Heavy rainfall runoff can be detrimental to your home, your landscape, and the environment. A creative solution to that gully washer is to channel the water into a colorful rain garden. Here’s how to do it. Why you may need a rain garden Water pooling against your house can cause the foundation to become structurally… Read more »
All gardens are beautiful, but a meadow garden provides additional benefits. These gardens help support wildlife and are easier to maintain than lawns or other gardens. Here’s what you need to know about converting all or part of your yard to a meadow garden. Meadow garden basics Meadow gardens feature native plants. That means they… Read more »
Want to beautify your garden and save time and money on maintenance while giving Mother Nature a hand? Add native plants to your yard, a relatively simple task that pays off big. Here’s a primer on gardening with native plants. What are native plants? Native plants are those naturally found in your area, as opposed… Read more »
If grass clippings have accumulated on your lawn, you should periodically clear the resulting thatch so that water and nutrients can penetrate the soil. Known as scarifying, this process of raking up thatch is essential for the health of your lawn. Here’s what you need to know. What is and is not thatch If you… Read more »
Nothing beats a hot summer day at the pool for beauty and relaxation. And it’s not just the refreshing water that makes a pool picturesque. Landscaping around a pool can enhance its crystalline beauty and give a spa-like feeling to your backyard. It can also provide privacy. Check out these recommendations for landscaping around a… Read more »
Deer will scarf down your tasty, tender petunias and nosh on your geraniums, but not every landscape flower or shrub will whet their appetite. Protect your landscape by using deer-resistant plants the animals will turn up their noses at. Plants with unappealing textures Deer dislike plants with fuzzy textures. Plants such as lamb’s ear, lady’s… Read more »
You may get a thrill from watching a graceful deer nuzzle an adorable fawn near your house, but when the deer come onto your property to munch on your prize plants, the thrill is gone. And deer on your property will bring ticks that can make you and your family sick. Proper fencing is the… Read more »
Poison ivy is not just a hazard for kids at summer camp. This toxic plant can show up in your landscape and, when touched, cause people and even pets a nasty, blistering rash. Let’s identify this landscape nemesis and dispose of it safely. Leaves of three, let it be Poison ivy’s appearance can vary by… Read more »
Trees can be the best addition you’ll ever make to your yard, but choose wisely, plant carefully and don’t forget to prune. When shopping, think about why you want trees. Is it for shade? For pretty color in spring or fall? To block out neighbors or noise? Your answer will help narrow your choices. Next,… Read more »
Holes, mounds and trails. When you see any of these critters in your yard or garden, you’ve got uninvited visitors. What — if anything — to do about them depends on where they are and the amount of damage they can do. Here’s a brief guide to what crawlies and critters could be lurking underfoot… Read more »
Your home’s landscape is a big investment. Taking good care of it starts with regularly scheduled watering of plants and grass. The best way to accomplish that is with a home irrigation system. Here’s how to operate and maintain your sprinkler system correctly. How an irrigation system works Let’s take a tour of your home… Read more »
As summer’s heat wanes and the evenings begin to cool, it’s time to begin preparing your landscape for the winter. Hard work now will mean a robust return come spring. Here are five important fall lawn maintenance tasks to help your landscape flourish when the weather warms up again. Prepare your lawn for new growth… Read more »
Growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs, isn’t as hard as you might think — even without a large yard. Where do you start? Here are the basics to a successful backyard kitchen garden. Start your gardening at the computer. Many online gardening sites provide planner templates, giving step-by-step instructions on everything from starting with… Read more »
Homeowners generally put time, money and energy into front landscaping that gives their homes great curb appeal or backyards that allows for entertaining in style. But the side yard is often a forgotten netherworld littered with garbage cans, hose reels, and half-hearted landscaping. There’s untapped potential here, so let’s transform that space from awkward to… Read more »
In most climates, after fall’s riotous hues fade, landscapes become dreary and devoid of color. Whether you live in a snowy or moderate climate, here are some tips for transforming your barren yard with winter plants. Problems winter plants can solve for you Problem: Your grass is hibernating, and your yard looks brown and drab…. Read more »
You put a lot of TLC into your gorgeous roses, only to have deer eat the blooms. Your tomatoes were just getting ripe when a squirrel gnawed big chunks out of them. Even your own pets may occasionally take a nibble of a prized plant in your garden. Instead of getting angry, learn how to… Read more »
Landscaping an unusually shaped property can be difficult, but not impossible. With a little design help, the right plants and some hard work, an unconventional yard can be transformed into a yard with gorgeous curb appeal. The trick is to draw the viewer’s eye away from the lot’s weaknesses to highlighted accents. Here are several… Read more »
Selecting trees to landscape your home can be a difficult task. Buy them too small and your yard looks skimpy. Buy them too large and you may end up living in a jungle of overgrowth. Here’s an overview of what to consider when selecting and planting trees. Choose for your soil and climate. Consult your… Read more »
Forget about a green thumb, a good gardener needs a quality set of tools. Check out our handy list of the most helpful gardening tools for the backyard landscaper. Shopping List of Essential Gardening Tools Gloves are a must, especially if gardening is a weekend-only activity and blisters are a likely result. Gloves can also… Read more »
The beauty of a lawn comes with a price: mowing, lots of water, plus bags of fertilizer, weed and pest control. The amount of time, sweat and resources going into the yard may eventually overwhelm your pride in it. You could hire someone to maintain the lawn, but one way or the other, it’s costing… Read more »
