Know your garden and plants' needs

The key to successful gardening lies in knowing your site’s characteristics, along with the needs of the plants that may be suited to your garden. When choosing plants, it is important to keep in mind your sunlight conditions, soil moisture, hardiness zone, pH and exposure to wind.

Sunlight

Full sun: Plants receive at least six hours of direct sunlight a day.

Partial shade : Plants receive three to six hours of direct sunlight a day.

Shade: Plants receive less than three hours of direct sunlight a day.

Soil moisture

Dry soil : Quick drainage, often poor, sandy or gravely soil, on a slope, near a ditch or under large trees

Cool soil: Good drainage, good water and nutrient retention

Wet soil: Poor drainage or in a depression, often waterlogged

It is easier for ground covers to become established in properly prepared soil. A few tips:

• Completely remove all weeds and any remaining sod
• Turn over the soil to a depth of about 15 cm