Growing Advice

So you have a yard, but do you have landscaping? The best thing to do is to get back to the basics and start learning about landscaping from the soil up.

It Starts with the Soil

In order for your soil to work as well as possible, you need to have it tested. Your soil might be perfect or it might just need some nitrogen. Soil engineers can test and analyze soil from different points in your yard to help your yard perform at its best. Read the rest of this entry »

Near at hand, we all can see beautiful trees. Every time I walk the city parks, or visit the country side, I gaze the trees that I cross bringing back memories of happy tree climbing, tent camping in the woods, long walks with my folks, hiking with friends or just relaxing underneath a tree’s branches enjoying the breeze. Although my yard was never big enough, I managed to as a kid to convince my parents to plant trees inside its perimeter and whenever I touch their trunk I get excited knowing that they would not have been there if I did not insist to plant them. Read the rest of this entry »

Western gardeners have the utmost respect and admiration for oriental gardens, not just because of the feeling of peace and tranquility with which they are imbued, but also because of their seeming simplicity and, to us, the restraint with which they are created.

Creating an authentic Japanese garden can be difficult, however keeping a few simple pointers in mind you are a few steps closer to creating a Japanese garden.

Essential elements in the oriental garden: Read the rest of this entry »

Perennials are plants and flowers that will stay in your garden for more than one gardening season. Some perennials will bloom for up to three years, and others will bloom for longer. One of the best things about perennials is that they are very low maintenance, which makes them popular choices for a lot of people. Annuals require much more care and tending to. If you are looking for a simple garden that doesn’t require much time and attention, try planting perennials. When you choose perennials carefully and plan their planting, they will last for many years. Read the rest of this entry »

Growing wildflowers successfully is not difficult, but it does require detailed knowledge of the conditions that favor their establishment and growth.

How To Grow Amazing Wildflowers
by Louanne Baelde

Landscaping with wildflowers is becoming increasingly popular. These wonderful displays of beauty are incredibly self-sufficient. Wildflowers dazzle your gardens with sprays of color with a powerful endurance not often noted in domesticated garden flowers. No need to worry about soils of low fertility; wildflowers adapt wonderfully in these types of soil. Read the rest of this entry »

You have your heart set on upgrading your landscape but you know that the work is beyond your meager ability. Here are some things to consider when selecting a professional landscape firm to do the work for you.

Everyone wants a nicer landscape but few of us have the time to devote to doing it ourselves. Here’s where a professional landscaping service is handy.

The following are the simple but the most important points that you have to consider while choosing a landscaping firm. Read the rest of this entry »

Are you searching for a way to make your landscape different from the rest? Are you tired of looking at the same old scenery every time you stroll around your backyard? Do you think that it will cost you a lot of money to find quality items to add to your landscape? If you answered yes to any of these questions then keep reading. There is a way that you can improve your landscape without spending much time or money. By purchasing landscape statues you can answer all of the questions above. Read the rest of this entry »

Chances are good, if you’ve ever had children, or even grandchildren, who are now grown up, that you have a mountain of plastic or metal outdoor activity toys sitting around outside. Mind you, I’m not talking about the dolls the kids left out in the rain and forgot about; I’m talking about the outdoor toys; kiddie pools and plastic picnic tables and doll carriages and riding toys and the like. Probably half of them don’t work anymore (unless you’re really terribly practical–but then, if you’re that practical, the toys probably didn’t stick around much longer than the kids). But, if you’re like the rest of us, you can’t bear the thought of getting rid of those childhood mementos. Maybe the grandchildren will want to play with them one day. Maybe the great grandchildren will want to play with them. Regardless of the excuse, most of us hate to let go of our kids’ childhoods. Read the rest of this entry »

The Pansy or Pansy Violet is a cultivated garden flower. It is derived from the wildflower called the Heartsease or Johnny Jump Up (Viola tricolor), and is sometimes given the subspecies name Viola tricolor hortensis. However, many garden varieties are hybrids and are referred to as Viola × wittrockiana. The name “pansy” also appears as part of the common name of a number of wild flowers belonging, like the cultivated Pansy, to the violet genus Viola. One or two unrelated flowers such as the Pansy Monkeyflower also have “pansy” in their name. [Wikipedia] Read the rest of this entry »

For those landscapers living in a Northern climate, it is essential to consider hardy winter resistant plants and shrubs. The reason behind this is not only so they can continue adding to the beauty of your winter landscape, but also so they will persevere through the winter season and add texture and color in the early spring months.

While many Northern climate zones can enjoy a beautiful array of trees like Birch, Maple, Oak, and Dogwood, many homeowners would also like their landscape plants and shrubs to remain beautiful even as the snow falls. With this in mind there are a variety of beautiful winter resistant plants and shrubs that can easily be added to the landscape any time of year. Read the rest of this entry »