New Year , New Yard
Shani Hay Lauderdale County Extension Service
With the oncoming new year , people are in the mood to start over . We all make New Year ’ s resolutions about what we are going to change in our selves or in our lives . New beginnings for a better year ahead , right ? Well , this works well with your yard care as well . If you are planning a summer garden or changing up your yard to eliminate dead space ; do you remember me telling you that lawns are not ecofriendly ? I am telling you again : Lawns are NOT ecologically sound . In fact , they are energy takers and water wasters and give nothing back in return . You can do so much with that space that you must mow so let ’ s focus on changing up our yard landscape for the new year .
January and February are usually our coldest months in the south . Fall and early winter is the perfect time to add trees to your landscape . There are many varieties of small ornamental trees that can add so much beauty to your yard and they are no threat to your house . Probably one of my favorites is the Japanese Maple which comes in a myriad of colors and varieties , you can have
24 • MERIDIAN LIFE