Spring Daffodils
It may be tempting to trim withering leaves after daffodils and tulips have finished blooming, but don't do it. Bulbs receive food from the leaves until they have completely died back.
SPRING CLEAN-UP
Did you know…Pulling vines away from brick can damage the bricks and mortar joints. Cut them away and leave their suckers to dry up on the wall. Then remove them with a stiff brush and laundry soap.
Trees
You can get a free guide about using trees to attract birds, conserve soil, and save money on home energy costs. Write to The National Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410.
TAMING THE FRONT WALK
Chances are, you've made the interior of your home a warm and inviting place for visiting family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into making guests feel comfortable, and even delighted in your home's environment.
You can extend that welcome even further by remembering that a visitor's experience begins outside of your home. The landscape in your front yard, along walkways and by the house, can entice and charge guests all the way to your front door.
But, a living landscape changes over time. Growing plants can cause problems that you might not notice right away. As a result, your landscape might need some updating to look its best. After evaluating the strong and week points of your yard, why not creat a plan for improvement?
PLAN FOR GROWTH
If your home is older, chances are you have overgrown or declining shrubs around your front entrance. When pruning can't tame aggressive shrubs, installing new plants might be the answer. Just remember to avoid the common mistake of planting shrubs and trees to close to buildings, walkways and other plants. Consider the mature size of a plant when planning your landscape.
You should also be aware of plants natural growth habits. Before planting a tree or shrub, find out how fast it will grow, how long it will probably live, and what its mature shape will be.
CREATE AN INVITING DESIGN
- A pleasing combination of landscape elements works well to extend your home's entry hall out beyond the front door.
- Shrubs or a fence can create the feeling of low walls. An ornamental tree by the side of your walkway or house acts as a natural roof. These items help to draw guests into your home, making their entrance a gradual and enjoyable process.
When you're ready to plan your landscape, keep these tips in mind:
- Remove or replace overgrown plants that block windows and walkways.
- If possible, walkways should be at least 44-48" wide to accommodate two people walking side-by-side. Existing walks can be replaced or widened with bricks, patio stones, or gravel.
- Walks and doorways should be well lit to welcome guests and ensure their safety.
- Entry plantings will be seen closely and often. Choose plants that look nice year-round, and plan for the seasonal changes in adjacent flower beds.
Look closely at homes you think have inviting entries. Take notes and start planning a grand entrance that you'll be proud of for many years.