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Re-Engineering Your Garden

by Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor,University of Vermont    

As your landscape matures, things change. Trees get taller and shade out areas. Bushes outgrow their space in the garden. Or it may be that your lifestyle has changed, and you no longer need to devote space to a children's play area or swing set. Whatever the case, there comes a time in every gardener's life when it's time to "re-engineer" the landscape plan.

Re-engineering means taking a look at what you have and reassessing what needs to be done to achieve the results that you want. It doesn't have to be a major undertaking, and once you have a plan in place, you may decide to make a few adjustments or changes each year rather than tackling the "re-do" all at once. But that's up to you.

Here are some thoughts from the National Garden Bureau on how to re-engineer your garden.

First, take a long, honest look at what you have. Because changes can occur subtly over several years, you might overlook the obvious, such as an increase in shade or a physical change in your garden. For example, maybe you added a deck and traffic patterns have changed. Or you took down the swing set and the focal point of your garden is now in the wrong place. Pretend you are the new owner of the house and view the landscape with as much objectivity as you can.

Is there an orderly look to the garden, or has it evolved over time? Even "natural" gardens have a plan behind them that keeps them looking natural instead of wild. If you haven't had a plan, now is a good time to start. You can either hire a professional or go back to the drawing board yourself.

Even if you decide to call on a pro, you will need to have some idea as to what you want your garden to look like eventually. Visualize it one area at a time. If your garden doesn't naturally break into areas, think about creating them by varying garden bed sizes and shapes, as well as plant types. Don't be afraid to take out beds if they don't work in your new plan.

As you evaluate your existing garden, you may discover that some plants don't perform as well as they once did. It could be that they need more light. Consider moving these to another area of the garden and replacing them with shade-tolerant plants like begonias and impatiens. If you don't know how well a plant will perform in a problem area, then plant one or two plants (in the ground or a container), and test them for one season.

Trees and shrubs not only grow taller and larger, but they can dramatically influence what can or can't be grown underneath or near them. You can have trees trimmed professionally to thin out branches and allow more light to filter to the ground. Or sometimes, the best solution is to have a tree removed. Ask your local tree experts for advice.

If pruning is needed, do it before midsummer so trees and shrubs have a chance to heal before winter. As pruning often stimulates new growth, summer bloomers should be pruned in early spring, spring bloomers just after they finish flowering for the season.

Almost every home has a problem area. Often it is the north side of the house, a walkway along one side of the house, or an area behind a garage or shed. Frequently, a simple cleanup is the first order of business. For example, once cleaned up, a dirt pathway can be spruced up with mulch or a layer of gravel and the addition of stepping stones.

A north wall that never gets any sun can be brightened up with containers or shade plants grouped or lined along the way. Use hanging baskets under an overhang. Alternating tall and short containers, and varying plant types and colors can turn a drab area into an attractive space.

When re-engineering your garden, keep in mind that all gardens need a focal point. A small garden needs only one, and larger gardens may need several. A focal point draws the eye to a special feature or planting and helps give the rest of the garden a more orderly look.

Focal points can be as simple as one spectacular plant or planting among others, or a feature such as a gazing globe, a water pond, or piece of statuary. In larger gardens, focal points can be created for different areas. On a patio, for example, a grouping of different sized pots can serve as a focal point, with one large pot being the center of attention. Or group tall plants in a mass surrounded by shorter plants or contrast colors and plant types.

Ornamental features such as large rocks, a pedestal, a statue, or a gazing ball are all natural focal points. Or add a bird bath or bird feeder. What about a trellis planted with morning glories, thunbergia, or other climbing plants?

Finally, consider color. A well-coordinated color scheme can really pull a garden together and refresh one that has gone stale. Use a combination of three or four colors to create a color theme. Red, white, and blue make your garden look patriotic. A combination of pink, white, and green is cool and refreshing. Yellow, blue, and white is bright and summery.

Remember, you don't have to start from scratch. Even a few simple changes will give new life to an old garden.


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University of Vermont