Bulbs are the earliest blooming flowers in the garden blooming as early as February or early March. Bulbs can be used in the perennial garden where they can complement other early flowers. Planted in the lawn or beneath deciduous shade trees, bulbs can provide your property with spots of vibrant colors.

Though bulbs prefer sun they can grow beneath the canopy of deciduous trees. In the spring, before the leaves develop, the sun can filter though the tree’s branches. However, while theyll grow best in the sun, those which are exposed to direct sun during the hottest part of the day are subject to shorter periods of bloom. Bulbs prefer organic well drained soil and will tend to rot if grown in poorly drained soils such as clay. To grow in poorly drained areas amend the soil down to 1 foot. Adding coarse textured organic mulch and compost to the soil will increase its drainage ability and add nutrients to the soil. Another solution is to plant them in raised beds created with well drained soil.

Bulbs, like perennials and annuals, should be deadheaded after they flower. Removing past blooms will prevent the bulbs from forming seed heads. This allows bulbs to put all of their energy into next years growth. Wait until the foliage turn brown before you cut the bulb back to the ground. Bulbs receive their energy through their foliage from the sun. This energy is stored below the ground in the bulbs until the following spring.

Wait until the weather is cooler in October and November to plant your bulbs. When you purchase them be sure they are firm rather than soft, bruised or moldy. If you dont plant them right away be sure to store them in a cool dry place until you do. Generally, bulbs are planted at a depth 3 to 4 times the width of the bulb. Be sure to check when you buy for specific planting instructions. I like to plant bulbs in large massings for clusters of color. Cover the planted bulbs with about 2 or 3 inches of bark mulch to help the soil retain moisture and to reduce the growth of weeds in the garden.

Every few years some bulbs begin to get crowded and need dividing. Bulbs can be dug up after the foliage turns brown and can either be planted immediately or stored in a cool dry place until theyre planted in the fall.

Bulbs can usually be depended on to provide the garden with early spring color. Sometimes, however, bulbs fail to bloom profusely. This can be the result of too much moisture, too much shade or overcrowding. It can also be the result of removing the foliage of the bulbs too soon or improper planting techniques such as planting at the wrong depth.

Bulbs are among the easiest plants to care for in the garden. With some initial work you can provide your garden with early season color year after year. Spring flowering bulbs are a pleasant sight after a long winter and are the best sign of the wonderful things to come.

T Hallinan is a landscape designer and builder in Massachusetts. Visit his garden resource website http://www.gardenlistings.com for all kind of helpful information. For more garden guides visit http://www.gardenlistings.com/resources.htm

While no garden is maintenance free, it is possible to create a garden with relatively few demands. Careful planning, proper plant selection and thoughtful design are essential to creating a low maintenance landscape which retains a gardens aesthetic qualities.

Analyze your site thoroughly. Observe the sun and shade conditions and test your soil for Ph level and composition. Through site analysis youll be more informed as to what plants are appropriate for your garden. Gardens planned with forethought will require less maintenance as your plants will thrive and experience less stress.

Group new shrubs into planting beds; theyre generally easier to maintain in the garden than several sporadic individual plants. Though flowers are higher upkeep than other types of plants, few would want to banish them from the garden completely. Perennials require some work, such as deadheading, though the season but they return and flower year after year. After the initial investment and planting, perennials are easy to maintain. Annuals on the other hand, require deadheading, frequent watering and need to be replanted every year. If you decide to plant flowers in your garden, use only a few and place them where theyll have the highest impact.

When designing your garden, remember, planting beds which are slightly curved or straight will be easier to mow around than those which are more complex. Edging planting beds will help keep weeds out of the lawn and grass out of the bed, reducing the need for weeding. There are many materials which work well as an edging. Plastic and metal edging are found at most nurseries and can be curved to follow the shape of the bed. Be sure to mulch the shrub beds after planting, this will help reduce the growth of weeds as well as help the soil retain moisture.

Reintroduce nature into your garden to create landscapes which are self-sustaining. A woodland garden is a great low maintenance landscape which utilizes many native species of trees, shrubs and perennials. Plants native to particular area will generally require less maintenance than those plants which are introduced. Native plants have proven their ability to survive in your local climate and site conditions. Theyll also be less likely to succumb to disease and extreme conditions. Native species will create more diversity in the garden as well as a habitat for native wildlife.

Wildflower meadows are another type of landscape which requires very little maintenance. Meadows are noted for their stability and wide diversity of plants resulting in vibrant colors and textures. Like the woodland garden a meadow will require very little maintenance after some initial work. Once a year, preferably in the fall after the seeds have dropped from the plants, mow the field with the blades at a high setting. This will allow the plants to get an early start in the spring. It also removes any tree and shrub saplings from taking over the site.

