How to Landscape With Cactus
Placing cactus in your landscaping will add contrast to surrounding plants. There are many different kinds of cacti. They vary in size and shape. Choosing the right cactus takes some research. An important thing to remember when landscaping with cacti is placement in relation to soil moisture.
Items Needed:
- Cactus plants
- Protective garden gloves
- Garden spade
- Old newspaper
- Research the different kinds of cacti. You will want to know how much light each cactus requires, how tall it will get, how wide it can grow and how often it needs watered.
- Decide which type of cactus you want to plant. Bear in mind the plants that will be surrounding your cacti, if any, in your garden and their watering requirements.
- Visit a local nursery. Ask which cacti does best in your zone and for recommendations for your garden. Browse around until you decide which cacti to purchase.
- Pick a place in your garden with plenty of sunlight and little shade. The size of the area you choose will depend on how many cacti you plant and whether you will plant just one lone cactus for accent or several cacti in a group.
- Put your protective garden gloves on before working with your cactus. This will help prevent you from getting poked by the cactus spikes.
- Use your garden spade dig holes for your cacti. The holes should be no deeper than the cactus root ball and at least three times as wide.
- Wrap the cactus in a thick layer of newspaper to protect your hands when holding your cactus for planting.
- Spread the cactus roots out laterally, not vertically, and place your cactus into its hole. Carefully loosen the roots away from the root ball to help give it a start in growing.
- Fill the hole in with the soil you dug up for the hole. Tap it slightly. Do not water the cactus after planting.