Seaside Gardening Tips And Ideas
For the gardener who loves the challenges Mother Nature throws his or her way, seaside gardening is one of the best. No matter how skilled the gardener, this is one place you will encounter challenges not found anywhere else. The conditions naturally found along the coast can be very hostile to plants with dry sandy soils, salt spray and wind; not to mention actual sea water. These factors and others as well, will toss the most seasoned gardener some real problems for their garden plans. There are few plants that can bear up under full exposure to the ocean, so the gardener must be much more critical when it comes to the selection of plants to use, in addition to the site chosen, then most other gardeners. If you are cautious, however, even with the difficulties thrown at you, it is possible to offer your prized plants a favorable environment.
When you begin your garden, one of the first words that should pop up in your mind is windbreak. Windbreaks will offer protection from the elements. Indigenous seaside plants are your best choice for creating these windbreaks. Native plants usually have such characteristics as hairy foliage and tough leaves which prevents the salt from the sea sprays from penetrating the plant. Lamb ear, with its fuzzy leaves is an example. Others such as red cedar, junipers and bayberry have shown they have the ability to survive the harshest conditions along the seashore. Their presence in your landscaping ideas will create more diversity, not only in the garden, but also as a habitat for wildlife native to the area. Check out your local area to learn some of the more popular native varieties. After this first windbreak of lower growing shrubs has been created, then plant numerous taller evergreens to dampen the winds further. The goal is to create a retreat and provide protection from harsh sea winds; however, the design you create can still allow for beautiful views.
In addition to heat, sandy coastal soil is another challenge to add to this growing list faced by the sea-side gardener. These soils are very well drained, so they hold little moisture, causing it to be hard to satisfy the moisture needs of most plants. In an attempt to remedy the situation, be sure after you till the soil, incorporate a large amount of peat moss, manure and compost. In doing so, the soil stands a better chance of retaining the moisture the plants will need to survive.
Coastal lawns will require extensive preparation due to the aforementioned sandy soils. As with other plants, the lawn will require plenty of moisture to survive, so the soil must be prepared to help improve water retention. Begin by adding about six inches of good topsoil. This will help hold in the moisture, in addition to providing nutrients and prevent fertilizers from leaching out. When selecting the seed to put out, create a mixture of rye, fescue and Kentucky bluegrass. Use a higher percentage of fescue (fine, red and/or hard) for its drought-resistant properties. Water the lawn deeply after planting because shallow watering will result in shallow root growth, keeping the roots too close to the surface. If you have a large area that needs landscaping, instead of planting a vast size lawn, allow Mother Nature to help you create a meadow of native grasses. It will be necessary to mow the area at least once during the season or your meadow will begin to spout trees and shrubs.
Seaside gardening is definitely a possibility with dynamic results if you use proper planning, choose the right trees and shrubs for the area and plant them correctly
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