Quite recently, 10 minutes ago to be precise, I stumbled upon this header at msn.com: "Tired of mowing? Pave over your lawn. Home owners are replacing grass with stone, concrete, or fake vegetation."

I cringe. Even now, I have to take a moment to compose myself before continuing on. Yes, that is overly dramatic, but I must explain piece by piece.

"Tired of mowing?" Me? No, I live in apartment. But, you? Yes, it is quite possible that many homeowners out there are legitimately tired of cutting their grass. I have nothing against lawns. As a Designer, I see that they accomplish certain goals in the landscape and can be quite beautiful. Think tapis vert.

I know, I know, who would want to mow the "tapis vert" at Versailles? What a job!

Moving on, the next line of the quote is "...pave over your lawn." My first visualization of this line is quite literal. I imagine something lovely and green, like in the above picture, completely paved over, impermeable, bright, and hard. Yuck! It seems slightly reminiscent of a parking lot. Now, I understand what they are trying to accomplish the replacement of lawn with a hardscape feature like a patio. While this is a good idea, the word "pave" is synonymous with concrete in my mind. And nothing against concrete either. Concrete is actually a very cool material and has its place in practical or contemporary installations. Imagine your lawn as it is, though, and now imagine it all paved over. Not a good idea by itself.

Skip over to the phrase "fake vegetation." What? Read that again. While I understand that fake vegetation is the ultimate low maintenance solution, there are many plants that, once established, take very little attention. All in all, there are plenty alternatives to lawn that will look and preform better than a paved over lawn with a side of fake vegetation.

1. Hire a maintenance or lawn service.

It can be as easy as the kid down the street who wants to make a couple extra dollars during the summer, or a hired professional to knows how to properly prune and tend to your whole landscape.

2. Add planting bed areas for native shrubs, perennials, and evergreens.

The advantage of native plants is that they are already conditioned to soil types and conditions of a given location. Therefore, they will preform and grow better in the long run with less of your attention.

3. Define a space for a patio.

Not parking lot size, but a usable size instead. A permeable surface (pea gravel) or semi-permeable (non mortared stone) is best. Combine this with alternative #2, and you have less lawn, a patio, place to sit, and plants to enjoy.

4. Creat a play area for kids!

My childhood memories of playing outside are in the woods, or under a large magnolia tree. Cut out a section of lawn around a big tree, or make a sand pit, pond, or place to build forts. All of this activity can take place without a lawn.

5. Use a grass alternative.

These can be plants like sweet woodruff or creeping jenny. Check out the Stepables website for choices specific to your conditions.

6. Consider artificial turf.

I don't know much about it, but I would be remiss if I didn't divulge all available options. One thing I do know is that they tend to be shiny. There are also a variety of color and length options for you to choose from.

7. Use of gravel or rocks.

Create an architectural rock garden with a couple of plants, or use gravel for a pathway to help minimize plant or lawn use. It is often a good drainage solution in the form of a creek bed as well.

If you have already gone lawn-less and feel suffocated, try expanding the size of some key areas around the outside of your house. For example, don't be afraid to expand the size of the entryway at the front of your home to the size of a normal patio. It would be a good space for a bench or a couple of colorful containers.

If you have any questions of would like to discuss the possibility of reducing your lawn, feel free to contact us here at Father Nature for design solutions. If you like your lawn and landscape, but would like professional maintenance, then contact us as well. We offer a professional horticulturalist on site at all times to guide the care of your landscape.

Remember, perhaps the best solution for you is not "lawnless," but less lawn. Think about it.

A prosperous garden is one that is designed well and built and maintained to last. A design keeps you from wasting time and money by giving you a clear, thought out direction. Maintenance is much more than pruning. It is proper plant care that translates to long term happy, healthy plants. Building features to last means constructing them properly from the very beginning to cut the odds of having continual repair jobs.

There are four key elements to consider as you move to make an enjoyable garden.

1. Soil

Taking care of your soil by adding amendments is taking care of your plants as well. It is important to consider weaning your plants off of chemical applicants. They only have short term, albeit pretty, effects. Remember, a prosperous garden is one that lasts! (Compost is always a good choice!) Also pay attention to soil contouring. Make sure that all slopes are angled away from your home to ensure proper water management. There are many different ways to resolve drainage issues as well. For example, a dry creek bed is a good and artful way to redirect water away from your residence and to a good location.

2. Plant Selection

This is slightly more exciting than talking about soil! If you want all natives, then stick with it. We prefer to use a combination of natives and "proven performers." The latter are plants that have proven to grow well in a given hardiness zone. They may not necessarily be native, but in combination with successful natives, "proven performers" are a welcome addition to your plant palette. If you enjoy being outside, include a space in your garden for perennials and annuals so that you can satisfy your green thumb.

