Drake said:
The best advice? Wait until spring to see what’s already there.
Agreed. Waiting is definitely the way to go.
Drake said:
The best advice? Wait until spring to see what’s already there.
Yeah, what looks dead now could end up being beautiful plants!
Drake said:
The best advice? Wait until spring to see what’s already there.
Exactly! Just give it time. When things start growing again, you can identify them and decide what to keep. It looks like it could be a lovely garden!
Drake said:
The best advice? Wait until spring to see what’s already there.
I learned this the hard way! I bought my house in February last year and thought the stalks were weeds. Turns out, I had peonies, hostas, and columbine. If I hadn’t waited, I would’ve missed out on my favorite flowers.
Honestly, just observe the garden for a year. Weed when necessary, but don’t make any big changes until you know what blooms where and when. If you’re impatient, at least wait until summer to see what’s growing.
Looks like you’ve got some perennials that’ll return in spring. Best to wait until next fall before deciding on changes. Even dry seed heads are useful for birds right now.
Two things to consider: 1) January is not the time to decide on a garden you don’t know yet. 2) If you’re renting, do you have permission to make changes?
Many plants are dormant now and could surprise you in spring. Give the garden at least a year before making big changes—just weed, compost, and prune in the meantime. Also, check with your landlord to ensure you’re allowed to make changes. Some landlords have landscapers, and you don’t want your hard work undone.
@Vega
Thanks for the advice. I can make changes, but the small tree has to stay. I’ll follow everyone’s suggestion and wait until spring.
Blake said:
@Vega
Thanks for the advice. I can make changes, but the small tree has to stay. I’ll follow everyone’s suggestion and wait until spring.
That’s great! Gardening takes time, so waiting is smart. As a renter, container gardening could also be a good option—you can take it with you when you move. For now, focus on shade beds instead of grass. It’s easier and looks great in a narrow space like this.
There’s a good chance this garden has surprises waiting for you in spring!
If you’re renting, you should ask your landlord first.
Where are you located?
Wait to see what grows before pulling anything. I made that mistake, and I regret it!
You’ll need to wait for spring. Also, take note of how much sunlight the yard gets.
I wouldn’t do anything for a full year. Not all plants bloom in spring—you might miss something amazing later.
Gardening takes patience. Pull the brown parts if you need to do something, but ask your landlord before making big changes.
Looks like you’re in the Pacific Northwest? Bulbs might start appearing in a few weeks. For now, just tidy up the walkway and furniture. If you want to learn more about the plants, check out the Sunset Western Garden Book. It’s fun to flip through while planning your garden.
@Olin
Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll check it out.
What’s your gardening style? This looks like a perennial bed that wasn’t cut back in fall. Grass isn’t worth the effort in a space this small. If you want a recreational area, maybe use ground cover like creeping thyme or moss. In spring, cut everything back and add mulch to keep weeds down. Then, see what grows and decide what to keep. Local gardening groups are great for advice and plant swaps.