An Early Look At Some Potential 2024 Priorities - February 2024

I've organized my approach to the yard and garden season a few ways the past couple of years.  First, I think about some of the potential options for where/how I want to prioritize.  In terms of effort, budget, time and thinking.  

Then, I narrow those down to create some focus.  What falls out of those initial priorities is my annual to-do list that helps keep me honest in terms of what I am trying to accomplish.  Last year - I did an early look at some priorities as a way to organize my thoughts.  A few days ago, I marked 20 years of Blogging and in that post, I referenced Paul Graham; and how he has said the act of writing generates ideas.  That's what is at play here.  I need to sketch out an approach and with it, will come some clarity.

This is different than my annual to-do list.  Here's last year's scorecard - which is informative in terms of what worked/what didn't work/what's left remaining.  But, this is more about sketching out a list of priorities.  That I can then narrow and refine.  

Last year, I focused on a couple of big projects - when thinking about priorities.  One was adding evergreens.  Another was the IB2DWs section.  Both of those were outlined early in the season and I was able to deliver on them throughout the growing/planting season.   In 2022, I prioritized adding 'shrubs'.  Why?  Because I was heavy on perennials. 

That leads me to the 2024 growing season.    I'll organize these into front/back/side yards.  And, I'll likely run through more options that I'll actually use as some will be left on the cutting-room floor.

Backyard Potential Priority Projects/Areas/Ideas

• The wood-fired pizza oven.  #1, for sure.  This one isn't "potential".  It is - right now - where my head is at in terms of a project this season.  The question of WHERE to site it still remains.  But, as they say:  analysis causes paralysis.  I'm just going to have to start digging a foundation and be at peace.  The building of the oven opens up a bunch of other things.  Moving existing beds/perennials.  Landscaping the oven.  A new patio??  What to do with the boardwalk extension?  
• Hosta replacement theory.  The HRT.  What is it?  I'm not sure.  But, it sounded like a thing in my brain.  For me, it is about finding replacements for all the hostas that I have in the garden.  Well...maybe not ALL of them, but I have far too many.  And, they disappear in dormancy leaving huge holes in the four-season garden.  Hakeone Grasses are one of the options.  
• Similarly...the Ostrich Fern replacement project is A LOT like the HRT.  Upgrade those Ostrich Ferns.  
• Figuring out the "Understory Bed".  This is the bed on the northside that has a bunch of STUFF in it.  The Dawn Redwood in the back.  The Weeping Nootka Cypress in the front. The Harry Lauder Walking Stick tree.  The transplanted rhododendrons.  Some Ruby Slippers Oakleaf Hydrangeas.  Even some soft-touch Japanese Holly planted last Fall.   I even planted some divisions last Fall - Fanal Astilbe and Twinkle Toes Lungwort.    The problem isn't the material.  It is the plan.  There's also some HUGE holes that need to get filled-in.  But, with what?  And why?  
• Evergreens?  Yes.  Still.  Same with Japanese Maples.  Yes, please.  Where?  Where not?
• Groundcover?  See above.  Yes, please.

Sideyard Potential Priority Projects/Areas/Ideas

• Northside along the gravel path and boardwalk.  From the fence/gate back.  Deep shade.  Japanese Maple(s) are what I'm thinking (for now).  But, part of the bed needs to have a Creeping Jenny haircut and replace the Ostrich Ferns.  This is also where I want to install a MORE permanent Fairy Garden.  What to do with the boardwalk extension?  Connect it to the patio? What about the sinking gravel? 
• Southside with the Disneyland Roses.  There's no path over here.  But, it too, needs some work.  Everything from the 'entrance' around the gate (hardscape, landscape) to extending the beds to make a bigger 'cut flower garden' along the house.   What about the Dahlia tubers - do they go here?   The 'entrance' is where I'm thinking about a permanent potting bench/tool storage.  That would be a big project by itself.   Then there's the grading and soil conditions that need to be improved, too.  
• Evergreens?  Yes, they should have come first.  But, alas, they should come when they can.  Same with a Japanese Maple.  
• Same with Groundcover.

Front Yard Potential Priority Projects/Areas/Ideas

• The biggest one - is just that:  big.  So will it fit this year along with the oven construction?  Not sure.  That is the front-yard transformation.  "This is what I wanted..."he reason for acting NOW is clear:  buying small plants means I need TIME.  Planting them this year - even if the full garden isn't ready - gets THOSE plants/trees going.   Like the Northern Light Dawn Redwood dwarf tree.   I've outlined a way to 'start' down by the sidewalk.  That may be best.  
• Flowers.  My comfort zone is squarely being a "foliage gardener".  The IB2DWs garden is calling out for flowers.  
• And groundcover.
• Hellstrip.  That's what gardeners call their parkway.  Ours is turf.  Doesn't need to be. 
• The front porch bed.  It was extended last year, but there's A LOT of KBG living in there.  I need to straighten that out and remove it.    Also, plant marigolds again this year - the 'dwarf french' ones.  
• Similarly...the 'bed' IB2DWs (extended) is sloppy.  It needs to be cleaned up and properly mulched.  

What else that doesn't neatly fit into front/back/side?  Leaf mulch.   Containers.  Resist the orange big box store, Jake.  Go to the nursery.  

What isn't really here?   Aside from Japanese Maples and the Northern Lights Redwood, I'm NOT talking about shade trees.  Nor espalier'ing.   That would be a big departure from previous years, but I suspect I'll more than make-up for it with Japanese Maples.