October 2024 - Magazine - Page 15
HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY
RESILIENT
GARDENING
We were advised to try and choose plants that need similar nutrients and
conditions and to improve those conditions by increasing drainage, adding
mulches and avoiding walking over and compacting wet ground. Many plants can
survive very cold periods but not if they are too wet. Well established plants are
hardier and more tolerant to varying conditions. Smaller plants will get established
better than larger plants whilst planting in the spring is better than the autumn
when the new plant will be sitting in cold wet ground for the winter.
Formal beds need more care and attention whilst wilder areas can look after
themselves. An abundance of plants can help to reduce evaporation and keep
weeds down.
Plants not suited to an area can be grown if we create the right environment. At
Longbarn, a gravel garden has been made despite the ground being heavy clay.
This was helped by digging a ditch to drain water off. Areas next to box hedges
also produce dry planting options. Specific plants in planting ‘pockets’ can be
given extra care with individual requirements addressed.
Pots and containers again give the opportunity to manage the needs of a plant
we particularly want to grow where the garden conditions are unfavourable.
We need to consider the aspect and local conditions in our gardens, the plants
that would flourish and those we would especially like to grow to achieve our own
garden theme.
Our next talk on
November 13th is by
Stephen Harmer on
‘The History of the
Plant Hunters’.
Heather Coombes
photos: Anna Ribo
www.annaribo.com
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