Shannon Kennedy, ANR Educator, UGA Extension Forsyth County
Every January when I switch out my calendars, I get the gardening itch. My mind begins to dwell on the spring nursery displays even though we are still in the middle of winter. The only way I can avoid premature planting is to get out a piece of paper and plan what I will plant when spring rolls around. Sketching your landscape and blocking out areas with unique features is incredibly helpful when planning a garden.
The first step of planning is to know your climate before you start choosing plants; otherwise all the money and work you put into your landscape dies with the first sign of drought or frost. Climate is a summary of the weather patterns of a large area over a long time. If you know your USDA Hardiness Zone, you are well on your way to understanding your climate. As you shop for plants, look for USDA hardiness
information on the label. This is the bare minimum of garden planning, but I would argue that you should take this concept a little further. You may have seen the term “microclimate” when reading a gardening book or browsing a gardening website. A microclimate is exactly like a climate, just on a smaller scale.
Generally, microclimates are created because of a change in the topography of a landscape. Elevation and slope can change how the land receives and holds water. A steep slope, for example, will shed water and erode at a faster rate than a shallow slope. For this reason, ridges or hilltops tend to be drier than the surrounding area. Low elevation areas, landscapes that are bowl-shaped, or areas with a very low slope are more protected and water does not pass over the soil as quickly. They also tend to collect dense, cool air. This results in a cool protected environment that will maintain moisture more effectively. Aspect of the slope – the direction the landscape faces – will change the amount of light and heat the land receives. A southward facing slope will receive more light than a slope that faces north. These are the types of things to consider when you map your landscape.
After observing the shape of the landscape, you can focus on details. How do structures, downspouts, windbreaks, or pavement change the environment? Structures and pavement will absorb sunlight and heat throughout the day and radiate that heat at night, so the adjacent area will be a tad warmer than the rest of the landscape. Places next to downspouts and pavement will receive more water during rain events. Areas shaded by fences or buildings will likely be damper than the surrounding environment, but areas shaded by large trees may be drier because the roots of the trees will compete with other plants for water. These are the types of things you should look for while searching for microclimates.
When you understand the features of your landscape, you’ll be able to group similar plants together and place them in the most appropriate area of your garden. This method serves two purposes: It gives your plants a better chance to thrive, and you use fewer resources to keep plants alive. Locating plants with high water needs near a downspout reduces the need for additional water. To encourage early blooming, place flowering plants near a southward facing wall that reflects light and radiates heat.
Planning and placement are very important to garden success. Making these minor adjustments to your plans will give you better plant survivorship and healthier plants throughout the growing season. If you have any questions about garden planning, please contact Forsyth County Extension; we would be glad to help!