Archive for Garden Tips – Page 2

Attractive front entry with steel riser steps, big pavers and balanced hardscapes

Preparing Your Landscape for Selling Your Portland Home

Posted by Carol 
· January 28, 2025 

Spruce Up Your Yard for Curb Appeal: Expert Tips from a Landscape Designer

Are you planning to downsize in the next few years?  You might be ready for a simpler life, but before you sell your house, giving your yard a touch-up—or a full redesign!—could make a considerable difference in attracting potential buyers and getting the best offers.

Before photo shows our clients in N. Portland started a re-design with newly poured concrete but got stuck, stopped and called us.
Attractive front entry with steel riser steps, big pavers and balanced hardscapes
This front yard landscape in Kenton neighborhood in St. Johns gets an A for curb appeal and feels welcoming.  Nice work by the clients and our designer Alana Chau.

However, the good news is that you may not need to spend a fortune on a total yard makeover! As a landscape designer with extensive experience designing front landscapes to look and feel inviting, I have some friendly tips to share with you.

1. Consult Early with Professionals

Usually, I suggest my clients consult with a realtor (yes, even two or three years early) or a landscape designer like me with experience in preparing home landscapes for resale. Why? A professional will help you determine where to invest your money effectively. We are impartial to all the personal details of your landscape.  There’s no need to fix every little thing; you just want to address what’s truly necessary. Realtors and seasoned landscape designers like myself have the insights needed to pinpoint and address potential buyer’s priority concerns.

2. Curb Appeal: First Impressions Matter

A bad curb appeal photo can be a deal-breaker these days. Plan now to ensure your entry photo is a wow factor or at the very least, has no unattractive views. Take a few photos from different angles and ask a friend for their opinion. Sometimes, a fresh set of eyes can spot things you might overlook.

No front walk to the front door is a curb appeal problem!
No front walk is a curb appeal problem.
After photo shows how the front landscape adds curb appeal.
After design and installation by D and J Landscape Contractors this front landscape feels and looks inviting.

3. Screen Unattractive Views

Looking into a neighbor’s yard or window from key areas of the home can be off-putting for potential buyers. People feel strongly about privacy. I often design for homeowners within one or two years of their moving into a new home, and I’ve noticed that a lot of the initial discomfort due to lack of privacy tends to fade over time.  However, to appeal to a buyer’s initial concerns, providing more privacy or screening than you have needed maybe crucial. Starting now means you can plant something that shows promise of future screening, even if it hasn’t reached its full height by the time you move.

4. Enhance Key Views

Privacy fence for ADU in north Portland, Oregon

Views from picture windows and master bedrooms are key selling points. Block unattractive views, such as a shed, with a well-placed small tree or large shrub. Remember a plant is not always the solution.  Enhancing these views can transform the space into a tranquil retreat that buyers will love.

5. Keep It Simple

Synthetic lawn and colorful plantings give this NE Portland front landscape landscape design welcoming appeal.

An overly manicured landscape or one with lots and lots of cottage garden style plantings can scare off potential buyers. A simple yard with a neatly shaped lawn and well-maintained planting beds is more appealing. If you have a native plant area that looks very natural, consider getting a backyard bird certification sign. The certification sign can give the impression your natural styled outdoor space is deliberate and cared for.

6. Avoid the Appearance of Ongoing Projects

Ensure that nothing in your yard looks like a project for the potential buyer. Buyers want to envision themselves moving in without additional hassles. A clean, well-maintained yard says “move-in ready.”

Wrapping up

Following these tips can spruce up your yard without the expense of a total makeover.

PS: Remember, while Realtors are experts in market trends, don’t underestimate the value a skilled landscape designer can bring to the table. We’re here to help make your yard look its absolute best, ensuring a smooth and successful sale!

Contact Us

Contact us for a landscape design that takes into account the future of your property whether you plan to live there 20 years or three.  We love to draw up our designs inspired by ideas from your dreams but you can count on us to lay the foundation for future resale. 

Categories : Before and Afters, Garden Tips, No Lawn Front Yards
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Portland Hillside Landscape Designer Carol Lindsay WM

Native Plants and Functional Backyard Design for a Steep Hillside

Posted by Carol 
· January 22, 2025 

Taming the slope for a family that loves to be in their back yard!

