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: , , , , ,

Create a holding bed for moving plants

 Backyard Garden  No Responses »
Sep 052010
 

There’s a change in the weather here in NW Pa. So I spent time preparing a holding bed for the new perennials I picked up and for more that I am getting in a few days. There’s a perennial sale on so its time to revamp the backyard oasis!

In the fall a holding bed is one of the most useful garden tools I have. Yes, it’s a garden bed or sorts but a necessity if you’re diving and moving plants.

I usually make a quick raised bed out of any wood I can pick up for free and match its measurements to old windows or shower doors. (Just in case I have to cover the holding beds against frost or cold.) Old dresser drawers also work well and since I usually use these beds for a few weeks any old dresser drawer will work.

Set you holding beds up in an area of the backyard that is close to water and will get some shade, since theses are transplants and need protection for all day sun.

I use these holding beds for perennials I am diving, new perennials, flowers I am moving and for cool weather annuals that I want to add color to the backyard.

I have also used a holding bed for sick plants while I am nursing them back to health.

The nice thing about a holding bed is that it temporary. I usually put it in a place in the backyard that needs better soil and create the bed. After I am done I remove the bed and rake toe soil over the top of the ground, add compost and I have a area with better soil that I can either plant in the following year or reseed with grass.

Tip: If your nights are cooling down to less than 50 degrees it time to start bring in any indoor houseplants you moved outside for the summer. I also start moving in geraniums, which I over winter for the following year

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

Small Space Koi Pond

 koi fish  No Responses »
Sep 022010
 

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.

Posted by Denise at 10:30 pm  Tagged with: , , ,

Quick Backyard Decorating Pick me ups

 backyard design  No Responses »
Jul 222010
 

As the summer progresses we want a quick change in our backyard. If a few quick changes you can add color and privacy to your home, often at a low price.

last leg
Creative Commons License photo credit: hello-julie

Hang planters and hooks on the side of your home and place hardy plants in baskets. You will want hardy low maintenance plants that require less water than most plants. You don’t want to be running out watering these planters all the time. I often select geranium, ivy, marigolds, zinnias or a mix of herb plants. Garden art figurines will also look nice tucked in the planters for more color and interest.

Consider adding a collection of different size pots and containers and arrange them in a corner of a porch, patio, fence area or yard. This will give a feeling of height to the area and create a lush garden feeling.

Purchase a freestanding wrought iron plant hook for your garden and hang a basket filled with annuals. A planter placed high in a garden creates a focal point.

Consider planting climbing roses or clematis to wrap around deck posts. This will soften the sharp lines of your home and create a more private feel to the backyard.

Many for these tips can be done in a few hours at a reasonable cost. They will give your home and garden area a fresh look.

Posted by Denise at 9:35 pm  Tagged with: , , , ,

How to Build Hardscape

 landscaping  No Responses »
Jul 112010
 

Hardscaping, the use of landscaping that is more permanent, is a project that needs to be thought out and planned well for success in your landscape

Here are 3 tips to help you get started with any hardscaping plan.

1.  Draw out all hardscape construction plans
If you are planning to include permanent features in your landscape it is imperative to think things through thoroughly. The only way to make any piece of hardscape successful in the landscape is to plan it out carefully. Sketch ideas out on paper or on computer software where you can change your mind and move things around cheaply. Study your property and think on any possible problem or additional work the hardscape could add to your yard. I walk the property and ask family and friends if they see any possible problems with the new hardscape plans. Remember, anything that will be permanent will be very costly to change later. So take you time with your plans.

2.  Check into local laws, regulations and codes.
Most cities require specific codes and inspections for most permanent structures, so check with your township or city before you start a hardscape design. Many cities have a wall height or you may have to abide by a road right or way. You also need to check with a landlord if you rent.

3.  Do any hardscape project the right way the first time.
That means make sure you think of any problems your new hardscape could create. Do proper preparation and select quality materials. Check referrals of any construction companies and make sure whoever does the work is experienced and knowledgeable.

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Creative Commons License photo credit: GardenFocus

If you are qualified to do the work yourself that’s great but if not, hire help. Keeping costs down is always a plus but make sure quality does not suffer. A poor job will only cost more for maintenance and repairs.

Any building project you want to endure should be done properly and within any town and county regulations. It may be tempting to take short cuts or price the job out to the lowest bidder. I myself prefer to hire local companies that need to do the best job they can for their reputation and future work. Just remember when hiring a company, you usually get what you pay for.

A well-done hardscape, whether it is in the form of a patio, terrace, built-in grill, walkway, wall, driveway or anything else, should increase the value of your property and require minimum maintenance. Make the effort to go slowly and carefully and whatever hardscape you build in your landscape can turn into an asset that you can enjoy for years to come. Hardscape can add value to your home if done professionally and built well.

Posted by Denise at 6:01 pm  Tagged with: , , , ,
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