A Time for Planning
Leif’s article in the April 5th - Northfield News discusses things to do when it’s not quite ready yet to make a full assault into the springtime garden work……
Dare we hope that the long-awaited Spring of 2008 is now unfolding? Most of the folks I’ve run into lately are feeling as if it can’t come soon enough. Despite our yearning to get outdoors and DO something, patience may be advisable for most yard and garden activities.
Soil compaction is one of the biggest enemies of landscape plants, and it is well documented that wet soil compacts easily. Even foot traffic can cause some co0mpaction, so try to stay off wet ground until it thaws and drains enough to firm up.
One early season activity that can be done without too much danger is pruning trees and shrubs. It’s too early to dig or rake, but trees and shrubs are pretty much dormant and can be safely pruned.
Another good activity on a nice day before the ground firms up is planning upgrades and additions to the landscape. When the sun is warm and the wind light, put a comfortable chair in different parts of your landscape and sit quietly. Allow the hub-bub of daily life to melt away and give yourself permission to imagine the possibilities for a new look in that particular area of the landscape. Jot down your ideas even if they don’t seem inspired, and move the chair to another part of the yard. Continue the process until you’ve quietly visited most or all of your landscape. Put the notes away and look at them a few days later. The passage of even this short amount of time will give you another perspective on your initial ideas. In the end, suit yourself. It’s your landscape, and part of your castle. Trust yourself and make your yard the kind of place that brings you comfort, joy, renewal and peace.
Resolve to try something new each year. Variety is the spice of life, and the horticultural world can provide an amazing array of choices. One idea is that each year you could try a different color combination with your hanging baskets, annual planters and planting beds. There are many colors of annuals available and by combining annuals with your perennial plantings - it’ll be amazing what you can do!
In some part of your landscape old, tired, overgrown or crumbling? Prioritize. Perhaps there are many areas of need. If you are the kind of person who is comfortable with one project each season - limit it to that and don’t over-extend.
If you are a lover of big challenges and big changes, plan more ambitiously, but take care to bite off only as much as is truly comfortable. There’s no quicker way to turn the joy of nurturing growing things into a chore than starting something that is too much to complete relatively quickly. Choose projects of the right size, finish them, bring out the lawn chair and take the time to admire your creation. This is one way to cultivate the art of living well.
If you want assistance planning and designing, consult a nursery professional. Their services are reasonable and help you avoid problems while building beauty and practicality into your landscape. An additional benefit is that a well designed landscape adds nicely to the value and “curb appeal” of your property.
April 17th, 2008 at 10:04 am
I live in Nebraska and we are waiting for spring weather to appear also. We have been cleaning our beds between snow, rain and 40-degree temperatures.