As December Rolls Round

A General Note on Planting

Planting time is here: Pre-frost, pre-ground hardening, pre-don't want to be outside anymore.

While it may seem odd to plant right before the harshest weather arrives, getting those plants in and giving them a bit of time to establish before dormancy sets in is an almost fool-proof way to ensure success for your plants.

A quick jaunt down to the garden center may reveal plants with minimal top-growth, a small rosette of leaves, and , gasp, a lack of flowers, but the well-planned gardener never goes to the garden center without a list... and so will never be disappointed. Besides, there are too many temptations which can sidetrack even the best planting intentions- and it is better to spend on what you really want, a long term investment in an all year-round garden, part of a well- thought out plan, than to spend unwisely on a few plants of the moment which will be here today, but gone tomorrow, and will probably not work long term in a greater planting scheme. This is how pinks and yellows end up getting mixed in a glaring, harsh companionship.

Going with a plan can help you avoid choosing the wrong plants for the wrong places, and instead, choose the right plant for the right place. Taking something (or someone for that matter) and rehoming them in an unsuitable place- whether for reasons of sunlight, soil, or surrounding competition, can only lead to sure failure.... a kind of fish-out-of water metaphor. Going with a plan will ensure that the "pretties" which are normally set out front do not beguile you with promises of long-term, healthy and happy relationship, that undoubtedly will only be a failure to keep that promise.

Armed with a plan, a list of what you want, you will be able to look past the lack of flowers, height, and pizazz of the annual temptations. Plus, if the nursery does not have what you need, you could request that they locate a preferred plant or suggest a perfect substitute.

Knowing what you want and not settling or becoming distracted by "what looks good now" will ensure you have a garden which will not have a single bloom season, but interest for many seasons- remember you will be looking at this all year round...

Next segment: What to Put on Your List