Athens is getting greener!
The City of Athens has embarked on a multi-year project to become better caretakers of the city’s green areas and sustain its “urban lungs”. Planners are designing new pocket parks and will increase spending on trees. The city has asked citizens to help ensure newly planted trees can survive the hot summer through a new “adopt a tree” program.
Athen´s development department also plans to spark the economic revitalization of the city center. They will accomplish this by renovating sidewalks and squares throughout, improving pedestrian accessibility, and adding a network of bike paths that will extend across the Athens Basin within a few years. Furthermore, the city is restoring focus to natural areas and places of cultural importance. It seeks to nurture a local entrepreneurial spirit and promote a creative and youthful culture, while simultaneously promoting sustainability.
The Grand Walk
A huge environmental project named The Grand Walk will create 6.8 kilometres of cycling and walking paths in the centre of the city. These dedicated routes will connect to all parts of the capital. They will allow residents and visitors to get to work, go shopping, and explore neighbourhoods while reducing the impact of car traffic. At a recent town hall the Mayor declared that “By 2022, we expect the Grand Walk to transform more than 50,000 square meters of public space.”
The new mobility mix will also include dedicated bus priority lanes, tram, and metro line extensions. Lastly, there will be a wide rollout of green infrastructure to help overcome issues of extreme heat and pollution. This is the start of a new urban strategy. All of these new developments will enable Athens to face the global challenges we encounter daily, such as climate change and pollution.
Athens has also been working on the restoration of the main green areas in the city center, notably Mount Lycabettus and the National Gardens. The city will also intensify its efforts to clean and disinfect streets, sidewalks, and public spaces. We increased our budget for sidewalk reconstruction by 166% and are focusing on making pedestrian corridors more accessible. We’re repairing playground equipment and removing graffiti throughout the city so that residents can enjoy our parks and public spaces all while using “cool materials” designed to prevent heat retention.
Athens is getting ready for a greener future! Learn more about Greece here.


Wellsprings Farm is 40 acres of diverse, beautiful landscape with three inviting, cozy hermitages.
The Prairie Dome overlooks the 15 acres of native prairie and the seven circuit labyrinth.
Spacious interior with loft. Sleeps 1-4.
Wind Rise sits atop a hill with an expansive view of the prairie and French Lake.
Includes a loft and porch with heated floor. Sleeps 1-3
The House of Clare has southerlyview of the pond, with its own dock
leading to the water includes porch with heated floor. Sleeps 1-2
(All hermitages have air conditioning, fireplace, compost toilet, small refrigerator
and kitchen items such as coffeemaker, microwave, toaster, hot plate etc.
The Wellness Center & Welcome Center is the hub of the farm. It welcomes all with its open, light filled space and glorious views of the spring-fed pond at the heart of the property. This shared space has a flush toilet and shower as well as a kitchenette, library and meditation area.
The walking labyrinth is seven circuit labyrinth laid out in the native prairie grasses on the southeast side of the property, its path leading always to the center.
The sacred path through the woods lies to the west. One is greeted by shade and the surprise of a natural spring flowing out of the earth, gently making its way down a slope to the pond.
The red barn is home to chickens and other animals at various times.
The gardens and orchard provide a beauty and richness to the farm and are an integral part of our commitment to sustainability. We hope to expand these areas using organic, permaculture principles.


We keep your lawn and landscaping properly maintained with regularly scheduled visits.
Our professional team keeps you informed by sending out a brief text message notification as a reminder the day before service.
With over 15 years of experience, you can expect our team to do what is best for your lawn and landscaping.
All work is carefully performed by our licensed & insured professional team.
We are North Star Professional Lawn Care, LLC and we excell in high-quality lawn mowing services and expert landscape maintenance.
With over 15 years of experience in the industry, our professional team has acquired the technical skills and knowledge to properly maintain your lawn and landscaping with expert results.
Whether you need reliable lawn mowing services for the season or you need a mulch installation and your shrubs trimmed and shaped, our professional team has you covered.
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Perfect for when life gets busy and you need a trusted professional for your lawn mowing and landscape maintenance.
Weekly mowing, trimming, edging, and cleanup. Season begins in April and continues through November.
*Fall Maintenance/Leaf Collection begins in October and continues through the first week of December.
Collect and remove leaves and other tree debris from lawn and mulch beds. Mow, trim, edge grass. Cut back perennials and grasses. Trim and shape shrubs. Pull weeds and grasses from mulch beds.
*Haul away debris off-site available
Shrub pruning, trimming, and shaping services are offered in early Spring and continue through late Fall.
**Contact us if you would like our experts to come out and see your landscaping to create a custom plan.


While cleaning & thinning your lawn, our allows your lawn to breathe again, stimulating root growth. To make your grass beautiful and green, contact me today!
- Key Services:
Landscaper, Verticutting, Thatching, Lawn Aeration, Cleaning with Thinning, Stimulating Root Growth, Landscape Services, Lawn Care, Landscaping, Professional Landscaper
- Cities Served:
Pinellas Park, Saint Petersburg, Seminole, Largo, Clearwater, Bay Pines, Indian Rocks Beach, Belleair Beach, Clearwater Beach
- Counties Served:


Seri Pengantin Resort is an intimate hideaway where you will indulge and rejuvenate your soul in the lush greenery amidst cooling mountain atmosphere, where Seri Pengantin Resort is ideally located in picturesque and serene setting of Janda Baik in Pahang of Malaysia.
A perfect holiday destination for the city dwellers to a get away from the bustling city life, a romantic weekend rendezvous and business travelers to hold a private meetings and seminars.
Inspired by the rhythms of nature, Seri Pengantin Resort is nestled in a carefully landscaped tropical garden and waterscape. The array of flowering plants, blooming shrubs and lush palm grove, offer an oasis of peace and serenity which are valued features of this resort.
Exquisitely furnished with tasteful artifacts that add to its intimate charm, Seri Pengantin Resort is encompassed with charming rustic Malaysian style rooms & suites , surrounded by lush tropical gardens. From plant canopied verandahs to a sprinkling of stone statue fountains, softly cascading waterfalls, lily-padded ponds, long-snakey fish ponds and pebbled rock fountains, this idyllic setting is a haven of tranquility and calm.


>> Thursday, September 29, 2011 – articles and information
I wish I could say this is my yard, but alas, it is not. We have had a lot of rain these past few weeks and Sally sent me these two pictures of her "new yard" with Utley. Utley likes to run along the fence as many shelties do. Of course that creates a dirt path which just gets muddy. They had the sod cut back away from the fence and put in a synthetic mulch. This keeps Utley clean and makes for attractive yard.


Granite Fountains and Water Features
Adding a fountain to your outdoor living space can provide several benefits:
Aesthetic appeal: Fountains can add a beautiful and elegant focal point to your outdoor living space, especially if it is designed in a way that complements the surrounding landscape.
Relaxation: The sound of flowing water can be very calming and soothing, helping to create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere in your outdoor living space.
Improved air quality: Fountains can help to improve the air quality in your outdoor living space by releasing negative ions into the air, which can help to alleviate stress and promote a sense of well-being.
Wildlife attraction: Fountains can also attract wildlife such as birds and butterflies, which can add to the natural beauty of your outdoor living space.
Increased property value: Installing a fountain can increase the value of your property, especially if it is well-designed and complements the overall landscaping of your outdoor space.
Overall, adding a fountain to your outdoor living space can provide both aesthetic and practical benefits, making it a worthwhile investment for homeowners who want to create a more inviting and relaxing outdoor environment.
Types of Fountains
There are many different types of water fountains and water features, ranging from small tabletop fountains to large public installations. Here are some of the most common types:
Wall Fountains: These are fountains that are mounted on a wall, often in a garden or outdoor space.
Tiered Fountains: These are fountains that have multiple levels or tiers, with water flowing from one level to the next.
Sculptural Fountains: These are fountains that have a sculptural element, often depicting animals, people, or abstract shapes.
Water Walls: These are fountains that create a cascading wall of water.
Waterfalls: These are fountains that create a natural-looking waterfall effect, often used in outdoor settings.
Wall fountains are a timeless addition to any outdoor space, providing both aesthetic appeal and a soothing ambiance. With so many options available, it’s easy to find the perfect outdoor water fountain to match your personal style and complement the design of your home or garden. Whether you prefer a classic or modern look, the sound of running water from a wall fountain can create a calming atmosphere, making it the perfect feature to enhance any outdoor setting. From intimate courtyards to grand entrances, wall fountains are a beautiful way to add elegance and tranquility to your outdoor space.
Tiered fountains are a classic and elegant addition to any outdoor space, whether it be a public park or a private garden. The multi-level design of these fountains creates a mesmerizing visual spectacle as water cascades from one level to the next, creating a soothing and tranquil ambiance. The tiers themselves can vary in size and shape, allowing for a wide range of design options to suit any aesthetic preference. Tiered fountains are often crafted from durable materials such as marble or granite, ensuring their longevity and ability to withstand the elements. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, tiered fountains also serve a functional purpose in circulating and oxygenating water for the benefit of aquatic plants and wildlife. Overall, tiered fountains are a sophisticated and timeless addition to any outdoor space, combining beauty with functionality to create a truly enchanting atmosphere.
Sculptural fountains are a stunning blend of art and engineering, designed to capture the imagination and captivate the senses. These fountains are not just functional water features, but also works of art that elevate the aesthetic of any space they occupy. From large public installations to intricate garden fountains, each piece is unique, crafted with meticulous attention to detail and designed to evoke a specific mood or emotion. The combination of flowing water and sculptural forms creates a mesmerizing experience, inviting viewers to pause and reflect on the beauty and power of nature. Whether modern or classical in style, sculptural fountains are timeless pieces that can transform any environment into a serene and inviting oasis.
When considering the necessary elements needed to create a successful water fountain, granite is the superior choice in material. Commonly, granite is used for heavy-use areas in the home such as kitchen countertops because it is a dense stone that naturally resists water penetration and staining. Granite countertops are also strong and durable helping them to scratch less than most other countertop options. In addition to the countertops, granite wears well in any state because of its superior natural properties. Granite is denser and stronger than most other stones including marble, limestone, and especially concrete.
Granite is one of the densest natural stones making it ideal for fountains and water features. Perhaps the best attribute of granite fountains and water features is that the stone ages gracefully and is naturally more resistant to erosion and water penetration. These fountains can last longer than a lifetime maintaining their function and appearance. Although not necessary, granite can be easily cleaned to prolong the desired look without deteriorating the surface. Acid washing is used to safely remove mineral build-up or moss growth and poultice treatments are used to remove oil-based stains. Granite is dense enough that a raw or unfinished surface works well for a fountain, but for added protection, it can be easily honed or polished depending on the desired look. A polished granite surface, typically seen on kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities, is the most resistant to water penetration and staining. A honed or leathered finish resists staining well with a softer, more natural-looking sheen. Natural granite, in any shape, style, or sheen, is by far the best choice of material for water features and fountains.
Granite can be carved in numerous shapes and sizes since it naturally resists cracking and breakage. Since granite is such a dense and hard stone, it requires the right tools and pressure to form and carve it. The technology of machinery has greatly improved the carving process allowing almost any shape or design to be created. The same carving efforts done by hand for centuries can now be done in about a tenth of the time with water jets and laser-cutting. Intricate patterning and styling can be easily achieved in granite without concern about cracking and breakage as with limestone. Similarly, concrete has to be poured and molded to create the fountain components limiting the design possibilities. Natural granite allows the creator to be more creative, precise and accurately enabling them to develop a superior product.


