December 01, 2003
Landscaping Blog Archives
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Careers in Landscaping
Interested in doing landscaping work for pay? Want to become a landscape contractor? This resource for careers in landscaping is Colorado-based, but the information is applicable regardless of where you live. Links to more in-depth resources supplied.
07:16 AM #
Interested in doing landscaping work for pay? Want to become a landscape contractor? This resource for careers in landscaping is Colorado-based, but the information is applicable regardless of where you live. Links to more in-depth resources supplied.
07:16 AM #
Top 10 New Year's Resolutions for Landscaping
The themes running through my Top 10 list of landscaping New Year's resolutions are enjoyment, planning and low maintenance -- all of which are worthy themes for a top 10 list. Landscaping novices should think of these New Year's resolutions as a call to action. Meanwhile, old pros at landscaping will at least find my suggestions useful for dispelling the winter blues.
01:09 AM #
The themes running through my Top 10 list of landscaping New Year's resolutions are enjoyment, planning and low maintenance -- all of which are worthy themes for a top 10 list. Landscaping novices should think of these New Year's resolutions as a call to action. Meanwhile, old pros at landscaping will at least find my suggestions useful for dispelling the winter blues.
01:09 AM #
Edgar Allan Poe on Landscape Design
Have you ever wondered what one could accomplish in the way of a landscape design if one possessed both a fervent imagination and considerable wealth? Well, the great poet, Edgar Allan Poe wondered just that and, fortunately, put his musings down on paper. The result is a work on landscape design from a poetic perspective, marked by the kind of grandeur that one expects from a genius of Poe's stature.
07:30 AM #
Have you ever wondered what one could accomplish in the way of a landscape design if one possessed both a fervent imagination and considerable wealth? Well, the great poet, Edgar Allan Poe wondered just that and, fortunately, put his musings down on paper. The result is a work on landscape design from a poetic perspective, marked by the kind of grandeur that one expects from a genius of Poe's stature.
07:30 AM #
Snowblower Safety Tips
The snowblower safety tips from this 2002 article are as relevant now as they were then. Always respect the power of heavy equipment -- don't take snowblower safety for granted!
07:05 AM #
The snowblower safety tips from this 2002 article are as relevant now as they were then. Always respect the power of heavy equipment -- don't take snowblower safety for granted!
07:05 AM #
Origins of Therapeutic Landscape Design
Anyone who enjoys plants understands how therapeutic they can be for us. But the folks who wrote this feature on therapeutic landscape design take matters a step further. Explore the origins of organized therapeutic landscape design. Written from a Canadian perspective, a connection is drawn, nonetheless, to the father of landscape design in the U.S., Frederick Law Olmsted.
07:39 AM #
Anyone who enjoys plants understands how therapeutic they can be for us. But the folks who wrote this feature on therapeutic landscape design take matters a step further. Explore the origins of organized therapeutic landscape design. Written from a Canadian perspective, a connection is drawn, nonetheless, to the father of landscape design in the U.S., Frederick Law Olmsted.
07:39 AM #
Landscaping Idea - Family Fun With Kids
Steve Jones, the Plant Man, has an interesting landscaping idea that involves kids in this column. Something to think about next time there's weeding to be done (which is a long way off, to be sure, for those in the North). Why not build family ties and have fun, while getting some landscaping work done at the same time?
07:08 AM #
Steve Jones, the Plant Man, has an interesting landscaping idea that involves kids in this column. Something to think about next time there's weeding to be done (which is a long way off, to be sure, for those in the North). Why not build family ties and have fun, while getting some landscaping work done at the same time?
07:08 AM #
The Foundation of Landscaping - Soil Science
Landscaping relies heavily on flowering trees, lawns, garden plants, etc. In turn, all of these living components of landscaping rely heavily on soil for their health. This piece from the Virginia Cooperative Extension on soil science will give you a good grounding in the subject. Use soil science principles to improve your own soil -- your plants will thank you.
07:02 AM #
Landscaping relies heavily on flowering trees, lawns, garden plants, etc. In turn, all of these living components of landscaping rely heavily on soil for their health. This piece from the Virginia Cooperative Extension on soil science will give you a good grounding in the subject. Use soil science principles to improve your own soil -- your plants will thank you.
07:02 AM #
Last-Minute Shopping - Landscaping Book Gift Certificates
Your landscape design planning is thorough and far-sighted, yet you wait till the last minute for your holiday shopping? No problem. Amazon.com has lots of great landscaping books, and you can give them away as presents. Or -- more to the point for last-minute shoppers -- you can give away gift certificates that will allow friends and family to purchase the books at their leisure. Just choose the "E-mail Gift Certificate" option, and Amazon.com will simply e-mail the certificates for you, within hours!
