During a time when the term “disposable income” is becoming lost, it can be hard to justify spending money on something like a garden. However, with some preparation and planning you can flex your green thumb while keeping more of the other green securely in your pocket.
Stacy Clark, of Smith”s Landscaping in Columbus, offered a few ideas to help you build a yard you can be proud of, not only as a place of beauty but as a solid investment.
Think perennially.
While annuals are certainly gorgeous and can make a yard pop, it is important to remember they are called annuals for a reason — they typically only survive for one season.
“I know people love their daisies and vinca, but they won”t survive the winter,” said Clark. “People might want to consider perennials.”
Perennials, like coreopsis, pin cushion, phlox and some hibiscus are tough enough to make it through the colder months. If properly cared for, a one-time purchase can bring you years of enjoyment.
The plants go dormant when the climate starts to grow cooler, and watching them transition from one state to the next can be a rewarding experience in itself.
“It”s like nature”s way of telling you what season it is,” said Clark.
This isn”t to say annuals don”t have their place as well, but a little planning can go a long way, she explained.
“They”ll continue to perform for you year after year,” she said.
Get an idea of what you want before you buy.
“A lot of people come in and buy a bunch of plants and aren”t sure where they are going to put them,” said Clark.
When it comes to home landscaping and saving money, having a good idea of what you want and where you want it to go can save big bucks down the line.
Clark recommends doing as much research as possible on the plants you like before you make any purchases. Specifically, she recommends reading books by horticulturist Felder Rushing, who has written extensively about gardening in Mississippi.
“He”s really in touch with the plants that really work in our climate,” she said.
A person with a well-thought out plan will know exactly where they want their perennials to go and what kinds of annuals they want to accentuate them.
Smith Landscaping, said Clark, even provides a service in which they will help you plan your yard and put a design on paper.
If you plan on working with a landscape designer, the more detailed you can be about what you are looking for the more exact the designers can be when helping lay out your design plans.
“One of the best things you can do when planning out a yard is take photos and measurements,” she said. “Another thing you can do is make a note of the things you like.”
Don”t be afraid to make a mistake.
While it”s good to be as prepared as you can be when planning your garden, it isn”t a good idea to expect perfection right out of the gate, cautioned Clark.
“A lot of people come in here with the pressure to get their yard right the first time,” said Clark.
One of the wonderful things about gardening is if you make a mistake, you always have the option to dig it up and try again. In fact, if you put your heart and soul to the task, this process in inevitable and part of the gardening learning experience.
“Gardening is very experimental,” said Clark. “A yard is something that gets worked out over the course of a person”s lifetime with the yard.”
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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