THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, March 25, 2010

27

tures of bountiful fruits dangling off trees right by your door. We dream, but somehow need to consider the practicalities. Let’s start with the cli-

by Dr. Debi Warner

Contributing Writer

Dear Dr. Debi, We want to do some

planting this year. Those catalogues look great, but should we just get those fruit trees at the box store instead? We don’t have a plan, but want some fruit, berries, and flowers? Signed,

Old Farmer Wannabes

Dear Back to the Land-

ers, How nice it is to see

real food growing in your own yard. Fresh fruit on your cereal and healthy eating, inspired by your own sweat and God’s sun- shine. Sure sounds great. Will your dream come true if you jump in during a quick trip to the store? Well, maybe not that

way. Actually some plan- ning goes into a nice gar- den. The thinking we can do ahead will make suc- cess more likely, with last- ing plants and edible re- sults. We will need to be thinking about realistic factors and constraints: like climate’s temperature extremes, season length and sunshine; like time’s progression and availabil- ity; like your own strength and flexibility; and every- one’s preferences for foods and even colors. It is not too bad to take a little time to think it through for yourselves. Of course the first thing

many of us do when pre- paring for our garden is look at those yummy pic-

mate. Many if us would like every fruit in the book, but the tiny print tells us which zone it will survive in. Your own location is numbered with a climate zone that reflects the sea- son length and the lowest winter temperatures that a plant must survive to grow more next year. You must stick to the number you have, or even plant a lower number, but never higher. The catalogues usually specify the num- bers and even have a map. But you will want to talk with neighbors about local variations. Your memories of winter should highlight that lesson, as you recall which areas were more frigid and even retained more snow. Caution about stores to

shop – the local garden store likely has selected their items carefully, ones that will grow where you live. The larger chains may have a supply on the truck that gets allotted to each location, driving over many climate zones with the same inventory. So, check the tags for the zone numbers of the plants. As you select the spot

for your little farm, you will want to match the sunshine and drainage of

the spot with the plants’ needs. Most of the fruits want full sunshine, so consider that side of the house. If you plant your garden on the North side, you may have puny plants and only one-tenth the harvest. We may be choose by aesthetics or convenience, but really must follow nature’s rules first. Another caution about

plant location is the qual- ity of the soil and its his- tory, too. You will need to enrich the soil to the plant’s preferences but also need to consider what you have done near that soil before, too. There are many toxins that can leach into the soil next to the house. From pesti- cides to paints and stains, nasty chemicals can stay in that soil for years. So, putting edible plants close to the house can be dan- gerous. Not only that, but if you ever have to dig near your foundation for problems, you would lose a beautiful productive tree that had your sweat and years of care in it. Time is often overlooked.

So, let’s consider your availability for soil prepa- ration, weeding and wa- tering through the season, then harvesting, when it eventually comes. Will we be too busy to get to those loving chores? Will we process bushels of berries or be too busy and they linger on the vine? We

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need to allow our lifestyle to adapt to the cycles of nature and the wonderful demands on our time and labor. No small consid- eration, since the entire school year was designed for the farmer’s schedule. Time also progresses for

the plants. They go into season for a particular time. You will want to choose those that ripen when you prefer. You can even stagger plant types to have succession crops that will keep you filled with fruits through the spring, summer, and fall. The same progressions

can also apply to flowers, with color combinations and active flowers that advance across the sum- mer. Now the last item is you – are you ready to

bend down, dig up, keep trimmed, and haul what is needed for your dream garden? You mentioned being an “old” farmer, so your own ability to move will be important. If your doctor says that move- ment is ideal anyway, you are golden for this adven- ture. But if you don’t like bending, you might want to pick higher varieties of the fruits. You can also make raised beds for your flowers and vegetables. What ever you choose,

you will enjoy a lovely ad- dition to your home and some delights in the sweet harvest that comes with a season of sunshine and a caring touch on your property.

Happy Home Team! Dr. Debi

Dr. Debi Warner is the Founder of Renovation Psychology® and

author of Putting the Home Team to Work, available now online.

Dr. Debi provides advice for greater domestic harmony to folks who are renovating their home – for True Home Improvement. This column is offered for enjoyment and enhancement and is not intended to replace your personal medical care. Photo by Bob Jenks, St. Johnsbury, Vt. Dr. Debi has a con- sultation practice, visiting home sites all over New England from her studio in Littleton, NH at the Tannery Marketplace. © 2009 Renovation Psychology® Questions are welcome.

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