Making an attractive garden where it is easy to work is an important consideration. Maximizing production is also important. Before accepting the plan and starting construction, one should think about what will be planted and how well the plan will facilitate this.
Some considerations are crop rotation, crops to be grown, vertical or horizontal planting. What are the challenges faced by the individual gardener. Our #1 predator was deer. This problem has been solved with a 6’ “Bambi” fence. If rabbits or squirrels are the problem a different solution will be required. Pollination can sometimes be an issue. Adding a couple of beehives has really helped in this regard. If this solution sounds a little excessive, bumblebee nests can be purchased. Bumblebees have longer tongues than honeybees and can pollinate a lot of things that honeybees can’t.
Insect pests are also a problem that needs to be addressed in the initial planning. Mulch conserves moisture and reduces weed problems but provides a winter home for insect pests. Poison will kill pollinators and predator insects as well as the bad guys. We are not spraying anything that will hurt the bees and have pretty much limited pest control sprays to BT for caterpillars and Sulfur for mildew. It is ok to have some pest insects to give the good insects someone to eat. Maintaining balance is the key.
A birdbath is a really good additional feature to attract pollinators and insect eating birds. It also attracts tomato pecking birds, but they would probably come anyway.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://davidsegrest.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
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