Landscape Myth 4: Tear Everything out

Here’s a common landscape myth: I moved to a new house; I need to just tear everything out and start over.

Too often when we get in charge of something new, our first instinct is to make-over. Redo. Put our signature stamp on it. Out with the old, in with the new.

Wait. Stop and think.

Take some time to look at it. Re-evaluate through the eyes of humility. There may be plants or trees or structures of value that can remain, even if we do rearrange their surroundings or upgrade the items themselves.

It could be that with a coat of paint and a few architectural details that aging shed could become an architectural jewel, a sweet focal point of the back-yard.

It could be that with some careful pruning, that ancient, overgrown shrub could become a small ornamental tree, a much-to-be-envied specimen.

It could be that we could plant a matching tree and balance out an odd-looking arrangement.

It could be that underneath the debris, the buckets, the old lawnmower, and discarded trashcans behind the house…lies a mossy pavement that could be just the place for a relaxing shade garden.

Have you ever heard that common euphemism ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’? Fullmer’s would love to take your current landscape—whatever state it may be in—and make it into a space you will treasure for a lifetime!