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Step 1
You can't depend on the instructions printed on the tag! These instructions are generic and are meant to apply to the majority of buyers across the country. In hot desert or chaparral sun things are different. Many plants that say they can take full sun cannot. They need afternoon or dappled shade in extreme heat. Part-sun plants usually need a fair amount of shade in these areas. And shade lovers, well, you can guess they need full dark shade with plenty of water and even then, no guarantees!
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Step 2
Know the micro-climates of your garden space. Check out the gardens of your neighborhood. Visit local nurseries. Gardening in the chaparral and in the desert is unlike anywhere else!
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Step 3
Give your newly planted arrival extra TLC. Even the toughest plants will need extra water until the roots have spread out under the soil. One exception is for planting cactus plants if the weather is cool. They can take all the water you want in hot sun, but they will rot if they get cold and damp. When you plant most cacti, do not water too much. The roots will reach out faster if it is drier.
If you are planting in summer sun, try to rig up some shade for the first week or so and take the shade cover off a little at a time. -
Step 4
Be realistic! There is a marvelous beauty to the desert and chaparral areas of the world. If you live there, please try to open your mind to it. Planting Hawaiian gardens is not only asking for failure, but it is bad for the environment, costly to try to maintain, and looks ridiculous in the local surroundings!
Comments
Sugarbush said
on 7/28/2008 Go Jane. Thank you for this one. I hope a lot of people read this.
Willie
DUSTYMILLS said
on 7/24/2008 This is such wise advice...if I buy a plant I'm not fimiliar with I always look it up. Sometimes it won't even be the right tag.....good article*****