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Who says you can't plant anything under Cedars?! It's a challenge, but it's possible. This small urban backyard has it all:
several native plants (including the Western Red Cedars against the back fence), blooms through most of the year, and the
requirements for naturescaping - food, shelter, nesting places, and water. It's lower maintenance, provides beauty year 'round,
and even has space for the humans to relax and entertain.
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Working with Mother Nature means letting the plants, bees, bugs, birds, beneficial insects, and soil micro-organisms do their
thing. It therefore means gardening organically and using lots of compost, whether provided by Ol' Mom Nature herself, you,
or purchased from someone else.
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Using plants native to your region is one way to ensure that a plant is suitable, though considering cultural requirements
is necessary whether native or not. Using plants that provide habitat needs, whether native or not, contributes to naturescaping,
which in turn contributes to lower maintenance. And allowing a little imperfection and opportunism results in less work,
and delightful surprises.
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In addition to plant selection, you can help nature along by providing habitat needs with birdfeeders, birdhouses, birdbaths,
ladybug houses, bathouses, toad hideaways, etc.. By depending on organic compost and mulch instead of fertilizers, planting
natives and the right plant in the right place, putting up with some imperfection and pleasant surprises and working with
Nature, you will end up with a landscape that is vital, easier to maintain, and attractive all year. After all, it is your
little piece of paradise on this beautiful earth--your landscape should give you pleasure, as well as provide an oasis for
humans and other critters.
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| Compost, Compost, Compost |
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| Easy composting: not well hidden due to lack of space, but well worth it. |
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| A long-lasting Summer combination |
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| A fragrant exotic and an easy-care native, making bees, butterflies and hummingbirds happy |
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| Keeping the critters happy... |
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| ...so they'll stick around and eat the bad bugs! |
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salamanderd@earthlink.net
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