Since prehistoric times, humans and even animals have naturally gravitated toward medicinal plants. It’s as if we instinctively knew where to look for the healing we need! Even today, many pharmaceutical medications are derived from plants. But you don’t need to rely on medications from the drug store, particularly for common mild ailments. Many healing…
Homes located by major roadways or intersections can experience annoying sound levels that disrupt relaxation or time with family. Check out this video to learn about using landscaping to block road noise.
Fruit trees provide delicious food for your family during part of the year, but they do require year-round care. That doesn’t mean caring for your fruit trees has to be difficult! Once you have established young fruit trees in your yard, they are quite easy to maintain.
Poinsettias are most commonly associated with Christmas, but most will thrive long after the holidays are over. That leaves you with a dilemma: Should you throw out a perfectly healthy, attractive plant, or keep it around to enjoy again next year?
In recent years, we’ve seen a refreshing surge of people eager to grow their own food. It’s a great way to put your landscape to use for your family, and you can ensure that your food is organic and locally sourced. But there’s more to growing food than putting in a few tomato or strawberry…
After the difficult drought we have endured in California, it might be hard to believe that heavy rainfall is on the way. But as you may have heard, El Nino is back, and weather forecasters predict we’ll be seeing a lot of rain over the winter months. How bad will it get? First of all,…
Fall has arrived, bringing with it cooler temperatures (on some days!) and vibrant colors! But if your landscape is looking a little less autumnal than you would like (as landscapes tend to do here in Southern California), you might wish to incorporate a fall theme into your yard.
You might be considering the addition of a patio cover, for many important reasons. Covering your patio is the easiest way to provide shade, protect your patio furniture, and even keep your home cool during hot summer months. But the first decision you will make is an important one: Should you choose a wood or…
Most parents want to provide a safe, fun outdoor space for their children to play. We’re all aware of the benefits of fresh air, sunshine, and exercise! And yet, growing interest in design and aesthetics makes many of us feel wary about installing the typical trampoline set-up. Luckily, a growing trend allows parents to install…
If your lawn is suffering due to this historic drought, you aren’t alone. Homeowners throughout Southern California are worried about their lawns, as grass tends to suffer when it is not watered regularly. We’re all reorganizing our priorities, and making new choices for our landscaping. Some homeowners are installing drip irrigation systems, while others are…
Many homeowners find themselves annoyed by bees, worried about possible complications from stings. But in reality, bees generally don’t seek out people to sting, and will mostly leave you alone so long as you aren’t interfering with their nests. Wasps and hornets are much more aggressive!
We often choose plants for our gardens based on their visual appeal. Maybe you’re seeking a particular color of bloom, or you want something that blooms at a particular time of year. Visual aesthetics are certainly one of the most important aspects in planning landscaping projects, but they aren’t the only consideration! If you also…
If you enjoy watching birds, you don’t necessarily need to travel across the country in search of them. With a little effort, you can attract many species to your own backyard, where you can enjoy the natural ambiance of their songs. To attract birds, you must think like a bird. Why would a bird choose…
If you want to prevent weeds in your garden, one common solution is to use a weed mat. This barrier is made of a porous plastic material that allows water to move down into the soil, but prevents new weeds from growing up into the garden. A weed mat can indeed be useful in many…
If you have been shopping for plants to include in your landscaping project, you may have noticed many species are designated as “California native” or “California friendly” plants. You might assume that because you live in California, either type of plant will fit right into your yard. It’s true that you could use either variety,…