Outdoor living has become a top priority for homeowners, with hardscaping playing a major role…
We all hope to enjoy a landscape that complements our homes, adds curb appeal, and provides for our outdoor living needs But as we get older, we confront other considerations. It’s common to renovate the inside of homes in order to accommodate age and disability, but what about the outside? Yes, in fact, this is…
Do you ever dream of living in a vineyard? Or perhaps you just enjoy learning to grow new foods. If grapes are next on your list of gardening skills to explore, check out the following guide to get started. Build a support structure. Grape vines need support as they grow, so your first task is…
Outdoor kitchens have exploded in popularity over recent years. But if you’re growing tired of the same old grilling menu, why not branch out to explore other options? A pizza oven allows you to serve up a time-tested party favorite from your outdoor kitchen. As with other aspects of designing an outdoor kitchen, choosing a…
After pouring a concrete driveway, patio, or sidewalk, the work is done, right? The durable surface will last for decades, and you don’t need to do anything else? Well, not quite. Concrete hardscape does require some care and maintenance. Once your concrete has been poured, the first thing to remember is that it must cure…
In 2016, California voters passed Proposition 64 to legalize home growth and use of marijuana. But that doesn’t mean you can set up a pot farm in your backyard! Research the law first, and then spend a bit of time learning how to grow these plants correctly for the best results. Regulations do restrict who…
Hopefully you’ve enjoyed plenty of time with friends and family over the summer, enjoying backyard barbecues. But by now, you might have noticed that things are getting a bit stale. If the same old hot dogs, burgers, and chicken just aren’t all that exciting anymore, try these ideas to take your barbecues to the next…
You dream of relaxing days in the yard, enjoying time with friends, your kids and pets… This all sounds great until those dogs that we love so much contribute a bit too much “odor” to the ambiance. On the other hand, maybe you just purchased a home that clearly had a lot of pets who…
If you’re considering artificial turf, or already have it, you appreciate the benefits of never having to mow a lawn again. And you’re probably thrilled by the idea of not having to worry about watering grass, either. But some people actually do install low water spray irrigation systems along with their artificial turf. Why? Keep…
After working so hard on your garden all summer, you’re looking forward to delicious homegrown veggies at the dinner table. The last thing you want to discover is that some critters beat you to it! If something has been nibbling in your garden, use this brief guide to determine what you’re dealing with. Aphids are…
Gardens aren’t just beautiful; they can also provide us with food. And if you design your gardens well, they can do both! If you don’t have room to grow vegetables, or if you already grow vegetables and you’re looking for your next fun project, a spice garden will add variety to your cooking and color…
If you suspect that building a pond requires more than filling a hole with water, you’d be right. To accomplish a healthy ecosystem and an aesthetically pleasing pond, you must make careful choices regarding everything you put into it. You might set up your pond with a filtration system, recirculation system, rocks or gravel, fish…
No one does topiaries like Disney, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun garden whimsy right at home. Topiaries are actually not difficult to grow, and once you learn some basics you can shape them just about any way you want. First, you will choose between a vining topiary or a shrub. English…
Orchids carry such an exotic and mysterious aura, that it can be easy to feel intimidated by them. But with a little knowledge, orchids aren’t actually all that difficult to grow. Here’s what you need to know. First of all, orchids are epiphytes. This means that instead of growing in soil, most grow by hanging…
You might remember the old saying, “waste not; want not.” The idea is that when we use our resources carefully, we are never in need. But how many usable resources from our gardens go to waste every year? In many cases, we’re overlooking opportunities to reap so much more from our landscaping than pretty flowers….
There are a number of ways to design a backyard garden, and none of them are more or less “correct” than any other. But of course, there might be a design type that is more suitable for you. If you’d prefer a garden that encourages visitors to move from one feature to another, appreciating the…