Western North Carolina landscape architects

The Perimeter: Extending Your Living Spaces to the Outdoors

April 7, 2014

Lately, we’ve been discussing the points of our four-part landscape master plan. These points include the approach and arrival sequence, the hub, the perimeter and passages to destinations. Today, we will focus on the perimeter.

In her book “Timeless Landscape Design,” Mary Palmer offers this definition of the perimeter: “The perimeter consists of the outdoor spaces immediately adjacent to the house and within easy reach of interior rooms.” For example, the patio or deck off your kitchen or dining room is part of the perimeter of your landscape. However, the perimeter can be accessed from the living room, spa, basement and other rooms as well.

Atlanta landscape architects — Dargan Landscape Architects
Photo featured in Timeless Landscape Design

These perimeter areas invite you into the landscape, but without wandering too far. The perimeter is an extension of your home and should be customized to suit your lifestyle. Its purpose is convenient enjoyment of your landscape. Perimeter areas may be connected by adjoining pathways where one outdoor space flows into the next, or they may be completely contained as separate rooms within themselves.

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Photo featured in Timeless Landscape Design

How do you go about building up the perimeter? Since it’s an extension of your home, consider using similar building materials your home is constructed of to create a seamless visual flow. A simple grass lawn with a few large paver stones may be all you need to create a perimeter space that blends easily with the rest of your home. However, most homeowners benefit from the additional living space provided by the perimeter. Ideas for these types of spaces include the creation of paved terraces, swimming pools, gardens featuring outdoor fireplaces or fire pits, loggias, arbors, dining pavilions, kitchen and herb gardens and raised flower beds.

Western NC landscape architects — Dargan Landscape Architects
Photo featured in Timeless Landscape Design

Uses of perimeter spaces are as numerous as indoor spaces. They may be used for dining, reading, napping, sunning, cooking, swimming, playing, working alfresco, entertaining on a large or small scale and gardening, just to name a few. Functional pieces such as arbors, grills, pools, tables, swings, etc., in different combinations and in different settings work together to define the uses of the space.

Cashiers landscape architects — Dargan Landscape Architects
Photo featured in Timeless Landscape Design

The perimeter is just one part of what makes up a gorgeous and thoughtfully designed landscape. Contact Dargan Landscape Architects for help designing a four-part landscape master plan that fits your lifestyle. For additional information, purchase a copy of “Timeless Landscape Design” today.

More Spring Garden and Landscape Maintenance Tips from Mary Palmer Dargan

March 23, 2014

Are you itching to get out and do some work in your garden? So are we! We’ve recently been discussing early spring garden and landscape maintenance tips from our resident gardening expert, Mary Palmer Dargan. Here are some more of her tips to give your green thumb some more exercise this week:

I love gardening in a raised bed as it improves drainage. Raised beds improve drainage because they raise the level of soil above the surrounding ground. Other benefits of raised beds include less soil compaction, easier weed control, warmer soil temperature in spring, ease of access, reduced soil erosion and beauty.

These raised beds at the Chicago Botanic Garden are featured in the “Gardening is Therapy” chapter of my book Lifelong Landscape Design.

I’m potting up my dahlias I pulled last winter and am rather appalled at how shriveled up the roots are… You walk a fine line on saving tubers and lots of unnecessary work if they are not viable. I’ll report on this later!

Plant asparagus crowns and radishes and transplant cold-season plants such as broccoli, cabbage and kale indoors. I have way too many baby plants, so I am juicing my leftovers and making microgreen salads. It is most nutritious!

Wait until six weeks before planting time for most vegetables to start them indoors… Otherwise they get very leggy and transplant poorly unless grown with bottom heat like forcing lights. Christmas tree lights are an excellent option for bottom heat! Just remember to be patient throughout the process – Your patience will be rewarded with a thriving garden this summer.

Lawns need fertilization if they are cool-season grasses. I am an organic gardener, so I highly recommend taking a soil sample and finding what your soil actually needs instead of just putting on the gas with fertilizer. You can obtain a soil sample for free from most local cooperative extension offices.

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Also, think twice about enjoying a mixed lawn and turn a blind eye to “weeds.” I think once mown, a green lawn is a green lawn no matter its tapestry makeup! Plus, you’ll save on buying weed killer.

What else are you doing in your garden now that we’re experiencing a few warmer days? Let us know by leaving a comment.

If you’re ready to discuss a master plan or tune up for your landscape, contact Dargan Landscape Architects. We can help you formulate a plan that will bring your dreams to life as we heal the Earth one garden at a time!

It’s Time to Get Your Gardens and Landscapes Ready for Spring

March 21, 2014

After months of bitter cold and snow this winter, spring is finally here and it’s time to show your garden some love. However, be sure you’re ready for a roller coaster of a season. One day the sap is rising and the next it falls for a quick drop below the freeze line, but you can still crank up your gardening chores.

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So, get out your mud boots, put on your gardening gloves and head outdoors to get to work. Bring with you these early spring garden and landscape maintenance tips straight from Mary Palmer Dargan, our resident gardening expert:

I like to cut back my hydrangeas, both the tardiva and limelight varieties, waiting until after the last frost to cut the blue macrocarpa varieties and grape vines. You’ll have beautiful blooms later this season!

Now is the time to plant nuts and berries, such as blueberries, strawberries and berries on canes. Just the thought of fresh picked berries from the garden is enough to keep you warm until summer! For established vines and fruit trees, it’s best to wait until the worst weather has passed before pruning. Fertilize fruit trees as soon as possible after the ground thaws.

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Lifelong Landscape Design

Watch for seed starting opportunities and send off your orders. Spring planting will result in a bountiful harvest to enjoy this summer. Plan to grow at least one new vegetable this year! I am growing leafy Chinese types. What do you have in mind?

Hugh and I plant our vegetables in whiskey barrels at our Highcote home, as shown in this photo from Lifelong Landscape Design. We rotate what we plant in each barrel from year to year.

Break up garden beds and turn the cover crop. Be careful not to double dig as this disrupts the delicate mycorrhizae system that makes a healthy soil. Mycorrhizal fungi are valuable natural allies that assist with the biological processes of gardens, such as helping plants take up more phosphorous, as well as accumulating carbon in the soil and improving its clumping ability.

That should be enough to keep you busy this week, but be sure to watch for more of Mary Palmer’s early spring garden and landscape maintenance tips on our blog in the near future.

For help designing a master plan or tune-up for your garden or landscape, contact Dargan Landscape Architects.

Western North Carolina landscape architects

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