It's Garden Time Again
Spring has finally sprung in Grand Rapids! According to our local meteorologists it is probably safe to plant almost anything now. The last frost date in Grand Rapids is usually somewhere between May 10th and May 17th, and if we were to have a frost warning, a light covering of straw or a cloche would save a tender plant. Our latest frost date on record was June 4th, back in 1945, but I still feel confident enough to have put in some pansies, petunias, herbs, and geraniums.
After the initial fun of picking out plants at the gardening centers, I find I get tired of all the actual work, and I really don't like wasting a lot of water spending time with the garden hose. The solution: very tough perennials, good organic soil, and lots of mulch. After that, it's pretty much the survival of the fittest. Old time daylilies, peonies, daffodils, coneflowers, Siberian iris, poppies --- There's a lot of beautiful flowers that are almost indestructible. Just try to dig up an old peony or Siberian iris clump and see who gives up first! Gardeners love to trade or give away their perennials when they need to divide them, so by trading with friends or joining a gardening club, it could also be a very thrifty hobby.
Of course, many people PRIDE themselves on being able to coax and nourish the fussiest, hardest to grow plants. Growing interesting, exotic, or heirloom types gives one a more challenging task, with perhaps a sense of greater accomplishment.
The Grand Rapids Public Library has an extensive gardening collection! We have titles on vegetable, flower, bird, butterfly, container, herb, water, wildlife, native plant, organic, shade and patio gardening, among others. Check the online catalog or browse the shelves and if you don’t see what you need, just ask - we may be able to order it for you. Gardening and landscaping titles are generally in the 635s or the 712s.
For even more inspiration, visit GRPLpedia, our wiki. It's loaded with gardening links.