Tag: gardening

Three Mental Health Benefits of Gardening

Posted on Camille Smith
Photo courtesy of SML Home Magazine

Lake living has plenty of mental health benefits. In addition to green space, blue space has a calming effect while the isolation from urban life reduces stress. And even better, leisure is good for you. However, these perks of lake life do not always guarantee freedom from anxiety. Even at the lake, stress and worry can creep in. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), one in five adults currently experiences mental health struggles. Whether this describes you or you’re simply having a bad day, one common lake hobby is likely to help — and that is gardening.

Not only does gardening beautify your yard, but it’s also great for your mind. In fact, there’s a whole subfield of counseling dedicated to it. Horticultural therapy is a professional practice in which therapists guide clients through gardening experiences. More intensified than home gardening, its effectiveness highlights the power of plants. Sarah Schluep, a horticultural therapist at the Horticultural Society of New York, says, “Home gardeners benefit from being with plants in a very personal way, but it’s far less directed or intentional than a horticultural therapy program.” 

Even if formal therapy isn’t for you, it’s clear that having a green thumb is valuable. Check out these three mental health benefits of gardening that we’ve learned from horticultural therapy.

Stress Reduction

Photo courtesy of @PentiumIII via Twenty20

Whether you are adding fertilizer to the soil or replanting an annual, caring for a plant necessitates focus and attention to detail. The level of intentionality required in gardening has a calming effect on your mind by keeping you in the present moment. This attention to present-focused details is also known as mindfulness, a skill that is highly effective in reducing stress and anxiety. Schluep adds, “Plants provide us an opportunity to practice care and attention while also encouraging us to be more intentional with our actions.” This degree of focus required in plant maintenance facilitates mindfulness, and in turn, reduces stress.

Increase in Hopefulness

Photo courtesy of @michelleluo via Twenty20

One of the exciting things about gardening is watching plants grow. As a gardener, you are both an observer and a catalyst of your plant’s progress. This caretaking role can instill feelings of hopefulness, both for the plant and perhaps in your own life. Schluep says that in her therapy, she might ask her client, “As we remove the spent flowers to encourage new blooms, can you think of anything in your life that time has come to pass, which could allow new growth?” This question helps the client reflect on their own life. While you can certainly bring this introspective question from horticultural therapy to your gardening, it isn’t necessary. Simply observing a plant’s growth can increase feelings of hopefulness in its own right.

Happiness Boost

Photo courtesy of @SBphoto via Twenty20

Have you ever finished a day of gardening feeling a little peppier than before? There’s a reason behind this. “Anyone who gardens is aware of all the good feelings that happen during and after spending time in the garden or caring for plants,” Schluep comments. “However, I feel that it’s relatively recent that it’s being spoken of in the mainstream.” 

In one recent 2020 study from Princeton University, participants reported high levels of happiness after gardening. In fact, it ranked one of the top five reportedly meaningful activities, in addition to biking and walking. Part of this effect is chemical. One 2007 study found that a chemical in soil called Mycobacterium vaccae or M. vaccae releases serotonin when inhaled, which lifts your mood. This is the same chemical targeted in some antidepressant medications. 

We all know that physical activity and fresh air are good for the brain, but we sometimes view gardening as a chore. While it does require hard work, the mental health benefits of gardening are worth the labor. So this summer, take a note from horticultural therapists and break out those gardening gloves!

An Introduction to Vertical Gardening

Posted on Camille Smith
Photo courtesy of Home World Design

On the Lake Homes Realty blog, we’ve covered a lot of landscaping topics. By now, you’re probably well versed in cultivating gardens that adhere to your USDA zone, as well as new low-irrigation techniques like xeriscaping. But have you heard of the latest trend — vertical gardening? Especially perfect for those with smaller backyards, vertical gardening makes the most use of the space you have. Think of it as the landscaping equivalent of New York City’s architectural strategy — when there’s limited space, build upwards with skyscrapers! Today, we’re diving into the basics of the vertical gardening trend and how you can implement it at your lake house.

What is Vertical Gardening?

