Stepping stones can be one of the simplest ways of constructing an attractive pathway through your yard or garden. But it’s a bit more complicated than simply tossing down a row of concrete squares or stones. You might also need to landscape around them a bit, both to make the pathway more appealing and to…
We hope you are all staying safe and healthy during this challenging time. Since construction is considered essential in our state, we are definitely still working. However, since some things have changed, we wanted to take a moment to let our clients know that we’re taking measures to keep you and our workers safe. More…
Here in Southern California, we don’t often see as much rainfall as the rest of the country. But when it does rain, we have to deal with runoff like everyone else. In fact, water runoff can be harder to accommodate when conditions are normally dry, because it doesn’t soak into the ground as quickly. A…
Due to their striking beauty and ease of growth, daylilies are a common component of many gardens. You can certainly take the laid-back approach with these perennials, allowing them to do their own thing without any specialized care. However, they will bloom more weakly and die off more quickly if you go this route. By…
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…
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…
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…
If you’re interested in unique, lush, and yet surprisingly simple landscaping options, moss might interest you. Moss offers a beautiful green backdrop or accent to other plants, and it’s so low-maintenance that just about anyone can cultivate it. A green carpet of moss makes an excellent backdrop for walkways and stepping stones, since it doesn’t…
Last week, we gave our readers some advice on setting up safe play spaces in the backyard, but some of you are reaching the other end of the swing set days. Your kids have outgrown the equipment, and the swing set is just sitting there collecting dust and pollen. Now that it’s time to remove…
Most of us think of gardens as something beautiful to look at. However, a sensory garden can be designed to appeal to all five of your senses, so that spending time in your backyard can become a relaxing, immersive experience. Since research has shown that spending time outdoors can lower blood pressure and reduce stress,…
If you’re building a new home, or just purchased a fixer-upper, you might be facing some big decisions about your yard. It can be tempting to go the “simple” route, put down a carpet of grass, add a few of your favorite shrubs, and be done with the whole thing. But you won’t achieve a…
Natural and herbal treatments are rapidly growing in popularity, and you might be spending a good deal of time in the tea aisle of your supermarket. But have you ever considered growing your own teas? In doing so, you could ensure that your plants are organically grown, and you would can create personalized blends based…
The best things in life often require planning, and our spring gardens are certainly no exception to that rule. Yes, fall has just begun, and you’re probably thinking more about the holidays than next year’s gardening projects! But if you get a head start now, then next year you could have the most well-planned, diverse,…
We all know that fall has arrived when coffee shops start advertising their pumpkin spice drinks! Whether or not you enjoy pumpkin treats, chances are good that you love fall foliage. There’s just something about red and gold leaves that put us in the mood for the holidays to come. But of course, here in…
Lavender is known for its lovely scent, but it carries many medicinal properties as well. In recent years, the herb has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity due to growing concern about toxic chemicals in the home. It can also be used medicinally, instead of over-the-counter remedies.
As summer comes to an end, many of your flowering plants are blooming for the last time this season. While they won’t be adorning your yard anymore (at least this year), you can still put those beautiful blooms to good use. Pressed flowers can be used to decorate your home, in frames or shadowboxes, and…
We hope you’re enjoying summer and a terrific growing season. Of course, each summer as the temperature peaks, some plants do experience heat stress. As with most things in life, prevention is the best “medicine” … But since high temps can sneak up and stress plants before you realize what’s happening, be on the lookout…
Now that summer vacation is coming to an end, most kids are headed back to school. Many parents enjoy giving “back to school” presents to their kids’ teachers, such as a wall decoration, something special for the teacher’s desk, or an attractive potted plant to add cheer to the classroom. We, of course, highly recommend…
Agriculture took root about 12,000 years ago, and changed the way we live forever. In general, we tend to see these changes as a good thing, but recently many people have become concerned about the level of chemical pesticides and other potentially harmful substances used by the agriculture industry. Yes, these things allow us to…
We tend to focus on the appearance of our gardens; after all, they definitely add curb appeal and beauty to our homes. But you can also engage your other senses outdoors. When you choose the right plants for your garden, you will enjoy a pleasing bouquet of scents throughout spring, summer, and even fall. Follow…
Tropical landscaping may make you feel like you’re on a perpetual island vacation, and it certainly adds beauty and value to your home. But if you’re skittish about using plants that are sensitive to frost, there are other ways to lend a tropical feel to your landscaping without the hassle of caring for finicky plants….
A vast expanse of lush green lawn makes sense in many areas of the country, and for many budgets. But in an area like Southern California, where rainfall is a rare commodity, it doesn’t make sense for many homeowners to pursue traditional grassy landscaping. If you’re looking for an alternative to grass that will save…
In many ways, decomposed granite (often referred to as DG) is the ideal hardscape material. Formed from the natural erosion of solid granite, it’s similar to gravel but finer and more stable. It compacts down hard like concrete, but has a more natural feel than paving. Decomposed granite comes in a variety of colors, such…
If you’re hoping to make a change to your current landscaping and spiff up your yard, using rocks is a great way to make a big impact with little effort. Whether you utilize smaller river rocks or larger boulders, including rocks in your landscaping ensures a long-lasting investment along with low-cost, easy maintenance (without using…
When you’re planning your home’s landscaping, the lifespan of the plants you’re considering is likely to be one of your many questions. It’s a valid concern, because you aren’t making landscaping decisions based solely on what looks pretty in your yard. Your landscaping is an investment in your home, and you want to choose plants…