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Rural landscapes, unique challenges
Landscaping is all the rage these days.
Home centers, lawn care centers and greenhouses are doing a booming business catering to consumers who want to improve the environment around their home.
But for farm families, the standard city lot is but a postage stamp of the area they live in.
Rural landscapes are unique in that they often provide a wealth of space. But with that unique space comes problems. Often the farm yard is a place of business and equipment lot, as well as a family living space.
One key in creating a pleasing home site in the country is creating the right microclimate, says Monte Hampton, Ford County, Kan. Cooperative Extension Agent.
In many areas, that means providing protection for the farmstead with trees for both wind and sun protection.
"In our area, it's a challenge to slow the wind down," he says of western Kansas.
Establishing trees around a country landscape does a variety of things, says Hampton. Not only does it protect the home, work and family areas, from the wind but it also protects the landscape. Reduced air movement and increased shade means less evaporation and better water conservation. It also keeps the plants from being beaten by high winds.
"It's a domino effect," Hampton says. "If you create a nicer microclimate, the plants do better."
And what's good for plants is good for the people that live and work near them.
But creating a pleasing rural landscape can provide challenges. For farm families, summer is one of the busiest times of year. After a long day in the tractor and managing the irrigation system, no one wants to spend several hours on a lawn tractor or watering flowers.
Living in the beauty of the country is often considered one of the benefits of farming and ranching. But there can be challenges that come with it. Here are a few suggestions to help alleviate some of the common issues of rural landscapes.
Problem: Poor soil (Nothing grows here)
Idea: Raised beds (Piles of poop)
The site of farm houses is often chosen, not by the beauty of the location, but by default. Homes are put in a corner of a field or on a hill where no crop would grow. The result is often a less than desirable soil.
Hampton recommends a soil test before planting. "It gives you a starting point to know exactly what you've got to work with," he says. Often, soil lacks organic matter. The good news, however, is that farms often have a good source of manure to incorporate into the soil to improve organic matter, as well as nutrients.
This provides an opportunity to add raised beds to the landscape. While this means additional work in the beginning, the rewards will be repaid. Plants will be healthier and soil with ample organic matter holds water better.
Beds can be raised with small retaining walls or can be mounded with gently sloping hills that are easier to mow around.
Problem: Difficult mowing areas (The mower won't go there)
Idea: Ground cover (Don't mow, grow)
While lawns are beautiful, there are often areas of the landscape that are difficult to mow. Areas around the house and barn, hillsides and around fences are just a few. While these areas can be hand trimmed, ground covers offer a lower maintenance solution.
One benefit of ground cover is that it works well in a variety of locations, Hampton says. Sloped areas, flat areas, shaded or sunny, there is a variety of ground cover that will work. "Once established, most are drought tolerant," he says.
An added benefit of ground cover is that it adds more color and texture than treatment of mulch.
Hampton suggests visiting the local nursery or Extension office and asking what varieties work well for your area.
Problem: Landscape eyesores (Ugly places)
Idea: Clever disguises
Living on a farm often means dealing with eyesores, such as propane tanks and trash dumpsters. Many farm families view these as a fact of life. But there are ways, however, to beautify the area around them.
Privacy fencing typically seen in backyards in town is an option.
"Fencing can serve as a backdrop in a landscape," Hampton says. Plants can be used to soften the area and turn a not-so-pleasant area into an attractive one. Another option is to plant living fences of hedges, bushes and trees.
Fences, either living or not, can be useful it segmenting the farm stead into zones for work and play.
Be sure that whatever landscaping you add around utility areas does not prevent access. Also be sure to plan ahead. Plants, bushes and trees grow. Be sure to consider their mature size in the planning stages.
Problem: Low maintenance plants & grasses
low water use plants, perennials.
Low maintenance
The time needed to maintain a landscape is often determined well before planting. Plant selection plays a key role in determining not only how the yard will look, but if there is any time left to enjoy it.
"Low maintenance lawns and flower beds are becoming more popular," says Hampton.
Incorporating plants that are naturally hardy and adapted to the area means less time spent with their care. Choosing perennial flowers that are seen growing wild is a good indication they will be successful in the landscape.
"Native or wild prairie flowers that grow every year, bring a different look to the landscape that is more drought tolerant, hardy and low maintenance," Hampton says.
Lawns of warm-season grasses also require less water and maintenance. Native grasses should be watered and fertilized sparingly. The look of native grass lawns is more naturalistic which incorporates well into a rural landscape.
Problem: Too little time, not enough water
Idea: Mulch
The single most useful thing homeowners can do to reduce yard work is to mulch.
"Mulching is a wonderful way to conserve moisture," Hampton says. But the benefits don't stop there. Mulch cools the soil and reduces weed competition.
Mulching is not an uncommon practice in the garden, but often homeowners neglect to think about how many other places could benefit from a mulch treatment. Planting beds can greatly benefit from a weed barrier fabric with mulch on top.
Windbreaks can benefit greatly from mulching, Hampton says, especially because moisture is so critical in getting trees established. Individual landscape trees benefit from the moisture savings, but it also prevents damage from a weed trimmer or mower.
Depending on the application, options for mulching material varies. Tree bark or wood chips look good in beds, while straw works well and is less expensive for tree belts.
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