| Curbside Planting |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-511 |
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Q: I purchased a home with some serious need of curb appeal. I want to do the work myself. How should I get started? A: (from Jessie Mack Burns, Ask DIY Gardening expert) One of the best ways to accomplish this is with landscaping. Just a few plantings in strategic areas, such as curbside or near the front porch, can really improve the appeal of your home. Before you begin, keep in mind that curbside plants will face condition that those in your flower beds may not. So be sure that any plants you select are hardy and able to withstand auto exhaust and foot traffic. Among the plants Burns recommends for curbside use are the following: - Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) -- hardy groundcover that can stand up to heavy foot traffic (figure A)
- Evergreen jasmine -- displays gold foliage in the autumn (figure B)
- Sedum -- a succulent, great for dry areas (figure C)
- Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) -- features bright-red berries (figure D)
- Salvia -- a member of the sage family with soft-looking foliage (figure E).
Here are a few things to keep in mind when you're planting: - Vary plant heights and textures, and remember that if you're planting near the road or a driveway, you don't want plants that will be tall enough to impede visibility.
- If you wish, add compost or fertilizer to the soil as you dig to help the plants get started.
- Remove each plant from its pot and use your fingers to loosen up the root ball.
- Make sure the hole is deep enough that the plant doesn't sit above the opening -- but not so deep that it sits too far down in the ground.
If you plan to plant near the house, boxwood (figure F) is a good choice, as it stays full-bodied with regular trimming and also can be trimmed into almost any shape. You might also wish to accent the area with colorful flowering shrubs (check your local nursery for suggestions) and even with potted plants tucked among the shrubbery. Q: When is the best time to apply grass seed to reestablish a lawn? A: If you're using a cool-season seed, apply it in late fall or early winter. If it's a warm-season seed, planting time is just the opposite: late spring or early fall. Q: What season does a fern produce spores and does it have to be a mature plant? A: Ferns produce spores in the spring, and they don't have to be old -- just old enough! Q: How do I care for my fern indoors during the winter? It will be kept in a fairly cool room with adequate light. A: If you can place it near a window with the same light conditions that it's used to getting, that would be great! Also, be sure it gets extra humidity and good air circulation, and it ought to do fine.
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