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Common Sense Makes the Garden Grow |
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Home > What's New > Caramoor Blog > Common Sense Makes the Garden Grow
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September 28, 2010
The tomato plants I bought at Caramoor’s garden sale back in May have been producing fruit nonstop for months now, despite the lack of rain all summer long. It’s by far the best crop I’ve ever had, prompting me to wonder why. Was it the hardy stock? The compost I used to enrich the soil? The extraordinary summer sunshine? Pure luck?
 | | Clifford Dickson |
To figure out what went right this year (especially compared to last year’s disastrous attempt), I asked Caramoor’s horticulturist, Clifford Dickson, for advice. Cliff has been at Caramoor since 2000; He and an assistant nurture all the plants on the 90-acre grounds. They also oversee the 80-year-old greenhouse, an elegant structure that seems to require as much care as the temperamental tropicals it houses. Cliff lives at Caramoor—literally as well as figuratively—occupying a small house on the edge of the grand estate. While I view his gardening expertise as visionary, he attributes his success to experience and common sense.
 | | Caramoor's Greenhouse |
As for my tomato crop, it seems this year’s bounty is due to a combination of factors, most of them pointing to beginner’s luck. According to Cliff, the hot, dry summer offered ideal conditions for tomatoes to ripen on the vine. The plants I purchased from Caramoor were started from seed in Caramoor’s greenhouse, so they are especially hardy. The composting didn’t hurt, either.
While all these factors helped my tomatoes, they may not be good for all plants, Cliff said, reminding me that it’s tricky to give general gardening advice. After all, conditions vary from garden to garden, and different plants have different needs. “I’m familiar with Caramoor’s conditions, which may be very different than your conditions,” he told me. “Here at Caramoor we have big trees and lots of shade, which actually make drought conditions worse. The soil here is full of roots and rocks. This summer we had to water constantly because the big trees sucked up all the water.”
If I want my garden to prosper, Cliff advised me to consider each plant’s native zone and water accordingly. “Gardening is a very hands-on thing,” he explained. “You have to be familiar with the plant and its needs. Clearly drought-resistant plants will need less water than moisture-loving specimens, and they’ll usually tolerate more sun. But most plants need a mixture of sun and shade.” If the sun is too hot for a particular plant, Cliff recommends an inexpensive sun shade, which can be purchased at a garden center.
In some cases mulching will help plants survive a drought, he said. “Some landscapers believe it sucks out the water; others think it helps hold it in,” Cliff explained. “I find that you need to consider the soil quality. If it’s a dry area, I think the mulch can help. But if the plant is in a shady, damp spot, the mulch will retain the moisture and could contribute to fungus growth or root rot.”
Should I decide to try mulching, Cliff counseled me to create a loose collar around the plant. “Never put mulch around the plant’s crown or you’ll choke it,” he warned.
Noting a current forecast of rain, I asked Cliff when I should stop watering. In general, he said, I should water—as necessary depending on the plants’ needs and the amount of rainfall—until the first frost, and then I can let nature take its course. “A light frost will give a plant the signal to slow down, and it will begin to go dormant.”
Once the garden goes dormant, I’ll begin pestering Cliff for advice on houseplants. Meanwhile, if you have a specific question for Cliff, or some advice for a newbie like me, please post a comment. He’ll respond to any questions and I’d appreciate any advice.
Christina Horzepa, Caramoor Contributor
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