Fall is the best time to prune many shrubs and trees. Primary growth is done for the year and the plants will be going into a resting time so the pruning actually helps them.

With any pruning its best to read about the shrub or tree in questions and prune accordingly.

There are many people who do not feel they should prune plants. That it hurts them. But pruning to keep a nice shape and remove damaged, diseased or a branch that crosses or crowds each other is so beneficial to a tree.

Here are a few pruning tips:

Prune shrubs and trees only to retain the shape or remove damage or disease.

Do not prune spring-flowering shrubs such as azaleas and rhododendrons in the fall. Pruning spring-flowering shrubs will remove the blossoms that have already begun to form and you will actually have fewer flowers the following year. Prune these right after the plant has had flowers.

I see many flowering shrubs that have been over-pruned. They do not need to look like a skeleton and show every branch. Over-pruning can be damaging to the overall health of the plant.

After pruning the shrub or tree make sure to pick up all the trimmings. If any of the shrub or tree shows disease, burn this material to stop the spread of any infections. Healthy trimming can be added to compost piles or used around shrub and tree bases. I prefer to let them sit a bit and then use in my perennial beds.

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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.

Any backyard, patio or balcony will look more inviting with a few plants. And many plants will take little time, particularly if chosen wisely.

Perennial flowers are strong, local flowers that come back every year without having to replant or do any extra work. This is one reason they are as popular as they are. Perennials usually have a peak flowering season. During the plants off seasons, the flowers and stems die back and you can hardly even tell the plant is there (rather than just dying and looking like hideous brown clumps in your garden). When it’s time to bloom, entirely new flowers shoot up where the old ones were. Many people will intermix annual flowers in with perennials to keep a constant flow of color to their backyard or garden area.

Before deciding whether to put in perennials or not, you need to make sure that your soil has proper drainage. If the water stays saturated for long periods of time, you should build a raised bed. Raised beds help drainage and can be used in areas where the soil is not really acceptable for plants.

To test for water drainage, dig a hole and fill it with water. Wait a day, and then fill it with water again. All traces of water should be gone within 10 hours. If the hole isn’t completely dry, you will need to build a raised bed.

Picking your perennials can be a complicated process. The goal should be to have them flowering as much as possible during the year, so you should create an outline of the year. There are tow ways to go about selecting perennials.

Research the different types of flower you want, and create a timeline of flowering. If you plan it right, you can have a different type of flower blooming at any point in the year. You can research plants online or by selecting a good perennial book.

And one final step for a great perennial garden is using mulch. You should definitely use mulch when planting perennials. This will reduce the overall amount of work you have to do. It will reduce the amount of weeds and increase the water retention of the soil thus cutting back on extra garden maintenance. Bark or pine needles work great. In my area I can pick up bark and needles for free. (Check at tree companies and local township office for these items.)

Perennials are quite easy to care for once they adapt to their surrounds. Use fertilizer sparingly once your plants start to come to life. And add more mulch to the plants every two or three years

Note: Perennials will grow well in containers or patios or balconies. Either store them in the winter in a slightly warmer area or cover well with straw. How well they need protected from winter will depend on your climate.

Technorati Tags: flower gardens, perennial planting tips, perennials, selecting perennials

For those of you who have a slope in your yard you know the challenges it can create. My yard has a slope that is as bad as what this you tube shows. It’s created mowing and water runoff problems for me.

I am working on a design for the yard that includes, plants, shrubs, trees, steps and a railing and soon to be added – a driveway.

This you tube will give you some ideas for planning a design for a sloping yard.

Drainage for rain and removal of snow is also an issue with my landscape planning.

The most important part of a terraced design or layout for a slope is trying to plan for all the situations that might occur.

Fall is the time to take a look at your trees and shrubs and see what care they need. Depending on your summer they may need pruning or tender loving care to make up for a stressful summer. In my area we had intense heat and lack of rain so I know my plants need new compost and additional fertilizer to help with the strain of the summer temperatures.

My first plan is to check the plants for any damaged branches and remove them. Then it’s time to give them a good soaking and a liquid fertilizer. I prefer my own compost tea mix. It’s chemical free and packed with nutrients.

Next after the ground is thoroughly soaked I will apply a new thick ground cover to keep the moisture in and add additional nutrients to the soil.

If my plants look weak or tired I will check them over for any disease or root problems.

So far my trees and shrubs seem fine but a few seem to be heading for an early leaf loss. I have noticed this in many trees and shrubs in this area.

If you have a plant that really looks sad contact your local Master Gardens group or an Extension Office for help.

This is also a great time to analyze your backyard landscape and add any new shrubs or trees. If you plant them now they will have time to acclimate to their new surroundings and begin to grow roots.

And one final note: If you need to prune trees or shrubs, do it in late fall or winter before the new growth of spring has started. The exception to this general rule is spring-flowering shrubs like lilacs that should be pruned immediately after flowering

Technorati Tags: backyard plant care, landscaping, landscaping tips, plants, tree and shrub care