This is the time of year when you want your York, PA, area garden to be full of life in the form of gorgeous flowers, shrubs, ground covers, ornamental grasses, ferns, and trees. Having a spread of vivacious color will help you feel a sense of pride in your garden, but sometimes color isn’t everything. You can plan a diverse mini-ecosystem right in your landscape, and you can always find inspiration at your local nursery. Here’s how a plant nursery can assist you on this landscape project.

Related: A PLANT NURSERY SUGGESTS THESE PLANTS TO REALLY MAKE A LANDSCAPE POP IN THE LANCASTER, PA AREA

Before You Visit the Nursery

Do a quick spot analysis of your garden area since you know your landscape best. Consider the cardinal directions as a great indicator of sun exposure and moisture levels in your garden. What side of the house are you looking to plant on? The northeast quarter of your landscape could likely have the lowest levels of sun exposure and moisture. The southeast quarter will typically have much more sun but higher moisture levels. The southwest quarter could be the sunniest and driest parts of your landscape. Then, the northwest quarter will likely be fairly dry and very shady. There are exceptions to the rule, but this will be a good guide of where to plant.

Bring Your Camera!

You’ll want to get some inspiration on your visit to your local plant nursery. Spend some time and walk around to consider which kinds of plants you want to put in your landscape. Once you’ve gotten a better idea of which plants you’d like in a particular spot, you will be ready to talk about practicalities with nursery experts.

Get Some Advice from the Experts

The garden experts working at your local plant nursery will have the best advice for plants they have been caring for. The plants you see in the nursery have been cared for daily and the experts will know all of the tips and tricks to keep your plants healthy and strong, from planting them in the right spot, to the tips that will help plants thrive with the lowest amount of effort and attention.

Natives Are Usually the Way to Go

Pennsylvania has fostered some truly incredible and gorgeous native plants that can vastly improve the look and natural feel of your landscape. Exotic imports may be beautiful, but not being perfectly adapted to the local area, they’ll end up eating up more of your time and resources. Natives have spent years evolving to fare the weather of your region and they’ll be right at home in your landscape. Natives require minimal watering, fertilization, and maintenance, so they should be a priority in your garden. And there’s a huge variety of stunning specimens that can delight your senses every day!

Prioritize Food

Food gardens can help to promote a healthy lifestyle for you and your family. Gardening is also an incredibly wholesome activity for children, and, as long as they learn the ropes, it’ll help them form a lasting healthy relationship with natural food. Many plants such as tomatoes, peppers, and carrots are incredibly easy to grow. Cooking delicious food for your loved ones right from your garden could become one of your favorite things to do!

Related: SELECTING THE RIGHT SEASONAL MATERIALS AT A GARDEN SUPPLY STORE IN THE STATE COLLEGE AND HARRISBURG, PA, AREAS