This Land is Your Land by KCB

KCB is a professional gardener and friend who does wonderful work in the Greater Portland area. KCB is also an accredited Master Gardener by the Cooperative Extension Service and we are honored to have KCB as part of our Skillin's Garden Log family.

KCB is back with a sequel to Strangers in the Night by KCB , the exciting gardening post from last week. Walk with KCB through your yard in this enlightening look at your land!

Ah---the snow has faded from my back yard, the front garden is adorned with purple and white bunches of crocus. It is amazing to see dried leaves of season’s past impaled on the emerging foliage of the hyacinths. The ground is still a little too frozen to work yet there is nothing to stop me from cleaning it and preparing the postage stamp sized bed for the coming year.

This is the part of the lesson I write about Preparing before Planting. Less fun but equally important as the planning.

Prep can be subchaptered as ‘Know your Property, Know your self’. What kind of kind of statement is that? You may have lived at your current residence for years, raised children and assorted pets. Knowing self? What does that have to do with gardening? Those who have read my postings may have realized that to me, everything has to do with gardening. Ready?!

Know your Property

Take a leisurely walk around your property, whether it a sprawling spread or tight terrain. A must for all with a new home and those planning any changes. Take notice of the following:
§ Topography
§ Wind intensity
§ Drainage
§ Water Source
§ Sunlight
· Time of day and duration
§ Micro-climates
§ Wildlife
§ Known Pests
Topography: It has become a trend to work with the lands topography instead of removing, backfilling and restructuring. Boulders remain to offer their own interest, rock gardens are incorporated, hills and slopes become new challenges, woodland perimeters offer their own possibilities.

Wind intensity: Plots that are exposed and susceptible to steady wind (think side of hills or seaside) tend to dry out first.

Drainage: Spring is the best time to discover your own wetlands. Much of the soil in the Falmouth area is clay based. The bed you make in May may be underwater in March/April. Many plants abhor wet feet, others relish it.

Water Source: I don’t know about you, but carrying 3 gallon watering cans to the back forty or navigating 1500 feet of hose is not my idea of a good time. The relationship to a bed and water source is important unless you have planned for drought tolerant plants

Sunlight: Observe during different times of the day. Western sun is the hottest. The hours between 10 AM and 6 PM EDT summer months are the most intense.
Full Sun: At least 6 hours of direct sunlight. True full sun occurs between the hours of 10 AM and 6 PM DST. If your ‘full sun’ begins at the rising of the sun and is all but disappeared by noon you may not truly have full sun. Many sun lovers enjoy more than 6 hours per day, but need regular water to endure the heat.
Partial Sun / Partial Shade: Often these terms are used to mean 3 - 6 hours of sun each day, preferably in the morning and early afternoon. Some say if a plant is listed as Partial Sun, greater emphasis is put on it’s receiving the minimal sun requirements. At the same time, Partial Shade, the plant will need some relief from the intense late afternoon sun, either from shade provided by a nearby tree or planting it on the east side of a building.
Dappled Sun: Perfect for the woodland garden. It is the sun that makes its way through the branches of a deciduous tree. Woodland plants, those referred to as under plantings or under story prefer this type of sunlight more so than partial shade.
Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight each day, with filtered sunlight during the rest of the day. Full shade does not mean no sun. There aren't many plants, except mushrooms, that can survive in the dark.

Micro-climates: Due to some of the conditions of wind, sunlight, wet/dry feet your property may have several micro-climates. A tender Gaura (zone 6) may thrive in one part of your property, while the Lavender (zone 5) in another bed must be planted each new season.

Wildlife/Pests: Hankering for Hosta, Hoping for Holly yet the deer use your property as a play ground, these plants may not be your best bet. Thinking about an array of Oriental Lilies while your neighbor has pulled all theirs between pulls of their hair, the Lily Leaf Beetle may have found residence in your neighborhood.

Now that you have an intimate relationship with your land, it is time to get serious with your soil. See you next time!

KCB for Skillin's Greenhouses
April 17, 2008