Many gardeners live in areas where almost anything can grow effortlessly. Just the seeds and water for a few weeks, and you have a beautiful lush vegetation. But if you live in somewhere like Colorado, you'll understand what it's like a slim selection of plants that naturally grow. It can be a challenge to the growth of a wide variety of plants, especially when the very world you live in seems to be rooting against you easier.
Some people solve this problem by loading their plants with every type of chemical and fertilizer known to man. This usually works, but for me it seems kind of unnatural to call on a man-made materials for your plants alive. Even if I'm growing fruits or vegetables, I do not feel very comfortable to eat something that is entirely composed of chemicals.
A gardening theory that I have relied in the past, many species of plants grow, is to create a "microclimate" for each plant type. This is when the sunlight, shade, moisture control, and wind factors for each plant. It sounds like a challenge, and it is. But you can regulate these factors in a way that the plant feels just like it the ideal growing conditions. This can be achieved through the use of wind barriers, shading umbrellas, extra water, or other types or quantities of compost.
When ready for an attempt to create micro-climates, you need to make a detailed plan in advanced. You should start by finding a large shade tree or shrub that will grow fast and naturally in your area. Just look at some undeveloped plots and see what there is. Probably grew on its own without any planting or care. This is what you want done. Usually, the cultivation of a plant can bring about the cultivation of other more desirable plants.
If you have a fence in your backyard (you would be amazed how many people do not) then you have a good amount of shade to work. You can start the microclimate process using just the shade of the fence, combined with (perhaps) a screen or large bush to shade your new plant for the other half of the day that the fence does not care. The fence is also useful for shade against the wind for very fragile plants.
Once you have determined the shade, it natural or unnatural, you have a slightly less harsh miniature environment. You must not forget that this is a gradual process, and find a new plant into the shadow of the other. Now your choices are a bit more open. You do not have to go with a rugged plant like you did before, you can now choose a plant that survives in cooler weather.
If you are trying to plant requires more moisture in the air than your area provides growing, installing a fountain or pond, this problem can be attributed to the evaporation problem. You may think you do not want to waste water on a pond or fountain, but it's all in the direction of improving your garden. It's like the watering process, only indirectly. As an added benefit, fountains are usually very aesthetically appealing and a great addition to your garden.
I can not explain every step of the process, because all the goals and setups are slightly different. But to reach your goal, you should do research on every plant that you would like to have in your garden. Find out everything you can about the zone that it flourishes in, and ask yourself how you can emulate that zone within your own backyard. Almost always you can take control of the environment and recreate whatever you want. Usually all it takes is some planning and strategy.
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