This is one of the best concise articles I've seen on Nothwest gardening. Thank you. Its nice to think that with a some thought and planning, gardening can be a joy, rather than an obligation.

Very pratical advice! Thanks.

I like to mix it up, front yard tends to be my low maintentance zone, and my backyard is my higher maintenance zone.

I think its perfectly ok to have higher maintenance areas within our gardens, so long as we recognize them as such in the planning stages, and keep them in the areas where they will receive the oversight required. Given the choice, however, between low and high maintenance, I'll generally opt for the former.

Great Article. Follows my philosophy for the garden.
'The one with the least amount of dirt showing..... Wins!'

sps