Today Jordyn of Pretty Lovely Studios is back for this month’s garden series helping us plan successful gardens. She’s so gracious to be sharing her knowledge with us, and I am so excited to put her advice into action!
Hello! I’m delighted to be back talking gardening with you. With days getting longer and temperatures beginning to rise, many of us are eager to get outdoors and work in the garden. It can still be a little early for planting in some regions, but now is a perfect time to design your garden. Research plant varieties, decide which vegetables you want to grow, and choose the flowers you want to surround yourself with.
Where are the sunny and shady spots in your garden?
Start this step by spending a full day outside and tracking sunlight across your yard. Note where sun reaches and where shade persists throughout the day. This matters because sun-loving plants won’t thrive in deep shade, and shade-loving plants will suffer in full sun. For example, peonies need plenty of sun to produce their large, beautiful blooms; planted in the wrong spot they will be disappointing.
Make a list of the plants you want and check their light requirements—full sun, part shade, or full shade. Many gardening problems stem from mismatched plant choices and site conditions, so matching plants to the right spots is one of the easiest ways to ensure success.
What kind of care are you willing to give your garden?
Consider how much time you’ll realistically spend tending your beds. Will you visit the garden daily, weekly, or only occasionally? Some plants require more attention—regular watering, deadheading, pruning, and pest checks—while others are low maintenance. Be honest with yourself: if you want a mostly hands-off display, choose resilient, low-maintenance plants. If you enjoy the therapeutic rhythm of weeding, pruning, and deadheading, plan for plants that reward that attention.
Gardening should fit your lifestyle. Choose a maintenance level that you can comfortably sustain and plan plantings accordingly.
What kind of wildlife do you have in your area?
Local wildlife can strongly influence what you plant and how you protect it. In areas with deer, rabbits, or other herbivores, gardens can suffer from browsing. When I worked at a nursery in Eastern Washington, many customers asked about deer-resistant options. If deer are common where you live, consider planting a protective border of deer-resistant shrubs or installing fencing to keep animals away from delicate perennials and vegetable plots. It’s crushing to watch a bud or stem get eaten after waiting all season for a bloom.
Ultimately, successful gardening comes down to two simple things: know your area and know your plants. Learn your microclimate, typical pests and wildlife, soil type, and seasonal patterns. Do a little research on each plant’s needs for light, water, and hardiness. With that knowledge, you’ll be well on your way to a thriving garden by summer.
Questions and Answers about last month’s post
Do terrariums and mini greenhouses do more damage than good? Or do they just look cute?
Terrariums and small greenhouses are more than decorative—they create a warm, humid environment that many plants appreciate. They retain heat and moisture more effectively than an indoor room, which can help young or tropical plants thrive. If you lack space for a full-sized greenhouse, a terrarium or small greenhouse is a practical alternative for starting or overwintering plants.
What are some plants that can be outside in the summer and come inside during the winter?
Some plants adapt well to moving between outdoors in summer and indoors for winter. Common choices include geraniums, boxwoods, begonias, fuchsias, and coleus. When transitioning plants between indoors and outdoors, always harden them off: gradually increase the time they spend outside over several days (for example, one hour the first day, then a few hours, then longer). Sudden changes in temperature and light can shock plants, so this step helps them adjust smoothly in either direction.
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