Don't Panic: Step One to Transforming Your Landscape

You know those houses with immaculate lawns and manicured gardens?

Me, neither.

Our new house and garden is a beautiful English Cottage-style house three blocks from downtown... exactly what my husband wanted. And the yard, a double-lot backing onto a playground, is more than I dared hope for moving back into town.

I'll come to love it.

The previous owners had been here for decades. And decades. And decades. They loved it, and beneath the overgrown state of the yard, I can see that there was once a much loved garden here.

But it had gotten a bit out of hand.

What with the warm weather after Christmas (6 degrees! Quick! Break out the summer dresses!) I was twitching to dig in, but, as with any big project, if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I am dreaming of a vegetable garden, a greenhouse, a barn for the chickens, a cottage-style garden with roses climbing the house, but none of that will succeed if I don't take this one step at a time.

So, besides gathering every gardening book, magazine and catalogue I own, WHAT is the first step?

Evaluate.

Take a stroll, a camera, a pencil and paper, and look carefully for things that will get in the way of your dream. For example, overgrown trees and/or shrubs. Yes, mature plants can be a boon to a garden (they're called 'bones'), but if they block light, desirable views, choke out other plants or can be overheard plotting to do away with the family dog, it's time to consider getting rid of them.

Thanks, Google, for this street view (2012)

I'm sure they were a good idea at the time.

You also need to look for structural issues around the house and yard. That pretty boxwood will look great covered in Christmas lights, but what's lurking behind it? And that cedar growing against the house is probably doing a fair bit of damage to your roof and siding. 

Aha! A sinkhole pretending to be 'retained'.

Some grading issues. What's buried under there?

And even though it's winter, look for invasive species, especially when inheriting an older garden.

Darn you, Ivy, my nemesis.

 A lot of invasives wear a friendlier guise in the garden centre. That's how they lure you in:

It's a rose. Seriously.

And take the time to make note of the state of patios, decks, fences and pathways:

Too narrow for safety or comfort.

This path goes... nowhere.

Well, nuts.

Doesn't everyone have a patio buried in their back yard??

And, keep an eye out for any unwelcome infestations:

OK, the kids built a fort against the fence. Not exactly an infestation... exactly.

While you're at it, take photos of the yard as it is today. It's overwhelming, I know, but someday it will be beautiful!

Give me 5 years.

Once you know exactly what you're dealing with, prioritize. Make a plan. Don't do it all at once: you'll break your back and your bank. Be flexible. Be patient. Every wheelbarrow load of crap out is one less wheelbarrow load sitting on your future greenhouse site.

Happy Gardening.

Stay tuned for "Don't Panic: Step Two. You Planted WHAT?? A note on invasive species"