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I have not always grown flowers, unless you count plopping a few mums in the yard and hoping for the best. I assumed that real flower gardens required large amounts of work. And, while that may be true for some (roses), many flowers are as easy to grow and as prolific as zucchini plants. Below are my two most important secrets.
Self-Seeding Flowers
Many annual flowers (those that are planted from seed each year and then die at the end of the season) self-seed. If you plant these annuals, they will grow, flourish, flower and drop seed for next year’s flowers. All you need to do is thin the seedlings, fertilize, and water; they will do the rest. Repeat for next year, and the year after. When you buy seeds the first time, remember to get non-hybrids and/or heirloom varieties. Hybrid seeds will not produce what they did the last…
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A few months ago there was an article in a luxury home magazine focused on why we love the outdoors. It stated that landscaping is now among the top “must have” amenities on a home buyer’s wish list.
I’ve been in this business a long time and I’ve actually thought about that a lot. Landscaping used to be almost an aside when I was composing a listing description. As a matter of fact it was more a space filler, even disposable if the home had enough unique features of its own.
The average homeowner considering a renovation years ago, would typically leave landscaping for last… a few bushes around the foundation, maybe a patio or some perennials lining the driveway. It was a popular money saver for builders to leave a newly constructed home completely unlandscaped. Not much thought was given to curb appeal or the added value of manicured surroundings.
Sometime in the 80’s professional landscaping started to be all the rage and home owners were investing a bit more time and money in their yards. My theory is that large, plentiful windows began to be popular in new construction around that time, as well as the un-curtained look, and all of a sudden the outside view had a huge influence on the inside décor.
Now, more often than not I find myself describing a property’s landscape and view as an integral part of the whole. Buyers truly are, as the article stated, much more focused on their surroundings. A larger portion of our leisure time seems to be spent outdoors and a huge consideration in any property description today is the ability to do just that. I have to say, this is one phase in the evolution of our industry that I really love. A home is not simply a place to return to after work, it’s a place where our lives surround us. Isn’t life amazing when the surroundings are inspirational.
As I’m driving to work I see this bright flash somewhere off to my left. I only noticed it out of the corner of my eye, brilliant red, but my focus of course was on the road in front of me. I didn’t pull over because I knew what it was and though not a danger, it was ominous and I didn’t want to look at it.
We all know that red is the color of danger. Stop lights are red for a reason, red makes you pay attention.
I know it happens every year and I shouldn’t be shocked. But I am. As a matter of fact I saw the same thing just a few days ago but I chose to ignore it and so I was surprised all over again today. Could it be possible Summer is almost over?
We’ve had an especially lush, green Summer this year and that first sighting of a shock (intentional pun) of red leaves among a thousand hues of emerald, sage, kelly, pine, just takes you by surprise.
Autumn is stunning, crisp and energizing, absolutely beautiful especially here in the Lakes Region. It’s one of the few things that can make you feel both delighted and wistful at the same time. If you haven’t experienced Fall in the Lakes Region you’ll have to add that to your bucket list. But I do hate to see Summer fading away.
Fortunately I don’t have to leave home to experience the most sensational foliage on earth. Kodak moments are everywhere and I love it. But that very first sighting, that dazzling flash of red out of the corner of your eye is as effective as any stop light. It certainly makes you pay attention.
Governors Island 