One tip that has worked for me, is I place my new plants in the designated areas I want, still potted, for about 1-2 weeks before I put them in the ground. This way I can monitor the sunlight, shade and rain water flow. I can move them around if the area doesn't work. That way I don't waste time planting them and have to pull them back up.👍🏽
Hi Fran. Thank you a very simple and maybe obvious plan but I would never that of that. I love the idea and will be copying you now lol. Thanks Natalie
A tip that I have "I am a bit new to gardening" is that if you do not have a ton of time to tend to flowers in full sun get a flowering shrub that blooms in the summer or multiple flowering shrubs and just tuck in a few flowers around it. The overall effect is lots of color with much less water and maintenance. A shrub like a reblooming lilac, Chinese snowball, a verbena or a rugosa rose, perhaps a summer wine ninebark...all these tend to work well and are drought tolerant. "I did this after realizing that I was dragging out a hose every other day and just decided to go the easy route. ;)
If I had to suggest which I think is best. Do a little something everyday for the joy of seeing how your garden looks when your done. Someone once suggested I head out to weed as relaxation, don't look at it as work. I put some music on, soak up the sun and see what a beautiful garden I have when I'm done.
I've been gardening since I was ten, so for about forty five years. In addition to what you and Erin listed, I would add the following. First, spend time on your hardscape before you spend a lot of money on plants. If your beds are not properly defined/edged, your beds aren't going to look like much and your plants will easily get overwhelmed as grass and perennial weeds invade. Next, invest some effort on something that doesn't really show before you put in a bunch of plants--your dirt. I garden about three hours south of Erin, and we have some of the richest soil in the world in Central Illinois. However, that soil is also full of clay, which means the drainage is not good. So if I don't take the time to amend that soil with organic matter and grit before I plant, then some things are going to die. That's also why no till/dig methods don't work well here. Heavy compacted soil simply must be broken up. Finally, avoid the polka dot effect. By that I mean don't plant one of this and one of that. The best looking gardens have several of the same plant arranged in drifts and swathes throughout the garden. So if your budget is tight, start plants from seeds or divisions so you can plant them in effective quantities.
My biggest mistake is not amending the soil before planting in it. I had tons of weeds and the soil was so bad! Now I'll have to dig grass and weeds from my beds that have taken over the place! The edging between the grass and the beds is also so important, didn't do that either! :-( Great advice M Miller!
My soil is not the best, but when am going to plant something new ,I used garden soil in the holes with great results, the only problem is I can't buy it fast enough
This is such a great idea for a video! I moved to a 2 acre very mature garden that needed work - the biggest thing I learned was it takes 3 years for plants to truly come into their own - sleep, creep, leap. We moved in just 4 years ago, and just this year the garden has begun to flourish. Patience!
I bought a house with a once pretty garden now neglected. Have weeded, amended with compost, planted and mulched. (Hired landscaper for summer).Learned hard way rules of sun and shade, and that darn watering cannot be ignored. Gardening channels have been important. Your advice and those you interview have been so helpful. When you remark about how you found confidence, I truly understand. Gardening needs confidence in the midst of mistakes, critters, storms, winds, etc. And I have a bit now thanks to all your help and my persistence. So thanks from Canada.
Great tips. I like your suggestion on timing 15 mins in the garden/day. I have a tendency to be all or nothing and I think your suggestion will work much better for me! Thank you.
Morning beautiful lady☀️☀️☀️ Thanks for the tips. I completely agree on breaking down the time into quadrants. I let the lanscapers clear away a lot of weeds and help with my trees. I've put down my manure and mulch, can't wait for spring for zone 7-8!
@@TheMiddlesizedGarden I feel like the Gardening Olympic Games is coming, it was sunny 🌞 🌞 all week here in GA yaaaay! I'm ready! I got new yoga pants and everything!!!🤣
I purchased a house 2 years ago and the mature garden is what I fell for. However after removing all the dead and diseased items, I was on the quest to preserve the most desired items and rebuild a garden to suit my taste. It's been a labor of love ever since. These are valuable tips ladies!
This is what I needed to hear today! I made some big mistakes by running after a hyped plant/shrub/tree in the past, which was not willing to cooperate with me or my garden situation. Now I´m older (and wiser?) and my garden looks very "me" and I´m happy and relaxed. The only tip I would give is to think 10 years forward (how big will the tree be, how wide will the roots spread). Stay safe! Hanni.
What you say is very true, but even trying to plant proportionate plants sometimes fools us. I planted a "dwarf" holly 'Ilex Cornuta Rotundifolia' as a focal point forty five years ago. It's now 8' tall & 12' wide; it's too big to move & too pretty to get rid of, so I have to garden around it.
I did a little bit of weeding and general clean-up on Friday. I was astounded by the new buds and bulbs emerging. It felt so good! Gorgeous Lottie looks like a sculpture at 4.34.
The best tipp I got from you when you recommended the book "THE FIVE MINUTE GARDEN" by Laetitia Maklouf. I always keep it ready near my chair to get inspiration what can be done in short amounts of time in each particular month. Even big jobs, step by 5-minute-step. I don't feel so overwhelmed anymore like you said in this video in the beginning. The key is to go out there every (!) day and take a close look what's going on there and to learn from it. That way you don't see a big weed or a dead plant but a small weed, easier to pull out, and a plant that doesn't thrive and can be watered or replanted elsewhere. Thank you for all your tipps and inspiration. I am always glad when there's a new video from you.
