Backyard Plant Tips

 backyard design  No Responses »
Oct 212010
 

Fall is one of my favorite times for find discounts on plants, trees and shrubs. Stores and gardeners are getting rid of extra plants and seeds.

It’s also a great time for re-evaluating your backyard landscape design. What worked and what was a backyard disaster? Oh yes, I have had backyard disasters! To avoid such a situation reading books, garden magazines and talking with other gardeners will help.

Most garden clubs have large shows in the spring and fall where purchases can be made at a reasonable price. They are a great place to learn as well as get some savings too. You will find as you talk to a avid gardener they will have a few extra plants that they are will to trade or give to another gardener.

At this time you can also find out the pros and cons of the plant and if it will add to the value of your backyard. There are very few plants I will turn down. I may get them with the plan of trading them if I feel they will not work in my garden plans.

One thought you should keep in mind when getting deals on plants is do I have the time to plant them?  You may get 10 bargain basement priced shrubs but if they don’t get planted and die from frost or lack of water,  you really didn’t get a deal.

I have had this this problem of too many plants to get into the ground at one time and a solution to this problem is a holding garden or to mound the plants under soil or compost to protect them from winter weather. You can create a temporary garden area that will safely hold plants for a few months if need be.  Right now I have three holding gardens for trees, shrubs and perennials that will have permanent homes this spring. I ran out of decent weather and time to plant them properly.

The only plants I turn down or very poisonous plants or plants on the invasive list. There’s no sense in hurting my environment, ever for a pretty plant. And many invasive plants are beautiful!

Posted by Denise at 7:45 pm  Tagged with: , , ,

Pine Straw Mulch – Pine Needle for Winterizing Your Garden

 backyard design, guest writer  No Responses »
Oct 162010
 

Pine needles have a natural look that will add to any yard and landscaping design. And no matter where you may live, you can usually find someone who has a pine tree on his or her property but needs to remove the fallen needles. In my area I wait until fall clean up and knock on doors to remove their pine needle and other fall leaves.

Pine trees drop a percentage of their needles in the fall. The needles will add acidity to the area they cover, which will kill the grass and make holes in your yard. In a pine forest or around certain trees this doesn’t matter, but in your yard it may create a problem.

But using pine needles in select areas of your yard as a mulch can be beneficial. Choose areas where your acid loving plants will appreciate the nutrients added to the soil as the needles decay. Azaleas, rhododendron, chrysanthemum and roses benefit from acidic soil.

Onions, garlic, mint and tomatoes are a few of the plants in your vegetable and herb garden, which would also enjoy the acid boost. I must admit I have not used pine needle in a garden area.

A mulch using pine needles or pine straw adds a rich brown surface and a fine texture to the area that they cover. This looks particularly attractive with azaleas, and areas that you want a naturalized look, such as a wooded area or terraced hillside.

Another benefit of pine needles is that they shade the soil in the summertime. This prevents moisture from evaporating as quickly cutting back on water usage and watering time in the landscape. In the colder months, a layer of pine needles acts as a blanket to protect the roots of the plant. Pine needles are perfect for winterizing plants, trees and shrubs in your landscape design.

Pine needle mulch also cuts back on weeding. The few weeds that manage to survive and surface are small and incredibly easy to pull out.

It’s recommended that you start with a 3-inch layer of needles. Pine needles break down slowly, so this first layer should last 3 to 5 months in most climates.  I often lay down a few layers of newspaper and apply the pine needle on top of that. The pine mulch  cover will last 3 times as long. Using this method I have no weeds and add new pine needles to even out the mulch layer and add a fresh look to the landscape.

Posted by Denise at 5:28 am  Tagged with: , , , ,

Create a Fall Garden Party Garden

 backyard design  No Responses »
Sep 192010
 

Its fun and easy to plan a fall picnic or garden party.  It will give you the opportunity to  enjoy the final days of fall and turning of the leaves if you live in a fall foliage area.

There are many ways to quickly decorate for a fall party including centerpieces and table decorations but a fast a simple fall garden will spruce up a backyard, add a quick backyard focal point and can be used for the rest of the fall season.

One quick fall flower garden is easy to create by utilizing an old wheelbarrow as a container and plant mums and flowering cabbage inside it.

Mums and flowering cabbage are good selections because they handle cooler evenings and light frosts. The combination also works well as the mums have vibrant color selections and the cabbage has pretty colors, wonderful greens and will add texture to the display.

Start by drilling holes in the bottom of an old wheelbarrow for drainage. This will add proper drainage for you plants. (Pick up an old wheelbarrow at an auction or garage sale. The more beat up the better in my opinion. )

Place peat moss around the plants. This will help hold in moisture and protect the plants on colder nights. Decorate the display with a hay bale off to the side of the wheelbarrow, a bundle of corn stalks, a scarecrow and assorted pumpkins and gourds.

This fall garden will last through several frosts and can be covered at night to keep it more colorful for several more weeks after cold weather has set in.

Posted by Denise at 10:54 pm  Tagged with: , , , , ,

Landscape the Backyard for a Dog

 backyard design  No Responses »
Sep 012010
 

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.

Posted by Denise at 8:17 pm  Tagged with: , ,

Landscape ideas for inspiration

 backyard design  No Responses »
Aug 192010
 

Landscaping ideas for any yard and project are usually a combination of what you have seen, what your family needs are and what is already in your yard.

By reading books, looking online and even driving around the neighborhood with backyard design in mind you can collect ideas and find an idea that will be perfect for your backyard oasis and landscaping needs.

This you tube and a collection of ideas using plants, texture, hardscape, rock and visual design.

Many of the ideas would work in my yard if scaled down. I particularly liked the use of rock and the patio areas.

And being a garden fanatic, this you tube shows how small touches can create a beautiful garden. The plants, color and texture create small pieces of art where ever you look.

I hope these videos inspire you to create your own backyard paradise oasis area.

Posted by Denise at 7:11 pm  
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