Master Gardener: It’s time for curb appeal – Central Valley style – Visalia Times

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Is it true that most homeowners don’t really like to garden, but all want front yards with curb appeal and backyards for family fun and relaxation? Well, today’s smart trend is moving to sustainable landscaping, which for us is “Gardening Central
Valley Style.”

Many have realized that it just isn’t cool anymore to have a bunch of gas-powered equipment droning on all day long in the neighborhoods.

Isn’t it about time to come clean with our own lawns and just put them where we really need them? It must be time to do a better job in choosing plants. It certainly is time to place plants where they can grow on our property without ridiculous pruning to keep them in size. Let’s be smarter about our Central Valley landscapes, because it matters.

Don’t get trapped thinking that it takes a lot of money to grow an appealing landscape, because it doesn’t. But it does take a functional landscape design. It does take a little smarts. And it definitely takes a critical look at what is really working in your yard and what isn’t.

Figure out: what gets to stay, what needs to go, what needs to be fixed. Then take action. Spring is a great time to get landscapes in working order before the summer heat drives us all to our lawn chairs.

Review your lawn: Lawn care is nobody’s favorite chore (except for maybe mine), but we sure seem to like them. Many of us bought our lawns with the house. Maybe we like them just how they are. Or maybe it’s time to change out a portion of lawn for a better living space?

Consider a small patio or sitting area, a barbecue spot, vegetable garden, grape vine arbor, flower bed, rock garden, a kid’s play house or a parent’s outdoor bar, or even a screen for the trash cans. Yes, the list is endless.

Many neighbors share a lawn between driveways that might be better suited to a row of small shrubs or a small picket fence to screen the parked cars.

Consider removing a swath of lawn and replacing it with a different ground cover. These alternatives would reduce mowing, noise, and water usage. Add some stepping stones or a dry creek bed. All these ideas will cut down on your work in the yard and add to curb appeal.