" Encourage air travel" Interesting concept for your flowers.

image from wallpapersafari.com  

      Good morning, and it is slippery out there. Evelyn McAdam, Larry’s sister from Australia posted an article about Englishman’s view of Australia.  Lots of fun things in there but the one that caught my attention was.
“Always carry a stick.”
That is what I am doing now with the ice, carrying, and using a stick to walk across the blacktop and the road.  Do what you must do, so you don’t fall.  Be safe. 
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I found this article in one of my gardening books. The Old Farmer’s Almanac flower gardener’s handbook.
Getting started  Great ideas and now is the time to think about doing these things. 
     We all dream of a lush, lovely flower bed full of colorful blooms all season long.  What we end up with is often something else.  The color runs out when the heat hits, the plants clash instead of complement, the tall plants crowd out the shot ones.  But late summer or sooner, it all looks sad and shabby.
     Don’t despair!  With planning and preparation, the garden of your dreams in possible and it starts right here. 
     Let the sunshine.
        Give careful consideration to where you site your garden.  Before digging, evaluate your garden area:  Note microclimates( very small, localized weather conditions) created by trees and walls.  Watch the path of the Sun, noting the winds and soil conditions.  Soil types can greatly affect water penetration: soil near walls and fences and under overhanging trees tends to be too dry for good plant growth.
      Most flowering plants need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day, although some will grow well in more shade.  In general, the more sunlight flowering plants receive, the more abundant and lusher their blooms.  Avoid planting flowers and shrubs near large trees.  These will cast shade and complete with your plants for nutrients and water.
    Be ready with water, have water readily available.  Consider installing a soaker or drip hose.  These use a fraction of the water used by a sprinkler and deliver it where it is needed.  Group plants according to their water needs.  See plants with high water needs in a hollow that collects rainwater.  Remember that warmer southern or weather exposure use the most water.
Encourage air travel.
     Good airflow will encourage sturdy plant growth and help to keep diseases at bay.  It also makes the garden less hospitable to insect pests.
Be wary of the winds.
     Solid walls or fences may provide shelter, but they can also cause the wind to form destructive turbulence on the leeward sides, and do not plant too close to them.
I will post the rest of the article another day.  I know all of you have had experience with some of these topics.  Hope you enjoyed it. 
Taken from The Old Farmer’s Almanac book Flower gardener’s handbook.  Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365