OASIS TOWN PLANNING PTY LTD is a professional consulting group which specialises in consulting town planning, land use and property development. Our services include providing town planning advice, planning reports, assessment of development opportunities, preparation and lodgement of development applications (DA) for Council approvals and project coordination. Our local experienced town planners and urban designers can assist you in every step of your development process and provide you with professional town planning and development services and peace of mind. Our planners have rich local planning knowledge and vast experience for dealing with local Councils, your journey with us will always be pleasant and trustworthy. We also partner with industry-leading consultants such as civil engineers, environmental consultants, landscape designers, altogether we strive to deliver smarter projects for our clients.


The soil is clay-based with pockets of added compost from previous plantings, plus some deeper-seated building debris. The planting area has a severe slope to the north of about 25° (see drawing 2) that threatens plant establishment and stability, and the terracing has made significant inroads into the available planting area.
Most of the existing plants had grown unchecked and were leggy and misshapen; their flowering and vigour had progressively diminished and access for training or pruning was extremely difficult.
I had intended to judge each shrub/plant on its merits, but very soon it became clear that very few of them were worth keeping – it seemed heartless as the disposal heap got ever bigger but there was no room for sentimentality. Some hellebores and bulbs deserved being kept and were included in the makeover.
Once the plants had been cleared some additional rocks had to be set in the ground both to stabilise the sloping soil and to provide safe access for attending to the plants.
After agonising over colour charts, I decided on Cuprinol ‘Sea grass’ for the fences and Dulux Weathershield ‘Stonewashed blue’ for the walls.
The fence was wire brushed and painted with three coats. The walls with their heavy algae growth had to be additionally soaked with a bleach solution. The transformation was instant!
Now it was time for the really fun part – choosing and buying the first batch of plants. With plenty of expert help and suggestions from both Stewart my trusty garden advisor and my green-fingered mum, I trawled through catalogues and websites looking for plant types that would appeal to bees and butterflies, would be happy with the prevailing conditions, and wouldn’t grow too tall, too wide or too leggy.
Then it was off to the Garden Centre – here mum came into her own again by funding the first plant batch as an early Christmas present.
Once the initial plants were in (see planting list), the last major job was to prepare the base and build the new arbour on the upper terrace.
After a dull, cold and largely uneventful January in the garden, by mid February it was time to start thinking about another visit to the nursery for the second and –for now – final batch of plants. At the the beginning of March when most nurseries were well stocked with exciting new season plants, Stewart and I set off for Downside and Atworth nurseries on a mission.
A great day’s work. To completely restock the garden with new plants – apart from the tree, the Christmas roses and a few ferns – has cost in the region of £400.
I‘ve learned there’s more to planting out than just digging a hole and hoping for the best. The rockery plants and alpines I hope will thrive in and around the flat stones need grit, grit and more grit.
Even as were planting, a first guest was already sampling the new heather.


An exceptional hillside lot overlooking the town of Cave Creek. 180 degree views of Black Mountain, Cave Creek Regional Park, Spur Cross Ranch, Elephant Butte, Skull Mesa and Continental Mountain. Large mature Saguaro forest, massive granite boulders and old workings make this a distinctive and unique home site. Owner is a landscape architect and has topo survey and a conceptual site plan that shows the location of a choice home site, guest casita, amenities and drive way access (fire department compliant), grading and drainage plans as well. The site is completely covered with undisturbed native vegetation and has no known erosion problems. Survey and grading plan which can be adapted to this site are available. Legal access to the parcel is from Military Rd. south of the parcel.
Features & More
Exterior & Building
Tax in 2017
Schools provided by the listing agent
Black Mountain Elementary School
Cactus Shadows High School
Sonoran Trails Middle School
GreatSchools ratings are multi-measured, based on a variety of quality indicators. School information should be independently verified with the school district.
Subdivision: Great views of Black Mountain, Cave Creek Regional Park, Spur Cross Ranch, Elephant Head Butte.


This field trip to Chicago was a precedent study for mixed used projects (residential, commercial, etc.) and incorporating parking structures. This year, our senior project is to design a project with these components, and Chicago has countless opportunities for learning. Throughout the trip we walked 11 miles around the city and visited parking structure after parking structure, as well as mixed used buildings and a couple of Whole Foods buildings.
I quickly fell in love with the projects and environment around Lakeshore East. It has major components of what my architecture dreams are made of, and, though I find it incredibly intimidating, I hope to one day be a part of a project of similar impact and magnitude.
Aqua at Lakeshore East Chicago is one of my favorite projects in the city. Not least because it was designed by Studio Gang, a firm led by Jeanne Gang and one of my dream places to work (more about my take on women in architecture to come). I am intrigued by the combination of architecture and urban design that surrounds this project. Though I didn’t go inside, I was captivated by the use of materials and colors of the facades.
These residential spaces below the Aqua tower have direct access to the Park designed the Office of James Burnett. A wonderful space that combines open green spaces, with water features, and perfectly landscaped opportunities for sitting and walking around. As I experience the park, it’s hard to believe how close it is to the hustle and bustle of downtown Chicago.
In this environment there is a sense of safety, and a sense of community as joggers pass by and others stroll around walking their dogs. Though Chicago is a large city, this is a fascinating example of a place that feels peaceful an sheltered.
This year, my project will be tiny in comparison to the projects around Lakeshore East. However, I hope that in my own way I can achieve a similar sense of shielded rest from the agitation of daily life.


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| Alpen Rock-thyme|
A perennial/woody subshrub, A. alpinus forms an attractive mat of somewhat pubescent stalks that average 2 to 10 inches long. Flowers are Lobelia-like, violet-purple with red and white markings.
Plant Type: perennial
Plant Form or Habit: low and trailing
Plant Use: Rock gardens, front of borders, trough plantings
Width: Minimum: 6 inches Maximum: 36 inches
Foliage Texture: medium
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4
Water Requirements: low
Additional Comments: Starts easily from seed. Flowers for months. Requires well-drained soil.


Don and Mary Ann Lovell, Marshalltown, Iowa
Reviewed by: Mary Baker, Omaha, NE
About three years ago, Don and Mary Ann Lovell relocated their former acreage garden to 36 acres of farmland with excellent soil in Marshalltown, Iowa. Our tour bus arrived at 7:30 a.m. Skies were cloudy and the temperature was 58 degrees. It was exciting to see the new Timbercreek Gardens location for the first time as well as daylilies that would be fully open despite the early arrival time and cool temperature.
Don, Mary Ann, and their 9-year old dog Mitzi, a McNab Shepherd, greeted us. We ate the delicious breakfast they served while strolling through the gardens. An area beneath conifers featured many varieties of hosta, coleus, ferns, and caladiums accented by potted impatiens, Don’s artwork, and a beautiful statue. A comfortable garden bench flanked by huge pots of begonias provided a cool place to relax and view the many garden beds.
Don creatively designed a large planting area shaped like a wagon wheel, featuring seven wedge-shaped flower beds edged on the outside with a colorful variety of oxalis that has variegated foliage and bright rose-pink flowers. Each wedge contained a variety of perennials surrounded by daylilies. Don’s lovely H. ‘Photocopy’ (tet, 2005) showed off beautiful gold-edged red blooms. H. ‘Forsyth Apache’ (Lefever, tet, 1998) sported many large pale yellow blooms that were open flat. Just outside this area, a bright red water pump above a pail containing cool white petunias and trailing dichondra vines drew my eyes to the large seedling bed.
Don’s many diploid and tetraploid seedlings are bordered on one side by white datura and on the other side by a row of registered daylily cultivars. In this area, three spectacular daylilies attracted many admirers. Pat Stamile’s spider, H. ‘Free Wheelin’’ (tet, 2004), sported pale yellow blooms with bright burgundy red eyes and vivid green throats that seemed to dance above the foliage. Two lovely reddish purple unusual forms hybridized by the late Ned Roberts strutted their stuff – H. ‘Chokecherry Mountain’ (dip, 2002) and H. ‘Bark at Me’ (dip, 1999).
Don’s seedlings are spectacular! I fell in love with Don’s gorgeous future registration, seedling TFL 99-1, a large cream/pale yellow/pale pink polychrome with vibrant green throat and sculpted petals edged in teeth. TFL 99-1 has complex parentage from H. ‘Forestlake Ragamuffin’ (F. Harding, tet, 1993) on both sides. Don’s hybridizing efforts with H. ‘Rose F. Kennedy’ (Doorakian, dip, 2007) produced several lovely seedlings with huge emerald-green throats.
As we approached the house, we viewed a raised water garden on the side of the house accented by potted hibiscus, geraniums, marigolds, ornamental sweet potatoes, begonias, and Lysimachia nummularea ‘Aurea’. Whimsical sculptured frogs added a touch of fun.
In the flower beds surrounding the house, Jack Carpenter’s H. ‘Grace from Above’ (tet, 2002) drew my eyes with several perfectly open large pink blooms with rose eyes and edges. Pat Stamile’s H. ‘Edge of Shangrila’ (tet, 2004) sported many green-throated creamy pink blooms with rose edges. Don uses H. ‘Edge of Shangrila’ in his hybridizing program as well as two other pink daylilies: H. ‘Big Roller Coaster’ (Roycroft, dip, 2001) and H. ‘Inimitable’ (Stamile, tet, 2003).
All too soon, the bus whistle blew, signaling it was time to depart for the next garden. We passed a big tree encircled by hosta on our way to the bus. A lovely circular thermometer featuring a horse’s image was affixed to the trunk. As the thermometer reading indicated, many of us still wore jackets because the temperature was still way too cool for July. Thanks, Don, Mary Ann, and Mitzi, for sharing your beautiful Timbercreek Gardens with us!


