Landscaping for an Active Family

Rough & Ready Your yard can endure a varietyof activities. An active family that includes children and pets needs a yard that stands up to wear and tear. The landscape you choose introduces your home to the worl

A Simple Water Garden

Step 1. What You Need: container, water plants and liquid fertilizer Instructions: 1. Choose your container. It needs only to be able to hold water, though a broad, shallow container works especially well. You

Patio Retreats

Wrought-iron furnishings invite alfresco dining, while a terra-cotta waterfall makes the destination soothing and secluded. Whats exciting about a patio? It seems so passe -- just a boring slab of concrete that

Front Yard Garden Essentials

Create a Direct Route A simple path to the front door is essential to helping visitors navigate. Shy away from overly winding paths; they are cumbersome to travel. Be sure the walkway is wide enough; a 4-foot-wi

Landscaping a Pool

There are three primary goals to consider when landscaping a pool: beautification, privacy and shade. 1. Beautification. Nothing is as stunning as a lush landscape. Your choices are nearly endless. Colorful flow

Two Neat Vine Poles

It is an unfortunate statement of fact that there are not enough vine poles in the world. So do your part: Build a vine pole (or two) this summer. Here are directions and plans to build just that many. continue read

Arizona Landscaping

From short growing seasons to high elevations, subzero temperatures to triple-digit desert extremes, Arizona landscaping packs a lot of gardening challenges into one state. But practical -- and pretty -- ideas c

Know Your Pond Fish

What to Consider When Purchasing Fish Start by knowing how many fish your pond can handle. One general rule is to have 1 inch of fish for every 10 gallons of water. So if your pond has about 50 gallons of water, y

Save Money in the Garden

Should You Seed, Sod or Both?

Basic Brick Path

With bricks you can create almost any shape of walkway you want, from a straight and narrow formal walk to a meandering path. In addition, the options in brick patterns offer design versatility. Bricks set in sa

Patio Amenities

Details like chairs, benches, and planters can draw people to your patio. Furniture. The most common and useful amenity for a patio is furniture. It provides a place to sit, dine, or otherwise enjoy the space, a

Platform Walkway

This affordable solution is constructed much like a simple deck: 4x4s sunk in postholes bear a 2x6 frame to which 2x6 decking is fastened. These platforms can be set to step down a difficult slope or inclined 1

Draw a Map of Your Existing Site

Getting Started With a rough sketch of your property drawn and accurate figures gathered, you are well on the way to redesigning your yards landscape. Now, go back inside and turn the rough sketch of your

Landscaping for Security

Low-profile shrubs make your home less attractive to burglars. A security system doesnt have to have all the bells and whistles to frighten away thieves. It doesnt even have to have teeth. Well-placed thorny bus

Backyard Koi Pond

Japanese koi each need at least 2 square feet of pond surface by the time they are fully grown. The focus of this garden is a 1,400-gallon Japanese koi pond and waterfall surrounded by a footbridge, paths, bould

Concrete Paver Walkway

Concrete paver All you need to install concrete pavers is a firm, smooth base of sand and some sweat equity. Held in by sturdy edging, concrete pavers are easy to install and offer many of the virtues of concret

Tips for Saving Money in the Garden

Look for Bargains Garden centers often put perennials on clearance at the end of the season. Though the plants may look tired, theyll bounce back in spring. Annuals typically go on sale in early to midsummer and

Planning the Perfect Patio

Siting a Patio Outdoor dining areas are morelikely to be used if theyrenear the house and shelteredfrom harsh winds and hot sun. Patios, along with decks, are the workhorses of outdoor entertaining. Although man

A Pond for Your Patio

What You Need: This water pond is portable and fairly inexpensive to make. Note: The finished pond will be approximately 38 inches long, 36 inches wide, and 20 inches high. Pressure treated lumber: six 1x2s, two

Landscape the Narrow Lot

Before One wall of the house may rest nearly on the lot line, leaving a narrow, hard-to-plant space on the opposite side. Privacy, though harder to achieve, is more essential than ever. Access and traffic flow w