dwarf Bamboo

Million Bells - evergreen

Sue Trinrud
Vision-Landscaping of Athens Georgia
GA Green Plant Professional
Athens, GA
Sue Trinrud is a GA green plant professional!

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