Putting the cart before the horse this year

14 years ago

That is..I'm determined to dig the holes before I get the plants and mark the holes with plant pots to keep them open.

I suffer (as do we all) the lure of my favorite garden centers and I buy more than I can physically plant in the ground when it starts getting really hot.

The remainder goes into planters that have to be hand watered or they stay in their pots or are given away.

Knees not being what they used to, I have to labor when I've got the energy and I figure having ready made holes will speed the process.

In the past I've sometimes bought plants/roses/shrubs for a certain spot only to find there's a boulder or a tree root right where I want that plant to grow. Digging first, then getting the plant might just be my solution.

At least I hope so.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

mygardnparadise
14 years ago
Dottie,
I think that is an awesome idea! You've knocked out 50% of the work...how could you go wrong there? lol

I have a brand new bed i'm planting, or else I'd be doing this very same thing!
nannerbelle
14 years ago
Oh Dottie, you have described me perfectly as one who goes a bit overboard at the garden center. I'm also going to try your method this year. My DH gave me a good lecture a few weeks ago about only purchasing material (both plants and materials) as I'm ready for them. This sounds like a wonderful idea to keep my shopping adventures in check with reality!!
Related Professionals
Maple Valley Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Clemson Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Cedar Hill Landscape Contractors · Deerfield Beach Landscape Contractors · Lakeville Landscape Contractors · Las Vegas Landscape Contractors · Little Ferry Landscape Contractors · Mastic Beach Landscape Contractors · Overland Park Landscape Contractors · Raleigh Landscape Contractors · Soddy Daisy Landscape Contractors · South Lake Tahoe Landscape Contractors · Sun City Center Landscape Contractors · Thornton Landscape Contractors · Yukon Landscape Contractors
dottie_in_charlotte
Original Author
14 years ago
I did this a few years back when we first moved into the new house. Soil dug needed amending which made planting take even longer so the first fall, I dug the holes, mixed the dug soil with amendments and put it in an empty plant pot back into the hole ready for spring. Worked really well for the one bed I was able to get done. The hardest work was done in cooler weather with no mosquitoes.
nannerbelle
14 years ago
I think I'm definately going to try this method this year/Fall for some new beds I want to put in around the new deck. Cooler weather? No Mosquitoes? You sold me right there!! :-)