My property is rather small and I found out that some of the native shrubs are simply too big. I have to prune really hard if I want to have more diversity. Some are too vigorous for small gardens. And they grow much larger in the garden situation, even without fertilizers or soil amendments. I have neighbours from 3 sides and I have to be really careful that plants do not cross the fence. I cannot plant everything that I wish. I know that some nativars are not the best choice but often their size is much better suited for smaller gardens.
All I did is kill flowers and plants when I got into gardening. Overwatering was a huge problem for me also. What changed everything wax when I found Jim P. on UA-cam here. Everything else failed, so I started using his way of working on the soil instead of the plants. Every time we till or dig up the yard it brings up hundreds of thousands of weed seeds so I only did it once to get started. I tilled in tons of high quality compost into the topsoil and mulched up the leaves every fall and spread them around the entire area. Year 2 I was getting some results. Year 3 though, I had 6 inches of nice black perfect dirt and darn near anything I planted thrived like crazy. I always use a triple shredded mulch twice a year too. So after the soil became so good, any plant I wanted grows great now. Of course once in awhile there's a stubborn plant that doesn't like it's 1st home so I move it. If in the 3rd try, if something won't grow, into the trash it goes. 99 percent of any plants I have grow like mad and I only keep the soil good. The only fertilizer I put out in early March (zone6a) is a light shot of plantone. I don't use anything else ever and my good soil keeps any plant growing like mad into December sometimes. I never cut the old stalks of flowers down until March either. With good soil, 4hrs of hot sun should be enough. Maybe it's time for a reset? I like all of the natural plants and the look of your gardens!
I watch him sometimes, too. I like his channel. The thing about soil amending is that it depends on what you are growing. He grows some native plants, but he also grows non-native plants. When you grow native plants, it's best to use the native soil you already have, rather than adding a bunch of amendments. Compost on top is ok, but I would not till anything in. I've learned from the mistakes of putting compost in a clay hole, too. Not good. :( This can create a "bowl" effect and rot your plant roots. I prefer green mulch when I can do so, but if I have to mulch, I like similar to what you use. And for fertilizer, I only use it in my pots and it's very low numbers and always organic. :) I don't find that I need any fertilizer in ground for natives, but I do need a tad for the pots! I grow some natives from seed and do lots of winter sowing. Thanks for visiting, and if you're into the natural type of garden, you'll love this channel. :D
Butterflies are the best. 🦋
My favorite! :)
My property is rather small and I found out that some of the native shrubs are simply too big. I have to prune really hard if I want to have more diversity. Some are too vigorous for small gardens. And they grow much larger in the garden situation, even without fertilizers or soil amendments. I have neighbours from 3 sides and I have to be really careful that plants do not cross the fence. I cannot plant everything that I wish. I know that some nativars are not the best choice but often their size is much better suited for smaller gardens.
All I did is kill flowers and plants when I got into gardening. Overwatering was a huge problem for me also. What changed everything wax when I found Jim P. on UA-cam here. Everything else failed, so I started using his way of working on the soil instead of the plants. Every time we till or dig up the yard it brings up hundreds of thousands of weed seeds so I only did it once to get started. I tilled in tons of high quality compost into the topsoil and mulched up the leaves every fall and spread them around the entire area. Year 2 I was getting some results. Year 3 though, I had 6 inches of nice black perfect dirt and darn near anything I planted thrived like crazy. I always use a triple shredded mulch twice a year too. So after the soil became so good, any plant I wanted grows great now. Of course once in awhile there's a stubborn plant that doesn't like it's 1st home so I move it. If in the 3rd try, if something won't grow, into the trash it goes. 99 percent of any plants I have grow like mad and I only keep the soil good. The only fertilizer I put out in early March (zone6a) is a light shot of plantone. I don't use anything else ever and my good soil keeps any plant growing like mad into December sometimes. I never cut the old stalks of flowers down until March either. With good soil, 4hrs of hot sun should be enough. Maybe it's time for a reset? I like all of the natural plants and the look of your gardens!
I watch him sometimes, too. I like his channel. The thing about soil amending is that it depends on what you are growing. He grows some native plants, but he also grows non-native plants. When you grow native plants, it's best to use the native soil you already have, rather than adding a bunch of amendments. Compost on top is ok, but I would not till anything in. I've learned from the mistakes of putting compost in a clay hole, too. Not good. :( This can create a "bowl" effect and rot your plant roots. I prefer green mulch when I can do so, but if I have to mulch, I like similar to what you use. And for fertilizer, I only use it in my pots and it's very low numbers and always organic. :) I don't find that I need any fertilizer in ground for natives, but I do need a tad for the pots! I grow some natives from seed and do lots of winter sowing. Thanks for visiting, and if you're into the natural type of garden, you'll love this channel. :D
@@awildapproach * I sectioned out my property into several beds. I am now about 80 percent native. Your channel is great!
@@HoosierDaddy_ Thank you so much! I appreciate your comments and what you're doing in your garden. Keep up the great work!!! :)