There's no shortage of options when it comes to flowers and plants for the yard, but there are a few things for beginners to keep in mind, according to a local expert.
David Martinez, designer and manager at Katonah Nursery, encourages first-time gardeners to consider starting with flowers that are in four-inch pots over flats, as the latter take longer to grow into full-size plants.
"You're already a month ahead," he said. "You have to wait a little longer if you do plugs."
Geraniums and petunias are great options for planters, especially in a spot where there's plenty of sun. They can be surrounded by grasses--which aren't used as often as they should be, and offer great texture, in Martinez's opinion--or mixed with other flowers, like calibrachoa.
"It's about having fun," said Martinez, who has worked at the nursery for 14 years. "You can do so many combinations."
Part of the fun is picking colors. Pinks and purples tend to be popular among women, while men often go for oranges and reds.
After the selection process comes caring for the plants. That means being religious about checking to see if the soil is dry and in need of water. It should be moist.
"Water is the key," Martinez said.
Fertilizing is important, too, whether it be through a time-release product that lasts six months or a water-soluble solution that's applied frequently. And folks have options when it comes to potting soil. The nursery carries an organic line.
For those who are wondering when the time is right to plant, the answer is now, Martinez said. He and his coworkers usually suggest waiting until mid-May to ensure there's no threat of overnight frost--like the kind the area saw earlier this week.
"I think people start too soon," he said, adding that it's never too late to start planting.
"It depends how much you want to spend. You can buy a plant later in the season, you're just going to pay a little more for it."
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