Prep Your Garden for Spring: Tips from a Pro
Learn from Secret Garden Landscapes: A local landscape architect
Laura Osteen
Owner/ Founder of Secret Garden Landscapes
WHAT IS SECRET GARDEN LANDSCAPES?
We’re a small team who are obsessed with helping you get the most out of your garden. We approach garden design from a scientific and holistic angle so that the final design fully works with and elevates your entire outdoor space into your dream garden.
TOP TIPS FOR FIRST TIME GARDENERS
My best advice for beginning gardeners is to keep it small and don’t be hard on yourself. There have been too many times that I have met with a client and as we tour their yard, they sheepishly refer to themselves as terrible gardeners as we approach their empty, weed covered garden beds. I am here to tell you that NO ONE is a bad gardener! Most people just never really learned anything about gardening or didn’t grow up with a yard. So please, oh please don't be too hard on yourself. Know that even seasoned gardeners will have things fail on them. So, start with a manageably sized garden and have fun experimenting. Just enjoy yourself, gardening is meant to be fun! Happy gardening!
FAVORITE NATIVE CALIFORNIA PLANTS
THE BIGGEST TRENDS RIGHT NOW
The biggest trend I see is using a yard for multiple purposes. Gone are the days that a yard is just for the kids. Now people realize that their yard can be used to work, play, exercise, cook, host and relax in. This has caused more people to think about their overall space and come up with creative solutions to enjoy indoor/outdoor living.
The other big trend I see is that more people are starting to think about being more environmentally conscious and focusing on sustainability in their yards. They want to grow a kitchen garden, plant flowers for pollinators, be conscience of their water use, and plant climate-specific plants. Personally, I hope that people become more and more aware of the positive impact they can make on their local ecosystem by rethinking their outdoor spaces.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PROJECTS TO WORK ON?
My favorite projects to work on are those that create a full transformation. I love taking a yard from uninspiring and bland where the homeowner doesn’t even know where to start and transforming it into an inviting, cozy, and beautiful retreat. My favorite part of the job is when I see my vision come to life and how my client’s lives have improved by these outdoor spaces.
I have been so fortunate to be able to do more and more of these types of full transformations. Therefore, I have so many favorite projects. I get to work with so many amazing clients and get to learn about their families and how they want to use their space. Every yard has so much potential and possibilities, so for me it is exciting to get to create these outdoor spaces that not only fit my client’s personal style but also their unique way of connecting with nature. My whole goal is to draw them outside from every window of their home.
ELEMENTS TO ADD TO YOUR LANDSCAPES
I really love to create spaces that are much more sustainable and environmentally friendly. I love adding in pollinator friendly plants, native plants, better watering systems, and reusing materials as much as possible. Knowing I transform a yard into a much healthier ecosystem is important to me.
The other element I like to add in a yard is a place for gathering. I love making sure there is plenty of space for comfy seating for my clients to relax on during the weekends or after a long day of work. I want this area to draw them outside so they can experience the calm that nature provides us. Our outdoor spaces can be places that help us reflect on the simple beauty of nature and detach from our normal rushed lives.
TELL US ABOUT ‘GETTING A GRIP ON YOUR GARDEN VIRTUAL PROGRAM’
Over the years I have worked with numerous partial or full DIYers on planning out their outdoor projects. I have seen areas where they have struggled, and the mistakes they have made, before realizing they needed help. They had previously struggled with making costly mistakes and spending way too much time on their projects with needless frustration. My goal with this program is to alleviate stress and frustration, and help homeowners actually achieve their yard goals by giving them actionable steps and personalized advice.
“Getting a Grip on Your Garden” guides homeowners through my signature design process. We get to the root of what you really want and need. We come up with creative solutions for your yard to achieve a cohesive, functional and beautiful garden. I give you the low down on the pros and cons of different materials, styles, and layouts. You learn how to prioritize various aspects of your yard and decide where you want to spend money and why you are doing it. At the conclusion of the program, the client will have all the information they need to install, furnish, and style their garden so that it becomes the relaxing retreat they have always wanted in their very own yard.