Posted on: September 10, 2009

Delight in the Details

Learn how to live big in the backyard on a small budget, and how to avoid the most common gardening mistake

By Robert Sharoff
CTW Features

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Back in the late 1990s, Mar Jennings was a banker with a great garden at his house in Connecticut. Today, after several career transitions, he’s the latest contender to succeed Martha Stewart as America’s favorite home and garden guru.

Through appearances on the “Today” show as well as his own syndicated program, “The Mar Jennings Home and Garden Show,” he has carved out a unique niche by stressing what he calls “simple, affordable luxury.” He also is the author of “Life On Mar’s: A Four Season Garden.” (S&J Publishing, 2007)

“The best gardens are personal,” he says. “They tell a wonderful story about the people who plant and maintain them. I’ve seen many of the great gardens of the world and my favorites are the small and hidden ones. They show a level of passion and creativity that never ceases to amaze me.”

HOMESTYLE: What’s the most common mistake people make when planning a garden?

MAR JENNINGS: The most common mistake is not planning. People plant one thing here, another there and something else over there. Then, $5,000 later, they wonder where did it all go and why doesn’t it look a little better? They also rely too much on professionals instead of trying to figure things out for themselves. Gardening isn’t that complicated. But you have to know what you want.

HS: What’s a better way?

MJ: You need to focus your efforts on a specific area. Right now, for instance, I’m re-doing a side garden at my house in Connecticut that also functions as a play area for Violet von Schnorkenheimer, my schnauzer. I want it to be decorative for me and functional for her. The ground cover is going to be pebbles and the main plant material is English boxwood. I’m also thinking of installing a small koi pond.

HS: How big is your main garden?

MJ: It’s about a quarter acre. It’s a traditional English garden with a lot of white, cream, lavender and purple flowers like peonies and hydrangeas. I like perennials more than annuals. Also, I love English boxwood. I have more than 500 boxwood plants.

HS: What do you avoid?

MJ: Anything that involves a lot of maintenance and little reward. If something has a very short blooming period, it’s probably not going to make my list of favorites. I also avoid anything poisonous.

HS: How important is it to have plants that are right for your particular temperature zone?

MJ: You certainly have to pay attention to that, but I wouldn’t let it influence every decision. I mean, if you really love jasmine or some other plant that is not right for your zone, why not plant it and see what happens? If it doesn’t make it through the winter, it doesn’t make it. But at least you’ve enjoyed it for the season. And you know what? Maybe it will make it through the winter. Mother Nature can fool you.

HS: What’s your feeling on pesticides?

MJ: It’s a personal decision. Myself, I always try to find organic alternatives. For instance, instead of spraying my roses, I use ladybugs. You buy them online in the spring and sprinkle them around. I usually get about 3,000 of them. They live through the summer and really take care of the aphid problem.

HS: Do you plant vegetables?

MJ: I used to, but I finally got tired of the never-ending battle with the rabbits and woodchucks. I also realized I was paying hundreds of dollars for a few tomatoes and it just didn’t seem worth it.

HS: Do you have a favorite vantage point?

MJ: I do. It’s right underneath a Bradford pear tree and has a complete view of everything – the back seating area, the pergola, my studio and the back of the house. I have two teak steamer chairs there so I can sit with a friend. Gardens shouldn’t be all just work. You need to enjoy them as well.

HS: Who inspires you?

MJ: My grandmother. When I was growing up, she had a very eclectic garden. She loved color and wanted everything – flowers, foliage -- to be as big as possible. She was also fearless. No matter where she was, if she saw a plant or bloom she liked, she would take a clipping, wrap it in a moist napkin, put it in her purse and bring it home. My grandmother was passionate about her garden.

HS: Do you do a lot of outdoor entertaining?

MJ: I have a big party at the end of the summer. I call it my Mar-becue. It starts in the afternoon and goes into the evening.

HS: How many people?

MJ: I’ve had as many as 75 and as few as 30. It’s adults and kids. The only rule is you have to come dressed in white.

HS: What’s a typical menu?

MJ: It changes every year. I’ve done hamburgers and hot dogs and I’ve also done more complicated things like lamb chops. What I try to avoid is anything too messy. Ribs, for example, are just too much for a large party. Sometimes I do the grilling and sometimes I hire someone to do it. The one constant is dessert, which is always hot fudge sundaes. I lay out all the ingredients and toppings and let people make their own.

HS: Corn on the cob – yes or no?

MJ: The up side is it’s a classic American dish. It’s also delicious. The down side is your guests do nothing but pick their teeth for the rest of the night. The solution is to slice it off the cob first and then serve it in big bowls.

Mar-becue Tips

1. No paper plates or cups! Use inexpensive everyday sets of plates and glasses instead.

2. If you’re serving traditional fare such as hamburgers and hot dogs, tweak the menu by offering special breads or rolls and interesting condiments.

3. Use large rolls of white paper instead of tablecloths – and, if children are present, provide them with crayons for drawing and coloring

4. Scatter large throw pillows around your terrace or lawn for additional seating.

5. Don’t limit your guest list to the same 12 people – invite neighbors or acquaintances you would like to know better.

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