Seattle-based garden designer Stacey Crooks creates beautiful, eco-friendly, low-maintenance gardens throughout the Pacific Northwest. Her latest article, published in the December 2024 issue of Fine Gardening magazine, describes the creation of a vibrant, plant-based garden in a cookie-cutter neighborhood developed during the post-World War II building boom. We are tackling the challenge of integrating. To coincide with the publication of this article, we are revisiting this fascinating interview to highlight some of the most valuable insights Stacey has gained over her years of experience. Anyone can use Stacey’s rules of thumb to make their outdoor space more inviting and easier to maintain.
Stacey’s rules of thumb for garden design
Identify your project. Ask yourself, “What do I want to achieve?” and “Why do I want to do this?” Having a clear goal in mind makes it easier to choose the right design, style, and plants, whether it’s lower maintenance, improved curb appeal, or more wildlife in your garden. It will be. Get to know your site. You need to know the limitations before making any changes. Determine the lighting and angle of your garden, soil type, drainage, topography, and size. Consider irrigation (if you need water, where will it come from?) and access (how will you get into and move around your garden?), and set your budget with all of this in mind. Get inspired. Once you have clear goals and guidelines, it’s time to make a solid plan. People always ask, “Where do I start?” Participate in activities that promote learning and friendships. Read books and magazines, go to lectures. Join a garden club. Volunteer in a public garden. Look for opportunities in newspapers and on the Internet. Take notes, make lists, and create sketches. Take photos of the gardens you visit and copy them. There is no zone denial. When purchasing plants at your local garden store, read the tags carefully. Please choose only the one that suits your workplace and your lifestyle. If you are unsure, please ask your childcare worker. Make sure the amount of care your plants require matches the time and energy you have available. Finish one garden before starting another. Don’t buy plants that are not suitable for your current project. Plants will die just waiting for you to plant them. Stick to the list. Be responsible for the environment. Always aim to reduce your use of water, fertilizers and chemicals. The better you understand your site, the more success it will naturally become. It’s important to garden less, use fewer resources and labor, and enjoy your space more.
05 Agave planted in gravel
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