Planting tips from a master gardener

Not everyone is blessed with a green thumb. Some of us have even managed to kill a cactus at some point in our lives. But whatever your level of skill may be, gardening is a great way to boost your home’s curb appeal and soak in some vitamin D if you have the time and resources.

There’s also been an increase in gardening since the COVID19 pandemic, thanks to shelterinplace edicts causing people to look for ways to get outside safely.

“We’re seeing more gardening than ever,” said Missy Gable, director of the University of California’s Master Gardener Program. “The nursery industry is seeing incredible demand, for both seeds and plants. And there’s been a resurgence in edible gardening.”

But how do you start? The first — and most important — part of tending to a garden is seeing what you are working with, Gable said. Look for established trees and shrubs and understand where they get water from.

Next, consult with regional experts, like a gardening club, university botanist or landscape professional, to see what grows best in your microclimate.

“You can also visit local botanical gardens, arboretums, and demonstration gardens for ideas and inspiration,” she said.

Determine how plants will be watered and install your irrigation system prior to planting, if possible. Laying the hardscaping before planting is another important step to arranging your garden, she said.

Now that the prep work is out of the way, planting can begin in earnest.

“Find plants that do well in your zone, focus on plants that tolerate low water conditions and attract pollinators,” she said. “Pick plants that are the right size for your space and space plants appropriately so you aren’t constantly hedging/ pruning them. This reduces loss due to the wrong plant for climate, crowding, etc.”

Gable urges wouldbe gardeners to do their homework when it comes to selecting plants. She suggests using droughttolerant landscaping when possible.

Be mindful when planting, Gable said, as healthy plants need enough room for their roots to spread out. “When you buy a plant at the nursery, their root system is confined to space given in a small pot,” she said. “Even if the plant is listed as lowwater, its roots have an establishment period and it’s immediately lowwater, as it needs to develop a strong root system.”

Shutterstock Above: Gardening is a great way to increase the visual appeal of your home while spending some time enjoying the outdoors. Below: A few tools and a little research makes gardening much more enjoyable.