Oops ...I already made the first mistake Erin mentioned. I bought shade loving plants after seeing shade all winter at my new home, only to find out my shade garden was in fact a sunny garden in the summer....so all the plants had to be moved. Now I've slowed down and I'm watching the sun and documenting what I see so that I know what kind of gardens I can plant. I've learned a lesson... well I've learned a lot because I've made a lot of mistakes but it's been enjoyable none the less. I enjoy your topics and interviews. Thank you. 😊
Another tip: walk local garden spaces and peruse nearby small independent nurseries with well curated collections on a more regular basis. Note the plants that speak to you. This will allow you not only to create a space that is truly you with plants that thrive in your area, but it will be a space you can enjoy throughout the seasons.
Thank you. Such good advice, as always. About weeding. I live in a very dry climate. Hand weeding is important for me to know how dry my soil is in different locations. Also, I keep terracotta planters in different locations to use as trash containers for weeds, etc. I put "lids" on them (flat rocks). That makes them handy for other pots, or tools, or my water bottle.
You ladies have come to me just at the right moment! I just moved into a 3 acre home on top of a high ridge filled with oak trees. It has several, long neglected gardens on the hillside with too much shade, too many deer, and poor poor soil. Hellebores and some Iris are about all I see. The good news is that it also came with the most amazing greenhouse and potting shed! I am in Missouri USA (aka “Misery”) and this New England girl is trying to put some lipstick on this pig. Thank you so much for all your good advice. I am taking a deep breath. Wish me luck!
Just bought a house that is fully landscaped beautifully. It has an area that is in the backyard and totally empty and ready for me to develop a beautiful flower garden. Full sun all day. Can’t wait to get started. You have given me some great ideas. Thank you 😊
How nice to see you collaborating with Erin. Two different gardening zones but both of you have wonderful gardens. Great tip about little and often so that you don't get overwhelmed, particularly if you don't really like the job in hand and let's face it who likes weeding, but 15 minutes weeding per day keeps the garden looking neat and tidy. Great video!
Thank you so much for including hardiness zone classifications for North America. I garden in Canada and my hardiness zones in my garden are 4 and 5, so it is good to see that these zones are included in your video.
Lol! I didn't realize that I needed permission to do 15 minutes work in the garden! I have listened and follow this guideline....so happy with results! And less overwhelmed and tired! Thank you!
Great tips, especially these ones - '15 minutes each day' and 'right plant right place'. I always try to overcome the nature and it never works for the plants 😄 Like a lot the content you share, subscribed!
I have been an avid gardener for about 15 yrs now, and my biggest lesson -- it is ok to make a mistake, to change your mind, and dig out something that did not end up working -- although I try to give a new plant at least 2 yrs to see if it improves. I tend to learn by making mistakes, nothing in the garden is actually permanent -- I often move plants, I have been guilty of planting young small plants too close together so I have learned to pay more attention to the mature size on the tags!
Paying attention to the mature size is so important. When you select a plant, be optimistic and expect it to grow! That wonderful plant that is a foot tall when purchased may one day tower over you, so be careful where you plant it.
I'm new to your channel and joined it after seeing you on the "Impatient Gardener." I love the Acuba too! I have a couple in my garden and love the splatter effect on the leaves. I live in eastern North Carolina and they like the heat but need to be shaded down here. I agree to keep what YOU LOVE in your garden!
My neighbor has one and I’ve been trying to root cuttings so I can have it on my side of the fence. Unfortunately my husband is in the not-so-fond camp, but if my propagation works he’ll just have to deal with it. 😋
Love to see you both in one video, magic! 😄 Great idea! I would be interested in any video but I thought you both have been gardening for a long time so What would you change in your garden if you could go back 5-10 years? 🤗 Greetings, Judit
Wow Erin what GREAT advice. I now have a much different reason for my gardening obsession.. I aim to just please myself and not worry about pleasing others. I am 85 years young and still actively being creative in my garden plans (with a little help from a great young man to do the heavy work). You made my day.
The aucuba in a deeply shady part of our garden is lovely in an imposing, sombre way, while another which gets sun in the morning and light shade during the afternoon is exuberantly luminous with many more and bigger gold spots along with bushier foliage. They almost look like different species, though the brighter one was a cutting of the more sedate one!
Prioritise your garden, do what is really necessary maybe twice a day,, sweep the patio, drive whatever needs tiding up. in the afternoon something else, but you have to plan and be disciplined! Don't indulge what you personally cannot handle. Try the no dig method, it really works, as the weeds should appear remove in your allotted time. Gardening is great, do what works for you, if the neighbour has a flourishing garden, enjoy it and compliment them, always be willing to learn from others. Mulching is absolutely necessary, so, gather all the tips from all, if they work for them it makes your life easier, Gardening can be so rewarding and satisfying, love what your are doing, gardening grows on you, that's a fact. I have learnt so much - thank you
Thank you Alexandra, I also love the aucuba japonica. I friend gave me a piece of of it many years ago and I transplanted it twice since and now it serves as a privacy "fence" from my next door neighbor. However, I've tried to plant some of the babies elsewhere without luck. Love it! I judiciously prune it and so it goes. Cheers
Wonderful tips and I agree about taking just a few minutes every day to do something. For me it’s weeds. I pull weeds just a few minutes every day to keep on top of it. I am a bit behind due to winter and the winter weeds seem to be strong this year!
I have to let you know that I have an acuba japonica in my garden and I like it so much I bought another one. They are so carefree and look good all year long.
