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Category: Garden design | Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 1:11 pm

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Here are my top 10 lessons learned from this past gardening season (Letterman style with the worst being #1):


10)Rabbits like Asters - not much more to say here ... I've tried for years now to grow various cultivars cause their colors draw you in at the end of summer and inevitably they get chewed up good ... NEVER AGAIN.


9)Stop wasting time/effort/money on planting tulip bulbs - the wet soil over winter kills them every time ... hopefully planting them in pots in the garage over the winter will yield positive results.


8)Deadhead the Caryopteris flowers much sooner - for whatever reason my Caryopteris 'Sunshine Blue' reseeded beyond my wildest dreams all over my gravel driveway ... had no idea this was a concern so hopefully I took action soon enough this past fall.


7)Accept the use of annuals - I have ignored annuals forever as I couldn't justify their 1 year use - I became too obsessed with watching the progress of all the shrubs/perennials/grasses each year. Well consider me a convert now after realizing the benefit of using annuals as fillers in strategic spots and their obvious use in containers. I've grown to really like the various coleus cultivars ... now let's see if I can actually use them correctly.


6)The lawn is way overrated - I live on about 2 acres and used to pay someone to cut our lawn on a weekly basis. My bright idea was to finally purchase a tractor so I could control when and how high the lawn was cut. Well it takes me about 2 hours a week to cut the lawn and that time is way too precious. Other than allowing the kids a place to play, me no likey the grass. The effort vs reward ratio is way too low so I will continue to chop away at that lawn over the next few years.


5)Should have purchased more mature conifers - thankfully this year I discovered the awesomeness of conifers and the structure they bring to the garden. I mistakenly purchased too many of them way too small (about 12") and it will obviously take them a while to grow to the point where they will make a statement. And knowing their mature size I placed them in prominent places in the back of the border so you can imagine how ridiculous it can look when all other plants are already at their mature size.


4)Be more realistic with available time - my scope this past off-season was way beyond any amount of time I would have ... MUST STAY PATIENT ... I spread myself too thin and never really focused enough on each mini project.


3)Remember the late Fall/Winter season is damn long so must do a better job of planting evergreens - early December through March my garden looks empty ... and each year I know it but don't do enough about it ... the ornamental grasses have definitely helped but I need to add some smaller evergreens more strategically to up the winter interest ... oh yeah ... and I purchased a bunch of red-twig dogwoods this off-season so hoping that will help.


2)Really ashamed of this one - need to start composting - I know I know all the benefits ... just need to friggin do it and reap the benefits ... please don't judge.


1)Accept the fact that I have really poor drainage - last winter killed about 10 boxwoods and numerous other shrubs/perennials because of the dreaded "wet feet". I live in Hunterdon County, NJ and everyone always says "oh yeah you have a high water table there" ... OK whatever that means ... anyway I need to make sure the "likes wet feet" is included with each plant description. I have planted higher in the wet clay to hopefully offset the wetness ... we'll see.


Now you are officially allowed to judge/critique ... I deserve it.


( photo / image / picture from jmarkowski's Garden )






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eileen wrote on Sat Mar 27, 2010 2:12 pm:

Well I'm not going to say anything against your garden as I think it's lovely - a real credit to you. You've clearly learned some lessons along the way of what, or what not, to do in the coming year.
I've been gardening for over thirty years now and I'm still learning. It makes it all worth while though when you can stand back and say - I did that!!!

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toni wrote on Sat Mar 27, 2010 2:35 pm:

Yeah, we each have a similar list of lessons learned. I finally gave up on Tulips a couple of years ago, we just don't have the cold winters they need.

I am slowly putting more annuals in my garden too, but I still would rather have perennials.

Your garden is really pretty, can you tell us what plants you have there.

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Annette wrote on Sat Mar 27, 2010 10:11 pm:

don't beat yourself up! gardening is a never ending process, and you learn something new every year. sometimes you get things done, sometimes you don't. just keep on getting your hands dirty...that is all that matters.

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Jewell wrote on Sun Mar 28, 2010 12:58 am:

Your picture looks like your garden is a lovely spot. Can't wait to see more photos.

I understand the lack of feelings about lawn. Ours has dwindled down over the years to very little. It makes my husband happy every time I extend a bed or create a new one.

A wet winter garden...have you thought of blueberry bushes??? Sounds like you have an ideal planting environment :D They taste good and have pretty red bark/twigs in the winter.

Enjoyed reading your 10 list :)

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Netty wrote on Sun Mar 28, 2010 8:02 pm:

I enjoyed your list too. I think I could write a new "lessons learned" list at the end of every season!

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Newfpaws wrote on Mon Mar 29, 2010 3:01 pm:

I think I would be afraid to create a list like that. Might just talk myself right out of gardening. That took some courage. Your picture is lovely though. That should encourage you tremendously. I am fairly new (like 3 years worth) to gardening and I am pretty stubborn. A few things I have had to give up on but I just keep plugging away. That's why I'm here at GardenStew - for all the wonderful ideas and advice.

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Droopy wrote on Mon Mar 29, 2010 5:57 pm:

I chuckled with recognition when I read your list, especially where the "lawn" is concerned. :) We learn by making mistakes, and sometimes we need to make our mistakes ourselves, since not all neighbours garden and can tell us beforehand.

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