Reblooming Lilacs will add color to your backyard

 backyard oasis  No Responses »
Feb 032011
 

Lilacs have been a staple in many landscapes for generations. Often time driving through the country you will see the stray lilac in a field, the only remaining landmark of a homestead. Just up the road from my house there is a group of lilacs planted in a field to mark an Indian battlefield.

One the country road I grew up on, every house had at least one lilac tree. Spring had arrived when the lilacs bloomed. But this was the problem. Lilacs bloomed in the spring and then they silently blended into the backyard.

Now there are three varieties of Lilac’s that rebloom again during the same year. They do not bloom with the same exuberance of the first bloom display. But you will be able to enjoy the fragrance and color of the lilac for a longer period.

Lilacs such as the ‘Josee’ will bloom intermittently throughout the growing season after the first early bloom. It is considered a dwarf lilac and will grow 4 to 6 foot tall and about 5 foot in diameter. It will grow in zones 2 through 9.

The Josee has the capacity to rebloom 3 to 4 times per year if the summer is warm and long. It has even flowered as late as October in some cases. To improve the bloom capacity, remove the faded flowers as soon as they dry up. Shearing the plant each year will improve branching and stimulate new growth.

The Bloomerang is another reblooming dwarf lilac. It does not have as many blooms as the Josee but still will add color to the landscape. It also grows in zones 2 through 9.

The advantages of the smaller lilac are that they will work better in a small landscape design, or as a focal point in a small garden area. Have small leaves they would also work well near a pool or pond.

The Superba Littleleaf lilac is a little larger lilac that will rebloom in late summer or early fall.

Lilacs are traditionally large shrubs that can reach 20 feet tall and tends to spread outward with age. The above-mentioned cultivars are smaller and are more compact.
Lilacs can become quite dense so they are often used as a loose hedge or as a screening plant. With their seasonal flowering its best if you want a colorful yard to add flowers near the shrub base or garden art to add interest and texture.

Posted by Denise at 11:33 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , ,

Use Low maintenance techniques in your Landscape Design

 landscaping  No Responses »
Oct 042010
 

Using low-maintenance landscaping techniques can reduce much of your yard work. Why add to your mowing, weeding, watering, and pruning? By selecting different plants, shrubs, trees and landscape plans you can cut back on yard work you will have more time to enjoy the backyard.

Here are a few tips that will help you cut back on gardening and landscape work:

1.  Choose the right plants

Native plants (plants that are native to your growing area) have less insect problems; they adapt to surroundings more easily than exotic species and need less water than plants that have been brought into your growing zone.

Group plants that have the same cultural needs will save time when watering and fertilizing. For example a rock garden is am area that requires less work and will do well will low plants. While a perennial shade garden will add color to a quiet area of the yard where grass may not grow well.

A shrub that grows to six feet tall will require regular pruning if planted under a window that is three feet above the ground. Read the planting instructions on a shrub before you buy it and match it for the area you plan to use it in. There are many dwarf varieties of trees and shrubs that are ideal for small areas and may never need pruning. I just bought several shrubs that only grow two to three feet tall.

It helps to keep the planting beds narrow for easy access to interior plants. Design the garden or flowerbeds with long, sweeping curves so that the mower can reach the edge, eliminating hand trimming. Border edging will also cut down on weeds entering g the garden bed areas.

2.  Mulch, mulch, mulch

Mulch is my best friend. A thick layer of organic mulch around plants help to control weeds, conserves soil moisture, adds nutrients to the soil and can give the yard a flowing balanced look. Popular organic mulches are tree bark, shredded leaves, pine needles, compost and plant wastes such as cocoa shells. (If you have any pets, please note that cocoa mulch contains theobromine, which is lethal for dogs and cats.) If weeds are a serious problem, lay down several layers of newspaper or a layer of cardboard before mulching.

3.  Keep the lawn as small as possible

This is my problem in my backyard. Due to the creek I need to mow to keep control of snakes and river rats. I really have too large of a yard, so to help cut down the mowing time I use ground covers, have a wildflower area, terraced garden areas, and mulched beds. Walkways, decks and patios will also cut down on the size of the yard that needs tending to.

4.  A healthy lawn

A healthy lawn is less likely to be bothered by weeds, insects, and diseases. It will not need to be repaired as much for bare spots.

Keep the grass a little taller; let it grows to three or four inches and then mow off one-third. High grass shades out weeds and won’t dry out as quickly as closely cropped turf. This is very important if you are suffering from a drought. Watering the yard takes time, money and is not as eco friendly as a low maintenance lawn.

