Example: NYC’s growing zone is 7. Whenever you are purchasing plants, always look for the growing hardiness zone located on the tag.
What is your hardiness zone?
Knowing what your hardiness zone for your area is of most importance before beginning any planting project. There are several ways to search and find your hardiness zone. One and the most popular is using your browser. Search the internet, go on Google, Yahoo, or Bing or any of the search engines available to you. You can also use the map I have provided for you above to find your hardiness zone, or go to the link provided, USDA hardiness zone finder. Keep in mind that in recent years the USDA, has created sub categories to each zone. Now each zone is sub-divided such as 7a and 7b. An example of this is NYC is 7a while parts of NJ are 7b. This makes for easier of vegetation being planted.
During the downtime and before the first signs of spring, it is good to do some spring cleaning around the garden. Cleaning the tools is essential before using them again. In an empty spray bottle; add two parts water to one part alcohol. This spray will kill the spores of anything the plants may have had the previous year. Using linseed oil or WD-40 will prevent any rust from forming on any tools. Then store the tools in a dry place or wherever you keep the gardening tools. Now the gardening tools are ready for the new planting season. Use an Emory board, or a sharpening tool designated for sharpening pruners or gardening tools. Make sure that you keep the garden tools clean and sharpened, and free of any rust. It is a good habit to get into.
Garden plans for each job are imperative. After a client has given me the go-ahead, I sit and draft a floor-plan for the garden. In it, I usually include my suggestions. In the garden plan is a list of materials to be used. Such changes may include a sitting area, new garden containers, irrigation, lighting, and plants. When a job is completed, I hold-on to the garden floor-plan for future use. Each year the months of December, January, and February are typically the slow periods. I take the time to get caught up with clients. We speak about what has worked. Floor-plans, for the garden and photography, are used to improve areas that the client would like to change. What should we do differently this year? How can we improve the garden this year? Use new colors and styles of annuals and perennials.
On previously planted gardens, we use the floor-plan to make changes to the present year’s garden. Here we are suggesting more colorful shade perennials and ground covers, as well as less annuals. A new water feature and a new container in the back of the garden.
Why I hold-on to garden floor-plans
A few seasons ago, a client decided to change all the containers. She wanted something more understated. That gave us a reason to change the garden around. We began by making an inventory of the plant material on hand. After deciding on a new garden container to be used, we decided which route we would take the garden. We chose to use more flowering perennials and reduce the use of annuals.
