Spring Garden Design Ideas
56 APRIL 2021 | TheJournalNJ.com
BY LORI DRAZ AND THE SHREWSBURY GARDEN CLUB
ne of the harvests of all the time spent at home in the past year
has been a return to the joys of gardening. Seed companies experienced
record-breaking sales in 2020, and this year’s orders are
already showing that the trend is even more popular. Gardening is a great
family activity, a tremendous stress reliever, and a hobby full of pride and
as people share their new interests with seasoned snippers, so we turn
again to Rachel Weston and the wonderful members of the Shrewsbury
You don’t need a big space to get in on the fun nor do you need a lot
of tools and equipment. SGC members and garden center professionals
are happy to answer your questions about soil, preparation, plant selection
and more.
“We advise getting a soil test done prior to planting,” Weston said.
County. People often needlessly over fertilize which leaks into our waterways.
Soil test results show what nutrients, if any, are needed and gives
guidance on the best remedies.”
A Jersey tomato – does it get any better? And the good news is
that growing tomatoes and other vegetables can be done directly in the
ground, in raised beds or containers. Just be sure to choose a location that
gets full sun for six to eight hours a day.
be started from seed indoors four to eight weeks prior to the last frost
date. Beans, radishes, leafy greens, squash and corn can be planted
directly outdoors. Choose your favorites, and consider adding some more
unusual options.
Don’t let a few warm days fool you into planting too early. A cold snap
can wipe out tender seedlings. Wait until day and night temps are in the
SGC member Nancy Schmaltz recommends that you have a conve-
kink, winds up easily and comes in
many colors. And they are free of bad
chemicals, so even people and pets can
safely enjoy a drink.”
The herb garden at the historic Allen House in Shrewsbury was designed
by SGC members in 1974 and has been tended by them ever
since. Therese Blake notes this is a more formal design with a focus on
historically accurate plants that would most likely be found in a kitchen
areas where natural rain water is scarce. Rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage
and lavender all grow well in full sun and don’t require fertilization.
Try growing herbs that you use often like parsley, chives and
cilantro, and mix in a few sprigs of chervil, tarragon, dill, lovage and
varieties like lime, Thai or cinnamon basils and mints that taste like
growing them is a must.
Some herbs make delicious medicinal teas. Consider adding chamomile,
lemon balm, feverfew and lemon verbena.
A good herb garden design will have a mixture of perennials with
annuals planted every season that gives the gardener a chance to experiment
each year.
roles. If you want to attract any
particular species, just plant
what they like and they will
To attract the black swallow-
try parsley, dill, fennel, rue and
Queen Anne’s Lace.
milkweed. Carey French, SGC
treasurer and owner of Dentro
Del Sol Nursery said, “This sea-
varieties of milkweed because it
-
while in the caterpillar stage.”
Nectar plant options are numerous. Seek out plants native to North
Herb gardens should have a mixture of perennials and annuals,
so the gardener has a chance to experiment each year.
bees and hummingbirds.
/TheJournalNJ.com