I have wanted to add a Koi pond to my yard for quite some time. But there are other projects that need to be completed first and it takes time and planning to set up a Koi pond properly. So I am hoping next year I can move a Koi project to the top of the “to do” list.

I like this pond because it made use of a small space in a backyard that more than likely was not used.

This small pond creates a relaxing feel to the home, adds color and interest and fills a corner in such a way to add personality to the backyard.

I could see a patio table nearby with night lights and a small fountain to turn this space into a real oasis.

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The backyard is an ideal place for you and your family dog to rest and play. And your pet dog will want to join in the activities so a well-planned yard will help keep the peace and everyone happy.

So how do you landscape the yard to be beautiful and meet your dogs’ needs at the same time?

When creating a dog friendly backyard, security and safety are top priorities.  You may want to include an attractive well-built fence in the backyard landscape plans. Build a sturdy fence around the perimeter of the backyard and put in gates for easy access. Place the gate latches high out of dogs and children’s reach. You may also want to use
Childproof latches.

And make sure that the fence and gates extend all the way down to the ground to discourage crawling underneath. If you have a dog that digs you will have to check the fence line to make sure he is not digging a tunnel to freedom. Yes, I have an escape artist residing at my residence so I have a sturdy dig proof fence!

You can also create a doggie-digging pit to meet your dogs digging needs. Taz the Spaz, my Australian Shepherd Cattle dog has his own dogging pit located near a pine tree.

If you rent or a fence is not an option a dog run may be the perfect solution. Whatever path you choose you need to know that your dog will remain in the yard and not wander off or get in the road and injured.

Other safety tips for a friendly backyard dog retreat.

• Make sure there is plenty of room for the dogs to exercise. If a dog has room to play and run they will not get bored and will be less destructive in the yard and to plants.
• Choose safe plants and shrubs for the yard.  Use grass, shrubbery and flowers but avoid tulips, lilies, rhododendrons and other plants that can be toxic.
• Place a doghouse or shelter in an area of the backyard that is protected from wind, rain and sun during the hottest part of the day. You may want to coordinate the color and style of doghouse to match the backyard-landscaping theme.
• Tall leafy or evergreen plants and bushes in the backyard will provide shade for the dogs on hot summer days. And a tall shady tree may be the dog’s favorite spot in the afternoon.
• Leave a grassy area of the backyard free of flowers and plants to allow the dog a romping and running area.
• Use both soft ground cover and hardscape materials in the backyard. A concrete patio or flagstone walkway will absorb sunlight and provide a warm spot where the dogs can lie on chilly days. And doggie digging pit will provide a cool spot on a hot day.
• Eliminate brambles and sharp stones from the backyard to protect the dogs from scratches and footpad damage.
• Remove any toxic liquids like pool supplies or anti-freeze from areas the dog my wander into.

With planning the backyard will be a pet friendly area that the entire family will enjoy.

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Fresh herbs will spice up any recipe and your own kitchen herb garden container will put them within arms reach. And by raising your won herbs you also have control over any pesticides on the plants.

Herbs are also a great alternative to salt and may also have crafting uses. Herbal soaps are one of my winter projects I like to create.

Decide which herbs you will use the most and buy either seeds or seedling plants. There are certain herbs I seem to be able to grow from seeds and other I struggle with. (Hint: In the fall you can find great prices on perennial herbs.)

Some popular cooking herbs are basil, dill, oregano, rosemary, cilantro, chives, parsley, sage and thyme. Rosemary is one of my favorite herbs for both seasoning and crafting but this is an herb I seem to need to grow from a plant.

To grow an outdoor herbal kitchen container garden you will need one to three containers. I prefer clay pots but ceramic and even plastic are fine. I also like handcrafted pots. Its just adds color and interest to your garden areas.

Choose a container that is big enough to hold all the herbs that you are planting. I find I like one larger container like an 18-inch container and two smaller containers.

Make sure your container is deep enough that you can go several days without watering. If your planting container doesn’t have holes in it, drill a couple of holes in the bottom to aid in proper drainage.

Place about an inch of pea gravel or broken pot shards in the bottom of the container for drainage. Fill the container with potting soil up to ½ from the top of the container and position your herbs. Make sure you give the plants room to grow and do not overcrowd them. Most seed packets or plants that are bought will give you spacing instructions. I fins 6 to 8 inches work well for most herbs.

Once you have your herbs in place pat the soil down and water the herbs. Take tender care of them for the first few weeks until the herbs are settled and start to grow. Often during this time I will cover the container with plastic at night to add more warmth and control the climate around the plants.

Enjoy your new kitchen herb container garden.

Herb Tips:
1.  Pinch the leaves back to encourage new growth.
2.  Do not let the herbs flower because it takes away from the flavor of the herbs.
3.  If you containers are large you can place them on a roller or moveable stand to bring them indoors during the fall if you have cold nights.

For a chance to win a Kitchen Herb Garden check out the Gardeners Rake herb contest.

