In the garden, succulents don't skimp on their extravagant charms. Some magnificent species have sufficient winter hardiness so that they cause a sensation in the bed. The exotic origin and special preference for spartan conditions should be taken into account when planting. Important questions about correct planting receive a tried-and-tested answer here.
How to plant a succulent garden?
For a succulent garden, you should choose a full sun, warm location with well-drained, nutrient-poor soil. The best planting time is early/mid-May to early June, when ground frosts are no longer expected. Make sure you have adequate moisture protection during the winter.
Which location is suitable?
Succulent plants come from regions of the world where there is an abundance of sun and rain is in short supply. Therefore, choose a location in the garden that is equal to these conditions. A warm, sunny location is ideal. This can also be a protected wall niche with a south-facing orientation, which at the same time keeps a large part of the rain away from the succulents.
Which soil condition is beneficial for succulents?
Succulents are not adapted to the rainy climate of our regions. The soil in a sunny location should therefore be well-drained to a depth of around 30 cm so that excess water drains away quickly. The exotic survival artists are also not comfortable with the concentrated nutrient load of normal garden soil. By enriching the soil with quartz sand (€15.00 on Amazon) or fine grit before planting, you optimize the permeability and at the same time slim down the soil in a way that is suitable for succulents.
When is the best time to plant?
When it comes to the best time to plant, succulents are in line with other perennials in the garden. When ground frosts are no longer expected from the beginning/mid of May, the time window for planting opens. At high altitudes, we recommend waiting until the beginning of June until the danger of cold weather has passed.
How does the planting process work in detail?
A key function is the professional preparation of the soil. Rake the bed thoroughly until the soil is finely crumbly. Weeds, old roots and larger stones are removed. If there are doubts about the permeability, dig the soil to the depth of a spade and mix a third of the excavated material with quartz sand (€15.00 on Amazon) or grit. Follow these steps:
- Dig a planting pit for each succulent with 1.5 times the volume of the root ball
- Spread quartz sand or pebbles on the bottom of the pit to protect against waterlogging
- Unpot the plants and position them in the middle of the planting hole
- Fill with the enriched excavation so that the previous planting depth is maintained
Press the substrate with your (gloved) hands so that a good seal is created without air holes. Finally, cover the soil with a thin layer of grit, pebbles or sand. The inorganic material prevents the formation of rot due to direct contact of the succulent shoots, leaves or rosettes with the substrate.
Tip
When choosing a location, plan the delicate wintering of your succulents in the garden. Without adequate moisture protection, even your most winter-hardy pieces of jewelry are at a loss. Ideally, plant hardy succulents in the rain shadow of a wall or leave enough space for a translucent structure to protect against snow and rain.
