Tree Hugging Family - Living Green

Green Yard Renovations: Choosing the Right Plants

by Jennifer on February 13th, 2008

This week we’re talking green yard renovations. So far we’ve looked at, some basics, Composting for Soil Health, and how to Green Your Lawn.

Part of greening your yard is choosing the correct plants. By choosing varied plants that are well adapted to your specific eco-system for where you live you can accomplish a few things:

• You create an environment that’s more likely to thrive on its own; thus requiring less evasive care and nurturing.
• You can reduce water, fertilizer, and pesticide use.
• Area specific plants do a better job of attracting the good bugs, birds, and butterflies you want in the garden, while eliminating the pests you don’t want around.

How to find the right plants for your environment:

Good places to start, as I noted before, are your local nursery, home and garden show, or talk to growing experts at a local college. Most upper level schools have some sort of information center about growing in your area. There are also some great area specific resources you can use. All of the following cover issues like choosing good regional plants and much more.

One of my favorite books is Heat-Zone Gardening: How to Choose Plants That Thrive in Your Region’s Warmest Weather. I got it when I thought I was moving to Arizona, but it came in handy in New Mexico too. Actually it came in handy in Humboldt as well. It’s a great book. It’s easy to find plant zones for the coldest weather but this book talks about the hottest weather. It’s got lovely pictures, and a focus on water conservation. It’s probably one of my most used gardening books.

My favorite organic gardening book is Gardening Naturally: Getting the Most from Your Organic Garden; which I think is out of print but you can find it. I like this book, because while I can garden ok, it’s not my special talent and this book spells everything out very easily yet is comprehensive. Beautiful photos, plus it has an excellent compost section, including great ideas for building your own bins.

Better Homes & Gardens online has an extensive regional gardening section, as does the National Gardening Association, and Gardenplace.com. You can also use basic Plant Hardiness Maps.

What region do you live in? Does it affect your ability to garden green?

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POSTED IN: Organic Gardening