Garden-In-A-Box: No More Dirt Patch
When they moved into their Westminster house about 5 years ago, Linda and Jonathan Thornton looked forward to adding to the landscape. They had much they needed to do. Several aspen trees were in bad condition and planted where they couldn’t thrive, so they removed those. There were also plants that weren’t doing well; some of those got moved and some had to go. As they were relatively new to gardening, they soon realized they needed to learn more about such things as garden care and soil types, and they set about getting that knowledge.
Finding the right plants proved difficult. They tried a number that didn’t prosper for various reasons. As the primary idea person of the couple, Linda soon recognized that since she feels close to nature and its beauty, for her “it’s important to respect local nature and its strong plants. What I want are hardy, native plants, plants that want to be here.” Even with that knowledge, finding appropriate plants continued difficult.
When she read about Garden-In-A-Box through the Westminster newsletter last year, Linda decided to try one. The notion of hardy plants that grow well together and need little water was very appealing. It sounded easy and generally speaking turned out that way as well; all they had to do was to dig the holes and insert the plants. Looking for the 
hardiest plants, Linda chose the Heavenly Hell garden. She altered the plan a bit, using one garden divided to fit into two small areas. When it was time to plant it was Jonathan’s turn to shine; he does most of the work of gardening: planting, weeding, and watering. Even with help, installing all the plants on the day they picked them up was a lot of work.
Most of the plants went into one area which had “looked like just a big patch of dirt”. Other plants had not done well there. By the end of the summer, all the plants were thriving and the gardens looked good; no more dirt patch.
They are very satisfied and looking forward to how the gardens will look when they are more filled in. “Last year it was small dots of plants, and it was beautiful even then” Linda said. She is surprised and pleased that some of the plants are beginning to grow so early in the spring, and excited to see how they will look as they fill in.
Xeriscape GIAB first planted
GIAB One-year later
“It was so easy (a key word with me) that I look forward to using more Gardens-In-A-Box this year” said Linda. “I’m glad they are perennials so now I can plant other parts of the yard.” This time she will schedule putting in the plants on the day after they arrive because even with help, planting was a good deal of work.
Garden-In-A-Box kits can be ordered now from the Center for ReSource Conservation (CRC). They each contain 30 to 40 native water-wise plants and come with a professional design, planting, and care instructions to make the process as easy as possible. Order on line at www.conservationcenter.org or call303.999.3820 x 212.