Learn to water less frequently but deeply. This will encourage your plants to develop deep roots.

The most important rule you can remember when planning your garden is to remember “the yard is for enjoyment.” Do you really want a landscape design that takes 20 hours a week to maintain?

Posted by Denise at 9:52 pm  Tagged with: , , , , ,

Create flow in your small backyard design

 backyard design  No Responses »
Mar 272010
 

One of the most important things in a small backyard or garden area is to create a design that will give you flow.

If your garden spaces flow from one to the other you will create a feeling of more space. It also helps with relaxation and enjoyment of the backyard area.

The following you tube has great ideas for creating flow in the home and yard.

I liked the use of low maintenance plants in the front design area. The design plans also worked with tying the house into the landscape, both in the front and backyard areas.

When you work with designing your yard space if you tie the home into the yard you create a flow and the space becomes larger. This is particularly true in you have a porch area or patio and use color to blend the spaces together.

Posted by Denise at 11:58 am  Tagged with: , , , ,

Create a Kitchen Garden

 Backyard Garden  1 Response »
May 082009
 

Kitchen gardens were always a part of the backyard plan in the past and with the return of the recession gardens and popularity of the outdoor kitchen area the kitchen garden is again becoming popular. 041709 023
Creative Commons License photo credit: themissiah

A kitchen garden was set up to be small and easy to access from the home and preferably near the kitchen area.

It was also set up to include the favorite vegetables, herbs for cooking and a few fruits.

Basil, oregano, garlic, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, leaf lettuce, rhubarb and strawberries are a few of the items most often selected.

Kitchen gardens can be set up in a very small space or even on the balcony or patio. They are often grown in containers if space is limited.

Here are a few ideas to consider if you plan on creating your own kitchen garden area.

Choose a site that receives full sun during the growing season. This would be at least six to eight hours of lighting. If you live in a cooler climate try to select a site that thaws early. You will be able to work your soil earlier and get in your lettuce and other small vegetables.

Raised beds, using windowsills or container gardening would also help you plant earlier if your climate is cooler

Select a site that will permit access to a storage shed and water so that your gardening supplies will be close by.

The garden area should drain well and have the proper soil mix. Both drainage and soil can quickly be improved if you add compost, peat or fertilizer.

Design your kitchen garden to include the vegetables you use the most but also to be ornamental garden. This way you have the benefits of fresh garden produce but the beauty of a unique garden landscape. This is easy to do with vegetables of different colors, the use of vining plants and including flower, which can be edible, in your garden.The garden one year on
Creative Commons License photo credit: tristanf

One other advantage of a kitchen garden is that it is usually is within easy reach which makes weeding and picking the harvest easy. And if it’s close to the house you shouldn’t have to worry about damage to your crops from deer or other small wild animals.

Add a kitchen garden to your backyard or patio area.

It will add color to your garden oasis and fresh produce to you table. And with planning it will take very little room or time to maintain.

Posted by Denise at 9:52 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , ,

Vertical Gardening Ideas

 backyard design  No Responses »
May 012009
 

Vertical gardening is a must for the apartment renter or city dweller. But I have found even in the country it’s a practical way to grow crops. Trellis Climber
Creative Commons License photo credit: therapycatguardian

Vertical growing takes less space, is easier to maintain and it uses less water. I have also found I have less insect problems and plant disease.

These you tube videos will give you an idea of what you can grow using vertical growing methods.

For heavier crops I use pantyhose to tie the plant to the vertical supports. I feel it easier on the plant to have a soft tie. And if the fruit I am growing is heavy I make a pantyhose sling for the fruit to keep it safely on the plant and vine. Watermelon and gourds are crops I make a sling for.

When you tie a vine to the trellis be gentle with the vine, they can break.

One other thing I like about vertical gardening is that it is pretty. The vines and leaves have a lush feeling and will add depth to your living area. They can also add privacy. And if you add vining flowers to your vegetables you have planted you add more color.

Scarlet runner beans are edible and have a beautiful flower. They are one of my favorite flowering vines. Hyacinth beans vines and vining nasturtiums are also found in my gardens. And nasturtiums are also an edible flower.

Hanging baskets and small garden art will add to your vertical gardens and create an inviting multi-layered look to your garden and garden oasis area.

Vertical gardens add to your garden space and create a unique look. They make the most out of small space garden areas and are great for small backyard design, patios and balcony gardens.

Posted by Denise at 9:43 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , ,
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