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Message |
    
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 643
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 8:00 am: | 
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Now that we're wrapping up the Inside of the house, my attention is turning to the outside. I have been planning a cosmetic overhaul of our landscaping (nothing huge, just adding new plants, removing old dead plants, removing Ivy, etc. etc) I anticipate this is several weekends worth of work. When is the best time to plan this? Spring, Summer or Fall? I'd hate to spend the time planting only to have all of my new plants die, but I've noticed it looks easier to remove plants/growth when it's dry and they are on the virge of dying. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11520
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 8:09 am: |
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It depends on the plants. Most can be planted at this time of year, which is still spring. Just be sure to fertilize and water well through the summer and don't plant to deeply.
As far as removing old plants I always find it easier to do when the ground is damp. The roots come out a lot easier. The clay soil most of us have here turns to concrete, or so it seems, in the summer.
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Sherri De Rose
Citizen
Username: Honeydo
Post Number: 201
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 8:10 am: |
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Now is the best time to plant. In the summer it will be too hot. Then it will be good again in the fall. They say make a $3.00 hole for a $1.00 plant. Make sure the holes are prepared well and fill the hole with water to see how it drains. If it doesn't drain then the plant will die. Make sure you pay strict attention to watering during the first several months of new plantings. If I can help you choose/landscape let me know. This would be pro bono as I love to garden. Call me:
973.761.1735 |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 646
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 8:36 am: |
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Sherri, I will take you up on that offer when I get started :-)
It sounds like my options are the Fall, or early next spring (can't be next month or two, so it'll have to wait)....how late into the fall can you do this? I forgot about the concrete that my yard turns into by July..... |
ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 4721
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 8:50 am: |
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I don't get why you think you can't do it now. Now is perfect. Especially after all this rain. Digging holes in the summer and even in the fall if it's been dry, is very difficult. Go for it. Now! |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 647
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 8:52 am: |
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can't do it now because I'm finishing up the inside of the house....don't have the weekends quite yet... |
ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 4722
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 9:37 am: |
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June is not too late if you find time. You'll be happy this summer if you do. (I'm all about outdoor happiness...good for karma...it's my zen place!) |
dano
Citizen
Username: Dano
Post Number: 203
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 10:41 am: |
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If you plant in the fall, you may get better deals on stock that garden centers are looking to move for the end of season. Unfortunately you have a limited selection. |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 421
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 12:18 pm: |
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Seed new grass in fall... |
Elizabeth
Citizen
Username: Momof4peepers
Post Number: 69
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 2:54 pm: |
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My personal philosophy is to plant when you have time and inclination. When it's too hot for ME to be outside, heck, the plants don't like it either. When it's nice and comfortable, it's nice to be at the garden center or out in my yard fantasizing about (and sometimes working on!) the gorgeous garden I'd have (someday). You do have to be careful to not plant when the ground is too wet, or you'll create more problems than it's worth. But I agree with Bob that it's easier to pull weeds and dead plants when it's wet.
The joy of gardening is to ENJOY it. The process and the end result. Have fun finishing up the inside! |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 651
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 11:00 am: |
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ok....how about some suggestions on great low maintenance shrubs/plants that I can put in and that have done well in this area? My back yard is partially shaded, and I'd like to replace all the pachysandra areas with a variety of shrubs (hopefully have a variety of blooming time)....absolutely needs to be low maintainence.
What do you recommend, and what has worked for you? I like interesting Grasses, too. |
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