See if landscape helps or hurts
Early summer is an excellent time to assess whether the landscape increases or decreases your property value.
First, stand on the property line to photograph the landscape from the north, south, east and west. Specialty shots may be taken of individual gardens or areas of interest. The second step is to photograph the landscape from indoors.
Prepare a slide show using the new photos. Previous photos may be inserted to compare growth, storm damage removal, new gardens and tree placement.
As the slide show moves from frame to frame, try to view the photos from a buyer's perspective. What do you see that you like or dislike? What's missing? Is there too much?
Photos taken from the interior of the home give a realistic impression of what's missing on the exterior. For example, are outdoor gardens visible or are they placed too close to the foundation? Overgrown shrubs often cover the window, a tree is planted close to the house or window boxes that are overgrown with poor plant selections.
Some mistakes are easily remedied. Near the foundation, expand the gardens a few feet to accommodate low flowering shrubs or a perennial border. Use a hose to lay out gently curving edges that won't interfere with a lawn mower. For window boxes, choose colorful low-growing and trailing plants that won't block the view from indoors.
Overgrown shrubs that block out the light need to be pruned or removed. Before selecting replacement plants, measure the distance from the ground to the sill and purchase plants according to their mature heights.
Storm damage can quickly change a shade garden into a sun garden, thus endangering shade-loving plants.
Transplanting the existing plants offers the opportunity to design a garden that will feature additional varieties of hostas, toad lilies and hydrangeas. The challenge will be to transform the former site into a sun garden.
To remedy the unsightly tree stump, carve out the center to use as a container garden.
Tree placement is crucial. Before planting, know the tree's mature width and height. Consider overhead lines, property boundaries, roof overhang, fences and children's play areas.
Does the landscape feature four seasons of interest? Spring, summer and fall gardens feature a wide variety of color and texture. The winter garden relies on evergreen plants such as hollies, yews, boxwood and ground covers, to name a few. When covered with snow, the bare form of an ornamental tree adds an artistic touch.
Planting Window Boxes - News
Now that the vegetable garden is fully planted it's time to think about planting a few things around the house that will add beauty all summer and into the fall. I've included a list of great plants for window boxes or planters and divided them up into
Terra cotta pots and window boxes are good choices and are available in an array of sizes and shapes. The saucers of the large-sized pots can make charming gardens for fairies too. (Be sure to provide drainage!) If you choose a wooden window box,
Overgrown shrubs often cover the window, a tree is planted close to the house or window boxes that are overgrown with poor plant selections. Some mistakes are easily remedied. Near the foundation, expand the gardens a few feet to accommodate low
Mayor Clifford Lee Residents are encouraged to weed their gardens, fix the broken front step they've been meaning to repair, touch up the paint on the front door, plant window boxes. “This is our chance to look our absolute best.
What could be simpler? Just get half a dozen packets of those for around the garden or into the window boxes. "Sunflowers can be sown now or pick up lovely flowery bedding plants. You can plant some with a bit of height or just put them into pots.
Tips for Planting Window Boxes and Pots
I never knew you were supposed to get rid of the old potting soil! I don’t even add more unless the soil is low. LOL! We live in a VERY humid climate over the summer and I’ve never had a problem. It seems so wasteful to get rid of the soil. Another thing I do when planing new pots is to to use regular old dirt from my yard mixed with the potting soil. Your pots are gorgeous. If only the pots themselves were less expensive!
The diapers are a GREAT idea! I will definitely be doing that next year. I love my garden boxes… but not how much I have to water them. :)
I did get a good tip for my big pots this year… fill the bottom with old plastic water bottles. I had been using stone for drainage but man does that ever make them heavy! The bottles worked great and are obviously much lighter :)
I use a piece of window screen to cover the hole in the bottom of the pots. I’ve also used the broken clay pots as well, which was what my mom did. The diaper idea is something I’m going to have to try, because in our summer heat, those potted plants do dry out daily. I just have to ask my daughter for a few of our granddaughters new diapers that she’s just about to grow out of. Thanks.
I’ve been putting coffee filters into my pots and window boxes for years but the diaper idea is great! I also reuse my potting soil. On the driveway, I make a pile of old and new soil with crushed, dried leaves (there are always a few stuck in corners or under the deck in spring) and used coffee grounds (my own or starbucks if I can get them.
Window boxes blooming! Hope you have your planting done!
Planting some flowers and herbs in window boxes to put on my deck with momma :)Planting Window Boxes - Bookshelf
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