Here we are near the end of another year. While it is a natural time of reflection for most of us, gardeners also use this time to look back at their gardens to review what grew well, what did not, and dream about next year’s plantings.
I’ve already written about fall garden chores in earlier posts, but to quickly summarize, if you live in a part of the country which has a milder gardening zone, now is the time to finish any outstanding tasks such as removing and discarding diseased plants, mulching, and protecting susceptible plants which may be affected by the cold, and cleaning backyards and gardening tools. Of course, mother nature may have beaten us to the punch with the blizzard and deep freeze conditions she gave much of the country around the Christmas holiday. Nevertheless, the colder days still offer us the opportunity to remain “gardeners” even in the heart of winter.
- Take advantage of enhanced visibility. Now that your garden is dormant, take a look around. Are there bare patches where new plants or bushes might be planted next spring? Are there areas which are overgrown or too crowded? Any signs of erosion or areas prone to runoff? Are there spots in the garden that would be perfect for creating/enhancing wildlife habitats?
- Assess and analyze. Now that you’ve looked over your garden, review what grew well, what didn’t, then consider why. Too much sun? Too little sun? Too much water? Too little water? No matter what zone you garden in, each garden has one – or probably multiple – microclimate zones; those areas which are cooler/warmer, wetter/dryer, etc., than the rest of the garden due to their position relative to buildings, fences, wind shear, sun and shade, trees, elevation, etc. Also, don’t forget soil type. I always encourage new gardeners to take a quick, preliminary soil sample. You can do this at home with an inexpensive soil sample test (I bought mine from Amazon for about $12 a few years back), or you can take a small sample to your nearest agriculture or garden center who will analyze your soil for free. Knowing what type of soil you have and knowing what nutrients are present/not present makes all the difference in the world between a lush garden and a struggling one, no matter how experienced your gardening skills are.
- Dream, plan. Ah, to dream. Dreaming allows us to create the perfect future and nature is the perfect muse. In my mind’s eye I have created thousands of gardens worthy of paradise. Thanks to seed catalogs, gardening and wildlife books, and other online resources, you can often find me curled up next to the fire on cold, winter mornings fantasizing about next year’s gardens.
But while dreaming nurtures our creativity, planning tethers us to reality. Before you order those heirloom seeds, remember to carefully consider your growing zone, your budget, your physical capabilities, your time commitment, and the culture requirements of the plants you wish to grow. You may love peonies, but they need a period of cold dormancy to produce those heavenly scented flowers. Therefore, most varieties won’t do well in the deep south. Vice versa for tropical flowering shrubs in zone 4 Minnesota. Be realistic about costs and the amount of time you are able and willing to spend on your garden. Many beautiful, low-maintenance gardens can be created on a shoestring budget. However, some trees, shrubs, and plants can cost a small fortune and may demand more of our attention and protection in their early years.
Finally, while dreaming, please don’t forget our wonderful garden companions – nature’s wildlife – in your plans. Remember to include a variety of pollinator plants, such as zinnias, milkweed (this is the ONLY plant Monarch butterfly larvae eat), echinacea, asters, and lilies in your designs. And make sure to include shrubs, trees, perhaps a few rocks or logs, and water sources for safety and protection. Diversity in natural garden designs is what best supports bees, beneficial insects, birds, and a host of other nature’s creatures.
As we reach the final days of the year, please take the time to sit back, relax, and take satisfaction in all the hard work and pleasures you experienced while you worked in your garden. I hope your memories give you peace, joy, and hope, and may the new year bring you and your loved ones’ safety, good health, and beautiful, bountiful gardens.
