The Urban Farm
The Urban Farm is an initiative from the community with support from Splash Adelaide for the creation of a green edible garden precinct on Ebenezer Place and Vardon Avenue in the heart of Adelaide’s vibrant East End.
Throughout the world there has been a noticeable movement for locally grown produce. This can be seen from rooftop gardens of restaurants and apartments, to green walls in urban spaces of some of the world’s biggest cities. People are recognising the health value of home grown food as the plants are grown for nutrition and not mass production, thus increasing the quality of the food.
Adelaide city is a great location to encourage this urban garden movement. We have taken inspiration from the Old Adelaide Produce Markets and lined the streets of the Adelaide East End with planter boxes full of herbs, vegetables and flowers.
These planter beds have been efficiently designed with a reservoir and internal composting system for minimal maintenance.
We hope this project will show Adelaide that growing your own food is easy and sustainable, can be done anywhere, and the added greenery looks great!
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Enjoy the garden planter boxes and pick a few herbs while you’re there!
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Fizzy Grid Trellis
This is a steel garden trellis inspired by fizzing root beer. It's built with 50% reclaimed materials. The details are hand rolled strap, found materials and solid discs. The grid is 3/16" steel mesh in 4" squares. This trellis is designed to be inserted into the ground with two 8" long stakes at the base. There are two horizontal stabilizing bars. It's very stable, well made and a fun additionto any yard. Each one will be uniquely different. 6'H-ish x 24"W-ish Only available after May 1st.


Who are We
I have been in the landscaping field for the past twenty five years working in both residential and commercial landscaping.
During this time I have developed a passion for landscaping and yard work. Greenearth Landscaping was started approximately 15 years ago to provide a more personal lawn care and Landscaping service to Langley and the surrounding areas.
Spring start up is one of our specialties in which we offer aerating, moss control, power raking,top-dressing, fertilizer and over seeding, weed kill, pruning of trees and hedges, etc. Our knowledge, background and experience in yard care will eliminate any questions about how to achieve a beautiful yard and keep it that way.
Our guarantee is to give you the best results possible without any guess work. We also provide quality landscaping services such as: new turf construction,new irrigation, water features, rock walls,new garden design, new trees and shrubs for gardens and hedges.
We can also help you design and install a new yard or garden that you can enjoy all summer long.


in Kensington Gardens, west of Hyde Park, you will find the Princess Diana memorial playground, a beautiful playground in memory of the late Princess Diana.
The playground was built with the stories of Peter Pan in mind and is therefore nicknamed Peter Pan park! In the center of the playground is a large wooden pirate ship. The ship is also surrounded by sand in which the children can play to their heart’s content and there are also various climbing frames, swings and slides.
The playground is visited by more than a million children every year.
princess diana memorial fountain
Kensington Palace and statue
the memorial playground and the fountain are both not far from Kensington Palace, the palace where Diana lived. In the gardens of the palace is a statue of Diana with her two sons.
opening times memorial playground
may – august
10:00 – 19:45
april en september
10:00 – 18:45
march en begin october
10:00 – 17:45
february and end october
10:00 – 16:45
november – january
10:00 – 15:45
how do you get there?
underground station Queensway.
The Princess Diana memorial playground is nearby.


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I am growing a lot of hedge on a very small budget (ZERO budget!) and I am using forsythia and buddleia, both grow easily from cuttings, just literally push sticks into the ground and they start growing.
The forsythia can be cut one a year if you want a more formal hedge, if you just let it grow then it will fall over a bit at the top when it gets to about 7 feet high.
The buddleia, I just let that grow, it does bush out quite a lot so if you don't have much room, then it might not be suitable.
I have planted the forsythia hedge where I can see it from the house it the spring because it adds a bit of color with its yellow flowers in the spring.
The buddleia is planted where it more visible in the summer, there are 2 types of buddleia in the hedge, one purple and one yellow, the yellow one has not grown as high as the purple one, but maybe it is just slower to get started.
I did look into growing grape vines as a hedge, you can weave the branches together to make a grid, but they don't actually become thick wood branches for several years. I was put off because I am not sure that they would survive our cold winters and also that fruit would fall and attract flies.


The project consists of over 1,800 m2 children’s playground, including tree houses, swings with harness, a forest of water spheres, and a toboggan cascade with more than 60 toboggans arranged on the hillside. The proposal uses the difficulties of the terrain to solve a classic dilemma of children’s games: make them either safe or entertaining? The hillside slope allowed to reach enough height to make them fun, without being a threat to children’s safety. Furthermore, the perimeter fence of the park is a play area of 310m.
Source: Bicentennial Children’s Park


When it comes to outdoor spaces, a well-designed deck can transform your backyard into a haven of relaxation and entertainment. While traditional single-level decks have their charm, the trend of multi-level decks has been gaining popularity for good reason. Multi-level decks offer a host of benefits that go beyond the conventional, providing homeowners with an opportunity to create visual interest, accommodate a variety of activities, and to maximize architectural appeal. At Creative Concepts and Design, we love to create decks that go beyond the ordinary. Follow along as we delve into the advantages of multi-level decks, showcasing why it might be the perfect choice for your outdoor living space.
Maximize Architectural Appeal
One of the key advantages of multi-level decking is the wow effect it provides. Unlike single-level decks that occupy a uniform plane, multi-level decks break that expected single-plane rule creating a more dynamic look and flow. This becomes especially valuable in smaller yards or irregularly shaped spaces where horizontal expansion might be limited. By going vertical, homeowners can create distinct areas for different activities, such as dining, lounging, and entertaining, without compromising the overall footprint of the deck.
Create Visual Interest
Multi-level decks add a dynamic and visually appealing dimension to your outdoor space. The varied elevations break up the monotony of a flat surface, providing a more interesting and aesthetic focal point. Whether you choose a two-tier or more elaborate multi-level design, the different elevations create natural divisions, allowing for the integration of landscaping elements like flower beds, potted plants, or even built-in seating. This not only enhances the deck’s visual appeal but also brings a touch of nature to your outdoor retreat.
Accommodate Various Activities
The versatility of multi-level decks makes them ideal for accommodating a range of activities simultaneously. While one level may serve as a cozy seating area for intimate conversations, another can be designated for al fresco dining. Higher elevations might house a barbecue station or a built-in fire pit, providing a focal point for social gatherings. This segregation of spaces allows family members and guests to engage in different activities without encroaching on each other’s personal space, fostering a harmonious and functional outdoor environment.
Enhance Your Outdoor Living Experience
A multi-level deck can significantly enhance your outdoor living experience by offering different perspectives of your surroundings. If your home boasts scenic views, the elevated levels provide opportunities to enjoy them from various vantage points. Additionally, the incorporation of stairs or transitions between levels adds a sense of movement, making the outdoor space feel more dynamic and engaging. Whether you’re watching the sunset from an elevated lounge area or stargazing from a raised platform, the multi-level design elevates the overall enjoyment of your outdoor space.
Increase Property Value
Investing in a well-designed multi-level deck can contribute to the overall value of your property. Potential homebuyers often appreciate outdoor spaces that are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. The added appeal of a multi-level deck, with its visual interest and versatility, can make your property stand out in the real estate market. It becomes an attractive selling point, showcasing the thought and effort put into creating a desirable outdoor living space. A multi-level deck adds an unexpected “wow factor” to your home.
Ease of Maintenance
You might think that multi-level decks would require more maintenance, but contrary to popular belief, multi-level decks can be designed to be easy to maintain. Choosing low-maintenance materials, such as composite decking, eliminates the need for frequent staining or sealing. Additionally, the segmentation of the deck into different levels allows for targeted maintenance. If one area requires repairs or upgrades, it can be addressed without disrupting the entire deck, making maintenance more manageable and cost-effective in the long run.
Our Design Team Can Create a Beautiful and Practical Multi-Level Deck
The benefits of multi-level decks extend beyond mere aesthetics. The strategic use of space, visual interest, and accommodation of various activities make it a practical and appealing choice for outdoor living. Our design team can create an amazing multi-level deck that will make you the envy of your neighborhood and make the most of your backyard living space. Whether you’re looking to maximize your space, create an inviting atmosphere for gatherings, or enhance your property’s value, a multi-level deck offers a versatile solution.
Don’t Settle for a Smaller Deck, Finance Your Dream Deck!
Today’s composite decks last a long time. If you’re considering adding a deck to your home, it makes more sense than ever to build your dream deck and enjoy it the whole time you live there. With our convenient financing, you can spread out the payments so you don’t have to sacrifice size or design for price. Plus, you can enjoy it while you pay for it. Considering that decks add to your home’s resale appeal and value, a multi-level deck is a great choice.
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If you’d like some guidance, the amazing design team at Creative Concepts and Design is ready to help. We’ve designed and built some pretty awesome multi-level decks and we’re always excited to share our expertise. At Creative Concepts & Design, if you can imagine it, we can help you design it and build it. Our design talent sets us apart from a lot of other deck builders in Kansas City. We really listen to what you want. Our designers can take an ordinary deck and tweak just one or two features and create something more functional, unique, or beautiful. We can customize your deck to fit your space and your budget. With today’s composite decks lasting decades, it’s worth spending a little extra time in the design stage to make your finished deck an addition that will add aesthetic value to your home for years to come.


