While everything around us is pumpkins, and leaves, and darker colors I’m going to pop in here today with a few tips for beginning a landscaping project. If you are like me it is probably the farthest thing from your mind right now. Believe me I’ve been singing the anthem of chunky sweaters and brown booties since mid-August. But the truth is if you have been considering adding some landscaping to your home fall is the perfect time to get the ball rolling.
See more about the plants used in our landscaping here.
However, I’m going to let you in on a little secret.
I kill plants.
Don’t believe me? Let me tell you a little story.
My grandfather who has passed away was a fabulous gardener. This man could take a cut rose and turn it into a rose bush. Apparently that’s a thing people actually know how to do. So when this master gardener was in his later years he decided to plant a rose garden. Only thing is he really couldn’t do the digging and planting himself. So he hired his black thumbed granddaughter, yours truly. I went over one morning and he sat next to me and told me just what to do each step of the way. We planted all of the roses, watered them, added mulch, and I went about my high school life.
A couple of weeks later when I was stopping by to visit I realized that EVERY SINGLE PLANT was dead. Poor Grandpa didn’t want to hurt my feelings when I asked him what happened to the roses. His answer was that he just didn’t know what happened to them. But I know what happened. Those poor bushes had their fate sealed when they were touched by my black thumb!
Since then I have attempted some indoor plants, succulents that supposedly can’t die, and other such hardy varieties. Guess what, they all can die.
Knowing the depth of my plant killing abilities you would think I would just say my landscaping should be grass and rocks. But a year ago I decided it was time to work on some landscaping around my home, starting with the east and west sides of the house. That was when I met Mary Hopper from Natural Plus Nursery. Mary was fabulous. She completely understand what I was looking for in terms of landscaping style and color choices. So today I want to encourage you, yes you with the self-proclaimed black thumb, you can have beautiful landscaping.
After working on our landscaping throughout the summer I’ve put together my top 4 tips to help you get your own landscaping project underway.
- Take pictures of the area you want to landscape before the snow begins to fall. Add to that measurements for the space you want to landscape, and what direction it is facing.
- Search for a couple of pictures that best represent your preferred landscaping style. Make a couple of notes about what you love most from the picture, and what colors you want your blooms to be.
- With this information ready you are set to look for a nursery that can help you plan. Many will help you decide a layout for your landscape free of charge. These professionals will help you pick plants that are hardy for your area, and will give you blooms throughout different seasons. If you tend to kill plants like I do find a nursery that offers a guarantee with their plants. If you are central Iowa you already know my recommendation for an excellent nursery.
- When you purchase your plants in the spring time make sure you jot down notes about how often the plant should be watered during the first few months. You should also ask if there is anything that needs to be done to prepare the plant for winter, and if the plant is one that needs to be trimmed or cut back. They can show you what to cut back and when it should be done.
With these four tips in hand you can plan beautiful landscaping that fits your needs and style, and you can keep it alive! So go snap those pictures on your phone now before you forget, and jot down the measurements while you are at it. Then when things slow down and the winter months settle in you can get to work planning your landscaping for the upcoming spring season.
Want to see the first look at our new landscaping? Head over to this post.
forsythiafarm says
LOL! I loved your little black thumb story!! I have a very hard time keeping alive annuals. If I work with perennials that don’t need much attention….well. Then we are in business! LOL So I feel your pain in a way! And have seen my hard work end in sad attempts!! I have two flower beds I am wanting to start on soon and will be sure to keep in mind all your tips !! Thanks so much for sharing!!
janetvinyard says
Hi Becky, Good tips! Also now (fall) is the time to plant any bulbs where you want to have daffodils, crocuses, irises or tulips in the spring! Thanks for the information! Blessings, Janet
Karen Del Tatto says
Great post!!
We desperately need to have our whole yard landscaped. A professional would be ideal. However, you have given me inspiration to maybe tackle one area using your four tips and seeing how that goes. 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing!