In a drab world, plan for a lively and vibrant garden
By Thea Steinmetz
Insights
Published May 13, 2009

It is a thought provoking time waiting for the arrival of spring. I want to greet spring in the garden and I want it now. The slight veil of green on our rather large contorted willow in the front yard lets me know that even the threat of snow can  not hold the arrival of the much heralded season at bay.

There are legions of us that are tired of fighting with rabbits and other invaders and are forced to change our habits. Generous planter boxes now sit on the railing of the deck and I don’t think even the most agile rabbit will be predatory enough to jump on that railing to devour two of his favorite greens, lettuce and parsley.

Another benefit by planting these boxes is the close proximity to the kitchen. Even on a rainy day it allows me to quickly dash to the deck and snip a few herbs to keep my culinary efforts on track.

On these drab days, even a bit of blue in an otherwise gray sky, is almost always an  occasion for hope. Yes, we have a had a few lovely days of sunshine but they never seemed to give way to mild temperatures.

So let us paint the garden with color. The quickest way to sprinkle some vivid brightness around is with urn and pot plantings. These multihued containers then add to the spring song of the landscape. Whatever your preference is, be it a single color in clusters or all the shades of the rainbow in a huge vessel.  The harmony of colors, the textures and the shapes of the arrangement should please you, even speak to you.

The white, pink and sturdy deep blue hyacinths and multi varieties of daffodils have been a delight. The daffodils have been so plentiful that a freshly filled vase comes to the table every few days. Too bad that after years of lusting for the queen of all tulips “Angelique”, I shall never boast about it in the garden. The deer have made it impossible to enjoy this elegant specimen, or any other tulip, in the flower bed.

There is no such thing as the perfect color combinations. We experience different emotions to the various colors. Red is eye popping and satisfies with an array of other, less beefy shades. I do not care too much if it is paired with the carefree orange, the standby color. Orange is bolder than the sunny disposition yellow and both colors make a perfect foil for the blues and purples.  The old-fashioned yellow calendula is the grandma in the garden. It has been neglected as of late, but it is reliable and adds color throughout the blooming season. It also adds interest to the show girl orange nasturtium. Yellow to deep mahogany are all on the palette of this funnel-shaped flower. Both of these reliable bloomers can easily be grown from seed and will prove cost effective.

My own search for color for shady areas is echoed by questions I had of late from some of our readers. It seems that many of us are gardening in the shade of trees. A prowl of garden centers is on my to-do list and I welcome any suggestions our smart gardening readers can offer.

In last weeks column I mentioned that growing vegetables is a rewarding hobby. Here is a short guide for planting now for a spring and early summer harvest. Peas, chard, scallions, bush beans, carrots,  radishes and of course, lettuce and mesclun mixes are all good choices

Beets can be directly sown in the ground within the next few weeks. Basil and cilantro should not be planted until the ground has warmed up. Last year’s rosemary has already been moved to the deck and looks happy. It tolerates colder night time temperatures very well. After only one week, it seems to thrive in the fresh air and even the color seems to be a bit greener. Everyone knows that it is way too early to get the tomatoes in the ground and we can’t wait. After eating almost tasteless tomatoes all winter long, we are ready to chomp on some real fruit.

Thinking of how tomatoes taste when they were harvested only minutes before from the garden, makes me look forward to playing in my compost. There is no substitute for cultivating good soil when it comes to growing good vegetables.

If sweet peas climb up, why can’t I grow them hanging down? So, there are some plants in the boxes on the railing with the greens trailing down. So far they do not seem to object to their upside-down existence. The proof will come when I get to pluck the pods from the vine.

Be patient, before we realize it, the time has come to recline on a comfortable chair outdoors, with a glass of ice tea in hand and enjoy the warming rays of the setting sun. Patience, like good soil, has to be cultivated.