planting-a-cocktail-garden

Growing a Cocktail Garden: Part 2

May 16, 2014 -- Published by

Now that your soil is prepped and your seedling are starting to grow (See Growing a Cocktail Garden: Part 1), it’s time to start the most important part: Planting!

I know it sounds easy enough, but there are a few factors that you will want to take into consideration when planting:

 

1. Height

Planting a Cocktail Garden: Consider plant height
It seems obvious to make sure the plants that will grow taller are in the back and the shorter ones up front, but you should also consider adding some stepping stones if the taller ones (like purple basil, lavender, and rosemary) will be the ones you use most often. Also- not all of your seedlings will be ready plant at the same time- so make sure you save room!

 

2. Spacing

Planting a Cocktail Garden: Consider Spacing
Plants need room to grow- is they are too close they will compete with each other for root space and light, so make sure they are properly spaced. Allow extra room for plants like Oregano (pictured above) which will spread out over the season.

 

3. Required Sunlight

Planting a Cocktail Garden: Consider Required Sun
These strawberries require partial sunlight, so instead of taking up extra space in the main garden, consider fences, patio borders or anywhere else that is in the shade most of the day.

Planting a Cocktail Garden: Use corners
Corners of fences or walls also make a great spot for plants that like partial sun.

 

4. Perennials

Planting a Cocktail Garden: Consider Perennials
Perennials are plants that will last for more that 1 growing season, maybe even flowering throughout the whole year. This is a picture of a 3 year old wormwood plant (awesome for homemade bitters!) that I sprouted from a seed. I chose to plant in a pot so that when it grows chilly in the fall I can bring it in the house so it doesn’t lose all it’s leaves and go into hibernation. If you have perennials that you would like to harvest a bit longer than they would naturally last outside, planting them in pots is a great way to preserve them a bit longer before they go dormant.

Well now that you know how to map and plant you cocktail garden seedlings, make sure you tag your Instagram pics with #CliqueShots and #CocktailGarden while we get ready for “Growing a Cocktail Garden: Part 3!”