Growing up, many of us can remember visiting our grandparents’ farm, fishing in a nearby pond, and spending hours playing in the woods behind our houses. Somehow, the magic of our childhood seems lost today, as we rush about on our daily commutes from townhomes to bustling office buildings. Even our food seems decidedly un-magical,…
Here in Southern California, we don’t often see as much rainfall as the rest of the country. But when it does rain, we have to deal with runoff like everyone else. In fact, water runoff can be harder to accommodate when conditions are normally dry, because it doesn’t soak into the ground as quickly. A…
Why did you originally start gardening? For many of us, the desire to increase the curb appeal of our homes is a matter of personal pride (and even a financial investment). For others, the appeal of homegrown foods and herbs is a major motivation. And of course, we all simply enjoy being surrounded by a…
Sometimes the best way to gather inspiration for your own gardening projects is to see and experience what others have managed to accomplish. Plus, visiting area gardens can become a fun family outing, a creative date idea, or just a way for you to spend quiet time alone in nature. With that said, this week…
Are you thinking about adding a swimming pool to your yard? Or perhaps you already enjoy your backyard pool, but you’d like to enhance it with some convenient or attractive new features? The following trends in swimming pool additions might be just what you’re looking for. Beach entry: This feature is exactly what it sounds…
Growing your own vegetables will give you access to fresh, affordable produce (and organic if you prefer). Vegetable gardens also serve as terrific educational tools for children and can save you money at the grocery store. But first, you need to establish a spot for your vegetable garden. Raised beds offer the convenience of simply…
Used for thousands of years, gabion walls provide a retaining wall option that is both effective and attractive. The word “gabion” comes from an Italian word meaning “big cage” (“gabbione”), referring to the manner in which gabion walls are constructed. They are essentially containers, which can be filled with a variety of different materials, that…
For a fun springtime family outing, and to gather a little inspiration for your own landscape design, head over to Balboa Park in San Diego. The park features numerous gardens, some designed decades ago by the original founders. Just to give you an idea of the park’s diversity, here is a list of their gardens…
Perhaps your trampoline isn’t the most decorative part of your landscape, but it’s certainly important to the kids. So you want to take good care of it, and choose the best placement in your yard. We’re glad you checked our blog, because we have some input on these matters. Where to place your trampoline. Directly…
Nothing says summer like a homegrown tomato, or perhaps your own homemade salsa! If you’re getting ready to plant your spring garden, you might be wondering which tomato and pepper varieties are best suited for home use. For container gardens. If space is an issue, you’ll be pleased to know that you can grow tomatoes…
New Rose Varieties for 2019 Roses have long been a favorite flower of gardeners, due to their large, impressive blooms and incredible scent. Horticulturalists, also, enjoy experimenting with hybrid varieties, always seeking to create hardier plants, new colors, interesting scents, and more. If you’re a rose enthusiast, it might interest you to learn some of…
Your backyard swimming pool isn’t just a place to enjoy fun with family and friends. It also serves as a decorative centerpiece of your yard, so naturally you want to keep it looking lovely. If you’re installing a pool or refinishing your old one, take the time to learn about different pool finishes. You can…
If you spend a lot of time outside, it will happen eventually: You will be stung by a flying insect. This is especially true for flower gardeners; after all, you’re spending a lot of quality time with these insects’ food source! If you know you’re severely allergic to stings, your first step should be to…
If it’s inspiration you seek, you’ll find it at the flower fields in Carlsbad, California. This popular springtime destination offers over 50 acres of stunning flower fields, planted with the Tecolote Giant Ranunculus. An Asian member of the buttercup family, also known as the Persian Buttercup, you’re not likely to enjoy 50 acres of Ranunculus…
Growing and enjoying your own flowers is only half the fun of gardening. Cutting, making floral arrangements, and bringing them indoors provides even more enjoyment of your hard work, and becomes a hobby of its own! If you’re hoping to add unique elements to your home’s decor, you might be feeling a bit tired of…