Lowcountry Tips for BeautifyingLandscape
BY ALLYSON DRUCKERLife in the Lowcountry is illuminated by the beauty of the natural habitat. Our days are colorful, set against big, blue skies, the deep blue-greens of water and the lush greens and browns of our sandy beaches, marshes and live oaks. This natural beauty inspires many residents to devote a great deal of time, energy, and money to the care and beautification of their own backyards and gardens.
For some expert tips, we spoke with Tim Drake, landscape enhancement designer and business developer, and Carol Guedalia, horticulturist, from the Greenery, to get their advice on how you can get the most out of your efforts. Here are some of their tips for creating the yard or garden of your dreams:
START FROM THE GROUND UP
Whether you are a new or long-term resident, Drake and Guedalia recommend taking a few soil samples from your yard
and bringing them to the Beaufort County Extension office on Wednesday mornings. Here, for just a few dollars, you can ascertain some of the unique, fundamental properties of your yard or garden. Even though we all live under that same moody blue sky, the pH levels of your soil can differ dramatically and affect how you garden. The pH levels of your soil can differ dramatically from your neighbor’s, as well as from one corner of your yard to another. Understanding the pH balance of your soil will help you make the right choices for your yard.
“Gardening makes your heart happy.”—Carol Guedalia, Horticulturist, The Greenery, Inc.
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