"border" yards, pictures, and ideas...
The Not-So-Subtle Tropical Plant
Tropical plants are prized for their lush foliage, brilliant flowers and bold, exotic appearance. Typically grown outdoors where winters are mild and humidity is high, their ideal climate and growing conditions can be duplicated almost anywhere by moving them inside near a......
Fire Pit Design Tips From The Masters
Building a backyard fire pit is a favorite DIY project. You dig a hole, put some bricks and sand in the bottom, and install a decorative pit border with some rocks or bricks. Sounds simple, right?...
Good Landscape Lighting Makes a Night and Day Difference
Have you ever noticed that as we get older, soft lighting makes us look better? Well, the same often holds true for landscaping. Even the most luscious, green, and perfectly manicured yard is even more magical at night when it’s been strategically lit....
Pros and Cons of Trees Near Your Outdoor Kitchen
One of the most pleasant aspects of having an outdoor kitchen is being able to spend time in the fresh air. On cool days, it’s also nice to have the sun shining down on you. But most people want some shade over their cooking area to help beat the heat during the prime BBQ season of summer....
Gardening and Cooking with Lemon-Scented and Lemon-Flavored Herbs
You don’t have to live in a tropical or semi-tropical climate or pay big bucks at the grocery store to enjoy the freshness of lemons. Grow your own lemons this season—lemon-scented and lemon-flavored herbs, that is!...
Birds, Butterflies and Bats: Welcome Them to Your Garden
With the continued growth in population throughout our country, many wildlife species face increasing pressure from lack of natural habitat—the number one threat to wildlife today. So creating welcoming places for these wonderful creatures in your yard—no matter how small—will help......
Make Room For Nature On Your Patio
A patio is a transitional space between your home and the great wilderness (AKA: your backyard). Unfortunately, many of these spaces languish as barren concrete deserts. It’s time to think about ways to bring in the green without sacrificing the utility of your patio. ...
Annuals: A Cure for Spring Fever
Before you go out on your annual spring trek to the garden center this season, be sure to make a list of the sites in your garden you want to brighten up by adding annuals. Without a plan, you may find yourself tempted by the many varieties offered, seemingly everywhere you go....
Ornamental Grasses to the Rescue
Ornamental grasses are multi-task plants: they offer attractive foliage, flowers and seedpods; their beauty is heightened by sunlight and they dance with the wind; they require little maintenance; they provide almost year-round interest in the garden—and—they are problem solvers for less-than-ideal sites in the yard....
Color Your Garden
Do you remember the “color wheel” you were introduced to back in your school art classes? If so, it will come in handy this spring when you’re designing a new, colorful garden spot or revamping a tired-looking border. If your memory needs a little prodding, here’s a short refresher course......