Very helpful video, thank you! As new gardener, something I learned, is this: Don't insist to grow something that you love if it keeps on dying. I know it may drive you crazy, because you check all conditions - soil, light, water, pests - but ... I don't know... It doesn't like it there! In the same spirit, welcome something that you didn't choose. If it managed to become a plant just because the wind brought a seed, it means the conditions are great for it. Let it thrive and you will grow to love it.
🌱What a beautiful space you have, and so lovely to be introduced to you by Erin at Impatient Gardener. You have excellent advice and ideas, and I thank you for another gardening vlog to enjoy during these trying times. I look forward to your next video💚
Thank you for the encouraging words regarding planting what you like. Sometimes people can make comments about your garden and it can be taken in a negative way. "Like, you are running out of space over there" Meaning I am planting too much. Well, if I like it I will plant it. If I have a green thumb and they don't, oh well. This happen to me a few years back and it really bothered me to the point that I did not plant anything else in my garden until the next season. Gardening is my therapy and I don't care what people think now.
Great advice! I would add, for those bigger gardening projects, with heavy lifting or digging required, consider having a professional or handyman do the work. You will save yourself time and injury, it's really worth it. 💚
I have arthritis in my back so doing a little at a time is an important tip! I have a small garden and am able to keep up (almost!!) with doing a daily walkabout and a few tasks at a time.
I'm in a new place and starting a garden from scratch...in the woods in Zone 5b now under a foot of snow!!! I planted about 200 bulbs last autumn and one tip I got for planting bulbs which unfortunately I got BEFORE planting mine is: wait until you've put in your perennials before putting in the bulbs - once you've got your plants in place, put the bulbs in the spaces in between. Then you won't find yourself planting on top of the bulbs or digging them up when planting other items - as happened to me. Of course, this would have meant waiting a year to plant bulbs in some locations. Another great tip is to plant bulbs that come up at different times in the same hole - you've got to make that 6 or 8" hole for the daffodils or alliums anyway, so you may as well stick some crocuses or bluebells that only need 2 to 4 inches in the same hole. A great way to save time and know where your bulbs are. I also got that tip after the fact...
Both very good tips. Although I agree with you about not wanting to wait for the perennials. I often find myself accidentally digging up bulbs, but when they're dormant, I just put them back and they seem fine.
Waiting for winter to pass so I can get back into the garden! My tip is to measure the area for a new plant and to allow the correct space for the width of the plant. It will save you having to move it later when it gets too wide.
Thanks for another great video. One tip I want to share ties in with your 15 minutes of doing an less favourite task. I reward myself. For example I will decide to weed my garden (not my favourite task) and then reward myself later in the day with a glass of wine. Providing I completed the weeding.
Great tips! I’m a beginner gardener all because of a new property and due to COVID. I think my issue right now is buying rescue plants and not having a plan where to plant them after. Another problem I’m having is wanting to do so much and not doing anything at all hahaha.
Thanks so much for these great tips. I really appreciated your comment that humans are forest edge dwellers... that explains why I'm so drawn to having mature trees in my property!
Thanks, Alexandra! I feel like Acuba japonica is having a resurgence. They have been talked about (and encouraged!) on a couple of other channels from southern US gardeners lately. I am thinking of putting in a couple in a very shady area of my garden where I need some added privacy along a fence. Thanks for the extra nudge!
I also work from home, and could definitely find 15 minutes during the day to get outside for a bit of gardening. Great tip! (Although I’m in the same zone as Erin, so it will be a couple more months before I can start this!)
One thing I like to do is go out and look at gardens at the most challenging times. For my gardens in New Orleans and Austin, Texas, that would be August/September and January/February. If any plant I liked were flourishing, I would put it on wish list.
Thank you!! I find sometimws the simple ideas really help like put in plants that you love!! Its wonderful hearing from gardeners with amazing gardens, gives me courage and faith and hope!! Both your fantastic beautiful videos and openess to differing ways... its great to hear your advice!!
I would love a video on how to combine shrubs with perennials effectively. How would you plan that from scratch? I really want to have winter structure in my perennial beds and I’d like suggestions on how to build the back of the border with beautiful shrubs and perhaps a small tree or two, that may also flower a bit or give berries for the birds. I live in northern Wyoming in zone 4 so I need to find beautiful shrubs that are hardy in my area.
Great tips thank you. I’m new to gardening and have a new garden as we moved during the first lockdown. I’m very conscious of planting anything my new neighbours won’t like but I like and this has given me confidence to think of the garden as my area and I can plant whatever pleases me. Thank you xx
Great collaboration! I enjoy both your and Erin's blogs. And I also like acuba Japonica. ☺️ Even though I now try to garden with mostly plants native to the east coast of the USA, the acuba does well in my shady garden. Pest free, very low maintenance, evergreen, year round interest.. what's not to like? 🤷🏼♀️
Alexandra, I like your tips, but especially the one about your Aucuba. There are places in the garden where nothing else will thrive & Aucuba fills the void. I especially like variegated plants & I'm looking for more varieties of Aucuba to fill up my dark corners. Thanks for your Vlog.
Hi Thank you so much Alexandra and Erin. I watch and love all of your videos, but this one in particular is very helpful to me. I love the idea of 15 minute gardening, I am disabled so do struggle to garden so this idea would work brilliantly for me thank you, I don't know why I didn't think of it lol. Also I love the idea of planting what you love and the garden being all about me. I love that idea as well. I love the colour pink I hadn't realised until I started gardening. So gardening has taught me that. Some really good tips thank you. Take care Natalie xxx
My favorite tip… There’s always some thing to do. There’s only so much time and money when March rolls around and it suddenly time to do everything, I found that by spreading out the work, planning, and purchasing there’s always something to do. For instance, in the winter when I didn’t need to invest heavily in plants, I could spend that time finding garden art.