A segment of Horne Creek in Pilot Mountain State Park is getting a major makeover, the result of state grants and some hard work by park staff and park supporters.
About 3,200 linear feet of the Yadkin River tributary will be restored to improve the Yadkin River watershed by reducing sediment delivered from the creek. Over the years, stormwater runoff and erosion have scoured Horne Creek’s banks and deepened its stream channel, removing the stream’s connection to its natural floodplain.
Heavy equipment will be used to reconfigure and stabilize the stream channel with timber, rock and native vegetation. The project is supported by a $375,000 grant from the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund and a matching $25,000 grant from the N.C. Division of Water Resources.
Park Superintendent Matt Windsor said a team of supporters made the project happen, including Dick Everhart of the park’s advisory committee, Charles Anderson of Pilot View Resource Conservation and Development, Tony Davis of the Surry Soil and Water Conservation District and Bern Schumak of the trust fund.
The project involves temporarily closing the Bean Shoals Access at the northern side of the park’s Yadkin River section. The closure is expected to last until April, although as the work progresses, rangers could reopen some trails for hike-in and equestrian access on weekends. The Corridor Trail that connects the Yadkin River section to the main component of Pilot Mountain State Park will remain open.
Staff at the state park and volunteers contributed to the project by inventorying aquatic species in the stream and floodplain, restoring warm season grasses in surrounding fields and installing interpretive signs as well as trail and picnic area construction and relocation. The park’s group camps at the river section will be relocated father from the creek floodplain.


We carry the following stone products: 2A Modified Stone, 2B Clean Stone, Concrete Sand, Deleware River Stone, Red Stone, Screenings, Belgium Block, Blue Stone, Flagstone, Palletized wall/patio stone in Colonial Grey, West Mt. Laurel and PA Field Stone, and other natural stone products. Call 610-644-2300 for pricing and delivery fees!
Bag Mulch is available in Cedar, Right Dress, Pine Bark, Pine Bark Nuggets, Pine Bark Mini Nuggets, Hardwood, Colorized Black, and Colorized Brown. We also carry soil products such as Blended Super Soil with Mushroom Compost and Screened Topsoil. Please call for more information.
Brown mulch is a color enhanced combination of roots and selective hardwoods. Choose triple ground for a finer appearance. With its natural brown hues, this mulch has a rich brown color. Order Brown Mulch.
Black mulch is a color enhanced combination of roots and selective hardwoods. Choose Triple ground for a finer appearance. Black in color, it is our darkest mulch. Order Black Mulch.
Bark mulch is our highest quality mulch - straight from the sawmill! A well aged blend of selected hardwood bark that has been double ground. Rich, dark brown color. Order Bark Mulch.
Root mulch is a combination of roots and selective hardwoods. Choose triple ground for a finer appearance. Root mulch is dark brown in color. Order Root Mulch.
Playground mulch is a specialized ground cover for use as protective surface in play areas. Produced from 100% virgin wood; Playground mulch has a natural wood color and double ground. It is STM tested; great for impact resistance and wheelchair accessibility. Order Playground Mulch.
Unscreened woodchips are an inexpensive ground covering. Ground up brush and wood that varies in color and size. Unscreened Woodchips are not recommended for flower or planting beds. Order Unscreened Woodchips.
Contractors: Currently, online ordering is NOT available to contractors. We do, however, offer discounts for registered contractors. Please call 610-644-2300 for more information.


Poker Plant, Flamenco (Torch Lily) - TheTreeFarm.comFor information about exactly when and how to trim a red hot poker.
Bright tubular spring and summer flowers form long pokerlike clusters on tough, easy to grow plants.Perennial Solutions: Kniphofia uvaria Echo Series. of Richard Saul of ItSaul Plants Inc. has brought kniphofia Echo series to.Grow in average, medium moisture, well drained soils full sunintolerant of wet, heavy.
Poker Face Kniphofia – Perennials | Spring Hill NurseriesNew Garden Plants is your convenient online garden plants center.Buy this pollinator attracting plant here for free shipping with.
Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia uvaria 'Flamenco') in the TorchThe foliage is grassy in appearance and the flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds.Kniphofia uvaria is a species of flowering plant in the family Asphodelaceae, also known as tritomea, torch lily, or red hot poker, due to the shape and color of its.Kniphofia Flamenco - Common name:Red Hot Poker, Torch Lily, Tritoma - New improvement to an old garden favorite.
Annuals: Kniphofia uvaria 'Flamenco' - digthedirt.comHistorically, kniphofia or poker plants barely bloom in containers and have too short of a flowering time in the landscape.Red Hot Poker, also known scientifically as Kniphofia (knee-FOE-fee-ah), is a genus of about 70 exotic plants native to South Africa that produces brightly-coloured.Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker) Poker Plant, Red Hot Poker, Torch.
Flamenco Red Hot Poker - Perennial Plants
Kniphofia northiae | Botany Photo of the Day
Kniphofia uvaria 'Flamenco' (Red Hot Poker, Common - Plant
Kniphofia | White Flower Farm
Kniphofia | plant lust
Kniphofia caulescens - Plant FinderA tall-growing perennial hardy in USDA zones 5 through 10, red hot poker (Kniphofia uvaria) produces a large number of flowers on each plant.
Kniphofia uvaria, commonly known as red-hot poker or torch lily, is an upright, clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial that is native to.
KNIPHOFIA SEEDS - Plant World Seeds
Kniphofia uva. 'Flamenco Mix' Red Hot Poker Plant from BabikowDetermine how many plants you will need for a particular area.
Buy your Kniphofia uvaria cheap online at BulbsdirectFlamenco Kniphofia offers a mix of yellow, orange and fiery red flowers that bloom its first year.Kniphofia uvaria. perennials and specialty plants on ten California nurseries to serve the wholesale landscape and nursery.Summer flowering species with red buds opening to yellow flowers.
Dwarf red hot poker. Family:. The POPSICLE Series Kniphofia are day neutral plants and bloom as long as they have some heat.
2 Bareroot Red Hot Poker/ torch lily/ poker plant/ kniphofiaKniphofia uvaria is commonly known as a Red Hot Poker, Torch Lily or sometimes a Tritoma Depending on the variety,.Flamenco plants will flower the first year even though a perennial to zone 5.
Kniphofia ‘Poco Sunset’ - Greenhouse Management
It is recommended tying up the leaves of kniphofia in the winter to keep the crowns dry,.Terra Nova 11,259 views. About Red Hot Poker Plants - Duration: 3:57.A sun loving, low maintenance burst of color that likes it hot and dry.


Herb spirals are a great way to incorporate edible architecture into your garden. It’s a great way to incorporate a larger amount of herbs into a small space. Herb spirals are designed so that the top/center part of the spiral is about 2-3 feet high. As the spiral opens up, the elevation of the spiral is lowered. This creates microclimates in different parts of the spiral, allowing you to plant different types of herbs with different soil and temperature requirements. You have dry and arid conditions at the top or center of the spiral for rosemary, oregano, aloe, and thyme. Winding down from the center you would have sage, chives, parsley, and cilantro. Basil, lavender, and more cooler and moist loving plants would be planted in the lower portion of the spiral.


