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Do you ever dream
about what your yard could look like some day? As you look through
garden catalogs filled with beautiful trees, shrubs, flowers, and pictures
of beautifully landscaped yards -- complete with ponds and garden sculptures
-- the choices seem endless. Before ordering hundreds of plants or
giving up because you cannot decide what you really want, here are a few
things to consider.
A common issue in
landscaping is creating a peaceful, private environment. While fencing
can provide immediate privacy, consider a buffer strip of shrubbery between |
your yard and the one next door. Many shrubs
will grow quickly -- within a couple of years -- and act as a screen while
providing habitat for a variety of birds. Consider planting native
shrubs because they are usually well adapted to local conditions and may
provide the best habitat for local wildlife. Other considerations:
whether the plants have special characteristics such as flowers or fruits,
how large they will eventually become, and how much maintenance they require
to remain healthy and in scale with your yard. Check with a local
nursery or garden center for recommended species.
If you always thought
it would be fun to have a pond, try it. With the variety of materials
now on the market, anyone can have a garden pond, regardless of the size
of the yard. If you have a lot of space, you can build one right
in the ground. You can purchase a pre-formed mold or dig a hole and
line it with a plastic pond liner. A simple type of pond consists
of a plastic lined barrel or tub. Just add water, plants, a pump,
and even fish -- and you have a pond for your patio. Be sure to consider
sources of electricity if you intend to add a pump. Also, make sure
you use caution and take security measures if small children have access
to your yard and the pond. Another factor to consider is maintenance.
A pond can require a lot of effort to keep it clear of algae, leaves, and
debris.
| If you
do not want to spend your weekends maintaining a yard, turn part of it
into a wildflower garden. Check on local zoning ordinances.
Some communities have not yet recognized the value of "native landscaping"
and may consider this a nuisance area. If you want a more maintained
yard, consider ground covers instead of grass and use mulch to control
weeds in foundation plantings and flower beds. |
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When selecting plants,
make sure they are adapted to your area. Consider both the minimum
and maximum temperatures, amount of moisture, amount of sunlight, and soil
characteristics. Ask yourself: Do you want an annual that will need
replanting every year or a perennial that comes up year after year?
Do you want to cut flowers for inside your home or to give to friends?
Consider native plants.
They are usually better adapted to local conditions and need little maintenance.
Be cautious about introducing exotic species such as purple loosestrife
that will become invasive and is prohibited in many states.
Above all, choose
what you like. There is an enormous variety of plants that will provide
food and shelter to a wide variety of wildlife. With a little planning,
you and the local wildlife can both enjoy the yard of your dreams.
For more information
on Backyard Conservation practices, contact your local conservation district
or the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Or call 1-888-LANDCARE
(toll free) for a free colorful Backyard Conservation booklet and tip sheets.
-- Reprinted with permission from the NRCS, NACD, and the
Wildlife Habitat Council |