Imagine walking into your own lush, forested oasis, where every corner is alive with the buzz of pollinators and the chirping of native birds. If you value sustainability, desire to sequester carbon, and want a landscape that thrives with native flora and fauna, then you’ve found the right landscape designer to bring your vision to life.

Take, for example, Ben and Naja, who were eager to transform their Portland hillside property. Though their home had stunning front-facing windows for sunsets, the backyard posed a challenge with its intimidating slope. Nevertheless, their love for the outdoors drove them to find a solution.

Before our landscape design process ivy was removed but the steep slope remained difficult to navigate and was not inviting....at all.
Before our landscape design process ivy was removed but the steep slope remained difficult to navigate and was not inviting….at all.

Eco Friendly Backyard Dream

Dedicated to their eco-friendly backyard dream, Ben and Naja contacted Bird Alliance of Oregon to learn what it would take to earn a Backyard Habitats Certification for their property. Next they contacted me, Carol Lindsay, Landscape Design in a Day.  They wanted someone who could think about all the needs of their large property and create a custom landscape plan they could install. While they waited for our design day they removed more invasive plant species with determination, a testament to their dedication to crafting a restorative woodland garden.

When I first met them, these goals became ours:

  • Harnessing their carpentry skills, our design would center on environmentally sustainable materials like juniper wood and low-water native plants.
  • Crafting cozy, inviting spaces for relaxation and entertainment.
  • Improving the accessibility of their third-acre sloping property in SW Portland.
  • Designing a serene hammock retreat, nestled in the woods yet conveniently close to the house, and…that could double as a firepit area.
  • Establishing pathways that seamlessly connect the front yard to the new backyard seating area and woodlands beyond, ensuring easy maintenance access to control invasive species.  The existing mature trees and native soil were just waiting for liberation from invasive weeds.

Locally-Sourced Juniper Wood Retaining Wall

The transformation began with a forest patio integrated into the hillside near their back door deck. We used locally-sourced juniper wood, crafted retaining walls that doubled as seating instead of using concrete. This patio space enjoys cool shade in the afternoons and sunlight in the morning.

Since their existing deck is not hospitable in the afternoons, our second seating area allowed more outdoor living in the summer than they had ever had.

The first phase integrates the existing deck up into the woods with a series of steps and a wide sitting wall that also retains the hillside.
Before our design process the side yard was unattractive and difficult to use especially when it was raining and muddy.
The design of the steep stairs has sloped tread area to make the stairs less visually formidable and comfortable to use. Native plants adorn the side planting areas.  Stair risers are juniper wood.

Environmental Backyard Landscape Design Results:

Nature Trail and Pathways

The once-steep and unusable side yard was reimagined into an accessible, inviting area. It’s truly beautiful and was a tremendous amount of work. Count those stairs; every single one was installed by our clients. With a labor of love and assistance from family (talented fathers helped), Ben, Naja, and their daughter hauled 2.5 tons of materials, proving that professional construction wasn’t necessary for this project.  Naja, showcasing her impressive work boots, even removed a large stump single-handedly.

We (Alana Chau) designed a nature trail leading to the top of the property, enhancing the experience with over 100 native plants all species (no cultivars that can confuse pollinators), carefully placed in their correct planting spot.

A section of woodland path near the top of our client’s sloped backyard with native plants.

Visiting the Completed Design Installation

Select the very best grade of juniper wood to have it last 30 years without rotting.

Two years later we set up a visit with our clients to see the results.  The landscape plantings have matured beautifully; it’s heartwarming to see the patio, walls, and forest surroundings work so well for this family’s backyard.  And also to hear how happy they are using their backyard. 

The hammock patio, initially designed for multiple use, is predominantly a peaceful hammock haven used daily by Naja.

Native Plants Supply Wildlife Friendly Environment

The hundreds of native plants have flourished, with the exception of our original choice for a privacy shrub, Oregon Wax Myrtle, which we anticipate will grow denser with time.  The enchanting stroll up through the matured native plant garden reveals abundant wildlife, from busy chickadees and juncos to the surprising resident, an ermine, who has claimed its territory with a charming boldness.  Photos that Ben shared with us show the ermine either smiling or showing its teeth–we will go with smiling.  They are close to qualifying for the silver Backyard Habitats Certification with most of invasive plants banished.

