Landscaping and Gardening

Owners of smaller properties often approach landscaping over several years, gradually incorporating elements such as trees, shrubs, and perennials. However, a preliminary, well-thought-out plan – even if it’s rough – can circumvent many common pitfalls, leading to more enduring and aesthetically pleasing results. By planning carefully, you can save time and money down the line, as trees and shrubs are permanent features that require careful deliberation before placement.

Landscaping with Plants

When planning, prioritize functionality before aesthetics. Consider a newly-built house on an empty plot, which can appear stark or even unattractive. Skillful placement of trees, shrubs, and flowers can help integrate the house with the land while serving additional purposes. For example, trees can provide cooling shade during summer and, if correctly positioned, they can insulate your home from high winds. Evergreens are particularly effective for obstructing undesirable views and providing warmth during the winter months.

Shrubs serve a dual function of beautifying your space and forming protective hedges to prevent unwelcome intrusions. Vines can soften the rigid lines of buildings and embellish bland walls. For additional appeal and functionality, consider annuals, perennials, and bulb plants.

The reasons for positioning trees, shrubs, and flower borders in particular areas and in relation to each other need to be planned before planting. It’s costly and time-consuming to experiment with a tree’s location for a couple of years, only to relocate it later. For example, if you desire a specimen tree and choose a Siberian Elm, it can be disheartening to see it split by severe winds or heavy snowfall after thriving for many years. Taking extra time during the initial planning phase to choose a sturdy tree, instead of a quick-growing but weak-wooded species, would be more beneficial in the long run.

Ideal home landscape planning delivers overhead shade, seamlessly integrates the house with the landscape, and avoids obstructing walls or windows.

Enhancing Gardening Appeal and Efficiency in Modern Homes

As more city residents transition to country living, many families find themselves on small, open properties with limited knowledge about plant cultivation. This has triggered a surge in gardening and horticulture interest. More community classes are being established, horticultural organization memberships are increasing, horticultural literature is being consumed at a higher rate, and commercial nurseries are experiencing some of their most profitable periods.

The increasing popularity of large feature windows in homes has significantly stimulated interest in low-growing plants. The usage of these plants comes with numerous advantages. One key benefit is the enriched visual experience of the garden they offer homeowners. Even a novice gardener with a large window should appreciate the value of strategically arranging their plantings. The goal should be to make the garden view from the window as aesthetically pleasing and intriguing as possible throughout the year.

As available space for gardens shrinks due to smaller lot sizes, various accessories are being employed to enhance their appeal and reduce labor-intensive tasks. For example, stripping and metal edgings are recommended to edge garden beds and lawn areas. This prevents lawn grasses from overrunning walkways or flowerbeds, resulting in neatly manicured beds.

Garden Furnishings Take Centre Stage

Modern lawn furniture is becoming more prevalent, varying in materials from substantial redwood to lightweight aluminum. Despite the occasional gust of wind sending the lighter pieces off course, they are becoming increasingly popular. Alongside traditional stepping stones, chainsaw-cut cross sections of large logs are being used as naturalistic, durable stepping “stones” for garden paths, thanks to their accessibility and cost-effectiveness.

Although powered garden machinery designed to handle tasks such as mowing the lawn, soil tilling, tree sawing, branch pruning, and hedge clipping is still the norm, manual labor still holds value. Engaging in some muscle work can be beneficial, and there’s arguably no better way to clear the head and get the right amount of exercise at the perfect time than in the garden. So, avid gardeners might consider overlooking some of these new technologies, instead dedicating some time to traditional garden tasks. This will not only provide a physical benefit but also help them get better acquainted with their plants.

Use of Materials

Plastics are assuming a critical role in the garden, particularly in the form of hoses, tools, and, notably, polythene film. The black variant of this film is being laid on the ground to combat weed growth and minimize soil water evaporation. Transparent polythene is used to wrap various types of flowers and plants for shipping or local delivery, and polythene bags are useful for storing cut flowers and branches, keeping them fresh for a day or two.

Moreover, polythene film serves as winter protection for certain shrubs that may be vulnerable to winter damage or excessive winter winds. Rather than fully enclosing plants, the film is used as a windbreak or shield with an open top to protect plants from windburn. It’s also being employed extensively as a cost-effective covering for small greenhouses and plant forcing houses due to its excellent heat retention properties when fastened securely around an enclosure.

The meticulous selection of appropriate plant material for the right location is time-consuming but rewarding in the long run. When planning, trees should be located first, followed by evergreens, then flower borders, shrubs, and vines. To execute such a plan effectively, the gardener should have a solid understanding of different plant groups, their uses, and the available materials within each group.