Embracing the season

Isn’t it wonderful? Friday night, I sat out on my deck and contemplated going fishing at 11 p.m.  I was so enthused about one of the first 70-plus degree evenings in April. Unfortunately, I couldn’t talk my buddy into it because of holiday plans, so I ended up going to bed with the windows drawn open. As I laid there reflecting on the harsh Northeast Ohio winter we just concluded, my thoughts turned to the spring season, fidgeting with scheduling ideas for all the planting work in my head.

The next morning driving to my sister’s house for coffee, I drove down Fairmount Road in Novelty instead of my usual path down Rt 87 through Chagrin Falls. I wanted to catch all the Saucer Magnolias in high bloom from last night’s heatwave. The welcome spring rains advocate for a very successful planting season before the summer heat dominates the Chagrin Valley.

Taking the right approach

You may be surprised how dramatically a proper mindset and approach will improve the success of your gardens. A top goal when approaching this season is to create a viable planting solution to thrive in your local climate. Over the years, our team at Carmel Landscapes has taken this approach very seriously, always refining our execution from initial design to tangible planting. Taking a holistic approach to our clients’ objectives during the landscape design process and exercising sufficient foresight provides beautiful, sustainable landscapes you can grow with.

Professional Planting Techniques for Northeast Ohio Gardens

Always source your plants from local growers and nurseries when possible. Each plant should be carefully inspected for health concerns, moisture content, and symmetry. An intentional and detailed planting process ensures long-term success for your landscape investment. Here in Northeast Ohio, I personally love Chagrin Valley Nurseries for their ability to source large orders from other nurseries and stage our projects.

Your ideal process should look something like this:

  • Proper Transportation: Larger plants such as ball and burlap trees are carefully tied up and placed on blocks to protect root balls. Use enclosed trailers or special mesh tarps to prevent desiccation during transport.
  • On-Site Care: Plant stock is stored in protected locations and monitored for moisture content during the installation process.
  • Site-Specific Selection: Plants are matched to the soil conditions in their final planting location.
  • Optimal Planting Holes: Dig holes twice the circumference of the root ball to make room for:
    • Poultry manures to aid in mycorrhiza growth
    • Moisture retainers to prevent lapses in watering
    • Loose soils to encourage faster root growth as plants acclimate
  • Correct Planting Depth: Adjust planting depth to the root flare, using an air spade when necessary to expose flares on healed and grafted stock.
  • Structural Support: Stake tall stock to protect against strong winds, allowing slight movement to encourage stronger root development.
  • Immediate Hydration: Plants receive water immediately after planting, complemented with gator bags or hydration doughnuts when appropriate.

The value of ongoing care

We strive to provide storybook landscape environments for our homes. To ensure lasting beauty and health for your plants, be sure to develop tailored programs that target success for long-term growth after the initial planting, and hire professional landscapers and horticulturists when necessary.

When Carmel Landscapes is invited to continue caring for a landscape after planting, we witness something special unfold:

  • Young trees begin to lean into the morning light, shaping their canopies and providing dappled shade for the plants below.
  • Native grasses stretch wider each season, weaving texture into the borders.
  • Shrubs deepen their color and form seasonal structure, providing focal points for perennials.
  • Pollinators return each season, drawn to the steady rhythm of consistent growth.

These are the moments where plantings evolve from their original idea to brushstrokes that accentuate a canvas. With time and care, the soil strengthens, branches thicken, and the original design becomes a place that holds stories. The soil holds memory as every visit to your garden becomes less about maintenance and more about participation.

Contact us for a consultation with our professional landscape designers.