Lesson 2: Planning Your Garden
Your first garden! Filled with excitement, the impulse to run out to the nearest nursery, load the minvan up with plants and just dig in is downright irresistible! This lesson will help you get just the garden you want, for all the right reasons.
Let's Learn About Sun and Shade
All growing things, including shade loving varieties, are dependent upon light. Sunlight is a critical component of the photosynthesis of the plant structure.
When designing your first garden an awareness of where sunlight falls is a key factor in deciding which plants to select. Some plants thrive in full sun but others need partial shade to succeed. So, the first step is to discover what exposure you have on your lot.
This can be done very easily. Try waking up just before dawn one morning. Look out your windows and look for the direction the sun is rising in relation to your home. Since the sun always rises in the east, wherever the sun is facing is the eastern side of your yard. The western, or opposing side, will be the hottest area of your garden.
If you are still uncertain of your exact orientation, a compass can help you "map" out each area. In order to plan your garden wisely this needs to be done before the next steps can be completed.
A northern exposure is generally the coolest or shadiest side of your lot. But, in hot climates, this doesn't mean you can just select any shade loving plants. There are degrees of shade: dappled, partial and deep shade, as well as "warm" shade. Living in a hot climate would then call for warm shade plantings.
Understanding the light elements of your new garden will only increase your chances of creating a place of beauty and healthy growing life.
Planting to Save Energy
Most brand new homes are built to meet or exceed Federal energy standards. But even with a well insulated home, there is still room to reduce energy costs even more. If your air conditioning unit is attached to the side of your home, you can increase its efficiency and lower your energy consumption very easily.
One of the best ways to do this is by planting trees or shrubs near the unit. As they grow, they will create a natural shade cover for the unit.
West or south facing windows are great sources of natural light in the winter, while northeastern windows can become extremely cold. Planting slender trees like birch are excellent for shading and providing relief from harsh summer sun, while still allowing a filtered light through.
Northeastern windows should not have trees in front of them as they act as a barrier to any winter light trying to come through.
Trees are excellent windscreens and where prevailing winds are harsh, they are an effective solution. Combined with shrubs as the second layer of defense, they can help create a buffered quiet zone.
Water conservation is a huge factor in many communities. One of the most effective and least costly ways to achieve this is to use a drip irrigation system from the start. Combined with emitters and sprayers, you can create an energy-efficient garden that will save you hundreds of dollars and hours of effort. If you combine this with drought tolerant plantings, you will have created an ideal environment for your new garden.
