Click below to listen to my 2 min Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Change is gonna come 2023
I’ve said it before and it continues to be relevant: The only constant thing in life is change and that really follows us into the garden.
Whether it’s change WE choose, the PLANT chooses or even a hungry critter chooses! In particular this winter of 22/23 has been challenging to say the least.
Every one of my shrubs has been eaten by rabbits. I can’t really blame them as they need to eat to, even if it’s my shrubs. NEXT year, I’ll remember to protect my shrubs and fix it so the rabbits can’t live under my porch!
- If there’s a plant not performing to peak parameters you’ve set, well then, change it.
- Maybe you’ve tried and tried to get Azaleas to grow in a certain place without luck, time to choose another type of plant.
- What are the sun/shade conditions required of the plant?
- Learn what your soil type is, clay sand or loam.
- What’s the pH of your soil?
Check out your local County extension office for a soil test to get the most accurate results and recommendations of how to amend your soil. I have used the University of Minnesota Soil Test Lab.
- Right Plant, Right Place. If you have no soil lab to send to, then purchase a kit at a local nursery or big box store. That will at least give you some basic numbers.
- Do NOT to prune Spring flowering shrubs now. It’s too late in the season, wait till AFTER they’ve finished blooming. This will give them plenty of time to develop buds for next year.
- Prune to create better air circulation and cut out any dead wood.
- Find GardenBite on Facebook, Instagram and youtube too.