What would have made Yellowknife’s pop-up park a success?
A landscape architect who helped bring Yellowknife’s pop-up park to life says the city should be investing more in public spaces, not taking them down, during the pandemic.
Thevishka Kanishkan spent the summer of 2018 with northern non-profit Ecology North designing the park, which was taken down by municipal staff earlier this week.
“They’re advising people to gather outdoors and not spend time with a whole bunch of people inside. The last thing you should be doing in the middle of a pandemic is taking apart outdoor gathering space,” Kanishkan said.
“You should be pouring money into creating space for that to happen.”
Kanishkan said critics of the park’s downtown location misunderstood its purpose.
Ecology North said the pop-up park never fulfilled its potential as liability concerns got in the way of the group’s plans to further develop the three vacant lots on which the park’s temporary features were built.
In a statement, the City of Yellowknife said it “applauds the intentions” of the park “but the ability to provide ongoing upkeep became a challenge.”
A City spokesperson explained the park’s dismantling by adding: “At this time, the City does not have the staff or financial resources available to supplement the work that has been done by Ecology North to maintain the site. The City is currently reviewing other potential uses for the land.”
The three lots remain available for sale at an overall price of $825,000.
Kanishkan said the City’s response dismayed her.
“To say there’s no budget and it’s not a priority at a time like this is kind-of antithetical to what city planning and public space practitioners are advising right now,” she told Cabin Radio on Wednesday.
“There’s been an explosion of pop-up spaces and guerrilla place-making over the past few months, all over the world. Every country in the world is closing down streets to create these spaces.
“For Yellowknife to [dismantle the park], it’s not in keeping with the way we’re trying to change how we think about cities.”
‘Depends on your definition of success’
Some residents felt the pop-up park, which was designed to transform rough, gravel lots into a better-looking community space, eventually became an eyesore little more enticing than the vacant land had been.
“I, personally, am so happy it has been removed,” wrote Councillor Stacie Smith in a public Facebook post.
“It had good intentions but not all good intentions bear fruit. Not all solutions of the south can work for the North.”
Kanishkan, though, said critics of the park and its location – near the city’s downtown sobering shelter – were overlooking part of its initial purpose.
“I see all these nasty comments about how it attracted street-involved people. It was built using their labour,” said Kanishkan, who worked with the Yellowknife Women’s Society’s Common Ground employment program to construct the park.
“That labour is engrained into the purpose of the park, which was to create a common ground for people. The reason we hired them, specifically, was to create a sense of ownership and something to be proud of,” she said.
“For the City to not acknowledge that and take it apart sucks. It was for everyone. The homeless population was involved in building that space and the people involved really cared about it.”
Kanishkan said the park was built on a budget of between $20,000 and $40,000 and sorely lacked the routinely refreshed programming that would have kept it better-maintained and relevant.
“It’s not going to be Somba K’e. It was built on $20,000. It just depends on your definition of a successful public space,” she said, referring to the more manicured park outside City Hall.
“The point of a pop-up park is not to create a lawn and a picnic table. The point is to actively take an underused or unused public space that’s an eyesore, or inviting behaviour no-one wants, and turn it into a space everyone can use and feels welcome in.
“Programming is really what makes a space successful. If there was no programming for it, even though that was part of the original intention, it was never going to be used the way it was originally intended.”


By Brianna Kudisch
Randolph community members can expect various positive changes to the parks and recreational areas, thanks to the completion of a new Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The new plan not only evaluates current needs, but also lays the groundwork for the implementation of future proposals.
The updated plan establishes projects to be completed around the local community, with four groupings in regards to timeline. The first group outlines the next zero to two years, the second group outlines three to five years, the third group outlines six to ten years, and the fourth group outlines the plans for the future, beyond ten years.
“As Randolph Township has continued to evolve in both demographics and population, it became apparent that an updated Parks and Recreation Master Plan was necessary to both assess the current needs as well as to establish a plan for parks and recreation investments for the next 10-15 years,” said Russ Newman, director of Randolph Parks and Recreation.
The last completed Parks and Recreation Master Plan was put together in 1998; it led to the development of Freedom Park as well as multiple improvements made on existing facilities, parks, and trails, including the renovation of the Community Center.
This recently modernized master plan is authored by a collection of people, including the Steering Committee, which consists of township staff, council members, and representatives from the Parks Advisory and Recreation Advisory Committees, and Brandstetter Carroll, an outside consultant hired for the project.
The Steering Committee and Brandstetter Carroll have worked together to form a report over 125 pages, detailing information on facilities and programs, specific plans, an analysis of what is needed and what is recommended, and a synopsis of public opinion, gathered from online surveys, websites, random mailed surveys, meetings, and public workshops.
Planned recommendations for the parks and recreational areas will cost about $12.5 million dollars, spread through the 10-15 years in which the project’s goals expect to be achieved. No taxes will be raised in the completion of the projects, as funding will come from the Open Space and Recreation Development Trust Fund. The fund is supported by a specifically allocated local tax already in place.
One recommended action outlined in the plan is the development of a park on the site on Calais Road that spans 90 acres; the park would include elements not currently available at existing Randolph parks.
“These [elements] include an outdoor stage/bandshell, a community garden, outdoor fitness equipment, a lighted, paved loop trail, picnic pavilions, a nature-themed playground, and other amenities such as pickle ball and bocce courts, as well as a connecting trail to Heistein Park,” said Newman.
Additionally, there are plans to continue improving and advancing the existing trail network, and to develop a Trails Master Plan. Brundage and Heistein Parks would also receive necessary changes through field lighting upgrades and improved restroom facilities and picnic shelters.
Freedom Park will also receive changes through the planned replacement and expansion of its artificial turf field, improved restroom facilities and picnic shelters.
More updates include improved security, ADA access, existing field and building maintenance in general, and specific improvements to the Brundage Park Playhouse and Artworks Studios.
The Township Council held a public hearing for the plan on May 5, with following discussions in the following months, and it is scheduled to move to accept the plan by resolution at their meeting on July 28.


Portguguese architecture studio Aires Mateus’ most recent love affair with concrete is the new Pa.te.os Hotel – or, ‘patios’, in Portuguese. Set in an untamed part of the Alentejo landscape, the project consists of a series of interconnected courtyard houses overlooking the Atlantic in an oak grove on the hillside of Serra da Grândola. Its concrete forms, like sculptures in the wild, allow the natural surroundings to become part of the architecture. Shapes confidently cut out of the strong concrete volumes mimic the hilly topography of the region, offering look-out points to connect with the land and sea.
‘The ambition of this project is to create a relationship between nature and construction, extending it to the built spaces. We frame, we observe, we select, we grab the landscape,’ the architects said.
To further connect the building with its location, Aires Mateus looked to the Islamic architectural heritage of Portugal’s southern regions. As its name suggests, Pa.te.os explores the area’s legacy of courtyard houses and the concept of the patio as the place where nature and human-made construction meet.
‘The houses are spread out in outdoor patios, creating a dialogue with the enclosed spaces. The [adjoining] courtyards, in tension [with] the constructions […] prolong the relationship between the interior and the landscape,’ the architects explained. The living spaces extend into courtyards for lounging and outdoor dining. Hidden inner patios frame the sky like a James Turrell installation. Outdoor shower rooms are sheltered from view and protect from the Atlantic breeze.
The forces behind Pa.te.os are hoteliers Sofia and Miguel Charters of Primosfera. The name of the Lisbon-based, family-run property development company combines the Portuguese words for ‘prime/premium’, ‘property’ and ‘sphere/globe’. Both founders spent their childhood summers in Alentejo, where they returned together as adults with a joint dream to build a summer home based on their memories and their connection to the land, to host family and friends.
They started with the 1,200 sq m Casa de Tijolo (literally, ‘house of bricks’) – their private home in the region, designed by Aires Mateus. It uses local clay and raw material for its handcrafted, bespoke bricks made by local ceramic artisans from São Pedro do Corval. Pa.te.os is located on the same acreage, but was created 15 years later, when the hoteliers brought in the same architects to realise another dream: to share their intimate relationship with the land with the world.
Pa.te.os is composed of four courtyard houses, including from one- to three-bedroom suites, all closely integrated within the natural landscape. Their architectural arrangement was conceived to frame nature, inviting it in, and inviting guests to see it. Each volume is oriented towards sweeping vistas offering views of the Atlantic, the hillside, and the coast of Arrábida. Each view is delicately framed by a ‘disappearing’ glass wall, which, when opened, transforms the interior into an outdoor courtyard.
The openness allows guests to connect with nature ‘not only by sight, but also by smell, by the breeze, by the movement of each day’, the architects say. Indoors and outdoors become interchangeable. In the same manner, an infinity pool in the communal courtyard creates a new horizon and look-out point.
The houses are designed as if the hoteliers-as-hosts live there. There is an honesty in this approach, which follows Primosfera’s ‘what you see is what you experience’ mantra. Additionally, like all of the company’s projects with Aires Mateus, the design strives for an authenticity in material use, a balance between form and function, and a relationship to sustaining what is local. For example, the slate that came to the surface while land for the hotel’s vineyard was being prepared was collected and used for the tiles in the courtyards that extend into pathways and connect the houses. Meanwhile, the minimal Scandi-inspired interiors expose raw materials in their heated concrete floors, warm oak furniture, and earthy colour palette.
Pa.te.os is the product of its landscape and its creative team’s close collaboration. ‘The entire project is designed starting from the landscape,’ the architects add. ‘All spaces, movements, framings are designed to enhance and extract value from this very special place.’


We are Urban Arena. A ground-breaking collaborative specifically designed to utilize the knowledge of the many. A company where ideas come to built reality, where there is no other limit than our own imagination. We truly believe in free-flowing, cross-discipline brainstorms where no idea is dismissed, since it may seed other design solutions. Designed to be better than the average firm, we have seamlessly combined disciplines into a cohesive singularity. Leveraging the combined knowledge of our architecture, landscape architecture and planning wings, we can bring a comprehensive design to the table in record time with extraordinary results.
We pride ourselves on doing things differently. We produce innovative design solutions that stand apart from the ordinary.
Urban Arena (UA) was established in 1996 by Michael Schrock. In 1997 a partnership was formed with Keith Mittemeyer to strengthen the company’s capabilities. Founded originally with a focus on landscape architecture and planning, Urban Arena quickly expanded to include architecture to provide clients with a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary service.
Urban Arena has offices in Orange County, San Diego, and Oakland. Our projects range from master-planned urban villages to retail and entertainment centers, theme parks, model homes, community parks, boutique hotels, luxury apartments, streetscapes and sports complexes.


