Tips for Winterizing Backyard Shrubs

 landscaping  No Responses »
Sep 162010
 

Fall is almost here and for many of use that means we need to offer some protection for our plants and shrubs. After all our landscaping in the backyard oasis must survive the cold months and thrive for the following summer season.

Plants are relatively easy to protect for the winter. I clear out any damaged leaves and stems, cut back plants and remove any weeds. After the first heavy frost I will lay down a thick layer of mulch and consider the plants safe from the harsh cold my area gets hit with.

Shrubs need a little more protection form the cold and weight of the snow. A heavy snow can break branches and even cause the truck to crack. To prepare my shrubs for winter I cut back any shrub that has grown wild during the summer, provide a soft wrap to keep the shrub in shape if necessary and I will provide a burlap wrap for the shrubs that are hit by the most wind and snowy areas in the yard.

To help the burlap keep its shape I use two techniques: the burlap frame and the burlap wrap.

The burlap frame is used in the areas with the most wind or snow. I either make a square or rectangular frame or forage for one. (I find rectangular frames at grocery stores and companies that get a lot of shipments.) I will secure the frame in place and cover the side with burlap. For a heavy snow I will cover the top of the frame, stretch it in place and tie down.

I use a burlap wrap to help keep a shrub that has delicate branches in place and not to get weighed down by snow that will break the branches. It will also protect a shrub from cold winds that may affect the plants growth or flowers the following year.

I use burlap because it breathes well but protects the plant. It’s also cheap. You can also buy commercial tree wrap. It breathes like burlap but will cost more.

In severe Snow Belt areas many landscapers and homeowners will construct a more protective triangular A frame to protect new or tender shrubs from the winter weather.

It’s never too early to start to plan for protecting your plants and shrubs. The time you take to protect your landscaping will pay off with healthier plants and shrubs and may even save them.

Posted by Denise at 9:50 pm  Tagged with: , , ,

Foraging for Planters and New Plants

 Backyard Garden  No Responses »
Sep 142010
 

The fall is the perfect time for backyard projects and redoing backyard garden areas. The temperatures are cooler and any heavy work is not as tiring.

I have had too many large projects this year in the backyard and fitting them in and affording them can be a challenge. So when I went to a few garage sales and found a carload of planters and free seeds and semi free plants I was thrilled.

The planters were cleaned and half were stored for later use. The other planters were filled with perennial seeds and new plants. They are in the mini greenhouse (8 foot long and 3 foot wide) sprouting and growing new roots.

My best plant and seed haul were from a sale that was next door. I was admiring the garden and asked if I wanted seeds. (Never ask a garden addict if they want seeds.) I picked up a huge bag of Forget Me Nots, Foxglove, Columbine, and two other varieties of perennials.

I also am going to help thin out the neighbor’s garden beds for free plants. She needs the help in the gardens and I always need new plants for gardens or to trade for other plants. And she has amazing plants.

I have found over the years that by stopping and admiring gardens it leads to plant exchanges and free plants. And often gardening tips that add beauty and shortcuts to my gardening.

Seed Tip: Make sure any saved seeds are dry. Store them in paper envelopes or in glass jars stored in a dark dry place until you plan to use them.

Plant Transplant Tip: Get your plants in the ground as soon as possible. If need be make a temporary storage bed to lace them in. I also water the plants with a dilute mix of willow water to help with plants transplants shock.

Planter tip: Use vinegar to get any stubborn stains out of a planter. I also use baking soda for stubborn stains.

Look for a seed contest on backyard Oasis starting Sept. 15th. I figured since I was given free seeds I should share some.

Posted by Denise at 10:14 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , ,

Backyard Landscaping Ideas For Children

 landscaping  No Responses »
Sep 122010
 

Involving children in with landscaping can help give them a sense of pride and prevent boredom in the backyard. There are many landscaping projects that are kid-friendly. Some landscaping can be just for kids and others can simply include kids in routine landscaping care.

You could give kids their own garden or a section of the family garden. If they are young give them a planter on the porch to take care of. Let the kids choose from a variety of easy-to-grow plants. Vegetables such as lettuce, radishes and cherry tomatoes are good options because they require little regular care and produce an end product.

Marigolds, snapdragons, sunflowers or four-o-clocks are good flower selections. Don’t use foliage plants unless a child specifically wants that. Kids like to see some transformation in their garden.

You’ll also want to purchase kid-sized gardening tools, such as trowels and spades, so the child has an even greater sense of ownership over the garden. Encourage them to take care of their tools and pout them away after using them

For a project that is a little more permanent the kids can create stepping-stones. Stepping-stones are a great accent to any garden or flowerbed or as a path from the house to any outdoor location in the yard. Let the kids create their own stone for paths or garden areas.

Craft stores have stepping stone projects to create individualized stones. Kids can write messages on the stone, make handprints; use colored rocks or other decorations to create a stone of their own. Let the children create one or two of their own stones, then use plain stones to make up the rest of the path.

Kids can use sidewalk chalk to temporarily decorate the plain stones. Help the children design the path so it is practical, but also has their own mark on it. Dig into the dirt slightly before placing a stone to secure it.

Simple backyard landscaping projects can give you kids activities to do to make a change in their routine. It can teach them new skills and create interest in nature and the outdoors. And maybe these projects will create less work for you as they learn how to work and do chores in the backyard.

Posted by Denise at 10:17 pm  Tagged with: , , ,

Painted Rock Garden for children

 backyard Childrens Area  No Responses »
Sep 112010
 

A project for children in the summer or for long weekends is to create a painted rock garden. It’s an activity all the children can participate in and a project that can grow over the years.

It’s also a garden area that can be changed for the seasons. In the fall your children can add painted pumpkins or gourds.

Start your rock garden by collecting rocks of all sizes from the yard or other areas. A river, pond or fields are wonderful places to collect rock. The number of rocks needed depends on how large the rock garden will be and if you plan to create a small mini rock wall.

Have your children help prepare a spot in the yard for garden. Near the base of a tree, in a barren area or around a flowerbed are good choices. You will want to clear out the weeds and smooth the area with a garden rake.

To paint the rocks, get several small buckets of paint or the small waterproof acrylic paints in the 8 to 12 ounce plastic bottles. Apple Barrel is one brand. Paint for left over projects is also a good selection.

Help the children paint the rocks on an old blanket, tarp or newspaper and let the rocks dry before placing them on the prepared ground. Get creative and mix up the way you paint. Solid colors, patterns or pictures are a few ideas. The shape of the rock may also affect the painting.

Make sure the paint will withstand weather fairly well by using waterproof paint or applying a varnish after the paint has dried. Let the children arrange the rocks. Add a potted plant or two among the rock garden for extra interest or ceramic figurines.

This is a garden that can constantly change its appearance by moving or adding rocks. A rock garden like this will add interest to the backyard and may create an interest in gardening or landscaping for your children.

Posted by Denise at 9:57 pm  Tagged with: , , ,

The Fall Koi Pond

 koi fish  No Responses »
Sep 082010
 

Every part of the backyard is affected by the seasons. Fall as beautiful as it is signifies a time when growth slows down and everything slows down. This also includes the Koi pond and your Koi.

Koi add to the enjoyment of your backyard oasis and give the yard a more festive tropical feel. But they do need special care and depending on your climate the care will vary.

Project in the Koi pond in the fall are to cut back on the food your Koi get. They will need less in fall and winter months. Its also a good time to check the plats, remove any overgrowth and dead plants. Also check your Koi to see if they are healthy.

A Koi pond will add to the feel of the backyard so keep it healthy and well maintained.

Posted by Denise at 11:29 pm  Tagged with: , , , ,
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