THIS MONTH'S GARDENING FEATURE ...

A Sense of Harmony

The best route between two points isn't always the straightest or the fastest. Sometimes it's not one that gets us to our destination on time, but the one that winds past a stand of stately older homes or that moseys by a country cottage. Many of us have a favorite house in town whose charms we find hard to resist. Everytime we drive past we slow down the home's graceful lines and the details of the setting. We note the way a mature grove of trees frames the front façade or how roses ramble over the arch of the front door.

What makes these homes so special that they draw us off the beaten path? Often, the answer is good landscaping. In these days of subdivision sameness, we appreciate the way certain houses seem to settle into their sites, looking right at home in the landscape and making us feel welcome. Trees, shrubs, and plants work together to tie these homes to the earth, making it seem as if the structures themselves have sprouted from the soil.

Does your home landscape project this kind of harmony? Or does it seem to be out of sync? Does it encourage passersby to linger...or does it make them want to step on the gas? If it's the latter, don't despair. In this issue you'll find the ideas and inspiration you'll need to create a little magic in your yard.

And if you're planning a landscaping project, there's no better time to start than the fall. The cool temperatures, warm soil, and gentle rains provide the perfect conditions for root growth, which will give your plants a healthy head start come spring.

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start planting. Who knows where it will lead? Your efforts just might inspire your neighbors to try a front yard makeover of their own. And before you know it, you'll have beautified your community...one shrub, one tree, one flower, one garden at a time.