When it comes to the weather, Maryland is not typically a place of happy mediums. Winters are often frigid and snow-covered, while the unrelenting summer swelter can make the slightest outdoor activity a chore.
For residential landscapes and gardens, these record-setting temps can spell certain doom for plant life, unless precautions are taken and specific watering schedules maintained.
Horticulturalists suggest implementing native plants, which have already adapted to Maryland’s climate and soil conditions, and have a far better chance of surviving the scorch.
The following drought resistant plants can be colorful additions to any Maryland home and should be able to hold their own against the heat with minimal care.
- Black-Eyed Susan – This bright yellow annual with its trademark dark center offers a dose of cheer with each blossom, and does well in dry, well-drained soil.
- Wild Red Columbine – Renown for its colorful red and yellow flowers, this woodland perennial is doubly exciting as its nectar attracts hummingbirds. Columbines thrive in shade and sandy, well-drained soils, and are easily subject to overwatering in the summer months.
- Blue Wild Indigo – This bushy perennial with clear blue, pea-like petals is a favorite of caterpillars and bees, and features a long tap root which makes it resistant to drought.
- Green & Gold – This versatile plant can withstand flood and drought conditions and is identified by its hairy stem and bright yellow, daisy-like flowers that resemble stars.
Regardless of whether your residential landscape is populated with native flowers and drought resistant plants, you can take steps to conserve water and protect your investment this summer.
Try following these suggestions to help your garden beat the heat:
- Evaluate for signs of stress, such as wilting; yellowing or browning leaves or grass; and curled petals
- Introduce organic matter into clay or sandy soils to increase solubility and water retention, respectively.
- Water early in the day to reduce the effects of evaporation.
- Incorporate 2 inches of mulch or compost to aid in water retention.
At eos Outdoor Services, our horticulturalists can evaluate your residential or estate landscape and make experts suggestions regarding the best native and drought-resistant plants for your environment. Our track record is flawless. We’ve never mistaken a flower for a weed, and our specialists are on standby to help you make the most of your landscape throughout the summer and beyond. Call us today at 410-648-2820.


Archive for the ‘9 reasons why the highline sucks’ Category
__SPACER__ Complete separation of traffic from urban areas sometimes makes places dead and being long and thin, linear parks really work when they can be used as a route from A to B. Mixing cycle traffic with linear parks is a good idea for everyone, but the Highline doesnt work as a place to cut through with stairs rather than ramps.
__SPACER__ When you create a park above street level you have to be careful that the negative aspects of the space underneath it dont cancel out the benefits above.

There is often an initial phase where spaces underneath look good, but after a while these places tend to become depressing or fall into disrepair.

The Highline should have been as much about the space beneath as it was about the park itself. For obvious reasons the focus has been on the park.
__SPACER__ Models and drawings with long shallow curves, like this one, look modern. Its more difficult to make a traditional, symmetric, square or oval park look good but these spaces usually work better as tranquil parks, precisely because they are less dynamic.

The Highline has the natural shallow curves of a railroad. Before the days of computer models, Zaha Hadid, the designer of the project above, was famous for her set of railway curves which she used to draw seductive shallow curved presentation drawings.
__SPACER__ Most things look great when they first open, and its hard to imagine that the Highline could become a needle park, but there is a danger it could.

Urban parks are always a trade off between making spaces open enough that they are naturally overlooked rather than security patrolled and closed enough that they create intimate spaces.

Intimate spaces created by planting are hugely desirable in a city, but by being above ground, away from street life, the latitude to add extra intimacy is reduced by the fact that it will already be difficult to keep it from being scary at night.
__SPACER__ It takes a long time for planting in parks to mature. At the moment the Highline looks more like nascent greenery sprouting through cracks in the pavement.

What works for the moment, is the Highline's novelty, as it becomes a mature park, the spaces underneath will require lots of money flowing into them to prevent them from being dank railway arches.

There doesn't seem to be a 30 year plan for what is underneath the Highline.


'Overpass is about what it means to move through the landscape. Walking along a vast network of centuries-old footpaths through the English countryside, artist Sam Contis focuses on stiles, the simple structures that offer a means of passage over walls and fences and allow public access through privately owned land. In her immersive sequences of black-and-white photographs, they become repeating sculptural forms in the landscape, invitations to free movement on one hand and a reminder of the history of enclosure on the other. Made from wood and stone, each unique, they appear as markers pointing the way forward, or decaying and half-hidden by the undergrowth. An essay by writer Daisy Hildyard contextualizes this body of work within histories of the British landscape and contemporary ecological discourses. In an age of rising nationalism and a renewed insistence on borders, Overpass invites us to reflect on how we cross boundaries, who owns space, and the ways we have shaped the natural environment and how we might shape it in the future.'
Published by Aperture, November 2022.


What is lawn Aeration?
Aerating a lawn means supplying the soil with air, by poking holes in the ground throughout the lawn using an aerator. It reduces soil compaction and helps control thatch in lawns while helping water and fertilizer move into the root zone.
As lawns age or sustain heavy use from play, sports activities, pets, vehicle traffic and parking, soil compaction can result. Soil compacting forces are most severe in poorly drained or wet sites. Compaction greatly reduces the pore space within the soil that would normally hold air. Roots require oxygen to grow and absorb nutrients and water. Compaction reduces total pore space and the amount of air within the soil. It has a negative impact on nutrient uptake and water infiltration, in addition to being a physical barrier to root growth. This results in poor top growth and lawn deterioration.
Aeration improves air flow in the sensitive root-zone area. The most common and effective aerating techniques are core aeration and power raking. Lawn aeration involves the removal of small soil plugs or cores out of the lawn. Most aeration is done with a machine having hollow tines or spoons mounted on a disk or drum. Known as a core aerator, it extracts 1/2 to 3/4 inch diameter cores of soil and deposits them on your lawn. Aeration holes are typically 1-6 inches deep and 2-6 inches apart. Core aeration is a recommended lawn care practice on compacted, heavily used turf and to control thatch buildup.
What does aeration do for my lawn?
Increases the activity of soil microorganisms that decompose thatch.
Increases water, nutrient and oxygen movement into the soil.
Enhances infiltration of rainfall or irrigation.
Helps prevent fertilizer and pesticide run-off from overly compacted areas.


This is my courtyard so far! I still have a bit of work to do, namely, back-filling behind the grey wall and then growing a Japanese Box hedge behind it… but I’m so pleased with how it’s looking now that I thought I’d post a few photos of it for this week’s project.
This courtyard was basically the corner of our house. The area was mostly filled with mostly empty garden beds beforehand - there were quite a few of them and they took up lots of room.
With the help of a bobcat, we widened it and then paved it with rocks from around the property. The paving was done simply using crusher dust and beach sand. It’s really practical and looks fantastic.
The other side of the courtyard runs straight onto the parking area out the front of our house, so I “marked out” the courtyard area by placing a line of pots across one side. This helps to create the courtyard area and provide separation from the gravel… even though the rocks and the gravel are on the same level.
The grey wall was built using common bricks and then rendered. And the lovely table you can see came from our local craft shop. I painted it in oil-based paint in the same colour as the house. I also painted a few of the pots.
Because this area is sort of a triangle (it was cheaper to leave the shape that way than to change it with heavy machinery), I’ve arranged the pots in groups to take the focus off its strange shape.
It is certainly a lovely place to sit, and for the children to play. I hope it may give you a few ideas for your place!


Hardscape Paver Installation Company
Hardscape Paver Installation Services
What is paving hardscaping?
Hardscape is a term used in the industry to define solid materials used in outdoor design, such as concrete pavers, brick, asphalt, tile, and natural stone. Driveways, walks, patios, walls, decks, fire and water features, outdoor kitchens, and other structures all employ these goods. Call Waterproofing today to learn more about our services.
Drywall Repair Services
When it comes to finding a reliable Hardscape paving company to do an install, you know you can trust our team here at waterproofing one. We are professionals and know exactly how to install all types of pavers. Have a question regarding the type of stone or material we can use? Call us today to learn more. The term “hardscapes” refers to any custom-built feature for your outdoor living area, such as patios, landscaped paths, sitting walls, retaining walls, water features, fire pits, landscape lighting, grill surrounds, pergolas, and so forth.
Retaining Wall Restoration
Retaining walls are built to work much harder than a freestanding wall. Not only are they supporting their own weight, but they are retaining soil, which can exert a lot of force especially when saturated with water. If your garden’s retaining wall is starting to lean, has become damaged, or has just seen better days, give Waterproofing One a call. We’ll walk you through the process and determine what will need to be done to bring your retaining wall back into shape.


Staten Island Asphalt has the best price on ASTM #57 3/4″ stone. This is angular or cubical shaped stone that appears as pink, light red or light purple in color. It is used as a component in asphalt, concrete, Portland cement and concrete surface treatments for roads, parking lots, driveways, bedding material, drainage, rock mulch, slope protection, erosion control landscaping and ground cover.
It’s size is US sieve ¾” and weighs 1.4 tons per loose cubic yard.
ASTM #57 stone is made by crushing larger stone then sorting the pieces through a sieve. The larger or ¾” stone is kept as #57 while the smaller particles or sand is allowed to pass through.
ASTM #57 is the aggregate grading. It falls under the ASTM concrete aggregate category of C33. Stone mixes made using C33 aggregates are porous having more rapid permeability making them the right aggregate to be used in gravel walkways allowing water to seep through to the ground below.


