Page 86 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2024

HOME & GARDEN
story by Gaye Winter
NEW HOME, NEW YARD
Congratulations!
You have purchased a new home! Now it's time to
begin to think about a landscape that will make your home look terrific. We have owned a couple of new homes, and after much research and planning, there are steps you can follow to make landscaping much easier.
86 | March 2024
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Landscaping can be defined as the exterior area of a residence – both the overall design and the individual elements. Softscaping refers to anything living: natural ground coverings, trees, flowers, and plants. Hardscaping refers to ornamental or structural features, such as
stones, steps, paved paths and fountains. Xeriscaping is also gaining popularity as it is the use of using drought- friendly plants around your home. Even though these plants and flowers are more expensive, there has been a 10 percent growth in purchasing these items according to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).
Try to sketch or have a plan in mind for trees and flower beds. What type grass grows in your area? You could always hire a landscape designer, but if finances forbid this, then talk to others in your area, read, go to nurseries, and plan, especially if you are in a new weather zone.
Your builder should leave topsoil for you, but you can always talk to him about type and quantity of dirt. This would be a great start. These are the main steps, but you can certainly change them around to meet your needs:
• Plant trees first because big delivery trucks might have to drive through your lawn and big holes have to be dug. This step might be different if you are using smaller trees.
• Bury drain tile for gutters to drain.
• Install underground sprinkler system. This step
includes the stub-outs for the sprinkler heads, but not
the heads themselves.
• Install landscape beds and plants (may need
potentially heavy stones for walls and big bags of
potting soil or mulch).
• Fine grading on lot to prepare for grass/sod.
• Grass seed or sod and install sprinkler heads.
• Time for flowers and plants – I recommend checking
out www.msstate.edu and their Mississippi Medallion
plants!
The Mississippi Nursery and Landscape Association
(MNLA) developed the Mississippi Medallion Plant Program in 1996 to help consumers choose high performing plants in our state. “Our horticulture experts help select several plants each year that make the cut when it comes to thriving in our Mississippi climate.”
A well-designed landscape can add to your home’s value as well as providing years of enjoyment for you and your family! Starting with a detailed plan is the key to wonderful landscaping for your new home.
Gaye Winter, Ph.D., teaches English at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and is a member of Biloxi Garden Club. Reach her at gaye.winter@mgccc.edu.