A recent U.S. Forest Service study concluded that neighborhood trees and gardens influence an area’s crime reduction. Quoting from the results, “a 10% increase in leaf canopy was associated with a 12% drop in crime. The neighborhoods that had more trees and gardens seemed to have less crime.” The study connected the dots to conclude that the more trees, the more shade . . . the more shade, the more people want to spend time outdoors . . . and the more people spending time out of doors, means more “eyes on the street” which tends to deter crime.
“Plant a tree, stop a crime”. . . we should start a local campaign with that slogan.
Most homeowners recognize the need to remodel the insides of their homes, but don’t realize that their landscaping also benefits from updating and refreshing. An old, stagnant landscape loudly declares, “Look how old and outdated I am!” Even worse, a landscape can be like the married old codger who, on his golden wedding anniversary asked, “I said I loved her on our wedding day; why does she need to hear that I love her years later?” Similarly, your landscape can use some “spiffing up” every spring or she quickly appears dated, unkempt, haggard, and unappreciated. Fresh, strategically placed plants demonstrate that you care about your surroundings.
A remodel of your landscape is quicker, easier, and cheaper than remodeling any other part of your home. For instance, the average kitchen remodel is currently at $20,000, without new appliances. A complete renovation quickly reaches the $45,000+ range. Updating your landscaping needn’t be that costly, and it is important because it is the first and the last impression guests and neighbors have of your home.
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When remodeling a landscape, keep in mind that some plants can be used to highlight the yard and avoid extensive, expensive renovation. Excellent plants for this purpose are the new miniature butterfly bushes. A host of blue and purple flowers adorn these showy shrubs that love our summer heat and thrive on minimal care. Butterflies drool over the six-inch flowers and their super sweet fragrance. These bushes happily take to the hottest spots in the yard, and do well in containers, raised beds, and borders. Except for butterflies and hummingbirds, they are not attractive to wildlife; even deer do not care for the taste.
Landscape plants occasionally need to be trimmed, shaped up, or cut down. For example, hedges are meant to accent your home, not hide it. Now is a good time to cut back overgrown hedges. If necessary, cut them back by a third. They’ll be shorter and appear ugly at first, but will grow back quickly. Give them ‘All Purpose Plant Food’ 7-4-4 right after pruning and bright new leaves will emerge within a few weeks.
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My loose definition of a weed is any plant in the yard that is unwanted. So I say don’t be afraid to clear out and replace old tired looking plants. This is especially true for plants beaten up by the dry winter we had. It can take years for “uglified” plants to recover once they are damaged. Ugly plants should be composted or relocated to a remote place in the yard and replaced with fresh new plants.
Spring is a time of freshness and renewal, and new plants in a yard embody this spirit. In gardening this is much like an interior designer changing the paint on the walls. Remodeling a landscape refreshes the outside appearance of a house, and it’s surprising how much better the gardener feels, too!
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Garden Tip of the Week – Dry native soil wicks away moisture from newly planted trees and shrubs. So, for plants that have been in the ground less than a year, it is necessary to supplement your irrigation system. Once a week hand water your new plants so the surrounding soil becomes saturated. The additional water adds moisture to the soil surrounding the root ball and maximizes your gardening success. Supplement with hand watering until the monsoonal patterns arrive in July.
Garden Transition – A seasonal transition has taken place here at Watters Garden Center. Spring blooming lilac, forsythia, mock orange, and almond have been replaced with selections of showier summer shrubs. Rose of Sharon, butterfly bushes, jasmine, Russian sage, and native yucca are showing off the fragrances from their colorful blooms. They love the warmth of our late spring weather and all transplant well into summer.
Until next week, I’ll see you in the garden center.
Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his web site at www.wattersgardencenter.com or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/watters1815
Well this study is compared to what? Cops say never grow large shrubs close to your home, it invites crime: I was an electrical contractor for over 30 years and trust me, light up an a crime area reduces crime to zero, period! I proved this over and over to my customers, light deters crime. Do I want my home lit up like a Christmas tree, no way!