Best Outdoor Lighting
Garden lights range from the delicate, like the teapot with fairy lights, to the bold and dramatic, like the oversized globe planters. Many of the garden lights are easy to install, with just a little hanging time and some extension cords. Solar lights are even easier to install and can be obtained at any home improvement store.
Some of these lights are concealed in the landscape, like the recessed lights along the brick pavers. Another clever lighting idea is to purchase lights that look like garden stones and scatter the lights among the natural stones for a subtle effect.
Many of the built-in lighting ideas are great safety enhancers. These keep your family and guests from tripping when it gets dark outside. A little lighting goes a long way in enhancing the safety and beauty of your landscape at night.


What are the financial prices entailed with opening a fence firm? Opening prices consist of a service permit as well as contractor’s license, an insurance plan, as well as obligation coverage. Insurance is constantly suggested to secure your organization from an unanticipated accident or poor weather condition. Buying a business guaranty bond is constantly an excellent concept. Fencings are important for personal safety and also to beautify the surrounding home. A fence firm can offer eye-catching landscape layouts that improve the visual allure of the residence or company. Industrial as well as houses can be made right into strolling areas and also parks with personalized developed secure fencing. Landscape design for the backyard is usually done by a fencing firm to provide it a specialist appearance. One preferred application of commercial fencing is around swimming pools. Chain link fences can be used to border the pool and also keep personal privacy for the family or people making use of the swimming pool. The fence business can develop and construct the fencing to stop unwanted site visitors from entering the swimming pool area. They can also set up security illumination to ensure that swimming pool as well as surrounding landscaping stay secure in the evening. They can also mount gateways with a securing system to keep unapproved customers out of the pool area. An additional common application of industrial fence setup is around energy lines. Fences will certainly be needed to run between the post and also the structure, to maintain the lines out of the ground. Fences will require to be set up securely to prevent accidents. An experienced fencing firm will have experience in installing utility lines and also will certainly have the ability to make a fence that does not end up being damaged because of ice or various other severe weather. Backyard landscape design can be improved with the help of a fencing firm. Landscape design companies can make and also install customized made entrances and also fences to ideal fit the lawn and home. They can additionally get rid of unwanted lawn as well as weeds, which make a yard unattractive. Many times, energy lines lie where grass is expanding too thick. Professional fencing firms will certainly have the ability to set up a high quality fencing to prevent prospective burglars and also boost safety and security. No matter what an individual is seeking in their area, a specialist fence firm can aid. Expert fencing installment businesses are experienced in all various types of secure fencing as well as will have the ability to help an individual to select the excellent kind of fence for their requirements. If an individual intends to mount a fencing by themselves, they must check out the various designs of fences readily available before choosing. The majority of the time, individuals will locate the style of fence they like when visiting a fence business’s showroom. In this manner, they can get a much better idea of the different kinds of fencings readily available.


One of the best ways to create rich, beautiful soil, and make use of otherwise wasted resources, is to compost. Many hesitate however because of the presumed untidiness, expected smells, and effort involved in tending compost piles. So how to make use of all those kitchen scraps and yard waste you simply have too much of just to use as mulch? Simple – bury it.
Yep. You can just find a spot where you want to build some future soil and start burring the same stuff you’d otherwise pile up. Now there are some caveats here. Best to do this inside a fenced area where animals won’t dig things up, and you do need a patch of dirt that isn’t too difficult to dig into or it could be more work.
But if you have walk-ways between your garden beds that have already been mulched, or a place you want to expand your garden, just burring your kitchen compost with a little chopped up yard waste will get the fertility process started.
I used this method to build the habit of saving compostable materials before I was ready to tackle a traditional compost pile. You can do the same. And when you run low on decent burial sites, or are ready to create large volumes of compost for spreading, you can graduate to a dedicated compost bin or pile as well.
Meanwhile you’ll get benefit from materials that would otherwise would be waste, and maybe even start changing the way you look at stewardship of the earth and its resources.


For a while I've thought we needed a thread to put interesting/awesome things (articles, pictures, videos, etc.) that don't really fit into the funny thread, and @Pigdango's post earlier confirms that I may not be alone in this.
You can enter this garden only in the spring and autumn seasons.
There is a wisteria trellis which is 80 yards and a wisteria tunnel that is 220 yards. The wisteria dome, wisteria trellis and mega wisteria trellis make up a total of 7314 yards squared.
Around the garden, there are about 700 maple trees and 18 of those are 70-80 years old.


Gulliver’s Valley will be fourth park in the Gulliver’s chain. The park follows the successful parks at Warrington, Milton Keynes, Matlock Bath. The chain is primarily aimed at 2 – 13 year olds.
Set to open in 2020, phase one of the development will include the main Gulliver’s theme park with three themed areas, the entrance hub and a castle structure. The resort will be built at a cost of £35m, will create 450 jobs and be bigger than the firm’s three other parks combined.
To aid the development, the planning board at Rotherham Council has approved a Local Development Order (LDO) – a planning tool brought in by the Government to streamline the planning process and speed up development.
The ecological wetland areas that surround the site are will remain untouched during construction and operation of the park.


Follow the path to the three-storied pagoda at the top of the hill, and witness the finest camellia-viewing sites in Tokyo.
A new viewing site for the spring
From January to March, some 2300 trees from over 100 types
of camellias blossom brilliantly in the garden.
For the spring of 2021, a new viewing area presenting another beauty of the camellias will be created on the hilltop area where the three-storied pagoda stands. Along with the Tokyo Sea of Clouds and One Thousand Lights, as well as our elegant camellia-themed meals, now more than ever guests can experience the beauty of the camellias that have been adored in Japan since days long past.
◆ The walk to the hilltop includes a gently sloping climb of a total of approximately
150 stairs across both directions, over a dirt path, and hard-packed earth. ◆
Tokyo Installation Art
〜Scenic Scroll “Camellia”〜
In the days when Meiji-era statesman Yamagata Aritomo inhabited this land, it was written that atop the hill in the garden, the camellia trees stood tall against the sky. (The three-storied pagoda was brought to the garden by Baron Fujita Heitaro, who carried on the garden from Yamagata. ) A new area has been created in the stretch of the garden behind the three-storied pagoda, with tall Japanese camellia trees and moss evoking the style of garden found in front of traditional teahouses. The vision recalls the Kasayama Camellia Groves found in Hagi, Yamagata’s birthplace. Along a path of bamboo fences and stones transported from Hagi, a new world of camellias spreads before the eyes. In this garden said to have been inspired by Hagi, yet another scenic locale has been recreated.
【5 weeks only: February 8th(Mon.) to March 14th(Sun.), a special piece of installation art will emphasize the striking beauty of the camellias drifting to earth from the tall Japanese camellia trees. An illusory vision like that from an unfurled picture scroll delights the eyes, as nature and art become one.
Camellia Flower Path
On the hill path leading from the sacred tree to Mucha-an and the Shiratama Inari Shrine, double-flowered camellia trees from the Tamano-Ariake variety have been planted, displaying their splendid mixed red and white petals. When they bloom, the path is showered in colorful red and white.
The camellias of Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
The Japanese camellia tree and Tamano-Ariake are just two of the brilliantly blooming flowers at the hotel
that number more than a hundred varieties. Guests are sure to encounter new and different camellias with each visit.


Your Opportunity: Stantec; one of the Country’s leading Landscape Architecture, Planning, and Urban Design firms, is seeking a full time Senior Landscape Architect for our Boston studio.
Whether it’s an urban park, a commercial center, or a residential neighborhood, we bring together the places that make communities feel like home. This is a place where great ideas and rewarding careers can really take off.
Stantec’s North American Landscape Architecture Team consists of over 240 multi-disciplinary designers with expertise in all aspects of the built environment where beauty and function are combined with market demands and sustainability. Through analysis, planning, and design, we create inspired landscapes that reflect context, user needs and respond to local environments. We create spaces and places that are functional, innovative, inspiring and attractive. These spaces are the threads and the centers of our built environment and provide the backbone of our communities, providing public and private amenities, recreational facilities and spaces for daily life.
We connect the people, places, and resources that take a project from concept to reality. The Boston Studio is a client-centered, business casual, friendly, but fast-paced environment to work in. We offer a collaborative work environment and encourage research and development and creativity and innovation. Stantec Landscape Architecture continues to evolve and is firmly committed to design excellence.
Your Duties: We are seeking a Senior Landscape Architect to work in our Boston office. You will be part of a multi-disciplinary design team including site planners, architects, engineers, scientists, real estate experts and urban designers. This is a leadership position with responsibility for design excellence and project management, client development and maintenance and staff mentoring and development. You would have a lead role in in-house design sessions, design review and staff oversight. We would expect you to demonstrate a commitment to learn as well as fostering a learning environment with our group. The role would involve Client interaction and representation of our practice for projects, project pursuits and promotional events and business development in collaboration with our practice leadership including participation on strategic pursuits and proposals.
This position also provides the opportunity to participate in and be an important part of a national practice, with over 240 Landscape Architects in numerous offices across North America.
Stantec employees receive a full benefits package including 401k, full medical insurance, employee stock purchase, paid vacation, and paid professional licensure and other relevant accreditations.
Your Capabilities and Credentials:
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited Landscape Architecture program is required.
- The preferred candidate should be a Registered Landscape Architect in the State of MA and should have 7+ years of full-time work experience in a similar fast paced and detail oriented office environment.
- Candidates should have a strong working knowledge of AutoCAD and graphic oriented software programs, but more importantly should possess a desire for quality design and a focus on the required research and analysis needed to execute high quality projects.
We are seeking somebody with excellent design, graphic, computer, written and verbal communication skills who is comfortable managing complex projects and providing design leadership on a wide variety of projects.
We expect excellent creative thinking and design abilities, an ability to integrate sustainable design in urban and suburban context, and a familiarity with contemporary landscape architecture – peers, trends, research, and transformational projects.
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Stantec is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. Stantec will provide reasonable accommodation to all applicants and employees. Please contact our Helpline at (855) 917-7440 or email email@example.com if you need an accommodation to complete the application process.


