Hedge Your Bets

Landscaping: DIY or SOS?

Know what you can handle on your own, and when to call the pros.

By Emily Alhade

A beautiful garden brings joy—and often vegetables, fruits, fl owers, birds, butterfl ies, and pollinators. But preparing a sustainable and attractive landscape can be daunting even for the experienced. Here are some things to keep in mind—and some refresher tips even for the greenest thumbs.

When it comes to yard and garden projects, know your limits, advises Shoshanah Haberman, a landscape designer at Weber Thompson Architects in Seattle. Planting and mulching are manageable, but even “easy” tasks can require extra help when they involve hauling bags of soil, especially if you have any mobility challenges or a tendency to throw out your back. And while you may be able to do it all yourself, consider how much time the project will take, if it will require permits, and if you’ll need a backup plan if your vision goes to pot. According to Eva Knoppel, of Los Angeles-based landscape design fi rm Garden of Eva, homeowners should always consult with a pro in the design phase. “It is necessary to know the plant’s ultimate size—they look cute in the container but end up overgrowing the house,” she says. Also pay attention to sun or shade requirements.

A landscape designer can help you sort out the scope of the project and help you determine if it’s something you can handle on your own. If you decide to go it alone, nursery sta can advise on plants that will do well in your local conditions.

Drought-tolerant plants are a good choice even in the Northwest, where summers can be hot and dry, but vegetation still needs water at fi rst. “If you can, plant in the fall to take full advantage of the winter rains,” says Haberman. “If you must plant in the spring, plant as early as you can. Either way, water everything once a week or so all summer long for a few years until it can get fully established.” Knoppel recommends that gardeners in arid climates install drip irrigation, as most of the water from a nozzle evaporates before it even hits the ground.

With summer water restrictions, Southern California residents should consider trees, like olive, and boulders as natural and visually interesting elements that don’t require hydration.

Importantly, plant what you love. You should want to look at it and have an emotional, even a childhood connection to your fl owers and plants, says Knoppel. And rest assured that even experienced gardeners make mistakes. “Be ready for some trial and error,” says Haberman. “Start out with a small area of the garden and expand your planting as you gain more knowledge of what is working in your landscape. Gardening is an exercise in lifelong learning.”