Aside from recreating native landscapes in your garden, proper plant selection is important when planning a low maintenance garden. For example, consider replacing some lawn areas with groundcover. Groundcover can greatly reduce the upkeep in the garden while adding a variety of textures and colors. Though groundcovers vary in the amount of required maintenance all groundcovers should be considered low maintenance. Only occasional pruning is necessary to keep groundcovers from creeping into the lawn or garden beds.

Pruning shrubs is one of gardenings most important and laborious tasks. Some shrubs are fast growers which need pruning at least few times each season. Selecting slow growing shrubs will greatly reduce or eliminate the need for pruning. During the plant selection process, be sure to choose shrubs which will not outgrow their allotted space so therell be no need for transplanting in the future.

Evaluate your needs before you begin planning your garden. Consider the amount of time youll be able to devote to the garden. With proper planning and some initial investment of time and labor youll be able to enjoy and carefree garden for years.

T Hallinan is a landscape designer and builder in Massachusetts. Visit his garden resource website http://www.gardenlistings.com for all kind of helpful information. For more garden guides visit http://www.gardenlistings.com/resources.htm

Creating a wildlife garden allows you take part in your larger surrounding environment. Often gardens are completely shut out from the natural landscape around it and aren’t welcoming to birds and other wildlife. Adding a few well placed and well chosen shrubs or trees can make all the difference when trying to attract birds to your garden.

Map out and observe your surroundings to see what natural habitats are close by. Are there any ponds, rivers, or streams? Are parks, golf courses or nature reserves nearby? Remember, your garden is part of the larger environment. Knowing what the local ecosystems are will better enable you to plan your garden.

In order to attract birds, gardens must supply them with food, water, shelter and nesting areas. Provide for different bird species by making available a variety of seed and berry producing trees and shrubs, such as Washington hawthorn, mountain ash, cherry and viburnum. Flowers such as hollyhock, nasturtium, and sunflower produce seed which attract birds as well. Indigenous plants, those which grow naturally in a specific area, are very effective at attracting local bird species. Try to incorporate some of these into your garden.

Also, be sure to provide food throughout the year. For example, in the spring have a few different berry producing shrubs available, such as blueberries and raspberries. In the summer, perennials provide seed and in the fall trees such as dogwood and serviceberry bear fruit which birds will seek out. Birds which over winter in your area will need sustenance provided by winterberry and other fruit bearing shrubs.

Different birds need different foods and different environments in which to live. Robins, for example, eat at ground level where they forage for insects and worms while many other birds prefer to be off the ground a bit in the midst of a perennials garden where they eat the seeds of the flowers. Some birds, like grosbeaks, prefer the height of shrubs and others still, such as the woodpecker, prefer to be in the canopy of taller trees where their able to find insects in the tree’s bark.

Plants, while providing food, also supply birds with shelter. Evergreens and other dense shrubs provide nesting areas and protection from cold winter winds and create shade in the heat of the summer. While it may be impossible to incorporate all these habitats into your garden, plan at least a couple. The more habitats you can provide the more birds will flock to your garden.

Along with food, birds require water for both drinking and bathing. If there aren’t any natural water sources near your garden, be sure to place a birdbath or water dish in the area. Keep the water fresh by filling it daily. In the winter when the water freezes knock out the ice and replace with fresh water. Most home and garden stores that stock birdbaths sell small water heaters which will prevent freezing. If you are considering using one of these consult an electrician to help with the installation. If their aren’t any natural water systems in your area, consider planning a water garden, just remember bird prefer shallow water to deep water. Waterfalls and bubbling fountains will attract a number of birds since most species are drawn to the sound of running water.

If you’re contemplating using a bird feeder, maintain it and be sure to keep it stocked as birds often come to depend on these feeders, especially during the lean, harsh months of winter. Since birds are attracted to a variety of different foods, supply them with seeds, berries, fats, breads and nuts. Avoid salty foods. Using a birdhouse for your seed provides shelter as well as a place for food.

Creating a garden which attracts birds has positive effect on the environment; you’re providing a new habitat for birds and well as beneficial insects and other wildlife. While birds will thrive and will benefit the most from your efforts, you’re also providing years of enjoyment for both yourself and visitors to your garden.

T Hallinan is a landscape designer and builder in Massachusetts. Visit his garden resource website http://www.gardenlistings.com for all kind of helpful information. For more garden guides visit http://www.gardenlistings.com/resources.htm