Through the Garden Gate

By Leslie Watkins

Winter is a wonderful time to plan and design a new garden. The stark landscape helps to envision the shapes and placement of plants, paths and views. If there’s enough snow on the ground you can thrust sticks into it to help delineate boundaries. Check out the views from inside your windows. Can you imagine compositions within the window frames as you look outside? Think about the activities you like doing outside. How can you make time spent in your yard more rewarding?
Maybe watching birds from your reading chair or from your desk is more appealing to you than spending time outside. Plantings that attract birds can turn your window into an observation blind. How about fresh floral bouquets from a cutting garden for your dining room table? A little kitchen garden outside your door doesn’t have to be a major production. A couple of pots of basil, parsley and rosemary require hardly any work at all beyond watering and taking cuttings. A single pot of great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) can attract hummingbirds to your patio or deck.
Perhaps you’ve had enough of gardening. Aging or injuries may make you want to reduce your yard work. Removing plants, opening up the landscape and simplification may be the goal. Winter is a great time to remove damaged or overgrown trees. Tree crews can come in and do what needs to be done while the ground is frozen. Perennial roots will be protected from being trampled. Editing is as important as adding. And if you do want to remove plants, remember they have value. Ask friends and neighbors if they would like to have them. It may save you the cost of having them dug up.
Don’t feel that you’re stuck with the landscape around your home as it is. It can be transformed slowly, a little at a time or all in one go. Study the properties around you for inspiration. Notice what plants grow well in your area. Look at gardening books and magazines for ideas. Visit botanical gardens and go on garden tours. Analyze your soil and learn what you will need to do to amend it. Or, consider doing nothing—maybe allowing your property to revert to its natural state is best. Monitor closely for invasive plants during transitions.
If installing a garden is what you decide, measure first. Make a map of the area on grid paper and figure out how many plants you will need. Note on your sketch the placement of buildings, the quality and direction of sunlight, shadows cast by tall trees, wet spots, water access and places where you’ll want paths. Make a plant list and locate nurseries that carry them. You may need to reserve plants ahead of time. The cost of trees, shrubs and perennials can add up fast. Planting annuals and starting plants from seeds may be the better choice.
Know what your comfort level is. A big garden involves a lot of work, so start small. Will it invigorate you or drain your resources? Do you have time for it? Make sure that the value you gain from it is equal to or greater than the energy you expend. Gardening is demanding and very rewarding. It is a lifelong pursuit with ups and downs. Your creativity and collaboration with nature can be a magical, transforming experience.

Consider Your Priorities
Are you satisfied with the way your landscape looks?
Is entertaining outside important to you?
Would you like to attract more birds and pollinators?
Do you want to cut back on your yard work?
Is growing healthy, fresh vegetables appealing to you?
Do you like having fragrance and color in and around your home?
Do you enjoy cooking with herbs?
What’s your budget?
Will you need help designing or implementing your idea?
Is your property suited to your vision?