07:30 AM #
Your landscape design planning is thorough and far-sighted, yet you wait till the last minute for your holiday shopping? No problem. Amazon.com has lots of great landscaping books, and you can give them away as presents. Or -- more to the point for last-minute shoppers -- you can give away gift certificates that will allow friends and family to purchase the books at their leisure. Just choose the "E-mail Gift Certificate" option, and Amazon.com will simply e-mail the certificates for you, within hours!
07:30 AM #
Signing Contracts for Landscape Design Work
It's advisable to have a written contract to work with when you hire someone to work on your property -- be it landscape design or anything else. Of course, a contract's value depends greatly upon how it is composed. Before you sign a contract for landscape design work, make sure the document will give you the protection you need.
07:27 AM #
It's advisable to have a written contract to work with when you hire someone to work on your property -- be it landscape design or anything else. Of course, a contract's value depends greatly upon how it is composed. Before you sign a contract for landscape design work, make sure the document will give you the protection you need.
07:27 AM #
Kissing Under the Mistletoe
Mistletoe plants are nothing if not enigmatic, which helps account for the Christmas tradition of kissing under the mistletoe. But what else would you expect from a plant whose home is half-way between the heavens and the earth? The history behind kissing under the mistletoe takes us back to times shrouded in the mists of pagan esoterica....
07:34 AM #
Mistletoe plants are nothing if not enigmatic, which helps account for the Christmas tradition of kissing under the mistletoe. But what else would you expect from a plant whose home is half-way between the heavens and the earth? The history behind kissing under the mistletoe takes us back to times shrouded in the mists of pagan esoterica....
07:34 AM #
Landscaping Ideas for Winter Interest
Your lawn sleeps under a blanket of snow. Your garden plants have been eaten, or else rest snugly in the compost bin, waiting to pass on the torch of life. Oh sure, your flowering trees are still around, but their flowers are just a distant spring hope. Some landscaping ideas for winter interest might be just what you want to hear about right now.
07:10 AM #
Your lawn sleeps under a blanket of snow. Your garden plants have been eaten, or else rest snugly in the compost bin, waiting to pass on the torch of life. Oh sure, your flowering trees are still around, but their flowers are just a distant spring hope. Some landscaping ideas for winter interest might be just what you want to hear about right now.
07:10 AM #
Pruning American Holly, Chinese Holly Bushes
Pruning of American holly bushes and Chinese holly bushes can be done in December. What a happy coincidence! Pruning holly bushes at this time means you can use the holly sprigs you cut for holiday decorations.
07:39 AM #
Pruning of American holly bushes and Chinese holly bushes can be done in December. What a happy coincidence! Pruning holly bushes at this time means you can use the holly sprigs you cut for holiday decorations.
07:39 AM #
Fences in Landscape Design
Fences serve both practical and aesthetic functions in landscape design. They afford security, enhance privacy and can even create microclimates. Aesthetically, they define spaces and add vertical interest. But what materials should you use to build fences? This feature on fences in landscape design will help you choose between wood, vinyl, iron, chain link and dry stone walls. Preceded by a brief history of fences in landscape design.
07:52 AM #
Fences serve both practical and aesthetic functions in landscape design. They afford security, enhance privacy and can even create microclimates. Aesthetically, they define spaces and add vertical interest. But what materials should you use to build fences? This feature on fences in landscape design will help you choose between wood, vinyl, iron, chain link and dry stone walls. Preceded by a brief history of fences in landscape design.
07:52 AM #
When Burglars Strike Your Landscape Design
Trees play a central role in landscape design. Whether they are shade trees, windbreaks, privacy screens or flowering trees, we sometimes take them for granted. The removal of a large shade tree leaves quite a vacuum in your landscape design. Imagine coming home someday and finding that thieves have cut down such a tree, in order steal its lumber! That's just what happened to the woman in this story, as related by Steve Jones, the Plant Man.
07:55 AM #
Trees play a central role in landscape design. Whether they are shade trees, windbreaks, privacy screens or flowering trees, we sometimes take them for granted. The removal of a large shade tree leaves quite a vacuum in your landscape design. Imagine coming home someday and finding that thieves have cut down such a tree, in order steal its lumber! That's just what happened to the woman in this story, as related by Steve Jones, the Plant Man.
