When working with small spaces in your backyard, patio or balcony design every item counts and should serve two purposes. Another concern to keep in mind with garden design is time savers. After all, you have created an oasis to relax in, why add work?

photo credit: slideshow bob

Keep it simple.

Simple easy to work with designs and ideas will cut your time in half. You might want to mix artificial plants in the back and fresh live plants in front. Window boxes on a top window that is hard to water will do better with artificial plants, and no one will know the difference. I know I have been doing this for years.

Place any gardens near water or add a rain barrel. Lugging buckets of water or winding and unwinding water hoses takes time and energy.

Storage space

Having adequate storage space for tools, kitchen utensils and children’s toys will stop the running back and forth to get these items. A bench that serves as a storage space will add space and shelves on patio wall also add extra storage room. Pegs on the wall will get larger toys off the patio floor. If placed properly they can also decorate the wall space

Use all available space

When you space is limited it doesn’t take much to get a cluttered look that will make your space look smaller. Use trellises to give you extra space going up. Why place plants in containers on the floor when you can continue a lush green wall being the plants. And if these plants are vegetable you will have a mini garden within arms reach from the kitchen.

Hanging baskets will free up floor space and if you have an open rafter that can be used for storage.

Make you gardens work overtime.

• Combine vegetables with flowers. It’s a great look and will save space.
• Use more mulch in your gardens and backyard. You will save time mowing and watering the lawn.
• Drought resistant plants take less time and water. They also seem to have less insect problems.
• Consider using square foot gardening methods. You use less space and water. And with less space you will have less weeding.
• Hardscaping takes less time to maintain and will add interest to the backyard.

Each year I find I want more time to enjoy my backyard and take the time in the spring to look around a see how I can simplify my garden and backyard tasks.

Technorati Tags: backyard, backyard projects, Small Space Garden, small space garden design

I have run off problems from rain if we have a heavy storm. Thankfully it does not happen often, but when it does it causes a lot of damage that can take months to clean up.

Rain gardens can alleviate this problem plus they are beautiful. The following you tube has information of rain gardens. Its a bit long but the information is fantastic.

This you tube also has beautiful flowers and outdoor images. Since its February where I live this was a great pick me up from winter weather.

Rain gardens also serve a purpose for the environment. They recycle rain water, feed small animals and beneficial insects and will help with flooding.

Even a small backyard will benefit from a miniature rain garden if you have drainage problems or want to recycle water. These gardens are often recommended in dry or drought prone areas.

I have one area in my backyard that would really benefit from a rain garden plan. It may have to be added to my backyard summer projects. I know it would definitely add beauty and peace to my backyard oasis area.

Technorati Tags: backyard oasis, backyard projects, backyard rain garden, rain garden

With busy schedule most families keep today, it’s easy to let your backyard get that “wild out of Control” look. You don’t seem to notice how bad it looks until you are pulling in the drive or take a look at it from the neighbors yard and wonder who lives there!

photo credit: JulieFinestone

Here’s how to clean up your backyard and get it back under control.

Clean up the weeds, leaves and shrubs.

Grab your garden tools and a wheelbarrow and start first by cleaning up the fallen leaves. You can also pull out the weeds growing along fences and the sides of your house at the same time. If you have a compost pile add the fresh material into the pile.

Next trim your shrubs with a garden trimmer. For a nice trim its best to step back and take a good look at the shrub. Remove any damaged or diseased branches. After that you can trim the top and sides. It depends on what type of shrub I have on where I dispose of the cuttings. Shrubs with leaves go in the compost pile for the garden areas. Evergreen shrubs are put in a pile to be used for mulching material around shrubs and trees.

Mow the lawn and trim the edges

After the leaves, weeds and shrubs are tidied up, its time to mow the yard and doing any neglected backyard trimming. Mow your lawn on a low height setting to trim down the grass. This will let you get a good look at the lawn area. Get your weed whacker out of storage and edge any fences, sidewalks, drives and shrubs and trees.

This is when I look at the difficult trimming areas and decide if I will be creating mulch layering in these areas.

Clean up the clutter.

Start eliminating the clutter by placing any tools and belongings back into the garage or a storage shed. If you need more storage space, organize your existing space or buy building or small storage shed for your backyard.

If you have an item in your backyard that has sat in one place waiting to be fixed or used one day, wither fix it or move it on. Someone else will appreciate that old doghouse that has not been used in years or the canoe hidden in grass.  And yes, it’s hard to part with those “I’ll do it next week” projects.

Landscape your backyard.

If you feel you backyard needs made over just take a few minutes and sit down and take a look. What would add comfort or ease to the backyard? Is there a certain plant or tree you have always wanted. Do you need more room to entertain or would you like to make the yard easier to maintain?

Install paving stones to make a path or a few new trees and shrubs will give a new look to the yard quickly. Put a bench in your backyard for reading relaxing or to enjoy the garden area.

By adding new landscaping and creating areas in your backyard you will add interest to the yard.  You will also find yourself spending more time enjoying and taking care of backyard projects that will keep the yard clean and tidy.

