How Does Your Garden Grow?

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This guide provides resources for every gardener. From selecting plants to building your own soil, you will find sources selected by Librarians--and gardeners--Megan Fox and Rex Krajewski for the quality of information they contain and the ease of navigation they allow.

Contents

Zone, Soil, and Sunlight

Before you start a garden or put a flower in it, you need to know a little something about its environment. The three basic environmental considerations for any garden plant are USDS Zone, soil, and sunlight. The first two criteria are especially important for outdoor gardeners, the latter is a consideration that outdoor gardeners, container gardeners, and houseplant gardeners must all be aware of.

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USDA Zone

Based on average annual minimum temperature, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has divided the United States and Canada into 11 zones. Use these zones to help determine the hardiness of plants in your garden, calculate average last and first frost dates, and select planting and seeding times for outdoor plants.

  • USDA Zone Map
    Use this map to find in what zone your garden is. You can also view zones by state.
  • ZIP Code USDA Zone Finder
    A handy tool from GardenWeb; enter your zip code, find your USDA Zone! This is especially useful for determining "microclimates," which are small areas that have different temperature and weather conditions that the larger area around them.

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Soil

There are many factors in evaluating soil and its viability for the plants you wish to include in your garden such as pH, texture, plant nutrient levels and organic matter, and even toxic chemical contents.

  • NRCS Web Soil Survey
    "Web Soil Survey (WSS) provides soil data and information produced by the National Cooperative Soil Survey. It is operated by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and provides access to the largest natural resource information system in the world. NRCS has soil maps and data available online for more than 95 percent of the nation’s counties and anticipates having 100 percent in the near future. The site is updated and maintained online as the single authoritative source of soil survey information." Use this to get a snapshot of the soil in your area.
  • 10 Easy Soil Tests
    Organic Gardening magazine offers 10 do-it-yourself tests for checking the condition of the soil in your garden. The best thing you can do to understand the soil in your own garden is to get a soil test. There are several home tests on the market, but an inexpensive and more precise alternative is to send your soil out to be tested in a lab:


Local soil testing labs:



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Sunlight

Different plants have different sunlight needs. Some plants need full sun, some full shade, and others have light needs in between the two extremes.

What Do They Mean by Full Sun, Partial Shade, and So On?

Houseplants have distinct light needs, too. Just as with outdoor plants, consult plant files for specific light needs for house plants.



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Annuals, Perennials, Bulbs, Shrubs, Trees, Vegetables, Herbs



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Acquiring Plants

Mail-Order (or internet) catalogs are wonderful sources for plants and seeds. So is your local nursery. There are advantages and drawback for both sources:

Catalogs

Catalogs offer greater selection, the newest varieties, and often the best prices. However, the picture in the catalog is often of a mature plant, so don't be disappointed when you get a three inch brown twig in the mail instead of the enormous flowering bush that caught your eye in the catalog. Catalogs to consider are:

How to Shop from a Garden Catalog

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Nurseries

Nurseries offer larger plants, often grown and adapted to your garden's environment.



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Home Depot and Lowe's

Your serious/organic gardeners are horrified by the steriod-induced splendor of what you see offered at your local Home Depot and Lowe's. But there are a few advantages to what you can get from your local superstore. They are convenient, well stocked, and products turn over quickly so there is new selection frequently. Also, what you see is what you get: you can buy something in bloom and put it right into your garden - no waiting for it to grow, seeing if the color really matches the catalog photo, etc. It's great for immediate gratification. However, for longevity, sometimes the superstore plants do not last as well in the ground, as they've been artificially propped up on stimulants and can't adjust well to "real world" conditions. One final consideration: the mega stores offer a one year guarantee on your plants, so it it dies, bring the dead plant back with the receipt and get your money back or a new plant.

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Direct from the Source

Don't forget trading with friends!


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Starting From Seed

For the best variety and value, consider starting your garden plants from seed.

Mail-Order Sources:



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Inspiration

One of the best ways to think about how to make your garden grow is to see what other gardeners have done.



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Sharing Information

Garden Notebooks

Online Forums and Blogs



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Some Basic Techniques


Houseplants and Container Gardens

Apartment dwellers, dorm residents, and others with limited space can still grow beautiful plants and flowers, and edibles such as herbs, fruits, and vegetables. Houseplants

Container Gardens



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Composting

A mulch, a soil ammendment, fertilizer...compost is every gardeners best friend. There are many benefits of using compost, and the best part is, you can make your own!



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Companion Planting

Companion planting is the practice of placing different plants near each other in a garden to improve the vitality of both. According to Organic Gardening:

  • Companions help each other grow—Tall plants, for example, provide shade for sun-sensitive shorter plants.
  • Companions use garden space efficiently—Vining plants cover the ground, upright plants grow up. Two plants in one patch.
  • Companions prevent pest problems—Plants like onions repel some pests. Other plants can lure pests away from more desirable plants.
  • Companions attract beneficial insects—Every successful garden needs plants that attract the predators of pests."
    - OG Solutions>Techniques

Long heralded by organic gardeners as one of the keys to success, companion planting can be utilized by any gardener to improve results.



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Mulching

Mulching is a simple practice that can improve anyones garden...even a small pot or container garden. According to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Mulching Tip Sheet, mulching:

  • Protects the soil from erosion
  • Reduces compaction from the impact of heavy rains
  • Conserves moisture, reducing the need for frequent waterings
  • Maintains a more even soil temperature
  • Prevents weed growth
  • Keeps fruits and vegetables clean
  • Keeps feet clean, allowing access to garden even when damp
  • Provides a "finished" look to the garden"

Mulching materials can be organic or inorganic, and include plastic sheeting, rocks, bark, compost, and more.



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Pest Management



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Plant Files



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Resources

Websites



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Our Favorite Magazines



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Books

  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden: Planting and Pruning Techniques [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover) by Tracy DiSabato-Aust 0881928038
  • Perennials (The Gardeners Handbooks) (Hardcover) 0760740917
  • Taylor's Guide to Perennials (Paperback) 0395983630
  • Botanica's 100 Best Perennials for Your Garden (Paperback) 157145473X
  • Perennial All-Stars: The 150 Best Perennials for Great-Looking, Trouble-Free Gardens (Paperback) 0875968899

See these on Amazon

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