 
No recreation costs so little
or gives so much fun and satisfaction as gardening.
A few dollars and just a little bit of ground starts you.
 Green Thumbs Up
When I was growing up, it always seemed that my parents were in the yard.
Either landscaping the front, or planting a vegetable garden in the back.
So it became second nature to me to want a garden along the front of my house.
When we moved to Texas, I was shocked that every house looked the same. The area
along the front of the house was bare, with not much grass and just plain blah!
I wanted it to feel like back home, as if I was back at my parents house, so out came the gardening tools!
I am proud to say that in the year 2000 my yard was absolutely gorgeous! I had people
stopping in front of my yard, (I live on a corner lot), looking and asking questions
and complimenting me. Most of my garden was foliage, with very little flowers. I can't wait to get digging
this year.
Wanna Garden Too??
Well if you have dirt you can certainly have a garden. First thing you must do is know your
gardening zone. I live in Texas and that is a zone 9. When I first came here from Canada I did some
searching on the net for zone 9 flowers ect. I didn't follow all the rules to gardening...lol.
Some flowers are for zone 7-9 and they required part sun or shade. I chose shade, only because
Texas is so hot during the summer I would have hated for my flowers to die. Even full sun plants I planted in areas
that got morning sun and shade during the heat of the day.
The most common rating system is the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map,
and this is the map they’re referring to when a plant description says
"Hardy to Zone 5". The USDA map breaks the country into 20 regions based on the
average minimum winter temperature. If a plant’s hardiness is rated to USDA Zone 5,
then the plant will usually survive in regions where winter temperatures get no colder
than minus 20 F. A plant rated to USDA Zone 9, on the other hand, will survive over winter only
in regions where the temperatures get no colder than 20 above zero.
Once you know the zone you are in, pick an area you want your flower bed to be. I watched my area
before planting to see exactly what sun it would get and for how long.
You Got The Spot
Now don't be in too much of a hurry to build a monster garden. If you're not sure, start
off small and increase the size later in the season or perhaps the next planting season. It is easy to add to a garden if you want, but trying to
downsize sometimes can be a pain. Here are some tools you will need:
- shovel
- hand trowel
- rake
- hoe
- gardening gloves
- hose
- yard waste receptical
Can You Dig It
Start out by digging the outline of your garden with the shovel. Personally, I made a horizontal line along the length of
my garden and then I cut vertical slices making it easier to turn the dirt over and remove any grass or weeds.
(make sure to shake all dirt off of grass clumps) Now your garden should be grass free and all dirt turned over in big chunks. Take your hoe, (or shovel)
and start breaking down the dirt. I like to add top soil and peatmoss, (to help retain moisture), to my garden
and I mix it real good as I break down the soil. Prepare your planting beds well and your garden will thrive. Loose, crumbly earth that lets
in air and moisture and doesn't become waterlogged will encourage plant roots to develop.
You Made Your Flowerbed,
Now Its Time To Lie In It
Got your flower bed ready? Now you need plants!
Before you start planting your actual flowers, you need to decide if you will use any type of
edging around your garden. If thats a yes, then make sure you have it in place before you start planting.
There are many places to get your plants, whether it be Wal-Mart or a local grower or even seeds. But make sure you
know exactly what you want to plant.
Plants can be classified as either annual, biennial, or perennial.
Annual plants live for only one growing season, during which they produce seeds,
then die. Familiar annual plants include impatiens, zinnias, and sunflowers.
Biennial plants, such as some types of foxglove, live for two growing seasons before
setting seed and dying. The term perennial is reserved for plants that live for more
than two years.
  
Ok now that you know some facts, it's time to go shopping for plants. Keep in mind the size of your garden
and look on the flower tag to see planting instructions. Also think color, if you can dress yourself
every morning you can plant a garden that is well dressed :)
Flower Power!
In this step I prefer a hand trowel to plant. First thing I do is plan where the flowers will go
by placing the pots on the soil in my garden. This will give you a great visual. Once you have the arrangment
the way you want it remove all plants from the pots and place them where they are to be planted.
**NOTE** Careful when removing the plants from there container. Their root systems are very fragile. :)
Tap the container on the sides to loosen the dirt and slowly pull each plant out.
Start at one end and dig a hole approximately the depth of the container the plant came in, then take the
seedling from the container and loosen the soil gently before placing it in the ground. Be sure not to
press too hard around the base of the plant. It needs good oxygen to grow and some flowers request you
don't smother the base of the plant.
Now your garden is planted, pat yourself on the back!! But wait! Get the hose cause this rounds on you!
you must water your brand new garden. When watering use a gentle mist, you don't want to use direct jets as they can dislodge your newly planted
flowers. :) Give your garden a nice drink and relax. You will see the benefits of this days work in only a short time.
To Mulch or Not to Mulch
Some folks believe that any type of mulch will attract pests and unwanted visitors to your garden. As for me
I believe it gives my landscaping a professional touch. There are many mulches available in your local nursery.
It's your choice, but be cautious of free mulches from your city maintainance department. Most times this
mulch is made up of trees that the city cut down due to illness.
Ready, Set, Watch It Grow!
All set. Here are a few more things you need to know
now that you have your garden set. There is a little maintainance required.
First it is best to water in the early morning. (not right before the heat of the day on sunny areas because this will
burn your flowers) I water mine around 7am with that morning coffee. Not that you have to water at 7am, but I suggest
you water early before noon. **NOTE** Some top greenskeepers suggest always watering before noon to promote the best growth of grass
as well as plants flowering or not. Watering at night promotes mold and mildew.
Weeding your garden is a must, so pull your weeds making sure to get the root out, but never pull weeds after a rain.
If you pull them after a rain, they will only grow right back. There are also many weed preventing
products on the market that can assist you. Feed your garden once a month. I feed my garden plant food. There are also
many products that can assist you. Be sure to read food labels because some are made for specific plants.
And last but not least, remember, if you have flowering plants, to pick or top the dead flowers so that the plant may bloom again.
 Take Out Gardening
For some people, container gardening is an only resort due to apartment living, and some folks just like
containers on the back patio. There is a wide variety of containers avaiable from window boxes to
urn style planters. (Hanging Baskets are about the same) Mostly all the same rules apply when it comes to container gardening.
However the biggest concern is drainage.
Choose whatever style you like, and purchase some gardening soil, bedding plants and a few rocks and you're on your way.
When I plant window boxes I try to purchase ones with drainage holes. If there are none in the containers
you buy, you can do one of two things. Either line the bottom of the pot with rocks, or drill some holes for drainage.
Once again it is important to know your Zone for gardening, and pick plants that do well in containers.
Most plant tags will let you know if it is meant for containers. Try not to over crowd, and plant what your heart desires.
**NOTE** Terra Cotta pots require watering more frequently due to its pourous nature.
*Suggestion* I usually do a 5 single seedling per container guideline when planting. Border plants (low lying) along
the outside and a rising plant in the center. Its great for height and very decorative.
Well I hope I answered all your questions,
If not, I have provided links below for all Gardeners.
Burpee Seeds and Plants
On-line gardening school, ordering and designs maps
Cormaic's Gardening Guide
List of layouts, as well as list of plants and how to care for them
On-Line Gardening Magazine
I will be adding more links soon :)
 
Please continue your journey through the Crouse House
 
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