Weeder’s Digest
I
will assume that if you are reading this you like to dabble in your
yard. Looking out at your yard in January and February is not
very inspiring, but it can be the best time to contemplate the
health and future of the coming season. As winter clutches us in its
grip, you may be tempted to put away all the garden tools and focus
on indoor pursuits. While it’s true that there is less to do at this time
of year, there’s no better time to plan your landscape. Proper planning
will help you maximize your investment.
How you start is much more important than accents and finishing
touches. Today’s market offers a wide array of options that
unfortunately can invite confusion and frustration. Each part of your
yard needs individual consideration. The amount of light reaching
each area, the slope or grade affecting drainage issues, and the overall
enhancement of the existing site all play important roles.
The initial steps that you take can have a profound effect upon the
final result. Whether you are starting with a blank slate or making
additions, making the right choices can be a bit intimidating. Proper
planning can help you avoid the mistake of trying to squeeze a round
peg into a square hole.
A good way to begin your landscape plan is to examine the foot
print of your house. In nature there really is no clashing of colors,
but starting with a complimentary contrast in your base plantings
can make things flow from the get go. The positioning of windows,
height of railings, and of course the color of your house and trim are
the best things to consider first. Walk ways may have already been
defined for you, but pathways for yard access need to be considered
and anticipated before the first shrub is planted.
A view from on high as to the layout of your property and the options
it presents is also a prudent starting point. Obviously, if you have
a septic field, caution needs to be taken to avoid placing any tree or
shrub in its vicinity. If there is a view you wish to block or merely
accent, you must take care when choosing your planting material.
Equally important are things like allergies to certain types of pollen,
and concerns over possibly attracting bees. These elements are
By Bob Siren
Discover Smith Mountain Lake
Winter 2015
34
