Dwon 2 Earth header
July 14, 2015
Vol 4, Issue 7
Down The 
Garden Path

with Joanne Shaw
path with shed
Joanne Shaw

Welcome to July and of course to summer and one of the best months of the year in my opinion. To say this past month since my last newsletter has been a busy one for me would be an understatement. As far as my business goes, June and beginning of July are a challenge for me as I am still designing gardens, while plant orders and garden installs start happening and it is always a balancing act with little time for my office.

The little time I did spend in my office this past month, I also spent time helping the Pickering Horticultural Society create their new website with the help of Sarah Evans from Sevans Designs. Take a peek at it here http://pickeringhorticulturalsociety.com/.  I am very proud of it.

In addition I did manage a weekend away like I mentioned last month, to attend the 2015 Garden Bloggers Conference.  It was a whirlwind trip around the GTA looking at 30 plus gardens. I haven't had a chance to write about it yet but have a listen to this episode of Down The Garden Path where I give a nice summary highlighting many of the must-see gardens. One of the highlights for me was all the different containers that were scattered throughout the tour. I have given you just a sample in the Garden Gate section of the newsletter.

Water has also been key in this past month. Periods of too much rain and brief periods of drought and who knows what is to come.  I hope you find the following article on watering best practices helpful.  Especially for those of you who have just planted new plants and trees.

I also want to ask you, my customers, for some pictures of your gardens. I would love to see how they have turned out, whether in whole or your favorite spots. You can send them to me directly or post them to my Facebook page.

Thanks in advance for your help,

Joanne
 
 
Joanne Shaw 
Landscape Designer
Down2Earth Garden Design
Listen on Monday's
7:00 pm EST on RealityRadio 101
Down The Garden Path radio show



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HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?
FEATURE ARTICLE
A LOOK THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE...
TIP
Water Your Trees With The Help Of These Tips For Better Results

  

In keeping with our theme of watering I thought it was important to address the watering of large trees separately since they are so key in our yards and also a bigger budget item.

Newly planted
(less than 12 weeks)
Water once a week for the first eight to twelve weeks, with a second watering during hot, dry summer months.

The larger the tree or shrub that is planted, the more water it will require to soak into the root ball and surrounding soil. By laying the hose on top of the root ball (with the water running at a very slow trickle!) for 30 to 45 minutes, the tree gets water soaked into the root zone. Don't rely on lawn irrigation systems to water trees. These systems are designed to water the top 1 or 2 inches of soil and usually do not provide enough water to soak the trees root zone.

One gallon of water for the plant and one additional gallon of water for each caliper inch of the tree. A 3-inch caliper tree will need four gallons of water with each watering.

Established
(twelve weeks and longer)
Monitor for moisture the first year. Additional watering during hot, dry summer days. Deep, slow watering is best.

Source:  Deneweth's Garden Center
 

 


 


For more gardening tips and informative articles, visit my Newsletter Archives page!


FEATUREARTICLE
To Water Or Not To Water


Nothing frustrates a new gardener more than the watering issue, largely due to the fact that the signs for over watering are very similar to those for under watering.

dogwood *    Yellowing and/or wilted leaves  
*    Plants not thriving i.e. no new growth
*    Brown needles in evergreens

The best way to know if your plant needs water is to feel the soil around it, even dig down and turn a bit of the soil. Some plants do require more water than others especially when first planted (i.e. hydrangeas vs. ornamental grass). But if the ground around the plant is wet it doesn't need more water. It is also better to water deeply less often than watering lightly every day. This encourages the root system to grow deep instead of staying at the surface.
 
The roots are the most important to the plant (and often most forgotten) because they are its primary source of water and food and are also important for the uptake of oxygen. The roots of the plant take up water but they also need air to breathe. Over-watering, in simple terms, drowns your plant. Soil that is constantly wet won't have enough air pockets and the roots can't breathe.
 
Some key things that will help you be successful: Quality plants, good soil and mulch.
 
Quality plants are important, if the plants are growing in a pot of poor soil and not fertilized regularly at knowledgeable nurseries, chances are they will have weaker roots and therefore more likely to cause you more maintenance in your garden. You really do get what you pay for in plants.
 
It is also important to have good soil. Planting in soil with poor drainage like clay or too much drainage like sandy soil can make meeting the needs of your plants even more challenging. If you think your soil is poor in quality then adding compost to the soil is the best way to resolve it. Adding "more" soil is not the answer. Compost will breakdown and improve the existing soil which will also provide nutrients for the plants.
 
Adding a good layer of mulch will also protect the plants roots especially in this type of heat. The soil under mulch will not dry out as quick.
 
If you feel you have been over watering a plant, try holding back on the water, keep checking surrounding soil. Water sparingly as needed and when you see signs of new growth add a water soluble fertilizer to give the plant some nutrients.



GardenGate
A look through the garden gate...


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2015 Garden Bloggers Fling

 

Here are some inspiring photos of containers and their use in different garden settings. The photos are about the actual container as much as they are about the plants in them. I hope you are as inspired as I was.  

 

 

A brilliant idea against a brick wall that would look good in any front walkway.

 

 

brick wall planter
 

Nice pop of colour in a shady corner.

   

shady corner planter
   
shady corner planter
 

 

 
These containers are like beautiful artwork just accented by the plants.

   

artwork planter
 
artwork planter

   

Simple planting in classic container.

   

classic container
 

And lastly an even simpler idea.   

   

simple planter
 

 

Joanne Shaw is the owner and operator of Down2Earth Garden Design. A graduate of Ryerson University in Landscape Design, Joanne has 15 years experience in designing gardens and a decade in landscape and related business, both for her own clientele and established local nurseries.

CONTACT
Joanne Shaw
Landscape Designer
Down2Earth Garden Design
[email protected]
www.down2earth.ca
905.839.1597
905.903.2597