Too Much Land

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:48:00 +0000

Love it and hate it. Too little land...too much land. Privacy that can't be achieved...too much privacy that needs to be achieved. Not enough space for more plants...too much space that needs more plants. Just what is the happy medium? I've experienced living and gardening in a condo, on 8 acres, then a postage-stamp subdivision lot, and now 1 acre. I'm still not completely happy. Is it the expense of buying so much more plants, soil, compost, and mulch? The need to create more "designed" spaces, and consequently buy hardscape material, because "something is missing"? Because I'd rather be gardening rather than cleaning the garden? I've always believed that a prospective homebuyer should hire me to evaluate the cost involved in maintaining or creating a landscape: boy, would I change his or her mind, one way or the other! One just doesn't think about how much more expense it will be to tackle that slope, or to add irrigation pipe and valves, or that a visually-pleasing cluster of boulders often means there's much more of it below the surface -- and that's NOT going to be pleasing at planting or building time! I call this my "spring blues" for it is now that I experience the burden of having too much land...and all the work and money that comes with it. And then, the sun comes out. The wild flowers surface that I didn't plant. The natural tall green grass is so gorgeous after a rain (and for now, I consciously dismiss all the mowing and weed-wacking I'll have to do in a month or two). The gentle swaying of the towering ponderosas and grey pines in the wind against the blues skies is priceless, especially coming from the city (no doubt I'll be cursing their fallen needles come next winter). So I sit here in my office, staring out the windows into the lush, natural landscape of beautiful Meadow Vista and ask myself, "Well, where would you rather be?" and no other place comes to mind.

My First Rain Barrel...It's About Time!

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:38:00 +0000

Given that I practice what I preach and sing the praises of rainwater harvesting, you'd think I have a rain barrel at every downspout collecting precious rain water from all my rooftops. I'm a landscape designer who practices xeriscaping and firmly believes in water conservation (having a husband who pays the water bill and reminds me of it also helps). I should have an underground cistern; I should have tens of rain barrels; I should be giving my garden nothing but healthy water. But I am a homeowner who has good intentions and limited funds for extras. Well, there came the opportunity and The Law of Attraction: while hunting for cheap pelargoniums at The Home Depot, I came across a rain barrel by Fiskars! Finally, rain barrels that are easily accessible to all of us, and for only $69.97 for a 48 gallon-capacity. Of course, looking at the HD website, you'll see many other styles, capacities and prices -- but you have to order them. Too much trouble.

This past week has been a particularly good trial period, what with all the intense storms we're having. It took less than a day--and the garage roof only-- to fill that barrel, which made me yearn for more barrels. All that wasted water! No doubt, I'll have to wait on that, but the next ones I buy will probably be of a different style and capacity. Yes, they should match, but there are other factors to consider: round or flat back (where are you putting it?); style (does it go with the style of your house?); color; location of output (some are lower than others -- how will you access the water?); size and location (how are you going to use the water? greenhouse? indoor plants? vegetable garden?); material (will you put it in full sun? how long will it last you before it starts breaking down?). Then there's the question of "what if I move?" Take it with you, because it won't add value to the house-- not in this market--and it probably won't help sell the house anyway.

Whatever you do, just go out and buy your first barrel. You'll see, it's like a potato chip: you can't have just one.

Horticultural Therapy and Design

Too Much Land

My First Rain Barrel...It's About Time!