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A LAWN IS JUST ONE IDEA FOR YOUR YARD
Seems like I spent most of my youth mowing the lawn. It was hotter then, I think, and the grass grew faster than it does nowadays. Plus, we didn't have a riding lawn mower.
We had a pretty good-sized lawn, but it wasn't a five-acre field like some lawns I see today. There definitely is a correlation between large lawns and the advent of the riding lawnmower. (In the "old days," the correlation for a large lawn was with the number of kids in the family!)
I think another motive for large lawns is that idyllic picture in a parent's or grandparent's mind of the whole clan out there on that grand expanse of green playing a multi-generational game of softball.
When I see a large lawn, my imagination runs wild with images of what could be planted or placed in that lawn area. Things like trees. Shrubs. Patios. Perennial gardens. Wildflowers. Ponds. Rock gardens. Orchards.
If a large lawn is your pride and joy, my advice is to not change a thing. But if you occasionally ponder alternative uses for the space outside your window, here are some ideas. (NOTE: Since readers' "yards" may vary in size from an apartment windowsill to a 1,000-acre farm, not every idea will fit each person's space.)
The first step is a plan. Ask yourself how you want to use the space, and what types of materials you find most appealing. A landscape plan can incorporate a variety of objects - large and small plants, wood, rock, etc. A plan can be informal or formal; it can include your own ideas as well as ideas from friends, neighbors and gardens you've seen elsewhere.
A more formal plan can be created by a landscape designer (see yellow pages or the classified section of this paper). I highly recommend using the services of a landscape designer. They have creative ideas that can be tailored to your space and tastes.
I have had several plans created by landscapers, with excellent results. For many years I lived on a 40'x120' lot with a 2-story house in the middle. Despite the limited yard area, we were able to create a nice landscape that incorporated 14 tons of rocks (6" to 2' diameter), evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs, annual and perennial flowers, planter boxes, hanging pots, a small patio and deck, and a contoured lawn. A medium-height fence on both sides defined the space and provided a backdrop for plantings.
Think of your yard as art. You can alter the picture quite dramatically or "just a little bit" depending on the materials and plants you choose and the way you combine them.
If you have existing trees, consider planting woodland shrubs and wildflowers to create a woodland garden. Many wildflowers bloom in the spring before the leaves emerge, and then ferns, hostas and other shade-loving plants emerge and thrive under the shade of larger trees.
If you have lots of space, consider establishing a "prairie garden" by planting native prairie grasses and perennials. Check out the Arboretum's excellent prairie area to determine if a prairie garden appeals to you. An alternative to a native prairie is to plant prairie plants in flowerbeds (e.g., Blazing star, Kansas gayfeather, blanket flower, butterfly weed).
For smaller yards, rock or wall gardens can offer visual diversity and provide an environment for interesting shrubs and flowers. Rock and wall gardens work best in yards that have some natural slope.
Flower gardens with curving borders are more pleasing to the eye than straightedge borders. You can add interest with fence backdrops, boulders, trellises, arbors, benches or other objects. Select a mixture of flowers so something is in bloom from early spring to late fall.
Yards and gardens are an expression of your personality and lifestyle. It all comes down to creating a space that you enjoy. For some that space may be a lush lawn where all the blades of grass point in the same direction. For others...the possibilities are limited only by your imagination.
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PUTTING DOWN ROOTS:
A Delightful Blend of
Gardening Wisdom, Wit
and Whimsy
$10 + $2 for shipping
by Cliff Johnson |
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