What a lot of great advice! I know ground elder is very horrible, but I have a variegated type that I think is beautiful. I do have to battle to keep it back! Only a bit sorry I planted it.
We have The Impatient Gardener on subscribed TH-cam channel as we as The Middlesized Garden. another great channel is Garden Answer. Laura and Erin communicate a lot as well. These Three channels are what we consider the best for gardening. and BTW, if anyone wants the weather we are experiencing now in Texas, you are most welcome to it.
I'm in US hardiness zone 8a/b but the summers have gotten up to 46C/115F (and no do doubt will be higher) with fairly high humidity, so a lot of things y'all grow are off the table unless I hit those tiny windows of April/May and October to mid-November. Even then, the weather is a goat rope (very dicey), in November you can have frosts one day and 95F the next. And the BUGS ugh. So it's all one big experiment LOL.
Thank you for the video very informative as always. I want to extend my vegetable garden, raised beds and more fruit trees. Any advice will be much appreciated. I have a South facing garden.
Hello Alexandra, good Tipps. The weeds are taking over the garden. Nothing grows but the weeds. By the way the Bush you like, I had one on the side of my house in the US. At first it looked like it got Paint all over from painting the house. 😀 but it was realy nice and big and a great plant. I liked it a lot and it is nice greenery for floral Arrangements. I find myself wanting to many plants in my little Garden. But when I am at the farmers market and find a plant I always wantet and it is only one or 2 Euro, than I just take it. I dont think long anymore if it will fit or how big it will get. I get it and have fun with it and think of a new Spot when the time comes. It make me happy at that Moment and that is all that counts. 🌻 have a good Weekend and take care. 🙋🏼♀️
Being spontaneous is OK as long as you go home & do research to find out what your lucky find needs & how much room it'll take. Otherwise the later pain of loss will wither the joy of your spontaneity
@@dougr.2245 I am a trained florist and know mostly what is infront of me. I also have lots of books 🙂 Like I said, it is often a plant that I always wantet. And if it does not work in one Spot, I will try someplace else. It is always a Chance that some plants will die. That is garden for you. Nature can not be controlled always and that is good. Where would all of the wonders be that nature make otherwise. Thanks and have a good garden year. And ofcause stay safe. 🙋🏼♀️🌻 by the way.. I am having fun and I am trying to grow a kiritree from seed. 🌳
Hi, thanks so much for your wonderful videos which I have just discovered. I have learned so much from you already. Alexandra please could you tell me what rye small tree is that you scan up towards end of the film (8 mins 55 secs). Am I correct in thinking it is a type of dogwood? Would it be suitable for a small garden?
One tip that has worked for me, is I place my new plants in the designated areas I want, still potted, for about 1-2 weeks before I put them in the ground. This way I can monitor the sunlight, shade and rain water flow. I can move them around if the area doesn't work. That way I don't waste time planting them and have to pull them back up.👍🏽
Great tip!
I do the same 😃
@@gracehSF IKR, can't move them around everywhere. Gardening sure does requires patience.
Hi Fran. Thank you a very simple and maybe obvious plan but I would never that of that. I love the idea and will be copying you now lol. Thanks Natalie
Great idea! Thanks for sharing.
A tip that I have "I am a bit new to gardening" is that if you do not have a ton of time to tend to flowers in full sun get a flowering shrub that blooms in the summer or multiple flowering shrubs and just tuck in a few flowers around it. The overall effect is lots of color with much less water and maintenance. A shrub like a reblooming lilac, Chinese snowball, a verbena or a rugosa rose, perhaps a summer wine ninebark...all these tend to work well and are drought tolerant. "I did this after realizing that I was dragging out a hose every other day and just decided to go the easy route. ;)
Great suggestions, I would add Potentilla fruticosa to the list!
If I had to suggest which I think is best. Do a little something everyday for the joy of seeing how your garden looks when your done. Someone once suggested I head out to weed as relaxation, don't look at it as work. I put some music on, soak up the sun and see what a beautiful garden I have when I'm done.
I've been gardening since I was ten, so for about forty five years. In addition to what you and Erin listed, I would add the following. First, spend time on your hardscape before you spend a lot of money on plants. If your beds are not properly defined/edged, your beds aren't going to look like much and your plants will easily get overwhelmed as grass and perennial weeds invade. Next, invest some effort on something that doesn't really show before you put in a bunch of plants--your dirt. I garden about three hours south of Erin, and we have some of the richest soil in the world in Central Illinois. However, that soil is also full of clay, which means the drainage is not good. So if I don't take the time to amend that soil with organic matter and grit before I plant, then some things are going to die. That's also why no till/dig methods don't work well here. Heavy compacted soil simply must be broken up. Finally, avoid the polka dot effect. By that I mean don't plant one of this and one of that. The best looking gardens have several of the same plant arranged in drifts and swathes throughout the garden. So if your budget is tight, start plants from seeds or divisions so you can plant them in effective quantities.
My biggest mistake is not amending the soil before planting in it. I had tons of weeds and the soil was so bad! Now I'll have to dig grass and weeds from my beds that have taken over the place! The edging between the grass and the beds is also so important, didn't do that either! :-(
Great advice M Miller!
My soil is not the best, but when am going to plant something new ,I used garden soil in the holes with great results, the only problem is I can't buy it fast enough
@@verawallace9055 no
@@charlotteamatangelo7510 ??
Love your collaboration as I watch you both. Totally agree ‘it’s your garden, do what makes YOU happy’ 😊
Love this. Two of my favorite gardeners to follow!
