Part two of putting a garden into a new home. American Gardens generally include lawn, flowerbeds and patios and walks.
Starting a New Garden part 2:
The last article was about how you were going to use the garden space that you have with your new home. This time we are going to talk about making the garden itself. Wherever you are in America, the American garden style usually consists of three main components: lawn, flower/shrub beds and hardscape such as patio and pathway areas. Decide on where these areas are going to be placed.
The areas that are going to be hardscape will be marked off first. Use builder's chalk from the hardware store, or rope, to map these areas. These areas will not need to be amended.
The lawn area is generally the next area to look at. Whichever way of putting in the lawn you decide on (sod or seed), you should prepare the area well. Make sure that all weeds and stones are out of the area and rake it smooth. If you can afford to spread compost or a mixture of topsoil and compost over the area, that will give the lawn a good start. These amendments are particularly important if you have sandy soil, as the new lawn will need to retain as much moisture as possible to grow. Inquire at your local nursery for a place that delivers them in bulk. Seed sown lawn is generally covered with straw to help keep the seed moist, but check the moisture at the surface several times a day if you have warm sunny days as the seed will dry out quickly. Water both the seed and sod lawn frequently until the grass has established itself.
Amend the areas designated for shrubs or flowerbeds in a similar way as for the lawn. These areas though do not have to be flat. Slightly raised beds incorporating local rocks are very attractive, and any raised area will add interest to the generally flat lot.
For more detailed landscaping information can be found in Landscape
©Text and photograph by Kate Copsey, April, 2006. Reproduction without permission prohibited.
