NW DC needs landscape therapist/designer

18 years ago

We moved this winter to a great house in Northwest Washington (Wesley Heights neighborhood) with a rather daunting yard. While we're interested in doing much of the work ourselves, we need the assistance of a professional to help with a general site plan and give advice about improving the soil and drainage. here's a snapshot of our challenges:

-- The front yard is flat, but the soil is poor (nothing, not even weeds, seems to grow in it voluntarily) and there's a lot of shade, thanks to a huge sweet gum (which drops a lot of seed pods) and a big maple. We need advice on how to improve the soil -- we"re worried about any additional soil just washing away while we wait for plants to take hold.

-- The backyard has a lot going on -- a stream, lots of bamboo, and a big hill. The soil near the house is trashed thanks to a lot of construction vehicles driving on it. We'd like to get some grass or other tough groundcover growing near the house, build a terraced vegetable garden and contain the bamboo (a lifetime's challenge, i know).

We're not looking for formal spaces, but want to get things started right. If anyone has advice for someone who could come out and help us, we'd appreciate it -- or if there's anything obvious, we're open to online advice as well. thanks very much!

Angela and Aaron

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Comments (3)

sergeantcuff
18 years ago
There was an article in the Washington Post last month about a gardening blog called Garden Rant. It's very interesting. One of the bloggers is in D.C. and also works as a "gardening coach", a term I never heard of. She seems like she'd be entertaining at least.

http://www.gardenrant.com/my_weblog/2006/05/about_susan.html

Good luck
alisonmd
18 years ago
I'm in suburban MD, and have consulted Susan a couple of times. It was very useful advice.
Alison
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eibren
18 years ago
I realize your problem has undoubtedly been solved by now; I am just entertaining myself by making this post regarding the treed area in front of your new home.

Anything done to improve the soil under your two front trees is going to result in hundreds of seedlings that have to be constantly pulled up, unless you either have numerous squirrels who will eat them(they will eat maple seeds), or a very virulent groundcover.

If you're not really into gardening and just want an effective groundcover, try Yellow Archangel. It will develop upright stems in spring with rows of pretty little yellow flowers, and has lovely leaves splashed with silvery-white. It will quickly shade out anything else you might plant, though, so be advised.

I had a dead spot in front of my house, under the dense shade of a pine tree. By making a little raised edging of rock I was able to contain the mulch and leaf mold I spread there, and over the course of years have been able to grow tough little shrubs and ivy, as well as the Yellow Archangel. You can't make the soil amendments too deep, or you might smother your trees' roots. "Lasagnia gardening" is the way to go in a situation like that; it is much easier than digging holes for plants in soil like concrete, or digging around the trees and harming them.

With electrical costs going up, I'm certain you will want to keep your wonderful shade trees! :)

Other planting possibilities are Helleborus and Toadlilly, which are low, dark-leafed plants which flower in early spring; and a myriad of woodland plants such as ferns and Solomon's Seal. If you want to do that (a much more costly option), don't introduce the Yellow Archangel or ivy.