Everything I plant dies. What are good plants for the garden?

Question

I buy plants according to the environment and they still die. What are good, hearty plants/flowers/bushes that will survive in full sun areas with good water supply?

Answer 1

I think you first have to figure out why things are dying. Is your whole lawn dead, or just the plants and shrubs you plant?

It may help to call the County Extension Office, if you have one. It should be in the blue government pages. Also, you might see if your community has a "Master Gardener's" program, and if a master gardener can come out and see what's wrong.

I plant a lot of things and really abuse them, yet they still come through. For my zone 4/5 climate, I can reliable plant:

annuals: sunflowers, begonias, salvia, dill, lettuce, carrots, petunias
perennials: bee balm, roses, lady's mantle, thyme, mint, oregano

I haven't done bushes or anything else yet, besides the roses.

Good luck -- there's something you can plant!

P.S. Some of those things sound like vegetables, but they are also very ornamental and pretty! Oh, and don't forget the bulbs, like crocus, tulips and hyacinth!

Answer 2

If you have full sun and a good water supply--that should be enough. Make sure you are planting correctly...and buying smart--before you buy a plant, make sure it is healthy. Invert the pot and examine the roots--they should be white and not too wound up in the pots (root-bound). The center stalk should be sturdy and check for bugs. Some browning of leaves is okay but check to see if there is any new growth of the plant emerging from the bottom or from the stalks of the plant. Buy plants that are meant to be in full-sun to partial sun--if there is no tag, ask somebody. Plant it in the ground so it is at the original soil level of its pot. Don't plant it too deep or too shallow. AND, make sure you spread out the roots so they can grow into the ground. If you don't, they'll continue to grow around and around as if they're still in the pot--the plant will die this way. Watering in is VERY important. If you don't thoroughly water the newly-in-the-ground plant, it will not survive. Once you do that, do not OVER-water. One of the most common reasons plants die is actually overwatering and NOT drought.
So, what likes sun and is hard to kill? Poppies (papaver), Yarrow (Achillea), Heather, Salvia, ornamental grasses, Lavender, and Rosemary, and Hebe. Hebes and Lavender especially like to be dry. But you still have so SOAK them when you first put them in the ground. Finally, get some good mulch. I like composted steer manure--don't use bark--it's no good. Or what's better is a combo mix of fine bark and steer manure. I buy mine at a landscape supply place. Once you plant, lay down a 2-inch layer of mulch around the plants but keep it about 2 inches away from the "crown" of the plant (where the main stalk goes into the ground. This will help prevent erosion, prevent drying out too quick, and protect during cold months if you have any. Good luck!

Answer 3

Plant things which will grow *no matter what you do*. This means do not plant a 'regular garden'. Instead plant native species plants and 'weeds' from your area. Find out if there's a native plant nursery for your state and go there.

Then, grow most of those plants from seed instead of planting plants. That way is cheaper, and any plant that grows from seed on your property is already a plant that likes to grow where you are. All you have to do is strew the seeds all over and protect them from birds until they sprout.

Answer 4

While planting saplings, follow the ones shown below:
1. Depth at which sapling is to be planted
2. Soil is suitable for that plant and whether mother soil in which the plant was in the nursery is preserved and used for planting
3. Intervals of watering is followed as advised
4. Plants being kept in open or shades
5. Frequent attention is paid in the early days of plants.
VR

Answer 5

for 5 bucks you can go buy a soil tester....that is a good beginning...most nurseries sell them....you first need to know what your acidity or alkalinity is.....that will make the difference in what you plant unless you plan to amend the soil in some way.

Answer 6

maybe you don't have a green thumb! (hehe, just kidding).
try San Francisco plants, they're very low maintenance. should be easy.

Answer 7

just get grases and firm plants