Photo courtesy of @lenaivanovaphoto via Twenty20

In the broadest sense, vertical gardening is essentially vegetation growing on a non-horizontal surface such as a wall, trellis, or fence. Although it’s certainly a hot new trend, vertical gardening has been around since the beginning of recorded history. The history of vertical gardening begins in 3000 BCE with grapevines in the Mediterranean area. Whether for growing food or decorating homes, these vines were known for climbing up walls and trellises. Today, nearly any non-horizontal surface is perfect for growing vegetables, adding beautiful greenery to your landscape, or indoor herb gardening.

Why is Vertical Gardening so Popular?

Photo courtesy of House Beautiful Magazine

One of the most logistical benefits of vertical gardening is that it doesn’t take up too much space. If your backyard is small, or you’re living in a more urban lake area, you may need to conserve space on your property. The limits are your own property with horizontal gardening, but with vertical gardening, the sky’s the limit! From an environmental perspective, they also reduce your carbon footprint — a win-win for both you and the environment. Plus, your plants are more likely to thrive with added air circulation than on the moist ground. 

There are also aesthetic benefits to vertical gardening. A wall of blooming greenery adds dimension to your backyard. In the same way that wall art rounds out an interior design, vertical gardening draws the eye upward and offers a holistic look. Plus, there’s no better way to disguise an unattractive wall than with a whole lot of ivy.

What Makes It Perfect for Lake Houses?

Photo courtesy of Catriona Tudor Erler via Smith Mountain Laker Magazine

Have you ever wanted to incorporate greenery onto your boat dock but didn’t have enough room? Enter vertical gardening. For smaller spaces like boat docks, vertical gardening is the perfect solution. The same goes for your screened-in porch overlooking the lake. Further, vertical gardening is simply another way of showing off your biophilic design. This design trend embraces the natural world and also reflects the values of many lake homeowners who spend a lot of time appreciating nature.

How Can You Incorporate Vertical Gardening?

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

There are tons of different ways to incorporate vertical gardens into your lake home. If you’re looking to get creative, try a DIY project. For example, you can simply re-pot your house plants into wooden crates and stack them on top of each other to create a farm-chic vertical garden. Less mainstream but delightfully creative strategies include succulent frames and monogrammed planters. If you’re not so crafty, look for an existing vertical surface to use. Perhaps you’re not so crazy about one wall of your lake house. Or maybe the fence dividing your home from the neighbor’s could use a makeover. Think outside the box with these vertical surfaces. We bet there’s a way to incorporate vertical gardening.

Whether you’re a gardening newbie or you have a green thumb, we hope you find some fun ways to use vertical gardening at your lake house!

Deck Out Your Dock: Container Gardening at the Lake

Posted on Jeanne Delathouder
Photo courtesy of Ralph Lee Anderson via Southern Living

After a long winter, there’s nothing more blissful than springtime at the lake. This is the season for planting, getting back outside, and bringing nature’s vibrant life into our lake homes and outdoor spaces. The perfect way to do this, especially in a lakeside setting, is with container gardening.

We’re undoubtedly happier and more relaxed when surrounded by the natural beauty that comes with lake living, but not everyone has ample space for in-ground gardening. No worries. You can still enjoy the beauty without all the fuss by setting up container gardens on your deck, porch, patio, or entryway.

Even if you don’t have much outdoor space, using containers and planters can bring joyful color and fragrant greens to any area on your property. To help you get started, we spoke to two gardening experts for some inspiring tips.

Beauty Benefits & Flexibility

Photo courtesy of Southern Living

“Container gardening can lend an incredibly decorative accent to your lake home,” says Melanie Evans, a master gardener and a gardening consultant for Factory Direct Hose based in Middleton, Idaho. Melanie has assisted clients with their gardening and product needs for more than 15 years in all climates, including some of the top golf courses in the country as well as the U.S. Embassy in Russia.

“The variety of containers available allow you to design your small-scale garden in a way that fits your needs and complements your lake home’s unique aesthetic,” she adds. Melanie also notes that indoor container gardens can be a great asset to your lake house’s interior design. The options and combinations are endless, from hanging baskets and window boxes to a cluster of matching pots or large single decorative containers. 

