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Show landscaping With Karla Hancock . . . le "RoWing Stone" Gardener B, Karla Rugh Hancock Many of Moab's residents ire of the "here-today, gone-lutow" gone-lutow" variety. This is ' e ail over the country as motions and new job Liniments, as well as the w of prospects "over yon-make yon-make relocation necess-yv necess-yv and desirable. Having survived more than 70 moves in half that many years, I can sympathize with Ibe anxiety of the "temporary eardner" who longs to plant Lent home grounds, but ,-onders if the investment of time and money is worth the short-term enjoyment. From this perspective I can offer these words of encouragement-one great advantage l0 "rolling-stone" gardening is the opportunity it affords to erperiment and to "do differently" diff-erently" next time. And, as one who has seldom been on lie receiving end, I can attest to the fact that the plantings left behind are nearly always appreciated by the next renter or homeowner. ' Some Inexpensive Plant Choices Annuals are a natural choice for the temporary gardener because they grow rapidly from seed and flower over the entire summer. Although annuals, an-nuals, by definition, live for a single growing season, many reseed themselves if left undisturbed, assuring bloom , for years to come. Among these are larkspur, bachelor's buttons, Shirley and California poppies, alyssum, morning glories, and marigolds, to name just a few. ; Perennials are often avoided by temporary gardeners because be-cause of supposed greater initial cost, delayed blooming, and extra care required for their maintenance and growth. Actually, there are a number of easy-to-raise perennials which thrive and reproduce to such an extent that many seasoned gardeners find it oecessary to divide and discard them every few years. These discards are often available to the new gardener it little or no cost. (A call to the local radio station's Trading Trad-ing Post will help locate this surplus!) Iris, chrysanthemums, chrysanthe-mums, violets, daylilies, and peonies all fall into this category. Iris do especially well locally, thanks to the availability availabil-ity of natural sources of potash and phosphorus in the soil. A drive past Emma Walker's lovely gardens on Mill Creek Drive during iris and peony season will make an iris-and-peony fan out of even the most dedicated rosarianl Although iris can be planted with success in the fall, the ideal time to do so is soon after they bloom, before the new feeder roots form. The roots, (more properly called "rhizomes") "rhi-zomes") should be barely covered with soil and the leaves trimmed back to about four or five inches, in a fan shape. Chrysanthemum are nearly fool-proof-even a small scrap of root will produce a sturdy plant. Columbine and violets are shade-loving plants, although al-though the latter also will do well in full sun. Strawberries, Roses and Bulbs The strawberry is another "giveaway" which makes an excellent groundcover in addition addi-tion to providing delicious fruit. Strawberries should be planted with the crown at the ground's surface and the roots spread out in a fan. They need frequent watering during the first year, as their root systems are quite shallow. A mulch of straw or grass clippings helps to conserve moisture. Roses are a highly successful success-ful choice for the temporary gardener. In our area of bright sunny days and good soil drainage they do well and are seldom bothered by diseases and pests common to other parts of the country. In general, it is best-to plan' conta:ner-grown roses, rathei than bareroo', after the dormant season has passed. However, for the budget-conscious, budget-conscious, the paraffin-coated bareroot roses sold in supermarkets super-markets and discount stores, while not likely to provide prize-winning blooms, are a good way to establish a rose garden that can be enjoyed in a single summer at low cost. As with planting bareroot trees and shrubs, the roots of such roses should soak for several hours prior to planting. One of the best choices for the resident who can look forward to at least a full year in a location is a bed of spring-flowering spring-flowering bulbs. These provide pro-vide a lot of beauty for little cost and effort. Although fall is the time to plant them, now is a good time to plan for next year, with the memory of the beautiful local displays just past still fresh in one's mind. No temporary resident with a love for gardening should ever let impermanence keep him from "digging in." Especially for the homesick new resident, putting plants in the ground does wonders for the morale and makes the new location seem "familiar" more quickly. It is disappointing and discouraging to leave unrealized unreal-ized dreams, in the form of not-yet-bearing or blooming plants, behind. But having planted in a community, one feels strong ties to it which will be remembered long after the area has been left behind. |
