Composing the Picture: Taking Stock
Question #2, when will the yard be used, is easier to answer. If every summer season is spent away from home than the best option is to plan a scheme for those months that looks neat and requires little maintenance. In this situation, an elaborate perennial garden is a waste of time, energy and money when a variety of slower growing trees and shrubs would enhance the same amount of space. Be very honest and unambiguous in answering this question.
A crucial issue is question #3: how will the property be used? Is your idea of a finished landscape one of low maintenance that embellishes the house...what Realtors term "curb appeal?" Or do you want a hobby or recreation area? Or is a plant paradise more to your liking?
An ongoing landscape project is certainly a possibility. Families, finances and needs all change. Just because you've captured ideas for 2002 and made a master plan does not mean it is engraved in stone. The plan can and should be changed as your lifestyle changes. Of importance here, however, is to again be honest and unambiguous. How your property will be used is central to space and time allocation, and any change will be the hub around which the master plan can be changed in the future.
You must plan around who will use your yard, question #4. We all know that the needs of senior citizens differ from those of growing children. However, we need to understand and plan for these differences, especially when a mixture of ages and interests will be sharing spaces. Perhaps the easiest way to prepare for an assortment of needs is to painstakingly watch in public parks and others yards how spaces are used and where difficulty is encountered.
Parents of young children remark that they've purchased beautiful play equipment that the children never use. When I find out where Mom & Dad hang out, it's usually in a plot, or working on a project on the other side of the yard. Moving the play equipment closer to what interests the adults usually results in family togetherness.
As their mobility decreases, seniors need flat, stable footing especially where levels change, and when level changes are drastic, handrails might be in order. Bird feeders, small water features, anything that brings in cheerful motion and sound, can provide a satisfying environment. And of course, a wide variety of comfortable places to
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