“Many lake homeowners are seasonal residents, making the upkeep of a small garden plot difficult,” she explains. “Container gardens are the perfect solution for those wanting to reap the benefits of a seasonal garden without having the space get overgrown with weeds when you leave for the winter. If worse comes to worst, and the plants die, the cleanup is easy and as simple as dumping out the container,” she sums. 

Growing your plants— and vegetables—in containers also allows for portability. Seasonal lake house residents have the option of taking their favorite year-round plants with them when they leave. 

Blooms that Bring It!

Photo courtesy of Lushome

“On a large lakefront landscape with lots of sun, it’s best to plant one species per pot,” says Jason VanderMey, managing partner of West Coast Gardens in Surrey, British Columbia. “This will give the plants space and allow for more design flexibility with the best color contrast—plus, it will look more natural in lakeside areas,” he adds. If you plant multiple species together, carefully consider color, height, and bloom times. Make sure they have similar growing conditions, and your container is large enough to accommodate them.

Are you looking to WOW your friends and neighbors? Jason suggests planting lots of radiant flowers—like petunias. They smell wonderful, the colors are beautiful, and they’re easy to maintain. These flowering plants grow quickly and fill in densely, creating vibrant, eye-catching focal points. Plant them in decorative containers, hanging baskets, or window boxes for instant beauty anywhere at your lake home. They love full sun and grow well in most well-drained soils. “When you water your flowers, be sure to feed them with a water-soluble fertilizer like SUPER-BLOOM-15-30-15.

If you want to bring bright pops of color to your front porch, patio, or dock, there are lots of flower options. Pansies, violas, hydrangeas, calibrachoas, geraniums, marigolds, and chrysanthemums all thrive in pots.

The Edible Garden

Photo courtesy of Harvest To Table

Vegetables that are ideally suited for growing in containers include tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers (sweet and chili), peas, carrots, eggplant, green onions, leafy greens, potatoes, beans, squash, and radishes. Avoid planting pumpkins, corn, and melons, which require more space to thrive. For container veggies, remember this: the bigger the pot, the better. For tips on growing and choosing the proper container for your vegetables, talk to your local gardening specialist or visit this helpful post on Houzz.

The Chef’s Garden

Photo courtesy of Farmers’ Almanac

If you enjoy cooking, herbs are the perfect thing to plant in your container garden. Herbs that thrive in containers include chives, basil, dill, cilantro, garlic, fennel, lemon balm, sage, mint, marjoram, parsley, rosemary, and thyme. “When it comes to planting herbs, keep in mind that many thrive in Mediterranean-like climates—meaning, they need plenty of sunlight and moderate temperatures,” says Melanie. Herbs can thrive in both indoor and outdoor settings if these criteria are met. 

“Try having one close to the kitchen,” says Jason. “That way, you’ll always have fresh herbs on hand. I love it when I’m cooking and can reach out the window for fresh basil.”

The Sun-Loving Garden

Photo courtesy of Houzz

If your containers are basking in high temperatures and bright sun, succulents and cacti are heat tolerant and incredibly easy to grow. They lend a beautiful texture accent to almost any landscape or indoor area. Make sure your containers provide proper drainage and aren’t too large. The soil will take longer to dry out in oversized containers.

Click here for more expert tips and ideas on how you can create a lush look with container gardens for your lakeside setting.

Container Gardening Care

Photo courtesy of Millcreek Gardens

Before you get going on your container garden, here are Melanie’s simple basics that will steer you in the right direction:

  • Make sure to consider the shape and size of the plant’s root system before selecting a container. Keep in mind that the smaller the container, the more likely the plant will dry out. Large and deep containers are less prone to drying out and allow plants to deepen their roots.
  • Water your container garden thoroughly and fertilize it every week or two. With succulents and cactus, the soil should be almost dry before you water again. Regardless of the size of your container, you must make sure it drains well. If your container has no drainage holes, water will get backed up in your plant and cause disease. 
  • If you’re in doubt, a local nursery professional can help you select the perfect plant and the ideal container.

Want to create a luxuriant lake landscape of your own using containers? We’d love to hear your story and see your results.