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You'll find much less weathering and also decomposing in your outdoor patio than various other areas of your home, which is why a durable patio area (like the ones we build) can last for 25 years or longer! We strive to provide you satisfaction recognizing that when we install your paver outdoor patio it won't only look impressive yet will continue to look excellent for several, several years to find!.
Include a touch of elegance to your residence exterior with natural rock as well as rock veneers from Maryland Decking. Our devoted artisans demonstrate an obvious interest for installing quality veneers that supply both appeal and energy (Fulton Patio Contractors). We collaborate with natural rock and stonework veneers to produce lovely, remarkable impacts on any kind of residence, and surface tasks as successfully as possible.
An inch-thick or much less stone is excellent for accents, fire places, and indoor applications where conventional rock may not function. Regardless of what look you're choosing, we have the experience and materials to make it occur.
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After that all the rooms in between the blocks are filled with a grout. This is can be instead costly since one is constructing two surface areas. Interlacing brick outdoor patios are much a lot more cost-effective due to the fact that they are embeded in sand rather than in mortar over concrete. The price of pavestones is more economical today than previously.
When one compares comparable aspects of a stamped concrete outdoor patio done appropriately prices are usually less. Nonetheless when the advantages of each are compared the paving rocks far surpass the concrete (Fulton Patio Contractors). Creating outdoor patios is like intending a new room. What component of the day will it be in the sunlight or shade? It it mosting likely to be obstructed from the wind? How will the landscaping suit? How simple is the accessibility from your house? Are steps needed? Take into consideration the circulation of foot web traffic as well as the amount of area required to fit an outdoor patio table and chairs, gas grill, and so on.
ft. would certainly be required, yet a more generous dimension is advised, particularly if the property owner likes to captivate friends and family ... SEE EVEN MORE IN GALLERY ... Natural flagstone outdoor patios have been used for many years to update the look of residences. Several individuals are misguided on precisely what flagstone is and they actually thing it is a different name for words paving.
Natural flagstones are a kind of level rocks that is frequently used for putting down as a walkway or path. It likewise has a wide range of other means it can be used besides simply as natural flagstone patio areas. Some of the means individuals install natural flagstone is as a driveway, fire place, flagstone read review outdoor patio, or roof covering yet the uses are literally limitless and simply rely upon your own imagination.
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Some of the most usual points include the size of the yard and the bordering landscape. For example, the home owner might make use of a rustic outdoor patio thats made out of an all-natural stone, and after that established with a simple table and chairs. These all-natural paver Homepage patio area layouts are likewise full of lots of plantings.
Paver Outdoor Patio Styles, Are you searching for a new paver patio? Have an appearance at out profile of finished paver patios call us today to schedule a complimentary price quote! covered patio area builders near me. Prior to the home owner begins, they should make a draft of the paver outdoor patio develops that they like. Fulton Patio Contractors.
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Sheffield has more trees per person than any other city in Europe.
Sheffield residents might be oblivious to global warming given the dedication of the city to green energy and conserving the environment. The city has over two million trees and even won the 2005 Florale completion for its rich vegetation.
The city has over 170 woodlands, 78 public parks, 10 parks and 52 square miles of national park. To put the wealth of trees in Sheffield to perspective, the city has four trees for every individual which is quite impressive.


Wondering how to discover the best perennials for your garden site? Today there are thousands of beautiful perennials which can be used to create the flower garden of your dreams. No matter what growing zone you are living in there are many plant varieties that will continue to bring you pleasure throughout the coming years.
Consider adding phlox to your garden if you are searching for perennials that offer maintenance free color. These are flowers that can easily withstand prolonged drought, wind, cold and excessive heat. In very hot, dry conditions you should water these plants at least once a week. Phlox begins to bloom in mid-summer and continues to produce a bounty of flowers until the autumn months arrive. You can experiment with some of the different colors such as pink, variegated, purple and white. There are even a few fragrant varieties.
Coneflower is a native US plant that is easily adaptable to almost any growing conditions. These perennials thrive in the most demanding environments and are able to withstand heat, cold and prolonged drought. If you want to add a maintenance-free perennial to your cutting garden the coneflower would be an excellent choice. Purple coneflower is the most common color but newer species have been developed in shades of white, yellow, pink and orange. Hummingbirds, butterflies and bees are always attracted to these vibrant blossoms.
Rose campion is another versatile perennial plant. These flowers grow close to the ground the first year and display silvery-green leaves that have a fuzzy texture. The second year the leaves reappear and this time they will develop tall flower shoots topped by crimson blossoms. Rose campion is a prolific self-seeding plant and is ideal for cottage gardens or rock gardens.
Sedum is one of the top choices when you want to find the best perennials for your garden. Autumn Joy is a dependable plant that can tolerate full sun to shade. Sedums can be propagated easily from divisions or cuttings. The succulent leaves provide attractive garden foliage and many of these plants produce showy blossoms from summer to autumn. These garden perennials die back to the ground during the winter but are quick to return each spring. Purchasing the best weed eater on the market to clean up your garden.
A safe bet for most gardens is the lovely hibiscus plant. These flowers are easy to grow and most varieties are able to tolerate brief periods of drought. Perennial hibiscus are available in shades of pink, red, yellow, orange, peach and white. Some varieties produce blossoms with incredible diameters of 8-12 inches.
Coreopsis is a lovely, airy plant that can thrive in poor soil. These perennial plants offer lacy foliage and bright blossoms in shades of orange and yellow. If your backyard offers full sunshine during the day then coreopsis is one of the best perennials for your garden.
Asiatic lilies, day-lilies and Oriental lilies are dependable perennials that provide extremely showy flower displays each year. These plants are available in a wide range of colors. You can also find day-lilies boasting single, double or ruffled petals.
Perennials can be combined with shrubs, herbs and annuals to create stunning floral displays that deliver fragrance and bold colors from spring until fall. Be aware of the mature sizes that each plant will achieve and space them far enough apart so that they have room to grow properly. Fill in the open areas with groundcover plants, mulch or annuals to prevent your garden from appearing too sparse.
Make sure that the perennials you select are suited to your garden site. Look at the flower colors and choose complimentary hues. For instance yellow coreopsis and purple phlox are an excellent color combo to plant in any garden site. When you add perennials to your home and yard you are investing in plants that will reward you with fragrance, beautiful blossom displays and bold, brilliant colors for many years.


Cable Concrete is an erosion control system which allows you to cut the grass in an application area with a lawn mower.
Problem: Stabilize the outlet of a hydraulic structure with a flexible, maintainable system (you can cut the grass with a lawn mower) while avoiding the “paved” look.
Solution: Cable Concrete 45
Performance: Installed 11/95, Cable Concrete is performing as designed.
Engineer: US. Army Corps of Engineers
Location: Patterson, NJ.


|Euphorbia griffithii 'Fireglow'
Another well known introduction from Alan Bloom V.M.H. Brilliant orange-red flower heads. Very erect s…
|Euphorbia amyg. 'Robbiae'
Award of Garden Merit. Commonly known as 'Mrs Robbs' Bonnet' Sulphur-yellow flowers. …
|Euphorbia x martinii
Award of Garden Merit. Commonly known as a form of 'Spurge'. This is a very attractive foliage…
|Eupatorium mac. 'Riesenschirm'
Available as an open ground plant. Award of Garden Merit. Huge heads which are extremely attractive to…
OUT OF STOCK
|Eryngium 'Picos Blue'
Available as a 9 cm pot. …
Award of Garden Merit. Commonly known as a form of 'Coneflower'. Very attractive to butterflie…
|Euphorbia x martinii 'Ascot Rainbow'
A NEW variety. Available as a 2 litre potful. …
Available as a 9 cm pot …


