Podcast Summary: How to Decorate – Ep. 408: Mastering Outdoor Spaces with Landscape Designer Carmen Johnston

Introduction In Episode 408 of How to Decorate, hosted by Caroline, Taryn, and Liz from Ballard Designs, the team welcomes back renowned landscape designer Carmen Johnston. Known for her engaging Instagram presence at Carmen Johnston Gardens and her bespoke garden plans launched in 2020, Carmen joins the hosts to delve deeper into outdoor decorating and gardening techniques.

Ballard Designs Spring Release Early in the episode, Taryn enthusiastically discusses Ballard Designs' new spring release. She highlights the extensive and beautiful offerings, especially praising the outdoor containers and the Suzanne Castler Directoire dining set, which has been a favorite for over three years. Taryn shares, “Every single page is absolutely delicious. So many incredible goodies” (02:31).

Planting Timing and Frost-Free Dates Carmen emphasizes the importance of understanding frost-free dates to ensure successful planting. She advises listeners to consult the Farmer’s Almanac for their specific frost-free zones. Carmen notes, “It’s important to remember to always look at your frost free date before you plant” (05:02). She explains that in her region, the frost-free date has shifted from April 15th to the end of March, aligning with Easter’s date this year.

Container Gardening Essentials The conversation shifts to container gardening, where Carmen provides practical tips on maintaining and preparing containers:

• Cleaning Containers: Carmen recommends washing containers with mild dish soap and a soft brush to remove debris and prevent mold (21:27).

• Soil Management: She advises replacing half the soil annually to replenish nutrients and ensure proper drainage. For large containers, she suggests a mixture of bark and soil, maintaining about 25% bark to enhance drainage (24:13).

• Plant Selection – The Three T’s: Carmen introduces her “three T’s” strategy for selecting plants—tall, thick, and trailing. This approach creates a balanced and aesthetically pleasing container arrangement. “Always add variegation white or limey green in your spring and summer containers,” she advises to add dimension and visual interest (38:37).

Variegation and Plant Varieties Variegation, the presence of different shades of green and white in plant leaves, is highlighted as a key design element. Carmen explains, “Variegation is one of the biggest secrets that you can in container gardening that a lot of people don't take advantage of” (38:51). She encourages using a mix of plant textures and colors to create dynamic and professional-looking containers.

Caladiums and Seasonal Planting Carmen discusses the use of caladiums, distinguishing between strap leaf varieties for full sun and paper-like varieties for shade. She advises planting them as annuals and recommends waiting to purchase until after the frost date. “There are two different types of caladiums: strap leaf caladiums for full sun and paper-like varieties for shade” (34:00).

Irrigation Tips Effective irrigation is crucial for maintaining healthy gardens. Carmen offers several methods:

• Saucers: Placing containers in water-filled troughs allows plants to absorb moisture as needed (48:12).

• Drip Systems: Automated timers connected to soaker hoses provide consistent watering with minimal effort. Carmen suggests, “Just Google automatic timers, irrigation drip systems, and you'll be able to find some of the different things” (49:30).

• In-Ground Irrigation: For those with existing systems, Carmen explains how to integrate containers seamlessly without visible drip lines (51:19).

Managing Deer in the Garden Deer can pose a significant threat to gardens, especially in shaded areas. Carmen recommends planting deer-resistant plants such as holly ferns and utilizing products like deer scram and liquid fence to deter them. “Use plants that are not going to hurt them, that are not going to bother them,” she advises (56:23). For stubborn deer, she suggests fencing or using netting during establishment phases of sensitive plants.

Final Tips and Resources Carmen encourages listeners to start their outdoor projects in manageable phases, focusing on areas like the front door first before expanding. She also promotes her bespoke garden planning services, available through carmenjohnsongardens.com.

Conclusion The episode wraps up with Carmen sharing her enthusiasm for the upcoming spring gardening season and inviting listeners to follow her on Instagram and explore her professional services. The hosts remind listeners to visit howtodecorate.com for show notes and to submit their decorating dilemmas via email for future episodes.

Notable Quotes:

• Taryn on Ballard's Spring Release: “Every single page is absolutely delicious. So many incredible goodies.” (02:31)
• Carmen on Frost-Free Dates: “It’s important to remember to always look at your frost free date before you plant.” (05:02)
• Carmen on Variegation: “Variegation is one of the biggest secrets that you can in container gardening that a lot of people don't take advantage of.” (38:51)
• Carmen on Irrigation: “Just Google automatic timers, irrigation drip systems, and you'll be able to find some of the different things.” (49:30)

Where to Follow Carmen Johnston:

• Instagram: @carmenjohnsongardens
• Website: carmenjohnsongardens.com

Stay Connected: For more tips, follow Ballard Designs on social media and subscribe to the How to Decorate podcast to never miss an episode. Share your decorating questions by emailing yourquestions@podcastallardesigns.net.

Happy Decorating!