Tag Archives: landscaping
Pond Considerations for the Fall Season
Autumn officially begins this year on September 23rd. While you may hate bidding adieu to the long, sunny days of summer, you have to face the inevitable approach of cooler, shorter days. For pond owners across the continent, what you do with your pond during this seasonal transition depends largely on where you live.
THE NORTHERN NECK OF THE WOODS
What a wonderful feeling during the summer months to see your plants thrive to the point of producing flowering buds almost at will, or the constant activity of growing fish that crave attention and food. Hopefully you were able to spend ample time by your pond to enjoy its many nuances and pleasures.
And now, as we turn the corner into another season, fall pondering is really just beginning. What do you have planned for your water feature? If you’re like many other water feature enthusiasts, improvements and change are always at the forefront. Here’s a few things to consider, going into the fall months. Please keep in mind that these suggestions may vary based on the zone in which you live. Read on for advice about aquatic plants, fish, water feature aesthetics and more…
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Just Add Water
Water features are a popular trend in modern residential landscapes. Ponds with exotic lotus, lilies and koi have been popular among water gardeners for many years, and swimming ponds with biological filtration have emerged as an alternative to in ground pools. For many people, a small pond, waterfall or fountainscape adds just enough water to enhance their landscape and enjoy the water gardening lifestyle. We’ll take a look at options for these three features, one at a time. Continue reading
Stylish Raingardens
I’ve heard it before. “Raingardens look like weed patches.” That may be true of poorly maintained raingardens, but well kept raingardens look fabulous, full of healthy native plants. And they don’t have to be 100% native. You can incorporate some beautiful perennial cultivars and still have a perfectly functioning raingarden. Here are four factors that make for a beautiful raingarden. Continue reading
Rain, Rain Go Away
With the extreme rainfalls we’ve had this year, making sure you have adequate water drainage for your landscaping is extremely important. Gutters can help gather storm water from your roof and distribute it away from your house, but oftentimes that water doesn’t make it to a safe place. This can cause problems inside your house and potentially damage your landscaping. Installing a proper residential landscape drainage system can solve a number of problems caused by storm water. This article explores the use of catch basins, drain tile and channel drains for stormwater redirection and infiltration.
Just Add Fire
For many of us, cooking outdoors is a summertime ritual. Spring, fall and winter activity, for that matter. Our options for cooking have expanded in recent years from a simple grill to elaborate outdoor kitchens with everything a chef could want to create culinary masterpieces. Or just cook a really great meal that family and friends enjoy. In this article we’ll explore some popular outdoor cooking options. Continue reading
A Review of Paving Options
Paver walkways and driveways outperform both asphalt and concrete in a number of areas.
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Less Lawn – #1 Trend in Gardening
According to the American Society of Landscape Architects, reduced lawn has recently been identified as a top trend in landscaping. “Each year we get more and more customers who are interested in converting some of their front and/or back yard into a native garden area,” says Rose Brabender, Nursery Specialist at Hedberg Nursery in Stillwater. Continue reading
The Truth About Mulch
Here’s the truth: not all mulch is created equal. Some mulch that is touted as being “environmentally friendly” because it is made of recycled materials may actually contain hazardous waste. Some mulch recycling centers accept construction and demolition materials, pallets and wood that has been treated or painted. Samples of mulch made from these materials have been shown to contain arsenic, nails and other unwanted debris. Buyer beware! Recycling can be a good thing, but you need to know what you’re getting. Continue reading