Best Indoor Herb Garden Sets

Posted on Camille Smith

On the Lake Homes Realty blog, we’ve written a lot about the joys of gardening and cooking, and the place where these two popular lake house hobbies intersect is indoor herb gardening. There’s a ton of perks to this easy hobby. Not only are indoor herb kits organic and fresh, but they’re also a great money saver. Especially during the winter season, they’re an excellent placeholder for the outdoor gardening you’re saving for spring. Check out some of the best indoor herb garden sets for the current season.

If You’re On the Go

Click and Grow Smart Garden 3 – Amazon.com

The Click and Grow Smart Garden was named one of the best self-tending indoor herb garden sets by The Spruce magazine. With energy-efficient LED lights to grow your plant of choice, this garden is easy to set up. Just drop in the plant pods, fill the water reservoir, and plug in the kit. Besides its ease of use, another perk of this Smart Garden is its versatility. You can grow anything and everything from strawberries to basil to chili peppers. The self-watering tank requires little to no effort, so you can spend more time enjoying the lake and less time watering your herbs. 

If Your Kids Want to Garden

Kid’s Indoor Herb Garden Grow Kit – Etsy

If you’re an avid gardener and want to include your kids in the process, this Kids Indoor Herb Garden Grow Kit from Etsy is perfect. This kid-friendly kit comes with herb seeds, soil, biodegradable pots, and a small shovel. Depending on what dishes your kids enjoy, you can choose to grow basil, cilantro, or parsley as garnishes. It functions as a dual opportunity to teach kids how to grow herbs and incorporate them into cooking projects.

If You Have a Small Kitchen

SATSUMAS Indoor Vertical Plant Stand – IKEA

This Vertical Plant Stand is not one of your typical indoor herb garden sets. The product doesn’t come with seeds or soil. Instead, it’s a structure from which to start building your garden. This plant ladder comes with five pots, which allows you to grow several herbs together vertically. This setup is perfect if you have a small kitchen at your lake house. If you only want to produce a few plants, you could store pens, notebooks, or other supplies in the remaining holders. Both trendy and versatile, this plant stand is an excellent choice for your kitchen. 

If You’re on a Budget

Winter Indoor Garden Kit by Mr. Sprout – Amazon.com

This Winter Indoor Garden Kit is perfect for starting your own indoor herb gardening. Just $25, this set has everything you need to get started. In addition to peat pots, plant tags, and soil pellets, it comes with a grower’s guide manual that provides comprehensive instructions for your garden. Plus, it’s specified for the winter season. With wintertime herbs such as lemon basil, rosemary, thyme, sage, and jalapeno, you won’t eat a flavorless meal for months. 

 

If You Love Spicy Foods

Chef’n Microgreens Grower – Amazon.com

Calling all spicy food lovers! While herbs like rosemary will add a refreshing taste to your palette, some of us like foods with a little more kick. If this is you, you’ll want to check out herb garden sets with microgreens. This Chef’n Microgreens Grower will fit on a windowsill or countertop at your lake house and will allow you to grow fresh microgreens very quickly. Unlike herb sets, you have the option to buy the Spicy Mixed Microgreens pack, which includes broccoli, kale, kohlrabi, arugula, red acre cabbage, and southern giant mustard greens to add spice to your food. These miniature versions will also bloom faster than full-sized plants — a win-win for those who want delicious home-grown, healthy greens within a short amount of time.

Low Maintenance Landscaping Tips for Your Lake House

Posted on Camille Smith
Photo courtesy of salliehilldesigns.com.

There’s nothing better than a beautiful landscape overlooking your lakefront property. However, behind every polished garden is hours of intense gardening work. What if you want a gorgeous backyard at your lake home, but don’t want all the labor? Fortunately, there are several ways to practice low maintenance landscaping. Check out our tips below.

Use Hardscapes

Photo courtesy of southviewdesign.com.

Who says that your landscape has to be completely green? Hardscapes are a great way to add variety and dimension to your outdoor space. As a simple first step into hardscaping, you can customize your yard with one of these DIY stone walkways. For a more classic garden, choose a brick path. If you’re seeking an artistic flare, create a mosaic trail. It all depends on your taste.

