Amorphous

Amorphous

a·mor·phous –adjective. lacking definite form; having no specific shape; formless: the amorphous clouds of no particular kind or character; indeterminate; having no pattern or structure; unorganized: an amorphous style; an amorphous personality. The Problem In our field, amorphous is a ‘nails on the chalkboard’ kinda word. Just as I explained in an earlier post, anyone can go to Home Depot and buy a bunch plants and dig a few holes. The same applies to the shapes you create around your property. But the ‘have shovel, will create bed-edges’ theory creates more of a mess than one could imagine, and falls far short of satisfactory in the end. Many times, bed edges are arbitrarily created. The end result is a series of curves that have no relationship to existing geometry (such as adjacent buildings, the existing plantings they’ll encompass, property lines, etc.), or to other curving bed edges nearby. The Solution When creating planting beds in the landscape, care should be given to their shape and size. Having a plan that shows the ‘top’ view of your property is where we begin. This allows you to see every element that relates to the bed you’re creating. Some things to keep in mind: Create gentle, sweeping curves. A radius of 5′ or more is sufficient where possible. This allows a lawn mower to easily follow the edge without having to stop and abruptly change directions. Keep bed edges beyond (outside) the canopy of any tree within it. This ensures that the root system remains undamaged, as they usually extend from the trunk as much as the canopy does. Only make a...
Bland

Bland

bland –adjective. 1. lacking in special interest, liveliness, individuality, etc.; insipid. aka: bor·ing (bôr’ĭng, bōr’-) -adj. Uninteresting and tiresome; dull. The Problem Is this how you want your brand new yard to feel to yourself or those you invite over, upon its completion, to show it off? Is this the impression you want after spending thousands of your hard earned dollars and having a substantial portion of your yard torn up and full of machinery for days/weeks (months)? Didn’t think so. I’m not saying to go ‘Vegas’ on your yard. No, that would be WAY over the top (but if that IS your bag, then I’m already preachin’ to the choir). How about somewhere in between? All together now: ‘Ahhhhhhh.’ That’s more like it. Bland means 100 of the same plant. Masses of the same color or texture. Things that bloom during the exact same two week window during early summer, then retreat to that comfortable shade of green that just about disappears until fall, if you’re lucky enough to have picked the right plant to produce a fall color. Usually not, though. It was probably an evergreen, wasn’t it? A yew? An arborvitae, hosta? Thought so. They’re so easy; so conservative. Wouldn’t want the neighbors to think we’re doing anything fun over here. Don’t want them to approach the HOA and report us. God forbid, we may get a WARNING LETTER on our front door for being too creative or too individualistic. Wait, who am I kidding. Nobody goes to the front door anymore (except for me!!). It would be an email, probably Cc’d to everyone on the street....
Cost

Cost

cost –noun 1. the price paid to acquire, produce, accomplish, or maintain anything: the high cost of a good meal. 2. an outlay or expenditure of money, time, labor, trouble, etc.: What will the cost be to me? The Problem Even though this IS the avoidable alphabet, cost isn’t something to necessarily avoid, as much as it is to be careful of. Cost has many variables attached to it, but for now we’ll focus on three of them: value, quality and sacrifice. Cost, in case you didn’t notice, is also a four-letter word. Yup, one of THOSE four-letter words. But it doesn’t have to be, and I’m here to explain the why’s and how’s. Let’s go back to those three words I mentioned above, starting with value. Ask yourself, ‘Am I adding value to my property by implementing my vision?’, or ‘Will the finished product be worth more to me than what I paid for it?’ (you’ll see these questions repeated in a future post that highlights one of my favorite new books about effective business practices. It’s called ‘The Go-Giver’, and I suggest you read it yesterday…)But for now, these first questions will help gauge the level of value you’re about to receive. Next is quality. Out of all the bids and proposals and cost-estimates and concepts and materials and plants and designers and… Out of everything you’ve seen and touched and heard in the process leading up to the point where you sign on the dotted line and fork over that deposit check, are you certain that you’re choosing the option that provides for you the highest...