Colorado garden to-do list for June 13-19

Now is the time to direct-seed plants like Swiss chard, pictured, bush and pole beans and sunflower seeds. (Cyrus McCrimmon, The Denver Post)

Have you ever wondered what the neighbor thought of the person who said, "Good fences make good neighbors?" Nevertheless, there is some wisdom in the thought. Evidently the saying has been mentioned in many countries, cultures and variations from the beginning of time. My favorite is from Benjamin Franklin - "Love thy neighbor, yet don't pull down your hedge."

PLANTS FOR PRIVACY

To gain privacy or block wind, noise or undesirable views, try hedges, trees, fences, walls or berms. Water features often soften the noise of nearby busy streets.

Building or planting for screening near property lines can be tricky. It may seem unfriendly or change sun and shade patterns for surrounding yards (including your own). Use common sense. Don't plant trees or shrubs that will outgrow their space or extend too far into neighbor's yards. Avoid plantings that drop tree fruit or that are weak- wooded like silver maple, tree-of-heaven and willows. Consider mature size and root system; a tall shade tree should be planted 12 feet or more from sidewalks, driveways or walls.

Check with your municipality's building codes for rules regarding privacy fences, trellises or plantings. Special permits may be required; some homeowner associations have ordinances. Make certain you are building on your property line. And always call 811 Utility Notification of Colorado before you dig.

Inform neighbors of planting or building projects close to property lines. They may want to share expenses or coordinate with you by using the same service provider.

Start with a simple drawing of the area that needs screening. Note where the sun travels throughout the year. Think how your screen will look year-round. A combo of evergreens and deciduous plants screens in winter as well as summer.

Consider growth rate. Fast growers such as aspen may be short-lived. On the other hand, if you want screening and want it yesterday (and don't mind pruning in the future), try putting up a trellis or wire structure for climbing vines. For sunny spots consider clematis, grapevines, honeysuckle, trumpet vine, silver lace vine, Virginia creeper, hops, wisteria, and hardy kiwi. For shade to part shade consider euonymus ("Coloratus," "Chollipo" and "Sarcoxie" can be trained to climb), and Boston ivy. Virginia creeper, clematis and honeysuckle can take part shade/sun.

Small-space evergreens for sun include upright junipers "Blue Arrow," "Spartan," "Moonglow" and "Wichita Blue." Compact spruces and pines make excellent live screens for sun locations, but are slower growing. Newer, taller yews for shade are adaptable for screening and their dark green color is a plus.

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Colorado garden to-do list for June 13-19