sunrisegardener

I buy gardening magazines for the inspiration pictures. Fine Gardening is my "got to have" magazine as your photos are the best!
My greatest gardening challenge is my growing conditions which are:cement like clay, dry shade, shallow roots due to large sugar maples, a squirrel chasing, plant squashing dog and a child who has to taste everything! If I knew 10 years ago, what I know now, I would have added as much compost as the trees could endure before even putting in a plant. I use a lot of natives and never use pesticides,nor any plant which is poisonous to people or pets. As a result, I have lots of butterflies, birds and other wild life.

My greatest design challenge has been overcoming the "one-of-each-itis". What has helped me is to keep pictures handy of beds where I've planted in large drifts for motivation. I've developed some design ability, as I frequently see pictures in magazines of combinations I've put together myself. (A major motivator!) My best tip is to soak plants overnight before planting. I rip stuff out by the roots, throw them in the pond and soak again while planting. After that they are lucky if they get watered 1-2 times during the entire season. Did I mention they thrive with this treatment...

I would love to win this book, as I'm always looking for new ideas for the areas I haven't finished yet. I could also use ideas for the other gardens I'm working on. Time to shred leaves...