For those who are going green, or simply looking to brighten their yards with a few perennials, planning and planting a garden can turn up some tough questions. Luckily, the Fairfax County Master Gardeners are ready to offer a wealth of free advice at their plant clinics.
"Now that gardening is becoming popular, it’s good for people to know good gardening practices," said Louise Davidson.
The most important rule, the Master Gardeners said, was to put the right plant in the right place. They suggested that homeowners observe their gardens before buying plants, to see which areas are sunny and which are shady. Just as important, they said, is proper watering, as not all plants need the same amount of water to thrive.
In addition to offering advice, The Master Gardeners can also cure diseased pants at their clinic. If they do not recognize the disease at the clinic, they will send the sample to a lab for diagnosis.
Plant Clinics take place at the Fairfax County Farmers Markets and at several regional libraries. For the full schedule, go online at www.fairfaxmastergardeners.org, or contact the help desk at 703-324-8556.