Re: Garden maintenance know-how
Hello Diann,
Around here shade garden maintenance consists of three parts. One is
plants.... nature takes over a bare spot in a heart beat... usually with something
you do not want. Two is mulch. Every fall we collect all the leaves from our trees
around the house, chop them and then spread about 3 to 4 inches thick. Three.
Every evening when we take a walk thorough the garden we pull a few obvious weeds
as we go. Major inspections and weeding takes place once a month.
Most shade plants are tolerant of being on the dry side. I do not baby my
garden. Too big and I am too busy (lazy). I take good reasonable care, but am not
fussy.
Gene Bush Southern Indiana Zone 6a Munchkin Nursery
around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com http://www.munchkinnursery.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Diann Barbee Thoma <diannthoma@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: [SG] Garden maintenance know-how
> Fellow Gardeners,
>
> Well, I at least am old enough to see that maintaining my shade gardens (I'm
> still in development mode)is going to be harder and harder as I get older. I
> am wondering what tips and techniques other gardeners in this list have
> developed or emulated to cut down the work of shade garden maintenance?
>
> There is a book out called "The Well-Tended Perennial Garden, Planting and
> Pruning Techniques" by T. DiSabato-Aust which I found useful and
> interesting. Good reference book too. Very practical.
>
> I'm also personally convinced that tons of mulch will be required to keep up
> with the water requirements of shade plants and keep out the weeds.
>
> What do ya'll know, and what do ya'll do?
>
> Diann