Thank you!
Yes, exactly 🤗👍
This is such a great idea for a video! I moved to a 2 acre very mature garden that needed work - the biggest thing I learned was it takes 3 years for plants to truly come into their own - sleep, creep, leap. We moved in just 4 years ago, and just this year the garden has begun to flourish. Patience!
I bought a house with a once pretty garden now neglected. Have weeded, amended with compost, planted and mulched. (Hired landscaper for summer).Learned hard way rules of sun and shade, and that darn watering cannot be ignored. Gardening channels have been important. Your advice and those you interview have been so helpful. When you remark about how you found confidence, I truly understand. Gardening needs confidence in the midst of mistakes, critters, storms, winds, etc. And I have a bit now thanks to all your help and my persistence. So thanks from Canada.
Great tips. I like your suggestion on timing 15 mins in the garden/day. I have a tendency to be all or nothing and I think your suggestion will work much better for me! Thank you.
Morning beautiful lady☀️☀️☀️ Thanks for the tips. I completely agree on breaking down the time into quadrants. I let the lanscapers clear away a lot of weeds and help with my trees. I've put down my manure and mulch, can't wait for spring for zone 7-8!
I so agree! Roll on spring!
@@TheMiddlesizedGarden I feel like the Gardening Olympic Games is coming, it was sunny 🌞 🌞 all week here in GA yaaaay! I'm ready! I got new yoga pants and everything!!!🤣
One tip I came across recently is to have seating somewhere in your garden so you can just go and relax and enjoy your garden.
This also works well for me. I can do a little, sit a little & do some more without feeling exhausted.
Yesssss I sit on my shaded porch with the coldest ice water.
I purchased a house 2 years ago and the mature garden is what I fell for. However after removing all the dead and diseased items, I was on the quest to preserve the most desired items and rebuild a garden to suit my taste. It's been a labor of love ever since. These are valuable tips ladies!
This is what I needed to hear today! I made some big mistakes by running after a hyped plant/shrub/tree in the past, which was not willing to cooperate with me or my garden situation. Now I´m older (and wiser?) and my garden looks very "me" and I´m happy and relaxed. The only tip I would give is to think 10 years forward (how big will the tree be, how wide will the roots spread). Stay safe! Hanni.
What you say is very true, but even trying to plant proportionate plants sometimes fools us. I planted a "dwarf" holly 'Ilex Cornuta Rotundifolia' as a focal point forty five years ago. It's now 8' tall & 12' wide; it's too big to move & too pretty to get rid of, so I have to garden around it.
Hi
I did a little bit of weeding and general clean-up on Friday. I was astounded by the new buds and bulbs emerging. It felt so good! Gorgeous Lottie looks like a sculpture at 4.34.
Thank you, she does do elegant well. Yes, I enjoyed a bit of weeding today, and the allium foliage is definitely coming through.
I thought she did too!
The best tipp I got from you when you recommended the book "THE FIVE MINUTE GARDEN" by Laetitia Maklouf. I always keep it ready near my chair to get inspiration what can be done in short amounts of time in each particular month. Even big jobs, step by 5-minute-step. I don't feel so overwhelmed anymore like you said in this video in the beginning. The key is to go out there every (!) day and take a close look what's going on there and to learn from it. That way you don't see a big weed or a dead plant but a small weed, easier to pull out, and a plant that doesn't thrive and can be watered or replanted elsewhere. Thank you for all your tipps and inspiration. I am always glad when there's a new video from you.
Oops ...I already made the first mistake Erin mentioned. I bought shade loving plants after seeing shade all winter at my new home, only to find out my shade garden was in fact a sunny garden in the summer....so all the plants had to be moved. Now I've slowed down and I'm watching the sun and documenting what I see so that I know what kind of gardens I can plant. I've learned a lesson... well I've learned a lot because I've made a lot of mistakes but it's been enjoyable none the less. I enjoy your topics and interviews. Thank you. 😊
Another lesson that we learn with time is to keep learning. It's great when our mistakes only make us better gardeners in the long run.
Hi pretty
Another tip: walk local garden spaces and peruse nearby small independent nurseries with well curated collections on a more regular basis. Note the plants that speak to you. This will allow you not only to create a space that is truly you with plants that thrive in your area, but it will be a space you can enjoy throughout the seasons.
Appreciate the advise. Love that we're both in zone 9, you in England and me in California 💕
Love this collaboration, I learn so much from you both!
I'm thrilled to find this wonderful garden lady. Thank you Erin and so pleased to meet you Miss Alexandra.
Thank you! and welcome to the Middlesized Garden
So nice that you and Erin joined together. So like watching you both.
Thank you. Such good advice, as always. About weeding. I live in a very dry climate. Hand weeding is important for me to know how dry my soil is in different locations. Also, I keep terracotta planters in different locations to use as trash containers for weeds, etc. I put "lids" on them (flat rocks). That makes them handy for other pots, or tools, or my water bottle.
Great content as always. Another great tip is to see what grows well in the area to avoid expensive mistakes when buying new plants.
Great tip! thank you.
Especially if you have deer or rabbits!
Wonderful collaboration; thanks to you both!
I love Acuba japonica TOO!!! Common in older gardens here in Melbourne. Mx
I think we Aucuba japonica lovers are a select bunch. It was v fashionable between 1890s and 1930s, then fell out of favour. Ax
@@TheMiddlesizedGarden time for a revival!!!!
