DIY Network

Kussmaul Family: Plan, Costs and Products Meet the Kussmauls and find out the gardening challenge plan. From "Garden Sense" episode DGAR-402

Chip and Jan Kussmaul with Walter Reeves

Meet Chip and Jan Kussmaul. They have spent more than 20 years rehabbing their 130-year-old Victorian home, which had been damaged by fire and time when they bought it. Chip is an architectural woodworker, and his skill has come in handy. Now they are turning their focus from the inside to the outside, which needs some rehabbing of its own.

The Kussmauls have asked Walter Reeves and DIY Garden Sense to help them start over with their landscape. They are looking for a style that will complement the home they have worked on and make it as beautiful outside as it is inside.

advertisement

Project Timeline

The Kussmauls' Victorian landscape project took all day to complete, and it took 10 crew members more than an hour to clear away the poison ivy and the overgrowth before the project even started.

The Kussmauls' yard: before

The Kussmauls' yard: after

Project Details

Walter designed a plan to honor the vintage sensibility of the Kussmauls' home. He chose plants that have an old-fashioned feel and will look natural next to the structure.

The Kussmauls' house: before

The Kussmauls' house: after

First Walter and his team ripped out all of the unruly vines and plants that were growing out of control.

Next he trimmed and thinned branches to make the trees look more manicured.

Hollies were added at the base of the porch for year-round interest as well as a Japanese maple for its graceful look.

Dozens of flowers and foliage were planted to match the house. Many will thrive in their shady settings.

Before removal of overgrowth

After removal of overgrowth

Flowerbed: before

Flowerbed: after

Dollars and Sense

We used 15 plants in Hardiness Zone 6 and spent just about $700.

• The most expensive plant was the Japanese maple at $131.
  
• The least expensive plants were the Ruby Stella daylilies at $6.25 each.

Plant prices may vary by zone.

Sensible Tools

These are the tools and garden supplies used on our project by Walter and the DIY team and also given to the homeowners to help them care for their new landscape:

• Roundup® Weed and Grass Killer
  (www.roundup.com)
  
• Roundup Poisony Ivy and Tough Brush Killer
  (www.roundup.com)
  
• Gilmour Long Reach Telescopes
  (www.gilmour.com)
  
• Espoma Organic Traditions
  (www.espoma.com)
  
• Plow and Hearth Wicker Planter
  (www.plowhearth.com)
  
• Swan Suplex RT hose
  (www.swanhose.com)
  
• Yard Glove
  (www.upcountryproducts.com)
  
• Jakob Stainless Steel
  (www.jakobstainlesssteel.com)
  
• Soil provided by Fafard
  (www.fafard.com)
  
• Tools provided by Corona Clipper
  (www.coronaclipper.com)
  
• Gloves provided by Atlas Gloves

Gardening by Zip Code If you're looking to start a gardening projectbut don't know your gardening zone—visit the National Gardening Associations's USDA Hardiness Zone Finder. Enter your Zip Code to identify the proper zone.

RESOURCES :
100 Flowers and How They Got Their Names
Diana Wells
Algonquin Books; 1st edition (January 2, 1997)
ISBN: 1565121384

RHS Garden Plants and Flowers
Ian Spence
Dorling Kindersley
ISBN 0751338699
www. dk.com