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Plant Hardiness Zone
The gardener should choose plants that are suitable for the specific area’s growing season, or its hardiness zone. Understanding the length of the growing season is key when choosing seed and seedlings. There is a wealth of information about plant hardiness zones, and research will yield results.
Seed Quality and Selection
Sowing quality seed is vital to optimum plant development and a successful garden. Choose seed that is packaged for the current year’s growing season whenever possible. As seed ages, the chances for healthy sprouts decreases, meaning less plants per amount of seeds sown. Saving seed from the backyard garden can be effective when it has been dried and stored properly.
Some plants require longer growing seasons than the gardener’s hardiness zone. Not to worry, seeds can be started indoors to extend the growing season.
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Plant Quality and Selection A robust garden begins with healthy plant selection. Whether choosing annuals, biennials or perennials (see more under Understanding Plant Life Cycles ), the gardener should examine plant material before purchasing. Plants should display an overall image of good health – compact, dense and hardy. Leaves should be uniform in color – pale or spotted foliage may indicate disease, insects or poor nutrition. On the other hand, roots should be pale in color, ranging from yellow to white. Compacted roots in containers indicate that the plant has outgrown its environment, and as long as it looks healthy overall, this can be remedied at planting time by untangling, straightening or cutting roots before placing them in the soil. |
Using disease-resistant plants
To avoid potential plant injury and to maintain healthy gardens, choose plant varieties that are disease-resistant. Studying seed and nursery catalogs, contacting the local extension office, and engaging in over-the-fence chats with gardening neighbors are all great resources. Through education and experience, the gardener can tell which plants are more susceptible to pathogens and which diseases are geographically prevalent.
Maturity Matters
Most plant descriptions indicate expected size at full maturity. Do not choose a plant that will outgrow its intended garden space or crowd its neighbor. By allowing adequate growing space, top performance is expected when other growth-affecting factors remain favorable.
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