Green Life - 3 Simple Steps for Planning a Successful Garden

It is that time of the year again. Time to clean up and clear out the garden for another season. Our garden provides us with such beauty and joy, it is so sad to shut it down. I dream of living in a part of the world where we could grow vegetables successfully all year round. Of course, that would mean we wouldn't experience snow...so I guess I'll settle for the 4 or 5 months of growing that we do get. The best part about closing the garden is planning for the next growing season. Now is the time to think back and take note of 3 things - what did we have too much of, what did we have too little of and what were we missing. Answer these questions and you've got a garden plan for next season.

Easy! We had way too many tomatoes! Yikes! Our cherry tomato plants grew incredibly well, and we saved seeds so that we can grow more next year. We just won't grow 4 plants next year...maybe only 2. We also had too many lilies. The day lilies are taking over the front garden. Next spring they need to be split and moved around a some more. Lastly, my ornamental grasses need to be split. They are getting too crowded and need to be spread out.

We didn't have nearly enough basil. Seems strange, but I love making lots and lots of pesto. This year our basil wasn't very successful...maybe it was crowded out by the tomato plants. Next year we need a couple more basil plants. Next, I don't think my ferns came back very strong in the shade garden. We will need to add a few more ferns to the garden next year. And, finally my favourite hosta, a gloriously gorgeous specimen, died back when a new gas vent was installed. I couldn't figure out why my hosta wasn't growing big and strong. One day I stood there looking at it, when all of a sudden hot air started shooting out of the vent - directly at my hosta! That plant needs to be moved a.s.a.p.

Next growing season I would like to include a few more plants that are beautiful in the fall. I am thinking about chinese lanterns and silver dollar plants. Both of these specimens are stars of the fall garden. Another addition to our garden next year will be a tea garden. I would love to grow herbs that can be dried and made into tea; chamomile, bergamot and jasmine. I love the idea of growing herbs to be dried and enjoyed all winter long. I am really looking forward to planning my tea garden.

Is there anything that you can think of that was missing from your garden this year? Did you have a plant that grew a little too successfully? What about a plant that didn't grow at all? Aren't gardens a mystery. You plant it and sit back and wait to see what happens. Amazing.