Landscaping Benefits: Be Wise

Larry Rupp: Professor Emeritus Ornamental Horticulture, Extension Specialist

Department of Plant, Soils and Climate

College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences

Submitted March 30, 2020

Spring used to be the most frustrating season of the year for me because my work as a horticulturist was tied to the seasons, and spring was the season when I was always behind.

Relegating my own home landscape down the priority list because it was not “required” did not remove the persistent reminder of tasks needing to be done. I could not see the beauty of spring for the frustration of work undone.

This spring is different. I am retired and the pandemic is confining me to my home. I have never been more grateful for spring. The opportunity to be outside watching the landscape come out of dormancy into full, vibrant life is a blessing.

Listening to an owl hooting in the spruce helps me see the greater impact of my landscape as well, for I am not the only one who benefits from it. It is wonderful to do a little pruning and feel the soil with my hands. It seems to be keeping me sane. I appreciate having the benefits of landscaping come into focus for me.

Take the opportunity to use your landscape to escape the pandemic! At the Center for Water Efficient Landscaping, we believe that wise-water use will allow us to enjoy our landscapes for generations to come. So be wise.