If you remember, I talked about five useful January projects about a month ago.  Unsure what to do this month?  I’m here to help!

1. Prune Deciduous Trees.  By now, the winter has really started to take a toll on your trees or shrubs.  The snow and ice can weigh down branches and the cold, dry air isn’t helping either.  Tend to these plants by removing dead or dying branches that have been injured by disease, insects, animals, or weather.  Getting rid of the dead or dying branches will make room for new growth as weather gets warmer.  Pruning your trees and shrubs now will also improve their appearance for the spring.  You will have plenty to focus your attention on in April and May to keep your garden looking great; this is a step that can be done early to keep your entire lawn neat and fruitful.
2. Plant Bare Rooted Fruit Trees and Shrubs. Unlike many other plants, you can plant dormant bare-rooted trees and shrubs anytime the ground isn’t frozen.  Just like pruning your deciduous trees, this is a garden project that can be started now to make time for other activities in the coming months.  February is the perfect time to start planting these (as long as the ground isn’t frozen, of course!) because not only are the prices low while the weather is still cold, they will have plenty of time to take root and thrive in the coming seasons.  Choose a tree or shrub with strong, fresh, and plump looking roots and branches, and then plant it as soon as you get home.  Remember, the roots will perish if not kept covered and moist!
3. Start your Seeds. If you live in a part of the world where the cold creeps into March and even April, it can help to start your seeds indoors.  Purchasing fresh seeds meant for the upcoming season will give you the best results, and then it’s just a matter of creating your garden inside.  All plants and vegetables need rich soil, water, and light.  Line your containers up on a window sill or near plenty of natural light and keep an eye on moisture levels to give your plants a head start.  If it starts to warm up toward the end of February, you can prepare your plants for the outdoors.  Start by letting the containers sit outside in a shady area for a few hours or the day, then bringing them in to protect them from the cold nights.
4. Get Inspired. If you’re spending time looking out the window above your kitchen sink wondering how you want to make this spring and summer better than the last, finish the dishes and grab your keys.  Don’t let yourself get into a routine of planting the same flowers and vegetables every year! Stretch yourself and get a little uncomfortable by trying something new, interesting, and different.  Take a trip to a green house, conservatory, or nursery to gain new ideas and talk to experts in the field.  Or, if all else fails, grab a pile of gardening and outdoor magazines and start tearing out pages of gardens or plants you particularly like.  Get the family involved by asking your kids if they have any ideas for the garden, and let them help you choose which flowers to pursue!
5. Plan Landscaping Projects.  Speaking of trying new things, now is the perfect time to start planning any landscaping projects.  If you’ve always fancied a garden bridge or gazebo, don’t wait to start exploring the opportunity until the spring is here.  Designing structures and planning whole landscapes needs time to ensure every detail is perfect, so don’t sell yourself short by waiting until the last minute.  Starting your planning now can also ensure that installation will be completed by the time you would like to start enjoying it.  Gazebos erected and finished early will get a lot more family use when everyone can’t wait to be outside.  Spend time browsing selections of pergolas, gazebos, and cabanas to decide which will suit your needs best.  If you haven’t taken time to see where structures have evolved lately, you may be surprised to see the variety of gazebo shapes, sizes, roof profiles, and materials.  The same goes for pergolas and sunrooms.  Remember, don’t be afraid to employ an experienced landscape designer for more intensive projects; again, the earlier you get into the appointment book, the more time they will have to dedicate to your project.  Starting early will allow more warm months to enjoy your hard work!

See You Outside!

Hazel.

Today we’re featuring Landscape Designer Jenny Peterson for a post featuring her wide expertise on client-directed landscape design.

One of Jenny Peterson's landscape designs featuring a garden bridge

Jenny Peterson and her team have been creating cool gardens in the Austin area since 2001. From elegant courtyards to funky meditation spaces, Jenny’s gardens span the spectrum.   Jenny listens to her clients and brings out their style and taste so their landscape always reflects the personality of the owner.

Trained as a Master Gardener, Jenny brings a deep understanding of the ecosystems that promote a vibrant garden: healthy soil, integrated pest management, appropriate plant choices and organic methods. She is committed to using primarily native and adapted plants to conserve water and reflect the beautiful Texas landscape.
You can contact her by phone at 512.922.3359, email her at j_peterson63@yahoo.com, or follow her tweets with @Mulch Maven. Be sure to check her out at http://www.JPetersonGardenDesign.com/

As a landscape designer, it’s my job to help my clients create the best landscape they can have, but before I can put any plants in, I have to pay careful attention to the structure in and of the garden itself. Structural elements in the garden are significant because they create a sense of importance, permanence and visual interest, but also because they dictate the flow of the landscape and the way the garden is used.

Which brings me to the very first question I ask my clients: How do you want to use your garden? Their answers tell me which direction I should go: what plants to use, whether to have a lawn or not, if we need more deck space, and how I should lay out the entire space. So here’s a rundown on the most popular uses of gardens, with suggestions of how you can achieve it with careful choice of structures, plants and accessories:

• Relaxation: If you want to primarily relax in your yard, you’re looking for low-maintenance plants with lots of evergreen foliage so you’re not spending your time pruning and fertilizing. Plan for enough deck or patio space to comfortably accommodate chairs, lounges, swings or picnic tables. Remember to plan an area under shade trees for a hammock, or even a cabana for the ultimate sense of vacation!
• Play: You probably have children and possibly pets if you want to use your yard primarily for play! Make sure you have enough lawn space to run around on or set up a croquet course or playscape, remembering to look into water-wise lawn options like Buffalo grass. Try to incorporate features like pathways and bridges for kids to explore and be a part of the landscape rather than trying to avoid it. Pay attention to plant use as well—softer, non-toxic plants that can take a lot of foot traffic is a must!
• Entertainment: Most of my clients want to be able to entertain in their landscapes, so we plan to have additional patio or deck space to accommodate larger crowds. We also remember to add features like firepits that draw people together. Plan for a variety of seating areas, possibly adding a second feature like a gazebo away from the house where you and your friends can gather. Carefully plan a pathway to that structure, meandering through the garden and paying attention to landscape lighting so guests feel safe walking around. You might want to be a bit more dramatic with your plant selection as well—large leafed tropicals, brightly flowering cannas or heavily-scented roses.

There is a lot you can do yourself, but don’t be afraid to enlist the expertise of an experienced landscape designer to help you plan your space out. If you commit to a bit of thinking and planning ahead, you can create a landscape that is beautiful, functional and fits your lifestyle perfectly!