Have you recently moved to Delaware? Are you finding the environment very different from the place you previously lived? Are you looking to garden at your new home? The Master Gardeners have information to help you get started and succeed — we will begin with a few basics here.

Ninety-five percent of Delaware is the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The 5% considered Piedmont Plain is the northernmost corner of the state. The Coastal Plain, for those that have never lived in this environment, is a flat, low-lying area of land adjacent to a seacoast, often characterized by sandy beaches, marshes and estuaries. While most of the state is Coastal Plain, there can be a great difference depending on location, with heavy clay in the northern part of the state and primarily sandy soils in the south. We recommend getting a soil test before you start gardening. A soil test, done by the University of Delaware’s lab, will give you statistics (pH, Phosphorus, Potassium, etc.) and recommendations on what you need to get your soil ready for gardening.

Another statistic to pay attention to is the Hardiness Zones for Delaware. Currently, the cooler, northern Piedmont Zone is Zone 7a. The northern end of southern Delaware is Zone 7b while the warmer area near the coast is now 8a. Climate change also impacts this area with more volatile weather patterns leading to excess rain or drought. All of these conditions need to be considered when planning for success in your yards, as some plants do well in more heated environments and some do well in a cooler one.

Over the last few years there has been much discussion about the benefits of large lawn areas in residential areas. While that is still the norm, and often the requirement of HOA rules, there is now more discussion about keeping lawn areas to a minimum allowing for more meadow-like areas. If you are planning a lawn area, there are two grasses that are primarily planted in Delaware. A “cool season” grass is tall fescue while the “warm season” variety is zoysiagrass. Depending on your personal circumstances, one of these should serve you well. There is both art and science involved in establishing a new lawn or rehabbing an existing one. There are multiple resources available from the Master Gardeners to help you do so successfully.

Native plants will give you a leg up for success as they are more adapted to the local growing conditions. They are more able to fight off diseases and problem insects as well as make for a healthier ecosystem for plants and wildlife. Like most states, Delaware has a problem with invasive species. These are plants that have been brought in either accidentally or intentionally and have propagated to the point that they are crowding out native species. In July of 2022, Delaware passed the Invasive Plants Law. This law listed plants and trees which are not to be bought, sold, propagated, transported or distributed in the state. A list of those plants can be found at delawareinvasives.net/?page_id=68. Information about native and/or invasive plants is available through the Master Gardeners at workshops, information tables or through calls to the Master Gardener Helplines. Local nurseries are also knowledgeable about what plants will do well in our area.

Moving to a new area and making a plan for your outside space can be a major undertaking. Developing a design and doing the work in stages may make it less difficult. Using the resources, both written and through workshops, available to you through the Master Gardeners will also provide you with the knowledge to be successful.

For more information on gardening for Delawareans, go to the UD website page, New to Delaware, at www.udel.edu/0010492. For questions on this subject or any gardening topic, call the Master Gardener Helpline: in New Castle County, 302-831-8862; in Kent County, 302-730-4000; and in Sussex County, 302-831-3389.
For information about workshops, visit udel.edu/master-gardeners and click on Garden Workshops. In addition to the new workshops, the online archive of older presentations, Master Gardener Minutes, photos and newspaper articles is viewable at our comprehensive resource page which summarizes our digital outreach: www.udel.edu/0012686.