Autumn Thoughts   from Jane at Bur Oak Designs
	October 2007
Winter rates now apply! Call for a design consultation before the snow flies! 608-287-0448 Jane Kuzma Landscape Architect Jane@BurOakDesigns.com Bur Oak Designs 4301 W Beltline Hwy Madison, WI 53711 608-287-0448 www.BurOakDesigns.com	The coots* arrived this morning in the bay of Lake Monona. It means that the weather has turned colder north of us --- and that our turn is next. In the meantime, we will enjoy this fabulous autumn weather and continue installing landscapes.  We are getting close to finishing our new office space, though the gardens may wait until spring. Expect an open house soon. Go, Green! Mulch with shredded leaves Inventory your landscape Rabbit and deer resistant bulbs Bur Oak Designs is now located at 4301 W. Beltline Hwy, between Seminole Hwy and Verona Rd. Look for the pedestrian overpass – we're there. Our phone number is the same (287-0448); however, you need to press "1" to talk with me. Let's support the Green movement happening in Madison by improving the outdoors. Summer went by so quickly and I've missed hearing of your gardening successes (and woes). Please keep in touch -- and let's begin to plan the next phase of your dream landscape. Jane * Coots are black duck-like birds with a white spot above their beaks. They swim close to one another in large groups this time of year.
	Go, Green! The home energy programs include some, but not a lot of things one can do to improve our environment. Landscaping and gardening are the original Green activities. What can you do?  Plant trees to absorb carbon dioxide and moderate temperatures. Plant trees on the west side of your house to block the hot afternoon sun.  Recycle your yard wastes by composting them or shredding leaves for mulch in your garden (see below). Set your lawn mower at 2 ½ to 3 inches to create a healthier lawn and shade out some of the weeds.  Or, plant No-Mow grass and mow less.  Plant groundcovers instead of grass in some areas and don’t mow at all.  BTW, consider a push mower which not only saves energy, but uses yours.  Plant shrubs around your house and air conditioner to create a layer of "dead" air which acts as insulation.  Minimize the wind by planting several rows of evergreens, small trees and dense shrubs on the side of the prevailing winds.  And then of course there are vegetable gardens and rain gardens – but that's for our next issue. Mulch with shredded leaves.  You've seen the signs "Don't Leaf Your Lakes" all over town. So, re-use the leaves that you rake up by shredding them and apply a thick layer to both your new and existing garden beds. Shredding can easily be done with your regular lawn mower. The easiest way is to mow your leaf covered lawn and blow the leaves into your perennial beds. Alternative methods are to pile leaves on the driveway and mow over them or use a leaf vac. By shredding, the leaves will break down faster and not create matted layers as "whole" leaves will. These leaves are a good form of compost, breaking down into soil and protecting your plants from winter heaving. Digging shredded leaves into a newly prepared garden will allow them to break down faster and create a better bed for planting next spring.  Inventory your landscape.  Think about whether your yard is "performing" the way you want. Do you long for the secret hideaway or a fire pit in the back corner of your yard where you can see the stars? Do your children need a challenging play space? Could the water that floods your yard be turned into a rain garden or channeled into a dry/wet stream? As you are cleaning up your perennial and shrub beds, take note of where there are spaces to add something new in the spring. It's much easier now than waiting until new growth emerges next year. I've got lots of ideas! Call and let's have a brainstorming consultation. Cleaning up my own garden last weekend, I generated new ideas for enhancing the flow of my yard, some new seating areas, and a need for more shrubs in the perennial beds – all with the plan to add more color and to lessen maintenance. Rabbit and deer resistant bulbs.  There are very few fool-proof perennials that animals will not eat, but I know of a handful of beautiful bulbs that are not palatable to animals. Your first obvious choices are the daffodils and narcissi. Each year there are new cultivars in shades of white and yellow – and even pink, some single and some double, and some miniatures are available.  The large hyacinths and the multiflora Festival hyacinths with their wonderful fragrance are not eaten. They come in a variety of colors. They are among the first bulbs to bloom. Some of the grape hyacinth are also fragrant and come in various shades of blue and purple. Plant them with yellow daffodils for a great display. Crown Imperial and Persian Bells Fritillaria are less well known, and gaudy. They are something different to plant among the perennials that will bloom later. The Crown Imperial has blooms of red, orange or yellow on a single spike. Pair it with blue, purple or white flower perennials for a knockout display. The Persian Bells are smaller with purple flowers. Camassia. From pale to dark blue, this Indian hyacinth (no relation to above) is happy in moist soils. Each bulb produces several spikes of spring flowers. Alliums. Who would think an onion could look so great? From twelve inches to four feet tall, they put on quite a show with their lavender flowers. They look great with the chartreuse leaves of the yellow hosta. Can't accept the fact that tulips are always eaten as soon as the leaves appear? Fool the rabbits. Dig one hole; say 18 inches in diameter and 8 inches deep. Within that area plant some tulips or Asiatic lilies mixed with daffodils. As the growth emerges in the spring, the rabbits usually leave them alone. With the exception of the grape hyacinth, plant your bulbs about 8 inches deep. Sprinkle bone meal or bulb fertilizer in the hole when planting. This is still a good time to plant before you have to wear heavy gloves to do it. C’mon, you know we’ve each done this at least one year. Next spring after the flowers have faded, work in some more fertilizer around the bases of the plants. The phosphorus component encourages strong flowers for next year.
Bur Oak Designs specializes in landscape architecture for people who desire something more than the "run of the mill" landscape design. With the goal of creating unique master plans and gardens, Bur Oak Designs has grown into a regionally-known firm based in Madison, Wisconsin.