Backyard

Svara på: It appears you are in CA? Buy a Sunset Western Garden Book (Home Depot, Lowe's, garden centers, online). Will give you a wealth of info about your garden zone (different from USDA zones) and ALL appropriate plants for your space. According to several certified arborist I know, never plant a tree larger than a 15 gallon size. They will be much hardier and healthier as time goes by. Prepare, prepare, prepare your soil. Know how much time you have to spend on maintenance and choose plants accordingly. Always allow plenty of room to grow. Make sure to locate plants with similar needs (e.g., water, fertilizer) together. Choose plants that combine to give you interest year-round. And like others say, it's a process. Have fun!

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Svara på: Here's another technique I've learned in 40+ years -- survival of the fittest gardening. Plant more of what thrives in your garden and get rid of the shy, the fussy, and the lame. It will simplify your life and give your garden continuity. When starting from scratch, consider planting two or three different ground covers and see which one is the best behaved. You know what to do next!

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Svara på: Landscaping is not an event, it's a process. Plants are living things -- they grow, they die, they thrive, they struggle. Don't be afraid to move plants that aren't doing well. Don't be afraid to dig them up and dispose of them, either. Add, subtract and prune every year. Weeds will outlive us all. Don't disturb the soil unnecessarily. Plant ground covers. Mulch. Landscape fabric is a short term solution that you will live to regret. Weeds will find a way. Trees first, shrubs second, vines/perennials/grasses/ground covers third. Professional arborists are worth every penny if you have mature trees. Before you start planting, consider how the garden will look from both inside and outside the house. Nothing beats a comfortable seat under a shade tree for napping on a warm summer afternoon. Forget perfection.

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