Pocket Plantings are a great way to introduce biodiversity in your yard. Starting small makes the project more manageable and easier to care for as your garden establishes. As you gain experience, confidence, and (fingers crossed) a desire for more, it is always possible to expand the garden.
First, consider where you’ll be planting
A successful garden isn’t complicated, but it does require some planning. Ask yourself the following questions:
- How much sunlight is there? Some plants grow spindly, leggy or not-at-all in too much shade. Others shrivel up in full sun. There is a suite of plants for just about every site.
- What is the soil moisture of the site? Heavy clay soils will hold a lot more water than light, loamy sand; some plants will drown where others thrive. Pocket plantings can make excellent raingardens if located in a place to capture runoff from roofs, sidewalks or driveways.
- Are these characteristics consistent throughout the site? Conditions may vary even within the site where you are planting.
- How is the site used, and who owns it? Boulevards, for instance, can be great places to introduce pollinator habitat (as long as it doesn’t get too tall). But most cities own their boulevards, and may require you to get permission before you begin digging them up.