What are your goals when you design your garden?
melissa_thefarm
14 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (20)
lavender_lass
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoorganic_tosca
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
What is your 'vision' when you garden with roses?
Comments (45)Although roses form the primary collection and focus, my vision is of a garden filled with trees, shrubs, lawns, vines, veggies and fruits, a place of bounty where fragrance, color and texture rule through the warm months of the year and hints at those elements the rest of the year. As I shaped the garden in its beginnings, I wanted to emphasize a feeling of welcome, a place where we and our friends could play, relaxing in privacy and comfort (and have a beer or two just like Harry!), a place with trails where the dogs and cats could race and wander through borders, beds and along the perimeter. Birds needed to be safe, and bees welcomed, so many of the plants reflect their preferred habitats. I imagined a garden where neighborhood children would love to visit, munching on whatever was in season and taking bouquets home to Mom. We needed several different air paths to throw balls for the dogs to chase, and lots of hidey holes for the cats to dive into after they teased the dogs into a game of chase. Seating is very available, somewhere to sit in every room of the garden, and lush green lawn beneath the cherry tree just for lollygagging. ThereÂs room for a game of croquet. ThereÂs always a hammock to rock in and thereÂs always an orchard ladder set up near the fruit trees so that the kids can have the joy of a climb and help us thin the apples or pick the cherries, depending on the time of year. The roses are really the heart of the garden. You can smell them out on the street as you drive or walk by and they climb so high and in such profusion that they can be seen from a block away - itÂs important to me to share the bounty with the neighborhood, too, and I love visiting with our neighbors over the roses, sharing bits of history and knowledge about OGRs. It was my plan to take up watercolor when the garden matured but IÂm more focused on weeding and caring for it than I have been on learning how to paint. I surprised myself with this garden. I thought it would be more chaotic (in an artful way, of course!) with lots of hanging canes dripping with rose blooms, narrower pathways that felt as though one might be lost in a jungle of roses, nowhere near the square footage of lawn we have, more of a transformative experience as though a visitor had wandered into a strange and wonderful world far distant from the suburbs, almost as if it were an abandoned secret treasure. Alas, one canÂt also have children and dogs in such a garden, and so, at least for now, our garden is instead open to the sunshine, spacious in its layout and, I must say, VERY packed with plants in its borders and beds. When we are old, and all the children have grown up and the pets are gone on to the Rainbow Bridge, and the garden has grown old along with us, then weÂll have that beautiful chaos. Thanks for this question. It made me think about the garden in ways I hadn't formulated. Sue...See MoreYou know you're addicted to gardening when ....
Comments (44)When you carry your camera everywhere to photograph plants, trees, gardens, etc. When you go for a midnight ride in your power hair to do some pruning of plants along your way that just need the trimming and need to be rooted. When you travel five hours or more away from your home to attend a plant swap. When you would rather have fresh cow manure and composted dirt for your birthday along with that five hour trip to Crawfordville and all the other nurseries in Tallahassee that you are familiar with. When you dream about your garden and plants at night When the magazines around the house are seed catalogs with highlighted things you want. When you've been sick for a year and die inside when you see the plants and cuttings other gardening friends have shared with you crispy and dead because your non gardening housemate did not tend to them properly and you threatened to kick him out but punish him by forcing him to pull the year worth of weeds and air potato vines. The joy you feel when you see a little life in a plant and the pride when you nurse it back to good health....See MoreMay we see pictures of your garden, or gardens you have designed
Comments (21)Are we done with the gang mentality? I guess I should have put a smiley face after my comment to botann :) ... Admittedly, a mischievous sense of humour did not translate in that post. My point being that I am aware bamboo doesn't grow "in" water and was struck (again) by how some regular members assume most non-regular posters are novice beginners. But since some took the time to formally announce that I will henceforth be ignored, let me ask the following. Why is anyone who is perceived as challenging or disrupting the "regulars" (even on only one or two occasions) immediately labelled a troll or accused of being "fueled by totally opposite considerations"? I have made dozens of posts on this and other forums because of a genuine shared interest I have in those subjects matters. I have on occasion agreed with the oft-expressed opinion that there is a sense of exclusivity among certain regular posters on this forum, and yet this single post is cited as evidence by George and Ink of an enemy in your midst. Actually my goal is more on promoting Japanese Gardens, and encouraging that interest in others - which is why I suggested Flickr to "adopted". It is inspirational to look through the photos on that site. My original post was nothing but complimentary, supportive and encouraging. That said, I do happen to believe that all should be welcome, that this is not the place for a private social club and I believe I am entitled to that opinion. Isn't this is a public space were people of all stages of interest share information? I don't think it's solely a place were a handful of regular posters should have private debates intended for their own amusement. That leads to the gang mentality witnessed above, whereupon internet cliques form and occasional posters, lurkers or "drop-ins" are made to feel like unwelcome outsiders. Just because someone is not a member of the frequent posters club, why under-estimate their knowledge level? Maybe if all queries are answered as though the posters experience is similar to yours, and not 'talked down' to or ignored, it will be a more enjoyable and educational forum for all. So if some of you have hopes of driving me (like others before me) off the forum, so be it. The fact that you attempt to do this, only speaks to the kind of power/control issues at work here (I disagreed with Inkognito on one single occasion, and he now vocally labels me a troublemaker - fragile ego indeed). No single group owns this forum. Anyone is entitled to visit and occasionally I will post - usually in a supportive and encouraging role. I have learned from some of you, and will continue to do so. However, I promise not to ask any more questions of botann for fear I will get another introductory lesson on the rudimentary basics of bamboo. But as I said, it was a very nice pic. He (or she) has got a lovely garden....See MoreWhat "rules" did you break when designing your kitchen? Are you glad?
