A Vegetable Gardener's Guide to Moving House
Factors for Gardeners to Consider When Choosing a New Home
Jul 6, 2008
For most gardeners, the thought of picking up and moving house to a new location fills them with angst. How could they possibly leave their vegetable plots and flower gardens, when months of hard work and loving tender care are spent every year improving the beds?
However, on the flip side of that coin, there are new beds to build and gardens to be grown! The door to one shed closes and the window overlooking a new plot opens. Fortunately, many real estate sales representatives are able to see the value in a yard or lot that contains either a well-established garden or the potential for one. Many real estate listings even include details about the gardening potential at the home.
There are several things to look for when considering a property, from the perspective of a gardener.
Considering Sunlight at the New House
Is the yard a full sun or partially shady location? This can be difficult to determine if the property in question is being viewed out of gardening season. If there is already a rather successful-looking garden in the yard, complete with mature perennial flowers or fruiting tomato or pepper plants, then odds are the location receives enough hours of sunlight to be used as a garden space. Even a fully shaded yard can be used as a garden, but most edible plants will simply not perform in shade. Take into consideration how important it is to grow vegetables; if there is no sun, then this will not likely be possible.
Local Horticultural Clubs
When moving to an entirely new community, investigate the local newspapers, library display cases and public gardens for evidence of a horticultural club or association. Garden club members will usually have great advice and a basic knowledge of what grows well in the community. Also, garden clubs regularly hold annual plant auctions or sales which are excellent sources of plants that grow well in the area.
Local Garden Centres
Are there any garden centres in town? If the new property is situated in a rural setting, determine how far it will be necessary to drive to purchase bags of soil, mulch and compost as well as vegetable seedlings and bedding plants.
Water Sources
Does the new house have a hose or rain barrels in the yard for watering plants? If the garden will be a container garden on a deck or balcony, careful consideration will need to be taken regarding a system for watering the pots and containers.
Garden Storage
Does the new property have enough storage space for gardening tools and other equipment? Shovels, lawn mowers, wheelbarrows and pots all need a home of their own. A garden shed is the ideal storage solution for a back yard gardener.
Community Gardening
If the new home will be an apartment or a location lacking full sun, it’s a good idea to find a community garden with a plot available for growing edibles in. Take a tour around town in search of a community garden, or search the internet for one.
Moving Plants
Are there plants in the existing garden that can be moved or divided, the pieces brought along to the new home and garden? Take cuttings or save seeds from the plants that have sentimental value in the old garden to bring along to the new space, making the transition much easier.
There are many things to think about when it comes to moving to a new home, and for a devoted vegetable or flower gardener, considering these things carefully before committing to a new home can make the experience of moving to a new home and gardening space that much smoother.
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