| Web Extra |
| Sensible plant varieties for an educational, low-maintenance garden |
From "Garden Sense"
episode DGAR-301 |
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The following plants would make sensible selections in an educational, low-maintenance garden.
Beta vulgaris var. cicla--Swiss Chard- Warm season annual grown for its edible colorful foliage ranging from white to pink, purple and red
- Plant in well-drained soil
- Plant in full sun
- Grown as an annual in all zones
- Height: 18-24 inches
- Width: 12-18 inches
Will survive the winter in USDA zones 8b-10 - Zones 2-8a--Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch after planting; water when dry; remove after damage from frost.
- Zones 8b-10--Plant in early fall or early spring; plant in full sun; mulch after planting; water when dry; remove if damaged by frost.
Daucus carota var. sativas--Garden Carrot - Hardy cool season biennial grown as an annual for its edible root
- Plant in deep, rich organic soil that is loose and well-drained
- Plant in full sun
- Height: 10-12 inches
- Width: 4-8 inches
Grown as an annual in all USDA zones: - All Zones--Plant in early spring as soon as soil is workable; harvest when roots reach approximately 1/2-inch in diameter; in warmer climates a fall crop may also be planted.
Asparagus officinalis--Asparagus - Dioecious perennial grown for its edible tender growth
- Plant in full sun
- Plant in rich organic soil that is well-drained
- Plant male varieties for best yields; don't harvest until after first year
- Height: 4-5 feet
- Width: 1-2 feet
Hardy in USDA zones 4-9: - Zone 4--Plant in spring; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt
- Zone 5--Plant in spring; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
- Zone 6--Plant in spring; plant in full sun; avoid contact with salt.
- Zone 7--Plant in early spring; plant in full sun; provide supplemental water during dry spells.
- Zone 8--Plant in early spring; plant in full sun; provide supplemental water during dry spells.
Syringa x 'Minuet' – Minuet (Preston) Lilac - Deciduous shrub noted for its fragrant whitish pink flowers in spring
- Plant in full sun to light shade
- Plant in rich, but well-drained soil; fertilize in spring; prune after flowering
- Height: 6-8 feet
- Width: 5-6 feet
Hardy in USDA zones 3-7: - Zone 3--Plant in spring; mulch after first hard frost for protection; avoid contact with salt; plant in full sun; water regularly the first season.
- Zone 4--Plant in spring; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; plant in full sun; water regularly the first season.
- Zone 5--Plant in spring; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; plant in full sun; water regularly the first season.
- Zone 6--Plant in spring or early fall; mulch after first hard frost; plant in full sun to light shade; water regularly the first season.
- Zone 7--Plant in early fall; mulch in fall; plant in full sun to light shade; water regularly the first season; flowering may be reduced after warm winters.
Petunia x hybrida Lilac and Pink Cascade--Petunia - Trailing annual grown for its profusion of lilac and pink flowers from spring through fall
- Plant in moist, but well-drained soil; water when dry
- Plant in full sun
- Height: 4-7 inches
- Width: 36-48 inches
Grown as an annual in all USDA zones: - All Zones--Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; cut back foliage and bring indoors or root cuttings indoors before frost or discard plants after killing frost.
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Gardening by Zip Code
If you're looking to start a gardening project but 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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RESOURCES :
A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants
American Horticultural Society
Dorling Kindersley Publishing Inc.
ISBN 0-7566-0616-0
Website: www.dk.com
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