Water Features – Just How to Enhance Your Home
There is a wide variety of outdoor water fountains that are available out there today. Each of the products has its very own benefits and also negative aspects. And this is the reason why you need to be really clear regarding your purpose prior to choosing one. You can have an all-water fountain or simply a fish pond water fountains depending on your needs. The most preferred products for outdoor fountains would certainly be cast in stone, slate, timber and fiberglass. Cast stone is the most costly product yet if you compare it with various other products such as the fiberglass tabletop wall water fountain or the ceramic floor tile fountain then you will certainly locate that it is more long lasting as well as appropriate for the type of landscape design you wish to develop. Slate is one of the most appropriate for yard wall surfaces as well as slate roof coverings. Timber and ceramic tiles are also terrific selections. Nevertheless if you want something a lot more unique then you can have a rock water fountain or a fish pond fountain. A well made stone exterior water fountain will withstand any sort of weather condition as well as environment. It is impervious to bugs as well as mildew, so you will not need to fret about the durability of the wall surface water fountain. As well as while being incredibly resilient the product is quite light so it can be quickly carried from one place to one more. When making use of a heavy duty wall fountain with a strong base after that you will certainly find that the life expectancy is increased substantially and also the fountain ends up being much more durable as well as tough too. If you want something a little various after that you can use a fiberglass tabletop fountain or a wall water fountain. Fiberglass fountains are not a poor option, particularly when you are planning a landscape layout where the primary emphasis gets on the water features. You can include a lot of color and character to the outside landscape design when you use a fiberglass tabletop water fountain. It is made of durable strengthened cast concrete which provides the water fountain a smooth surface area. If you are in search of a special but advanced look then you need to think about utilizing a stainless steel basin makes. A basin make is really smooth and also contemporary. The style of the container makes it healthy completely into a more modern landscape layout however it still has the classic allure that you will pertain to enjoy. The basin makes is extremely resilient and can endure being knocked over to make sure that you don’t have to fret about the damage that might be caused by a falling container. Outside wall surface water fountains can be used as either a significant centerpiece or as accents. Depending upon the size of your outside room as well as the amount of light that the water features requires will certainly determine which direction you select to go in the layout. For a huge room you may choose to utilize the water attribute as the leading centerpiece. You can surround it with smaller wall fountains in different shades, sizes, and ends up that complement it. You can likewise choose to incorporate an oriental design fountain as an unique accent.


What are the top garden trends for 2022? It may not feel like it given the wind and rain we have been experiencing recently, but if you look very closely you can just about spot the snowdrops under the fallen leaves. Spring might feel a long way off but as the days gradually grow longer our attention inevitably turns towards our outside space and, whether you have a large garden or an apartment with a window box, when it comes to attracting a buyer, outside is just as important as inside!
Just as interior design trends change from year to year, so do garden trends, so we’ve had a little look through what’s in (or should that be out?) for 2022. Why not take a look at our top 5 trends…
The focus for the year is very much centred on the natural environment and our impact upon it. It became increasingly clear from the lock-downs of 2020 that allowing nature to take its course is a positive thing and rewilding all or parts of your outside space can work wonders to help the local insect, butterfly, bee, and bird populations. In gardening circles, the buzz words for 2022 are predicted to be ‘nature-scaping’ and ‘curated wilding’ with people choosing garden layouts that, although neatly organised and well maintained, look like they are ‘of nature’ rather than more obviously designed spaces. You can find out more about rewilding here, whilst ideal garden magazine has a great article looking at ideas to introduce some aspects of a wildlife garden here.
This trend is probably better suited to urban or city homes where large areas of turf lawn isn’t necessarily practical or desirable, but it can also be added to part of a larger garden. The idea is to intersperse your lawned areas with a combination of ‘mower tolerant’ plant species to create a patchwork of flora that requires less maintenance and can provide more habitat for desirable animal life. Take a look at some examples here.
Contemporary Water Features
According to gardening experts, water features now outsell solar lights, statues and outdoor mirrors combined as the most purchased garden feature and this trend is set to continue throughout 2022.
From water spheres to water blades, the push for water efficient gardens that minimise the need for irrigation is set to really ramp up as keen gardeners focus their attentions on the impact of climate change. You can pick up modern looking water features from the local DIY centre or splash out a bit more and have fully integrated water feature/irrigation systems added to your garden space. Take a look at some examples here.
There is already a focus on natural materials in gardens this year, with gardening supplier Primose reporting a 451 per cent increase in searches for Hazel hurdles. Using Hazel and other natural resources to build garden walls/fences and enclosures is likely to be the biggest trend in 2022, with Hazel hurdles being used to great effect to create privacy screens or section off areas of larger gardens. Take a look at some examples here.
Low Carbon Gardens
Staying with the use of natural materials and the focus on the environmental impact of our gardens, gardening experts are predicting that low carbon gardens will be a big thing in 2022. A greater understanding of the carbon cost of produce and cut flowers has led to an increase in people choosing to grow their own, often mixing flowers in with vegetables and opting to grow more fruit varieties at home, whether that be a tub with strawberry plants or a full-blown vegetable plot. With the increase in the cost of living, looking closer to home for certain fruit and vegetables is likely to be a continuing trend.
With the top 4 most searched keywords on Rightmove all being related to outside space, paying attention to your garden is not just good for the presentation of your home, it really can make sure your home is seen by more buyers.
As always, if you need any advice about the sale of your property, buying a new home or finding a tenant, just get in touch with the Hannells team! Find your nearest branch here or book a free valuation.


This product does not ship to AK, AZ, FL, HI, LA, TX and Puerto Rico
Most popular of all the Lemon varieties, this hybrid lemon variety is famous for its prolific crops of juicy lemons that are produced nearly year around. Slightly sweeter than other regular lemons. Yellow fruit contrast nicely with its dark green foliage, making it an attractive landscape plant in addition to the useful fruit.
Type: Citrus – Improved Meyer Lemon
USDA Zone: 9-10
Light Needs: full sun
Water Needs: regular; well drained
Flowering Season: fall-winter
Flower Color: white/blush
Growth Habit: Rounding
Mature Height: semi-dwarf: 6-15’
Mature Spread: Same as height
Special Features: attracts butterflies, bird friendly, attracts hummingbirds, etc.
Planting Tips & Instructions Dig hole twice the size of root ball. Backfill around the root ball with amended soil taking care to ensure the tree is not planted too deep. The root ball should still be visible after completing the backfilling. Make a basin around the tree, water deeply to settle soil. Yellow or dropping leave are signs of over watering or poor drainage.
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please note that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates.


Heavy Duty Construction 1, 1 1/2, and 2 yard Capacity
Hoppers attach directly to the skid-steer quick attach making it easy to place empty hoppers where they are needed on construction and demolition sites. When the hopper is full simply hook into it with the skid steer, transport it and dump it in a roll off dumpster, on trash pile etc..
Perfect for Landscape contractors. Fill the hoppers at the yard with stone or mulch and load them onto the truck or trailer for delivery. At the jobsite a skid-steer can pick the loaded hoppers off the truck and dumps the material right where it is needed in the landscape. This is an efficient method for getting material from the yard to the jobsite placement area with minimal re handling, less material loss, and fewer costs.


Century Farms is a single-family residential development on 100+ acres in southern Overland Park . This property has been owned and farmed by the Verhaeghe family for over a century. The project includes a resort-style pool and clubhouse, community vegetable garden, sports field, and a children’s play area. Schlagel is responsible for the design and construction documents for the multi phased development.
Location: Lenexa, Kansas
- 107 Acres
- 225 Single-Family Lots
- Community Amenities, i.e. Clubhouse, Pool, Play Area, Sports Field, & Garden


STAR CITY is a well-planned community with 70% open spaces. It is spread over 20 acres with well-planned gardens, green landscapes, children’s play areas, indoor and outdoor sports areas, retail shops & more.
STAR CITY inside DSK Vishwa, Dhayari enjoys a unique location advantage. It is a large residential community surrounded by the Sahyadri Hills & the Khadakwasla backwaters on one side & the well- developed and densely populated suburbs of Dhayari, Sinhagad Road & Kothrud on the other.
You don’t need to travel miles to go everywhere.