You ladies have come to me just at the right moment! I just moved into a 3 acre home on top of a high ridge filled with oak trees. It has several, long neglected gardens on the hillside with too much shade, too many deer, and poor poor soil. Hellebores and some Iris are about all I see. The good news is that it also came with the most amazing greenhouse and potting shed! I am in Missouri USA (aka “Misery”) and this New England girl is trying to put some lipstick on this pig. Thank you so much for all your good advice. I am taking a deep breath. Wish me luck!
Good luck and the greenhouse sounds fab!
Just bought a house that is fully landscaped beautifully. It has an area that is in the backyard and totally empty and ready for me to develop a beautiful flower garden. Full sun all day. Can’t wait to get started. You have given me some great ideas. Thank you 😊
This was a helpful fun video! Two of my favorite channels in one.
How nice to see you collaborating with Erin. Two different gardening zones but both of you have wonderful gardens. Great tip about little and often so that you don't get overwhelmed, particularly if you don't really like the job in hand and let's face it who likes weeding, but 15 minutes weeding per day keeps the garden looking neat and tidy. Great video!
Thank you so much for including hardiness zone classifications for North America. I garden in Canada and my hardiness zones in my garden are 4 and 5, so it is good to see that these zones are included in your video.
Lol! I didn't realize that I needed permission to do 15 minutes work in the garden! I have listened and follow this guideline....so happy with results! And less overwhelmed and tired! Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Great tips, especially these ones - '15 minutes each day' and 'right plant right place'. I always try to overcome the nature and it never works for the plants 😄 Like a lot the content you share, subscribed!
I have been an avid gardener for about 15 yrs now, and my biggest lesson -- it is ok to make a mistake, to change your mind, and dig out something that did not end up working -- although I try to give a new plant at least 2 yrs to see if it improves. I tend to learn by making mistakes, nothing in the garden is actually permanent -- I often move plants, I have been guilty of planting young small plants too close together so I have learned to pay more attention to the mature size on the tags!
Paying attention to the mature size is so important. When you select a plant, be optimistic and expect it to grow! That wonderful plant that is a foot tall when purchased may one day tower over you, so be careful where you plant it.
I'm new to your channel and joined it after seeing you on the "Impatient Gardener." I love the Acuba too! I have a couple in my garden and love the splatter effect on the leaves. I live in eastern North Carolina and they like the heat but need to be shaded down here. I agree to keep what YOU LOVE in your garden!
I am going to have to get me a couple of those. Linda Vador zone 7 USA has it too and I think they are lovely.
My neighbor has one and I’ve been trying to root cuttings so I can have it on my side of the fence. Unfortunately my husband is in the not-so-fond camp, but if my propagation works he’ll just have to deal with it. 😋
Love to see you both in one video, magic! 😄 Great idea! I would be interested in any video but I thought you both have been gardening for a long time so What would you change in your garden if you could go back 5-10 years? 🤗
Greetings, Judit
Hi pretty
Wow Erin what GREAT advice. I now have a much different reason for my gardening obsession.. I aim to just please myself and not worry about pleasing others. I am 85 years young and still actively being creative in my garden plans (with a little help from a great young man to do the heavy work). You made my day.
Thank you so much!
I love the idea of not doing anything for the first year but weed and build soil. I'm inheriting a house with an established garden this Spring.
Me too; in Autumn here in Oz.
Oh congratulations! It's so much fun to build on an old garden. Especially if there is a sentimental connection.
@@gardener5857 Keeping it in the family for generations isn't as common in Central TX, so it is very sentimental!
@@kimberlydean507 Oh, I'm really excited for you. I love that gardening tradition. It's special. Good luck & good gardening!
The aucuba in a deeply shady part of our garden is lovely in an imposing, sombre way, while another which gets sun in the morning and light shade during the afternoon is exuberantly luminous with many more and bigger gold spots along with bushier foliage. They almost look like different species, though the brighter one was a cutting of the more sedate one!
That's interesting - I've just noticed a similar effect on my neighbours' aucuba which seems brighter and is in more sun. Thank you.
Prioritise your garden, do what is really necessary maybe twice a day,, sweep the patio, drive whatever needs tiding up. in the afternoon something else, but you have to plan and be disciplined! Don't indulge what you personally cannot handle. Try the no dig method, it really works, as the weeds should appear remove in your allotted time. Gardening is great, do what works for you, if the neighbour has a flourishing garden, enjoy it and compliment them, always be willing to learn from others. Mulching is absolutely necessary, so, gather all the tips from all, if they work for them it makes your life easier, Gardening can be so rewarding and satisfying, love what your are doing, gardening grows on you, that's a fact. I have learnt so much - thank you
Thank you Alexandra, I also love the aucuba japonica. I friend gave me a piece of of it many years ago and I transplanted it twice since and now it serves as a privacy "fence" from my next door neighbor. However, I've tried to plant some of the babies elsewhere without luck.
Love it! I judiciously prune it and so it goes. Cheers
Wonderful tips and I agree about taking just a few minutes every day to do something. For me it’s weeds. I pull weeds just a few minutes every day to keep on top of it. I am a bit behind due to winter and the winter weeds seem to be strong this year!
I have to let you know that I have an acuba japonica in my garden and I like it so much I bought another one. They are so carefree and look good all year long.
Thanks. In March we move into a house on 2 acres so I will need to be patient and tread softly.
Very helpful video, thank you! As new gardener, something I learned, is this: Don't insist to grow something that you love if it keeps on dying. I know it may drive you crazy, because you check all conditions - soil, light, water, pests - but ... I don't know... It doesn't like it there! In the same spirit, welcome something that you didn't choose. If it managed to become a plant just because the wind brought a seed, it means the conditions are great for it. Let it thrive and you will grow to love it.
