Maybe it’s time to rethink your garden

By MARILYN MCKINLEY

OSU Master Gardening Volunteer

CANFIELD

I love gardening. I find it relaxing, amazing, a good way to get some exercise while outdoors and fun to share. I feel more connected to nature. In short, I really enjoy it.

As I continue to age, however, I do find myself trying to come up with ways to downsize both in amount of time for plant care and in the amount of physical labor.

I am noticing, much to my displeasure, that I am having trouble keeping up. I seem to be working harder all the time, which, in turn, is making me feel like gardening is something I have got to do, not something I do for personal satisfaction.

I do not want to resent my garden. Perhaps it is time to rethink a few things.

So what’s the plan? First, I am adding a few more perennials. Careful selection is important here. Day lilies are a favorite of mine. They are low maintenance – no pruning or disease or pests. There is a nice variety of color, and with careful planning, you can have blooms over most of the summer.

I know that about every five years I will need to divide them. That’s OK. Maybe some younger gardeners with more energy than me will want some new plants.

Next, I will pay more attention to the types of perennials I add. No fast-spreading invaders anymore.

Third, although I really like herbs, some of them have got to go or be better maintained in containers.

Next on the list are most of my mints. I have many varieties, but their life in my soil is short-lived.

I plan to do more with hardscape and garden art. As for annuals, I will be looking for varieties that need little deadheading and less water.

Bottom line: Plants are not children or pets. I can give them away or even kick them to the curb.

To get started on your new, low-maintenance garden, consider the many options on this factsheet: http://go.osu.edu/lowmaintenance.