If a picture is worth a thousand words, then is a moving picture worth a million? Well, my hope, at least, is that these new how-to landscaping videos will add a useful element to my Web site that complements my articles and photo galleries. If you need to install/upgrade your Flash player to view these how-to landscaping videos, you'll automatically be prompted to do so after clicking on the links below (getting the newest Flash player is free, quick and easy!):
Identifying Fall Foliage
Some leaf peepers are content to drive around the countryside oohing and aahing over the fall foliage they witness. They have little idea of what particular trees are producing that fall foliage. The pretty colors are all jumbled up like a bowl of Trix cereal, and that's precisely what these leaf peepers came to see: a boisterous display of raw color. But for landscaping enthusiasts, identifying fall foliage trees is part of the leaf peeping experience. We can't help but contemplate how nice some of that fall foliage would look from our own kitchen windows. But to acquire such trees at a local nursery once we return home, we'll need to name names -- thus this video on identifying fall foliage trees.
How to Use Ornamental Grasses in Gardens
Grass in the garden? Normally, that spells trouble -- as in getting down on hands and knees and pulling errant grass out by the roots. But ornamental grasses can make a big statement in any garden, and when used decoratively, they will not become unwieldy and unmanageable. See popular types of ornamental grasses that are dazzling to the eye, and find out how to use them.
How to Transplant Shrubs
When you first planted that shrub near the porch, it looked cute. But now it has outgrown its space and is a nuisance. What's the solution? Transplant it! Here's how to do the job without damaging the shrub on the way to its new home.
How to Plant Potted Perennials
Learn the best way to transition that favorite perennial from pot to planting bed by viewing this landscaping video. You'll see how to plant, fertilize and water a young perennial so as to get it off to a good start in life.
Put Aggressive Plants to Work for You
"Aggressive plants": the very name strikes fear into the hearts of gardeners, because it suggests putting extra work into maintenance to keep the aggressive plants in check. But in this landscaping video, you'll see how just the opposite can be the case: learn how to put aggressive plants to work for you!
Make a Garden Look Bigger -- Colors and Garden Size
Want to make your garden appear bigger? Use this simple garden design trick that combines plant colors to create the perception of a larger garden space.
Using Garden Mulch
Adding garden mulch to areas of your yard helps prevent weeds, retain soil moisture and gives your landscape a finished look. Learn more about buying and using garden mulch in this how-to landscaping video.
Fixing Bare Patches
Are you tired of hiring lawn services to maintain your lawn? Learn how to fix bare patches, plant new seed, and keep your yard green and beautiful all by yourself in this how-to landscaping video.
How to Stake Trees
When is there a need for staking trees? Some feel that protecting a new tree by staking it enables it to grow the strong root system it needs to secure itself in the ground. Learn how to stake trees in this how-to landscaping video.
How to Plant Shrubs
Have you been meaning to add more shrubbery to your yard? This how-to landscaping video shows you how to plant shrubs in easy-to-follow steps.
How to Prune Topiaries
Do you have an artistic side to match your love of plants? Why not combine the two passions? Topiary is the perfect outlet for artistic plant-lovers. This how-to landscaping video shows you how to trim shrubs into creative shapes in easy-to-follow steps.
How to Prepare Flower Beds
This how-to landscaping video on preparing flower beds is good preparation for my follow-up piece on planting flower beds. See how to achieve a curved edge by laying out garden hose to mark your border.
How to Prune Shrubs
This how-to landscaping video on pruning shrubs provides the essential information you need to keep your shrubs shapely: the tools needed, which branches to prune off and how to make the pruning cut.
How to Mow a Lawn
Mowing the lawn will never be my favorite activity. But if we must mow, we might as well do it correctly, right? This how-to landscaping video instructs novices in the basics of mowing lawns.
Garden and Lawn Irrigation
Learn about irrigation options for gardens and lawns. While automatic watering systems may be ideal, they require planning; if you need irrigation tips you can implement today, you may find this video useful.
How to Use a Post-Hole Digger
Post-hole diggers are easy enough to use, once you "get the idea." If you've never used a post-hole digger before, this how-to landscaping video will accelerate the learning process for you. As a bonus, discover how to avoid feeling so sore afterwards!
How to Plant Seaside Gardens
Landscaping with a beach theme in mind is about more than just decorating with floats and lobster traps. You can complement those decorations with plants, as long as you know which plants hold up well to the harsh conditions at the seashore. This video on how to plant seaside gardens suggests some plants tough enough to do the job.
How to Identify Poison Ivy
Many of you, no doubt, know the saying, "Leaves of three, let it be!" While that saying is a good starting point in identifying poison ivy, it's not the last word on the subject. To gain true confidence in your identification efforts, you'll have to learn about other identifying features of poison ivy, such as what its berries look like, what its vine looks like, and what its leaves look like at various times of the year. I cover all these identifying features in this landscaping video, which is meant to act as a companion piece to my gallery of poison ivy pictures.
