Gardening On A Budget

A colleague of mine recently forwarded me an e-mail he received about how to effectively manage gardens and landscapes on a tight budget. A timely topic of interest amid today's economy-conscious society. The e-mail contained tips from Steve Jacobs, president of San Diego-based Nature Designs Landscaping.

The content seemed mostly aimed at the end-consumer. However, there were a few points of interest I think are good reminders for those in the landscape industry, such as:

• Plant perennials instead of annuals. Annuals are short lived, use excessive water and must be replaced, while there is a large selection of drought tolerant perennials that can live for many years and offer plenty of beautiful color.
• Eliminate lawn where you are not using it. Lawns are one of the most intensive maintenance and water consuming plantings in a landscape, requiring weekly mowing, edging and recurrent irrigation.
• Prune naturally instead of formally. When you prune for the natural growth habit of the plant you will reduce the amount of pruning needed per year, resulting in decreased costs. Hedging and balling your plants will create a need for frequent pruning, and the tools and/or professional landscape maintenance services that goes with it.
• Identify and rectify irrigation problems.
• Select drought tolerant plants. These plants, like the Mediterranean and native variety, will use less water and can require very little maintenance.
• Put the right plant in the right spot. Install plants that can grow to maturity where they are planted with minimal care or pruning. Such “zone appropriate” planting will ensure the plant or tree won’t outgrow its space and need to be frequently pruned or, worse, relocated at risk of losing the plant all-together.
• Apply fertilizer modestly. Fertilize only as needed based on the requirements of your individual plants.

Basic stuff, yes. Good info to keep in mind, you bet.