Gardening is a process of hard work that results in many rewards. By sewing a few seeds in the ground and providing them with a little love and care, you can have a garden that is full to the brim with beautiful flowers or fruits and vegetables. The advice in this article will help you with gardening.
Transform the handles of your tools into convenient measuring devices. Large handled tools such as shovels, rakes, and hoes can be used as measuring sticks. Lay the tools down on the floor, then place a measuring tape along the handle. A permanent marker can be used to label distances. Next time you are working in the garden, you will have a large ruler at your fingertips!
If you have specimen plants which need warmer climate zones than the rest of your garden, you can easily create a suitable space for them within your regular garden! Just create a shelter with a south facing wall which will become a solar collector, absorbing warmth in the day and releasing it at night, thus providing your specimen plants with the perfect environment!
When uprooting a perennial plant, you should start digging at its drip line. Dig a trench around the plant, and cut any roots that extend beyond that trench. You can tie stems together to avoid damaging the plant during the process. Once all the roots are severed lift the plant carefully by its main stem.
You can test the viability of your seeds by soaking them overnight. Drop them into a container of water and keep them in a dark place for a day. Check the location of the seeds. If they sank to the bottom, they are usable. If they float the the top, they may be dead.
Most people design their gardens with plants in their hands and a shovel. However, the best idea is to wait to choose your plants after you have decided upon a layout or landscaping design. Once you have completed the landscaping, move on to the last step to your garden; planting your favorite flowers, shrubs and trees.
Gardening is not hard, but you should get advice before you jump in head first. You want your garden to be successful rather than fail, so it makes sense to read up a little beforehand. There is no need to purchase expensive gardening books because you can find gardening books at your local library, or find out as much as you need online.
To make sure you don’t accidentally dig up bulbs in the following year, mark them with twigs. They should stay in place over the winter, and will be an easy reminder when you’re planting new things in the spring. This is especially nice because you don’t have to buy anything beforehand. Just grab some nearby twigs and put them in place.
As stated before, gardening is hard work, but provides many rewards. A combination of seeds, love, and care can result in beautiful flowers and ripe fruits and vegetables. Using the advice in this article on gardening, you can create a magnificent garden that will showcase your hard work.


I remember my parents battening down the hatches this time of year in preparation for the long winter ahead. So the irony never escapes me when we start planning our winter gardens in Arizona. We just finished putting in our winter lawn and this weekend we planted our winter flowers. If you live in the Southwest, now is the time to plant all those pretty flowers and it's also the time to plant bulbs. The flowers we will enjoy all winter long, but the bulbs will hide beneath the dirt until Easter time when they will make their glorious debut!
We start by digging the sun cooked earth out of our flower gardens.
Followed by the kids and I taking a trip to the plant nursery for some fresh dirt and pansies (making a quick stop at Sonic for some slushies on our drive home). I always buy the kids a bag of live ladybugs when we're planting (our bag this year contained 2000 ladybugs!). It gives the kids something to do while Mike and I work and the ladybugs are a wonderful natural pesticide.
The bulb are planted 5" below the surface, so they will go in first. Just look at these Dutch pretties! I've selected a bright rainbow mix for this year.
Each Garden will get 33 bulbs so I separate the bags into their locations.
Next we removed the bulbs from their bags and space them around the garden.
The Lemonista's helpers makes holes with a bulb planting tool and tucks the bulbs safely inside--point side up.
A fresh blanket of dirt is layered over top to achieve the needed 5" depth.
Finally, the lovely pansies are planted.
(My Mother says there's nothin' sexier than a man doing the dishes...but a man planting my garden comes pretty close! *Grin*)
A heavy dose of water later and the front garden is finished! Now we enjoy our pansies and wait 'till spring to see our gorgeous tulips!
This afternoon we will carve pumpkins and gear up for a neighborhood gathering...and of course, tricker-treating! I'll leave you with a few festive photos from around our house to get you in the mood.
Have a safe, happy, Halloween!
The Lemonista and Staff ;-)


Quality Residential Landscaping Service in Nowthen, Minnesota and surrounding areas.
Patios & Pavers
Patios are one of our hardscape specialties. A new patio will provide you with a great space to entertain guests, spend time with loved ones, and simply enjoy the outdoors. Not to mention that a patio will increase the value of your home.
We professionally design and construct patios, driveways, & walkways. Interlocking concrete pavers make a great choice for your new project. The array of colors, styles, and sizes provide nearly endless possibilities for a one of a kind project you’ll love. If you prefer a more natural look we can use a variety of flagstone or natural stone. Either way, every flatwork project is unique to the space it’s in. We custom design and build each project specifically for you.
“…did an excellent job on my paver patio. They went above and beyond to make sure that we were happy with the finished product. Would highly recommend…”


Based in Minnesota, most of our clientele immediately think of lakeshores when it comes to erosion control — and they aren’t wrong. But, while lakeshores do make up a portion of our erosion control projects, they are not the only places that can benefit from our erosion control measures.
As a residential and commercial landscaping contractor, Exterior Designs provides erosion control solutions for all areas of your yard — including steep grades, natural drainage paths, areas prone to poor vegetation growth, high-traffic areas, lakeshores, and more. When it comes to erosion control we are able to draw upon and implement a number of our professional services:
Erosion control is any practice that protects the soil surface, preventing soil particles from being detached and washing away by rainfall or wind.


We believe that every yard deserves to be recognized. With our unique landscape lighting installation in St. George, we can physically and figuratively light up your environment! Your yard can go from being dark and dry to being bright and beautiful with the addition of custom outdoor lights. We can install it wherever you need it! Our landscapers specialize in customized landscape lighting and use their knowledge to assess your yard's lighting needs. Then, they carefully position fixtures so that they encourage simple visibility and produce an amazing effect.
Why install lights and fixtures for your backyard landscape?
Because you should still use your yard even if it's cloudy or late in the evening. When the sun is hidden by the moon or clouds exterior lighting makes it simple to move around outdoors.
It also highlights how beautiful your yard is. Show off your outdoor space if you're proud of it! Installing unique lighting next to your favorite features will make them visible for everyone to observe and appreciate. Of course, landscape lighting will increase the curb appeal of your home, increasing its value. Your personalized lighting will also help you sell your property for the highest possible price if you decide to do so in the future.
FREE INSTANT QUOTE!
*plus FREE bonus coupon*


Transforming an Underused Public Lot into a Vibrant Community Plaza
The Dixon Downtown Plaza site had been a vacant gravel lot for many years and served as a downtown parking lot. The City of Dixon selected the Helix/BEN|EN team to transform the former Pardi Neighborhood Market site into a vibrant community plaza. The project site is highly visible in the community and with innovative design and concept development, the Helix/BEN|EN team was able to create a new community social hub and parking area at this key downtown core location.
The project was completed in two phases. The first phase featured permeable pavers to allow onsite stormwater to percolate into the ground, new lighting, landscaping, ADA-accessible facilities, and parking. The second phase included the construction of a raised concrete stage with a band shell over the stage, shade shelters, drinking fountains, site furnishings (such as tables, seating, and walls), and plantings. These facilities are capable of hosting community events and/or providing a functional space for everyday use.
BEN|EN assisted the City with the facilitation of public workshops, conceptual design and planning, preliminary engineering design, and Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E).


The promotion of the activities on protection and revitalization of sand dunes, organized by Public enterprise for coastal zone management of Montenegro – PP5 within the Interreg IPA CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro project ‘WELCOME’, was successfully implemented.
The promotion was held on Friday, 26 June 2020, on the location Evropa beach, Velika plaža in Ulcinj – Montenegro.
Activities on protection and revitalization of sand dunes at the selected location on the beach Velika plaža in Ulcinj, which were carried out in the last 6 months in Montenegro within the INTERREG IPA CBC project "WELCOME", included:
- analysis of the existing condition through geodetic survey, inventory and endangered condition of sand dune vegetation on the beach Velika plaža
- site selection for dune rehabilitation
- works on restoration of sand sediment, formation of dunes, as well as installation of protective structures that contribute to the natural formation of dune
- rehabilitation and biological restoration of sand dunes through the restoration of the specific flora that naturally inhabits this area
- placement of protective structures for conservation of sand dunes on the beach Velika plaža in Ulcinj (wooden fences and pasarella) whose design was selected through artistic competition
- production and installation of artistic installations made of natural and processed wood collected during beach cleaning actions, which were selected through a public invitation for non-governmental organizations, and equipping the area with benches, waste bins and information-educational boards.
Artistic installations together with wooden fences, pasarella and other equipment contribute to the protection of endangered parts of sand dunes through raising public awareness about marine litter, reuse of marine litter and the importance of dunes, which is one of the goals of the project "WELCOME".


It’s that time of year again – time for mini-sessions! I was afraid that we might get rained out this year but, luckily for all involved, there were plenty of lovely clouds but no rain at all. I had each family meet me at the Missouri Botanical Garden, this time in the Lehmann Rose Garden. I have to insert here that I am seriously amazed at the perpetual beauty of the Botanical Garden. No sooner has one area started to wilt than another area reaches its peak. I mean, this is just not a very pretty time of year. It’s the tail-end of fall so a lot of the leaves are gone, few flowers are blooming, the weather is icky. But the rose garden was just perfect – roses of so many different colors, lined with big beautiful trees on all sides. As a person who kills plants effortlessly, I do not know how they do it. I tip my hat to the MoBot gardeners. And as soon as you add a precious baby to the mix, beautiful photos abound (see how I got back on topic there? 🙂 ). So without further ado, take a look at the first family in the mini-session lineup – the L family.


