By Mark Cullen

Reap the Rewards of Creativity and Preparation

The majority of Toronto’s inhabitants reside in an urban, densely populated area.  Despite limited planting real estate, with the help of a solid plan we can still enjoy beautiful gardens and landscapes. Prepared layouts and being resourceful are vital when gardening in limited space. Creative preparation can illuminate the intensity of our blossoming flowers by drawing our eyes directly to the main event of our flower beds. Maintaining a clean and elegant appearance is just as important as the gardener’s drive to use every bit of planting space possible.

Our demands from our small garden space require us to use the correct plants in the right spot. My advice is to start by planning the lay out of your garden while remembering the main city garden principle – focus on the details!

Plan Properly & Realistically

When drafting your plan I recommend that you have two main goals in creating your dream garden; to create a space that is both beautiful and functional. Cater to your needs- if you have kids and/or pets; avoid a garden layout that takes away all recreational space. Instead try to divide all of your potential space and then maximize possible usage evenly. If you desire relaxation then try to implement low maintenance plants into your gardening plan.

Since no space can be wasted each plant must have something to offer. Be sure to find the right abundance of vegetation; it should appear elegant and remain manageable for your lifestyle. An over crowed garden looks messy, especially when it is not neatly maintained. This creates an obvious eye sore in a city garden. When we neglect to care for our precious blooms and grass- weeds, spent flowers, and overgrown annuals become very noticeable in a condensed display. This may sound like extra work but since our city gardens are already small, the demanding tasks are similarly petite in comparison.

The Benefits of a Gardening Plan

As a gardener I can assure you that sadly, money does not grow on trees… despite what your kids may think. As such it is best to not waste your well-earned finances on costly mistakes in the garden. Pre planning what suits your environment best and where to put each plant will increase the enjoyment of your garden without decreasing your bank account unnecessarily. Having to dig up and re-plant a sun light thriving flower that is dying in the shade takes a great deal of extra time. Accommodating the needs of each plant will give you more time relaxing in your garden rather than extra work. If you are well prepared to plant then you will only have to get your hands dirty when it is actually needed.

If you already have a dream garden in mind, plan a layout and then seek advice from your local gardening center. Your initiative to plan and then take action will combine with their expert advice- to help turn your garden sketches into a reality! For more tips and my personal expert advice, go to www.markcullen.com

Mark Cullen appears on Canada AM every Thursday morning at 8:40.  He is spokesperson for Home Hardware Lawn and Garden.  Sign up for his free monthly newsletter at www.markcullen.com.