3. Installation

The installation of plant material and hardscape is essential to a lasting garden. Important tasks such as digging a hole twice the size of a root ball, scoring the root ball and along the hole, and the addition of a root stimulant are all essential to the healthy of your new plants. Equally important is making sure they have an adequate amount of water within the first days of being planted. Hardscape construction should be designed and built by knowledgeable individuals. The quality is not only in design or construction, but materials as well. You decide, pay now for quality work that will last, or pay for poor installation and repairs later.

4. Maintenance

Proper maintenance is essential to prosperous plant life. There are different types of cuts while pruning for a reason. Some plants need a lot off the top, some need adequate air circulation, and others need a little growth stimulation. Maintenance, however, is not just pruning but know when to prune as well. It is also being able to spot plant pests and diseases, curing them, and preventing them. This involves IPM (integrated pest management), knowing how much mulch and when, cleaning out beds and when, cleaning out plant crowns, systemic insecticides/fungicides, and dormant oils.

Here at Father Nature, we want what we design and install to last, and we want you to have a timeless garden.

We are your quality professionals for a prosperous garden!

Perhaps the most common request of today's garden clientele is "low-maintenance." This can have a variety of different meanings to the ear of a Garden Designer. For one, it can mean "I want it to look pretty on its own," or "I want to spend time relaxing in my garden, not working." But whatever the interpretation, one thing is key to a low maintenance garden, design. Yes, design. My favorite thing.

Effective low-maintenance is all about design. Design provides structure for your plants and your hardscape that will last. A low-maintenance landscape is a lasting landscape. Whether or not you hire a Garden Designer or Landscape Architect, it is important to have a plan for your garden space, and make it your own. Your style and taste should be realized in your garden. It is your space!

So, here are some key ideas to use and remember when working towards a low-maintenance garden.

1. Garden with nature, not against it.

Select plants that will work with your site conditions. Use soil amendments and fertilizers that have long term benefits for your plants and soil.

2. Don't be shy, use design!

Consult with one of us at Father Nature or buy a book. Grab your paper and pencil and see what shapes come out of your hand.

3. Remember to add design elements other than plants.

Walls, pillars, arbors, decks, patios, and pathways all aid in shaping and defining your garden space. Hardscapes help anchor your design, and can carry it through the seasons. It doesn't change as your plants do, but remains constant.

4. Geometry is important.

Circles are soft, rectangles are contemporary, and squares are formal. Shapes define plant space and hardscape. Figure out which works best for you. Keep it simple! Too many combined different shapes can take more maintenance depending on plant material and paving material.

5. The more livable the space, the easier it will be to care for.

You want to be able to sit and enjoy your garden, not spend countless hours tending to and babying your plants. There is nothing wrong with careful plant tending. You can do that no matter what garden you have, but low maintenance is about achieving maximum levels of enjoyment with less garden toil.

6. Your plant palette can be as simple or complex as you want.

Keep in mind, though, to choose plants that will work within your site conditions. They will need less attention the closer they are to their natural environment. A simple, easy plant palette is the best option. But there is no reason you can't incorporate some of your favorites. Remember, it can be simple or complex as you want. (see below for more tips)

7. Surprise! Water features are actually pretty low-maintenance.

They achieve several goals at once: lovely natural music, attracts birds, and serve as a stunning focal point.

And finally...

...a few general design tips, should you choose to strike out on your own:

If you choose a complex (it can be complex and low-maintenance, the two aren't always mutually exclusive) plant palette, go for simple hardscape and materials. Too much complexity creates massive visual clutter. It is almost as if your eye has no where to settle, and is tossed around in a pin ball machine. Graphic, I know, but just trust me.

If you choose simple, note that every detail seems to stand out. Balancing the details is the trick for simple low-maintenance plant palettes.

Materials that pull "double-duty" are extremely valuable. For example, pebble mosaic on the ground plain creates interest and serves as a pathway or patio space. Plants with a strong consistent form are a good way to at structure without it appearing as hard as stone materials.

Think about: 1. Repetition (textures, shapes, forms, materials) creates unity. Too much variety is a maintenance headache. 2. Personality! Make it your own. 3. Editing. Low-maintenance may cause you to have to pare down a bit. But that's ok! Choose what you like and what works, it doesn't have to be boring and ugly.

Excited? Ready to get started? There is plenty of time to research and design before the spring starts. Below is a list of resources and books that might inspire you further.

"The New Low-Maintenance Garden," by Valerie Easton. This book was the primary inspiration for this blog entry. It contains much more information about most of the above topics, and even wanders into the world of garden maintenance.

"Architecture in the Garden," by James Van Sweden. Written by an extremely talented designer and Landscape Architect. This book will help the hardscape challenged designer in you.

