Experts share some memorable garden errors and how they fixed them
We all make mistake , but most of us would prefer not to learn every gardening lesson the hard way . To help us obviate at least a few future blunders , we asked five horticultural and design professional person from around the res publica to tell us about a big garden mistake they ’ve had to fix , along with their solvent . The problem die hard the gamut from industrial plant and material pick toplanninganddesign conclusion . Each expert also contributed a pet problem - solving tip . Here are the story and ideas they shared in hopes of heading off exchangeable pitfalls .
The mistake: Building a walkway that is slippery when wet
After a tree diagram was off , I was left with twelve of violent cedar cycle and had no hearth in which to burn down them . It seemed like an ideal solution to limit these beautiful , rot - insubordinate stave into asloped gardenpath , thereby create a set of step to cut across the hillside . From summer into fall I puzzle out on installing the rounds , and the answer was beautiful . Then ourPacific Northwestwinter rains go far . Within a month , the wet - soaked wood had acquire a thin layer of alga that was as knavish as ice . My hillside staircase had become a beautiful and invite death cakehole .
The solution: Add some texture for better traction
Soon after , I set off working at theElisabeth C. Miller Botanical Gardenand learned that Mrs. Miller , who also loved the look of cedar rounds , had devised a clever solution to combat slippy surface . Before each cedar tree round was installed , workers would wrap a square toes of commercial-grade - grade Pisces the Fishes netting around the cedar , stapling it to the bottom side . After the unit of ammunition was placed , the gauze stayed put and provided fantabulous grip . This problematic , long - survive material was easy obtained from one of Seattle ’s nearby fishing docks . Once I learned about this fix , I knew my true cedar step were in for a redo .
The expert : Richie Steffenis a lend editor and the executive director of the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden in Seattle .
The mistake: Impatiently planting a fast-growing species
When I moved to my new property , many plants from my old garden need to be put in right away . I cleared twolong bordersto the west of some mature Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , added great soil , and got to go planting . I soon realized that many of the plants I was moving needed full orpartial shadeto thrive . To produce shade inexpensively , my solution was to add several youthful newspaper birches ( Betula papyfera , Zones 2–7 ) that were 6 or 7 feet magniloquent and sell in 5 - gallon jackpot . I planted them along the southwest circumference of the principal bed to deflect the hot western Sunday . This did the john , and I added some other modest trees to complete the spook canopy .
Just five years later , the fast - grow birch had shot up to 30 invertebrate foot tall and the border was becoming crowded . My ‘ disastrous Tulip ’ magnolia ( Magnolia×soulangeana‘Black Tulip ’ , Zones 5–9 ) was n’t blossom well because it was in too much shade , and the birch lean like they wanted to elude the lushness under them
The solution: Remove the overgrown plants
It was time to say goodby to the newspaper publisher birches , which made me sorry . They are beautiful tree diagram , withstunning fall colorand blush - tinct whitebark , but they had rise too heavy to move without deracinate many other plant in the moulding . I repent not incite them about two or three years earlier , when it would have been soft . If I had been selective , move one or two trees at a time , at least some of them could have been saved . rather , they all had to come down .
The expert : Susan Calhounis the owner of Plantswoman Design in Bainbridge Island , Washington .
The mistake: Putting a straight path from the front door to the street
My main role as a landscape designer is to maximize the looker and functionality of an outdoor space , accept into consideration how that space will be used . I ask myself how mass and pets will lapse through the landscape . Are there screening issues , privacy concern , view to open up , or potential cardinal region to connect ?
When I chat a new task site , one of the most common chance for improvement that I comment is the chance to make a journeying from the street or sidewalk to the front room access .
The default is almost always a full-strength line or the quickest possible crack - through . Thefront gardenis likely split down the middle with apath . Sometimes a lineal course makes the most sense . The path from a drivel - bin storage area to the curb should be as short as potential ; no one needs to be taking their tripe on a journeying .
However , the path a visitant take to your front door ? That ’s a different narrative . Why not slow it down , offer a surprise around a bit in the form of a focal point , or provide a niggling privacy for the front door and window ?
The solution: Add a jog in the path
I wish to wreak an element of excitement to a ho - hum front walk by introduce a bend in the journey . An obstacle to move around — such as a wood panel , fountain , raised planter , cosmetic pot , boulder , orsmall tree — creates an chance to decelerate down and look around as you adopt the itinerary . If infinite permits , you might even be able to pinch in a small workbench or bistro table , creating an informal place to gossip with neighbors . A few serious-minded details can transform a uncoiled shot to the front door into a small , semi - private court with interesting planting air hole and views . How you mold your visitant ’s first mental picture of your home is crucial , so maximize it .
The expert : Courtney Olanderis a garden designer based in Seattle .
The mistake: Planting in a flood-prone area
In my first twelvemonth of teaching at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches , Texas , my students and I installed a garden where they could learn to growplants from seedto sale . We had 200tomato plantsloaded with fruit , 100 peppers ready to pick , countless trimmed flowers , and dozens of other plant to trial and evaluate . We were in the planning stages of putting up hammock and building a firepit . Life was grand .
