It is now early October, and we are into the height of the fall planting season. October is one of the best months of the whole year to do some re-landscaping and add new plants to the existing landscape. However, if you’re not careful, overplanting can lead to frustration and disappointment in future years.
CONSIDERING THE FINAL SIZE THAT A SHRUB, TREE, OR PERENNIAL WILL BECOME AT MATURITY
I tell people all the time that the plants sold in our nursery are babies—they are young plants. If you like the looks of them, that’s fine. But, realize the size that they will eventually grow to become.
My son and his family just recently moved into their new home. He and I walked around the house looking at the landscape and seeing so many overgrown plants growing and crowding each other. I visited him this past weekend, and he has pulled out everything from around the house. It looks so much better already. David knows the importance of learning the growing habits of plants before planting.
Plants that are overplanted will crowd each other, grow into one another, thus reducing air flow, and leading to diseases.
SIMPLE TIPS AND THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU NOT MAKE THE OVERPLANTING MISTAKE
- Learn the growing habit of the plant that you are interested in purchasing. Ask us or read the label on the plant as to the mature size it will become and then plant accordingly.
- If you are not happy with all the bare space between the plants, consider planting some temporary plants like annuals that will fill in the void. Each year this space will shrink as the plants grow.
- Sometimes just an new application of decorative mulch can make a garden look complete and less empty.
- Consider adding some large boulders or decorative rock or other forms of accent pieces of garden décor to the landscape bed that will act as a filler between the plants.
Like I mentioned earlier, October is a fantastic month to be planting. Come see us. We would be honored to give you some assistance and professional advice.
FALL IS FOR PLANTING A LITTLE HAPPINESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!