Additionally, hardscapes make excellent outdoor dining areas and outdoor kitchens. Once you’ve laid the floor material, add a dining table and chairs, a grill, and a fire pit, and you’re all set. Nothing beats grilling burgers while looking out at your lake view. 

Plant Perennials

Photo courtesy of hgtv.com.

It’s best for low maintenance landscaping to reduce the amount of time you spend with gardening gloves and a shovel in hand. Annual plants are a hassle because you have to replant every season. By contrast, perennials only require one planting session. Because they grow back naturally each season, you can enjoy watching them grow without the heavy lifting. When picking perennials for your garden, make sure you choose native plants acclimated to your climate. Of course, make sure you plant according to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones. If you live in a warm climate in Zones 7-9, it’s helpful to select heat-tolerant perennials like Russian sage and lavender. Both are low maintenance and attract pollinators that help your garden flourish.

Get Ground Covers

Photo courtesy of lowes.com.

It’s no secret that grass is high maintenance. As gardener Peter Weeks writes in The Daily Gardener, most people mow their lawn once a week. This task is exhausting and time-consuming. To reduce the square footage of your yard that requires mowing, consider planting ground covers. These plants sit close to the earth and spread out across your landscape. Not only will they replace grass as a lawn cover, but they also add color and interesting texture. Further, they do not require frequent watering. Although typical ground covers like succulents cost more than grass seeds in the short term, they’ll save you both money and energy in the long run. 

Try Xeriscaping Techniques

Photo courtesy of Forbes.

If you don’t live in a dry climate, you may not have heard of xeriscaping. This low maintenance landscaping practice involves selecting plants that require little to no irrigation. In desert areas with sparse rainfall, this practice is perfect for creating a low-maintenance yard. Xeriscaping is also beneficial to the environment, as it reduces water waste and creates a more sustainable landscape. Even if your climate is humid, you can still borrow xeriscaping techniques to build a low maintenance garden. For example, try choosing hardy, water-wise plants such as aloe or Pride of Madeira. While you’re planting, replace the surrounding grass with rocks and mulch– a common xeriscaping practice.

In comparison to grass, mulch is lower maintenance, provides natural fertilizer, and chokes weeds. To further reduce water waste, ditch the watering can, and install irrigation systems under the soil. With this tool, water travels directly to your plants instead of scattering across the leaves. This way, you aren’t using a drop more than necessary.

Group Plants Wisely

Photo courtesy of Pinterest.

When designing subsections of your garden, it’s tempting to focus solely on aesthetics. The plant by number technique creates visual appeal, and bold color combinations leave guests in awe. While there’s nothing wrong with prioritizing beauty, grouping plants based on similar needs is an easy gardening hack to create a low maintenance garden. Specifically, try groupings based on specific growing conditions like sunlight need, shade requirements, and tolerance of wet and dry soil. This easy shortcut will simplify the maintenance process, and you’ll always be able to remember which areas of your garden need more care than others. Once you’ve grouped plants according to these conditions, then you can focus on looks. 

We hope these tips will help with your low-maintenance landscaping practices. After all, we’d all rather spend time admiring our lakeside landscapes than working in them.

Sustainable Scapes: Environmentally Friendly Landscaping Solutions

Posted on Camille Smith
Photo courtesy of The Lily Pad Cottage.

Imagine your dream landscape in the backyard of your lake house. Maybe the freshly cut grass is a vibrant shade of green, your flowers and shrubs are perfectly manicured, and a sprinkler is installed to keep everything looking fresh. However, this vision of a perfect green space may not actually be sustainable. Andrew Gabries, the owner of Go Green Lawn and Pest Control, warns, “A yard that looks good but isn’t healthy is difficult to maintain.” Despite the green grass appeal, it’s best to design an environmentally friendly landscape. Fortunately, there are several solutions to creating a beautiful — and eco-friendly — backyard at your lake house.

Reduce Water Use

Photo courtesy of Evergreen Turf.

Despite long showers and multiple dishwasher runs, most residential water usage is concentrated outside the home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a typical American household uses 320 gallons of water per day. Further, 30% of this amount is used for outdoor purposes like landscaping. In dry climates like the Southwest, this number increases to 60%. Simply put, this common practice is wasteful.

