Thoughts and Tips on Ecological Landscapes
As much fun as it can be to work in the garden, we ultimately want to make it an enjoyable place to use. Think of your landscape as an extension of the home and you may quickly identify opportunities to create outdoor living spaces such as kitchens, dining areas, and play rooms. All of these rooms have a few things …
Working with a professional landscape designer can be a very rewarding experience. Professional designers can turn your dreams and ideas into reality and may help you avoid costly mistakes in the process. They consider the site, seasonal changes, plant requirements, spacing, wildlife, and your vision, and put it all on paper. A landscape designer is a professional who can dream …
Did you ever wonder, why birds returning to our area each spring bring joy and hope to people of all ages? Maybe it is their hustle and bustle of activity as the weather warms. Or maybe it is the beauty and apparent fragility of these tiny creatures. Or maybe it is that they sing. Henry David Thoreau wrote of the …
Many people are aware of the threats to Monarch Butterflies and honeybees, yet they do not like other bugs. While these pollinators are very important, maybe we should start looking at ecosystems as a whole. Several recent studies have measured insect populations, and they have yielded some alarming results. Overall, it appears that worldwide insect populations have dropped as much as …
You probably know that local produce is fresher and tastier, better for the local economy, and uses less resources in transportation than produce from farther away. But did you know it can be easy to grow your own? To add edible plants to your yard, read on. Some of the ways may surprise you! Add Edible Plants With Trees One …
Most people love spring bulbs. Daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips planted in the fall reward gardeners who plan ahead with some of the first blooms of spring. However, none of these plants are native to North America. So add some of these native plants to your garden and celebrate the excitement of spring while benefiting nature! Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginiana) A …
Now that spring is here it seems like potted plants are everywhere. Grocery stores, big box stores, and produce stands all have plant displays to entice you into buying. If you find it difficult to resist, follow these guidelines on how to buy plants to make the best purchases. Basic Plant Buying Guidelines Rule number one is, do not buy …
Professional gardeners have developed many time saving hacks to get the most out of their efforts. Use these tips to help you work smarter, not harder, towards a beautiful, well-kept, and healthy garden. Use the Right Tool Good hand tools are a gardener’s best friend. For example, high-quality pruners last for years and make pruning much easier than using dull …
We love rain gardens. We may be partial because over the years we’ve designed and built some really successful rain gardens for properties of all shapes and sizes. Also, there’s something special about a landscape that is beautiful and also highly functional. Now, if you’re like many of the clients and friends we talk to about rain gardens, you’re probably …
Spring is the time of year for property cleanups and mulching beds. When it comes to mulching, there is more to know than you might initially think. Follow some advice from the experts to select the right type, do it correctly, and spend your money wisely. Described below are some of the benefits of mulch, types of mulch, problems caused …
