A year and a half ago, I decided to take out my scruffy grass in the front yard and replace it with low maintenance plants, drip irrigation, and landscaping materials. I designed the planted areas, and, after, much research, selected the plants and purchased them. Problems with my back have limited my mobility, so I hired someone to do the actual labor on my project. So far, so good!
Fast forward to now, and I have learned several lessons, which I would like to share with you:
- Being a good landscape designer is difficult!
- Plants that thrive in one garden may not do as well in another garden, even if the second garden has the same sun exposure, wind, soil, etc.
- When a plant description says “Morning Sun”, that does not include ten days in a row of temperatures over 100'!
- During the second year of a landscape project, not all plants grow at the same rate.
- When extreme heat causes the top layer of leaves on a plant or tree to dry out, do not clip them off yet. Let them protect the lower leaves until the danger of extreme heat is over.
- It is OK to change your mind, and replace some of your initial plantings with different plants. But wait until October!
- Water! Water! Water! And check your drip irrigation frequently.
I always learn new things when I garden, working with my soil and the weather. Replacing my front lawn has been challenging and rewarding at the same time. I will let you know how my project progresses. Hopefully, it is on its way to the image of beauty I hold in my mind!