Technorati Tags: Backyard Garden, container garden, herb contest, small sapce garden

Herb gardens make a wonderful small space garden and add color and most of all flavor to your backyard, patio or balcony area. Herb gardens are also great for the beginner gardener as they are easy to care for and are not bothered by insects as much as other plants.

photo credit: garryknight

One way to create a small space herb garden is to select your favorite herbs to use in meals and bouquets. For a small space garden you can pack them into a large container. This will create a full and stunning pot. You can then nestle them along a garden border, directly into the garden for a creative focal point or place near the house or even in the kitchen.

If you want to create a small herb garden that will become a focal point in a backyard or garden you may want to make an herb container

How to create an easy herb container

Create an outline of the herb container to help you plan the mini garden and plant layout. Choose a large container to hold the herbs, at least 1 foot by 1 foot.

I have found an old dresser drawer makes a fast and cute mini garden. Add legs, drill drainage holes and its ready to go. If you don’t have small legs brickes work well and you can vary the height of the container.

Place a 1-inch layer of broken pot pieces down on the bottom of the herb container. This help to prevent the water from flooding out the bottom and ensures a gradual drain and no wet feet for your herb plants.

Next place equal amounts of compost and potting soil into the container until it reaches 5 inches from the top of the lip of the container.

To plant your herbs you will want to gently pull apart each root ball on the herbs. This allows the roots to spread in the pot, which encourages growth.

Dig one hole per herb plant with a small garden spade to make space in the container for each plant. Dill and fennel will do best in the back of the pot and add height to the container and container arrangement. Tarragon and thyme will do best in the front of the container, as they will tend to spill and cascade over the pot. Insert the herbs into the hole and gently press down to ensure a snug fit and to cover the roots with soil. Most herbs take 6 inches of space to grow thick and full.

Place the herb container in full sun or if indoors near a window or add additional lighting. Make sure the herbs receive between 4 and 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.

If you add a 1-inch layer of mulch around the herbs in the plants in the summer the soils will stay moist and the plants will require less watering.

By pinching back the herbs you will stimulate new growth and free up nutrients to young shoots. Dry the herbs you pinch to use in the winter months for seasoning soups and other meals.

The Gardener’s Rake is sponsoring a kitchen herb contest with the support of  Hometown Seeds. It begins August 27, 2010.

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Prairies have a beauty that makes them stand out. They are full are native plants and different types of grasses. A variety of flowers are found in prairies that can adapt to different types of soil and climates variations. This makes what is called a prairie flowers an asset for difficult or unique growing conditions.

Prairies are also located all over the United States and are divided into three categories; dry, mesic (medium) and wet. These categories are based on the soil moisture available to the plants within the prairie. Many people also refer to Prairie flowers as wild flowers.

There are many types of Prairie Flowers and for more information and varieties check out Prairie Flowers.

Here are three varieties I use in my natural areas. I chose them for their ease in growing and for butterflies or crafting uses.

Butterfly milkweed, also known as butterfly weed and coral weed, is a perennial plant that can grow up to 3 feet tall. This plant is one of my favorite plants to grow. It attracts the monarch butterfly and has many herbal uses and can used in dried arrangement and fro crafting.

These plants can looks somewhat shrubby and bushy. Its leaves are dark green, 2 to 4 inches long and ¼ to 1 inch wide. The flowers are red-orange, orange and sometimes yellow. Butterfly milkweed will bloom from June to August and prefers full sun. It will also tolerate partial shade. It grows well in sandy, well-drained soils and rocky limestone prairies. In my zone 5 climate I grow it in rocky soil where other plants will not grow as well.

Being a taller plant I use it my garden areas in the back with other wildflowers in the front.

The USDA hardiness zones for butterfly milkweed are 4 through 10.

The Indian paintbrush is also known as painted cup and Indian blanket. It is a short plant that only grows up to 18 inches tall. The plant has hairy stems, and the greenish-yellow flowers are hardly noticeable. This plant has a bright red – orange bloom that appears in April through June. The bloom may also be yellow.

Indian paintbrush prefers full sun and only slight shade. Soil conditions should be mostly dry, but this plant can tolerate partially moist soils. This is another plant I grow in rocky soil.

The USDA hardiness zones are 3 through 10.

The yellow prairie coneflower is a perennial that will grow up to 3 feet tall. The daisy-like flowers are yellow and have a brown center. These flowers will return each spring from the same roots and will bloom the second spring from seed. The yellow prairie coneflower prefers full sun and nonacid, dry soil. I have grown this plant both from seed and from a transplant.

It is native to the plains regions, but can grow in all regions. Its USDA hardiness zones are 3 through 9.

The purple coneflower is a stunning perennial flower with herbal uses and makes a perfect garden accent flower. Once started it is easy to grow and low in maintenance. It is used both as prairie flower and in many flower gardens. It’s one of my favorite flowers.

One last favorite for prairie gardens is the Shooting star. It is also called prairie pointers and American Sweet coneflower. Growing to a height of 6 foot, if planted in moist soil, it makes a great background plant or flower for a fence.

Adding a prairie garden to the backyard oasis will give you that open feel and will also be a benefit if you have an area that has soil that other plants do not thrive in. You will also attract butterflies and other beneficial insect to your garden areas.

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