Who wants an Instagram perfect garden? Me too, so let’s talk about how to make that happen. It all starts with the basics, starting… No garden can begin unless we do something! Gardens can be desired in many different ways, food, visual stimulation, relaxation and therapy, so start with which one you are looking for and build from there.
Once you have decided what type of garden you like, it’s time to come up with a design strategy. You can read books, take classes or talk to professionals about what plants to get and where to put them. We always recommend FNGLA as a reference and picking the right plant for the right place through Florida Friendly Landscaping. For some of us we just don’t have the time, and how am I going to pay for that. That’s where we can help.
The answer is easy, whatever you do is fine but make sure it fits into the time you have allotted for gardening. What does that mean? If you have no idea what you’re doing and only have a Saturday afternoon available while the kids are at soccer camp, make sure you fit your entire plan into that time frame. Next question is, that’s too obvious and how can that possibly lead to an Instagram Garden? The secrete to any garden is just to start. Your learning will never be over, however during the course of giving one Saturday a month for some time you will build a wealth of knowledge. Even if all that knowledge only amounts to a hill of green beans, you neighbors will know you’re the person who grows excellent green beans.
When you’re looking at that daunting day one and trying to choose, choose something you can finish. If you will forget to water, make sure a hose and water timer is in your buggy and you have time to hook it up or at least store it in the garage that day. If you only have time to till the yard and nothing else, prep and make sure you have all tools and spacing measured but do not work the ground until you can plant something and have it irrigated and mulched. If your time only allows for a rain barrel hook up so that one day you can use it to fill a water can and keep one zinnia flower alive in a flower pot, that is okay!
Great gardens rarely begin with a massive undertaking of land clearing, master plans, and layouts. They much more commonly start with some flower pots on the porch. Those flower pots build some confidence and joy, then you plant some landscape plants. As confidence and joy continue from the garden with a touch of loss and heartache, everyone finds their sweet spot and comfort level in the garden. We have seen many container gardens which are Instagram worthy, and they are nothing more than purchased hanging baskets from Home Depot that have been well cared for on a patio.
Gardening is contagious, you will find so much pride in that one little flower you or your child grew. Be honest with yourself too, don’t shoot for the moon if you cannot grow anything. Don’t expect to turn a tiny budget into a masterful garden, start with one low maintenance plant and let that plant be your teacher. When anyone asks us what good starter plants are for a novice, we always recommend ZZ (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) or Boston Ferns for houseplants. Outside you can start with succulents or hardy shrubs like native Porterweed or carpet flower. Vinca make great container plants and can take some abuse too. Buy yourself a moisture meter as they are very inexpensive and will keep you from loving your plant with too much water.
Even though it’s January, there’s still plenty of time to start gardening. For vegetables, the window for broccoli, carrots, lettuce, swiss chard, radish, and arugula is now for zone 9B-10A. If you don’t have a landscape yet, find a spot, set up some water and try one thing and we promise it will captivate you. If you live in an apartment, go buy that hanging basket and moisture meter to come home to one spot of color every day. This time next year your patio might look like you’re losing a game of Jumanji, We can only hope for everyone to have that much success. If you don’t have a place to garden, be sure to swing by the Elwood Park Community Garden for the ribbon cutting grand opening on January 13th from 10AM to Noon located at 4008 39th St. E in Bradenton! There will be plots available to rent for the year! For more information check out this great article by SNN.and great video coverage by Bay News 9. Let us know what your working on or your favorite plants to work with so everyone can feel the joy of working their way to that Instagram garden.
-Written by John Taylor
The Veranda View 