Apr
2008
Home gardens normally have space limitations. For a home gardener the ‘space-management’ becomes an important feature. Well planned gardening strategy is required which should be oriented according to seasonal aspects along with several other criteria.
Selection of plants therefore becomes one of the most important aspects of this gardening strategy. Because of limitations pertaining to space you might be often facing indecisiveness as what you should plant in your garden.
There are several alternatives available but they often create a big confusion as which one is the most suitable for your needs. In order to arrive at a final selection you will have to adapt certain specific alternatives, tools, and methods which are your need specific.
There are some common strategies that the gardeners across the world apply. You must have visited several nurseries looking around the plants you should have in your garden and you could have felt quite uncertain as which plant would be more suitable and will do well in your yard.
One good way for you could be to approach professional horticulturists at local nurseries or garden centers. Professional horticulturists and gardening experts are also available at many online nurseries now days. These professional horticulturists would happily answer your queries and would help you out in selecting the right plants for your garden.
While taking help from these sources you should never forget taking certain precautions. One of the most common psychological aspects that affect normally every gardener ending up in wasting time, energy, and money is “Impulsive buying”. This is one such psychological behavior that you must be wary of.
Plants that bloom that week normally feature on the list of garden centers because these plants sell well this way. A plant that is looking great and fascinating in the nursery may not be fit for your garden. So be careful and extra-cautious while choosing the plants.
Many experts have designed several types of pre-defined tools and resources for gardeners that they claim to serve the basic purposes. These tools are definitely advantageous and if you take help of these specific pre-defined tools then it is more likely that you will end up selecting the most suitable plants for your garden.
It is always advisable that you must have a complete knowledge about the growing conditions of your garden. This includes all possible aspects like soil quality, watering facility, sunlight, and several other related aspects. This preparation based selection of plants would help you in selecting the right plants for your garden.
In order to derive more benefits it is even better if you are well equipped with plant reference books, reputed internet resources including good informative websites on gardening, local public gardens , and the universities having agriculture, horticulture or related Departments.
You may find it beneficial to have a check whether your local land-grant university has any coordination with the horticulture cooperative extension service covering your area. You can check this online as well. You could also explore establishing an access to respective plant database, ongoing plant trials, new plant introductions, and plant recommendations with such types of resource centers in your area.
Referring to the “Plant Awards List (PAL)” is a great idea in itself. A typical ‘plant award list’ is one of the best tools available which will definitely facilitate you with narrowing of your choices. The plants with proven performance in different regions are included in this list. The “Plant Awards Lists (PALs)” serve as a basis of setting standards for plant breeders. These awards also provide quick references for superior performances for general public. A selection of plants for your garden which is based on these recommendations has a high probability of suitability for your garden as it is based on several factors including gardener’s conveniences.
Plant awards and recommendation are generally based on certain specific factors including trials, public polls, competitions organized by horticultural societies, professional organization’s conventions, and experienced gardeners and amateur growers. Trials of plants are generally conducted by botanical gardens, professional gardeners and growers, universities, and other horticultural institutions.
The “Plant Awards Lists (PALs) also have a “general rating system” in place which is provided to all the plants that have been included in the plant award lists. These plant ratings are based on several important factors like ornamental values, disease resistance and many other features.
Such types of ‘Plant Award Lists (PALs)’ are certainly one of the immensely helpful resource base and tool facilitating you with the best and most suitable plants selection for your garden.
Gardeners therefore avoid a situation of indecisiveness as this consumes a lot of time. Better take help of these tools and give your garden a new look every time.
