Need advice on tackling front garden
C4car
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
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Front Bed Garden Advice for New Gardener in Zone 6
Comments (4)Sorry to leave you to deal with our crazy Chinese friend all by yourself. I think you're quite right not to block the windows and as such to go with perennials. The problem with that is that for a good portion of the year you will have empty dirt or dead foliage, as you point out, but on the other hand perennials are interesting to watch up close because they are changing every day and maybe attracting bees. Nonetheless I'm not sure I would put the garden there, but rather outside the main sidewalk. But since the bed is there, you might as well try it, and you can always change it. Plants can be moved. If you are new to this I agree with leaving the grass where it is for now, not expanding the beds. See first what your gardening personality is. I think you'll find your planned planting amazingly sparse at first, and will have a lot of weeding to do before it grows in. So maybe be sure to mulch when you plant, but even so, you will have to be vigilant. Regarding your focal point shrubs, something tall and rangy like a hydrangea might make the doorway seem cramped - for that reason I'd tend to put the height near the outside corners, not near the door necessarily. Near the door I'd go with something narrow and ideally pretty up close. There is a narrow shrub I love called Ilex crenata "Mariesii" or else there is a columnar golden yew. Tall pots with clipped boxwood might also be fun, but the obviously need to be clipped. Just some thoughts; good luck. KarinL...See MoreFront garden advice
Comments (7)OK, so I have done some research, and I think that these are my options for the trellis: Red Rose: Ramblin' Red Quadra Hope for Humanity - I know that this is a shrub, but could it be trained? With a Yellow Clematis: My Angel - this looks amazing, even if I don't do it here, I may have to find a spot for this... Bill MacKenzie Burford Variety - might be tough to find Or a Yellow Rose: Alchymist - more of a peach I know but pretty! Frulingsgold - perhaps the most hardy rose of the bunch? Golden Showers With a red clematis: Avant Garde Madame Julia Correvon Amanda Marie - also may be tough to get. Let me know what you think of these. Also, I would certainly consider doing just clematis. How may per trellis could I do, two? Three? I was also thinking about cleaning them up in the fall. If the roses don't need pruning, but the clematis does.... may get a bit messy....See MoreFront of house needs advice to make front look more appealing
Comments (6)Not being familiar with what is winter hardy in your region, I hesitate to make a lot of specific recommendations. However, a few things to consider: Japanese maples are adaptable, but have only moderate to low tolerance for salt, so think about whether your road is salted in winter and where run-off goes when you are placing that tree. Basically, think about placing plants to connect your house to the land, so it looks like it is nestled into the setting rather than sitting atop it, and something to soften some of the edges. The large trees behind and alongside your home give you a good start on this. Evergreens will, of course, give you color and coverage year 'round, but don't overlook deciduous plants hardy in your region that will also provide winter interest, like winterberry holly (you'd need a male and a female), red twig dogwood, witch hazel. Plants native to your region are usually a good choice, as they are well-suited to the climate and have co-evolved with and support local wildlife (think birds, butterflies, bees, and a host of tiny beneficial insects that help control pest insects). Therefore, native plants usually (but not always) require less attention from you. There are many non-native plants, too, that will "play nicely" with your native choices. Choose plants that are well-suited to the site where they will be living. Consider the amount of sun/shade, moisture levels, wind conditions, and, very important: your soil. Best bet is to have a soil sample analyzed for structure, pH (acid/alkaline balance) and nutrients. Here in the U.S. we have our cooperative extension services, run by state universities, with offices in most counties that provide a wealth of information, including soil testing. Perhaps you have something similar? If not, then you can do some basic tests at home. Most common landscape and garden plants on the east coast of North America prefer slightly acid to neutral soil that drains well, but is rich enough in organic matter to retain some moisture and nutrients....See MoreNeed advice for garden tractor implements to start new garden
Comments (7)It all depends on your current soil conditions and how big the garden is. A vegetable garden doesn't have to be tilled or plowed every year. If it has grass on it, the biggest job will be breaking that up. If the soil is poor - low in organic matter - you'll want to incorporate a lot of compost up front and more each year to maintain the levels and build a better soil. Sounds like you are ready to do that. I had my garden plot initially tilled by a guy with a tractor, not sure of the size (of the tractor) but it was finely broken up (tilled) rather than plowed. I would recommend a tiller rather than a plow for gardening. I don't know of any rock-removing implement. Your own two hands is pretty much it. If you pick a spot to toss them into a pile and do that whenever you see them, over time there will be fewer and fewer. I keep a small pot in the corner of each raised bed for rock pieces - mine are gravel about 1-2" across and there are not many at this point. Re planting, you don't HAVE to plant in rows. You probably do want to establish some paths to walk on and beds that you don't walk on. If you plant tomatoes, peppers or other plants that are not grown from seed, you can plant them in a grid rather than rows. You might want to start small with one bed rather than a huge area the first year. Expand it each year as you have time and materials....See MoreC4car
9 years agoC4car
9 years agoC4car
9 years agotrbrmc
8 years ago
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