Articles Index
The Easter Rabbit: Pagan Origin
Origin of the Easter Rabbit (Bunny) presented here, as a prelude to discussing rabbit pest control. The Bunny's Easter origins lie in fertility.
Landscape Help for Village Idiots
Landscape help to set village idiots straight. When spring approaches, it's high time for landscape help, including advice to village idiots and others on rototilling and pruning.
Snow-Melt Systems
Snow melt systems, or heated driveways, are state-of-the-art saviors of great interest to denizens of the icy North. These melting systems operate on the same principle as does radiant heat equipment inside the house.
Planting Pussy Willow Trees for Spring Pussy Willows
Picking stems of pussy willows is one of our enduring spring rites. To ensure the survival of this most whimsical of spring rituals, learn how to plant your own "catkin trees" from cuttings.
The "Best" Lawn Mowers
FAQ on lawn mower types, exploring what the best lawn mowers are, according to your needs and attitudes. What's 'best' depends on many factors, including price, your physical condition, where you live, how you feel about noise and the environment.
10 Considerations When Buying Outdoor Storage Sheds
A look at what to consider when buying outdoor storage sheds. Considerations include price, as well as their quality and appearance.
Plants for Wet Areas
Use plants for wet areas as a solution to drainage problems. Other options include installing drains, but vegetation (native plants are often a great choice) has the advantage of offering "good looks."
Uses for Landscape Shrubs
Pictures of and information on landscape shrubs. Discover the many uses for landscape shrubs in your backyard.
Flowering Landscape Trees
Index to articles containing information (pictures included) on flowering landscape trees. The standouts of spring, these flowering landscape trees are valuable for more than just their magnificent blooms.
Landscaping Driveways
Landscaping driveways to best show off your property sometimes comes down to understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your existing landscape design. I provide examples of landscaping driveways so as to draw attention to design strengths, as well as examples where you'd rather not draw unnecessary attention.
Halloween Yard Decorations
For Halloween yard decorations to look their best, they have to be displayed properly. Some knowledge of the design principles learned in landscape design can help you get the most out of your Halloween yard decorations.
How to Build Outdoor Waterfalls
To build outdoor waterfalls (see photo), you normally need to exploit an elevated area on your property, or else erect a berm to create such an area. But a simple and cheap way to build outdoor waterfalls is to erect cascading stone spillways that hang right over your pond.
How to Build Underground Dog Fences
When you build underground dog fences, you're not left with an intrusive structure in your yard but still have an effective mechanism for keeping pets at home. Being buried in the ground, these barriers remain invisible.
Geometric Patterns in Formal Garden Design
Introduction to the use of geometric patterns in formal garden design history. The influence of geometric patterns in formal garden design history can be traced back to ancient times.
Great Hardscape Ideas
There are great hardscape ideas everywhere; just be observant while taking a walk around any city, or a drive around any neighborhood. In the meantime, use this resource for immediate inspiration.
Hedge Plants
Hedge plants may serve the practical function of affording a property some security, or be purely decorative. Examples of hedge plants are discussed and photos provided.
"Living Walls" as Privacy Fences
Options for privacy fences are divided into building hardscape structures vs. using shrubs in hedges as "living walls." I list the pros and cons of each here.
Rose Color Meanings
Rose color meanings are detailed in this article, so you can look like a smart gift-shopper for Valentine's Day. Attributing meaning to flowers based on colors, whether as Valentine gifts or for other occasions, follows longstanding convention.
Tips for Growing Green Lawns
Is the grass always greener on the other side, i.e., your neighbor's yard? These tips for growing green lawns will remedy that, putting a green lawn within your reach.
10 Cat Repellents: How to Keep Cats Away From Your Yard
I'm often asked how to keep cats away from yards. The answer lies in cat repellents, whether by wire, water, or just plain understanding how feline pests think.
Margin Trowels
The margin trowel is a useful tile tool. Learn how to use one in this article, which includes a photo illustrating what the tool looks like.
Hardscape - Landscaping With Rock
Hardscape elements in landscaping discussed. Hardscape complements softscape, as when landscaping with rock patios sets off a lawn.
Don't Reenact the "Groundhog Day" Movie in Your Yard!
You do not want to reenact the Groundhog Day movie in your yard, with all the garden damage that would entail. So you'd better learn a thing or two about predictions: groundhog signs are palpable to those in the know about garden pest control.
How to Build Garden Arbors
I supply an overview, with pictures, for do it yourselfers wondering how to build garden arbors. Tips, supplies and tools are discussed, as well as shopping for cheap pressure-treated lumber.
Purslane: Edible, and So Much More
Purslane is a nutritious weed increasingly used in agriculture and cooking recipes. This herb is high in vitamin C and metabolism-regulating Omega-3 fatty acids, so make it part of your own edible landscaping.