While sod is usually our preferred method of installing turf, there are times when using grass seed is needed for budgetary reasons. There are several ways to do this, but if you want to start from seed then you’ll need to follow these steps.
If you’ve been sniffling and sneezing a lot lately, you may already suspect an allergic reaction. Many people are allergic to the fine, powdery pollen produced by trees. When inhaled, even in small amounts, pollen can trigger sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, a sore throat, and other common allergy symptoms.
In the landscaping world, we’re often asked this question by frustrated homeowners: I tried to grow a lush green lawn this summer, but after investing my time and money in grass seed, I wound up with a barren, dead yard! What happened? Isn’t summer the growing season?
When you’re shopping for a new home, it’s easy to get hung up on the details of the house itself. You might find yourself focusing on questions such as: How many square feet is the house? Is there enough closet space? Is the roof in good shape? These are certainly important questions to ask yourself,…
When selling a home, we tend to focus on improving the structure itself in order to appeal to prospective buyers. While the building is certainly important, most buyers are also highly concerned with its outdoor space. Since landscaping can make or break a sale, keep these important factors in mind when trying to sell real…
For some of us, the best way to cope with grief is by nurturing new life. Whether you’ve lost a parent, child, or family pet, planning a memorial garden may be the welcome distraction you need. The garden will also honor the memory of your loved one, and give you a sense of closure.
Landscaping is about more than adding curb appeal to your house. When planned appropriately, landscaping can increase your enjoyment of your home, by providing you a place for recreation or relaxation. If you think you’d enjoy an outdoor area where you can meditate or practice yoga while soaking in fresh air and sunlight, consider the…
In most cases, you will choose to combine the two methods described above. You’ll have to experiment to find out what works for your garden. Just be sure to use plants that are common in your area, so the good insects will already be looking for them.
When you’re planning a landscaping project, you may put a lot of thought into the soil, sunlight, and fertilizer needs of your plants. But another factor can interfere with your plants’ growth and health: wind! If you live in a particularly windy zone, you probably need to choose wind resistant plants for your garden.
In many ways, decomposed granite (often referred to as DG) is the ideal hardscape material. Formed from the natural erosion of solid granite, it’s similar to gravel but finer and more stable. It compacts down hard like concrete, but has a more natural feel than paving. Decomposed granite comes in a variety of colors, such…
Installing a drip irrigation system is a great way to keep your landscaping watered correctly, while saving you the trouble of standing in the yard with the garden hose. But even though drip irrigation saves you a ton of work, you still have to maintain your system. Many homeowners choose to perform this routine maintenance…
Fruit trees are intertwined into California’s history. Settlers from Spain brought seeds for the Spanish sweet orange, and quickly discovered that the climate is ideal for growing other types of fruit as well. During the gold rush, oranges sold for a dollar each in San Francisco (no small sum of money back then!).
If you’re planning a summer vacation, chances are you’re focused on hotel reservations, restaurants, and activity ideas. But it’s equally important to make plans for your home while you’re away. In particular, if you don’t care for your landscaping you could come home to dead plants and an out-of-control yard. Follow these tips to get…
One landscaping challenge we commonly see is that gardeners really want to take advantage of every empty spot in their yards, and this often means planting shrubs or perennials underneath trees. Unfortunately, without proper planning this can cause problems for both the trees and whatever is planted beneath them. One common frustration is the idea…
Summer is upon us, and we’re all rejoicing at the beautiful blooms in our gardens. But while summer can be a gardener’s favorite season, it can also be a dangerous time for plants. Heat stress can strike quickly and do major damage to your plants, so it’s important to learn the signs of stress along…