Have you ever really looked and felt of red clay? When dry it is hard as a rock with large cracks in it and when wet it is slick and slimy and sticks to everything. Many things will grow in it (weeds, poison ivy, junk), but you will never have a beautiful garden unless you change the soil. Planting in red clay is like trying to eat with your mouth wired shut - it is possible but you won't get fat eating that way.
A good garden base needs at least six (6) inches of topsoil and I really prefer ten (10) inches. Plant roots are strong, but the harder they have to work to grow, the more strained the plant above ground will look. Without a good base, it will fail to produce the foliage and blossoms it is capable of producing. Tubers, bulbs and rhizomes will do better in clay as their roots are thick and not as long.
Lay out your garden area using flour or builder's lime to outline your garden with at least a two inch line. Removing all the grass and weeds (about 2 inches) from the garden is just the beginning. I use a post hole digger and pull out about 10 to 12 inches of dirt in the center of the garden plot. You will be able to see how much good soil (top soil) you have on top of the clay. This will give you a good idea of the amount of top soil that will need to be added. Till the ground to the depth of the existing top soil before adding more top soil. Breaking this ground up before adding the additional soil will provide better drainage and help the roots to get a good start. (This is the time to take you shoes off and wiggly your toes in the dirt - believe me - nothing feels better.) After adding additional top soil, re-till the area; mixing the existing top soil with the new topsoil and then level the area.
Don't immediately put in plants. If you haven't done so before, watch the garden plot for a day or two. Notice when and how much sun and shade the area gets during the day. Some plants prefer morning sun, but can't tolerate the afternoon sun. Some prefer no sun at all, but do splendidly lounging in the shade.
Are there any trees around that will throw their leaves in the garden? Is there a walkway close by that the beautiful crepe myrtle you are planting will weep all over and probably stain the concrete or tiles? If you have a fountain or are planning on putting one in, make sure the blooms and leaves from your garden plants won't keep you busy dipping the refuse from the fountain. You will need to keep the water clean and the pump from getting clogged with refuse and debris from your plants. To be happy with your garden and the plants you have in mind, you must plan thoughtfully and carefully. Know how your plants will act from the first spring shoots to the late fall shedding. It can make a big difference in the joy you receive from all the hard work.
I love vines, but I don't want to be continually pruning to keep them in control. Wisteria is beautiful, but can easily overtake everything and anything in its path without a watchful eye and careful pruning. Jasmine is beautiful on a trellis, but will choke the life out of neighboring plants if left unattended.
Some plants grow faster than others and your garden may not reach your desired look for 2-3 years. Leave plenty of growing room for that little plant in a gallon container that will be 4 foot high and 3 foot in diameter in a years time. Yes, there is going to be empty spots in your garden unless you buy 3 and 4 year plants. If you are trying to landscape, this is a quick, but expensive way to accomplish your goal; but if you are trying to garden and want to experience the joy and satisfaction of creating your own space, then go with the smaller plants and develop them yourself.
Make sure you have water easily available. Plants must have water to survive and with the unpredictable and inconsistent rainfall levels experienced in the past 10 years, you need to be able to lay a soaker hose in the garden plot to keep those roots nourished - but don't over water! The same is try for fertilizer. Plants need the fertilizer, but don't over do it. Too much fertilizer will either burn up your plants or result in lush foliage with no blooms. Closely follow directions on the fertilizer.
Pests are one of our biggest problems. Sometimes soap and water will take care of the bugs. There are hose sprayers with containers attached that allow you to put in your fertilizer or in this case soap (a cheap dish soap works well) and spray your plants down either very early in the morning or late afternoon. Never spray your plants with the sun high in the sky. It will burn (blister) the foliage and blooms. Find a good resource for pest treatment. I use Better Homes and Gardens unless I have a real problem and then I contact the University of Georgia experiment station for advice. Your county extension agent is there to help also.
Living in rural Georgia and on a very old home site at that, I am continually finding plants from the previous dwellers popping up in my gardens, but I do love surprises! Keep your eyes open for that old weed that springs up, may be the start of something new. Happy gardening!
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