Observe how much sun or shade your garden receives and look for plants with similar light requirements. Some plants like cacti and succulents thrive in shady areas, while vegetables require full sun.
Consider choosing deer-resistant and drought-tolerant plants for your garden. Look for evergreen plants that add winter interest to your garden.
Climate
Plants can only thrive if they are planted in conditions that suit their needs. Temperature, sunlight and rainfall influence plants in a given region.
Taking the climate into account can help gardeners make better decisions when choosing plants for their gardens. For example, plants that require full sun should be planted in areas that receive 6 or more hours of direct sunlight.
Garden Size
Whether working with an in-ground garden, raised beds or containers, size is an important consideration. A small garden can still make a big impact with beautiful flowers, bountiful vegetables and fragrant herbs.
Start by studying the sun and shade patterns of your garden space, focusing on areas that get full sunlight. Then, read the plant label to understand the mature size and how wide the plant spreads.
Soil Type
Soil provides air, water, physical support and temperature moderation for plants. It also influences aeration, drainage and nutrient holding capacity.
Loam soils are ideal as they contain a balanced mix of sand, silt and clay. They are fine textured, hold moisture and allow roots to grow easily. This soil warms up quickly in spring and drains well in summer. It is also very fertile.
Personal Preference
Gardening can be a rewarding and enjoyable hobby. However, it can be difficult for new gardeners to choose the right plants for their landscape.
To help them, beginners should start by making a list of the foods they like to eat and their favourite flowers and herbs. This way, they can grow crops that they will enjoy eating and use in cooking.
Maintenance
Plant maintenance includes staking tall plants or vegetable varieties that need support and controlling weeds. Use a layer of mulch and add compost to help the soil retain water and nutrients.
Planting a variety of flowers and annuals that bloom at different times during the growing season creates a garden that is continually in bloom. Adding in some contrasting foliage plants can also add interest to your landscape.
Perennial vs Annual
Perennials flower throughout the season and come back year after year. They can be paired with annuals or shrubs for a long-lasting garden.
Many perennials take two years to flower, but they last longer than annual flowers and don’t need to be replanted each year. Some perennials drop seeds and will grow again in the next growing season. These include foxgloves, poppies and sweet williams.
Fruiting Time
Many vegetables and flowering plants need pollinators to produce consistent crops, so it’s important to choose varieties that attract bees, butterflies and other visitors. These plants tend to grow large and take up space, so consider where you plan on growing them before purchasing.
Local weather conditions can differ from one area to the next, so pay attention to the climate in your garden zone on a seed packet or plant label.
Flowering Time
Flowers and plants bloom on a schedule, depending on their tolerance to frost. For example, cool-season flowers like pansies and alyssum tolerate frost and can go outside in late spring.
Speedy annuals such as zinnias and sunflowers take just four to six weeks to reach transplantable size and can be planted outdoors after your area’s last frost date. This lets you get a jump on spring flowers!
Native Plants
Planting native plants is an integral part of landscaping a garden. They are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions and have evolved with other species over thousands of years.
These plants provide important wildlife habitat and support a healthy ecosystem. Natives also attract local insect populations that refuel migratory birds. Choosing sterile plants reduces the food available to pollinators and other insects.
Indoor vs Outdoor
Some plants only thrive outdoors in specific climate conditions. Those who aren’t given those ideal conditions might be harmed by fungus, insects or other factors.
Indoor gardens also limit space, making it impossible for vegetables to grow to their full sizes unless they are supplemented with additional light. This can be a big consideration if you want to grow food for your family.