After photo of our landscape design and our clients thoughtful installation was completed. A mix of native and native adjacent plants soften the steps and seating areas of the new back yard. Carol Lindsay seated on the wide juniper retaining wall.
After photo of our landscape design and our clients thoughtful installation was completed. A mix of native and native adjacent plants soften the steps and seating areas of the new back yard. Carol Lindsay seated on the wide juniper retaining wall.

Transform Your Property

Working with and helping clients like Ben and Naja, who are committed to combating climate change and supporting native wildlife, is truly rewarding. Designing a landscape that invites both critter and human relaxation requires expertise and passion. If you’re ready to transform your property into an environmentally conscious haven, Call me 503 223 2426 or use my contact form.  You will hear back from me quickly. 

Let’s discuss your dream landscape to support humans and our wildlife partners.

Categories : Garden Tips, Gardening Green, Low Maintenance Landscape Examples, Native Plants, No lawn back yard, outdoor living
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Winter Garden Tip: Wood Chips to Protect and Enrich Your Portland Garden

Posted by Landscape Design in a Day 
· December 27, 2024 

A brand new part shade garden for a townhouse in Portland.

Wood Chips including Cedar Chips are a great way to have healthy plants.

For many of our non-lawn garden designs, we opt for cedar chips instead of the traditional dark brown bark dust as a top dress.  While some prefer the look of bark dust, cedar chips offer distinct advantages: they last for years, conserve moisture during summer, and provide excellent insulation through winter.  I love NW Play Fiber from Grimms Fuel for cedar chips that last for years and because of how they are cut, work well for paths too.

Why are Multi Species Wood Chips so Popular in Portland?

Multi tree species wood chips are advantageous braking down and supplying a more diverse group of beneficial bacteria than cedar chips and they last a year typically. Chip Drop, is a service that delivers mixed species wood chips for cheap. However, it’s critical to understand that this donation-based service can come with some important caveats—there might be soil, rocks, or even debris (garbage) in the mix. It’s not a criticism of the service, but rather something to keep in mind when deciding if it’s right for your garden.

If they chip trees by a road, the garbage on that road will come along with your wood chips.  Also the minimum amount they are willing to drop might be six times what you can use so check it out carefully. Still using what is otherwise waste product is perfect for environmental reasons. Just check out their service carefully to be sure you want what they offer.

Applying Wood Chips to Planting Areas

Rebecca’s newly planted native plants garden in NE Portland with NW Play Fiber Cedar Chips.

Wood chips play a crucial role in insulating the soil, retaining moisture, and gradually breaking down to enhance soil structure. When applying mulch, aim for a 2-inch layer, being careful not to bury your plants—spread the mulch around them, not over them. If you’ve already top-dressed your garden with a 2-inch layer of wood chips or bark dust at the time of planting, don’t add more chips until it begins to break down. However, it’s wise to keep your wood chips topped up yearly to 2 inches to help with weed control and maintain the health of your garden.  Cedar chips last several years.

Here’s a snapshot of Rebecca’s garden, beautifully top-dressed with NW Play Fiber (Mt Scott Fuel) cedar chips in late spring of 2024.

Need help with landscape design? Feel free to reach out to me, your Portland landscape design partner, and let’s transform your Portland garden!

Categories : Garden Tips, Winter Gardening

Winter Gardening Tip for Portland, Oregon: House Overhangs Can Create Overly Dry Winter Soil for New Plants.

Posted by Landscape Design in a Day 
· December 23, 2024 

Watch out for deep overhangs on your home. They can be plant killers due to winter dryness. Even Oregon rain can’t get your plants if under an overhang.

Be careful: dryness under your house’s overhang can kill your new plants over their first winter.

If you have an overhang on the house, your new shrubs will need watering on the back side this first winter to make it.  It will be stone dry back under the overhang.  This means the root system on the back of the plant will suffer unless you intervene.  Once you turn off the irrigation system for the winter season, you will need to hand check your soil in this area under the overhang if you want your plants to survive well through this first winter.  If your designer picked the right plants for this environment and you planted your plants far enough out from the house, future winters will be less of a concern or no concern at all.