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Heres a free deck plan from Popular Mechanics that will help you create a spacious 10 x 18 ft. In terms of covered deck designs this one is definitely a winner.
Inspiration for a small contemporary backyard deck remodel in Los Angeles with a fire pit and a pergola cool looking because we want a wood background along the property line – or just a fence.
Backyard deck plans. The easiest deck to build is an on-grade deck. The most popular types of wood decks for the backyard are either composite or real wood. Fort Greene Landmarked Brownstone.
Many of the deck plans include features to make your deck unique including arbors pergolas built in benches and planter boxes. Simply mix and match the colors as you install the deck boards for an interesting random look. A ground level deck is perfect for improving the aesthetics of small backyard spaces.
It doesnt require railings stairs or posts but the essential elements of the deckincluding the ledger beams piers and joistsremain the same. Build a vine-covered pergola in your backyard to shade a stone patio or wood deck using wood beams and lattice set on precast classical-style columns. Enjoy the showSupport the channel with comment like and subscribe httpsgooglMwT6Qqvor you can buy me a cup of coffee here.
Redwood Deck and Pergola Hollywood Hills. See your deck in 3D then get a plan and suggested material list for your project. Deck boards are typically 5-12 inches wide so try to plan a deck size that wont leave narrow pieces at the ends.
There are several ways to achieve this look but the easiest way is to stain batches of decking in three or four different colors. Outdoor furniture can be soooo expensive but these DIY outdoor furniture plans will help you get the deck or patio set of your dreams on a budget. Consumer and builder accept all responsibility and liability for all aspects of the use of any plan found on this website.
Backyard decks seemingly create square footage out of thin air for summer barbecues family get-togethers or just for a quiet glass of wine while the sun sets. Drop in octagons make a multilevel deck add a staircase or wrap around stairs and get a plan to submit for permits. The level change makes the small backyard appear larger.
These deck plans plan are not considered valid unless approved by your local building inspector or structural engineer. Covered deck featuring white seats and a bench seating. Any use of any plan on this website is at your own risk.
We hope these deck ideas will help give you plenty of inspiration for creating your own perfect backyard retreat. Contractor-driven decks tend to be insanely expensive but the price tag plummets the moment you take on the job yourself. Design a deck and decor with videos and guides that walk you through from start to finish.
The columns are a nice touch reminiscent of Greek. An outdoor deck is a great way to maximize your homes living space and connect the indoor living area with your backyard. Example of a small arts and crafts backyard deck container garden design in Los Angeles with a pergola.
Create your design so that the railings are clear of windows and out-swinging doors. Large deck featuring classy seats and lounger surrounded by beautiful greenery. You will be designing in no time.
Backyard pool deck that your family can enjoy for years. The chromatic combination is a delight to the eye as the wooden deck matches the brick path in a simple yet elegant fashion. Covered deck set on the homes second floor overlooking the lovely ocean view.
Build and design a deck with one of the deck plans below. This is a more intricate deck design with 2 levels. Design the deck of your dreams with our new deck design software.
Its much like a patio but built as a deck. The deck is fully covered in a pergola decorated with hanging lights that provide coziness. 12 x 16 Flat Deck on the Ground Like a Patio Our second deck plan is a 12 x 16 wooden deck that is flat on the ground.
Once you have a basic layout bring it to Lowes to have an associate put together professional deck plans and a materials list. A rock wall fringed with Berkeley sedge separates a lower paved patio from a raised redwood deck and hot tub. The ten easy to follow steps within this free deck plan will help you gather your tools and materials frame the floor set the posts lay the decking and build the guardrails.
Columnar Hollywood junipers Juniperus torulosa cluster to the left of the deck while a hedge of pineapple guavas Feijoa sellowiana grows against the back fence made of cedar but. But this is nice. Covered deck with cozy seats overlooking the beautiful backyard area of the home.
Sea-side covered deck with hammocks all over. Small trendy backyard deck photo in Los Angeles with a fire pit and a pergola Love the black fence behind the deck – webuser_592448796142. Build a deck that adds to your living and entertaining space with deck plans that make the job seem easy.
2-Level Wood Deck Plan. Theres no big sheets of plywood or tricky cuts to be made. Our plans include a framing plan front side elevations footing layout 3D rendering cover sheet material list and a typical details building guide.
The dappled sunlight created by the overhead latticework creates a cool relaxing environment perfect for backyard entertaininglike standing in the shade of a tree on a hot summer day. This backyard is optimized for relaxation. If youre just beginning woodworking outdoor furniture is a great place to start.
Click here to download the entire deck blueprint for the above deck design its free.


The Philologist’s Garden
WHAT: Artist Eleni Papaioannou’s installation in the garden of the Epigraphic Museum explores the symbolic role of gardens as spaces of reflection.
Inspired by Viktor Klemperer’s “The Language of the Third Reich: A Philologist’s Notebook,” Papaioannou examines the relationship between gardens and urban spaces through textual media. The exhibition features quotes from both Klemperer’s book as well as excerpts of current Greek and international press. The quotes, which are organized throughout the garden without context, are designed to challenge the viewer’s perceptions of place and time and encourage natural reflection.
WHEN: Until July 15
WHERE: Epigraphic Museum
Tositsa 1, Athens | Website | Tel. +30 210. 823.2950


Free rain garden workshop for professionals at Lynches River in SC
The Florence Darlington Stormwater Consortium and the Environmental Discovery Center at Lynches River County Park are hosting a rain garden workshop for professionals.
The workshop is free thanks to a grant from Waste Management, but space is limited. Registration is required by April 8.
To register, download the form and mail or deliver it to Terasa Young, Florence County Extension office, 2685 S. Irby St., Suite K, Florence, SC 29505.
For more information, call 843-661-4800, ext. 113, or email email@example.com.
The workshop will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 15 at the Lynches River County Park Community Building, 1110 Ben Gause Road, Coward.
The program is designed for landscape architects, installers, nursery professionals, engineers, site designers, community planners, and among others.
The workshop will feature an overview of water quality in the Pee Dee; the benefits of rain gardens; rain garden design, construction and maintenance; and plant selection. Attendees will participate in a rain garden installation at Lynches River County Park.
The Florence Darlington Stormwater Consortium is a regional collaboration involving the Carolina Clear program in partnership with communities and educators from universities, state agencies and nonprofits.


- Contact Us
In 1985, when these conferences began, there was no discussion at other planning or architectural conferences, or even at the League of Cities Conferences about making our cities more "livable". Only the IMCL Conferences focused attention on the importance of making cities livable for children first, the need for public transit, bicycle lanes, and traffic calmed streets, for human scale architecture and mixed use urban fabric, for reviving the city center and creating public places where people could gather for farmers markets, festivals, outdoor cafes and community social life.
By bringing together people of vision from all disciplines at the past 53 IMCL Conferences, by presenting the best examples from Europe and the Americas, and by honoring cities and civic leaders for their achievements, we rejoice in the fact that these are now common goals for cities all across America and Australia, as well as in Europe.
Our mission now is to:
- Rebuild community by replacing sprawl with compact, human scale urban fabric
- Recognize and combat the negative impact of our built environment on physical, social and mental health
- Adopt planning and urban design decisions that will make our cities and suburbs more livable for children, elders and the poor
- Emphasize ethical land use patterns to reduce extreme economic disparities
- Strengthen compact urban neighborhoods to maintain diversity of ethnic and cultural identity
- Build multifunctional town squares that, like the ancient agora or medieval marketplace, can regenerate civic engagement and democratic participation.
These issues must be resolved in the next twenty years if we are to rediscover the principles of true urbanism, rebuild our cities so that they are ecologically sustainable, and regain communities that are healthy and socially sustainable. Please join us in helping to reach these goals!


When you mention Sacramento bike trails, many area residents immediately think of the American River Bike trail. Also known as Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, the 32 mile mixed use path winds along the American River between Sacramento and Folsom, CA. The trail is regarded as one of the longest paved purpose-built bike trails in the country. Not surprising that it is what many associate with the phrase Sacramento bike trails. But this gem is only part of a much larger network of bicycle infrastructure.
The American River Bike Trail is part of a much larger public use park complex known as the American River Parkway. There are various spurs and alternative, paved paths connected to the American River Bike Trail, and efforts are underway to expand those paths ever further.
The trail has become much more than just a recreational jewel. It also serves as a commuter path for folks commuting to work or activities in the city centers from suburbs. As more and more people use it as part of their daily commute, trail closures for maintenance can become more and more disruptive. Many segments of the trail do …read more


Grange Insurance Audubon Center by Design Group
Grange Insurance Audubon Center • Scioto Audubon Metro Park • Franklin County Metro Parks • Columbus, Ohio • Design Group
Less than a 10-minute walk from downtown Columbus, the Grange Insurance Audubon Center sits within the 120-acre Scioto Audubon Metro Park. The Audubon Center is nestled within the park in a green oasis, a hidden haven for wildlife and birds, set amid an industrial landscape now in transformation. With Gold LEED Certification, the design of the center utilizes daylighting, recycled materials, extensive brownfield and wetlands remediation and energy recovery resulting in exceeding ASHRAE 90.1 2004 by 56%. The Grange Insurance Audubon Center is one of the first centers within Audubon’s storied history to bring hands-on conservation and nature-based learning this close to the core of a major American city.


After connecting technology and pressure test it is time to pour a concrete around your pool. But before concreting, it is necessary to ensure bracing of the upper edge of the pool, to respect the internal dimension, e.g. by using planks. Then you shall fill the swimming-pool with approx. 50 cm of water, and then to place concrete. Recommended thickness of concrete layer is 200 mm.
Concreting is done in phases (approx. 40 – 50 cm of concrete and pool-water in each phase), evenly around the whole swimming-pool.
The next phase of concreting follows after the previous layer becomes hard.
After pouring concrete it is ready to finish poolside or terrace appearance, installation of pavement, lawn planting, etc.