In contrast to popular opinion, you don’t need to water grass daily. By watering less, utilizing hardscapes, and planting artificial grass, you can reduce the amount of water waste at your home. At the end of the day, even though bright green grass might look ideal, grass with slight brown tones is healthier. 

Choose Native Plants

Planting non-native flowers and shrubs may add a fun, exotic flair to your garden. However, they are not likely to flourish without manually engineering the environment. This is not helpful for environmentally friendly landscaping. Pablo Solomon, environmentalism leader and science consultant for the U.S. Department of Education, advises, “Whenever possible, use local natural plants and trees in your landscaping. This will reduce watering and dependence on herbicides or pesticides.” For example, lupines and willowherbs are native to Lake George in New York, while crown beards and evening primroses will grow naturally at Lake Lanier in Georgia. If you aren’t sure which plants are native to your lake area, the National Wildlife Federation created an interactive Native Plant Finder tool to help.

Reconsider the Lawnmower

Photo courtesy of The Wall Street Journal.

Although many lake homeowners have a standard gas lawn mower on hand at their properties, these tools emit fuels that can be toxic to the environment. Further, at a lake property, landscaper Steve Ambrose comments, “These fuels can easily float in the air and into the lake as vapor, even if you are far above the water.” Luckily, there are several environmentally-friendly alternatives to the traditional gas lawnmower. Solomon advises gardeners to “use hand tools if your time and health allow. You not only help the environment but stay in shape as well.” 

However, if you don’t have the time or physical capabilities for hand tools, electric mowers are another great environmentally friendly solution. Ambrose adds, “Electric maintenance equipment saves on fossil fuels and pollution, but also cuts down enormously on noise pollution.” You may even consider investing in an automatic electric mower. With this tool that essentially functions as a Roomba for your landscape, there’s no need to expend energy. It’s also best to mow the lawn at midday, just after the morning dew has set in, and the grass can dry and heal throughout the day before nighttime. 

Don’t Spoil the Soil

Many gardeners add chemicals to their soil to foster plant growth. However, these chemicals are rarely necessary and negatively impact the environment. If you’re unsure, you can test the soil in your backyard to see if chemicals are needed. If it turns out that your soil needs some fertilizer, opt for a natural choice such as adding mulch to plant beds. Ambrose comments, “I would stick to entirely organic naturally occurring fertilizers and see if the soil that is directly next to the lake can go unfertilized.” Gabries compares a landscape to your own food intake as a human: “The more organic products you consume, the better the results tend to be.”

Why Go Green?

Photo courtesy of bluegrasslawn.com.

For any homeowner, choosing environmentally friendly landscaping techniques benefits wildlife, reduces air and soil pollution, and creates less work for you as a gardener. However, lake homeowners specifically have a greater calling to go green. Ambrose explains, “Lakeside properties are a lot harder to be environmentally friendly with, but the responsibility is far greater. Usually, a house on a lake has water access, but the water actually belongs to the state. You will need to be careful to be a good citizen.” So, next time you think about turning on the sprinkler or the gas lawn mower, keep in mind that a perfectly polished lawn doesn’t always equate to sustainability. When it comes to landscaping, aim for natural beauty. Your plants will thank you. 

A Guide to Plant Hardiness at Your Lake Home: Zones 1-3

Posted on Camille Smith
Photo courtesy of Country Gardens Magazine.

If you have a garden at your lake house, you’re probably familiar with the Plant Hardiness Zones. Designed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this guide separates the country into zones based on average annual minimum winter temperature. Each zone is split by 10 degrees and has its unique features, such as the first and last frost date and length of seasons. This helpful tool clarifies which plants will thrive in your garden. For example, if you’re a gardener in zones 1-3, the Plant Hardiness Zones will warn you against planting a peach tree in your garden, which wouldn’t flourish outside the southernmost zones.

Image courtesy of Gilmour.com.

