This week we performed one of my favorite tasks of clearing the woods along a lovely pond in Goochland County.  Clearing woods artistically is a matter of having an educated labor force who knows what is valuable.  A random American holly, dogwood, forsythia or wild blueberry bush is left alone.  We take out weed saplings, undergrowth, dead limbs, and trash.  We usually do not remove anything smaller than your lower arm.

Later we may incorporate red bud trees, daffodils, and wildflowers.  These pictures show how someone who “couldn’t see the pond for the scrub” now feels like she lives in Maine!

I have included a poem that this grateful client wrote about our first ‘walk and talk’.

Before We Add

“What should I plant and where?” I asked,
eager to start
the landscaping
long delayed till
now. ”Before we add, we need to
take away, “ she
said. ”Only when
the essence is
clearly seen, do we know where to
start.” -sage advice
for gardeners
of any kind.
JDG

Christie lives in Manakin Sabot , Virginia where she manages a 3 acre garden. Her blogs are written from her 35 years as a personal and professional gardener.