Comments (49)Sinks under windows are a holdover from when all dishes were washed by hand - before DWs! Now, the Prep Zone counterspace is usually the "thing" that makes the most sense to go under the window! +++++++++ While it's not a rule, I put my trash pullout in the Cleanup Zone instead of the Prep Zone - and I regret it every single day! If only I could do it over.... I have only about 48" b/w my peninsula overhang and the DR table if I center the DR table under the chandelier - another regret. It was supposed to be more, but we forgot to move the chandelier in the DR to accommodate the new location! It's only an issue when someone is sitting in both locations, but that's often enough, especially when we have guests. Finally, I actually followed a rule - minimum of 15" clear leg/knee space for the seating overhang - and it's still too shallow! I wish we had done 18"! My DS never sits there (he uses the DR table instead) and my DH only uses it for breakfast - and that's only b/c we moved the TV and that's the only place he can see it while eating breakfast. He has to straddle the cabinets and lean over to reach the counter. (Yup! I'll go to any lengths to get my DH to sit there! ) My DD and I sit there, but my knees do hit the back of the cabinets (but just barely)....See Moreorganic_tosca
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agocemeteryrose
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoluxrosa
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agowesley_butterflies
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agogardennatlanta
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoberndoodle
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agokaylah
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoholleygarden Zone 8, East Texas
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agohoovb zone 9 sunset 23
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agosergeantcuff
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agopatricianat
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agomendocino_rose
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agole_jardin_of_roses
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agomelissa_thefarm
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agomariannese
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agolori_elf z6b MD
14 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
Related Stories
LIFEWhen Your Tastes Clash: How to Design and Decorate as a Couple
Want to keep the peace? Work with both of your styles when remodeling, decorating or building new, for a home that feels right to all
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESWorking With Pros: When a Design Plan Is Right for You
Don’t want full service but could use some direction on room layout, furnishings and colors? Look to a designer for a plan
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNWhen Less Is Really More in Your Garden
8 ways you can make a powerful garden statement by embracing simplicity and surroundings
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESHow to Stick to Your Remodeling Goals
Avoid getting lost in the sea of remodeling decisions by using these 5 steps as an anchor
Full StoryMY HOUZZMy Houzz: Goal of a Net-Zero Nest in Southern California
A Long Beach family focuses on energy efficiency in remodeling their 1957 ranch house
Full StoryCONTAINER GARDENSContainer Garden Basics: How and When to Water Potted Plants
Confused about soil moisture, the best time to water and what watering device to use? This guide can help
Full StoryWORKING WITH PROSGo Beyond the Basics When Interviewing Architects
Before you invest all that money and time, make sure you and your architect are well matched beyond the obvious levels
Full StoryLIFEWhen Design Tastes Change: A Guide for Couples
Learn how to thoughtfully handle conflicting opinions about new furniture, paint colors and more when you're ready to redo
Full StoryWORKING WITH PROSWorking With Pros: When You Just Need a Little Design Guidance
Save money with a design consultation for the big picture or specific details
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESWorking With Pros: When to Choose Full Design Services
Whether you want a single room or a whole house done, the maximum service level means the least work for you
Full StorySponsored
celeste/NH