#ProPlantTips, Gardening Questions, Landscape and Garden Design

A Plan To Achieve “2021 Garden Ready” Status

Nature Hills Nursery | February 14, 2026

Wait, we should be planning our gardens and landscapes?

Yes, you should be! These things take time and major patience to perfect. You do want those passing by to stop and marvel at the work you’ve done right?

Maybe you’re in a friendly warfare with that one neighbor who always out does the whole block?

Or could you be trying to impress the new in-laws with perceived-to-be tip-top shape landscape designs? We’ve all been there. So let’s get started!

Think of the outdoor spaces as a wonderful canvas to paint. Blend together lights and darks, smoothly outline the sides, and attract eyes to wanted pivot points.

Before you are a fully engulfed garden artist, different plants have different needs and it’s your job to cater to them! Mapping out the desired growing areas on your property is a good place to start.

Knowing how much sunlight is received, the types of soil present, and where the Earth naturally slopes will be helpful in determining which plants are suited best for each area.

If you’re looking into fruit and vegetable gardens, calculating the amount of food wanted per person could provide maximum potential for an organized, healthy, and beautiful garden.

No one likes to waste those extra oranges barely hanging on the tree!

Moving forward, applying the “garden buddy system” is a must-have. Yes, we made that up but it works wonders. Some plants just don’t fancy living next to other plants.

Petite plants don’t appreciate being near taller ones because they tend to hog all the warm sunlight. Dwarf Fountain Grass would rather not be drowned by an Arctic Fire Dogwood since their water preferences vary.

Be sure to know all the details of your plants so that you can place them near the best neighbors!

When exactly are you supposed to start planning? You should be planning your 2021 landscape as we speak. No worries, we have you covered in this blog on how to commence.

Your Upscale 2021 Landscape Awaits

Design A Layout:

Whether you already have a layout, looking to add to it, or starting completely from scratch, designing is a crucial first step. It’s like the lovely first layer of strawberry yogurt in a breakfast parfait.

Then as you have the time and the budget permits, you can add more plants! A little secret between the two of us.. you can never have too many plants!

Fruit and vegetable gardens appreciate being grown in raised beds. Make these elegant with stained pieces of wood or crafty by rejuvenating an old metal water tank!

Shift and move garden beds with Sunshine Blue Blueberries and York Elderberries in an arrangement that is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Zig-zags, stacked, or shaped cutouts are our favorite ways to transform a garden design into trendy.

Garden tip reminder: be sure to place the beds in an area that your plants enjoy! The growing season will reward you for the hard work.

Maybe you need an excuse to finally grow a live privacy screen around your property for complete serenity. Trees and Shrubs are masters at this; big or small, they can do it all!

Plan out how a line of a few Green Giant Arborvitaes will pop around a landscape. Then bask in the peaceful silentness while sipping a cup of coffee on your front porch.

Add in a strike of color with a Miss Kim Lilac or a few surrounding property lines. The sweet fragrance of lavender flowers will flow freely among your senses.

Fertilizer & Mulch:

After the harshness of winter passes, planting season will be in full swing and hitting the ground running. No time should be wasted on preparing the growing area!

Remove dead leaves that have piled high above the soil so that you can add Plant Fertilizer and mulch! This helps build soil with nutrients and aid water retention.

You’ll want to add the mulch mid to late spring as the soil begins to warm up.

However, it can be a long time before those nutrients are broken down into a way that plants can actually use them. That’s why you plan ahead!

Then you can add in a compost pile, mulch, and other organic materials to further the preparation.

Don't forget that shredded woody material produced when arborists grind up trees, are sometimes given away for free to homeowners, and this makes fantastic mulch for your plants!

Plant Saving & Orders:

Being garden ready for spring also means having the seeds to actually plant in a style garden! You’ll want to start ordering your desired plants soon and here’s why.

The world of gardening, along with edible landscaping, is super trendy right now! What an amazing thing!

We work tirelessly with growers to make sure there are plenty of plants but sometimes your favorites are all snatched up by the time spring rolls around. Buying now ensures you’ll get that fragrant Julia Child™ Rose or devilishly handsome Bloodgood Japanese Maple you’ve been eyeing.

Hey, now that you’re in on the skinny, jump on our website to order shrubs, trees, perennials and more for your trendy garden and landscape. During the winter, we’ll simply hold your plants and ship them to you come spring.

Keep your eye out for exciting new plants in production at Nature Hills!

We become an incredible resource for plant lovers all across the country with accurate plant culture information from planting to pruning, hardiness and requirements to make the plants grow well, and how to use the plants in your landscape with plenty of tips and tricks!

With proper preparation, the landscape of your most desired dreams can be achieved with ease! Don’t wait for 2021, let's get this garden party started!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know when my yard and plants are truly ready to start a new growing season?

Your yard and plants are ready for a new growing season when you have mapped out your growing areas, assessed sunlight exposure, soil type, and natural slopes, and matched the right plants to each zone. Planning should begin well before spring arrives, ideally in late winter, so you have time to design layouts, source plants, and prepare beds. Check that companion planting relationships are considered, keeping plants with similar water and light needs together to avoid competition. Start by sketching your layout, noting sun and drainage patterns, and ordering plants early to ensure availability.

