Postcards from the Edge
By Jim Sollecito
It’s possible that I dismiss incoming information despite its supposed appropriateness. The AARP invitations have no more impact on me than flyers for new gutters or driveway sealing. I guess I have become immune to many forms of advertising.
Yet many of us do take action based on what a neighbor might tell us. Is this person suddenly a home improvement expert? My thinking is that if we took all of the advice our neighbors told us and threw it into the ocean that would be good for us and bad for the fish.
But some things are indeed worth heeding. A landscape client and sweet friend Barb Rinella, recently asked, “Why don’t you charge people to drive through your Garden Center? The colors are so spectacular, you could put them on a postcard.”
The truth is, she was correct. In the past 44 years our display gardens have never looked better. Besides the pure enjoyment of garden appreciation, it’s helpful to see how shrubs, trees and perennials grow in a setting much like your own home.
This has been a growing season among seasons. If your landscape doesn’t look spectacular this year, take a little road trip and see what the possibilities might be. Come see our postcard-worthy garden, no charge.
Fall Is For Planting
Fall is my favorite time of year to plant. The ground is warm and the ample rains enhance root development. The tops of plants have stopped growing and this allows the below-ground parts to become well established. These are picture-perfect conditions for building value in your property right now.
‘Fall is my favorite time of year to plant. The ground is warm and the ample rains enhance root development. The tops of plants have stopped growing and this allows the below-ground parts to become well established.’
Someone once said that “you should always finish what you started.” It may be just as important to remember: “you don’t have to finish a mistake just because you started it.”
Life is about being able to tell the difference between good ideas and the not-so-great ones, the ability to admit a mistake and change courses when needed. Then the follow-through. That’s how you end up with better results. There is no reason to put up with a plant that doesn’t perform any longer. A bit of editing can reap color rewards by the bushels.
And it’s critical to know where to get trustworthy advice. The internet? There is not enough space here to say what needs to be said. Even a phone call might not reach the right knowledgeable resource. It is well worth a short drive and a face-to-face. Photosynthesis is not the latest feature on a smart phone. And don’t get me started on text messages. They should only be used to inform if you will be late for your dinner or appointment. Not a real conversation.
So if you can’t picture yourself in your own healthy landscape, do what your parents did: an in-person meeting. Join us over a cup of coffee to discuss opportunities and obstacles. No need to go postal, this is really fun. Particularly now at the onset of fall, finishing strong is what this year is all about.
Jim Sollecito is the first lifetime senior certified landscape professional in NYS. He operates Sollecito Landscaping Nursery in Syracuse. Contact him at 468-1142 or jim@sollecito.com.