Published: May 29, 2008 03:07 pm            

Ace of Spades: Gardening thoughts for 2008

Originally published in the May 30, 2008, print edition.

It appears warmer temperatures have finally arrived. Though it’s about two weeks later than normal, corn is beginning to emerge.

Here are some random thoughts for the 2008 gardening season.

Do your homework

Visit public gardens, pick up some ideas to take home to your garden. Don’t be afraid to ask your neighbor for their ideas and gardening tips.

Amend the soil for success

If you have clay or sandy soil, add peat moss and/or compost. Many gardeners got anxious to get into the garden, and thus packed the soil, before the soil was really dry enough to work. This is the main reason the soil gets packed and is hard all summer long and will produce poorly.

Design for some surprises

You shouldn’t be able to see everything in your garden at once. You should have little surprises here and there. Maybe you want to try some of those beautiful plants you have seen in the catalog, but beware: they may look better in the catalog than in your garden.

Choose wisely

Make sure the plants you pick as perennials are for Zone 3 or 4 — depending on where you live in Minnesota — and always start with healthy plants.

Try a wild prairie garden

This may take to the second year before it gets established. Weeds can also be a problem.

If you should inherit a garden

Wait a season and see what actually is coming up. Any small plant may develop into a beautiful flower, but once destroyed it may not be able to be replaced.

Time-saving trick for your garden

Plant hostas and other shade-loving plants around the base of your trees. Then no mowing is needed under the trees. Last fall we even planted some tulips under the evergreen trees, and they are blooming at this time.

Get the children to help

Many children ages 5 years and up are really interested in gardening. Start with a small garden, and offer encouragement in gardening. Remember to point out the difference between the desired plants and the weeds.

        

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