"Gardens are for People," by Thomas Church. One of my all-time favorites, and probably mentioned in previous posts. Valerie Easton says in her book, "...plants are great, but gardens are for people." I bet she has read this book!

"A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, and Construction," by Christopher Alexander. This book pertains more to the urban landscape, but the insight on patters in design is inspiring no matter the niche. A very valuable fireside read. Another one of my favorites.

Lastly, some eye candy!

When you garden with nature, choose to garden with Father Nature. We are always happy to be included!

Yesterday was Groundhog day, and Phil said six more weeks of Winter. Six more weeks is plenty of time to prepare your garden for Spring. In order to help you get started, I have compiled a list of beneficial garden chores.

get out your tools!

Save up for a warm (60's hopefully) sunny day to begin to tend to your garden, you have six more weeks after all (thanks Phil). On a day with less favorable conditions, scrounge around in your garden supplies and tools to make sure you are prepared. You can fix or replace tools, locate your gloves, and update your garden journal.

• Once you make it outside, consider the following:
• Remove any dead annuals that made it through the Winter, and pick out what you intend to plant next
• If you did not prune your perennials in the fall, it is generally safe to prune them once you start to see new growth. Of course, there are exceptions. Contact Father Nature to learn more.
• Be mindful of your herbaceous perennials. They generally die back during the winter and should emerge in the Spring
• Prune your woody shrubs to encourage new growth
• Other plants just may need a little sprucing up. Trim away tattered and warn foliage for a fresh Spring look.
• Ornamental grasses can be cut back to a few inches above the ground with no sign of new growth. New growth will occur when the plant is ready. (There are some exceptions)

For more specific information about plant requirements or pruning technique, send us an email and we would be happy to help you! Remember,

"Gardening is a labor of love. Exercise is just plain labor." Horticulturalist Steve Upson

Happy Gardening!

Time for a few seasonal tips from our designers!

Holiday Lighting

"The holiday season has come and gone with the speed of Santa's sleigh. Before we knew it, the sounds of carols and familiar smell of Christmas trees that permeated the air have left our homes. With the exit of the holiday season brings that familiar chore of taking down the Christmas lights. When you installed them you where filled with anticipation and probably didn't mind the cold weather or rain. Now is a different story, the rain and cold are still here and your fingers are going to get cold and numb along with the rest of you.To save yourself the time, hassle, and pain of hanging, removing, and storing your lights think of Father Nature Tacoma as the holidays approach in 2010. We are now offering this service to existing clients and would be happy to give you an estimate for seasonal lighting on your home and landscape. We are going to offer the new environmentally-friendly energy efficient LED lights and the standard incandescent lights. Both will be high quality lights that last for multiple seasons. Once again think of Father Nature Tacoma for your holiday lighting needs." - Chris Scheer, Father Nature of Tacoma

Winter Clean-up

With Spring around the corner, it is a great time to prepare early for the growing season. An important part of maintaining the health and beauty of your gardens is winter clean-up. Certain fungi and plant pathogens can overwinter in leaf litter, old pine straw, and mulch. There are a few things that can be done to help keep these nuisances from returning: Prune off dead or rotten limbs from trees and shrubs, cut back any dormant perennial foliage, and remove old leaves and pin straw/mulch from bed areas. Other applications, like copper sulfate, can also be used to help protect plant tissue. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Happy gardening! - Andrew Robinson, Father Nature of Mobile Bay

Ponds

Have a pond? Need some help? In all parts of the states, we have experienced some extremely cold temperatures this year. Keeping the water flowing in ponds and streams definitely helps keep ice from forming. Small pond heaters is an option to stop ice formation. My favorite solution for keeping ice at bay is aerators. Aerators not only keep the water moving, preventing ice build up, but also provide oxygen necessary for healthy fish and aids in the decomposition of organics at the bottom of your pond. If the duration of temperatures under freezing last for extended periods of time, and water begins the leave the cavity of your pond or stream because of ice build up, remove your pump and drain your filter to prevent them from freezing and needing replacement in the Spring. Stay posted for other helpful pond tips in the Spring newsletter! - Andrew McCurry, Father Nature of Birmingham

Design Importance

In general, design shows intent and gives purpose. Designed landscapes have the ability to accomplish numerous objectives. Outside of adding value to your property, designed landscapes have the ability to save you money in the long run. Whether it is a single installation or a multi-phased installation, we can help you save by making it a seamless transition from project to project. This helps you avoid addressing your landscape issues more than necessary. A design also helps to create a sense of place and extend livable areas to the outdoors. For more information, check out my latest post, titled "Remodeling your Landscape." - Marguerite Logan, Father Nature of Birmingham