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A dining area harmoniously integrated into a natural setting. The kopitiam's foundation is formed by a wooden floor that complements the environment, while its robust concrete pillars provide stability and an industrial touch. The roof above showcases exposed roof rafters, creating a rustic atmosphere that blends modern design with the charm of nature. As you dine, you're surrounded by the beauty of the outdoors, feeling both connected to the serene landscape and the kopitiams distinctive architectural elements.
Check out more of our dining area to the right.
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Most lawns will require some amount of leveling to prepare for a playset installation, and even if you’re having installers come to build your playset, you will probably have to level the yard yourself.
Still wondering how to level a backyard playset? The most common way to level your playset is to level the ground beneath the playset using a shovel and rake to redistribute the soil. In some instances, you may need to use cement blocks under a playset or build a small retaining wall to create a level space.
Every yard is different, and the leveling needs in your backyard will be different from another person’s. Continue reading to find how out to level the ground in your particular backyard so you can put up that playset.
Related: How to Mulch A Playset
Does the Playset Really Need to Be Level?
Yes. The playset needs to be level for safety of the children playing on it and to prevent the playset from becoming damaged.
A playset that is not level could tip over while children are playing on it. Depending on the playset itself, it could blow over in a strong storm or lift up from the movement of the swings or other vigorous play.
A tipping playset can cause serious injury to the children playing on or near it.
Playsets are designed to sit level. If the playset is not built on level ground, it may be putting stress on joints, hardware, or the wood itself, that it was not designed to withstand.
Picture this: A playset with a clubhouse tower and a swing set. The outer edge of the club house and A-frame are sitting on areas of the yard that are a few inches higher than the center. This will put undue stress on the joint where the swing beam connects to the club. It is also going to result in uneven swings.
A situation like this is just one-way damage can occur to a playset that is unlevel.
In some cases, installing the playset on ground that is not level will void the warranty because damage is more likely to happen. By insisting that the playset be on level ground, the manufacturer is protecting them self from having to fix damage to a playset that could have been prevented.
Playset Leveling Options
Most backyards are not level. In fact, a perfectly level backyard can cause drainage issues. A properly graded yard will slope slightly in all directions away from your home. This allows heavy rainwater to run away from your house instead of into it.
But that graded yard can be a headache when you’re looking to put up a playset in your backyard.
There are a number of options for leveling your playset, and each offers different advantages depending on your situation.
- Redistribute the soil
Redistributing the soil is the most commonly used option. It does not require any fancy equipment or expensive supplies. It is best used if the area is mostly level and only requires a few adjustments. However, even slight adjustments require significant time and effort.
- Install support blocks
The only parts of the playset that need to be level are the supports. You can support posts using concrete blocks or supports to add some ground height. Additionally, some companies make playset leveling blocks that can help if the ground is only slightly off level.
This is not a desirable option to some because blocks used to support playsets can become trip and fall hazards, it doesn’t usually create an appealing finished look, and it cannot safely fix a drastically sloping yard.
- Build a small retaining wall
In a yard that requires significant leveling, you may be required to build a retaining wall to keep your soil from eroding where you build up the yard and where you dig into the yard.
This option requires a lot of extra materials and work, but it can be the only option on significantly uneven yards.
- Hire a Professional
If you’re short on time, have a seriously sloped backyard, or drainage issues, you might want to hire a professional landscaper to help. The job will be done well and quickly, but it can be expensive.
Before You Start Leveling the Ground
If you chose to level the ground beneath your playset by redistributing the soil yourself, you’re not alone. This is by far the most commonly used method of creating a level finished product because it usually only costs your time, and it is a fairly simple process.
Before you begin the process of leveling the ground, you need to figure out where you would like to place the playset in your yard. You may wish to choose the flattest place in your backyard, but there are a few other factors that may influence that decision.
Your children will be climbing, jumping, and running all around the playset. When selecting the location of your playset, be sure there is enough space around your playset for safe play.
It is recommended that the playset have at least 6 feet of clear space all around it and that the swings have twice the height of the swing beam in the front of it and behind it. This means a 6-foot swing beam would need 12 feet of clear space in front of it and behind it.
For a typical playset, you’re looking at something like a 27 foot by 27-foot square. The play area for a large playset can be expansive. Many playset manuals will provide the exact dimensions needed for the play area.
You may want to avoid building the playset over any of your utilities in case they need repair or upgrading. In addition, if you need to dig deep into the ground to level it, you will need to be careful not to damage any of your utilities.
Call your utility providers well ahead of starting to dig to have them mark where your lines are.
The playset should be visible from your home so that you can check on your children at any time. Additionally, you may prefer to have your playset where it is not seen from the street, but this is a matter of personal preference.
While many families chose to build their playset on grass, it is not the best options for beneath a playset. The CPSC recommends 9-inches of ground covering like mulch or pea gravel be laid out across the play area of the playset.
If you chose to use a ground covering, it will impact the amount of your yard that you must dig up in this process. The entire play area does not need to be level even if you are laying a ground covering, but many people like to make it somewhat level.
In addition, you may wish to create an edge around the play area if you are using a ground covering to help prevent the covering from taking over your yard.
How to Level Uneven Ground: The Simple Way
Digging into and redistributing the soil might be the simplest way to level the ground for your playset, but it is not the easiest. Digging up sod, removing soil, raking it out… you’re sure to work up a sweat, but a little hard work now will help make your playset safe.
You won’t need any fancy equipment to get this job done, just a few simple tools you probably already have in your garage.
- Landscape paint
- Long wood board
- Border spade
- Sod cutter
- Duct tape
- Landscape fabric
- Landscape fabric pins or garden staples
Leveling the ground is a simple process. You mark the area you need to level using stakes and string, move the dirt to create a level spot, and then check if it is level. For a more detailed look at each step in the process, continue reading.
How to Use a Level
It will be nigh impossible for you to level the ground for your playset if you don’t know how to use a level. A carpenter’s level is easy to use and accurate, but if you’ve never used one before, you might be wondering exactly how it works.
A level usually has three small tubes with a yellowish liquid and an air bubble in them. The tubes are marked with two fine lines. When you hold the level horizontally, there is a horizontal tube, a vertical tube, and a tube that is at a 45-degree angle.
When you set the level on a horizontal surface and the air bubble is between the two lines, that means that the horizontal surface is level.
When you hold the level vertically and press it against a vertical surface, it will tell you if whatever you are pressing it to is plumb or truly vertical.
Step-By-Step Process for Leveling the Ground
Mark the Ground
- Refer to your playset owner’s manual to determine the size of the playset.
- Measure out the size of the playset in the location you want to put it. You could mark it out with stakes, rocks, or landscape paint.
- The area where the playset will sit should look like a large rectangle. Give yourself a little wiggle room and make the area you decide to level slightly larger than the playset.
- At the corners of the rectangle, pound wooden stakes into the ground using a mallet.
- Tie the string to the stake that is at the highest part of the yard.
- Connect the string to another stake by wrapping it around the stake a few times. It should be taut.
- Ensure that the string is level using a line level or a carpenter’s level.
- Connect the string to all the other stakes and secure it to the last one by tying it off or you can use duct tape.
- If you are going to use ground covering beneath the playset, you should also stake out the play area using the same method.
Remove the Sod
Sod is term used to refer to your grass plus they layer of dirt beneath it that is held between the grass roots.
