Here are some tips to help you think about the overall environment of your garden. Gardeners are making every effort to contribute to “going green’ ….what better place than in the garden! 

1. Start with healthy soil.
   1. What kind of soil do you have? Does it need amendments.
   2. Although gardener moan about clay soils, they are very nutritious and merely need the addition of organic matter to help fluff the soil.
   3. Add organic matter for water holding and drainage whether you have sandy or clay soils, it is the best amendment.
   4. Improve drainage if needed. Drain tiles, French drains.
   5. Healthy soil encourages beneficial insects and organisms.
       
2. Plant selection and Placement
   1. Does your plant want sun or shade? How big will it get? Is it susceptible to insects or disease problems?
   2. Observe your existing plants to see if they are in the right place. Plants that want more sun will reach in the direction of the sun and be rangy and spindly. Plants that need more shade will fry in the hot summer sun.
   3. Group your plants according or irrigation needs. No need over-watering one plant while not giving others enough.
   4. If you have a high water table and soggy winter soils choose plants that thrive in that environment.
   5. If your garden has a lot of dry shade, you don’t have to dump on the water. Choose plants
       
3. Plant Care
   1. Learn what your plants need. When to prune, need for fertilization etc.
   2. Mulch for moisture conservation and weed control.
   3. Sanitation is important (Hot compost if possible). Rake up diseased leaves and remove diseased or mummified fruits that harbor problems for the coming year.
       
4. Monitor Plants for Problems
   1. The best way no to over treat your plant problems is to make sure you know if there is a problem.
   2. Be tolerant of minor plant damage. That is a condition of our natural environment..
   3. Make sure you know the difference between the good guys and the bad guys. Most insects in your garden are beneficial and are helping you keep a natural balance in your landscape.
       
5. Get Help Diagnosing Plant Problems
   1. Seek help from reputable garden centers, nurseries and OSU and WSU Master Gardeners at County Extension offices and events.
   2. Over 90% of identified plant problems are environmental (too wet, too dry, wrong place, poor root system, improper pruning). Most observed problems are not disease or insect related.
       
6. Manage Problems and Pests with Care
   1. Make sure you know you have a problem before you treat, even with organic solutions.
   2. Build a tolerance for some pests and problems in the garden….that is “natural”.
   3. Be cautious of home concoctions that you make yourself. Some may be environmentally safe, but not for you, the applicator.
   4. Always use the least toxic approach first and treat only problem area.
       
7. If you remember nothing else…..just relax and enjoy your garden. If you let it, nature will take care of it for you.

 

Jan McNeilan

            PNW Gardening Consultants & Retired OSU Extension Horticulture Agent

11/08