Greetings, Plant Parents. It’s the first day of Spring and time to move forward! 

​This specific day of the year is unique because the length of day and night (sunlight and darkness) are close to being equal.  Spring is one of the two milder, transitional seasons between the extremes of hot and cold.  A shift from something ending into something new beginning.  Spring is the anticipation of change for renewal and growth.  What better time to launch a new business for garden design services!

The beginning of Spring is a cue to gardeners to check your outdoor environment for signs of new growth.  This includes faithful perennials re-emerging with new vigor and the brightest of greens in color.  Trees budding out new foliage in preparation to filter and shade our gardens from the intense sun.  You’ll also come across weeds sprouting in flower beds, sidewalks and lawn areas ready for easy removal after a gentle rain.  Your containers may also be showing signs of emerging perennials from seasons past.  Those root systems enjoyed a winter’s rest and are ready for new production.  Any plants not returning from last year signal that they were one-season-wonders (annuals) or possibly unhappy or unsupported in that particular space.

Refresh and till compacted soil with rich compost mix available in most nurseries.  Take time to trim back foliage from last year to make way for the new growth in your containers.  Give ornamental grasses a “hair cut” (grab like a ponytail and cut) to allow the new growth to dominate.  This makes for tidy space around your existing plant material and reveals available space for pockets of annuals.  Give your emerging plants a boost with an application of fertilizer.  These come in liquid root stimulators, slow release or bloom boosters.  I recommend the slow release versions for extended feedings through the season.  Root stimulators are great for launching newly planted trees and shrubs.  Water in well after application.

Resist the urge to go to your local nurseries that are overflowing with new plant materials.  It’s best to work on a plan first, know what plants will work in available spaces and estimate quantities.  Make your list and check it twice!  Otherwise, you’ll come home with a collection of “Ooo, I can find a place for this one”, which are less likely to end up planted or happy in the garden space available.

Lastly, spring is also a time to pause and consider the possibilities of your landscape.  New ideas worth considering hold potential for implementation.  This could be the year to transform the look of your exteriors and dig in to a project you’ve wanted to achieve.
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Join me in embracing this new season as we spring forward together, refreshing the possibilities of what our gardens can be.

Hello Plant Parents!  Here’s my very first blog posted to introduce you to my newest endeavor.

My new business is called containarment.  It’s a mash up of who I am and what I love to do.  The primary focus is on beautiful garden containers for your home or business elevating your entry ways, patios and poolsides. This is an underserved niche by traditional landscaping companies and it’s something I’m absolutely passionate about.  I believe that most people love the look of plant containers but lack the time and expertise to effectively design and implement.  That’s why I’m here.  I’ll even update your containers each season to keep things looking fresh.  I’m also offering landscape design services particularly for your existing beds that have been impacted by change (tired shrubs, new construction, tree canopy expansion, etc.).  Additional maintenance services are available including “plant sitting” while you’re away from home.  I’m excited to finally launch this new business sharing my expertise and love for everything garden.

Creating successful plant containers is harder than it looks.  It all starts with selecting and positioning containers that are best suited to your space.   Principles of design are used to perfect these choices in space, function and style.  Step two involves making sure to establish a healthy environment for plants to thrive in.  More than a fresh bag of potting soil, it takes true know-how for advanced soil blends supported by interior container structure designed for optimal plant growth and survival.  Plant selection is fun for most, but without understanding compatibility in combination and numbers, it can hold disappointing results.  Planting can also be tricky to ensure that specimens are given the best launch in adequate space for healthy growth.  Lastly, caring for containers is likely the most challenging factor.  Watering routines change with the seasons and too much or too little will cause stress or worse to your plants.  Monitoring techniques include feeding, trimming and offering cover on cold winter nights.  All of this can be managed with support from a good container coach.  That’s why I’m here.

Designing and installing containers is both an art and science that I’ve mastered over years of performance trials including a few defeats that taught me well.  I’m here to give your mixed or single specimen containers the best start, share my knowledge and make your experience successful for home or business.  Whether you are wanting turnkey services with ongoing maintenance including seasonal updates or simply wish to restart your approach to beautiful garden containers, let my experience be to your advantage. 

Again, that’s why I’m here.