Friday, April 4, 2014

A Case of the Instant Landscape

We have heard them all before, even quoted one from a classic, cult 90's movie, the case of cases... someone's got "a case of the Mondays", "a case of the blues", and a "case of.... the instant landscape?" More than likely you have never heard of this, quoted it or used it on that dreaded day after Sunday. It really only comes around this time of year, not weekly. I'd like to think this particular case is a side effect of a fever that strikes this time of year...spring fever.

I, by no means, am any epidemiologist but after suffering through the coldest winter we have had in years, I predict that the spring fever is likely to run rampant this year and there will be hundreds of cases of instant landscape to go along with it. Spring is here, it is beautiful...we want our landscape beautiful, now....

I would be lying if I said I had never experienced it. Here is what I would love my instant landscape to look like.... 

Before: 


After one day of planting: 


Yeah right ... especially as my hydrangeas look like this right now... 


"It looks like we had a storm, and the limbs from your trees got stuck in the flower bed upright..." 

Here's how it strikes. The first warm day hits, the ground thaws and that itch to go dig in the dirt comes right along. You run to the garden center, snatch up some plants, throw them in the ground...then pause to realize that those tiny 1' shrubs look nothing like you've imagined. Your heart sinks and that is when the case of sudden landscape takes hold of your spirit. You had envisioned a garden that you've read about in Traditional Home, only to look and see some wiry, tiny shrubs that in no way resemble the landscape of your dreams.

So instead of running back to the garden center to fill in the blank spaces with more plants, pause, take a deep breath and realize that plants grow. More than likely your budget does not allow for the size plants needed to create an instant landscape...if it does, call me... because I will happily come create your instant landscape. But to the everyday gardener in small town Mississippi, we get what we can find. 

In order to prevent the case of instant landscape here are five simple things to remember:

1. Plants grow. Often times the plant you purchase at the nursery will triple or quadruple in size by the time it reaches maturity. That's the beauty of our landscapes and plants....they grow and evolve over time. 

No photos are involved in this section for the protection of those parties that may have suffered instant landscape. 

2. Dive, Come Alive, Thrive. The first year your plants are going to dive, meaning they are going to work on establishing their root base. The second year your plants are going to come alive, meaning they will be working on the leaves, blooms and the above ground features (leaves, stems, blooms, etc.) The third year your plants are going to thrive, meaning they will really start to grow, add height, and mass...not rapidly, but enough for you to start to notice. 

3. Develop a plan. That first spring day, instead of grabbing a shovel and digging, simply walk outside and begin thinking what you would like to see where? Make note of the site conditions...space, light, moisture. This can be a simple, simple sketch as noted below. Also, make note of a budget for your plan. By the time you purchase plants, soil amendment, and mulch, the landscape price tag can become quite steep. I'm not even saying you have to stick to a plan or your budget, but at least formulate some thoughts on with what and where you will be working....






















   a simple site plan of current conditions                                                    simple sketch of new material


4. Always read the tag. You would never buy clothes without reading the tag (size, material, washing requirements) so why would you buy a plant without reading its tag? When checking the tag always look for mature size, light requirement, moisture requirement and spacing...and match these conditions to the notes you took in step 3. By placing the right plant in the right place you will have little to no maintenance throughout the years of the plants' growth. Years from that spring fever planting rampage, you will be wanting to look out on a well placed plants that have brought your vision to life, not digging and removing the side effects of some over zealous planting.

5. Make the investment. If patience is just not your thing, consider buying larger size plants. Landscapes are an investment, so go ahead and invest a larger up front sum that will reap faster rewards. Sure you will spend a bit more in the beginning, but you will start gaining the satisfaction of having your vision come to life much sooner.

A Quick Explanation of Plant Size: 

www.junglemusic.net

Plants come in standard sizes, starting with pots that are measured in inches for smaller perennials and annuals. Landscape shrubs come in standard, gallon sizes: 1 gallon, 3 gallon, 5 gallon, 7 gallon, and 10 gallon, 15 gallon, and sometimes 25 gallon. Once over 25 gallons, they come in b+b (ball and burlap) or by inch stem caliper.

4" pot= pint (0.5 quart)
5-6" pot = quart (0.25 gallon)
7-8" pot= 1 gallon
8.5" pot = 2 gallon
10" pot = 3 gallon
12" pot = 5 gallon
14" pot= 7 gallon
16" pot= 10 gallon
18" pot = 15 gallon
24" pot = 25 gal
30" pot= 30 gal

(http://www.hardytropicals.org/blog/entry/pot_sizes_inches_to_gallon_conversion)

Now the plant height will vary according to the container size, but the larger the container, the taller the plant because larger containers can support larger root balls.

Although I wish there were a shot to cure instant landscape; one that allows us to click our fingers and transfer images from a magazine into our own landscapes, there just is not. The case of the instant landscape can really only be cured with some patience, which is about as disgusting as that pink, liquid antibiotic we would take as children. However, the best option is to take preventative measures...take a deep breath, take some notes, make some plans (back in January and February when you are pining for spring temperatures), and start saving pennies so that you will be ready to jump into your landscape when April 3 hits and it is 78 degrees. And as in the case of any case...seek professional help should the symptoms of instant landscape continue into the Summer months...