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,…
For many gardeners, creating a pleasing landscape is about more than simply increasing curb appeal for their home. Landscaping can be an art form! And just as artists often employ many layers of paint on a canvas, a gardener will often seek to create visual appeal by layering plants.
We spend a lot of time talking about how often and how much we should water our gardens. But another aspect of irrigation is knowing when to reduce your water use! This is particularly important right now, since we’re experiencing such a drought in California. We all want to keep our landscaping healthy, but we…
While it certainly doesn’t seem like the most exciting part of any landscaping project, mulch is extremely important. Correct application of mulch will protect your plants from weeds, retain moisture in the soil, and even provide nutrients as it decomposes. But if you’re overwhelmed by the different types of mulch available at your favorite garden…
Summer often gets the credit for producing the most beautiful variety in landscaping. But your yard doesn’t have to be blah and boring during the rest of the year! With a bit of consideration and planning, your landscaping will appear equally impressive during the other seasons.
If you planted flowering trees or shrubs in your garden, you probably did so in hopes of enjoying their beautiful blooms. But if you prune flowering plants at the wrong time or in the wrong places, you could negatively impact the amount of blooms you see during that season.
We often think of landscaping as a way to add beauty or monetary value to our homes. But our landscaping should also add enjoyment to our lives. Whether you prefer a game of touch football with your cousins on a vast green lawn, or relaxing on a shady patio is more your style, always remember…