Your Garden Should...

With the weather finally taking a decided turn towards warmth, its time for us to start thinking about our yards and gardens.  Which is exactly what I did this week.  And it got me thinking about all the things I want my garden to do for me.  Since I'm so sweet, I thought I'd share my thoughts with all of you, my friends.

Your Garden Should...Be Low Maintenance

Even though we're all gung ho to spend hours in the garden come springtime, that green spirit tends to leave us when the weather turns muggy and hot and bugs think you look like a big sandwich.  So it makes sense to plan out your gardens so that you have the lowest amount of maintenance tasks possible.  How?  Here's a list of a few things to consider:

• Plant perennials.  Perennials are plants that bloom and continue to grow year after year instead of dying off each winter and needing to be replanted.  This is a no-brainer.  Sure you can keep a small annual garden, but the bulk of your yard should be plants that come back year after year.
• Plant native plants.  Figure out your plant hardiness zone, and plant trees, shrubs and perennials that have grown in those areas for years.  They will be more likely to thrive, need less watering and fertilizing and will be way less likely to die off during the winter months.
• Plant fewer varieties in multiples.  Instead of having 20 different types of plants in your yard, settle on maybe 7 and repeat them in multiples throughout your yard to give a cohesive look and to give a visual impact.
• Plant container gardens.  Less area to weed, easy to move if you want a pop of color, the pots themselves add visual interest, and you can bring them in during bad weather so you won't lose them to a bad storm.
• Durable finishes.  Outdoor furniture and decking should be stained or painted with durable finishes that will last for years so that you're only re-doing them every 5-8 years instead of every year.  Also install stone patios and pathways that can stand up to wear and tear.
• Plant the right grass and water less often.  Mowing can take up a ton of time in the summer months. Plant grass whose roots go deep so it needs less watering and fertilizer, and one that grows more slowly so it needs less mowing.
• Less grass, more plants.  Again, mowing takes up a lot of time.  The less grass you have the less time you'll have to spend mowing, watering, fertilizing, mowing, watering, fertilizing, mowing...
• Go Wild.  If you have a large yard, consider allowing part of it to be more like a pasture with wildflowers.  

Your Garden Should...Add Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is what gets people in the door.  And people in the door is what sells a house.  Make sure your garden adds curb appeal rather than detracts from it.  Here are some tips:

• Have a well maintained yard.  Nothing makes people run fast than the thought of homeowners who do not take care of their stuff!
• Add pops of color.  A few bright flowers by the entry way, and possibly a tasteful garden bed in the front yard are all you need to bright the appeal of your home.
• Low Maintenance.  We already mentioned that, you say?  It bears repeating.  No buyer wants to see super lavish gardens and meticulously maintained beds that they will have to spend hours and hours maintaining.  
• Don't Overimprove.  Remember that your house needs to stand out but it doesn't need to be so over the top that it doesn't fit in with the neighborhood.  Make sure it looks nice but is in keeping with the other houses nearby.

Your Garden Should...Be Enjoyable

Be sure that your yard is a space you enjoy spending time in...or out, I guess.  In Minnesota, our warm days are few so its imperative that you do everything you can to create a great outdoor space.

• Have a spot for entertaining.  It can be as simple as a deck or patio or even a front porch.  Or you can have a pool with a pool house, TVs, bar, and  full kitchen.  Whatever you opt for, have some seating and maybe a place to eat, place a few candles or lamps for ambiance, a little color in plants or furnishings, and you have a perfect spot for having the neighbors over.
• Have a quiet spot.  Gardens are great places for getting away from it all.  Hang a hammock between two trees.  Place a bench in a quiet corner for reading.  Even a nice patch of grass shielded away from onlookers, can be your own private oasis with the addition of a blanket and a book.
• Have a place to play.  If you have young kids then you might put up a play set or a trampoline.  Maybe your family loves to swim so you put in a pool.  Maybe you like horseshoes.  Or maybe you are a football family who needs a long stretch of grass.  Make your yard a perfect play place for your family.
• A place to use year round.  Add a firepit that can be used throughout the year.  Clear a space to be used for a hockey rink in the winter.  Make the most of your yard year round.

Your Garden Should...Be Functional

Years ago families lived off of their own land.  There's no reason you can't do the same....  Well, check your local laws first, but usually, you can do most of what's listed here, even in the city.

• Plant a vegetable garden.  True, this ups the maintenance factor so if you're really going for low maintenance, this may not be the way to go.  But, oh, the deliciousness of a ripe tomato just off the vine!!
• Plant fruit trees and shrubs.  I have so many amazing memories of climbing my grandparent's apple tree to pick the best red apple I could find.  If you like canning, plan spaces for strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and any other fruits that will grow in your area.
• Put up a clothes line.  Save a little money and have that super fresh smell of hanging the clothes on the line.
• Strategically plant trees.  Plant evergreens on the north side of your home to block the prevailing north winds in the winter.  Plant shade trees on the south side of your home to shade it in the summer but to let the sun shine in during the winter.  
• Add some bugs.  Specifically bees and butterflies.  If you'd rather not have an actual hive in your yard (this is also where city ordinances might come in), then plant bee- and butterfly-loving plants to attract them to your yard where they will help pollinate all those fruits and veggies.
• Add some livestock.  Okay, I don't mean a whole herd of cows.  But a few chickens are usually okay with most cities.  And you could possibly have a goat to give a little milk.  Hey, if you're a farmer at heart, this will sound very appealing!
• Plant some herbs.  Rosemary, basil, thyme, cilantro...these are all so easy to grow, take up very little space and add so much flavor to your cooking.  You might even consider finding some plants that have medicinal purposes.  

Source:  Michelle Schwake for Stafford Family Reatlors