March Issue Extra: Smart Start

The following survey outlines the basic tenets of the SmartGarden™ – principles set by the American Horticultural Society that contractors can apply to their planting practices to ensure they make proper plant selections, prepare the soil and consider landscape overall conditions.

Ten Tenets of the SmartGarden:

1. Above all, have fun.

2. Work with nature whenever possible.
a. Avoid using impulse buying – select plants that are well adapted to your site, including natives.
b. Select plants that are resistant to pests and diseases common in your region.
c. Avoid plants known to be invasive in the garden or in the wild.
d. Compost yard and kitchen wastes and use the compost in your garden.
e. Encourage natural predators.
f. Rotate annual plants to reduce incidence of disease.
g. Practice sanitation – dispose of plant parts that may harbor disease and/or insects.

3. Assess your site thoroughly.
a. Test soil.
b. Test soil drainage.
c. Know hardiness and heat zones.
d. Know which areas represent microclimates.
e. Identify areas in terms of light: sun/part, sun/shade.

4. Assess yourself and your lifestyle.
a. Time available for gardening
b. What you want to grow
c. Physical benefits and limitations
d. Financial limitations
e. Willingness to try new ideas

5. When adapting natural conditions to create a garden for plants that may not be suitable for your site as it exists, consider optimum location and all modifications necessary for the garden prior to planting.
a. Adjust soil pH.
b. Improve soil fertility and structure by regularly integrating organic matter.
c. Site the garden according to available sun/shade, water supply and light exposure.

6. Learn specifics about your plants so that you can provide them with appropriate care now – and later.
a. Plant at proper depth.
b. Provide required nutrients and water.
c. Prune appropriately and at the proper time.
d. Provide support for plants that need it.
e. Transplant or divide plants when necessary.

7. Look at your plants regularly, make notes to help plan future gardening efforts and avoid repeating mistakes.
a. Keep track of plant names, including varieties.
b. Be aware of planting, flowering and fruiting dates.
c. Record dates of fertilization and pesticide applications.
d. Make end-of-season notes about annual and vegetable varieties you want to grow again, as well as those you do not.
e. Mark the location of perennials that are late to start growth in spring.

8. Conserve water.
a. Water early in the morning or use drip irrigation.
b. Water deeply, not daily.
c. Provide extra water to newly planted areas until established.
d. Apply mulch to reduce evaporation and soil crusting.
e. Collect water from downspouts for use in garden.

9. Use all available resources
a. Consult books and periodicals.
b. Research pertinent Web sites.
c. Talk to local gardening professionals.
d. Call the American Horticultural Society gardeners’ information service.
e. Share information with other gardeners.

10. Consider each gardening practice in terms of environmental impact.
a. Monitor pests to determine when control is necessary.
b. Use the least toxic products to control pests.
c. Remove pests by hand or with hard sprays of water.
d. Encourage natural predators and beneficial microorganisms.
e. Avoid unnecessary use of power tools.

Information provided by the American Horticultural Society, Alexandria, Va. To read the rest of the March issue of Lawn & Landscape online, click here.