Master gardener Betty Lentz has lived in her Maple Grove home for 13 years.
“This was just a flat lot, just a typical suburban Maple Grove back yard,” Lentz said.
Over the years, Lentz turned the vacant lot into a wonderful masterpiece. A water fountain and pond add a touch of serenity. A variety of eye popping perennials and vegetables can be found too.
Lentz says she uses containers to separate her plants. She even puts cucumbers, which are known to take over gardens, in a container to keep them from sprawling all over your yard. Lentz says there are many reasons for using pots for plants and veggies.
“You’re gonna have less weeds, you still may get a few though,” says Lentz, who spends about three to four hours in her garden each day.
Lentz says you’ll need at least eight hours of sunlight if you’re growing vegetables in containers. And you’ll have to add fertilizer weekly.
“Every time it rains or every time you water, you’re washing fertilizer out,” she said.
The expert gardener says her tomatoes and peppers do better in straw bales and they are easier to maintain.
“You don’t have to water as much or worry as much because the straw bale holds a lot of the moisture,” Lentz said.
Sonya Goins, reports
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