Landscaping is a key element when building a home.
If done properly, and maintained, it will enhance your home’s value for years. Just ask a professional landscape designer how often they get feedback about a recently planted job sight — people recognize the value and beauty of contoured lawns and properly placed trees and shrubs.
Knowing what specimens to plant and the correct placement of each can go a long way in increasing property values. Much too often we see an attempt by a homeowner trying to get by with minimal landscaping, or just the opposite, going overboard with shrubs only to end up with a hodgepodge of this and that all growing together with no place to breathe. And to top it off, the shrubs don’t get trimmed properly or often enough.
It amounts to much more than a guess when determining spacing of newly planted shrubs and trees. Usually they are tagged with specific instructions on spacing, light requirements, as well as their growing habits and zone specific information. Quite often a homeowner plants to his satisfaction and the immediate visual gratification of his job only to be overwhelmed several years down the road with shrubs too closely planted together or much too close to the home resulting in a tight fit that is hard, if not impossible, to trim and maintain.
It might seem that your shrubs and trees, when first planted, appear puny or sparsely planted but you must remember that they grow quite rapidly and will fill out in no time. Plant annual or perennial flowers to take up the space until your shrubs start to mature. Remember too, to keep them trimmed reasonably tight to encourage branching and new growth so as they mature you’ll be rewarded with handsome full specimens that beautify and please the eye.
PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPERS HAVE THE EXPERTISE to design a plan to fit your home’s style and structure and carve your landscaping to give the best “curb appeal.”A well planned drawing and installation that is designed for “your home” and not just the usual or ordinary plan, sets it apart. After all, you don’t want your home to be like all the rest, you want it to be unique and something different.
IF UNDERTAKING A PROJECT ON YOUR OWN, try to maintain a continuous flow of curves, keeping in mind the maintenance of mowing etc,.and avoid, as much as possible, square areas that require difficult maneuvers — especially with a riding mower.
Another unfortunate situation is the misplacement of trees which eventually realize their full potential and if not properly located can be very bothersome.
Determine where you want the shade and the size of the mature tree and space accordingly.
Likewise, a common fault is placing a tree in front of a picture window which, when initially planted, doesn’t pose a problem but eventually blocks your view.
SO MY ADVICE IS — first seek the opinion of a professional when contemplating your landscaping — then determine if you’re up to the task to take it on yourself. Landscaping is a big job, but just maybe you’re like me and will like the challenge.
Have a gardening question? Contact Master Gardener Tom Yoder at gardening@goshennews.com.
Life
The Dirt on Gardening
When done properly, landscaping can add value
- Life
-
-
Why do young white women risk cancer to be tan?
A CDC report out this month found that nearly one in three white women aged 18 to 25 had used a tanning booth in the previous year. White women aged 18 to 21 went the most often, averaging 27.6 sessions per year—that’s over two sessions per month—while nearly 70 percent said they had gone at least 10 times in the last year.
-
Politicians stick feet in mouths on stay-at-home moms
It was a textbook case of “Foot in Mouth.” After that debacle, there was scarcely enough shoe leather to go around. Forget the egg on the face; this was an omelette complete with peppers, onions and a side of skillet.
-
Ways to make summer travel enjoyable for children
If you pick up a magazine this time of year — especially a parenting or family magazine — you’re likely to find some advice about Traveling With Children.
-
WHOLE FAMILY: Act of birthing proves we’re all just people
It can be an awkward way to meet: “Liz, I know you don’t care right now, but this is Steph, my helper. Steph, this is Liz — oh, and Leonard, her husband (sitting on the edge of the bed). Liz is about 9 cm and feeling pushy. Steph, get some heart tones, would you?”
-
VIDEO: Purple Martins Majesty
A fairly unique bird is beginning to make its way back into the Elkhart County area for the summer nesting season. Purple Martins, a bird in the swallow family, are making their annual pilgrimage up to North America, after spending the North American winter in Brazil where it is the South American summer.
-
A little more Martha would make party planning easier
If I was more like her, this would go better for everyone. All I’ve got, though, is a pack of inner hyenas that are a riot when the party starts, but aren’t much help today.
-
Education is more important than legislation
If I remember correctly, my parents once pointed to the row of school buses lining the nearby farm fields to admonish me. “What you should be doing,” they said, “is working with these kids detasseling corn. Then you might be more grateful for what you have.”
-
Oaklawn recognizes employees
GOSHEN — May employees were recognized during Oaklawn’s annual employee recognition event April 19.
-
Wardrobe expert Kathy Friend to visit Goshen Goodwill
Goodwill Industries of Michiana is hosting “Fashion Days with Kathy Friend” at its Goshen retail store, 1905 Lincolnway East, Saturday, May 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
-
Men, their toys and a little something orange
“Sometimes Christmas Comes in Orange.” That was the title of the photo album posted one springlike April day.
- More Life Headlines
-
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
Md. 911 Dispatcher Caught Sleeping on Job
Raw Video: Toddler Trapped in Washing Machine
Iowa Man With Zebra, Parrot in Truck Gets DUI
Egyptians Pick New President in Free Election
Giant Bull Head Draws Drivers to South Dakota
Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
