Full Sun Garden
Full sun gardens are the gardens that people are most familiar with. Plantings such as shrubs, perennials, annuals and vegetables are the most common. The majority of flowering plants require full sun in order to reach their maximum flowering potential. There is a huge variety of both annual and perennial plants available for full sun gardens. Wildflowers are also a great addition to these gardens and they require little care. Since the summer sun can be quite intense, I always suggest putting down a light layer of mulch or compost after planting in order to retain moisture. Once the plants have grown, the ground will be protected from from the sun and will not dry out so quickly. The compost and mulch also adds nutrients essential for the best flowering. Vegetable and fruit gardens also need the sun to help produce bloom which results in the fruit or vegetable. These gardens, even with mulch or compost, will require frequent watering in order to generate the best tasting fruits and vegetables. There are other elements to consider besides the sun, elements like wind, soil condition, drainage, insect pollinators, pets, pests and wildlife. I always start with garden location and then I work on conditioning the soil. I like to mix compost with a little ash and work it into the clay type soil in my location. A little clay is not a bad thing since it helps to retain moisture. Make sure the garden location will assure good drainage otherwise the roots will rot. Keeping pets and wildlife away is not always easy, I have a fenced yard which helps keep animals like deer out but I can't stop the rabbits from getting under the fence. Fortunately I have two dogs that are trained to stay out of my beds and keep the rabbits at bay. Adding a water feature is a great way to attract more pollinators to the beds since they drink frequently. A lot of people are concerned about attracting too many bees but if they are kept busy and happy they typically do their job and leave us alone. If you have pets or children I am strongly against using most fertilizers. There are many options that are non-toxic and safe for pets and humans. There is nothing better than composting even if it's just a small bin. Just think about the fact that we are eating whatever is put on the vegetable or fruit. There are a number of flowers, fruits and vegetables that are very easy to grow, even in difficult soil. Sun annuals include:
Sun perennials include:
Strawberries are an easy to grow fruit and certain varieties can produce all summer. Vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and onions are simple and hardy. Just pick a sunny location and follow the simple steps to create a beautiful and productive full sun garden.
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