After planning and designing your garden on paper, there are different methods for planting a hummingbird garden. Some folks say its best to till the soil in the entire garden area, however this can bring lots of buried weeds seeds to the surface and also promotes invasiveness of certain types of perennials. Of course you can till the entire area if you like.
Here's some pointers when planting a hummingbird garden:
- Start by trimming grass plants or weeds that are inside what will be the garden area to a height of about 2 to 3 inches.
- Plot the perimeter of the garden out with marker paint, flour or a garden hose.
- Spray existing weeds and grass plants inside the perimeter of the garden area thoroughly with a solution containing glyphosphate (Killzall Super Concentrate or Roundup). Mix as directed on label. Always wear protective clothing and eyewear when spraying a chemical. Allow spray to dry for about two hours.
- Visit your local nursery to pick up your hummingbird plants.
- After spray has dried, use a round point garden shovel to dig a trench about 4 to 6 inches deep around the perimeter of the garden, following your painted line.This will help to define your garden from any sorrounding lawn grass.
- Before planting, arrange the perennials and any other plants or trees you have purchased in garden. If you didn't draw out a plan, place taller varieties (48" + height) towards the back of the border - or center, if the garden will be viewed from all sides. Place mid-size plants (18-48' height) in front or nestled between taller ones. Place lower plants around the outside edge of the bed.NOTE: When setting the plants out in the bed make sure to space them properly. If a perennial grows 18 inches wide mark out a circle on the ground with an 18" diameter (orange marker paint works great for doing this.) Set the plant in the center of the circle. Also mark out spots for feeders, statuary, and plants you will buy and plant later. After placing all of the plants step back to take a look, then making any final placement adjustments.
- When you are satisfied that everything is in place, remove one plant at a time from its container and plant it. For planting, dig holes 2 to 3 times as wide as the container the plant came in. Mix in an good composted soil ammendment such mushroom compost or your own home-made compost at a 50/50 ratio with the soil removed from the hole. Place plant in hole with the top edge of the root ball even with the ground level, or slightly above to allow for settling. Backfill around plant with soil mixture, tamping lighlty as you go to remove air pockets.
- After planting, give your newly planted perennials and other plants a good deep soaking.
- Mulch the garden with a 4" layer of pine straw or 2" layer of shredded wood mulch.
- Check your plants every day to see if they need watering, but do not overwater. Whenever in doubt, use the finger test method to check for soil moisture.
The base of your perennial hummingbird garden is now complete. Remember, the first year, you might want to plant some annuals here and there in the garden for extra-added color.
