Re: Where to start
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] Where to start
- From: L* N*
- Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2001 19:05:34 -0500
WOW! Sounds like so much fun to be doing what you're going to be doing. My
front yard is a shade garden but I live in the city so I lack the natural
element you are dealing with. Would LOVE to have your dilema! One word of
caution - unless you have a way to keep deer OUT, do not plan on including
hostas in the landscape. Though I'm in the "city" - I am on the edge of a
LARGE park with lots of natural elements (woods and deer). Deer LOVE hosta
- I've achieved about 60% success with keeping them away from the hosta bed
but something invariably gets eaten by the end of July.
Louise Niemer in Park Hills, KY
------Original Message------
From: Jim Towle <Traveler200000@AOL.COM>
To: shadegardens@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
Sent: March 10, 2001 3:52:29 PM GMT
Subject: [SG] Where to start
....Hello Sue its a pleasure to meet you. I have done the very same thing on
a
38 acre piece of land in New Hampshire zone 5 to approx. 4-5 acres around
the
house. First of all I suggest that you adjust your frame of mind. This is a
long term project very different from grading a front yard and seeding a
lawn
and "poof" instant landscaping. Its a labor of love, slow down and "savor"
every step and approach it in steps or pieces. Unless you have lots of
labor
help and lots of money it will take some time. With "virgin" ground you will
experience "Joys" that most people have no knowledge of and may not even be
able to relate to.
....First the "big plan" then specific "sections." Each year or season
selectively clear a large area to enable you to build "sectional gardens."
Take GREAT advantage of all the natural litter, leaves from the wooded area
and rake all of it to wherever you plan to have "beds" raised or otherwise.
This will be an incredible mulch mix for your beds. Find or purchase
topsoil,
an area of the property, a hillside, future location of a pond, etc., for
material for your beds. In your mind or on paper read your ground and plan
some open areas (sunny spots) and shade areas, so you can vary types of
plantings. Its easy to cut out a tree you won't replace it in your lifetime.
You may want some lawn work that into the plan. Build a few garden beds each
year and work around the house. Its a lifetime project .......Have fun.
Jim Towle
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