Espaliered fruit trees in garden

Do you wish you could grow your own fruit, but you think it’s not possible in your small yard? Or perhaps you’ve always dreamed of owning an orchard, but that seems out of reach at the moment. Learning about espaliered fruit trees might come as a happy surprise. Many people have never heard of espalier,…

Purple lavender field in a garden

Each year, The Pantone Color Institute chooses a “color of the year”, a reflection of current trends in the design world and pop culture at large. For 2018, Pantone has chosen Ultra Violet, a vivid purple hue, as their color of the year. Execute Director Leatrice Eiseman explains the choice: “We are living in a…

Herbs and spices

As New Year’s Day rapidly approaches, most of us are thinking about our resolutions for 2018. For some reason, we often set goals regarding food. Either we want to eat healthier fare, or we’re trying to shed post-holiday pounds. Some of us simply want to become better cooks, so that we can create meals that…

Steps on a slope

You’ve created a lovely landscape in your yard, and you look forward to years of enjoyment. And of course, you will be spending some time outdoors maintaining that landscape as well. If your lawn includes any slopes or hills, you might find yourself wearing a path up and down that area, as you lug equipment…

Watering cans with herbs

Does the country life appeal to you? Perhaps you enjoy nostalgic memories of visiting your grandparents’ farm, or you dream of a peaceful, rural lifestyle. Whether you’re actually living in the country, or just want to imbue that type of ambiance in your own yard, a farmhouse landscape might be the right design theme for…

Zen flower in water

Your backyard can serve a variety of purposes, from hosting play dates for children to entertaining your friends with cocktails and barbecue. However, many of us need outdoor time that is soothing and peaceful. You can accomplish more than one goal in your backyard, of course, but setting aside a “sacred space” is ideal for…

Modern concrete squares with Mexican beach pebbles in Temecula McCabe's Landscape Construction

Last week, we blogged about the lush, overflowing abundance of Victorian landscapes. If that style seems too ornate or just somehow “too much” for you, perhaps a modern landscape is more your style. Contrary to what you might think, a modern landscape is not necessarily all about straight lines or minimalism. It doesn’t mean you…

Planted flagstone patio

Some of us love plants so much, we just want to put them everywhere! If you have a pathway or patio, there is no reason to settle for an expanse of plain, lifeless concrete. You can include plenty of plant life in those spaces, too. Potted plants. Obviously, the easiest way to incorporate plants into…

Old garden gate

Does a classic English garden, mixed with ornate embellishments and a few touches of whimsy, sound appealing to you? If so, a Victorian style garden might be a good fit for your aesthetic tastes. Contrary to common belief, Victorians weren’t completely stuffy and old-fashioned. Their landscapes were a wonderful blend of refined English sensibility, exotic…

What happens if you’re unable to breathe? We all know the answer to that question. But here’s the thing: Your lawn, and the soil underneath need to breathe, too! Over time, a loose layer of dead and living organic matter builds up between the soil and your grass. It’s called thatch, and it’s mostly composed…

how much is a tree worth

We all have our reasons for loving trees. You might enjoy the shade they provide on a hot day, and how they keep your home cooler. You might love to witness their beauty as leaves change color in the fall, or happily munch on the fruit they provide. Then, of course, trees also offer ecological…

Poison Oak

We’ve all heard at least one amusing anecdote about poison oak. Your friend’s brother’s neighbor’s cousin went camping, used the bathroom in an unfortunate spot in the woods, and earned himself an itchy rash in an unfortunate place. These stories can make for a bit of entertainment, until you’re the one suffering from an itchy,…

insects are our friends

Insects. Bugs. Creepy crawlies. Whatever you call them, you might feel anything from indifference to loathing. Most people don’t like insects very much. But these tiny creatures are your friend and they actually play important roles in our ecosystem. Many of them really don’t deserve all the hate they receive. Check out the following examples…

iPad with images

We always say that putting together a detailed plan is the first step to a successful landscaping project, but those plans don’t come out of thin air, do they? First you need inspiration. You need to know exactly what you want to accomplish, before you can measure, draw up a plan, consult with experts, or…

Landscape pathway made of interlocking concrete pavers

Forgetting to plan a pathway is one of the most common, and surprisingly obvious, landscaping mistakes that we see. It’s typical for property owners to focus on various features in their yards, whether swimming pools, patios, gazebos, or garden spaces, and completely forget to connect them in some way. Sure, you could just walk across…

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