Landscape Design Newsletter
Issue 06-20-03
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Landscape Design and Gardening Newsletter
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06-20-03 Issue#304
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Written by Steve Boulden
Owner of S&S Designed Landscaping,LLC
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Hi,
Welcome to this issue of your landscape design newsletter.
Along with the detailed information on our site, this newsletter
is intended to give you simple tips and tricks to enhance and
simplify your landscape and gardening experience.
Most of the information in this newsletter is actual answers to
problems and questions that we deal with everyday as
professional landscaping contractors and designers. Sometimes it may seem too basic but keep in mind
that landscape design is just a lot of basics tied together to
create a whole. Eventually we'll cover all of it.
If you have specific questions about detail, just sent them to
steve@the-landscape-design-site.com and I'll do my best to
answer them for you.
I do hope you enjoy and get something out of this
issue.
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IN THIS ISSUE
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o Landscape Tips - Properly Using accent boulders in the
landscape
o Garden Tips - Soil Testing And Organics
o Send Me Your Questions
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LANDSCAPE TIPS - Properly Using Accent Boulders In Landscaping
Some of the simplest things can make the biggest difference in
your landscape.
Today I'll give you a simple little tip that will help
you avoid a common mistake that do it yourselfers
make while using accent rocks and boulders in landscaping.
Actually, I see professionals do this as well.
Accent boulders can add a lot interest, impact, and character
to your landscaping and garden design ideas. They can even add a second or third level to
your landscape without actually creating a new elevation.
NOTE: Really catchy and appealing landscape designs often
have more than one level.
However, accent boulders need to be made a part of the
landscape to create the most effect. Here's what I mean:
Most people just place landscape rocks directly on top of the
ground. This appears like they've just been thoughtlessly
placed around with no intentional method to the placement.
This adds nothing to the landscape and actually takes away from
it.
Burrying the bottom of the same rock can make an amazing
difference. You can bury up to a third of the boulder depending
on its size.
Simply dig out a little under where the boulder is to be set,
place it and place your ground cover around it. You'll see the
difference it makes. I've even seen boulders used like this in front yard landscaping ideas as a solitary design element. It looks very interesting with boulders popping up here and there throughout the landscape.
This will give a more natural look as it would appear in nature.
It also leaves a little to the imagination. There's no telling
how big the rock actually is or if it was really there to begin
with.
Also, if you're using more than one boulder, using the same
type and color match will help create unity in the landscape.
Using different types and color match will create an interesting
contrast (some of the time). Experiment a little.
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GARDEN TIPS - Soil Testing And Organics
Here's another basic-basic. Since I was asked this
question twice this week, I thought it was relevant to write
about.
The question was about conditioning and creating great soil.
Simply put, lots and lots and...lots of natural amendments
(organics, leaf mold, minerals, etc.) creates great soil.
But before I get into that part of this article, I want to talk
about the ph of your soil.
My Grandfather was an old time farmer from way back. He, like
farmers then and now, knew that the secret to optimum yield and
plant health is in the soil.
My Grandfather would actually taste the soil to check if it
was acid or alkaline. If it was bitter, it was alkaline. If it
was sweet, it was acid.
Fortunately, today we don't have to wonder around out in our
gardens eating dirt. Modern test kits are readily available,
accurate, and inexpensive.
Testing is important because Ph is a critical factor that
influences many functions of garden plant growth. One example would be
nutrient uptake. Even if you have an abundance of nutrients in
your soil, the wrong ph will cause the nutrients to remain
locked in the soil. Your plants can't even use them.
The overall health, color, and growth of your garden depends on
you knowing the ph preference of individual plants and adjusting
accordingly. It also depends on you knowing the nutrient levels
in the soil.
I don't recommend the testers with the metal probes. These
probes become invisibly corroded which makes them inaccurate.
Your best bet would be to use the simple, throw-away eyedropper
testers that are available at most nurseries and garden centers.
If you can't find them locally, You can find them online at
Yardiac.com. Just click the following link and enter "soil test"
in the search box.
http://www.the-landscape-design-site.com/cgi-bin/arp3/arp3-t.pl?l=2
O.K., so now you've tested your soil and it needs to be
conditioned. How do you adjust your soil and keep it there?
Like I said before, organics is the key. You can give your soil
a "shot in the arm" by adding harsh chemicals that you will have
to adjust month after month. Or.....
Every serious gardener should practice organic gardening and at
the very least have a compost bin. If you're not recycling your
grass clippings, leaves, and food scraps, you're throwing away
the best source of nutrients and soil buffers on Earth.
Using organics and compost will eventually create a natural
balance and buffer that will only need slight adjustment to meet
the requirements of individual plants. And the nutrient level is
natural so the nutrients are available to the plants as the
plants need them. Not too much, not too little.
Also, plants become more naturally resistant to insects and
diseases. This will save you a lot of time and money in harsh
chemicals.
Composting and organics is simple. There's no reason why
every serious gardener shouldn't be using it.
It's more involved than I can touch on in this article. However,
there are a few great books dedicated to the subject.
For composting, pick up a copy of Rodale's Book of Composting.
I've owned this book ever since I can remember. My copy is so
old that the binding is taped together. I use it often.
If you can't find this book locally, you can find it online at:
http://www.the-landscape-design-site.com/cgi-bin/arp3/arp3-t.pl?l=2
For organic gardening, get a copy of Rodale's All-New
Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening. If you can't find it locally,
you can find it online at:
http://www.the-landscape-design-site.com/cgi-bin/arp3/arp3-t.pl?l=4
So test your soil and adjust it naturally. Do this and by
the next one or two growing seasons you should start to reap the
rewards of more care free gardening with more beautiful, healthy
plants.
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SEND ME YOUR QUESTIONS
I would love to answer your individual questions about landscaping and garden
design in this newsletter. It's possible that our
other readers are having the same problems you are.
I won't be able to answer all questions. I'll answer those that
are asked most often.
Send your questions to askme@the-landscape-design-site.com
Please don't send your questions if you don't want them to
appear in this newsletter.
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That's all for this issue.
If you have questions or comments, feel free to email me at:
steve@the-landscape-design-site.com
See you in a week or two with the next issue,
Steve Boulden
S&S Designed Landscaping,LLC
DIY Backyard Garden Project Plans
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