Technorati Tags: backyard clean-up, backyard landscaping, backyard oasis, backyard projects, clean up backyard

October may provide brilliant color in the landscape but it also signals an end of another growing season. Let’s look at some of the things needed to be done in the landscape.

photo credit: daviza

Dahlias can remain in the ground until after frost. Cut off the stems six inches above the ground and lift carefully, for the tubers are brittle and break off easily. Discard any that do. Place the clumps in flats, stem side down, and let them dry off before storing.

Just before storing cut off the fine roots and cut the stem back to within an inch or two of the crown. They are best stored in a cool place (about 40 degrees) but may be stored at a warmer temperature if covered with peatmoss or sand. Line the storage boxes with paper. A dusting of sulphur before storing will prevent rot. Be sure to tie labels to the clumps so you will know what is what next year.

Tuberous begonias are lifted after the foliage has yellowed, but don’t remove the foliage until it is dry. Remove the dried stems and clean off the dry soil. Store the tubers in flats in a warm place (50 to 60 degrees) and cover them with peatmoss. They need good circulation of air to prevent rot.

Cannas should be lifted after the first frost and stored in a cool place. To prevent shriveling cover them with dry peatmoss or sand. Many, however, no longer store canna roots over winter, preferring to buy live plants each spring.

Lift Gladiolus corms as the leaves begin to turn yellow. After lifting, cut the foliage to within three inches of the corms and then let them dry off in the sun if possible for a little while each day. When completely dry, dust them with an insecticide to prevent thrips injury. Store them uncovered in a cool place.

Ismenes (Peruvian daffodils) must be lifted very carefully to preserve the root system. So, dig deeply. Spread out the plants indoors to dry. Remove the tops but not the roots. Store them uncovered in a place where the temperature will not go below 50 degrees.

Montbretias may be left in the ground if given a heavy covering of leaves. If lifted they should be removed from the ground in clumps with the soil clinging to them. Don’t let the soil dry out.

Tuberose bulbs should be lifted in clumps and dried off for storage in a warm dry place. Divide into single bulbs during the winter or use a second year without dividing the clumps.

In The Greenhouse

Repotting is one of the round-the-year jobs. When in doubt about the need for repotting, knock the plant like the watermelon peperomia out of the pot. If the ball is well covered with roots it is time for repotting. Don’t repot flowering plants that have flower buds forming. Soak new flower pots in a tub of water for at least a half hour before they are used.

photo credit: audreyjm529

Freesias that were potted and placed in the coldframe should now have several inches of growth. Bring them into a cool part of the greenhouse before frost. For better results give them a weekly feeding.

Watering.

Don’t just turn on the hose and water everything in sight. Water plants when they need it. When in doubt give the pot a sharp knock with the handle of your pocketknife and if the pot rings water is needed. A dull thud indicates the soil is still damp. Soil in benches that feels dry and somewhat crumbly needs a thorough soaking with the hose or watering pot.

Find out more as Thomas Fryd shares his experiences on landscaping and gardens at plant-care.com. Get cleared up on watermelon peperomia.

Technorati Tags: Backyard Garden, backyard oasis, backyard projects, garden, gardening, home improvement, landscaping

Pebbles,  stones and  rocks can add to your backyard design and garden areas. And if you have a supply on your property this will make for a reasonably priced backyard makeover.
photo credit: vladimir.frolov

I happen to have an abundant supply of rock and gravel at the moment. Unfortunately the flooding and storms we had this summer did not place it in the correct place. But in time these rock piles will make small walls around the property and a new driveway for the front yard.

Paths and Drives

Paths and drives add to a landscape and become very low maintenance when covered with a topping of small natural stone pebbles. The pebble size you choose needs to take into account how the path or drive will be used. Heavy car traffic or foot traffic areas need smaller stones, as they are more comfortable underfoot and better for cars to drive over.

photo credit: www.a-middletonphotography.com

Gravel drives and paths should have retaining edging to hold the stones in place. This is especially important if you have a sloped yard and run off after a rainstorm.  Your drive and paths will need to be topped up with extra stone occasionally. I find every four years my areas need a small new topping.

Water Features

A garden water feature adds beauty and atmosphere to any yard or garden. They can be very small or quite large and bold. The main thoughts when selecting a water feature is how will it fit into the family lifestyle and how will it relate to your current landscaping?

When planning a water feature you can incorporate natural stone in a variety of ways. Larger stones around the edge of the feature can add character to your backyard design. And pebbles can also be used to cover the base of the water feature and to cover up any cords or pumps that are used to power it.

Tip: Before choosing your stone remember to wet a sample, as this is how it will look in your water feature.

Ponds

The same rule applies with ponds to wet your sample and check the color of the stone.

Natural stone is normally dusty when collected and when the dust comes off the real color is revealed. Collecting stone can turn into a family event and you will be surprised and pleased with what beautiful stone you can collect. Just remember to ask before you pick up rocks or stone on property that does not belong to you.

Ponds look great with a built-up edging. And by varying the edging you will create a natural look. Remember to mix and match various sized stones for a more natural look.

photo credit: borkur.net

Adding stone to your backyard will create a new look quickly. You can even add a rock garden and add plants that thrive in such a surrounding. Slopes and hard to landscape area lend their selves to rock gardens.

There are many uses for rock, stone and pebbles in your landscaping plans. Explore the possibilities and see if using rock in your yard and gardens will cut back on time spend in the garden and yard.

Technorati Tags: backyard design, backyard projects, ponds, rock projects, water features