Category: Garden

 

Never does nature say one thing and wisdom another.  ~Juvenal, Satires

 

I find autumn is a great time to peruse the garden closely, and consider some of my most valuable garden lessons.  Of course hindsight is 20/20, but unfortunately mine is still 80/20.  Meaning I still learn the hard way and repeat mistakes.  Is it because I am a hard head?  Yes.  Is it because I never say never?  Yes.  Is it because I try to push the envelope and buck Mother Nature?  Definitely yes.

But after so many attempts, I have learned a few lessons.  You see it really comes down to this–

Had I but known…

That the tree would grow in that direction, I wouldn’t have planted those sun loving perennials right there.  They are not doing so well.  They have barely grown over the last couple of years and the tree keeps growing.  Time to move them.

That the garden would flood every year in that area, I wouldn’t have planted those normal to dry moisture loving plants.  How many have I lost..too many.  Now the rain garden helps, but I am taking no chances.  Moisture lovers only here.

That zone 6 meant “not for me” I would have left that plant at the store.  I have rarely found a plant that will overwinter in my garden if it is beyond zone 5.  Of course it always amazes me how the annuals that I deadheaded, suddenly are growing through the brick of my patio.  Zone 7 petunia…hmmm???  How did they do that?

 

That biennial really meant once every 2 years, I would have planted a few more plants in that area of the garden.  Well maybe a few more plants will grow in as the season progresses.

That even plants in pots can root into a garden and never leave–got to love that mint!  Here is pineapple mint that was planted in a pot that was placed on top of the wall.  Now how did it get down there?

That part shade didn’t mean 1 to 2 hours only in the spring, I would have chosen a different location for that part sun perennial.

That normal to loamy soil needed does not mean throw a couple of inches of top soil on top of the clay and hope it grows.  Either continue to amend the soil or only plant clay loving plants.

That all fertilizers were not created equal, I would have chosen the non-chemical variety a long time ago.  Natural fertilizers have been better for my plants and the wildlife.

That deer can jump really high, and rabbits and other varmints can squeeze through and under any fence, I would have reconsidered my cute picket fence-maybe.  No I still love my picket fence, and we get a kick out of the varmints that go over or under it.

That deer resistant means if they are hungry they will still eat it, I would have planted some different plants and not become attached to those expensive beauties the deer love so much!!

That veg gardens really do need to grow in full sun, I would have chosen a different location for the most recent bed.  Had to move the peppers.  Oh well, it will become a cutting garden for part sun flowers next year.

That veggies grown from seed would be stronger, more resilient and more successful I would have grown them all from seed.  This coming spring I will be growing most flowers and veggies from seed.  Bought our seed growing station.  Just waiting for it to arrive.  Can’t wait to experiment with it this winter.

 

 

 

 

That not cleaning up the leaves and plants in the fall can actually do more good for your garden and the critters who live there, I would have relaxed more in the fall and conserved my energy for planting and enjoying the fall garden.  This year since I am not cutting, cleaning and whacking back plants, I have more time to spend observing my fall garden.  Isn’t this grass gorgeous.  And how about the fall crocus at the beginning of the post…a real knockout when the light shines through it!!

 

Now that I have learned these valuable lessons the hard way here in my gardens, it is my HOPE that…

I will take time to plan more carefully making sure I know not only the sun, but moisture and soil needs of the plants.  I am much better at this today.

I will throughly research a plant to make sure I know if it is invasive or aggressive before planting it.  Too bad I planted a few groundcovers that will take forever to eradicate.

I will enrich the soil in more areas of the garden next spring to ensure a healthy environment for my plants.  We’ll see how the plants on this side of the garden grow next year now that they have all this lovely compost.

I will still experiment and not give up because of one, OK 2 perceived failures.  There will be pumpkins next year!

I will continue to push the envelope because you never know what wonderful plants or veggies you can grow, and what lovely creatures will call your garden home.

I will still welcome critters to the garden even after they wreak havoc after all they are part of the habitat and we consider them family.  OK no nesting rabbits in the yard, and deer must stay on the other side of the fence, and we won’t even discuss voles…

 

 

 

Knowledge is a process of piling up facts; wisdom lies in their simplification.  ~Martin H. Fischer

 

 

 

 

 

Monthly (usually around the 10th) I guest blog at Walkabout Chronicles.  Stop by to read my latest post, Wander.

Hope you enjoyed my first post at Beautiful Wildlife Garden, If You Build It….

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