DREAM YARD

Dream Yard

Do you ever dream about what your yard could look like some day? As you
look through garden catalogs filled with beautiful trees, shrubs,
flowers and pictures of beautifully landscaped yards--complete with
ponds and garden sculptures--the choices seem endless. Before ordering
hundreds of plants or giving up because you cannot decide what you
really want, here are a few things to consider.

A common issue in landscaping is creating a peaceful, private
environment. While fencing can provide immediate privacy, consider a
buffer strip of shrubbery between your yard and the one next door. Many
shrubs will grow quickly--within a couple of years--and act as a screen
while providing habitat for a variety of birds. Consider planting
native shrubs because they are usually well adapted to local conditions
and may provide the best habitat for local wildlife. Other
considerations: whether the plants have special characteristics such as
flowers or fruits, how large they will eventually become, and how much
maintenance they require to remain healthy and in scale with your yard.
Check with a local nursery or garden center for recommended species.

If you always thought it would be fun to have a pond, try it. With the
variety of materials now on the market, anyone can have a garden pond,
regardless of the size of the yard. If you have a lot of space, you can
build one right in the ground. You can purchase a pre-formed mold or
dig a hole and line it with a plastic pond liner. A simple type of pond
consists of a plastic lined barrel or tub. Just add water, plants, a
pump, and even fish--and you have a pond for your patio. Be sure to
consider sources of electricity if you intend to add a pump. Also, make
sure you use caution and take security measures if small children have
access to your yard and the pond. Another factor to consider is
maintenance. A pond can require a lot of effort to keep it clear of
algae, leaves, and debris.

If you do not want to spend your weekends maintaining a yard, turn part
of it into a wildflower garden. Depending on where you live, this could
be a prairie, desert landscape, or alpine garden. Check on local zoning
ordinances. Some communities have not yet recognized the value of
"native landscaping" and may consider this a nuisance area. If you want
a more maintained yard, consider ground covers instead of grass and use
mulch to control weeds in foundation plantings and flower beds.

When selecting plants, make sure they are adapted to your area.
Consider both the minimum and maximum temperatures, amount of moisture,
amount of sunlight, and soil characteristics. Ask yourself: Do you want
an annual that will need replanting every year or a perennial that
comes up year after year? Do you want cut flowers for inside your home
or to give to friends?

Consider native plants. They are usually better adapted to local
conditions and need little maintenance. Be cautious about introducing
exotic species such as purple loosestrife that will become invasive and
is prohibited in many states.

Above all, choose what you like. There is an enormous variety of plants
that will provide food and shelter to a wide variety of wildlife. With
a little planning, you and the local wildlife can both enjoy the yard
of your dreams.