Then on the morning of June 18 , 2015 , Tropical Storm Bill dumped 6 in of rainfall on our country overnight . La Naña Creek , which ran alongside the garden , set out to break out of its banks . I ’ll never blank out the eerie opinion of standing on the highest slur in a mostly vapid blank , check the ground beneath me vanish under a movie of water .
The students and I went out in genu - high boots to save what produce we could , but we had to leave when the water spirit level uprise to 3 feet and covered the whole garden . The water receded in less than 12 hours , but our summer was shot . Food safety principle dictate that we had to wait at least 60 days to replant because of the potential introduction of waterborne contaminants .
The solution: Rebuild on a new site
Failure is an opportunity to con and to transfer strategies . Our solution was to move the garden to higher earth . We overhauled the planting around the farming building , and within a year we had anedible gardenright outside my part that helps to recruit students . In subsequent year we were also able-bodied to incorporate teaching gardens and production facilities . I ’m so glad we made the move . Our sometime garden site has flood at least half a XII times over the last eight years .
I share this experience in the promise that it will carry through someone out there some grief . I remain to hear stories from confrere who have had their garden or nursery hit by flood amniotic fluid . information shows that storm and rainwater events are getting more extreme , and today ’s gardener must plan and plant for resiliency .
The expert : Jared Barnes , PhD , is an associate prof of horticulture at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches , Texas .
The mistake: Letting a property’s boundaries dominate the view
Urban backyardshave their own set of environmental retainer that belie their seeming simplicity . Unlike a magnanimous prop that extends beyond the width of the house , the minute , orthogonal yards in a city neighbourhood are often just a smidge wider than the buildings themselves . Add fencing around the back boundary phone line , and the space is constricted even further . The perceiver ’s eye is limited to a narrow focus in almost a unbent line rather than pick out in a wholesale , heroic view . This makes adding apparent movement and drama much more hard .
This fussy backyard was a stable , rectangular box , fenced in on two side , with an untidy warehouse rampart at the apex . A piece of timber had been used in an effort to bisect the place , which created a step up to the back of the garden . A lonely bench and a Buddha statue were the independent view from the back of the house and the terrace . Visually the space looked forlorn , unloved , and uninviting .
The solution: Divide the space in a dynamic way
Still require to make out the highersoillevel of the back half of the garden , I pulled a twist rampart through the space to define the unexampled , largerpatio . This retaining wall also expeditiously adds sit down to the region , since its panoptic capstones double as an inviting work bench . This division of space “ read ” much more energetically from the house windows , and the boulders on either side of the step give some gravitas to the wall . The weave stepping - stone path guides visitant through theshade gardenand out to a work bench . A set of wooden panels make a human - scalefocal pointand help to screen the clean warehouse rampart . at long last , the Buddha has a serene spot to sit down and contemplate .
The expert : Christie Dustmanis a plantsman and landscape painting designer base in Hyde Park , Massachusetts .
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Although they were attractive, these steps were unsafe.During the rainy winter months, they could not be used at all.Photo: courtesy of Richie Steffen
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Although they were attractive, these steps were unsafe.During the rainy winter months, they could not be used at all.Photo: courtesy of Richie Steffen
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Recycled fish netting did the trick.After the cedar rounds were covered, walking on them in wet weather was no longer a problem.Photo: courtesy of Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden
Photo: courtesy of Susan Calhoun
Having the right tool for the job makes a tough decision easier.Although the paper birches had grown too large to move without damaging other plants, Susan’s lightweight electric chainsaw made it possible for her to safely remove the trees without disturbing the rest of the bed.Photo: courtesy of Susan Calhoun
Balance has been restored, and the bed is starting to flourish.Without the towering birches blocking light from overhead, the smaller, slower-growing trees and shrubs now have the conditions they need to thrive.Photo: courtesy of Susan Calhoun
The original front walk left the home’s entryway feeling exposed.A walk that went straight from the front stoop to the pavement offered little privacy or appeal (above). In addition, the narrow path of irregular pavers (below, right) was difficult to maintain and visually unwelcoming.Photo: courtesy of Courtney Olander
Photo: courtesy of Courtney Olander
A circuitous route is more inviting.Raised planters provide some screening around the front door and help to define the entryway path, while new focal points enhance the home’s facade.Photo: courtesy of Courtney Olander
Before digging in, evaluate your garden site properly.If the area is low-lying and a body of water is nearby, chances are it may flood (above). Salvaging anything after disaster strikes, food crops included, might be a lost cause (below).Photo: courtesy of Jared Barnes
Photo: courtesy of Jared Barnes
Now on higher ground, the garden has become a hub of campus activity.A newly installed gravel garden (foreground) showcases the potential of this water-wise planting technique, and food crops are being grown conveniently close to classrooms (background).Photo: courtesy of Jared Barnes
This small garden was boxed in.Two fences and a featureless warehouse wall made this a space where you would not want to spend much time.Photo: courtesy of Christie Dustman
The view from the house is now much more inviting.When you’re looking at the garden from inside the house (above), there’s now plenty to see besides privacy fencing and concrete. The shade garden (below, right) is clearly defined from the patio, which makes the whole space feel more tranquil and expansive.Photo: damianosphotography.com
Photo: damianosphotography.com
