At last! Planting is (nearly) complete!

Director of Horticulture Linda Churchill by Irene Sadler

The week of April 13th we laid out and planted the final plants, grasses and perennials. First Linda placed the plants, then the crew dug holes where each plant would be planted.  Planting designs often change on the ground at this stage, once the designers see how the plants look in situ rather than on paper.

Main irrigation line placement was adjusted at this point as well.

Then planting began.  As with the trees, Linda showed the crew her preferred method for correct planting, soaking each plant thoroughly in a bucket of water, then teasing out the roots before planting.  (Stay tuned for a “how to plant” workshop this summer where you get to practice this technique.)  For plants not yet available, we planted empty pots in the ground so the later-season planting will be easy:  lift a pot, plant a plant.

With the plants all tucked into the soil, the crew started drip irrigating, taking ¼” “spaghetti” lines from the main lines to the plants and attaching one or more drip emitters at the base of each plant for slow, efficient watering.

Irrigation can be the hardest part of the installation work.  The crew has to work on hands and knees for hours, doing fussy work while avoiding crushing the just-planted plants.  And we, the viewers, know the garden is so close to done, but so far from pretty yet!

But finally the drip work is done.  One more day to test the lines and double-check for any leaks or problems.

Next up:  an untimely spring freeze