David's Landscaping Blog

Why would you want to grow plants that attract bees? Well, as Marie Iannotti writes, "Every garden needs pollinators and bees are among the best." Consult this article by About's ... Read More

Ipe lumber is a Brazilian hardwood known to be highly rot-resistant, making it ideal for decking. "Treated Southern yellow pine will last to about 10 years," notes Steve Nix; ipe ... Read More

As fall looms large on the horizon, many of us start drying flowers this time of year. By harvesting them from the landscape now and preserving them, we can cheat ... Read More

As this site mentions, earwigs can damage marigolds. But peonies, ageratums, zinnias, daylilies and roses are also commonly affected. Insecticide can be applied to get rid of earwigs in their ... Read More

"Are they dead? Are they weeds? Why do they tumble?" Judy Hedding, About's Guide to Phoenix, Arizona has the answers to all these questions about tumbleweed plants. Still more interesting, ... Read More

You know all about the health benefits from Omega-3 fatty acids, right? Well, you may be surprised to learn that a weed common in lawns and gardens is high in ... Read More

This introductory piece on landscape design starts at square one, and proceeds to give a sweeping overview of the field. Practical factors are discussed, such as energy conservation and installing ... Read More

Sometimes we're lucky enough to have a 2-for-1 in landscape design. Herbs are for more than just cooking. An artistic eye can find a myriad of uses for herbs in ... Read More

"I've reviewed the popular literature for you, polled my About Forestry forum and the Internet for the most popular trees and compiled these frequently requested trees to use as a ... Read More

For many of us, an article on invasive plants in China offers an interesting twist on a story with which we are only too familiar. How many times have those ... Read More

What's the perfect romantic destination for couples who are plant-lovers? Aren't public gardens a natural choice? About's Guide to Romantic Getaways discusses one such destination in St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, New Brunswick, ... Read More

Of stonecrop plants, Marie Iannotti says that they look good all season, are virtually pest resistant and are low-maintenance. About's Gardening Guide adds that stonecrop plants "are drought tolerant, yet ... Read More

Although less well known than poison ivy, it behooves inhabitants of North America's West Coast to familiarize themselves with poison oak. Follow the links in my article on poison ivy ... Read More

Although the scarlet version is best-known, salvia flowers do come in other colors, including blue, white, salmon, pink, purple, lavender, burgundy and orange. But the variation between salvia flowers goes ... Read More

When researching plant problems, sometimes words just aren't enough; a picture would be worth 1000 words. About's Gardening Guide, Marie Iannotti, will facilitate your research with this photo gallery showing ... Read More

"Moisture sensitive tree species like dogwoods, Japanese maples, flowering cherries, and birches may need extra water in times of drought," advises Steve Nix. That may explain the flowering cherry I ... Read More

"Bee stings are either annoyingly painful or deadly, depending on if the victim is allergic to the venom," states Rod Brouhard. Either way, those who engage in yard work all ... Read More

Not surprisingly, the leading cause of lawn mower accidents is contact with the lawn mower's rotating blade. But this article on lawn mower accidents details some of the other ways ... Read More

Are you considering having a well dug on your property? Drawing on a well for your landscape watering needs may save you money, in the long run. To help you ... Read More

Areas with dry shade pose a dual challenge, since they are lacking in two elements that many plants need in abundant quantities: water and sunlight. In this article, I discuss ... Read More

Garden mulch is one of the unsung heroes of landscaping, while landscape plants and hardscape get all the glory. You won't call neighbors over to brag about a new layer ... Read More

What landscaping tasks should you be performing in August? Well, that depends on what region you inhabit. That's the beauty of regional gardening calendars. "Your garden is hardier than you ... Read More

When working in the yard, exposed tree roots can be a major source of annoyance. "Tree roots that grow on the ground's surface are difficult to mow or walk over ... Read More

Referring to all the recent hoopla over the retaining wall on Shirley-Ann and Herbert Leu's landscape as an "increasingly surreal controversy," David Bowermaster, reporter for The Seattle Times, fills us ... Read More

Those of you currently engaged in a life-or-death struggle with crabgrass should find this article on organic lawn care both amusing and informative. The salient point to take away from ... Read More

Storms can bring costly damage to yards and homes. Here's a checklist of 10 hurricane safety tips for the yard. The hurricane safety tips in this checklist run the gamut ... Read More

Ragweed will soon be blooming in many parts of North America -- which means cases of ragweed allergy will be ballooning! A leaf from a common ragweed plant is pictured ... Read More

"Do your plant leaves look like someone's been doodling on them (and none too artistically)?" quips Marie Iannotti. Well, bugs are responsible for those "doodles," and those bugs are called, ... Read More

Perhaps you've heard about the invasions of tent caterpillars in the past, but you've never paid much attention? Fact is, these tree pests can lay waste to forests once they ... Read More

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." So wrote Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet, and the rose remains, ... Read More