A Few Tips For A Better Garden In 2023

I know some of you will find this incredibly hard to believe, but I actually spend a lot of time researching my articles instead of making up s#%t. In fact, it's probably a combination of the two. We live in the information age, knowledge is all around us, literally at our fingertips. The challenge is determining what and who to believe. I recently discovered a wonderful website called www.gardenrant.com. The writers get together to talk literally all things gardening (in an informative and entertaining way, just my way, so to speak). One author, Scott Beuerlein (obviously I have to double down), lays out his ideas for improving our garden's credit now and in the future. On reflection, here are my thoughts to ponder…

Soil preparation is and always has been the foundation of a successful garden. Never walk on this level. Sometimes we can easily import good soil, but often we have to build it from scratch, which means annual applications of organic matter and organic fertilizers. It never stops. Put it in your annual gardening budget and look at it as an investment that will bring you many happy returns.

Pay attention to the casting. This goes hand in hand with good soil preparation. Irrigation is the "infrastructure" of a good garden. Find ways to drain excess water or divert it into a rain garden or marsh planted with moisture-loving plants.

Don't be afraid to edit. Sometimes Mother Nature does it for us and other times we just have to bite the bullet and remove or at least relocate the underperforming plants. Don't be brave and don't feel guilty for goodness sake.

Note: If possible, take a walk in your garden every day and see what is happening there. Plants will tell you that they are struggling long before they reach the point of no return. Learn to recognize the signs of stress and deal with them before it's too late.

Visit other gardens - it's a great way to find inspiration. Remember that cheating is the ultimate form of cheating. The Northwest is filled with beautiful public and private parks, where you'll find some of the world's best collections of horticultural design and plants. Many of our local garden clubs run summer tours of the gardens, which provide a great opportunity to see what our 'neighbours' are doing and growing in our area.

Never stop learning. There is no shortage of gardening sites where you can find new techniques and methods. Books can provide a more objective source of reference, and we have many Northwest authors who provide us with "regionally relevant" knowledge. For starters, I still love the Sunset Western Garden books. For further progress, I like to read horticulture magazines and my wife likes English gardening magazines.

Have fun! Gardening doesn't have to be "work." The more successful you are, the more fun you will have. Gardens fill us with nourishment for body and soul. And they're never done – always another plant or a new water feature or a rock garden or… well, you get the idea. Plan to make 2023 the best garden ever!

Steve Smith represents Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville and can be reached at sunnysidersery@msn.com