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Caring for the earth and working with Mother Natures bounty will bring an
extraordinary beauty to what could be an otherwise unattractive or plain view.
Landscaping is a practical and beautiful way to do your part for the ecological
system. Landscaping a garden or a niche or even a patio creates an area where we
can be one with nature. Also you will be providing all the basic needs for
attracting animals and insects to live in your landscapes healthy atmosphere,
while luxuriating in the beauty of your surroundings.
Landscaping..... "A view or vista of scenery on land. To adorn or improve a section of ground by contouring the land and planting flowers, shrubs, or trees. To arrange grounds artistically and aesthetically that invites a natural balance and can sustain a food chain." With this in mind, there are fundamental resources to consider such as:
What is your vision for this area? How much room do you have to work with? What type of climate do you live in? Are you attracted to certain colors or scents? How much time do you want to invest in this project? Do some research for the selection of plants, look around you for examples of what grows best in your area. Local plants that grow naturally are the best and are the easiest to maintain. Environmentally these are the plants that create less water pollution, use less water, and provide a habitat for the local critters that depend on them. Using them as a base for your landscaping will start you in the right direction other less common plants or difficult to maintain plants can be added in time as you wish. When you support the native plants in the landscape you are supporting the wild life and insects that depend on them as well. In creating your environment add stones, rustic pots, wind chimes, lanterns, maybe a secluded sitting area, birdhouses, a stone path meandering through flower beds of course is classic but many other materials can be used. So many everyday items can be used in the creation of this area.
A first step will be to look at the space you have. Does it already have trees and natural greenery that you can incorporate into your design? Map out the area on paper; figure where your water sources are or what you will need to establish for proper irrigation. Most of us will not be able to instantly put several thousand dollars into a finished beautifully landscaped yard. But we can plan for the future and use what we have now by adding a fountain or pool or a pretty rock wall. Stepping stones to a flower bed full of your favorite perennials and surrounding greenery will create a look that is pleasant right now and you will be able to expand out in the following years. Planting can be a trial and error process, you may have to dig up something you thought would do well according to all the available information but is just not happy and try it somewhere else. Sometimes leaving the plants in their pots until they have gotten a taste of the new climate will be help in settling them in. Or just using large pots as part of your décor can add another level to your look. Look to the seasons when you are choosing your greenery or flowers, you do not want them to be all blooming at once then nothing for the rest of the year. Plant a good variety of early spring/spring/summer/ fall foliage and plenty of ever greens so even in the winter you will have a garden to enjoy.
Landscaping can be as much or as least work that you wish it to be. You can make choices in many ways to cut down on the labor involved. Some like to establish beautifully trimmed and cultivated hedges and flowers, others want a more natural woodsy feel or wild flowers galore strewn through out the area. What ever you choices are it will be an expression of your inner self, a quiet place to contemplate and relax, a special place of beauty to behold. |
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Text by Weave Woman. Edited by Dimity.
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