If you’ve been browsing the Lake Homes blog in the last few months, you may have caught the first two articles in our series on gardening zones. While the first two covered zones 7-9 and zones 4-6, we’re now turning the spotlight on the coldest areas of the U.S. — zones 1-3.

Region Characteristics

In zones 1-3, the average annual minimum temperature is between -60 degrees and -30 degrees Fahrenheit with zone 1 being the coldest. Most of zone 1 is located in Alaska, where the tundra climate can be especially harsh for gardening. In zones 2 and 3, which include the northernmost United States and high altitude areas, these low temperatures also present a challenge for gardeners. Due to the unforgiving weather, it’s crucial to consult the Plant Hardiness Zones to determine which plants are most likely to survive the winter in your garden. Aside from temperature, these regions also tend to have low moisture and high winds, creating more barriers to plant survival.

Main Takeaways

Due to the harsh features of these regions, northern gardeners’ planting window is shorter than those in other zones. Kevin Espiritu, the founder of Epic Gardening, clarifies, “Gardeners in zones 1-3 have about 2 months to plant, and that’s it.” If you’re living in these zones, it’s crucial to take advantage of this brief time. Luckily, certain types of gardening can help. Scott Fanello, a writer for Total Gardener, advises those in zones 1-3 to master cold-frame gardening. With this simple structure that utilizes insulation and solar energy, you can create a microclimate for your plants. He also recommends building a greenhouse at your lake home if you have the money and time. Despite these challenges, life in zones 1-3 isn’t all bad. Espiritu notes that one advantage to growing plants in Alaska is their long summers (almost 20 hours per day of sunlight), causing gardeners in this region to break records in terms of large vegetables. 

Plants to Pick

Due to the harsh weather conditions, the best plants to choose in zones 1-3 are tough ones that can survive droughts. It’s also best to select native plants that are already adapted to the climate. Thankfully, several plants are hardy enough to thrive in this cold, dry weather. Nikki McAteer, marketing director of Perfect Plants Nursery, comments, “Only a handful of perennial plants will grow outside and come back year after year. Planting annuals is a great solution to these punishing temperatures.”

In contrast to perennials that need more maintenance, annuals are less of a commitment. Most vegetables are grown as annuals, so plants like beans, broccoli, potatoes, and tomatoes have a good chance of survival in zones 1-3. Fanello recommends focusing on fast-growing annuals in particular. Some examples include salad greens and herbs like basil, oregano, and rosemary. Overall, it’s helpful to pick plants with a short growing season so they’ll mature and be ready for harvest in the 2-month window that these zones offer.

Despite the harsh weather in zones 1-3, northern gardeners are quite savvy when it comes to working with what they have. If you own a lake house in these zones, we hope these tips help your garden flourish. It’s also a great idea to connect with other gardeners in your zone through meetups, Facebook groups, and local farmer’s markets. Plus, with all the available vegetable options in these northern zones, you’ll always have something to add to your homemade salad!

A Guide to Plant Hardiness at Your Lake Home: Zones 4-6

Posted on Camille Smith
Photo courtesy of Monrovia.

As any gardener will tell you, the key to having a successful garden is choosing the right plants and knowing when to plant them. To make these decisions, gardeners first look to the plant hardiness zones for guidance. A hardiness zone is a geographic area that divides certain regions based on the average minimum rainfall per year. Pol Bishop, a landscaping expert from Fantastic Gardeners, simplifies, “gardening zones essentially use temperature to determine plant survivability.” By understanding the average temperature in your region, you can make well-informed fundamental gardening decisions.

Photo courtesy of Arbor Day Foundation.

Peter Miller, founder of Gardening Stuffs, comments, “I’ve been in the garden landscape space for 15 years now, and I know how important it is to identify which plants will survive the adverse climate of your region. In gardening, you can adjust your soil type and its PH levels as well as the amounts of sun and shade, but you won’t be able to control the temperature in your garden.” While our first article in the series focused on the southernmost zones in the U.S.– zones 7-9– we’ll now highlight zones 4-6. This range of zones encompasses mid-America and most of the east coast. If your lake house is in these regions, the information and tips provided will help your lakeside garden thrive.

Key Characteristics

Photo courtesy of @shiplapandshells.