- Moist sod is easier to remove than overly wet or dry sod. Consider watering the area using a hose a day or two before you begin digging to make your job easier.
- For efficiency, you can use the shovel or a border spade to cut lines into the sod to create a grid of 1 square foot pieces.
- Use the shovel to pry up the layer of sod. Be sure to dig in deep enough that the shovel gets beneath the roots. This is usually about 3 inches, but it depends on the variety of grass in your yard. Once you begin digging, it will become clear how deep you need to go.
- Sod is heavy. Carefully load a wheelbarrow with the pieces. Large chunks can be repurposed.
- If you plan to lay out ground covering like mulch, remove the sod from the entire play area.
- Sod can also be removed using a sod cutter, a machine that uses sharp blades beneath the grass to pull the sod from the dirt. They can be rented at most machine rental locations and will make this job go much faster.
Redistribute the Soil
- When redistributing the soil, start at the highest part of the area you wish to level and work towards the lowest end.
- Dig out the soil. You can move the soil to the lower end, or you can load up your wheelbarrow to repurpose it or discard it.
- If you are laying a ground cover, you may want to dig deeper to create a basin for the ground cover.
- Use a garden rake to push and pull the dirt around until it looks level.
Check if the Ground is Level
Once everything starts to look level you will need to assess how level it is and make adjustments as necessary.
- Measure the distance between your level string and the ground. The distance should be consistent all along the string.
- If you have a long level, you can use it right in the dirt in the middle of the area you are trying to level. Be sure the level is flush with the ground.
- If your level is short, you will need to place a long board in the dirt and put your level on top of it.
- Check all across the area you are trying to level.
- You will probably have to do this several times before the ground is level.
- Once the ground is level, you can remove the stakes.
Lay Down Weed Barrier
If you do not want grass or weed to return to this area, use landscape fabric beneath your playset.
- Unroll landscape fabric over the area, overlapping approximately 3 inches where the fabric meets.
- If the fabric does not want to lay in place, you can use rocks to hold it there while you work.
- Use garden staples to secure the landscape fabric to the ground and to prevent it from moving and gaps from opening.
The Support Block Method
The support block method takes advantage of the fact that not all the ground under your playset needs to be leveled. Only the locations where the playset touches the ground need to be level with each other.
Using a supports under parts of the playset can help level it out with less digging. Level Dry Blocks and TuffBlock are two support options that can be used with most playsets. They have the added benefit of keeping the wood off the ground where it will be more prone to rot.
Many families find cement blocks adequate for supporting their playset. A raised cement block is not the safest option for around the playset as falling into one could cause injury, but they are generally strong enough to hold up a playset.
If you use one of the support options made for playsets, then you should follow their installation instructions carefully.
If you are using a cement block, you must ensure that the ground beneath the block is level. Remove the sod and use a level to check it. In addition, the block must be laid with the widest side flat to the ground for maximum stability.
The block method is not compatible with playsets that need to be anchored to the ground.
Build a Retaining Wall
If you have to dig deep into the ground, you may need to build a retaining wall. Short retaining walls are not very difficult to tackle, especially since you’ll already have the ground dug out.
Interlocking retaining wall blocks are a new favorite for retaining wall construction because they make the process easy, they are durable, and they look great.
The process I outline below is specific to these interlocking retaining wall blocks. Landscape lumber can also be used to construct a retaining wall, but it is slightly more complicated.
Interlocking retailing wall blocks should not be used in retaining walls that are higher than 28 inches.
If you must build a small retaining wall, you should be sure that it is beyond the 6 feet of open space required around a play area.
- Interlocking retaining wall blocks
- Drainage rock
- Paver base
- Landscape fabric
- Concrete Adhesive
- Caulk gun
- Circular saw
- Masonry circular saw blade, if using the interlocking retaining wall blocks
- Safety Goggles
- Work Gloves
How Many Blocks Do I Need?
Figuring out how many blocks you need to build the retaining wall involves a little math. You might want to break out the calculator.
To figure out how many interlocking retaining wall blocks you need, first measure the length of the wall you would like to build. Divide the length of the wall by the length of the block you want to use to determine how many blocks you will need per row.
Next, you must figure out how many rows you need. Measure how high you want the finished wall to be. Divide the height of the wall by the height of the block. That number is how many rows you will have.
Finally, multiply the number of blocks per row by the number of rows to get the total number of blocks.
It is recommended that you get about 10% extra materials just in case one is damaged while you’re building the wall.
If you’re wall is going to be 10 feet long (or 120 inches) and 12 inches high, and you are using blocks that are 12 inches long and 3 inches high, your first row will take 10 blocks because 120 inches divided by 12 is 10.
To find the rows you divide 12 inches by 3 inches to get 4. The wall will require 4 rows.
This means I will need 4 rows of 10 blocks for a total of 40 blocks. To add 10%, you multiply 40 by .1 to get 4. This means you will need about 4 extra “just in case” blocks for a grand total of 44 blocks.
Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Retaining Wall
- Mark the location of the wall with stakes and string.
- If you have not already, remove the sod and level out the ground where the wall will be built by removing dirt from the higher areas and filling it into the lower areas.
- Both sides of the wall need to be clear to install the retaining wall properly with drainage.
- You will need to dig a trench approximately 6 inches deep that is level. Stamp down the dirt to compress it.
- Fill the trench with approximately 3 inches of paver base.
- Prepare the first row of blocks by knocking off the flange with a hammer and chisel.
- Lay the blocks without the flanges on top of the paver base and be sure they are level. This is your base row.
- For the second row, you will need to stagger the blocks, which means you will need to cut one block in half with your circular saw and masonry blade.
- Install the second row of blocks keeping the flange tight against the back.
- After you finish a couple of rows, you need to work on the drainage. Lay landscape fabric behind the blocks on the dirt side of the wall, and place drainage gravel directly behind the wall.
- Continue this process until you reach the final two rows of blocks.
- On the final two rows of blocks, use concrete adhesive on the top of the row that is already installed to keep the top rows stable.
- On the last row, cover the drainage stones with landscape fabric, and fill in with soil or ground covering.
What if the Playset is Already Built?
If you already have a playset in your backyard and you need to level it, the process is not quite as simple. Depending on how out of level it playset is and how heavy it is, you may be able to get some help to lift the playset and add something like the Level Dry Block beneath it, but in most cases, it will not be that simple.
To level the playset, you may have to it apart, move it out of the way, level the ground, and put it back together, or prepare ground elsewhere and move it to the new location.
The good news is you don’t have to take the whole thing apart to move it. At minimum, you will need to remove any accessories, the swing beam, and the slide.
As for the rest of the playset, you only need to break it down into chunks that you and anyone helping you can carry. It can be far easier than you’d think.
What about a Steep Slope?
If your backyard has a steep slope or a leveling situation that you don’t feel comfortable tackling, there are still some playset options you could pursue.
Some playset dealers have designs that are made to sit on unlevel ground or that are easily customized to handle a sloping yard. Rainbow Play Systems, for example, has developed swing set ladder and A-frames that can be installed on uneven ground.
Custom Designed Playset
Nothing will fit your backyard the way a custom designed playset will, and a custom design doesn’t always cost much more than a stock playset, especially if you add in the cost of hiring a landscaper to level your yard.
Have the Yard Leveled
This option is not for everyone because it does not fit many family’s budgets, but it is something to consider.
You can hire a professional to build up your yard and add a heavy-duty retaining wall for a pretty penny. Backyard leveling can easily cost upwards of $5,000 and depending on the slope of your lawn and the work required, it can go much higher.
If you are looking for ways to invest in your home, this could be an option for you. Turning your sloping backyard into a more level space makes it more usable and more attractive, and it will add value to your home in the long run.


