How to Choose Plants

Picking what plants to grow is not like picking what wine to drink.

While picking the one with the prettiest picture, or the coolest name might seem like a good idea, it does not always turn out well.

The first year I tried gardening, the only thing I could get to grow were jalapenos.

I didn’t know anything about gardening. I took the usual “Laura approach” and went in head first. No planning, no research, just determination.

Basil is an herb I LOVE 

I didn’t prep the soil, I didn’t water the plants enough, they were not getting enough sun…it was a complete disaster.

Blackberries from Megan! 

Looking back, it’s a wonder I was able to get anything to grow.

The next year I did much better. I learned from my mistakes. Also, I did a lot of research.

Here are three of the most important things I learned about starting a garden, vegetable or otherwise.

1.                   Learn about your soil. Not only PH, but how will it drains. I knew that my soil had lots of rocks, I assumed that meant it would drain well. That was not the case. I have about two feet of good soil, then it turns to clay. Clay = no drainage. Also, it is important to find out what parts get the most sun. I was going to have my vegetable containers on one part of the deck, but after watching how the sun moved across the deck I ended up moving them to the other side, because it got twice as much sun.

Apple tree, year 1 

2.                   Don’t plant things you don’t want or in the case of veggies, won’t eat.

Jalapenos for example, I like them, but I don’t love them. After I had my fill I started taking them to work and leaving them in the break room. Eventually even the people at work stopped taking them. This year I plated blackberries. I know that they are going to get huge and they are going to spread and take over the area. I have prepared and planned for this happening. If I done the usual “Laura approach” I could have gotten myself it into a horrible mess.

3.       Know you weaknesses. If you know you will not be able to spend a lot of time in the garden don’t plant something that is high maintenance, like roses.  Before the hubby and I were dating he bought a house that had three big rose bushes out front. He didn’t know how much extra care they require. Needless to say I had a fairly large project when I moved in.

~Laura

Baby grapes! 

What important gardening lessons have you learned? Let me know in the comments.