In zones 4-6, the average minimum temperature is between -30 and -5 degrees Fahrenheit. As such, one of the hallmark qualities of these zones is that each season has an actual ending and real beginning. Unlike this area’s northernmost and southernmost counterparts, neither winter nor summer lasts too long in these zones. The seasonality is clear-cut. Kevin Espiritu, the founder of Epic Gardening, comments that these zones capture the “traditional gardener in a classic farming routine.” There’s a certain luxury that comes from planting for the next season in the preceding one, and gardeners can take advantage of warm days to plan. There’s even the exciting possibility of a Fall garden.

Helpful Hints

While the plant hardiness zones are useful, they do not tell a region’s full story. This is because the zones only capture average minimum temperature without considering rainfall, elevation, and subclimates. In the Western U.S., sunset zones are a more precise system because they take a region’s latitude, the ocean’s influence, rainfall, humidity, wind, elevation, and microclimate into account. However, since sunset zones only apply to the west, the hardiness zones are currently the most standardized tool for the whole country.

Given this limitation, gardeners should take it upon themselves to consider additional factors that may impact their plants’ survival. For example, those further west receive less rainfall, and those further east get more rain on average. Scott Fanello, a writer for Total Gardner, advises those in drier areas to use greywater to compensate for lack of rainfall, and he urges easterners to make the most of their rainy climate. Regardless of these subclimate-specific differences, a similarity across zones 4-6 is the forgiving weather. This similarity leads to longer growing times during the spring and summer months. To work with this, Fanello mentions that greenhouses can be fun, but they aren’t essential. He also notes that just like zones 1-3, mastering cold frame gardening will be helpful in zones 4-6.

Plants That Thrive

Photo courtesy of TroyRhone.com

Because the weather conditions are ideal for gardening, several types of plants can thrive in zones 4-6. However, some differences are dependent on the specific zone. In zone 4, flowers such as goldenrods, daisies, and petunias will thrive. Plus, the bright color combination is a nice bonus. Landscaper, gardener, and writer Melanie Musson advises filling pots and baskets with petunias for a warm, English-countryside look. If you want to plant trees by your lake house in zone 4, consider a sugar maple. The dynamic, orange-brown tones will look vibrant in the Fall. In zone 5, Musson notes that Agastache will quickly prosper, and they’ll also attract hummingbirds to your garden. As for trees and shrubs, flowering dogwoods and Japanese yews are perfect for zone 5. In zone 6, Musson recommends planting hostas. These perennials love the evenly moist soil in this zone, and their leaves are beautiful all season long. Musson also adds azaleas and rhododendrons to the list of plants that will flourish in zone 6. She shares, “they make for low-maintenance shrubbery that boasts a stunning bloom period.” 

If your lake house falls into one of these three zones, we hope you take advantage of the naturally ideal gardening conditions and find a new perennial to plant this season! 

A Guide to Plant Hardiness at Your Lake Home: Zones 7-9

Posted on Camille Smith

If you have a garden at your lake house, you’ll know that there are several important factors to consider when planting something new. First and foremost, plants have certain temperatures that cause them to thrive and others that cause them to wither. For example, you might find palm trees near a lake in Florida — these plants flourish in warm climates, but they would not withstand northern winters. To determine how to plant by certain climates, gardeners rely on the Plant Hardiness Zones as their foundation.

USDA plant hardiness zone map
Photo courtesy of United States Department of Agriculture.

Based on the average annual minimum temperature, there are nine different zones in the United States. Each zone is an average of 10 degrees Fahrenheit difference than the previous one. For instance, Alabama lies in Zone 8, where the temperature can drop as low as 10 to 20 degrees in extreme conditions. By contrast, parts of Minnesota and Nebraska are in Zone 3, where the coldest winters can hit -30 to -40 degrees. While the Plant Hardiness Zones do not tell the whole story of a climate, they do serve as an important tool for both seasoned and newbie gardeners. The Zones are so integral that they deserve a three-article series from Lake Homes.

First, we’ll be taking a look at the warmer climates in Zones 7-9.

Continue reading “A Guide to Plant Hardiness at Your Lake Home: Zones 7-9”