DIY Network

Ann Hunter: Her Plan, Costs and Products From "Garden Sense" episode DGAR-113

Meet Angela Ann Hunter. Ann is 74 and lives in a condo with an enclosed back patio, which she uses a lot along with her 15 grandchildren.

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A tornado five or six years ago severely damaged the garden. It is still somewhat damaged and Ann would like some help to rearrange and reassess.
Also, Ann's life has changed. At age 74, she's developed arthritis, which makes it difficult to bend or stoop to the ground. But she says, "Just because my health has changed doesn't mean I want to give up gardening."

Gardening Challenge

Before

After

Project Details

• Damaged landscape timbers need to be replaced, as well as a trellis.
  
• We will build raised beds. Raised beds will make it easier for Ann to garden. It's a hobby that she's enjoyed for years. We're moving many of the plants she already into the raised beds and adding more plants.
  
• We're planting a large tree into a container, which will provide her some needed shade on her patio. Also, the actual gardening space is too small for a tree, but not for a tree in a container.
  
• The plants we used add structure and are easy car. They include Knock Out Roses, peonies, Stella d'oro day lilies, hostas and hydrangeas.
  
• We replaced her hostas with a smaller variety.
  
• We've also chosen plants with blossoms in her favorite color - pink.

Raised beds

• Soil preparation is the key to successful gardening in raised beds. When using raised beds, provide extra fertilizer and mix the topsoil with compost or manure.
  
• Plants must have adequate nutrients and water.
  
• Raised beds need more water than regular garden beds in the ground.

Required Project Time
Grandma's Garden project took 10 hours to complete.

Gardening by Zip Code If you're looking to start a gardening projectbut don't know your gardening zone—visit the National Gardening Associations's USDA Hardiness Zone Finder. Enter your Zip Code to identify the proper zone.

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