Traditionally, heavy rains in the pacific northwest come right around Halloween.  If they don’t, you’ll need to continue watering your new trees and shrubs by hand. Remember, though, perennials go dormant and typically don’t need to be hand watered at that point. Check the soil with your hand behind the shrubs.  Also, new trees are especially venerable to dry winters regardless of where they are planted.  Check your new trees to ensure the soil is moist down a few inches.  Hand water if it is moist.  Call your designer if you are not sure.

Categories : Garden Tips, PNW Garden Maintenance, Seasonal Event, Winter Gardening

Colorful Flowering Plants for Portland Landscape Designs: Geum (aka Avens)

Posted by Carol 
· December 18, 2024 
A warm peach-colored geum flower

Brighten Your Portland Landscape with Colorful Orange Flowers – Geum (Avens)

If you’re looking to add lively colors to your garden, let me introduce you to Geum, also known as Avens. This charming perennial bursts with vibrant blooms ranging from soft yellows, pumpkin and peaches to fiery oranges and scarlets, making it a sought-after choice among my Portland landscape design clients this year.

The Appeal of Geum in Landscape Design

I love incorporating Geum into my designs because it’s as easy to grow as it is pleasing to the eye. There are plenty of cultivated varieties to choose from, with color palettes spanning from subtle peaches to bright scarlet. Available in both low, path-edging sizes and taller 24-inch varieties, Geum is popular right now, especially with the recent introduction of hot orange and melon-hued cultivars that thrive in full sun.  This plant is also a great addition to pollinator friendly planting plans.

Some of my favorites include the sterile variety ‘Totally Tangerine’ and the sun-scorch resistant ‘Starkers Magnificum.‘ Other notable mentions are ‘Lemoncello,’ ‘Firestorm,’ ‘Mai Tai,’ and ‘Sangria.’ Each offers a unique splash of color to your garden.

Choosing Companion Plants

Pairing Geum with the right companions can make or break its beauty in your garden. Lavender makes an excellent partner due to its contrasting leaf color and shape. Avoid planting Geum next to Black Eyed Susan,  as their foliage can look too similar.  Tip: Consider using ornamental grasses to visually separate them.

Care and Maintenance Tips for Geum

While Geum is relatively low maintenance, informed care can go a long way in keeping it thriving. Plan for regular irrigation, especially if the plant is in full sun. Yearly garden mulching is beneficial, while fertilizer is not typically required. Deadheading is essential to prolong the blooming period and keep your Geum looking its best. If you don’t deadhead the plant will still look great but not as colorful for as long.

Geum in North Portland Garden

As for dividing your Geum, the new sterile varieties don’t typically require it. However, if you notice reduced flowering, woody stems, or overly clumped plants, it’s time to divide and conquer! This can also be a great way to propagate more plants for your garden.

Keeping Those Blooms Coming

Interested in extended flowering? Go for sterile varieties, as they channel more energy into blooming rather than seed production. In terms of growing conditions, differentiate between sun-loving Geums and those that prefer partial shade or dappled light.

Regular deadheading is a must for maintaining long flower production. Remove the spent flower heads just above the next bud on the stem. If your plant looks a bit tired, and you don’t want to deadhead each small flower, presto!  Cutting it back to the ground – ideally around mid-June in Portland – can rejuvenate its appearance for the season, though it typically won’t bloom again that year.

Watch and Learn

Seed heads can be snipped off to prolong the color show of Geum in Portland garden

I recommend checking out a video from 2023 that demonstrates deadheading techniques. Toward the end, you’ll also learn about Geum varieties suited for woodland or shaded areas versus those thriving in sunny spots.

Ready to spice up your garden with Geum or need help with landscape design? Feel free to reach out to me, your Portland landscape design partner, and let’s transform your garden into a vibrant and colorful landscape oasis! Landscape Design in a Day creates custom planting plans as part of our design service.

 

Categories : Garden Tips, Low Maintenance Landscape Examples, Plants I Recommend, Summer Garden Tips
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