I am very excited to share what our front yard looks like, including before and after photos. One thing I always love about this house is all the mature trees and shrubs in the garden. When I moved in, I felt like I had won a fortune. I love the quiet sounds of trees, the shade, and the visually varied foliage, but it takes time and money to keep a garden looking good and healthy.
You may remember the story that happened early this spring when you noticed that 20 mature shrubs, trees and shrubs in your front yard had died over the winter. As the spring heats up, more and more people are suffering from poor health. We were very disappointed to be sold treatments by SavATree at the end of the year (morally questionable behavior on their behalf). Even more disappointing, they did nothing to help us deal with the huge costs incurred by their advice and services.
This loss was an opportunity to (literally) free up space and turn the front yard into something manageable even with our novice gardening skills. Thankfully, we have talented people with a lot of experience and knowledge to help you select the right plants, remove the ones that need your attention, and ultimately, what will grow into a gorgeous front garden in no time. Helped me set it up.
After deciding to remove the dead plants, I used a plan I received from Landscape Love last year as a template. We worked with them to design a garden plan that looks like it’s in the English countryside with a bit of a coastal twist. I wanted to mix bold colors like deep indigo, tomato red, cream yellow and white. I was also very drawn to the hydrangeas and boxwoods, the Americana look you see on Martha’s Vineyard. These plans were so vast and extensive that they could not afford to carry them out for several years. This year I decided to work only on flowerbeds with part of this design.
The project was still large and I needed help. I reached out to Jesse Jacobson. Tonkadale Greenhouse to see if she would be interested in collaborating on this project. I was so thrilled when she offered not only to help provide the plants, but to compile my wish list into something more manageable.
Jessie refined her palette with classic ivory and blues with a pop of tomato red. I can’t wait to see the peonies, oriental poppies, blue salvia, and lots of hydrangeas in bloom. I also planted irises (my new favorite), boxwood hedges along the front, and modern Korean feather reed grass. Haaga rhododendron, Russian sage and astilbe were also planted.
Tonkadale experts in action!
Once Jessie was on board, we got to work. Here’s what we did:
- Landscapers removed all dead trees and shrubs. All compromised items that were neglected or nearing the end of their life are gone.
- We hired a lawn maintenance team to help us install new lawns and reduce the number of beds. This helped reduce the huge amount of maintenance required for this large space.
- Tonkadale Greenhouse We were sent plants, compost, and detailed instructions on how to plant and water everything.
- Tonkadale Greenhouse Helped me with the layout and design of the garden bed. Our landscaping team installed a limestone border, added mulch, and set up the lawn to set the lawn.
- All the rocks and hardscapes have been polished clean and the space is truly beautiful.
I learned a lot through this process, especially working together. Tonkadale Greenhouse. They provided clarity and expertise to turn our best plans into reality. I wanted to share these learnings with you, as the whole process was daunting for a novice gardener.
A few points when working on a landscaping project
1. Consult a gardening and landscaping professional.
Before this big project, I put a lot of time and effort into landscaping. The plants die, the weeds reappear, and the next year the garden beds are overwhelmed and overwhelmed. My lack of progress was not due to a lack of work being put into the field. I had to figure out how to treat outdoor spaces, how to plan how they grow and change over time.
Knowing what to do when, in what season, and how it affected the growth of what I was working on was mind-boggling.I have met Jessie on previous visits Tonkadale Greenhouse For indoor planting and holiday decorating projects. I knew they provided a lot of education and insight into not only what to buy, but also how to plant and care for the long term. The care and knowledge far exceeded what I have experienced on other occasions. My point is to work with good people and ask lots of questions.
There are also many resources available on the Tonkadale Greenhouse blog. This article contains expert tips To plant healthy trees and shrubs.
2. Choose low-maintenance plants and flowers.
Many of the inspirational images I stored needed someone (me) who could manage and maintain them on a daily basis. I’ve learned that no matter how “ruined” a garden looks, it takes knowledge and effort to keep it looking great. That’s why it was so important to know which plants and flowers to use for the entire front yard. This includes drought-tolerant succulents, ornamental grasses, and perennials. By choosing plants that require minimal maintenance, you’re more likely to enjoy your time than caring for your outdoor space. In the fall I plan to write about how to prepare this space for winter. I look forward to learning all about it.
3. Believe in your vision and be patient.
I enjoy how my new space looks so fresh and clean. But I can’t wait to see the plants grow and bloom. The spacing between plants feels awkward now, but next year it will be a completely different place.
When I talked to Jessie about her front yard vision, she talked about the joy of the ever-changing landscape. It’s a way to feel the seasons, create something the community can enjoy, and get in touch with the rhythms of nature. I can see why people become avid gardeners because of the time, experience, and pride that comes with caring for something that has to wait to be enjoyed. And that’s something we aren’t privileged to do often these days.
I hope this post is helpful for those who are as overwhelmed with landscaping projects as I am. Remember knowledge is power. If you don’t have one, find someone to help you (and your plant!) grow along the way.
Kate is currently learning to play the ukulele, but her husband, children and dog are very disappointed. follow her on her instagram @witanddelight_.
