As water conservation becomes increasingly important, many homeowners are turning to drought-tolerant landscaping to save…
Backyard gardens once fell out of fashion toward the middle of last century, probably due to the mass availability of supermarket fare. However, home-grown fruits and veggies are now enjoying a much-deserved resurgence in popularity. Amateur gardeners have discovered that food grown in their own backyards tastes fresher. It is also more affordable than supermarket…
For nature enthusiasts, a visit from hummingbirds can feel like a special occasion. They will prefer your yard, and be more likely to visit on a regular basis if you provide them with an abundance of their favorite food in a hummingbird garden. Of course, water, nesting sites, and perches are important too. They tend…
Nothing quite says farm to table like a fresh, delicious salad right from your own garden! The taste of supermarket salads just can’t compare, because the produce at your local store has often been packed, shipped, and stored for a week or more after it was picked. Once you’ve enjoyed a salad made with tomatoes…
Just as in any other industry, the landscape design world sees its share of trends that come and go. Lately a fun trend that we’ve noticed is something called the “bedhead garden”. Could it be a fun project for you? You might recall seeing pictures of women who post their “bedhead” on social media. “I…
When you think of planters, you probably picture the ones you can purchase from any home goods or garden supply store. But you can also make your own planters from “upcycled” items that you already have around the house, or that you pick up at thrift stores and garage sales. Utilizing upcycled planters serves a…
You love your garden and your neighborhood park, but there are times you must spend indoors. Maybe you’ve wished you could bring more of nature inside with you, but you’ve felt hesitant because of kids, pets, and other concerns. Which indoor plants are safe to grow? And which ones will actually fare well, apart from…
How much time do you spend indoors? If you’re like most people, you spend the majority of your days in an office, inside your home, and even in your car. You rarely set foot outside, except for the times you spend walking from your car into your office or a store. In fact, the Environmental…
When you think of gardening, you might picture yourself heading to your favorite nursery in the spring, nurturing your chosen plants throughout the summer… And accepting their inevitable dormant period throughout winter. You just endure a few months of stark, empty, and bland landscape until you can enjoy gardening once again in the spring. Well,…
Do you prefer straight lines, perfect, polished surfaces, sleek technology, and absolute symmetry? Or, do those things feel cold, impersonal, and unnatural to you? If you find most modern design to be overly rigid, and prefer a more wild, natural design theme, you might be a fan of the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi… Without even…
Do you wish you could grow your own fruit, but you think it’s not possible in your small yard? Or perhaps you’ve always dreamed of owning an orchard, but that seems out of reach at the moment. Learning about espaliered fruit trees might come as a happy surprise. Many people have never heard of espalier,…
Each year, The Pantone Color Institute chooses a “color of the year”, a reflection of current trends in the design world and pop culture at large. For 2018, Pantone has chosen Ultra Violet, a vivid purple hue, as their color of the year. Execute Director Leatrice Eiseman explains the choice: “We are living in a…
As New Year’s Day rapidly approaches, most of us are thinking about our resolutions for 2018. For some reason, we often set goals regarding food. Either we want to eat healthier fare, or we’re trying to shed post-holiday pounds. Some of us simply want to become better cooks, so that we can create meals that…
You’ve created a lovely landscape in your yard, and you look forward to years of enjoyment. And of course, you will be spending some time outdoors maintaining that landscape as well. If your lawn includes any slopes or hills, you might find yourself wearing a path up and down that area, as you lug equipment…
Does the country life appeal to you? Perhaps you enjoy nostalgic memories of visiting your grandparents’ farm, or you dream of a peaceful, rural lifestyle. Whether you’re actually living in the country, or just want to imbue that type of ambiance in your own yard, a farmhouse landscape might be the right design theme for…
Your backyard can serve a variety of purposes, from hosting play dates for children to entertaining your friends with cocktails and barbecue. However, many of us need outdoor time that is soothing and peaceful. You can accomplish more than one goal in your backyard, of course, but setting aside a “sacred space” is ideal for…