They are telling me to give them what they really want and need. Now, I pay close attention to the soil, water, food and light conditions each plant needs. Little by little, I get smarter in my gardens. Cathey and the horticultural society also created the new AHS Plant Heat-Zone Map, which divides our nation into heat zones. American gardeners have long used the USDA Plant Hardiness Map to select plants that survive extreme cold, but until 1997 there was no similar map for heat-tolerant traits in plants.
Experienced gardeners know heat and humidity often stress plants more than cold.
The Smart Garden ways encourage gardeners to garden with Mother Nature, not against her. There are three basic tenets to smart gardening, says Cathey. Select plants that are compatible to your growing conditions. Reassess your gardening practices and take advantage of horticultural tools, technology and knowledge. Attend workshops taught by local gardening professionals, browse reputable online gardening sites and read gardening information supplied by local publications.