The more I got into gardening, the more I realized the importance of understanding a few principles:

‍

1. The basic difference between plants and animals is the ability to move. For animals, being able to move shaped their evolution. As for plants, the fact they had to stay in one place required a much different path The most important development for plants was the ability to manufacture their own food. Think of the entire plant as a "food production factory", with the production lines running up and down the plant, from its very top to the bottom tips of its roots. What does it use to produce food? Sunlight and air (particularly, carbon dioxide in the air) - accessed by its leaves, using an amazing process called photosynthesis; and water and minerals - accessed by its roots. Roots and leaves are critically connected by the stem of the plant - the stem acting like a "transportation highway" going both ways. Roots cannot live without leaves, and vice-versa. Transplant a tree without taking enough of its roots with it, and you quickly see what happens to the leaves. Think about that the next time you're tempted to chop out a bunch of tree roots.

2. Like all living things, plants evolved according to their environment. A sparrow can survive a prairie winter; a parrot cannot. Likewise, compare a Norway spruce tree and a palm tree (especially, think for a moment how their "leaves" evolved - and yes, needles are leaves). Where a plant originated determines how well it will do in soil that is usually quite wet; or in drier, sandy soil; or in soil that tends to be acidic (a low "pH" on a scale of 1-10) or alkaline (a high "pH"). When you choose plants, you'll understand why some are better suited to shady areas, and others require lots of sun. As gardeners, what we're really doing is tricking the plant into thinking it's someplace it's not (i.e. where it originated). The better you can do this, the more success you have. That's where you have to start with what you've got - of assessing the typical conditions of your yard. How sunny is it? Is the soil sandy or clay-like? How exposed to the wind are you? How willing are you to ensure a heavy mulch cover for some of your perennials to keep them warmer in winter, so they can survive?

3. Following up on the previous point, if you're just starting out and wondering what to plant, look around. If your neighbour has a beautiful hydrangea in his or her front yard, chances are you could have hydrangeas in your yard as well. Unfortunately, new neighbourhoods don't afford that advantage. That's where you're best to rely on the advice of your local greenhouse or the University of Saskatchewan - as well as several excellent books by local authors. (Hint: Never buy a general gardening book that was published in a region outside Saskatchewan.)

4. Be like Mother Nature: she's ruthless. If a plant continues to look sick, or if it's diseased, get rid of it. If you want a nicely-shaped dogwood or some other shrub, get out the shears and regularly trim it. That blueberry patch you planted two years ago, but still hardly produces any fruit? Yank it out and try haskaps or strawberries instead. That pathetic lawn dominated by a huge spruce tree? Replace it with some really interesting xeriscaping. You want plants that thrive, not just survive.

5. When deciding what to plant, follow "the rule of threes." Bunch specific types of plants together, but always in odd numbers. Thus, plant three roses together rather than two. The aesthetic effect is much more pleasing. I'm a strong advocate, as well, of using plants to mitigate against the dominance of straight lines and flatness in our lives. Curve your growing areas. Build berms (i.e. small hills). Make your yard a place of pleasant surprises, and an escape from the tyranny of regulated conformity.

The list could go on, but these five recommendations will aid in your quest for successful gardening.