MAPLE 40 in x 96 in PRIVACY SCREEN
Out of stock
Naturae Decor faux maple screen rolls will help provide much needed privacy in your favourite space all the while adding beautiful calming greenery. Made from high-quality materials and offering optimal privacy free of gaps, the artificial hedge rolls are mounted on a sturdy yet flexible polyethylene net and measure 40 in x 96 in. Easy to install, they can be unfolded and fastened together over virtually any surface for a seamless effect. The leaves are cut from 100% weather and UV resistant PE and polyester to ensure they withstand the changing seasons. The thick lifelike faux maple foliage creates shade, but still allows for air to circulate. A versatile solution to redesign and brighten up any space. Instantly transform your patio, deck, balcony, fence, or backyard area with minimal effort. And with so little upkeep, you’ll have more time to relax.
- PRIVACY FOR YOUR SPACE – Naturae Decor privacy fences are the perfect way to create a serene environment and hide from unwanted views on your deck, patio, fence, backyard, or balcony. They are perfect for blocking sunlight while allowing air to pass through so you can enjoy the privacy of your space.
- SPRUCE UP YOUR OUTDOOR AREA – Unfold and easily fasten the artificial maple fence over virtually any surface for a seamless effect. Easy-to-install, it will bring intimacy and beauty to all your projects, regardless of their scope.
- UV RESISTANT – Leaves on our faux maple privacy fences are made of high-grade polyethylene. They are UV and weather resistant to prevent fading, and easy to clean. Style and privacy with minimal maintenance
- REALISTIC ARTIFICIAL FOLIAGE – Built to withstand the seasons and provide year-round style and privacy to your outdoor space. Our artificial maple fence is backed by 2-year warranty.
- DURABLE MATERIALS – Our expandable faux maple privacy fence is mounted on a sturdy polyethylene net with thick foliage. Product measures 40 in x 96 in. Rolls can be cut and bent to suit multiple applications. The fasteners for the installation are included in the package.
|41 × 5 × 5 in


Canberra was designed in 1913 as a planned garden city, incorporating large areas of natural vegetation that have earned it the title of the "Bush Capital".
For Canberrans, this means a mix of public parks, high-quality gardens, tree-lined streets and open spaces. It means we are constantly surrounded by trees and have an appreciation for the beautiful tree canopy that covers so much of our city.
But for homeowners, this can backfire when it comes time to look at renovating, extending or rebuilding on an established block. Many of the trees planted when suburbs were first constructed are well and truly large canopy trees now and classed as "protected" under ACT legislation.
This can greatly restrict a homeowners options when it comes to developing on their own block.
There are two types of protected trees:
A regulated tree is a tree that is either:
12 metres or more in height; or
1.5 metres or more in circumference at 1 metre above ground level; or
with two or more trunks and the total circumference of all the trunks, 1 metre above ground level, is 1.5 m or more, or
12 metres or more in crown width.
A registered tree is a tree that has been identified as being exceptional for its:
natural or cultural heritage value
landscape and aesthetic value
scientific value; and
So what does it mean if you want to REMOVE a protected tree on your block?
It will not be as simple as grabbing a chainsaw.
You need to apply to the conservator in TCCS for its removal and it needs to be substantiated, you need to have a good reason that fits one of the numerous criteria listed in the Tree Protection (Approval Criteria) Determination 2006. For example, the tree may have short life expectancy, cause an allergic reaction or substantially impact on a home's solar access. Whatever reason will need evidence by a professional for the conservator, who grants a approval, to consider.
And what if you just want to extend your home near it?
You need to be aware of restriction on ground work within the tree protection zone, and complete an application to undertake a tree damaging activity if you wish to do prohibited groundwork in that zone.
The tree protection zone includes:
The area 2 metres beyond the canopy (or beyond the drip line) and/or
The area 4 metres beyond the trunk as measured at 1 metre above ground level.
If you wish to do work in this zone, you will need a tree management plan to minimise damage to the tree. This plan will need to include measure such as hand cutting of any roots with arborist tools and not ripped or pulled (so no excavation works).
Find out more info here: https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/trees-and-nature/trees/trees-on-leased-land


Beautify your Illawarra backyard
Need some landscaping done in Illawarra, Shellharbour or Wollongong? Get in touch with the team today.
Gardening & Yard Makeovers
Pruning, Weeding & Spraying
Catering from small to large blocks, farms and acreage, we give your property a neat and tidy look by using our 4×4 slasher mower that can handle steep terrain that ordinary mowers can not attempt. Slashing the grass on your land helps with fire prevention and will turn small shrubs into mulch. Maintaining a well-kept and manicured lawn is inviting for neighbours in your area.


Camilla has over 20 years experience in complete landscape design, installation, and ongoing maintenance of fine residential and commercial properties. She has a B.A. in Chemistry from Rutgers University and an M.B.A. from New York University. Camilla is a NOFA-Accredited Organic Land Care Professional and is committed to promoting organic and ecologically sensitive practices. She holds a Landscape Design Certificate from The New York Botanic Garden and has been a Master Gardener since 1988. She is a certified Connecticut Nurseryperson, is a registered Custom Grounds Supervisor and is a licensed Landscape Contractor in both Connecticut and New York.
Camilla is also member of the ELA (Ecological Landscaper’s Association), The Native Plant Center, PPA (Perennial Plant Association) and the Mad Gardeners. Camilla serves on the Board of Directors of the Land Trust of Danbury and on the NOFA Organic Land Care Advisory Board. Recent accomplishments include an award-winning ecological redesign of a corporate park in Purchase, NY and a lakeside buffer planting for the Lake Kenosia Commission in Danbury, CT. Camilla loves to get her hands dirty and you often see her on a property getting work done with her crew.
Hailing from Italy, John is a master craftsman. With over 30 years of experience in masonry, landscape construction and maintenance, John brings great skills to Camilla Landscape Design. We dream it and John builds it. Many of our clients will not let John leave their properties when they see what John can accomplish!
Lisa C. Cohn
Lisa is a Landscape Architect holding a license in Connecticut. She has a BS in Landscape Architecture from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA. She has worked with Camilla since1999. She is certified by the Northeast Organic Farmers Association as an Accredited Organic Land Care Professional. Her specialties include Overall Site Planning/Master Plans, Children’s Gardens, and Native and Edible Landscapes.


Living in Nevada City, California
Today, Nevada City has become a haven for the artistic. The gorgeous landscape and historical Victorian buildings enhance the burgeoning arts scene. Regularly, Nevada City wineries host art showings and open mics. Not to mention the street performers who can be found up and down Broad Street on a nightly basis.
Enormous fir, pine, oak, and cedars are part of the eclectic mix of trees that decorate the area. They provide much needed relief from the warm Nevada City summers and protect the valley below from the sometimes heavy snowfall over the winters. Another of Nevada City’s beauties is Deer Creek, running right underneath popular downtown streets all year round.


You’ve heard it said time and again: you never get a second chance to make a first impression. That quote epitomizes what we Realtors® mean when we talk about curb appeal. Poor landscaping choices can turn a potential buyer off before they even cross your threshold. Good landscaping can hide a multitude of sins, balance asymmetrical property lines and add as much as 10% to the value of your home!
Now that the heat wave of 2012 has passed, MiddleTennesseans can get out, start digging and start improving the value of your property. Even if you’re not planning to list your home in the near future, investments in landscaping today will more than pay off tomorrow. If you are planning to list your home, it's a good idea to make landscaping improvements about a month before listing, so plants, trees and shrubs have a chance to “settle in” and recover from transplant shock.
Like choosing and installing granite countertops (see last week's post), choosing and purchasing trees, shrubs, perennials andannuals can leave your head spinning. To help you sort through the huge variety of flora that grows well in MiddleTennessee and come up with a great plan for your property, I recommend making an appointment with my friend, Ed Novotnak with Landcraft. Ed can be reached at 615-456-6777. He's a landscape contractor, which means he can do it all. He offers services at a reasonable price and always does a great job!
Another great resource to jump start your landscaping research is: http://www.garden.org/zipzone/ After you input your zip code, the site will generate a list of trees, shrubs, flowering plants and ground cover that should thrive in your area.
Even if you've completed your major landscaping “to-do” list, you can still make huge improvements by remembering these tips:
Spruce up your outdoor containers, especially planters that flank the front door.
Apply a fresh layer of mulch in all beds. New mulch will make flowering plants pop and help keep greenery hydrated.
Prune deciduous trees and shrubs to remove dead branches and maintain shape. You can prune trees and shrubs year round.
Add seasonal color by planting annuals: bright flowers in summer, golden mums in autumn, even small evergreens and pansies in the winter.


I’m convinced that growing things is good for the soul. So when you’re considering what you plant and pour your love and effort into, you have to think about vegetable gardens. They provide a place to get your hands dirty and a reason to get outside more often, not to mention they produce fresh food that you will enjoy at the dinner table. Many times, people have a bad taste for vegetable gardens. They think of weeding a disorganized plot in the backyard as a chore from their childhood. But you can create a neat and tidy veggie garden that will help beautify your yard and be a place of relaxation. Take a look at these 10 ways to style your very own vegetable garden that will dispel your doubts and convince you to plant one this weekend.
In order to enjoy your garden, it’s important that it feels like a nice place. Use landscaping rocks around the edges and plant flowers in the corners. Basically, make it feel more like landscaping and less like a square of dirt.
Style Your Own Vegetable Garden
If your garden is large and you need to walk in between your rows of plants, don’t hesitate to install a path between your veggies. You can use stepping stones or gravel or even planks of wood to create a pathway that will keep you safely off the sprouts.
Raised beds are often made from wood and while that’s probably the easiest method for adding raised beds to your yard, installing these woven beds are much prettier. You can make them yourself if you’re inclined!
Maybe you’re strapped for space in your tiny backyard. That’s okay. You can still have a tiny garden by thinking small and vertically. Just stack your squares and you can plant a tomato plant and herbs and flowers in your little corner.
You’ve seen them before. The galvanized troughs that have been turned into gardens. This idea is especially beneficial if your health or flexibility won’t allow you to kneel on the ground anymore. You just need a little stool to sit on and you can take pride in your garden too.
Worried about animals or pets disturbing your vegetables? Put up a fence around your b
eds that will keep those leafy greens safe from so many pests. You can sleep safely knowing you don’t have to worry about those deer anymore.
Some vegetable plants needs a little extra support. Have your kids collect all the sticks they can find and you can build these pyramid trellises practically for free. They’ll look so lovely and rustic in your yard, too.
Vertical wire is another great option for a garden trellis. Attach sticks on either end to stake into the ground and put on the edge of whichever plants need a little help. If you have a privacy fence in your backyard, this idea will spruce up the space where your garden is.
If your parents grew climbing beans, you probably had a bean tee-pee when you were a kid. Continue your fun by building a bean tunnel for your climbing beans that the whole family can enjoy.
Stacking boxes is a simple and practical way to provide a garden to anyone who has a space outdoors. Yes, even you apartment dwellers. If you have a balcony, just stack ’em and plant ’em.