Gardening in Space and Time

A garden is a living entity. It does not remain static as the days pass but changes as the season progresses. Each day small changes occur, some are good, some are bad, how each affects the garden depends upon the gardener and how the garden is cared for.

A gardener who understands that gardening is an adventure in time and space is morel likely to create a healthy, flourishing garden than one who does not consider that plants get taller and wider as they grow.

When you sit down to put your garden plan on paper you need to be aware that the seed or seedling that you are planting will grow sometimes considerably and allow it the space it needs to do so. So, as you are reading the plant or seed catalogues take a close look at the mature size of your choices.

This is also important when placing the plants in the garden bed; you do not want the tall plants at the front where they will block out the other smaller plants.

Trees and shrubs, especially, require the gardener to give thought to their growth. When purchasing a tree know how big it will get above ground and how deep and long the roots grow.

You do not want tree or shrub roots affecting your garage, deck or house. They can do some damage, so know what you are getting into before buying.

Knowing the mature size of the tree, including the roots, will let you not only select the right tree for your site, but enable you to situate that tree in the proper place on the property.

In addition, to height and width, a successful gardener knows the plants roots are important and they need to be planted in soil or a container that is deep enough to allow their roots to grow. If roots have too little room, the plant may experience difficulty in getting the water and nutrients it must have to thrive.

If gardening in containers you need to use a container that is deep enough and wide enough so the roots will develop and support the plant as it grows. While many objects may be used as plant containers, it is vital to make sure the container chosen matches the plant’s growing habits.

In other words, it must have both the height and depth to provide adequate room for root development over time. Gardening is an experience in both time and space and successful garden design reflects this understanding.

It does not matter whether you grow vegetables or flowers, the awareness of time and space is an important part of organic gardening.