2008 Year in Review

Spring Makeover for Your Landscape

Creating areas outside in the garden that are similar to areas inside your house is the essence of extending your living area to the outdoors, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.

"That's what is meant by the often-heard phrase, 'landscaping extends the indoor living spaces to the outdoors,'" said Anne Gachuhi. "As the economy changes, people are traveling less and, instead, are opting to stay at home. Gardening is gaining more popularity as an alternative leisure activity.

"People are also spending more time outdoors, enjoying their gardens sometimes late into the evening. Homeowners are starting to understand that the areas around their homes can be utilized as extra outdoor living spaces for relaxing/sitting, cooking, dining, entertaining, gardening, or quiet, private areas for reading a book or just meditating."

Spring, she added, is a good time to start looking at how the unused areas around the home landscape can be turned to more functional uses.

The use of garden accessories (statuary, birdbaths, gazing globes, wind chimes, or decorative rocks), water features, great plant combinations, and creative garden designs are becoming popular as the homeowner becomes more sophisticated.

"Landscape lighting is gaining popularity as homeowners extend the use of their landscape late into the evening," she said. "Spring is also a good time to look at how the traditional flower borders, vegetable gardens, child play areas, and service areas can be upgraded or added into the landscape if they are not present."

The service areas include the garden shed, composting site, cut-flower garden, the clothesline, and even the dog kennel.

"Homeowners are becoming more environmentally conscious consumers and are, therefore, looking for more sustainability in their landscape," she said. "The terms 'going green,' 'green-roofs,' 'recycling,' 'biodegradable pots,' 'renewable energy,' 'rain gardens,' 'permeable pavers,' or 'native plants' are becoming familiar. "These concepts can become part of the spring landscape makeover if they have not already been implemented. A sustainable landscape will be functional, easy to maintain, environmentally viable, cost effective, and aesthetically pleasing."

Where space is limited, homeowners can consider the use of planter boxes, container gardens, raised beds, or even window boxes.

Vertical spaces such as walls, fences, and retaining walls can be utilized more creatively to give an illusion of greater space by strategically placing mirrors along the walls, using vines and trellises, hanging baskets, sculptures or artwork.

"The use of different pavement patterns in the various outdoor rooms--sitting, eating, and entertaining areas--using garden ornaments as focal points, and creating intimate spaces gives an illusion of greater space," said Gachuhi. "Ensure that the front entry is the focal point for the front yard. Avoid the use of too many landscape elements that would compete for attention here--it should be unified and balanced.

"The backyard is where the family spends most of their time. Upgrade the backyard to be functional, orderly, and beautiful. The backyard can be divided into sub-spaces which are comfortable, convenient, and aesthetically pleasing."

All of these ideas, she added, will require practical considerations such as an expense budget (how much money is available), maintenance (how much labor and time is available), and materials needed.

"It is a good idea to plan ahead, possibly taking one project at a time," she said. "Keep it simple, have fun, and enjoy your gardening adventure."

by  Editor, theCity1.com
March 11, 2008