Mayan Garden Club Tip of the Month: Some Basics
Our Garden Club was formed earlier this year and we are devoted to helping you with your garden. We already have several tips on our new web site. Check out our web site at Mayangarden.club
Many of us come from climates with specific seasons and temperature differences. Gardening in a tropical environment is very different. Here are some basic tips for having a beautiful garden in the Mexican Yucatan.
• 1. The most important rule is to use raised beds for best results and fill with a good soil mix. Raised beds allow you to control the soil and give better drainage. The existing limestone soil can be hard. Augment your mixture with a soil mix and fertilizer for your plants. Home Depot has some mixes that work well and can be mixed with peat moss and some local soil. Use a third of each for good results for most plants. If you do not have a good soil, you will waste a lot of time and money on plants that will not grow.
• 2. Know that tropical gardening differs in that we have faster growth, and longer growing season. Remember, new growth will be tender so protect it when possible from winds.
• 3. Humidity encourages more pests and diseases. Some plants are resistant. Use these whenever possible. If you need to use pesticides, use natural remedies that do not harm the environment. Information on natural remedies is available on the web. All chemicals you put in your garden end up in the water and will damage the fragile environment. Be nature friendly.
• 4. Pick plants that are recommended for the area. Stores such as Home Depot sell plants that come from greenhouses and look great on display, but many will not grow here. We have all had experience purchasing plants only to have them die. Purchase from a reputable vivero (nursery) where they will tell you what will grow and under what conditions. A good one is Los Pinos, north side of Playa del Carmen. See our friend Lupe to help you.
• 5. Space plants for fast growth. If plants are too crowded it may slow growth and also cause diseases.
• 6. On Planting: It is best to keep plants together in compatible groups requiring the same watering and shade. Get rid of old plants that do not work. Be ruthless in clearing out the damaged and weak plants.
• 7. Time to plant: Almost any time is good for planting, but in the dry season you may need to supplement water. If your water is from a cenote it will be salty, so be sure your plants are salt tolerant. If you Google “salt tolerant plants”, you will see many helpful web sites that will tell you the degree of salt tolerance for your specific plants.
Pictures are of a palm tree and a raised bed with mandevilla and bougainvillea when planted and only seven months later.
We here at Mayan Garden Club appreciate your input and questions. Happy Gardening!
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