How to NOT design the perfect landscape

[@TheGiveittomeall]

5 years ago, I, a notorious black thumb, was given a thousand dollars worth of perennials and I took them, plopped them in the ground with zero planning or expectations that they would survive the winter. But they did survive and I went crazy buying up clearance things and Facebook Marketplace plants and planting willy nilly until last year I realized my garden just looked like visual noise. Now, I'm trying to be more intentional with placement and plant choice. I have a vision of what I would like to see from the road and how it should look up close. I'm taking water needs more into consideration. I've been gathering free cast off sliding patio doors to build a greenhouse. I can do this, I know I can, and by the time I die, it should be a stellar garden!!!

[@rhus36]

I initially thought I would leave the front yard as a lawn with some borders and do most of my planting in the back. However, the front lawn is actually very patchy and ugly. I also realized that my dog only plays in the backyard which is the only real use I have for lawn. So I’m leaving a little bit of grass in the back and next spring I’m starting the long process of ripping out ugly patchy grass to put in native wildflowers. The only tidiness considerations I’m making are ensuring there’s a gap between the plants and the sidewalk so I’m not impeding anybody’s use of the sidewalk and ripping out noxious weeds. Ours will be the first house on the block with flowers in the front yard, hopefully we start a trend.

[@zackthewazoobeaver]

I’m always so hyped when I see a new upload from your channel! Love the content and delivery - really clear while staying approachable!

[@kat_ie_9984]

I am so glad we do not have to consider neighbours so much over here (UK). I am moving to a larger plot soon and your videos are great for me, I am picking up a lot and cant wait to get stuck in. Nothing ever lives for long for anything I have ever planted but I think from what your videos are saying I have probably planted things in the wrong places previously.

[@craeveyard]

Happy to see a new video from you! I definitely worry when my shrubs are not trimmed and my grass is longer than ideal. I don't think my neighbors are particularly judgmental, but in my mind I worry that they look down on me. But I try to give myself grace, and remind myself that I don't need to be perfect. Having a home and yard maintenance is still new to me, and my partner and I are both neurodivergent so we only have so many "spoons" to get out and do projects in the yard. I love working on the yard and making plans to improve it, but definitely feel that maintenance like mowing is sometimes a trudge. This video is a great reminder to be less hard on ourselves!

[@KidCity1985]

This goes for so much more then landscaping.

[@MallouMakeup]

I am so happy to see you posting a new video. I discovered your channel a few months ago only and I have really been enjoying your content!

[@dixiesmith56]

I always enjoy your input. You have great ideas and your presentation is so enjoyable.

[@MrSpookyDave]

Thanks for the great video!

[@robertbroussard6014]

what a great video, thank you for outlining these different things to consider.

[@carolc6364]

Love this!

[@creationslandscapedesigns]

I think of gardening much like a science lab. You can experiment and try different things and see what works for you and what you like.

[@jealnoslyn]

One of my favorite mantras when it comes to perfectionism and performing tasks in general: Perfect is the enemy of good.

[@gardenprojectacademy]

📝 "Perfect is the enemy of good" Beautiful, thank you for sharing 💕

[@scoobydoo5447]

My landscape is under a foot and a half of snow and freezing in -15 (-35 windchill). No worries about perfectionism or beauty here. 😂

[@DDD11239]

If you flatten the snow, it'll look beautiful. (Basically, the beautiful quiet after a snow storm).

[@annhanrahan5287]

I have a small garden in front yard that is completely shade. What shrubs or plants are best?

[@lindaspiess3545]

Maybe hostas?

[@pixxa37]

In the place I live the policy is: ground floor gets the front garden, 1st floor gets the back. After a few years they made an exception and moved me in the back garden... I think it has to do with the fact that the front garden had become a jungle full of bugs bees and all the rest. I had enormous koromikos, a photinia and a bruadleaf that went way over the 2mt recommended, together with a juniper even higher, scarlet and golden firethorns.... I think the most acceptable was a pieris 😂. So now I get to create havoc away from the eyes of the neighbours, who are all doing roses and begonias... Hey nothing wrong with that, but where is the diversity? Plus, those roses so complicated that are impossible to be reached by the pollinators! I'm very proud of my jungle 😊

[@paulinecastle1138]

Leaf blowers blow away butterfly eggs, a process that they don’t survive because of the speed and pressure they are subjected to. Better to use a different way. However professional gardeners want/need to be fast for time and financial constraints

[@CynthiaLamb-jf2md]

I always thought leaf blowers should be outlawed

[@hagun6535]

So glad I don't have a HOA 😊

[@CynthiaLamb-jf2md]

Same here, I can't imagine being controlled by someone!

[@DDD11239]

Paying money to be told how to maintain your property, outside the bounds of local law? No, thank you.

[@kevin_horticulture]

This applies to life itself.

[@Angie-ci1lp]

So true protectionism 😡😖 grass lawns are water and money pits! Suburban life can be a challenge 🌼🌸🌺🌷🌹🍅🥬🌶️🥒

[@gardenprojectacademy]

Thanks, and yes!! I say to people: If you love your grass, then great! Grass isn't always bad. It is sometimes a great option. It's how we treat grass that can be bad, the fact that we have SO MUCH of it when we could have other plants that are so much more beneficial, and the fact that HOAs or similar associations sometimes require it 🪴🪴🪴