By Val Whitmyre, U. C. Master Gardener

 I call myself a gardener, but this title goes hand in hand with an ongoing learning process.

Months after the birth of my first son, I took advantage of his sleep time to slip outside for a breath of fresh air. To escape from the world of heavy diapers to the fragrance of lilacs was a pivotal moment.

I saw a tiny abused lawn, an ancient lilac shrub and a tangled honeysuckle. The rest was a mystery. I wanted more. Here was another firstborn: a desire to learn as much as I could about the garden.

If you are a beginning gardener, first arm yourself with knowledge before bringing home carloads of spring plants. How many of us have ignored this advice, only to find that there isn't enough space to plant our treasures or there is no water source to reach them?

Learning a few basics may save you a lot of money. Bring a book like Sunset's Western Garden Book to a reputable nursery. Look up the facts about plants that catch your eye, read labels, and if you want to know more, ask employees for information. Be sure to read information that refers to our Mediterranean type of climate.

There is a world of information online and in libraries. The more you learn, the more your interests will become specialized.

 Basically, plants need the right kind of soil, temperature, light, nutrients and space. Even more important, they need a commitment of stewardship from the gardener. Learn how large a plant will be when mature. (A miniature rose could grow to several feet.) Learn what kind of soil it requires, where it should be planted, if it will grow well in our climate, and if it attracts snails and other destructive creatures.

When planting in an established garden, look around. What bothers you? Mentally remove any plant you don't want, but be aware of the function that plant is performing. Is it shading plants that you like? If you remove it, will these plants suffer?

Think about your available time. If you will be away from home for most of the summer, will you need a plant sitter, or have you chosen drought-resistant plants that will take care of themselves? The Napa County Master Gardener office can provide a list of drought-resistant plants.

The tomatoes and zucchini you choose now may produce baskets of fruit and vegetables in the fall. Will your schedule include time to harvest?

Know in advance the characteristics of each plant you choose. Have you bought an aggressive plant that may spread seeds throughout your neighbors' yards? Have you bought a plant that will quickly outgrow its allotted space? Ask whether your plant will need pruning every year, or whether it will need spraying for fungal disease.

Whenever possible, buy disease-resistant plants. For instance, some roses are susceptible to fungal disease and rust, while others are almost disease free. The good news is that hybridizers are producing more and more disease-resistant roses each year.

Are you hiring a maintenance person or a gardener? A maintenance person has a mower, a blower and electric shears. A rake is seldom used, and most plants end up being shaped like squares or muffins. Do you want muffins or a natural look?  A maintenance person may mow a lawn when it is raining, which seriously compacts the soil and causes drainage problems in the spring.

Can you live with a less than perfect look in your garden, or do you seek perfection? Perfection is elusive because plants change with each season, and that is part of their charm. Some lose their leaves; some die back to the ground and reappear each spring, while others live through our heavy winds and rainy season with no apparent damage. Annuals die after growing to maturity and forming seeds in one season. The seeds will then perpetuate more annuals the following spring.

Do you live in deer territory? Deer don't like fuzzy, smelly leaves, but they love roses, thorns and all. Think about the effects on the natural world of your plant choices and pesticide use. Are you attracting or killing birds, bees and butterflies? Are you providing a safe haven for your pets and the inevitable gopher? Beneath my garden is a vast maze of tunnels that house the ever-present gopher. It is time for me to learn more about gophers.

The learning process is fascinating and ongoing. My son is an adult now, but I am still slipping outside for a breath of fresh air. Sometimes I'm still outside breathing deeply at sunset.