07:55 AM #
Snow-Removal Equipment - Snow Shovels
Do you still rely on that trusty old snow-removal equipment, the snow shovel? Even if you do, you may at least be interested in learning about a recent attempt to improve upon the design of snow shovels. And if snow shovels are your choice for snow-removal equipment, you'll certainly want to read about these snow shovelling safety tips. Replete with pictures.
07:34 AM #
Do you still rely on that trusty old snow-removal equipment, the snow shovel? Even if you do, you may at least be interested in learning about a recent attempt to improve upon the design of snow shovels. And if snow shovels are your choice for snow-removal equipment, you'll certainly want to read about these snow shovelling safety tips. Replete with pictures.
07:34 AM #
Christmas Holly and the Winter Solstice
As the winter solstice approaches, I think about its significance, especially for ancient peoples. Celtic mythology relates a wonderful winter solstice story regarding what we now know as Christmas holly. After reflecting on this charming tale, let's take a look at how Christmas holly is used in landscape design....
When you hear that the winter solstice is approaching, do you just shrug your shoulders? Is it merely an abstract astronomical phenomenon, bearing little meaning for you? For me, the day we reach the winter solstice is one of the most significant of the year. I'm with the Celts on this one. The day the Oak King unseats the Holly King and begins a reign that will culminate in summer -- that's a day of which we should be aware, that's a day to celebrate!
07:47 AM #
As the winter solstice approaches, I think about its significance, especially for ancient peoples. Celtic mythology relates a wonderful winter solstice story regarding what we now know as Christmas holly. After reflecting on this charming tale, let's take a look at how Christmas holly is used in landscape design....
When you hear that the winter solstice is approaching, do you just shrug your shoulders? Is it merely an abstract astronomical phenomenon, bearing little meaning for you? For me, the day we reach the winter solstice is one of the most significant of the year. I'm with the Celts on this one. The day the Oak King unseats the Holly King and begins a reign that will culminate in summer -- that's a day of which we should be aware, that's a day to celebrate!
07:47 AM #
Building Backyard Ponds - A Guide Through Pictures
Northern landscape designs may be blanketed in snow now, but in other regions projects such as building backyard ponds are still feasible. For that matter, even if you do live in a cold climate, it's not too early to be preparing for next spring's landscape design projects. Do the research and planning now, and perhaps even purchase some of the supplies. Besides saving you time when spring does finally arrive, your preparations will allow you to dream of better times to come, thereby chasing off the winter blues. This tutorial for building backyard ponds provides pictures that clearly illustrate what the project entails.
07:40 AM #
Northern landscape designs may be blanketed in snow now, but in other regions projects such as building backyard ponds are still feasible. For that matter, even if you do live in a cold climate, it's not too early to be preparing for next spring's landscape design projects. Do the research and planning now, and perhaps even purchase some of the supplies. Besides saving you time when spring does finally arrive, your preparations will allow you to dream of better times to come, thereby chasing off the winter blues. This tutorial for building backyard ponds provides pictures that clearly illustrate what the project entails.
07:40 AM #
The "Cutting Edge" of Landscape Design
If your landscape design is informal, then cutting plants to keep them well-groomed may not be a major landscaping chore for you. But if your yard adheres to a formal landscape design, chances are you live on the cutting edge of landscape design. To keep flowering trees, garden plants, etc. neat and tidy, you engage in a variety of cutting tasks, which go by names like pruning, pinching, shearing, heading back and thinning. This piece by Better Homes and Gardens reminds us what all those cutting terms mean. Replete with pictures.
07:37 AM #
If your landscape design is informal, then cutting plants to keep them well-groomed may not be a major landscaping chore for you. But if your yard adheres to a formal landscape design, chances are you live on the cutting edge of landscape design. To keep flowering trees, garden plants, etc. neat and tidy, you engage in a variety of cutting tasks, which go by names like pruning, pinching, shearing, heading back and thinning. This piece by Better Homes and Gardens reminds us what all those cutting terms mean. Replete with pictures.
07:37 AM #
Landscape Design for Winter Wildlife
Every animal prefers a particular type of habitat, so a landscape design intended to attract winter wildlife will exhibit great diversity -- which tends to be attractive to humans, too! Flowering trees, garden plants, etc. will all play a role in your landscape design for winter wildlife. Of course, if garden pest control is high on your spring agenda, you may want to forgo some of the landscaping ideas in this article....
07:25 AM #
Every animal prefers a particular type of habitat, so a landscape design intended to attract winter wildlife will exhibit great diversity -- which tends to be attractive to humans, too! Flowering trees, garden plants, etc. will all play a role in your landscape design for winter wildlife. Of course, if garden pest control is high on your spring agenda, you may want to forgo some of the landscaping ideas in this article....
