Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens

Drip irrigation is perfect for potted plants, since only the area needed gets water. Drip systems have fixed to adjustable drippers for flowerbeds and potting plants and the water flow can be...

You can build a simple brick flowerbed border. You can also enhance the simple design by the shape of the border itself, the bricks you use or the way you lay the bricks. The basic steps will be...

Drip irrigation is a great way to conserve water and get the water directly to the area needed. Installing drip lines is easy and fast, with a variety of heads to fit every situation. In small...

Hotbeds have been in use for hundreds of years, starting with Arabs living during the Dark Ages of Europe in what is now called Spain and Portugal. The Moors, as they were called at the time, used...

Self-made container gardens are a great choice for those who wish to grow healthy and beautiful plants while on a budget. Even better, the container gardens are self-watering. These gardens aren't...

Traditional garden planning uses turf cutting and double digging to prepare beds for planting. Raised garden boxes have gained popularity as a no-dig way to start a garden. There are several other...

Phoenix Roebellini, or Pygmy Date Palm, is a medium palm that is slow growing and can reach a height of 10 to 15 feet. This palm originates from Southern China and likes tropical weather but can...

Trellising cucumbers, tomatoes, squash vines, pole beans and gourds lets the gardener use less space to grow more vegetables. This vertical form of square foot gardening can provide 6 feet or...

Early American gardeners trained climbing vines to cover outbuildings, arbors, or fences, using them for shade, beauty, and even food. Today, they bring beauty and class to any yard or garden,...

Building a greenhouse is a wonderful "do-it-yourself" project. Having a greenhouse in your backyard can provide you with fresh vegetables and fruits all year-round and allow you to get a head...

A wood chip or bark dust mulch can provide many benefits, such as protecting tree roots, keeping weeds down and adding nutrients to the soil. Cedar mulch, also known as cedar bark mulch, is a...

Raised gardens or flower beds are ideal for gardeners who wish to control the soil content in their garden, create a flower bed that is easier to reach and maintain, control weeds, or add a...

Rare roses come in numerous varieties, as more common roses do. However, what makes these roses rare is that either they have been engineered to grow in particular shapes and colors or they can...

Concrete gardening planters can add aesthetic appeal to your landscaping space. They can be used to create ornate urban gardens or to line sidewalks or patios. Building a concrete gardening...

Stone mulch is a type of inorganic mulch. Stone mulch will not decompose into the soil; therefore, stone mulch is a long-lasting and durable mulch option for gardeners who desire a mulch that will...

Water gardens are a wonderful addition to any yard or garden. They can stand alone as the center piece of your yard or serve as a tranquil backdrop. In addition, once they are established, they...

Though many gardeners are accustomed to tending perennial plants in the garden, far fewer have actually taken care of those plants from seed to maturity. With many local gardening stores stocking...

A neatly-mulched bed improves the appearance of any landscape. The mulch provides other benefits like weed control, improved water retention and slower erosion of topsoil. Plastic mulch is used in...

Greenhouses use various types of insulation to retain heat during the fall and winter months. One of the most common types of greenhouse insulation is bubble wrap. This type of insulation is...

Cold-frame greenhouses are valuable tools to extend your growing season. Build permanent cold frames to protect plants during adverse weather or to keep lettuce growing year round. Use temporary...

Greenhouses work because they help create an environment that mimics nature in ideal weather conditions. One of the key components of successful greenhouse growing is to properly vent your...

Russian sage is a versatile landscaping plant that is deer-resistant and drought-tolerant. A woody perennial, its slender tall gray branches, small, silver-colored leaves and gentle blue flowers...

Mulching raised beds in winter keeps them insulated, like putting on a blanket. If you're growing leeks, turnips, carrots or parsnips and want to keep picking them during the snowy season, use 6...

Home-grown tomatoes are so much better than store-bought tomatoes that even people who don't have a garden--or even a back yard--often are determined to find a way to grow at least one plant....

