Although there is some gardening that can be done in January and February, the big season doesn?t really get underway until the worst part of the cold is over and done with.  Is that March this year?  April?  I should be taking side bets!

So here we sit, staring out the window, just itching to get things done.  As a diversion, many of us pore over garden magazines and plant catalogues with pretty pictures.  Something always catches our eyes, be it bulbs, perennials or shrubs and trees.  Ever optimistic, we always think we can find space to add just a few more things.  And, we do.

Usually I find myself falling into the trap of adding plants sort of ?willy-nilly,? instead of making a conscious decision to, for example, pick four or five new shrubs/perennials that will attract birds.  Or add plants to highlight a particular season, let?s say plants with fall color.  In other words, I usually do not make any sort of planned addition to the garden.  Don?t get me wrong, a bit of willy-nilly is not a bad look...  

One other strategy, when looking at all the pretty pictures, is to decide how to remodel a portion of the garden or to plan a new planting area.  Could the front edge of the driveway be dressed up?  The area by the front door or patio might need updating.  Keep in mind specific areas while you are daydreaming with the plant catalogues or home and garden magazines.

Put together a file with pictures of the looks you like, and pictures or lists of plants that you enjoy, and then add to the file as you go.  Some of our best designs have come forth when our customers have shared these files with us--and some were quite extensive, having been compiled over several years.

Each year we draw 90 to 120 landscape plans, and about one-third of that total is done between March and May--exactly as the gardening bug hits.  Some of these are for people who want to freshen up a particular area, some are for new houses where we are starting with a clean slate, and others are for overall landscape renovations.  Each and every one is a very rewarding project! Of course, we?d like to help you make your garden dreams come true; we welcome your questions. 

*Early Spring - Photo by wordcat57, available under a Creative Commons - Attribution license

Use these cold months for planning ahead.

This underutilized area needed to be remodeled.

This new pathway invites you to take a stroll.