Steve’s latest post on his difficulty in getting his front yard to a place where it pleases him, along with the responses from readers who echo his sentiment, is a reminder that for many of us gardeners that extending our gardening repertoire from the backyard to the front is a significant challenge. Below is a picture of my house and garden when it was spanking new. Even back then I knew that this was not a pretty picture!
OK, I admit it. Our front yard is a wreck. We’ve been in this house almost 14 years and I have yet to create a satisfying front yard garden. I have lots of excuses some are even good: Not even our guests use the front door; it’s a tricky spot–a long wooded slope leveling off to about 15-wide sliver of a shelf on the north side of the house; we live in the woods so we don’t have to adhere to any neighborhood code of aesthetics; yada, yada, yada. Continue Reading →
There’s a lot to be said for having peace, solitude, and privacy while gardening. In the back yard or behind walls or fences, sheltered from prying eyes, we can dress for comfort rather than style, bend and twist into awkward positions, sing loudly and off-key while we’re working, and get plenty dirty and sweaty without caring about what anyone else thinks. Continue Reading →
