tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11917281.post4500547306150505845..comments2023-03-19T10:35:59.346-04:00Comments on Pressing On: Gardening HelpAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692275088681962474noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11917281.post-74440722502138513592007-05-08T21:13:00.000-04:002007-05-08T21:13:00.000-04:00...one more thing. E-mail Sarah Karkosh in Iowa. S......one more thing. E-mail Sarah Karkosh in Iowa. She has great gardens and I'm sure would love to share ideas.Gayle and Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13829348939243212246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11917281.post-2109312805039878182007-05-08T21:09:00.000-04:002007-05-08T21:09:00.000-04:00Mmmm! This I like! I've been away from the North f...Mmmm! This I like! I've been away from the North for 11 years now, so I can't give specific plants & shrubs for you to use. I can tell you what plan of action I'd take. Here goes...I would take the kids and walk around a local nursery (I think I saw a big one on US 1?). Kids in a stroller will get you lots of help, I bet! Get an idea of shade & sun plants, taller and shorter, leaf colors, etc. Try to think in layers, especially for the front corner area. Bigger plants / shrubs in the middle, layered down to annuals & ground cover around the edges. Maybe even a raised bed in the middle with brick or timbers to lift it up??? Think 3-dimensionally...Get a couple of good plant & garden books from the library, ones that target your area. Start making a list as you look at things - leaf color, height, sun/shade, etc. You want fauna that will give you color all year around ideally. Some shrubs have red stalks that are eye-catching even in the winter; others have berries that last thru the winter. I'd put all my research on a spread sheet, but then I love working with spread sheets! Then start drawing some plans. You have a bird bath in the back yard; think about tying that into your landscape plan with some plantings around it. You'll probably have to think long term -several years- because of budget and back. Heavy or compacted soil will need compost. You're on the right track there! The wall behind your shelf thingy looks perfect for a trellis. Clematis? Climbing roses? Honeysuckle? Sweet peas? Know a good carpenter for a trellis? I'd put some annuals down for color and get to know the plants and possibilities first. I'll bet you a donut that there are people at church that have perennials in their yards and would give you cuttings or bulbs. And where will you put the rasberries? :) Let us know what you find.Gayle and Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13829348939243212246noreply@blogger.com