Small (Under 1,000 sq ft.) Pictures & Design Ideas
Are You Water-Wise? A Look at Xeriscapes
There is no commodity more precious to us yard lovers than water. But with many areas around the country experiencing severe drought conditions in recent years, professional landscapers and backyard gardeners alike have had to find ways to make the absolute most out of every drop....
Everything Zen - A Look at Japanese Zen Gardens
Searching for unique ideas on what to do with that small, secluded corner of your yard? Look to the East. Asian-themed gardens are prized for their simplicity, their meditative peacefulness, their effortless flow, and their exquisite balance of traditional elements. While designing a true Japanes...
Just Add Water
In the Biblical story of creation, water shows up on the universe’s very first to-do list on, like, the third day. So why is it that so many backyard landscapers forget to include it entirely?...
How Cool Is Your Pool?
There may not be a landscape feature that allows for more wild creativity, extreme customization, and personal expression than a swimming pool. It used to be that the only pools you saw were either above-ground circles or in-ground rectangles. There might have been a diving board or a big plastic ...
A Thousand (or slightly fewer) Points of Light
Unfortunately, many of us don't think about "lighting" in our landscapes except for the month of December, when we drape a few measly strings of half-twinkling bulbs over our evergreens or, at the other extreme, fire up an animatronic-reindeer display that would put Clark Griswold to shame. But you...
Mow, Blow, and Go
Most of us have an established yardwork routine. This is especially true for mowing. We start in the same spot every week, take the same paths, cut the same rows in the same order, and end in the same spot every time. Then maybe if you're up for it, you break out the trimmer and take down those scra...
Drainage Dilemma
Drainage is a huge consideration when it comes to almost any landscaping project. One professional landscaper I know has told me that drainage is far and away the top item that he fields calls about. Seems like everyone thinks they have some sort of drainage problem… but do they really?...
Your Own Wild Kingdom
A lot of us look at our gorgeously-planted and perfectly-manicured yards and think, I could just about live out here.; Well, for many wild animals, your landscape really is their home. And inviting the local wildlife to hang out and share our outdoor spaces is just another way to get a lot of enjo...
Made For The Shade
One of the main reasons a lot of us do not spend more time outside is the heat. No matter how great your yard is, who wants to go hang out and get battered by the blazing hot sun? Shade is a necessity for any landscape that’s meant to be enjoyed. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that there’s a part...
Lawn Gone!
A sprawling, lush carpet of thick, green grass is as much a part of the American Dream as white picket fences, cul-de-sacs, and minivans with built-in DVD players. When everything is right, lawns look awesome....
Caring For Your Deck
Imagine having guests over for a bbq in your perfectly manicured backyard, but they glance down to find your deck splintering and turning grey. Realistically, your deck probably doesn’t look that bad, but I wanted to provide a few general tips to help make sure that doesn’t happen....
Creating Privacy In Your Yard
Yards are simply an outdoor extension of your home. The front yard is like your porch…everyone can see it and walk up to it. But only those invited in can see the inside of the house…just like your back yard. So how do you create privacy in a yard where you have neighbors, streets, or public walkway...
Landscaping Styles
Have you ever walked into a backyard and paused because the landscaping is so uniquely breathtaking? It's like viewing a painting that grabs your attention and pulls you in. When a landscape is in harmony with the house and region, it can look like no other landscape design could ever fit in that s...
Get Your Yard Ready For Summer
The first warm day in April arrives and stores put out mulch, rose bushes and spring flowers. Every year I get the itch to plant new flowers, but it’s best to put some thought into what goes into an established yard. So I turn first to yard maintenance and spend time surveying for any winter damage....
Entertaining Outdoors
Some of us create our outdoor spaces to suit our needs for a private sanctuary. While others, like myself, design our yards specifically for entertaining. If you entertain often, you might keep this in mind while constructing your yard or making improvements. ...