07:25 AM #
Outdoor Christmas Lighting - Safety Tips
Sure, you want to set your winter landscape design ablaze with that snazzy outdoor Christmas lighting -- but not literally! Electrical gadgets always warrant a healthy dose of respect, and never more so than when they are used outdoors, exposed to rain and snow. About's Home Repair Guide, Bill Lewis, offers handy safety tips on outdoor Christmas lighting. Follow these safety tips to ensure your outdoor Christmas lighting doesn't ruin your holiday.
07:31 AM #
Sure, you want to set your winter landscape design ablaze with that snazzy outdoor Christmas lighting -- but not literally! Electrical gadgets always warrant a healthy dose of respect, and never more so than when they are used outdoors, exposed to rain and snow. About's Home Repair Guide, Bill Lewis, offers handy safety tips on outdoor Christmas lighting. Follow these safety tips to ensure your outdoor Christmas lighting doesn't ruin your holiday.
07:31 AM #
Cold Hardy Palm Trees
Are pink flamingoes still your idea of lawn and garden decor, even though Christmas is approaching? If so, then let's face it: winter landscape design is just not your cup of tea. You'd prefer a tropical landscape design -- you just don't happen to live in the tropics. But don't let that stop you. Cold hardy palm trees do exist. In fact, The Hardiest Palms, a Web site dedicated exclusively to disseminating information on cold hardy palm trees, notes that one species of palm tree has withstood temperatures as low as -20°F!
10:38 AM #
Are pink flamingoes still your idea of lawn and garden decor, even though Christmas is approaching? If so, then let's face it: winter landscape design is just not your cup of tea. You'd prefer a tropical landscape design -- you just don't happen to live in the tropics. But don't let that stop you. Cold hardy palm trees do exist. In fact, The Hardiest Palms, a Web site dedicated exclusively to disseminating information on cold hardy palm trees, notes that one species of palm tree has withstood temperatures as low as -20°F!
10:38 AM #
Low-Maintenance Landscape Design
A low-maintenance landscape design is not accidental, it is the result of careful planning. A plan must be drawn up and implemented from beginning to end with low maintenance in mind, including a commitment to reduce time spent on garden pest control and weed control. Of course, as the University of Vermont Extension reminds us in this article on low-maintenance landscape design, the term low-maintenance must be considered in context: if you love it, it's not work.
07:05 AM #
A low-maintenance landscape design is not accidental, it is the result of careful planning. A plan must be drawn up and implemented from beginning to end with low maintenance in mind, including a commitment to reduce time spent on garden pest control and weed control. Of course, as the University of Vermont Extension reminds us in this article on low-maintenance landscape design, the term low-maintenance must be considered in context: if you love it, it's not work.
07:05 AM #
Live Christmas Trees for Xmas Yard Decorations
Planting live Christmas trees is a great way to enjoy landscaping and holiday celebrations simultaneously. But there were times in history when it was dangerous to celebrate the holidays by decorating with Christmas trees and other evergreens.... Today, we are so sold on the idea that we can't decide which we prefer during the holidays: Christmas yard decorations or indoor decorations. This article begins with the controversial history of using Christmas trees and other evergreens to celebrate the holidays. I then continue with a brief account of the use of live Christmas trees for Christmas yard decorations.
07:47 AM #
Planting live Christmas trees is a great way to enjoy landscaping and holiday celebrations simultaneously. But there were times in history when it was dangerous to celebrate the holidays by decorating with Christmas trees and other evergreens.... Today, we are so sold on the idea that we can't decide which we prefer during the holidays: Christmas yard decorations or indoor decorations. This article begins with the controversial history of using Christmas trees and other evergreens to celebrate the holidays. I then continue with a brief account of the use of live Christmas trees for Christmas yard decorations.
07:47 AM #
Landscape Maintenance Tips for Late Fall
I look outside my window today (in New England) and see that Mother Nature and Old Man Winter have once again gone into the landscape design business together. As usual, the color scheme of their landscape design is dominated by white. For practical purposes, once snow blankets my lawn and garden, it's winter for me. But the calendar says it's still fall, as I grudgingly concede in the title for this Landscaping blog entry. What should you be doing now in the way of landscape maintenance? The Plant Man answers that question in this column, offering landscape maintenance tips for late fall and early winter.
