Page 17 - Real Estate Now May-June 2022

“When selecting plants, be sure to read the size description on the tag: how tall and wide will it grow? Make sure
you have a spot that can accommodate its growth,” she says. “If you see the words ‘ground cover’, understand it’s a
spreading plant that may take over your garden. I avoid plants that spread aggressively and aim to pick perennials
that form tidy clumps to reduce maintenance.”
You may want to have your soil tested by a professional landscaping company to see if you need to add nutrients.

What’s the best way to start vegetable gardening?

As a year-round vegetable gardener, Jabbour believes all
landscapes should include edible plants, which provide
delicious food and add beautiful elements to your
garden, while attracting and supporting pollinators.
“You can create a stunning hedge with high bush
blueberries, use strawberries for edging garden beds,
tuck lacinato kale amongst perennials, or include curly
parsley in container gardens for long-lasting texture
and beauty,” she says.

Want to grow your own food? Start by building a simple
four-by-eight-foot raised bed, or gather a few large
containers for your patio, advises Jabbour. Since most
types of vegetables and herbs need lots of light—at
least eight hours of full sun each day—choose plant
varieties that suit your garden conditions.
“If you don’t have a full sun, stick to vegetables like leaf lettuce, spinach, and kale that can be grown with just three
to four hours of sun each day. A raised bed is ideal as it offers excellent soil drainage and is easier to tend than a
traditional in-ground garden,” adds Jabbour.
You can find a list of vegetables that don’t require full sun here.
Easy to grow vegetables that don’t need much maintenance include bush cucumbers, potatoes, zucchini, cherry
tomatoes, peas, and bush beans.

“If you’re short on space, skip vining vegetables like cucumbers, pumpkins, and winter squash, which can use up large
areas. Or, grow them vertically: I love growing vining cucumbers, pole beans, melons, and small fruited pumpkins on
trellises. It allows me to grow more food without digging a new bed, but it is also good for the plants. They’re less
prone to disease and insect problems and it makes harvesting a snap,” she says.

What’s the best way to care for a garden?
Weather affects the timing of planting trees, shrubs and perennials, and how well they settle into your garden, so
plant these items in the spring before the hot, dry weather takes over.
“You can help give trees, shrubs, and perennials a good start in your garden by watering new plants deeply each
week. Once they’re established, you won’t need to water as frequently,” says Jabbour, who also mulches with straw to
conserve soil moisture.
With a little know-how, your spring garden will blossom all season! ■

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