Our property is surrounded by flora and fauna. We have a Norway maple in the front yard. There is a large Ash behind the barn. Over-grown lilac trees run along the south side. Recently, we met with landscape architect, Roger Wells* to get some professional advice and also get to know our property better...i.e. to know the names of the trees in our yard is a very good thing!
This is the short version of what we learned that day. The big, scary apple tree? Keep it...it has so much character. The new growth in the old garden plot? Spray Preen in the spring. It will not kill anything but the new growth. The foundation plantings? bye-bye...our home has a beautiful granite block foundation and there is no need to hide it. The lilacs need pruning...any branches wider than the diameter of a fist should be cut. This will encourage flower growth.
Roger loved Bill's idea of a terraced side-yard. Starting at the end of the driveway, and reaching up to the back yard. It would be a half a days work to move the earth with a small bulldozer. It sounds so simple! We have many large boulders on our property that will retain the earth for the terracing. And we can direct the placement of them as needed.
Do you know what a Jumbo Belgian Block** is? Neither did we, but, we did have them stacked up alongside our shed just waiting for a useful purpose. They are perfect to edge the crushed stone around the foundation. It will keep the stone in place and help prevent the growth of weeds.
Thank you, Roger. We have a lot to look forward to next spring!
