By this time of year, I feel like I should be merely maintaining my yard. The majority of the landscaping and curb appealing should be complete, and I should only be responsible for watering and pulling the odd weed. Unrealistic expectation? Maybe. But if I’m honest, I’m nowhere near this scenario. Among the yet-to-be-dones are mulching, weeding, pruning what we have, not to mention envisioning and executing any new DIY projects to enhance our yard.
Not knowing where to start, having admittedly little skill, and being a bit overwhelmed by our 16,000 sq. ft., I decided to break it down into categories: what I love about my yard and what I don’t. This way I can at least establish a game plan.
Likes: spacious lawn, mature trees, established flower beds (except I can’t readily identify all of the plants), and plenty of room for potential.
Dislikes: flower beds without borders, somewhat wild-looking shrubs, and little visual separation between us and our neighbours.
What was clear at the end of my list was that I needed some advice. I got in touch with Laura Coupar, vice-president of Elmsdale Landscaping Ltd. With 12 years of industry experience with product supply, estimating, installation and maintenance, she really knows her stuff. Plus, she serves as vice-president of Landscape Nova Scotia, the industry’s local professional body.
I let her know that we are far from fancy folk. We don’t need elaborate water features or expensive stonework. What we need is a space that works well for our family, but that also doesn’t offend the neighbours.
“Most of our clients are looking for usable space, which is very individually suited to every family,” Coupar says.
“Some homeowners like lots of lush grass for kids and pets to play on. Others look for entertainment purposes with large decks, pools and fire pits. Some prefer integrated pathways and colourful gardens. The possibilities really are endless.”
She assures me that I’m not the only one who is looking for a low-maintenance yard and instant gratification when I undertake lawn and garden projects.
“Our clients’ biggest complaint is that they have no lawn, and they want something that will be useable right away,” she says. “So much focus is put on moving into a home; the landscaping normally is not completed until the house is being lived in.”
That’s very true in our case. Our first summer was spent exploring what was already established in the yard. This year, I think we should be moving on to some bigger changes and more consistent maintenance. My intention of prepping-and-forgetting my lawn isn’t realistic either. Not long after I’ve completed my spring/summer work, I need to start thinking about fall/winter.
“Season changes are when your lawn will require the most work,” Coupar says. “In the fall, you need to make sure that all the leaves are cleaned off your lawn so it doesn’t rot out your lawn over the winter. In the spring, it’s about winter clean up, bringing your lawn back to life while dealing with the regularly heavy rain, which can create ruts.”
On a budget
Budget is always a factor for us, too, so I was interested in what Coupar might suggest as a best bang-for-our-buck solution.
“Hydroseeding is a nice alternative for someone who has time, and wants a lush lawn, eventually. It is a cheaper option then sodding, and if you are not looking to have traffic on your lawn right away, it’s a great cost saver.”
Money to spend
But if we want to spend, what then? “Creating a special outdoor living space is always a nice splurge. Depending on the homeowner, this may be a nice paver fire pit, an outdoor cooking area, or a gazebo — creating something in your yard that draws you outside.
“If you doing any intensive landscaping at your home, you’re going to want to talk to someone about the best positioning for your installations. Sometimes it can get overlooked about where a tree is being planted (such as under power lines, too close to septic tanks or wells, etc.) or where you are putting in a paver pathway, which could be an issue down the road. You only want to do an install once, so make sure your locations are correct.”
Edible gardening
Last year we planted a few cucumbers, zucchini and pea plants that yielded a little fresh produce. I didn’t plant any veggies this year, but it’s definitely something that provides fond memories from my childhood and an experience I plan to share with my own kids.
“There has been an increase in edible gardening,” Coupar says. “More people are planting for food, instead of visual impact. We are hearing more enquiries about fruit trees and potable berries.”
The next step, it would seem, is to get to work.
“The best possible landscaping ideas for gardeners are those that require minimal supervision and care,” Coupar says. “Nature tends to care for its own in many ways. Choose plants and flowers that grow naturally in the area in which you live, and take care that you cover them up when the temperatures get too cold and add a little extra water during excessively dry times.”
Ultimately, I’m still a brown thumb and I’ll take any suggestions for making the process more fun and less stressful.
“Be aware of the condition of your soil,” she notes. “It doesn’t matter how much money you spend on plants; if your soil cannot sustain them, they will die. Test your soil before you begin planting or transferring any plants if at all possible. We have our soils tested regularly at the Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture for around $30. This could save you countless dollars, as well as hours of labour and grief, when nothing you plant is growing.
“If your soil is not ideal, invest a little time and money into the process of getting your yard in order before you introduce new life to the mix.”
Speak Your Mind