We thought we would share some of the most elaborate and create approaches to creating pumpkin carving masterpieces. Enjoy!
- Mulch in spring-planted trees and shrubs. Don’t permit them to get too dry; water them throughly and deeply
- Start amaryllis and paperwhite narcissus for holiday blooms. (Allow 5-6 weeks for paperwhites and 12 weeks for amaryllis).
- Apply fall lawn fertilizer at this time
- Apply lime to lawns to raise pH. A 50# bag of lime will raise lawn pH about .5 point per 1000 sq ft.
- Re-seed areas damaged by grubs with insect resistant seed varieties
- Fall is a great time to start a compost pile. Start out with brown leaf and add the last few trimmings for nitrogen. Remember to alternate layers. Shred brown leaf to speed decomposition
- Apply an anti-dessicant, such as Wilt-Pruf, to spring or fall planted broadleaf evergreens and specimen conifers. Make sure temperatures are above 50 degrees. Newly planted Arborvitaes could be wrapped in burlap to protect from snow load.
Fall is right around the corner and it is a glorious time. The countryside is virtually exploding with oranges, reds, golds and yellows. This is a great time of the year to enjoy the out-of-doors. It is also a great time for fall gardens as autumn mums and perennials finish the season with a flourish.
Most spring planted annuals get a bit ragged about now, having survived through the heat, dry conditions and pests of the summer. This is a good time to freshen up your gardens by introducing some proven winners to your fall landscape. Coincidentally, you’ll probably be around to enjoy your fall garden more than you mid-summer plantings. The weather is more temperate, vacations are over with and kids are back in school.
With that it mind here are a few suggestions that are sure to please. Most of these plants will have strong seasonal interest well into December-and ornamental grasses are great all throughout the winter!
Fall Favorites: Ornamental Grasses-Grasses are a terrific way to add drama to your landscape. Their texture is a perfect foil to Rudbeckias, Sedums or hardy Chrysanthemums. They are extremely easy to grow, durable and can be used in a variety of landscape situations. They are also very attractive when used in containers. Ornamental grasses can range in height from under one foot (Festuca cinerea ‘Elijah Blue’) to well over six feet (Miscanthus sinesis ‘Silver Grass’). Many varieties of the Pennisetum family are gaining in popularity, including alopecuroides, with its enormous tassels through fall and winter and a dwarf fountain grass called ‘Hamelin’. Most varieties send out dramatic spikes of feathery plumes during late summer and early fall. These seed heads add interest to an otherwise stark winter landscape.
Ornamental Kale-Flowering kale and cabbages are fast becoming one of the more popular additions to the fall border. And for good reason…ornamental kale offers dramatic colors and shapes not commonly available in the fall. Brilliant pinks, purples and creamy whites add intrigue whether planted in the landscape or used in containers to accent mums and grasses.
Their fabulous colors are not flowers, but rather rosettes of central leaves. Flowering Kales have fringed or serrated leaves that actually gain in color intensity as the weather turns colder. They literally bloom into the winter months! Their vibrant displays will last until the winter temps reach the teens.
Fall Pansies (Violas)-This is a great way to extend your color into November and beyond. While most mums have gone by, these guys, with proper maintenance, will flower their heads off. Plant them in drifts, in pots or even tuck a few in to spruce up a tired hanging basket. These cheery faces do especially well with the warm ground temps and cool nights of autumn. They usually will flower through the first couple of hard frosts. Hardier varieties even winter over and provide unexpected delights the following spring. Imagine their deep purples set off against the brilliant pinks of ornamental kales. The nice thing about it is it will look great whether planted in the landscape or potted up for the front door!
Well, those are but a few of many great ways to liven up your fall landscapes. Sedum, hardy perennial Hibiscus and Asters are other opportunities. Stop by with any questions. We are always here to help. Fall is a beautiful time, and after all, Fall is for Planting!
Fall is a great time to plant trees, shrubs, bareroot perennials and bulbs.
Start pansy & viola seed for bloom next spring
Watch your compost pile. This is a good time to add an activator for brown leaves & lawn trimmings
Check your lawn for grub activity. Sure signs are brown patches of lawn with turf that you can peel back. Another sign is increased activity of skunks, raccoons and moles in your lawn. Treat with dylox, oftanol or diazinon to eliminate grubs.
Plant spring flowering bulbs. Plan on the end of this month. Fertilize and water in well.
Plant fall pansy, flowering cabbage and kale. They all love the cooler night temps that come with autumn in New England.
Fall is a great time to seed or re-seed your lawn. Keep grass seed moist until germination occurs. Add weed-free straw or salt marsh hay to hold seed in place.
Are you overloaded with new ideas for perennial beds and borders after visiting friends or public display gardens? Seen lots of unfamiliar and interesting new plants at the nursery? If so, fall is an excellent time to prepare fall garden beds for planting now or in the spring. The cooler temperatures, weaker sunlight and shorter days of fall mean less energy goes into top growth and more into establishing a strong root system. Planting in this area can usually continue through October.
After choosing the proper plants for your location-taking into account plant hardiness and the amount of available light-the most important thing you can do to insure success is to properly prepare your soil.
After marking off the area, you need to rid it of perennial weeds. Rototilling will only increase your weed crop, so you will need to carefully pull all underground stems and roots. Be sure to also remove any additional roots you find when you turn the soil over.
The soil you’re aiming to create should hold moisture, but also be well drained. If it doesn’t drain well now, it probably has high clay content. The actual soil particles are very small and pack together very closely, suffocating and drowning plant roots. Adding gypsum to clay soil can help break it up.
If your soil drains very quickly and you need to water frequently, it is probably sandy. Soil particles are relatively large and fit together loosely. Plants rarely drown in sandy soil unless the area is low-lying or the water line is high. In this instance it would be best to make a raised bed.
The solution, both for maintaining good drainage, and moisture retention, is generous amounts of organic matter. It separates clay particles, creating air space, and holds water and nutrients in sand. Good sources of organic matter are finished compost, well-decomposed manure, leaf mold and damp peat moss. These should be incorporated into the soil when it is turned over to a depth of 12″ or more. At this time you can also remove any sizable rocks, roots or other debris.
Most perennials grow best in a soil that is slightly acid to almost neutral-a pH of about 5.5-6.5. Most soils in this area are probably very acid and will need to have lime added every 2-3 years.
If you prefer to estimate your fertilizer needs, there are a few things to keep in mind. Phosphorous, and some of the trace elements, even when present in the soil in sufficient quantities, are only available to plants within a fairly narrow pH range. Keeping your soil pH at 5.5-6.5 should be adequate for most plants.
Fertilizers can either be natural, or you can use dry or granular fertilizers that are either quick or slow release. You can use either type if you are going to plant now. If you are going to delay planting until spring, wait and add the fertilizer then unless you are using natural fertilizers which break down slowly and will not leach out readily.
Natural fertilizers should be incorporated into the soil when you turn it over, especially phosphorous (bone meal, rock phosphate), as it doesn’t move readily through the soil. Dry or granular fertilizers can be sprinkled on the surface and raked into the top few inches of soil.
It’s always a shame that just when your window box has reached their peak of fullness and color, autumn sneaks in and nips at the foliage and flowers, signaling it’s time to clean them out. Or is it? This season, try extending the life of your window boxes, so you can appreciate their beauty year-round, each time you glance out your winter windows.
To spruce up your boxes, start by removing what looks old and tired: the geranium leaves are beginning to yellow, the verbena is way past its prime, and the dianthus isn’t flowering anymore. But the ageratum seems to be perking up now that the heat of summer has passed, and the ivy and vinca are holding their own. You can fill in gaps with cool season flowers such as mums and pansies and probably get another three weeks of flowering out of those boxes.
When freezing temperatures arrive, it’s time for flowering brassicas, such as kale and cabbage, with their colorful, curious foliage. Plant them directly into the boxes and they will last all winter long through the harshest of weather. As you plant, tuck daffodil and tulip bulbs under the flowering kale to guarantee an early spring show. You can mix in cut sprigs of crabapples, viburnums, winterberry, or any other shrub or tree with clusters of colorful berries and strong branches. Just stick the branches into the soil in the boxes, and your only problem will be the birds and wildlife competing for the berries! Tangled grapevines and bittersweet, with its orange seed coats and red berries, quickly go from noxious weeds growing in the wild to precious commodities in autumn and winter window boxes.
Evergreen branches from spruce, balsam, and fir will retain their color throughout the winter months as long as the temperature is low. Stick their ends into the soil just before the soil freezes, arranging them en masse. For the holidays, string little white lights through the boughs and tie on weatherproof velvet bows. Discard the branches once the temperatures start to warm, but don’t worry, your window boxes won’t be bare for long. The tulip and daffodil bulbs you carefully tucked in for the winter will soon be coming to life, and the cycle will begin anew.
As your lawn endures the trials of job this summer – drought, pestilence and disease – you must hold to the hope that there is a lush, green turf on the other side of this summer. Has your spring turf been reduced to an arid, brown toasty color? If not, you might want to submit your water bills for federal disaster relief. Dry, scorching heat is the perfect scenario for crabgrass to flourish and bluegrass to perish. What’s needed, of course, is a good, deep penetrating rain.
The large Japanese beetle population will mean a heavier than normal population of grubs. Knowledge is of course your best defense. Here are a couple of suggestions for reviving your lawn..
Feeding: Your lawn’s nitrogen needs are at their highest in late summer. Avoid fertilizing when temps are about 85 degrees. Supplement this late summer feed (high in nitrogen) with a fall fertilizer that will concentrate on developing the root system. This will build a turf more resistant to drought and pest damage. This might be your most beneficial feeding. You can supply a fall food right into November in most areas.
Pest Control: In late summer and early fall the grub cycle begins as the larvae pupate into the common white lawn grub. At this stage of their development, these grubs are the most vulnerable. Treat infested areas with either a liquid dose or a granular treatment as either dylox, diazanon or oftanol.
Watering: A good rule of thumb is to water in the early morning hours. Try to provide at least 1 to 1.5 inches of water through rainfall or irrigation. A deep watering once a week is more beneficial than a series of shallow watering.
Seeding: To repair damage caused by drought, pests and disease, plan on a fall seeding program. Match the grass seed varieties to the conditions. For example, if you have a rocky, sandy soil that doesn’t hold moisture well, use a drought resistant lawn mixture featuring turf-type tall fescues (TTTF). Unlike ryegrass that spread by shallow rhizomes, TTTF have long individual tap roots. They are tough, durable and make a long wearing attractive turf. Heavy clay soils might do better with a bluegrass and ryegrass mixture. Fall is an optimum time for seeding. The warm weather speeds germination while the autumn night temps start to drop. Remember to keep the seed moist until established. That might require 2-3 mistings during our “Indian Summers”. The attention you pay to your lawn now will pay big dividends in the fall, the following spring and for years to come.
For your Lawn
- Water deep and infrequently during the summer months. One inch of water early in the day about once a week is adequate.
- Help your lawn out by changing direction when mowing. Travel north to south on one mowing and east to west on the next cutting.
- In late August, prepare the lawn areas for seeding tall fescue or bluegrass. Seed or fertilize lawns the last week of August.
