Lodi experts offer helpful tips on landscaping
Springtime, a time for renewing and refreshing, is rapidly coming upon us. Many of us will soon be getting that springtime itch that beacons us to those much-needed home improvements. One way to cure the itch is to decorate the house inside and out with plants and flowers.
Cold weather may have left an outside landscape neglected and in need of some grooming. If landscaping ideas are hard to come by Lifetime Master Gardener, Fred Hoffman recommends visiting Home and Garden shows that are held at Cal Expo and the Sacramento Convention Center. They are good places to find qualified landscapers and also to get some tips from the pros.
To find the best landscape, you will need to evaluate your needs, requirements and the characteristics of the area you wish to landscape. Tony Fugazi, owner of The Garden Shoppe, said to landscape according to what matches the house, the size and location. But, above all, what you like.
“Buy what you like and then go to a nursery and ask if it will work in that location. It’s all about knowledge and knowing what works and doesn’t work in the area,” he said.
Landscaping may be difficult for those on a tight budget. For more economical landscaping, Hoffman suggests starting out using seeds for outdoor landscaping, and growing them indoors in a sunny window in dixie cups. They can then be planted outdoors in April or May.
For plants already grown, Hoffman suggests not planting outdoors too soon because the soil will be too cold. He said to wait until all danger of frost is past, which in this area is in March.
Vern Weigum, of Weigum’s Nursery, suggests using Camelias, Azaleas, Japanese Maples, Primroses and Pansies for outdoor landscapes. When it gets hot, he recommends giving them ample water without wasting water. He also said it is very important to give them fertilizer.
“Just like people eat, plants also eat,” he said.
For more tips on how to care for plants, Weigum recommends buying the Sunset Western Book. The book gives advice on the zones needed, the exposure for sun and the amount of water that is needed.
“Everyone should have one in their home,” he said.
Dogs may mean trouble for landscape maintenance. Hoffman said dogs like to be near the fence and suggests planing shrubs and flowers about four to five feet from the fence line to give dogs that space they need. Weigum said there are chemicals that dogs don’t like to smell can also help to repel them away from the plants.
Plants and flowers brought into the home can help make the home look fresh and bright. Chinese Evergreens, Philodenbron’s or Pothos are good to bring in the home. Smaller plants, such as Epipremnums, which are hanging vines, and Spathiphyllums, or Peace Lillys, also make good indoor choices. Taller plants to bring in the home would include Dracaenas or Fish Tail Palms.
To arrange plants and flowers in the home, Hoffman suggests matching the plant with the exposure. If the plant needs a lot of light, put it near a south or west window. If it needs little light, put it in an east window. He said if the light is good enough to read by, it is good enough for the plant.
Fugazi recommends finding plants that are relative to the height and wall symmetry. He also said it is best not to overwater them. He suggests using potliners, which allow the plant to live on a wet and dry cycle. To use potliners, water the plant from the top and fill to the bottom of the liner, and then let the plant dry for two weeks. If you don’t want to spend the extra money, Hoffman suggests sticking your index finger into the soil. If it feels moist, don’t water it.
For an inexpensive decorating idea, Hoffman said to buy some inexpensive pots that you can put the other pots into. When you want to change the look, just trade out the containers.
Linda Ausherman, of Ausherman Interiors, said just by using your imagination, you can come up with some great decorating ideas.
“A person’s imagination is their only limit. It’s amazing what you can do without spending any money, and just using your imagination,” she said.
She suggests taking some grass seeds and putting them in a dish with potting soil. In a week or two, you will have grass that can be decorated with colorful eggs for an Easter centerpiece. Other options would include silk flowers that look realistic and can be changed seasonally. Bows can be tied and weaved into the decor as well. Small figurines can be grouped with plants and ornaments and can be added for each holiday occasion. She said large and dramatic accessories on coffee tables, which can include plants, are always a very warm and inviting thing to do.
When decorating people’s homes, Ausherman said that she likes to go through their closets and find items like baskets, pictures and bowls to add to their decor.
“It’s amazing, the things that people don’t realize they have,” she said.
