4 minute read
Beginning a garden
(Part 2)
By Donna Nesbit, Grayson County Master Gardener
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After learning about the three main philosophies of gardening, a design is chosen. A garden design is an outline detailing how the philosophy will be implemented. Once the design is created, different methods can be used as a framework for the design.
Gardens can be broken into seven different general designs. From these general designs, many more specific designs can be created. For example, when designing a building, the architect first decides whether the building should be an office building or a residential building before designing the final product. Therefore, a general design helps the gardener find a more specific design. Climatic gardening, container gardening, edible gardening, floral gardening, therapy gardening, wetlands gardening, and zoological gardening are the general designs.
Climatic garden design mimics a climatic area such as the Mediterranean, Xeriscape, Alpine, or Tropical gardens, or they are designed to alter the existing climate in their locations: Greenhouses, High Tunnels, and Cold frames. The ones that mimic a climatic area are best used in areas that have a similar climate to the original climate. A Mediterranean garden works well in southern California, but not so well along the Gulf of Mexico coast. In general, these types of gardens can work well with all of the philosophies.
Greenhouses, Cold Frames, and High Tunnels can be used in many locations. Greenhouses and High Tunnels can increase production year-round, minimize risks caused by the weather and pests, and provide a stable environment. Cold frames can also prolong the growing season and is not as costly as a greenhouse; however, it is more difficult to control the temperature in a cold frame. With greenhouses and high tunnels, there is a large initial investment. More manual labor is needed in all of these gardens because the plants need to be replanted and pollinated by hand. Also, if a pest or disease is allowed to enter the structure, it is more difficult to control. These gardens work well with the organic and traditional philosophies. Container garden design requires that plants be put into some kind of planter. These planters may be window boxes, pots, hanging baskets, tires, or any type of enclosed planter. These containers can be planted with floral or vegetable plants, and then placed in a favorable location either on the ground, on a balcony or attached to a fence. They are portable, so they can overcome problems with soil, climate, or light. They can be placed inside or out, so a “yard” is not necessarily needed; however, some plants do not do well in pots because of size, nutritional needs, or other factors. The planters can be used to contain aggressive plants or protect tender plants. In addition, the planters can be coordinated with the décor of the surrounding locations.
Sometimes a specialized soil is needed, and water and fertilizer must be provided on a regular basis. Initial outlay for the planters can be expensive, and plants may need to be re-potted as they grow. If a potted plant is left outdoors, it will be more vulnerable to the cold. These gardens work well with the organic and traditional philosophies. Edible gardens produce food and herbs for the table. As one might expect, vegetable gardens are one of the most common types of edible gardens. Whether it is a tomato plant and some basil for the Italian meal or a whole garden full of a variety of vegetables, this is what many people think of when the word “garden” is mentioned. Other edible gardens are herb gardens, food forests, foodscaping (edible landscaping), Potager (kitchen garden), and cottage gardens. Herb gardens and vegetable gardens can also fall in the container gardening category. The traditional vegetable garden usually needs a lot of space in full sun. Herb gardens and Potager gardens are usually placed convenient to the kitchen where the produce will be processed. Foodscaping and cottage gardens intermingle the food production garden with the floral gardens. Food forests try to mimic natural forests while providing food for the table. This type is considered a permaculture garden. The others are usually traditional or organic.
As the name suggests, Floral Gar-
