Landscaping Tips For Dummies
Here is landscaping for dummies. Dreaming of a great
vista beyond the window? Want to add curb appeal to your yard but don’t
know which part of the plant goes in the ground? More people in the
world today live in the city than the country. And with this deluge into
urban areas comes a disconnection from growing things.
For you landscaping dummies out there, there are a few great places to
get advice and to learn the basics.
Landscaping Basics For Dummies
Start by thinking of the kind of yard you want and need. Should it be
low-maintenance? Do you have a lot of rain, or is your climate very dry?
Is the area cold or warm? The number one landscaping fact for dummies to
remember is that you can only grow what fits your climate. The palm
trees you saw in Miami will not grow in Chicago. And perhaps most
importantly, storybook English-type gardens are too delicate for many
climates.
You must find out what plants grow easily. One of the best sources of
landscaping help for dummies is the internet. First find the website of
your county Extension Agency. The Extension Agency is there to provide
help to anyone growing anything – from ranchers to container gardeners.
The Extension Agency is a good, nonbiased source of landscaping advice
for dummies. They can recommend good plants for the beginning, or merely
casual, gardener.
If you have a neighbour with a nice yard, they are a great resource and
usually glad to talk and talk and talk about their hobby. They have
experience with the plants that thrive, live, or die in the microclimate
of your very street.
Home-improvement stores usually offer landscaping help for dummies, but
take their advice with a grain of salt. The plants sold at these big
retailers are often picked more by corporate requirements than plant
hardiness. For example, all over the country, nurseries sell roses and
say the roses grow great. However, to get a rose to grow in most
climates requires watering and fertilizer – a lot of trouble.
Local mom-and-pop nurseries are more likely to sell the most appropriate
plants. While they probably have roses because they sell well, mom and
pop might also have native plants, or at least more suitable plants,
that can grow in your climate and soil without maintenance. Ask the
people in the shop, neighbours, and extension agents for their ideas on
the easiest plants. Whatever they mention the most is a good place to
start.
Last but not least, a good resource on landscaping for dummies is this
website itself! We have gathered several good articles for beginners
like you and we are constantly improving the quality of our website.
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