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Garden Coach… continued from page 32
Moodie Drive sells terrific compost you load yourself.
What we leave in our garden bags for pick up literally gets
cooked by the sun,then screened twice.The final product
at Trail Road is economical and wonderful to work with.
Bring on the Improvements
While tidying existing gardens and lawns,make note of
what is working and what might change. If you collected
magazine articles or photos of gardens you like, so much
the better. These will show common threads of what
appeals to you.
Young people in your life can bring important insights
into designing your outdoor space. I recall asking friends
Kevin and Lisa, aged 6 and 9 at the point of the story, for
their ideas about my new, barren backyard. Paper and
crayons in hand, they each offered fresh perspectives that
proved helpful in maximizing the use of my yard.
In brief, work through these questions when planning
changes:
• Do you have site issues such as slopes or strong winds?
• What traffic patterns do you want?
• What activities do you now enjoy? Might enjoy in future?
• What safety measures do you need (fencing, deck railings)?
• How can you enjoy these gardens from inside, particularly
during the winter?
• What about permits for hardscaping (decks, pools)?
• Are you being reasonable about budget and timelines?
July/August 2008 • 34 • Fifty-Five Plus Magazine
Bring on the Help
Busy families often wonder where to get practical help
to improve their outdoor space. Here are some places to
start.
Read up. Libraries are a great source.The Internet can be
also, with the understanding that some wrong information
exists in cyberspace.
Seeing is believing.When ideas are firm,lay out hoses
or rope to represent main spaces such as gardens and the
deck area.These are easily moved while considering shape
and size options.
Garden nursery staff. Particularly after the long
weekend in May,staff at these retail locations have time,talent
and interest in helping you solve specific questions.
Check out a few to find one who suits you. Remember to
check out specialty nurseries, such as those focused on
organic, shade or sun plants, or native trees.
Buddy Up. Often experienced gardeners are happy to
encourage others. Is there one in your life?
Busy? Select plants that have one or more of these
characteristics: low maintenance, drought resistant, fourseason
interest and hardy for zones 5a or 5b.
Cindy Bickerton is an avid gardener and writer, born
and raised in the Ottawa area. She has designed gardens
and solved property issues for years, and now coaches
others in their gardening journey.
Resources
• Municipal U-load-it Compost at Trail Road:
http://www.ottawa.ca/city_services/recycling_garbage/compost/compost_sale_en.html
• Residents of Ottawa can register to receive a free tree from the city:
http://ottawa.ca/residents/healthy_lawns/forestry/tree_program/index_en.html
Encouraging children to garden
• Many horticultural societies have programs for children. If children are in your home, contact a nearby horticultural
society for their version of developing future gardeners: http://www.gardenontario.org/soc/index.php
• Free pick up of cedar trimmings and free U-load-it
mulch: http://www.cedarleaf.org/english/default.html
Tips
Check out the Joneses — not to keep up with
them, but to see what plants work and what don’t in
your area.
It might be cheaper, but is it the right bargain
for you? I’m talking about plant sales by horticultural
societies or at private garage sales. Ask what condi-
tions your targeted plant needs and what its habits
are.Avoid invasive ones unless you really want to own
it for years.
Be realistic — installing new gardens and structures
is one thing. Maintaining them is another. Does
your lifestyle offer the time, energy or budget for both
installation and maintenance?