Excellent advice!
Great collaboration ! Enjoy watching you both, you each bring something different. Happy planting!🌼☀️🌱
i agree . planing in advance is the key for a successful garden
🌱What a beautiful space you have, and so lovely to be introduced to you by Erin at Impatient Gardener. You have excellent advice and ideas, and I thank you for another gardening vlog to enjoy during these trying times. I look forward to your next video💚
Great advice from two of my favorite gardeners on TH-cam!
Thank you for the encouraging words regarding planting what you like. Sometimes people can make comments about your garden and it can be taken in a negative way. "Like, you are running out of space over there" Meaning I am planting too much. Well, if I like it I will plant it. If I have a green thumb and they don't, oh well. This happen to me a few years back and it really bothered me to the point that I did not plant anything else in my garden until the next season. Gardening is my therapy and I don't care what people think now.
I agree and I think people don't necessarily mean to sound critical. A lovely full border sounds lovely.
Staying on top of any pest issues. I learned to slow down and look closely at my plants so I could catch problems early. Especially spider mites!
Any tips for getting rid of them, once spotted?
I want to have a go of growing veg, but I only really start gardening, in the spring, now you have gave me these tips, I will be out there more often
Hope it goes well.
All of this is so good to hear--and I love my Aucuba, too! And I follow Erin, too but watched the extra video you linked. Thank you!
Great advice! I would add, for those bigger gardening projects, with heavy lifting or digging required, consider having a professional or handyman do the work. You will save yourself time and injury, it's really worth it. 💚
I do so agree! thank you.
Such an important point to make: do what you love in your garden and don't let others dictate it for you.
I have arthritis in my back so doing a little at a time is an important tip! I have a small garden and am able to keep up (almost!!) with doing a daily walkabout and a few tasks at a time.
Spot on about the Aucuba japonica. I've been willing to remove it for 10 years, now i know why I kept it.
Good to hear!
I'm in a new place and starting a garden from scratch...in the woods in Zone 5b now under a foot of snow!!! I planted about 200 bulbs last autumn and one tip I got for planting bulbs which unfortunately I got BEFORE planting mine is: wait until you've put in your perennials before putting in the bulbs - once you've got your plants in place, put the bulbs in the spaces in between. Then you won't find yourself planting on top of the bulbs or digging them up when planting other items - as happened to me. Of course, this would have meant waiting a year to plant bulbs in some locations. Another great tip is to plant bulbs that come up at different times in the same hole - you've got to make that 6 or 8" hole for the daffodils or alliums anyway, so you may as well stick some crocuses or bluebells that only need 2 to 4 inches in the same hole. A great way to save time and know where your bulbs are. I also got that tip after the fact...
Both very good tips. Although I agree with you about not wanting to wait for the perennials. I often find myself accidentally digging up bulbs, but when they're dormant, I just put them back and they seem fine.
I have watched so many of your videos and I love all the pictures of gardens and advice. Thanks!
Thank you!
Waiting for winter to pass so I can get back into the garden! My tip is to measure the area for a new plant and to allow the correct space for the width of the plant. It will save you having to move it later when it gets too wide.
Great tip!
Thanks for another great video. One tip I want to share ties in with your 15 minutes of doing an less favourite task.
I reward myself. For example I will decide to weed my garden (not my favourite task) and then reward myself later in the day with a glass of wine. Providing I completed the weeding.
Great tips! I’m a beginner gardener all because of a new property and due to COVID. I think my issue right now is buying rescue plants and not having a plan where to plant them after. Another problem I’m having is wanting to do so much and not doing anything at all hahaha.
Hello Alexandra. Popping in to see your lovely Garden & listen to your tips. Erin sent me:) Thank you.
Thanks for coming
Thanks so much for these great tips. I really appreciated your comment that humans are forest edge dwellers... that explains why I'm so drawn to having mature trees in my property!
Thanks, Alexandra! I feel like Acuba japonica is having a resurgence. They have been talked about (and encouraged!) on a couple of other channels from southern US gardeners lately. I am thinking of putting in a couple in a very shady area of my garden where I need some added privacy along a fence. Thanks for the extra nudge!
I like the sound of that!
WOW Every video you produce reminds of things I once new or teaches me something new! THANK YOU so much !
You are so welcome!
Thanks, Alexandra -- you and Erin are my favorite gardeners on TH-cam!
Thank you!
Your wise advice is exactly what I need to hear! Thank you so much.
You are so welcome
Good for you on the Aucuba Alexandra !
My favorite uber unfashionable plant is the Monkeypuzzle tree !
It's very striking in the right situation. I didn't realise it was unfashionable, interesting.
Loved this. I think that the idea of 15 minutes is very good
I also work from home, and could definitely find 15 minutes during the day to get outside for a bit of gardening. Great tip! (Although I’m in the same zone as Erin, so it will be a couple more months before I can start this!)
Thank you! I do rather envy you all your snow as it does look beautiful.
One thing I like to do is go out and look at gardens at the most challenging times. For my gardens in New Orleans and Austin, Texas, that would be August/September and January/February. If any plant I liked were flourishing, I would put it on wish list.
Thank you!! I find sometimws the simple ideas really help like put in plants that you love!! Its wonderful hearing from gardeners with amazing gardens, gives me courage and faith and hope!! Both your fantastic beautiful videos and openess to differing ways... its great to hear your advice!!
Great Tips! Especially plant what you love🪴 ❤️
Thank you!
