1. It’s impossible to keep plants small if their genetics are driving them to be large. Unless a plant is in a Bonsai dish you can’t keep it small. Thinking you can control a plant’s size is like thinking you can turn a brown dog into a yellow striped cat.

2. Watering deeply once a week is SO far superior to watering more frequently. Don’t set up automatic systems to go on more often than once every seven days and water well at that time. Unless you have newly placed young plants or seeds, don’t hand water because you get bored long before your plants are well hydrated.

3. Most shrubs and perennials flower for two to six weeks. Looking for things that bloom all summer? Plant annuals.

4. Established plants do well if they get an inch of rain every week. Buy a rain gauge so you’ll know if you need to water.

5. Fertilizer isn’t usually the answer if you’re seeing a problem. Unfortunately. So don’t make that your first response. (Get a diagnosis before putting any product into the garden.)

6. Everyone wants foundation plantings that stay green all winter, flower all summer and stay low so they don’t cover the windows. There isn’t such a plant.

7. It’s OK to take plants out even if they’re alive. Thank them for coming and throw them away. #CompostingIsPartOfLife

8. There are some problems and situations we just have to live with. #NoQuickCures and products don’t always solve everything.

9. You will kill plants. Accept it and keep planting.

10. The best weed control is hand pulling. Surrender to it…besides, getting your hands in the dirt is good for the immune system.

11. If you keep your eyes open you’ll see wonderful things in your yard every single day of the year.

12. You can’t always get what you want. (Mother Nature always has the last word.)

Even experienced gardeners have plants die...more often than we'd like. In this garden I planted some first-rate cleome plants that proceeded to die while the weeds in the area thrived.

Even experienced gardeners have plants die…more often than we’d like. In this garden I planted some first-rate cleome plants that proceeded to die while the weeds in the area thrived.

Don`t copy text!

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This