It is important to select plant materials that are healthy and in a growing state. Look closely for insects, disease, and signs of stress. Carefully inspect the root stock of the plant. Make sure not to select plants that are rootbound. Check for spotting, leaf edge burn or other common plant problems. Flowering plants should have young, tight buds. It’s nice to see the plant in full bloom, but if it’s fully flowered now you may not see it bloom in your garden until the following year.

Understanding the importance of soil is paramount. It is always said that it’s better to have a $5 hole with a $1 plant in it than a $5 plant in a $1 hole. Select a good organic soil conditioner to amend existing soil or to add to new top soil. Mulch is very important to maintain plant health and soil moisture.

Always fertilize when you plant something new. Shrubs require regular feeding three times a year to maintain a balance between flowering, foliage & root development. Perennials & annuals require feeding from every week to every three months. It depends on the plant. Your Garden Design Consultant can tell you all you need to know.

Keep in mind that the more effort you put into your gardening, the more you will be rewarded. Use the "chocolate cake test" by squeezing a fistful of soil in your hand. If, after being squeezed, the soil crumbles like good chocolate cake, it’s ready for you to work it.

Here’s a short list of some helpful tools...

• garden gloves
• a hose-end spray
• a steel garden rake
• a digging shovel
• a hand trowel
• a two-gallon pump sprayer.

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