Don't Know Where To Start?: Horticultural Tips from Gabby

Creating a beautiful outdoor space can feel overwhelming. With so many options and ideas, where do you even start? Fear not, because Selah Gardens has curated a guide to walk you through the process. Whether you have a small balcony or a sprawling backyard, these horticultural tips will help you transform your outdoor area into a personal oasis.

Let’s dive into the world of gardening and landscaping, where you can learn how to make the most of your outdoor space.

Understanding Your Zone (climate)

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones are based on average annual minimum winter temperature, not summer heat.

Zone determines winter survival of perennials, shrubs, and trees, not how plants handle heat, humidity, or drought.

For Oklahoma / Zone 6b-8a climates

• Great perennials: coneflower, black-eyed susan, salvia, coreopsis, Russian sage, yarrow

• Heat-strong shrubs: spirea, abelia, viburnum, hydrangea paniculata (not bigleaf types), nandina, rose of Sharon

• Trees: redbud, oak species, crape myrtle, ornamental pear alternatives (like Chionanthus)

• Veggies that love heat: tomatoes, peppers, okra, squash, sweet potatoes, beans

  
  

  Try out this cool website tool that gives you native and nursery available plant recommendations for your area.

  
  

  *Feel free to contact Selah Gardens if you have any questions about plants for your zone

  
  

When Should I Plant? (Spring vs. Fall)

Spring Planting

Best for:

• Annual flowers

• Warm-season vegetables

• Tender perennials

• Tropical plants

  
  

Why Spring Planting Works: Soil is warming → root enzymes activate → root growth increases.

Fall Planting

Best for:

• Trees

• Shrubs

• Perennials

• Cool season veggies (lettuce, broccoli, peas)

• Cool season flowers (pansy, viola, snapdragon)

  
  

Fall Planting Gives You A Longer Growing Season

• Soil stays warm longer than air = ideal root growth

• Plant puts energy into roots, not leaves

• Less transplant shock

• Winter moisture helps establish

• Plants explode with growth come spring

  
  

Rule of thumb: Plant in fall about 6–8 weeks before hard freeze. Plant in spring after soil warms, not just after last frost.

How Much Space Do Plants Need?

Spacing is based on:

• mature width

• airflow needs (disease prevention)

• root spread

• nutrient competition

If spacing is too tight:

• leaves stay wet longer → fungus spreads

• roots fight for nutrients

• plants become weak and leggy reaching for light

If spaced correctly:

• better photosynthesis

• better airflow

• healthier immune response

General guides:

• Perennials: 12–24 inches apart depending on species

• Shrubs: 3–6 feet apart

• Trees: 10–25 feet+ depending species

• Vegetables:

  • Tomatoes: 18–24”

  • Peppers: 12–18”

  • Squash: 3–4 feet

  • Lettuce: 8–12”

Always check mature size on the tag, not baby plant size.

How Do I Start a Garden Bed From Scratch?

Best Scientifically-Sound Method:

Kill existing grass/weeds

Options:

• Smother with cardboard + mulch (microbes + worms break it down)

• Solarize with clear plastic in summer

• Or dig up sod (hard work, disrupts soil life)

Cardboard is great because:

• earthworms love it

• retains moisture

• prevents weeds

• adds organic matter as it decomposes

  
  

Improve Soil Structure (this matters more than fertilizer)

Healthy soil includes:

• minerals

• organic matter

• air

• water

• microorganisms

Add:

• compost

• leaf mold

• aged manure (not fresh/too “hot”)

Avoid:

• over-tilling (destroys fungal networks and soil structure)

Mulch

3–4 inches wood mulch for landscapes2 inches straw/leaf mulch for veggies

Science:Mulch regulates soil temperature, prevents evaporation, feeds soil microbes, and suppresses weed germination by blocking light.

Final Thoughts

Transforming your outdoor space is a rewarding journey. With Gabby’s horticultural tips, you can create a beautiful garden that reflects your style and meets your needs.

Remember to take your time, enjoy the process, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Gardening is about learning and growing, both for your plants and yourself.

So grab your gardening gloves, and let’s get started on creating the outdoor oasis of your dreams!