One of the best places to find beauty is in the garden. What does that mean for you? Lots and lots of hard work and dedication. As children, we were told, “One must suffer to be beautiful.” As adults, we realize that if suffering means working in the garden, then by all means, let the torture begin!

Let’s begin at ground level with the essence of our tasks–the soil. Good soil equates to good, strong, healthy plants. Be prepared to get your hands dirty and gritty. It is important to feel the soil to make sure it is rich and porous. Water must pass through easily. Garden soil is not intended to be the basis of mud pies!

If you were dedicated over the long winter, you should now have a wonderfully fertile compost heap waiting to be turned into your garden’s new topcoat. A few good turns out of the heap and into the wheelbarrow and you should be ready to go. If you lacked the winter composting enthusiasm, head over to the local nursery and purchase some of their topsoil.

Now back to the matter at hand: Dig into your garden and see what comes out. Is the soil compacted and hard? If so, use your shovel or hand rake and aerate the soil. Now add compost or peat and turn under the present topcoat to get some of the richness close to the root areas. Turning in some of the leaf mulch is good, but thicknesses more than an inch or so in depth should be cleaned out before adding your new rich soil. Dead branches and limbs should also be removed from the beds at this time. Since you have wheelbarrowed up a lot of your compost heap, there should be room for these great compost additions there. If you do not have a compost heap, this would be a great time and incentive to start one. See your local garden center for advice on “how to.”

Remember the winter fire ashes? Now is still a good time to mix them into your new topcoat. They are very helpful in controlling garden pests, such as slugs. A few coffee grinds weekly are always appreciated additives wherever you have azaleas, pines or other shade-loving plants. If drainage is a problem, sand is the best solution. Always turn the sand in with some of the rich mix, as most plants will not flourish in sand alone. Where the spring bulbs gave their all for you, don’t forget to thank them by mixing a little bone meal into their new topcoat. Next spring they will surely thank you again.

With our base now set, let’s go up a level and look at the leaves of our present garden trees and shrubs. Check them for mildew or black spot. Remove any large clumps of dead leaves and dispose of them. Do not let them contaminate your newly dressed soil. A good spray of strong, soapy water is a great way to deter the buildup of any pests that may have survived the winter. This is also a good time to dust the roses. Continue to dust them at least twice a month until later in the summer. Roses also like a few Epsom salts mixed into the soil at their base. The magnesium found in these salts will help promote the growth of new basal canes.

Now, while we are at this level, step back and look for areas that might be improved with the addition of a new tree or shrub. This is the perfect time to do so. Maybe you need a little color in your garden, so why not think about adding an ornamental cherry or peach tree? Dogwoods, crepe myrtles and Japanese maples also add a touch of color; but in their own special way and at their own special times. Some bushes that bloom early and add a dash of color are flowering quince, bridle wreath, forsythia and the ever-popular azalea. Remember that all of these bushes need room to spread out for their peak beauty.

Okay, now your garden has a good, solid base and a design foundation. Step three is adding the level that gives something other than beauty in return. Herbs and annuals can be a source of constant delight to any gardener. Sow fragrant herbs as borders to your beds. They will not only please the eye, but also give off a wonderful fragrance whenever they are touched. The big plus is that they are also edible. Some suggestions for great border herbs are thyme, rosemary, parsley, sage, marjoram and mint. All of these appreciate some filtered sunlight and a weekly trimming. Annuals like monkey grass and dusty miller also make great border choices.

Time for a breather and a sip of iced tea! While you’re at it, find your favorite garden bench and reflect on the bare bones beauty you should now have accomplished in your garden. If you love simplicity, this may be your stopping point. If you are fascinated by color and love that English garden look, then hang on for next issue’s plunge into floral arranging in the yard, as well as in the vase. Remember, it is your own inner beauty that reflects out to others. Take time each and every day to tend your inner garden and you will never be at a loss for beauty in your life.

Copyright 2004, M&L Publishing, all rights reserved.