After the severe weather of the last three months it is indeed reassuring to see green things poking their heads up in the garden. The Hudson River valley region is really still recovering from unprecedented snow, wind and rain that took a huge toll on our trees and shrubs. It is hard to feel positive when looking at a perfectly healthy tree uprooted by wind and erosion, but spring is a season of beginnings. Rather than mourning the loss, let yourself re-think your yard and try to imagine new possibilities.
A word of caution to garden enthusiasts and weekend warriors who hear the springtime call to battle: watch your step! The unusually wet weather has saturated this area’s heavy, clay soils and they are extremely water-logged. Working in garden beds this time of year can be very damaging to the soil structure. Be careful when clearing beds (or having your landscape service do so for you). A long rake (which I personally prefer to a noisy leaf blower) will serve you well. You can also wait a few weeks for the soils to dry out somewhat. Remember, there will certainly be cold days and nights ahead – be patient! All too soon we’ll be complaining about the hot weather and how much yard work there is to be done!
P.S. Don’t forget to fill your bird feeders – it’s nesting time and they need all the help they can get!
Posted 5 months ago at 8:03 am. Add a comment
I recently gave a talk on “Getting the Most Out of Your Property” at the Better Homes & Gradens/Rand Realty offices in Nyack. In putting together information that I thought would be useful to prospective home buyers or sellers, I realized this was information that was probably relevent for anyone who owns or maintains a property.
Planning is really essential to spending your landscaping time and money wisely. The best way to get started is to assess your property – take a walk around and do an inventory of what’s good and not-so-good. Is it easy to view the main entrance, or is it hidden behind a wall of overgrown rhododendrons? Does the patio face a scraggly lawn or something not so attractive in your neighbor’s property? What is the most important thing about the outdoor space for your family: access? Playing space? Eating and cooking area? Entertaining space? Quiet and privacy?
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Posted 1 year, 2 months ago at 6:34 pm. 1 comment
I am not a rose expert. Truthfully, I have never been a huge fan of roses. However, I think I may actually owe my current passion for gardening to the three shrub roses that adorn my front yard.
The roses weren’t my idea. They were suggested by someone who was helping us with the yard after we first moved to this house. I was at that time a garden newbie and very overwhelmed with two toddlers and a new, old house, both of which took up most of my waking (and “sleeping”) hours. For the first few years these three shrubs got pretty much no attention other than an occasional watering. It wasn’t until both my children were in school for at least part of the day that I opened my eyes and realized I had growing things in my yard.
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Posted 1 year, 5 months ago at 2:29 pm. Add a comment
Always such a welcome arrival, the first day of spring (regardless of whether it starts out with snow!) is eagerly awaited by gardeners and “black thumbs” alike. It’s easy to get carried away with the impulse to start planting, or at least cruise the garden centers for new arrivals.
A more practical outlet for the gardening ‘itch’ is to get out and do some selective pruning. There are several shrubs that require attention in late winter or early spring, among them are shrubs that bloom on new wood and cane growing shrubs. By pruning before new growth appears you will improve the overall health of the shrub, stimulate growth and enhance its appearance for the coming growing season.
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Posted 1 year, 5 months ago at 1:23 pm. 2 comments