07:59 AM #
I look outside my window today (in New England) and see that Mother Nature and Old Man Winter have once again gone into the landscape design business together. As usual, the color scheme of their landscape design is dominated by white. For practical purposes, once snow blankets my lawn and garden, it's winter for me. But the calendar says it's still fall, as I grudgingly concede in the title for this Landscaping blog entry. What should you be doing now in the way of landscape maintenance? The Plant Man answers that question in this column, offering landscape maintenance tips for late fall and early winter.
07:59 AM #
Landscape Fabric - Weed Control With Landscape Fabric
Landscape fabric is used for weed control, a central element in achieving low-maintenance landscaping. Effective weed control means a reduction in weeding or in herbicide use -- both unsavory landscaping tasks. But in buying landscape fabric, it's important to choose the right material. You also need to know how to install it properly. This article tells you everything you need to know about landscape fabric. Replete with pictures.
07:42 AM #
Landscape fabric is used for weed control, a central element in achieving low-maintenance landscaping. Effective weed control means a reduction in weeding or in herbicide use -- both unsavory landscaping tasks. But in buying landscape fabric, it's important to choose the right material. You also need to know how to install it properly. This article tells you everything you need to know about landscape fabric. Replete with pictures.
07:42 AM #
Tree Facts From The National Arbor Day Foundation
Trees can be huge in landscaping -- literally! To enjoy these gentle giants to the fullest on your landscape, you need to be privy to some basic tree facts. Who better to provide these nine essential tree facts than The National Arbor Day Foundation? Each basic tree fact is presented concisely and illustrated with cute little pictures.
07:53 AM #
Trees can be huge in landscaping -- literally! To enjoy these gentle giants to the fullest on your landscape, you need to be privy to some basic tree facts. Who better to provide these nine essential tree facts than The National Arbor Day Foundation? Each basic tree fact is presented concisely and illustrated with cute little pictures.
07:53 AM #
Christmas Yard Decorations - Arbor of Christmas Lights
Looking for some novel, inexpensive lawn and garden decor for Christmas yard decorations? How about something natural, but with just enough glitz and glitter added to show up on the lawn? This link explains how to make improvised garden arbors, which, once draped in outdoor lights, become novel Christmas yard decorations. Replete with pictures.
07:03 AM #
Looking for some novel, inexpensive lawn and garden decor for Christmas yard decorations? How about something natural, but with just enough glitz and glitter added to show up on the lawn? This link explains how to make improvised garden arbors, which, once draped in outdoor lights, become novel Christmas yard decorations. Replete with pictures.
07:03 AM #
Care for Poinsettias - Growing Poinsettia Plants
Most people think of Christmas poinsettias as disposable houseplants. But frugal readers should consider growing poinsettias for next year using this year's plants. Doing so successfully, though, requires some tips on the care for poinsettias. Better Homes and Gardens tells us about care for poinsettias.
07:26 AM #
Most people think of Christmas poinsettias as disposable houseplants. But frugal readers should consider growing poinsettias for next year using this year's plants. Doing so successfully, though, requires some tips on the care for poinsettias. Better Homes and Gardens tells us about care for poinsettias.
07:26 AM #
Lawn and Garden Decor Ideas - Clay Pot Sculptures
Enhance your lawn and garden decor by learning how to make clay pot sculptures of cats in this tutorial brought to you by About's Family Crafts Guide, Sherri Osborn. All you need is a clay pot, a wooden ball and some fun foam. Of course, once you get the hang of it, there's no need to limit yourself to cat sculptures, per se, for your lawn and garden decor!
07:21 AM #
Enhance your lawn and garden decor by learning how to make clay pot sculptures of cats in this tutorial brought to you by About's Family Crafts Guide, Sherri Osborn. All you need is a clay pot, a wooden ball and some fun foam. Of course, once you get the hang of it, there's no need to limit yourself to cat sculptures, per se, for your lawn and garden decor!
07:21 AM #
Winter Landscape Design With Winterberry Holly
When December invades the North, it wreaks havoc on landscaping. The rich palette of colors in your autumn landscape design gives way to lots of brown, grey and white. But with some observation, planning and creativity, you can bring more color to your winter landscape design. This feature discusses the requirements, uses and history of winterberry, a holly native to eastern North America that overflows with bright red berries.
07:47 AM #
When December invades the North, it wreaks havoc on landscaping. The rich palette of colors in your autumn landscape design gives way to lots of brown, grey and white. But with some observation, planning and creativity, you can bring more color to your winter landscape design. This feature discusses the requirements, uses and history of winterberry, a holly native to eastern North America that overflows with bright red berries.
07:47 AM #
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