Excellent tips. I wish I’d followed them, especially when I first started gardening. But it’s never too late! 🤗
Great information and tips from both of you! Many thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
I would love a video on how to combine shrubs with perennials effectively. How would you plan that from scratch? I really want to have winter structure in my perennial beds and I’d like suggestions on how to build the back of the border with beautiful shrubs and perhaps a small tree or two, that may also flower a bit or give berries for the birds. I live in northern Wyoming in zone 4 so I need to find beautiful shrubs that are hardy in my area.
Great tips thank you. I’m new to gardening and have a new garden as we moved during the first lockdown. I’m very conscious of planting anything my new neighbours won’t like but I like and this has given me confidence to think of the garden as my area and I can plant whatever pleases me. Thank you xx
Great collaboration! I enjoy both your and Erin's blogs. And I also like acuba Japonica. ☺️ Even though I now try to garden with mostly plants native to the east coast of the USA, the acuba does well in my shady garden. Pest free, very low maintenance, evergreen, year round interest.. what's not to like? 🤷🏼♀️
I think that corner would look beautiful planted with a variety of Hostas and Ferns. You could add some impatiens for pops of color.
That's a good idea, thank you.
Alexandra, I like your tips, but especially the one about your Aucuba. There are places in the garden where nothing else will thrive & Aucuba fills the void. I especially like variegated plants & I'm looking for more varieties of Aucuba to fill up my dark corners. Thanks for your Vlog.
Thank you! I think variegated plants are very interesting
Hi Thank you so much Alexandra and Erin. I watch and love all of your videos, but this one in particular is very helpful to me. I love the idea of 15 minute gardening, I am disabled so do struggle to garden so this idea would work brilliantly for me thank you, I don't know why I didn't think of it lol. Also I love the idea of planting what you love and the garden being all about me. I love that idea as well. I love the colour pink I hadn't realised until I started gardening. So gardening has taught me that. Some really good tips thank you. Take care Natalie xxx
Thank you, and I'm so glad it has been helpful.
My favorite tip… There’s always some thing to do. There’s only so much time and money when March rolls around and it suddenly time to do everything, I found that by spreading out the work, planning, and purchasing there’s always something to do. For instance, in the winter when I didn’t need to invest heavily in plants, I could spend that time finding garden art.
Great tip!
What a lot of great advice! I know ground elder is very horrible, but I have a variegated type that I think is beautiful. I do have to battle to keep it back! Only a bit sorry I planted it.
The variegated ground elder is beautiful, I agree, and I don't think it's as invasive!
We have The Impatient Gardener on subscribed TH-cam channel as we as The Middlesized Garden. another great channel is Garden Answer. Laura and Erin communicate a lot as well. These Three channels are what we consider the best for gardening. and BTW, if anyone wants the weather we are experiencing now in Texas, you are most welcome to it.
Two of my favorites!
Thank you blessings
I'm in US hardiness zone 8a/b but the summers have gotten up to 46C/115F (and no do doubt will be higher) with fairly high humidity, so a lot of things y'all grow are off the table unless I hit those tiny windows of April/May and October to mid-November. Even then, the weather is a goat rope (very dicey), in November you can have frosts one day and 95F the next. And the BUGS ugh. So it's all one big experiment LOL.
Life is one big experiment, that we only get to do once. Enjoy & make the most of it all.
I love this!!! Thank you for sharing!
My two favs 💓😍
Good collab👌 Thank you
Thank you too
Thank you for the video very informative as always. I want to extend my vegetable garden, raised beds and more fruit trees. Any advice will be much appreciated. I have a South facing garden.
Zone 9, wow! Lucky!
Oh wow! In one clip you guys showed a fantastic display of orange and red foliage. What plants were those? Thanks!
Jen from Canada
I'll ask The Impatient Gardener as I think that was in her section.
Hi
I love your japonica.
Hello Alexandra, good Tipps. The weeds are taking over the garden. Nothing grows but the weeds. By the way the Bush you like, I had one on the side of my house in the US. At first it looked like it got Paint all over from painting the house. 😀 but it was realy nice and big and a great plant. I liked it a lot and it is nice greenery for floral Arrangements.
I find myself wanting to many plants in my little Garden. But when I am at the farmers market and find a plant I always wantet and it is only one or 2 Euro, than I just take it. I dont think long anymore if it will fit or how big it will get. I get it and have fun with it and think of a new Spot when the time comes. It make me happy at that Moment and that is all that counts. 🌻 have a good Weekend and take care. 🙋🏼♀️
Being spontaneous is OK as long as you go home & do research to find out what your lucky find needs & how much room it'll take. Otherwise the later pain of loss will wither the joy of your spontaneity
@@dougr.2245 I am a trained florist and know mostly what is infront of me. I also have lots of books 🙂 Like I said, it is often a plant that I always wantet. And if it does not work in one Spot, I will try someplace else. It is always a Chance that some plants will die. That is garden for you. Nature can not be controlled always and that is good. Where would all of the wonders be that nature make otherwise. Thanks and have a good garden year. And ofcause stay safe. 🙋🏼♀️🌻 by the way.. I am having fun and I am trying to grow a kiritree from seed. 🌳
Hi, thanks so much for your wonderful videos which I have just discovered. I have learned so much from you already. Alexandra please could you tell me what rye small tree is that you scan up towards end of the film (8 mins 55 secs). Am I correct in thinking it is a type of dogwood? Would it be suitable for a small garden?
So glad I stumbled across your channel. Subbed!
Thank you!
thank you, good advice
Awesome advice😊🌷🌷🌷
Great advice!