Front Yard Update

A year and a half ago, I decided to take out my scruffy grass in the front yard and replace it with low maintenance plants, drip irrigation, and landscaping materials.  I designed the planted areas, and, after, much research, selected the plants and purchased them.  Problems with my back have limited my mobility, so I hired someone to do the actual labor on my project.  So far, so good!

Fast forward to now, and I have learned several lessons, which I would like to share with you:

1.  Being a good landscape designer is difficult!
2. Plants that thrive in one garden may not do as well in another garden, even if the second garden has the same sun exposure, wind, soil, etc.
3. When a plant description says “Morning Sun”, that does not include ten days in a row of temperatures over 100'!
4. During the second year of a landscape project, not all plants grow at the same rate.
5. When extreme heat causes the top layer of leaves on a plant or tree to dry out, do not clip them off yet.  Let them protect the lower leaves until the danger of extreme heat is over.
6. It is OK to change your mind, and replace some of your initial plantings with different plants.  But wait until October!
7. Water!  Water!  Water!  And check your drip irrigation frequently.

I always learn new things when I garden, working with my soil and the weather.  Replacing my front lawn has been challenging and rewarding at the same time.  I will let you know how my project progresses.  Hopefully, it is on its way to the image of beauty I hold in my mind!

photo by Martha White

Read more