You need to know how much sun, wind, and water your yard's planting area receives. Depending on the sun's strength in that specific area, the same type of plant might flourish in the front yard but won’t do well in the back yard. Just because there is light during the daytime does not account for the sun's intensity.

A good friend of mine, who lives in the Twelve Trees area of Westerville, always complains about the annuals he planted not thriving. He assumes that having sunlight means he can buy plants that need full sun. However, each year, the plants are dwarfed in their growth and never fully develop into a bounty of flowers. His yard looked great after I persuaded him to plant more shade-tolerant species.

Homes on the golf course experience more wind due to the open spaces of the fairways. During windy days, gusts can dry out plants in the yard and patio. Adjusting watering habits may be necessary to prevent tender plants from drying out. Planting deer and drought-tolerant species near open areas can help maintain a beautiful garden during the summer.

The area is called the Lakes because it is between two water-controlled lakes: Hover Reservoir to the East and Alum Creek Reservoir to the North West. The Lakes Golf Course and Country Club feature water hazards on most of the course. Some homes in the Highland Lakes area are built close to the water’s edge, while others are in lower flatlands where groundwater levels are high and drainage is slow. In wet regions, lilies and tall grasses are more suitable for planting.

This spring is proving to be wild and different. Deer are abundant this year, and they are consuming just about everything. Last year, they wiped out my Hosta and Lilies before they could bloom. This summer, I plan to add more deer-resistant plants like Marigolds and Wave Petunias to the planting areas to help deter the herd of deer.