5. Getting Started
Think about how you use, or would like to use, your yard. Do you
want open space? Privacy? A place to sit? A place for kids to play? A
butterfly garden? Wild birds? What do you see when you look out the
windows? Write things down. Make lists and sketches.
Learn about what you are starting with. Observe the way the sun
moves through your yard. Which parts get the most sun? Which parts are
shaded? Is your soil wet or dry? Are there low spots that tend to remain
damp and wet? Is your soil sandy? Clay? Or something in-between? Get your
soil tested. Your cooperative extension service may test it for a fee. Is
it acidic? Neutral? Alkaline? Make a map of the different environments
within your yard.
Now you are ready to choose plants that will meet your needs and
flourish in your yard's environments. The plant search section of this
database is a great place to start. It contains details on over 200
flowers, plants and trees that are native to Springfield Township and many
other areas of southeast Michigan. Section 9 of this database lists
organizations, websites, and books that can help.
Section 6 of this database provides a list of landscape design
consultants and local and mail-order nurseries that sell native plants.
Nurseries can be a great source of information. Growers may have tips
about planting, transplanting and care, or ideas about companion plants.
It's easier starting your garden from plants rather than from seeds. Make
sure that you use only nursery-propagated stock; "pirating"
native plants and seeds from the wild can be catastrophic to threatened
species.
Learn about your plants' needs, and make a schedule for your
planting. Spring and fall are the best times to plant; the weather
tends to be moderate, and many plants are not in active growth. Most
plants will transplant well at either season, although some prefer one or
the other. Plants with a seasonal planting preference are indicated in the
database. Many plants will also transplant well during the summer months,
if properly handled (e.g. given adequate moisture).
Make a plan for the maintenance of your landscape. Some
plantings, such as meadows and prairies, need careful attention for
several seasons before they are established.