For sheer convenience, it's tough to beat a raised bed garden. With their increased exposure to the sun's heat, most garden plants grow faster in a raised bed. Because the soil warms up earlier...

Roses are a beautiful addition to any garden. Not only do these classics add color to any space, but they also have a timeless fragrance. Roses can be grown as bushes or climbers, requiring...

Bamboo is lovely to look at and great for so many things in the yard or garden. Use it to create tall backdrops for other plants, make a living privacy screen to guard against prying eyes or even...

Canna lilies have broad leaves and brightly colored flowers that bloom from tall spikes during the summer. Although they are considered perennials that come back from the ground in the spring, in...

Stands are essential for the lover of plants and flowers who needs a place to hold pots of various sizes. A flower and plant stand with three levels not only gives you the space you need, but also...

Seeing a snake in your flower bed typically is not an everyday occurrence, but when it happens it can be frightening. You can deter snakes naturally so the next time you head out to care for your...

Flower pot gardens are a mixture of plants planted in a flower pot and are suitable for limited spaces such as patios or decks. Also, a flower pot garden looks great tucked into the side of a...

Elevated brick garden beds can add interest to your outdoor space and can be a solution if you have poor quality soil. They are easy to maintain and can be be less stressful on your back when...

Ornamental grasses add an interesting dimension to any garden or landscaping plan. They provide much needed color in winter and serve to fill in areas where other plants are difficult to grow....

Rooftop gardening is expanding as city-dwellers look for space to grow flowers and vegetables. Many cities encourage rooftop gardens as a way to improve air quality. Simple rooftop gardens consist...

An outdoor planter can improve the appearance of your home and save you money on herbs and vegetables. Designing and building a planter box is an easy project that can be accomplished in an...

Greenhouses have been used for centuries to cultivate new seedlings and for showcasing rare species of plants. People are constantly looking for ways to extend the growing season, and better ways...

Thick ground cover can be a beautiful addition to your landscape that doesn't take a lot of care. The most difficult thing you may experience is dealing with fallen or dead leaves and removing...

Planter boxes add style and color to your home's landscaping. Build drama with large boxes and over-sized plantings at the start or end of a path. Use topiary boxes to introduce a sense of fun....

Raised beds are custom-built planters that are no wider than four feet across. The soil in the raised bed is higher than the surrounding soil.

Mulch is a popular feature for flowerbeds and outdoor planters. When purchasing commercial mulch, there are typically three main colors to choose from, one of which is black.

The sound of water splashing into a pond can be relaxing. It masks unwanted sounds of nearby traffic, neighbors, or children playing. Visually, a waterfall is soothing and adds another element of...

Many chefs and apple lovers dream of having a yard full of apple trees that they can pick from. Most commercial apples trees are grown through the grafting process, but it is possible to plant...

There are many options for installing a flower bed as part of your landscape. For ease of maintenance and less strain on your back a raised flower bed works best. There are complete kits available...

Rock gardens are customarily filled with various textures, from soft moss to scruffy juniper bushes entwined with the harsh gray coolness of rock features. This blend of colors and textures makes...

It would be hard to find anyone who does not love wildflowers for their sheer beauty, but planting our native species---including grasses---can be beneficial too. Not only are they already...

Rubber mulch is achieving popularity with commercial landscapers and homeowners alike. Rubber mulch resists disease, doesn't decompose, and is often heavy enough to remain in place during normal...

A garden pond with a waterfall or fountain can complete a relaxing atmosphere for the home and garden; falling water creates a soothing sound. Additionally, the fountain oxygenates a garden pond...

Preformed ponds are a convenient way to build your own water garden. They are made from flexible, permanently shaped waterproof material that will last for many years. Shelves for water plants are...

Thanks to the inexpensive nature of PVC and greenhouse plastic, it's easier than ever to construct your own greenhouse. However, like their Victorian counterparts, modern greenhouses still need a...

Whether you want the simple look of a Japanese courtyard garden, or a showy flower-filled courtyard, be sure the style reflects your preferences. Knowing your design style will produce a courtyard...