New Plantings and Garden FlowersLast year my grandson and I cut down several forsythia shrubs along the northern edge of the side yard. The stumps still need to dealt with. This year I have focused on planting two lilac bushes further into the yard to ultimately help reestablish a green border between my yard and my neighbor's. There will also be a native mock orange placed along this same line, soon.
Bamboo Garden GateI live on a small island in the South Pacific, where everything is imported. We do not have a large variety of items to choose from. Years ago when we wanted to put a gate up all we had to choose from was a metal gate. The gate has been up for over 20 years now and is looking shabby and worn.
New Retaining Wall and Early PlantingsDuring the summer of 2018 we added a second tier retaining wall to our front yard. It improved the existing steep slope that was mostly useless, as it was difficult to water and slippery to try and weed.
Clean Lines For Small LawnI have a good sized piece of property. As I get older, it seems to get even larger when it comes time to mow it with a push mower. Doc says the exercise is good for me. But then, he ain't the one doing the pushing.
Designing the Perfect Garden PathA well designed and constructed garden path serves multiple purposes. It can add beauty to your landscaping, divide up areas of your garden, as well as, give you a nice dry place to walk in wet rainy weather. This is a page about designing the perfect garden path.
Easy Concrete Stepping StonesUse half flat plant containers to make fast and easy paving stones for your garden.
How to Dress Up a Chain Link FenceA chain link fence is durable and long lasting. It is a great choice for defining property boundaries and keeping your children and pets safe. Here are some ideas for adding some charm to your chain link fence that will help it blend more seamlessly into your landscape.
How to Design an Island BedIsland beds are freestanding garden plots, usually surrounded by grass, which can be walked around and looked at from all sides. When strategically designed, they can provide your landscape with an attractive, colorful focal point.
Growing and Using Ornamental GrassesOrnamental grasses are versatile garden plants without being fussy about care and maintenance. In the spring and summer they bring color, texture, and an airy, casual appearance to garden spaces.
Landscape Design TipsFormulating a landscape design plan can be an overwhelming prospect. The goal is to develop an attractive, cohesive plan that fits your needs, without overwhelming (or under-whelming) your home. Here are some tips for getting started, broken down into six easy steps.
Building a RockeryLast spring my husband and I decided our front yard needed some landscaping. Instead of hiring a professional we decided to give it a go and we built our own rockery.
Landscaping Around Swimming PoolsIn many parts of the country, swimming pools are a prominent feature in the garden. Whether you are starting from scratch or looking to spruce up an existing pool, here are some important things to consider.
An Introduction to DeckScapingDecks are a valuable addition to your home. With a little planning, they can also be a valuable addition to your garden. Deckscaping is the practice of incorporating plants into your deck's design.
Secrets to a Successful Rock GardenWhen rock gardens fail, it's usually due to poor planning. Although it sounds like a contradiction, some basic rules and principles need to be applied when trying to construct and recreate the randomness and beauty of Mother Nature.
Finding Your Garden Design StyleJust like each gardener has his or her own personal design style, so does every garden. Some are prim and proper, while others are carefree and bohemian. When designing your garden, understanding your personal style can help you figure out what kind of garden will feel best to you.
Don't Overlook Sumac For The GardenSumacs are fast growing, tough, and versatile. They are not usually a good choice for people with small gardens, but if you have the space, there are plenty of advantages to growing them.
Celebrate National Garden Month in AprilApril is a great month for celebrating all things green and growing. To celebrate this year, consider replacing some (or even all) of your conventional gardening methods with methods that are organic. Here are some ideas for getting started.
Shamrocks: The St. Patrick's Day PlantOne plant that gets a lot of attention this time of year is the Shamrock. Although its mysterious history dates back to ancient Ireland, a bit of botanical controversy still exists about which plant is actually the Irish national symbol.
Things To Consider Before Growing...Growing climbing ivy has its pros and cons. It's easy to grow. It looks beautiful. If you're thinking about planting climbing ivy near your house or in your garden, here are some things to consider.
How to Establish GroundcoverOnce established, groundcovers offer an effective means to suppress weeds, stabilize soil, and fill in the space around individual plants. There are species for every landscaping dilemma....
Frame Your Garden With Landscape EdgingLandscape edging is a great way to create clean, well-defined borders between garden spaces, and give your garden a finished appearance. It's also functional-keeping grass out of your plants, while keeping soil, rocks, and mulch from spilling into your lawn.
How to Bring Light Into Shady Garden SpacesSome corners of the garden seem to be in a state of perpetual darkness. Cast into shade by a nearby building, shed, or even the shadow of your own house, these areas present a unique and difficult gardening challenge.
How to Grow Ornamental GrassesIn the past few years, ornamental grasses have quickly gained popularity among gardeners. Not only do they add height, sound, movement, and visual appeal to garden landscapes, but they also thrive in less-than-ideal soil conditions and require only a minimal amount of maintenance.
Less Costly LandscapingLandscaping can take a huge chunk out of a household's budget, but an untidy yard can really pull the entire look and value of a home down.
Landscaping on a BudgetA big landscaping project can be a budget buster, but with a little creative planning it doesn't have to be. Here are some tips for creating a beautiful landscape without breaking the bank.
5 Steps to Creating A Landscaping PlanLandscaping around your home can seem like a daunting project-especially if you're starting with a blank canvas. Whether you're building a new house, cleaning up after a storm, or planning a complete renovation of your existing landscape, sometimes the hardest is part about creating a plan is knowing where to start.
Good Hedges Make Good NeighborsHedges are an attractive way to define the boundaries of your yard and garden. Unlike privacy fences, hedges can be used to create an almost impenetrable barrier around small or narrow lots.
Plant Art: Topiary DesignBy definition, topiary is the art of training, cutting and trimming plants into ornamental designs. The word itself is from the Latin word, Topia, meaning "ornamental gardening."
5 Tips for Illuminating Your Garden LandscapeLighting plays an important role in creating an outdoor environment. The trend towards creating beautiful, functional outdoor living spaces means finding lighting options that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Fortunately, homeowners have more options for outdoor lighting than ever before.
Designing the Perfect Garden PathA garden path can be functional and it can be so much more. Functional paths provide safe and efficient routes of travel through your garden. They cut down on tracking mud into the house, and act as anchors to surrounding plants. But garden paths can also be works of art.
Landscaping with Native PlantsNative landscaping is the process of cultivating plants that are indigenous (native) to your area. One hundred and fifty years ago, before European settlement, prairies, woodlands and savannas covered most of our North American landscape.
