(Deb Warren, New Concord)
Use Trees Judiciously Do you know the answer to this riddle: When is the best time to plant a tree? (Answer: 20 years ago). Smart remarks aside, trees are the ideal landscaping plant for large properties since they give a sense of scale. The only problem is that they grow so darn slow (especially hardwoods). Plant your saplings as soon as possible. And please, dont locate them directly under power and phone lines around the edge of your property...seriously. Instead, lay them out in a natural looking grove pattern or use them to line a pathway to your house.(Cheline, Boston, Texas)
Use What You Have Shipping in building materials for landscaping is a costly proposition. If you can, source natural materials like stone from your own property for fencing and retaining walls.(Karen Anderson, Vestavia Hills, AL)
Go Big with Shrubbery Remember that even plants which might be invasive in a close-packed urban neighborhood can be useful for filling in large bare spots on a several acre property. Break up the monotony of a big green lawn by planting clumps of large, fast growing shrubs that will bloom extravagantly. The rhododendrons in the photo below are one example (human included to show scale).(Wanda, Ladson)