How much daily sunlight does my planting area need before I commit to a garden plan?

Most vegetables and fruiting plants require a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day, while many ornamentals and shade-tolerant plants can thrive with just 2 to 4 hours. Before committing to any garden plan, spend a full day tracking how sunlight moves across your planting area in roughly 2-hour increments, noting which spots are in full sun, partial shade, or deep shade. This simple observation will help you match the right plants to the right locations and avoid costly mistakes down the road.

How often should I water newly planted trees, shrubs, or perennials during their first few weeks in the ground?

Newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials typically need watering every 1 to 2 days for the first two weeks, then gradually taper to every 2 to 3 days through the first growing season as roots establish. Aim to soak the root zone slowly and deeply, applying roughly 1 to 1.5 gallons per inch of stem caliper for trees, or enough to saturate the top 8 to 12 inches of soil for shrubs and perennials. In hotter climates like USDA Zones 7 to 10, or during summer heat waves, you may need to water daily to prevent stress. Check soil moisture 2 to 3 inches below the surface before watering, and adjust your schedule based on rainfall, soil type, and temperature rather than following a rigid calendar.

Should beginners start with seeds or nursery-grown seedlings to get a garden established faster?

For beginners looking to establish a garden quickly, nursery-grown seedlings are the smarter choice since they eliminate the most failure-prone stage of plant development and can shave weeks or even months off your timeline. Seeds require precise indoor starting conditions, often 6 to 12 weeks before your last frost date, along with grow lights, proper humidity, and careful hardening off before they ever touch garden soil. Seedlings from a reputable nursery arrive already past those hurdles, with established root systems ready to take hold. Start with quality nursery stock to get your garden producing results this season, then experiment with direct-seeding easier crops like beans, sunflowers, or radishes once you have more experience under your belt.

Which types of plants are the easiest to grow successfully when starting a garden from scratch?

For beginner gardeners starting from scratch, native plants adapted to your specific USDA hardiness zone are among the easiest to establish since they are already suited to your local soil, rainfall, and climate conditions. Low-maintenance options like ornamental grasses, hostas, and drought-tolerant perennials tend to be forgiving while still delivering strong visual impact. Before purchasing any plants, map out your growing areas and note how many hours of direct sunlight each spot receives daily, as this single factor will narrow your choices significantly. Visit naturehills.com, filter plants by your zone and light conditions, and start with a small grouping of three to five proven performers before expanding your design.

How do I fertilize a new garden without overfeeding or burning young plants?

When starting a new garden, use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer like a 10-10-10 granular formula at half the recommended label rate to reduce the risk of burning tender roots. Wait until new transplants have been in the ground for at least 4 to 6 weeks before applying any fertilizer, giving roots time to establish without the stress of excess nutrients. Water thoroughly before and after fertilizing to help dilute the nutrients and protect young root systems. Start light, monitor your plants for signs of healthy new growth, and gradually increase feeding frequency as the season progresses.

How do I get ahead of weeds before planting and keep them from taking over after?

Before planting, clear your beds of existing weeds by hand-pulling, smothering with cardboard or newspaper, or applying a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring before soil temps reach 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Once your plants are established, apply 2 to 3 inches of mulch around the base of plants to suppress weed germination, retain moisture, and regulate soil temperature. Refresh your mulch layer each spring and pull any weeds that do break through before they have a chance to flower and set seed.

Which common pests and diseases should I watch for when trying to establish a healthy new garden?

When establishing a new garden, watch for common culprits like aphids, spider mites, slugs, and fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and root rot, which can quickly overwhelm young or stressed plants. Newly planted specimens are especially vulnerable in their first growing season as they work to establish root systems, so inspect foliage weekly for early signs of damage or discoloration. Visit naturehills.com to research the specific pest and disease pressures associated with each plant you select, and pair that knowledge with proper plant placement and spacing to promote airflow and reduce disease risk from the start.

How do I decide whether my garden needs mulch, compost, or other soil amendments before planting?

Start by testing your soil to understand its pH, drainage, and nutrient levels, as this will tell you exactly what amendments are needed before you plant. Compost is the go-to choice for improving overall soil structure and fertility in nearly any garden bed, while mulch is best applied after planting to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. If your soil is compacted clay or drains too quickly like sandy soil, work 2 to 3 inches of compost into the top 6 to 8 inches before planting season begins. Pick up an inexpensive soil test kit or send a sample to your local extension office, then amend accordingly and give your soil a few weeks to settle before you start planting.

How do I design a garden layout that works with my available space, sunlight, and long-term landscaping goals?

Start by mapping your property to identify how much direct sunlight each area receives throughout the day, noting natural slopes and soil types, since these factors determine which plants will thrive in each location. Group plants with similar water and light needs together, keeping smaller plants away from taller varieties that can block sunlight and crowd them out. If you plan to grow fruits and vegetables, consider raised beds to improve drainage and organization, and calculate how much produce you need per person to avoid overplanting. Begin sketching your layout now, then add plants gradually as your time and budget allow, building the design in layers over multiple seasons.