A Few Tips For A Better Garden In 2023

I know some of you may find this hard to believe, but I actually spend a lot of time researching my articles, not just writing them. In fact, it's probably a combination of both. We live in an information age where knowledge is all around us, literally at our fingertips. The challenge, of course, is what and whom to believe. I recently came across an amazing site called www.gardenrant.com where writers come together to literally talk (in an informative and entertaining way, that is) about gardening. One of the authors, Scott Beyerlein (who should probably be my doppelganger) offers a list of his thoughts on growing our gardening credit now and in the future. After careful consideration, here are my thoughts for you to consider…

Soil preparation is always the basis of a successful garden. Never skimp at this stage. Sometimes we can import good topsoil, but more often we have to build it from scratch, which means annual applications of organic matter and organic fertilizers. It never stops. Factor this into your annual gardening budget and think of it as an investment that will pay off big.

Pay attention to drainage. This goes hand in hand with good soil preparation. Drainage is a good "infrastructure" of the garden. Find ways to get rid of or use excess water by directing it to a rain garden or wetland planted with moisture-loving plants.

Don't be afraid to edit. Sometimes Mother Nature does this for us, and sometimes we just have to remove the less vigorous plants or at least transplant them. Don't be a coward, and for God's sake, don't feel guilty.

Caution: If possible, take a walk in your garden every day and observe what is happening there. Plants will tell you if they put up a good fight before they reach the point of no return. Learn to spot the signs of stress and deal with them before it's too late.

Visiting other gardens is a great way to find inspiration. Remember, plagiarism is the highest form of flattery. The North West is home to many outstanding public and private gardens, home to some of the finest horticultural designs and plant collections in the world. Many of our local garden clubs also host summer garden tours, which are a great opportunity to see what our "neighbors" are up to and what will actually grow in our area.

Don't stop learning! There is no shortage of gardening sites where we can find the latest techniques and presentations. Books can also serve as a more tangible source of reference, and we are fortunate that many Northwest authors provide us with "relevant local" knowledge. For starters, I still prefer the Sunset Western Garden Book. For the more advanced, I like to read Gardening magazines and my wife likes The English Garden.

Enjoy! Gardening doesn't have to be 'work'. The more you succeed, the better. The garden fills us with food for body and soul. And they never finished. there's always room for one more plant, a new water feature, a rock garden, or...well, you get the idea. Plan to make 2023 your best garden ever!

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