Re: a lower-maintenance model

At 04:00 PM 1/19/2004, Judy Person wrote:
I've been on the list for years, but with a new computer, sigh, I was having trouble sending.
We've had a suburban tract-house garden which has been evolving for 20 years, with trees and ornamentals, and my husband's tiny bit of lawn. He does the roses and I do the perennials, but he has become obsessed with sailing, and wants to do less gardening, and I'm limited physically, so this year we're simplifying and editing, and I have vowed not to buy any plants. Yikes. Heaven only knows how long this will last.
We live in Pleasanton, CA, halfway between SF Bay and the Central Valley, Sunset zone 15, I think, in their new regime, USDA zone 9A
Judy Person.
Hi Judy -

Sounds like you need to convert your property to a lower-maintenance model. Here are some suggestions:

Get rid of the lawn
This is the most labor intensive and water intensive part of our typical suburban landscape. If you do not sun-bath, play croquet, have small children in the garden, etc. who needs it?

Mediterranean climate evergreens instead of herbaceous perennials
The annual growth and flowering of herbaceous perennials consumes a lot of water, nutrients, etc., and requires a lot of clean-up when they are done. Evergreen perennials and shrubs do not require so much yearly maintenance, water, etc, but can still provide lots of interest, color, texture. In fact, they can often provide great effect now, during the winter months with many standard perennials look their worst or are completely dormant.

For seasonal color, go for easy care, summer dormant bulbs
Narcissus, grape hyacinths, ixias, sparaxis, freesias, arums, callas, and other mediterranean climate bulbs are all growing fast at the moment, getting ready for their winter/spring show. These will shrivel up in the summer, often requiring no clean up if underplanted appropriately. Most of these, if well sited, will increase over time and reward you year after year.

Water less - grow plant 'lean and mean'
We often water plants too much, feed them too much, give them too good a soil. In turn plants grow very quickly, produce instant results, but then become very floppy, unable to support themselves, and decline (or even die) early. It is kind of like giving them junk food. Choosing plants adapted to our climate, and growing plants leaner and will less water, makes them more compact, tighter, sturdier, richer in color, more fragrant, and longer-lived, requiring infrequent replacement. And they do not produce excessive growth that must be trimmed routinely.

Mulch, mulch, mulch
A nice thick organic mulch will keeps weeds from sprouting, reduce the need for watering, keep the soil cooler during the summer, and help plants get through erratic times. It also fosters beneficial bacteria and soil organisms that can help keep your pathogens in check. Encouraging birds will do the same.

I hope this helps inspire you to think differently about your landscape, and help you enjoy it just as much (if not more) in spite of the changes in your lifestyles.
Regards,
Seán O.

h o r t u l u s a p t u s - 'a garden suited to its purpose'
Seán A. O'Hara sean@support.net www.hortulusaptus.com
1034A Virginia Street, Berkeley, California 94710-1853, U.S.A.

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