For your Vegetable Garden
- As parts of the vegetable garden come to an end, remove plants. Put them in your compost pile if not infested with insects or diseases. If disease, insects or nematodes have been a problem dispose of the plants to reduce the number of pests that survive the winter.
- Japanese beetles are pests this time of year. Spray as needed, but removing by hand is more effective.
For your Flower Beds
- Give houseplants a new lease on life. Repot them to give them more room for roots to grow and fresh potting soil.
- Remove faded flowers on flowering perennials to encourage a second flowering. Cut back impatiens, begonias and salvia that have become too tall or top heavy. Cutting them back will make them bushy, with more blooms.
- Perennial seeds of hollyhock, delphinium and stokesia can be sown now to produce plants for next spring.
- If plants such as petunias have become leggy and their flower production has diminished, rejuvenate them by cutting off the branches, fertilizing, and watering them. It will encourage new growth and flowering.
- Make sure hanging baskets have ample water; they will dry out rapidly in the summer heat.
- Stake tall-growing flowers to prevent them from falling.
- Monitor the water needs of container gardens daily. Move plants from hot surfaces to places that are shaded and cooler.
For your Trees & Shrubs
- Give landscape plants a second, and last, feeding of fertilizer.
- Have trees and bushes in need of pruning? Prune ‘bleeder’ trees like maple, dogwood, birch and elm, as well as the fruiting canes of raspberry and blackberry plants after harvest is over. Cut canes at ground level. Refrain from pruning spring-flowering shrubs now.
- Don’t fertilize shrubs in August, September, October or November, it could cause new growth at a dangerous weather time.
- Watch for damaging insects on evergreens. Scale, spider mites, leaf miner and leafhopper can be a problem.
- Avoid spraying pesticides on very hot days or when plants are drought stressed.
- Maintain a layer of mulch two to four inches around trees and shrubs and two inches around annuals and perennials. Keep mulch a few inches away from plant trunks or stems. Mulch keeps the soil cooler, conserves moisture, and reduces weeds.
- Compost can be added as a top dressing around your shrubs and perennials. It will help hold moisture and will enhance the soil to help promote the long-term health of your plants.
If your perennial flower garden gets a little drab and boring come late summer and fall, think about planting dahlias. Gardeners are always trying to find colorful flowers to keep the show going into autumn, and dahlias are the perfect star to fit the bill. Dahlias just need a little more thought and attention compared to other perennial flowers.
Dahlias offer a wide range of flower types. There are flowers shaped like pom-poms, anemones, cactus, orchids, and water lilies. The flowers come with single or double petals and in almost any color of the rainbow from white to purple. Some varieties produce flowers the size of a dinner plate, while others have small flowers on dwarf plants.
Whatever dahlia variety you choose, they all grow from tubers planted in spring. Dahlias are winter hardy in USDA Zone 7 and warmer zones. In colder areas, the tubers need to be dug and stored in winter after a frost. Gardeners in warmer-winter climates can treat dahlias like perennials. Due to threats from disease and insects, however, some gardeners in warm-winter climates still prefer to dig and store their dahlias to protect them.
Plant dahlias on well-drained soil amended with compost. Dahlias grow best in full sun, but can take some afternoon shade in the South. Plant tubers about 4 to 6 inches deep in the soil. Unless your soil is extremely dry, don’t water until you start seeing signs of plant growth. Consider planting in groups and remember the ultimate height of your plants. Tall varieties look good tucked in the back of a perennial garden, while medium- to dwarf-sized plants look best right up front. For tall varieties, you may have to use plant stands or stakes to keep the plants upright. To promote bushier growth, when the plants are about 18 inches tall, pinch out the tip of the central shoot; this causes the plant to send out side branches, which will lead to more flowers.
It’s hot out there for newly planted trees and shrubs. These plants may be struggling to survive the heat and drought because their root systems haven’t had a chance to get established in the native soil yet. That’s why it’s important to pamper spring-planted trees and shrubs during the first year after planting. Most trees fail after the first year of planting because they were stressed and never recovered from transplant shock. Here are some ways to take the shock out of tree planting.
Keep them watered. Young trees need moist soil to survive the first summer. If you have sandy soil, the roots will dry out quickly and the leaves may shrivel and drop. If you have clay soil, the dry ground will rack, exposing roots and causing them to dry out. You should water your trees a few times a week and deeply. Add 5 to 10 gallons of water per tree each time.
Use a gator. If you don’t want to be a slave to tree watering all summer, try this product. Tree gators are plastic-sleeved devices that wrap around trees. Fill them with water and they slowly release the water over time, keeping the soil around the rootball moist.
Mulch them. Keep the soil around the tree or shrub mulched with an organic mulch. This will help keep the soil moist, plus prevent weeds from growing. Be generous with your mulch ring size. Spread it outside the drip line of the plant. The feeder roots will be more likely to penetrate the native soil if there is no competition from other plants and the soil stays moist. Add a 2- to 3-inch-thick layer of mulch around each tree and don’t pile it up next to the trunk or the tree may suffer from crown rot.
Stake or no stake? Staking usually isn’t recommended for newly planted trees. The gentle swaying from the wind helps the new roots get established. However, if you have a windy location, you may want to stake the tree for just the first year so it doesn’t blow over.
Not all insects are harmful to your garden; in fact, many are beneficial and are an important part of the ecosystem. Chemicals used to eliminate insects do not discriminate between the good bugs and the bad ones, so you can limit the damage done to beneficial insects and, at the same time, keep harmful chemicals out of the environment by practicing organic pest control.
Here are a few simple and effective ways to eliminate bugs and other pests naturally:
Handpicking: Insects can be handpicked from plants, and pests like potato bugs can easily be shaken from plants into a box. Use a butterfly net to capture white cabbageworm butterflies before they lay their eggs on your crucifers.
Traps: Slugs love to slurp beer from cans strategically placed in the garden, but don’t open the tops all the way lest the openings become two-way streets. Sticky traps hung in apple trees attract and trap apple maggot flies. Brush-on insect trap coating can be applied to small boards on stakes and used throughout the garden. Painting the boards a bright color will make them even more effective. Pheromone traps draw insects like Japanese beetles to their own hormonal scents and safely capture them in boxes away from prized roses and peonies.
Covers: Using lightweight floating covers on crops such as blueberries keeps those pesky birds, rabbits, and deer from eating you out of house and home. Of course, don’t install them until after pollination so that bees can do their job first.
Biological Pest Control: Releasing beneficial bugs into your garden to feed on bad bugs is a fine way of eliminating pests. Ladybugs love aphids, and certain wasps lay eggs on the eggs of other insects, such as cutworms and cornborers; when the wasp eggs hatch, they feed on the pest eggs. The bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is found in spray form and is used to control cabbageworms and their cousins.
Botanical Pest Control: Natural insecticides made from plants like the pyrethrum daisy (Tanacetum coccineum) are used very effectively and are a major force in the bad bug patrol. Pyrethrum, rotenone, and sabadilla are a few of these botanicals, which disperse quickly and do not leave residues.
Although gardeners often dream of sun-splashed borders filled with stately perennials, many are discovering that their daisies, daylilies, and daffodils are working overtime, bringing the garden to light…at night! Welcome to the world of the garden after dark.
With busy families finding fewer daylight hours to enjoy their gardens, it makes perfect sense to create a moonlight retreat in which family and friends can gather after hours. Spending balmy evenings out-of-doors is a wonderful luxury after the chill of winter…and during the scorching days of summer, the relative cool of the nighttime garden will come as a welcome respite. For the romantic at heart, few things are more enchanting than a midnight stroll through flowers kissed by moonlight.
How do you begin to create such a paradise? The secret is to select white and pale-colored plants that shimmer in the night. You’ll find that many of your favorite flowers, which you thought only bloomed in blue or hot pink, have been hybridized for white color or a very pale interpretation of their darker counterparts. Annuals like petunias, impatiens, and snapdragons all have white cousins, along with perennials, such as echinacea (coneflower) and campanula. You may also be surprised to learn at what time of day many flowers open. While some, like daylilies, as the name suggests, actually close at nightfall, others, such as evening primrose and moonflower, with its lemony scent, come alive right along with the peepers and crickets.
Just like any other garden, the moonlit garden should be filled with plants of different heights and habits, shapes and textures. Plants with variegated or white-edged foliage like euonymus, ivy, and hosta, add contrast to the garden and will sparkle in the dim light just like the flowers. Shrubs like spirea provide a backdrop for lower-growing plants like cosmos and artemisia, while a well-placed trellis or fence can lend support to lacy curtains of clematis and passionflower. A bench beneath an arbor brimming with white wisteria and climbing roses or a garden swing flanked by fragrant lilac or mock orange is an intoxicating spot to while away an evening. You’ll find that the strong fragrance will not only attract hopeless romantics, but also the “butterflies of the night,” moths, which will flit and flutter throughout the moonlit garden feeding on sweet nectar. Special touches complete the scene: A serpentine path lined with phlox, baby’s breath, and lilies, will invite a leisurely stroll, and a rustic lantern will allow you to enjoy your garden even on those nights when the moon is hidden by clouds.
A warm summer’s night, a trickle of water from a nearby fountain, and some soothing music from a speaker hidden beneath a shrub–the stage is set for spending a relaxing evening with friends and family in the magical land of the midnight garden.
Is it too late to talk about mulch? No, indeed! We’re coming up on the hottest part of the year when mulch can help keep roots cool and growing (remember – grow the roots, the rest of the plant will take care of itself) and when we need to conserve moisture.
Save the delivery charge on all local mulch deliveries. Contact the store for more details.
Everyone asks how much mulch to apply and when to apply it. There are no right answers. It depends on several factors, including your soil, amount of rainfall, type of mulch, and how weedy the ground is. Continue reading It’s Not Too Late To Mulch
Fertilizing plants can be a bit bewildering, but to get the most out of your plants, especially container plants, it is essential. Have you ever wondered why some people and places seem to have larger, fuller plants? The likely answer is regular fertilization and correct watering. While many plants will do OK with little or no fertilizer, they will reach their full potential only with the correct nutrition. Continue reading Keeping Them Lush and Blooming
Until recently, many gardeners saw roses as too frustrating or time consuming for average people. Further, the amount of fungicides and insecticides required were not ecologically or economically friendly.
Fortunately, advances in rose breeding have changed all this, making roses something any gardener can enjoy. Often called shrub or landscape roses, these are bred for resistance to the many rose problems, including black spot and other diseases. Continue reading The Easy Way To Grow Roses


I made a few minor changes to my backyard pond. Some of the birds couldn’t figure out how to come to the water. In the process of trying to hide the plastic, I used large rocks to line it. As I looked at the pond it looked more like a rock quarry than a pond, so I took out a section of rock and replaced it with some sod….weeds really. Seems to work better now. Within seconds of me sitting down inside the blind, I had my first visitor, an American Goldfinch. I’ve been noticing that the Goldfinches really like the pond. I see an occasional Sparrow or Junco at the pond so I hope the improvements will help with my ‘species pond count’.