Q. I'm very green at this (no pun intended). I want to landscape my house and have a general information book, but I feel really overwhelmed and afraid of making mistakes. I don't know where to begin. I love the look of gardens in France and courtyards in Mexico and would like to reproduce something similar here in northern New York. I would also like raspberries, roses, veggies (tomatoes and red peppers) and herbs. Any suggestions on how to approach this and what to do first to get a sense of accomplishment?
A. Take a good look at your house and current landscape, and make a "bird's-eye" drawing of it, noting where the ground slopes, where water, power, and sewage lines are, etc. Draw in existing vegetation, and even where the shadows fall during different parts of the day. Then begin to think about whether you want evergreen trees or deciduous trees. (Think about the comfort of your house--deciduous trees will shade the house in summer, but drop their leaves to let sunlight in in the winter.) I like to begin by thinking about "islands" of foliage--perhaps a medium-sized ornamental tree, with some appropriate companion shrubs. Then some flowering perennials to add color and interest.
You will have a challenge creating those French/Mexican visions in your Zone 3 gardens. If I were you, I would opt for native plants, and others that are well adapted to that cold. I think that's one of the biggest mistakes a new gardener can make--choosing plants without considering their hardiness and adaptability to the region.
Finally, think small. Don't get too overwhelmed, thinking you have to do it all at once. Start with a small section, see how that works, and add more and more over the years. That's one of the joys of gardening--watching a landscape grow and change over the years.
Good luck, and try to enjoy your new adventure! And if you get stuck, you can always call in a professional designer for some tips.
--National Gardening Association
