KEY POINTS:
While most of us in suburban New Zealand don't aspire to quite the same sterile charm (or crazy neighbours) of Desperate Housewives' Wisteria Lane, there are some simple landscaping rules that can help you enjoy your house, and your street, more:
1. Get rid of the high castle walls: Counter-intuitive as it sounds, if you want a safe neighbourhood, get rid of the 2m high security fence with electronic gates. Not only do they tempt taggers, but they also help burglars by hiding their activities from passing foot traffic or neighbours. While nobody wants twitching curtains syndrome, having neighbours keeping an eye on the people coming and going at your place makes an effective neighbourhood watch.
2. Happy fences, happy neighbours: See if you can agree with your neighbours to have fences which complement each other, rather than conflict. Better still, mimic Wisteria Lane and do away with front fences altogether. Instead use planting, landscaping, attractive lights, or even just plain lawn so that properties blend together.
3. Monkey see, monkey do: Some of the most attractive neighbourhoods are those that share some common features to create a pleasing unity. That doesn't mean cookie-cutter repetition, just buildings that complement each other. Use materials, trims, roof-lines and features that echo those of your nearest neighbours. Stick to an exterior paint scheme that harmonises rather than clashes with other houses in the street. All of you will look better for it.
4. Open house: Remember the days when kids played on the street and neighbours shared cups of sugar or tools? If you have kids, make your garden open and accessible - consider gates between backyards to let kids roam without getting caught by car traffic. Open up planting and trees so that you can see up and down the street to keep an eye on them, rather than hunkering behind closed doors. Some modern housing developments even put living rooms or kitchens towards the front of a house so neighbours can see each other and their kids on the street.
5. Bring back the porch: Old movies show neighbours communing with each other from their front porch, complete with lemonade and swing chairs. Consider adding a sitting porch at the front of your house and be amazed of a summer evening how many neighbours and local dog-walkers you get to know. All part of building a safe and friendly community.
