Posted by Jean B. on November 17, 2009, 5:34 pm
Soon I'll be moving, and while I will take a few of my smaller
Japanese maples etc. and put them in part of the front yard, I am
thinking I want most of my yard to be populated by
critter-friendly plants--ones that provide food, nesting
spots/shelter for birds and beasts. Currently the large back yard
is rather barren, with pines at the back and toward the side, so I
have a decent amount of open space to chip away at. Depending on
where I plant, and the things I put in eventually providing shade,
most of this will be in sun or partial sun. I don't think that
area is arid or particularly moist. I am in the Boston area and
like to allow for all contingencies, so I generally plant things
that are for zone 4. Fairly carefree but not horribly invasive
would be pluses.
I am starting a list of possible plants but wonder whether folks
here have some recommendations. Sites and books would also be
most welcome. Thanks!
--
Jean B.
Posted by Jean B. on November 17, 2009, 5:35 pm
Jean B. wrote:
> Soon I'll be moving, and while I will take a few of my smaller Japanese
> maples etc. and put them in part of the front yard, I am thinking I want
> most of my yard to be populated by critter-friendly plants--ones that
> provide food, nesting spots/shelter for birds and beasts. Currently the
> large back yard is rather barren, with pines at the back and toward the
> side, so I have a decent amount of open space to chip away at.
> Depending on where I plant, and the things I put in eventually providing
> shade, most of this will be in sun or partial sun. I don't think that
> area is arid or particularly moist. I am in the Boston area and like to
> allow for all contingencies, so I generally plant things that are for
> zone 4. Fairly carefree but not horribly invasive would be pluses.
>
> I am starting a list of possible plants but wonder whether folks here
> have some recommendations. Sites and books would also be most welcome.
> Thanks!
Oh, ps, I should add that I do not want to use pesticides and
herbicides.
--
Jean B.
Posted by brooklyn1 on November 17, 2009, 6:12 pm
>Soon I'll be moving, and while I will take a few of my smaller
>Japanese maples etc. and put them in part of the front yard, I am
>thinking I want most of my yard to be populated by
>critter-friendly plants--ones that provide food, nesting
>spots/shelter for birds and beasts. Currently the large back yard
>is rather barren, with pines at the back and toward the side, so I
>have a decent amount of open space to chip away at. Depending on
>where I plant, and the things I put in eventually providing shade,
>most of this will be in sun or partial sun. I don't think that
>area is arid or particularly moist. I am in the Boston area and
>like to allow for all contingencies, so I generally plant things
>that are for zone 4. Fairly carefree but not horribly invasive
>would be pluses.
>I am starting a list of possible plants but wonder whether folks
>here have some recommendations. Sites and books would also be
>most welcome. Thanks!
You really ought to live there at least a year before doing any major
planting. Spend your first season planting foundation shurubs, you're
not likely going to want to move those. In your zone spruce trees are
a safe bet, and spruce is deer proof. But I'd wait on shade trees
until you get a feel for where the sun strikes, how the ground drains,
and have a chance to think about any structural additions like
fencing, sheds, and even adding a room... and you'll need time for
planning in case you want a vegetable garden, fruit trees, and berry
bushes, etc.
Posted by Lelandite on November 17, 2009, 7:25 pm
>>Soon I'll be moving, and while I will take a few of my smaller
>>Japanese maples etc. and put them in part of the front yard, I am
>>thinking I want most of my yard to be populated by
>>critter-friendly plants--ones that provide food, nesting
>>spots/shelter for birds and beasts. Currently the large back yard
>>is rather barren, with pines at the back and toward the side, so I
>>have a decent amount of open space to chip away at. Depending on
>>where I plant, and the things I put in eventually providing shade,
>>most of this will be in sun or partial sun. I don't think that
>>area is arid or particularly moist. I am in the Boston area and
>>like to allow for all contingencies, so I generally plant things
>>that are for zone 4. Fairly carefree but not horribly invasive
>>would be pluses.
>>
>>I am starting a list of possible plants but wonder whether folks
>>here have some recommendations. Sites and books would also be
>>most welcome. Thanks!
> You really ought to live there at least a year before doing any major
> planting. Spend your first season planting foundation shurubs, you're
> not likely going to want to move those. In your zone spruce trees are
> a safe bet, and spruce is deer proof. But I'd wait on shade trees
> until you get a feel for where the sun strikes, how the ground drains,
> and have a chance to think about any structural additions like
> fencing, sheds, and even adding a room... and you'll need time for
> planning in case you want a vegetable garden, fruit trees, and berry
> bushes, etc.
Super idea and I agree. Wait until you've lived in your new home
to make sure the lay of the land sort of thing.
I would recommend raspberries if there's a variety for your
Zone. Not only do you get fresh berry for jellies and pies, but
come fall the stalks make a good place for small bird to gather
and eat oatmeal, corn etc. Mine let me know about it if they
go without breakfast!
Donna
in WA
Posted by Jean B. on November 18, 2009, 8:59 am
Lelandite wrote:
>>
>>> Soon I'll be moving, and while I will take a few of my smaller
>>> Japanese maples etc. and put them in part of the front yard, I am
>>> thinking I want most of my yard to be populated by
>>> critter-friendly plants--ones that provide food, nesting
>>> spots/shelter for birds and beasts. Currently the large back yard
>>> is rather barren, with pines at the back and toward the side, so I
>>> have a decent amount of open space to chip away at. Depending on
>>> where I plant, and the things I put in eventually providing shade,
>>> most of this will be in sun or partial sun. I don't think that
>>> area is arid or particularly moist. I am in the Boston area and
>>> like to allow for all contingencies, so I generally plant things
>>> that are for zone 4. Fairly carefree but not horribly invasive
>>> would be pluses.
>>>
>>> I am starting a list of possible plants but wonder whether folks
>>> here have some recommendations. Sites and books would also be
>>> most welcome. Thanks!
>> You really ought to live there at least a year before doing any major
>> planting. Spend your first season planting foundation shurubs, you're
>> not likely going to want to move those. In your zone spruce trees are
>> a safe bet, and spruce is deer proof. But I'd wait on shade trees
>> until you get a feel for where the sun strikes, how the ground drains,
>> and have a chance to think about any structural additions like
>> fencing, sheds, and even adding a room... and you'll need time for
>> planning in case you want a vegetable garden, fruit trees, and berry
>> bushes, etc.
>
> Super idea and I agree. Wait until you've lived in your new home
> to make sure the lay of the land sort of thing.
>
> I would recommend raspberries if there's a variety for your
> Zone. Not only do you get fresh berry for jellies and pies, but
> come fall the stalks make a good place for small bird to gather
> and eat oatmeal, corn etc. Mine let me know about it if they
> go without breakfast!
>
> Donna
> in WA
>
>
I should observe how the birds are using such thickets in this
yard. Good idea!
--
Jean B.
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> maples etc. and put them in part of the front yard, I am thinking I want
> most of my yard to be populated by critter-friendly plants--ones that
> provide food, nesting spots/shelter for birds and beasts. Currently the
> large back yard is rather barren, with pines at the back and toward the
> side, so I have a decent amount of open space to chip away at.
> Depending on where I plant, and the things I put in eventually providing
> shade, most of this will be in sun or partial sun. I don't think that
> area is arid or particularly moist. I am in the Boston area and like to
> allow for all contingencies, so I generally plant things that are for
> zone 4. Fairly carefree but not horribly invasive would be pluses.
>
> I am starting a list of possible plants but wonder whether folks here
> have some recommendations. Sites and books would also be most welcome.
> Thanks!