The North York Mirror

You just can't plant bulbs in January when there is a foot of snow on the ground. If I break things down into stages, I find it easier to understand and explain to others.

There are three stages for a garden design: the planning stage, the landscape installation and landscape management. Timing should be a prime consideration at every stage.

Plan

The planning stage is often missed or avoided, however, it is the most important.

The best time for this stage is in the late fall or winter. When clients call me up in November and ask me if this is a good time to plan a garden, yes is always my answer.

When you look at a garden in late November only the bare bones or structure is apparent. This is the ideal time to analyze the overall landscape. The majority of people have little interest in their gardens during the late fall and winter, however, we must remember this is our longest season. So in reality you can draw up a plan anytime, but I prefer late fall or winter to view the overall structure of the garden.

Build

When is the best time to build a deck or to lay a flagstone patio?

Anytime except when the ground is frozen; I would avoid the months of December to March if possible.

For a planting installation (also known as softscaping), the timing is more critical. My favourite times to plant are in early summer (May to June) or in the fall (September to October).

In early summer there is a great selection of plant material available and the plants are in their prime condition. The only downside is that the nursery plants may be smaller.

In comparison, the fall provides cooler temperatures that are ideal for planting and plant material is typically larger. Be aware that sometimes the selection at the nursery is not as good later in the season.

If possible I prefer not to plant in August especially if it is hot and without an irrigation system in place.

Manage

Landscape management is the new term for maintenance. It involves everything that one needs to make the garden healthy over the long term: pruning, picking crops, weeding, dividing, transplanting, watering, mowing, fertilizing and composting.

I tend to break up landscape management into smaller sections within the growing season, otherwise the multiple tasks are too daunting and nothing gets done.

Not everything that is planted in your garden will thrive. Some plants may need to be moved or replaced. Keeping a general eye on the garden and watching how things are growing is important.

Some perennials will grow fast while others will take one or two years to establish themselves. Patience is essential for new gardeners. Maintenance takes place at all times during the growing season so it a good idea to keep on top of things.

Now that it is spring, the building stage is the most prevalent.

It is one of my favourite stage where the landscape plan transforms into reality. Plan, build and manage; three essential steps for your garden.

Marilyn Pomer is a landscape designer for Greenescape Designs Inc. E-mail Marilyn at marilyn@greenescape.ca you have any questions or comments.