Landscaping Basics

Using rock in a landscape is an effective way to achieve dramatic results. With the availability of different colors and sizes, there are many applications in a landscape where rock can add depth,...

Landscape fabric, also called geotextiles, was developed to control weeds in agricultural fields. Professional landscapers brought landscape fabric to home gardens where it quickly gained favor as...

Your landscaping project might call for rocks to add excitement and interesting colors to various areas of your yard or outdoor area. There are several strategies that you can use to decide how...

Homeowners can increase the value of their homes and make their yard virtually maintenance-free by putting in rock landscaping instead of grass. In most instances, the rocks are just as, if not...

Ground covers are the perfect companions for A/C units. Not only do they add beauty to your landscape and help keep the area around the unit slightly cooler, they also help extend the life of the...

A Japanese Dappled Willow shrub is a delicate and graceful addition to your garden. The subtle and soft-colored display of pink, white and green in spring is breathtaking. Leaves then turn...

A berm is a raised area in your landscaping, whether it's a ring around a tree or an extended area separating your yard from your neighbor's. Berms can consist of multiple layers, ranging from...

Rock mulch gives a landscaped area a different look than standard wood mulch. Rock mulch comes in many varieties, sizes and colors, so it's easy to find the perfect compliment to your landscape....

Erosion is defined as the wearing away of topsoil due to water or wind. Large rain drops or heavy wind during storms can cause the soil to wash away. The topsoil enters and pollutes streams,...

Although rubber mulch is a relatively new landscaping product, it is quickly growing in popularity. Because of its cushioning ability, it is often used on playgrounds and horse riding arenas as...

Calculating the correct amount of topsoil will prevent you from buying too little or too much. This saves you money when you go to the garden supply store. Be sure to take your measurements and do...

Everyone knows that a beautiful, manicured lawn adds to the value of a property as well as the neighborhood. Maintaining a lawn requires some knowledge of when to fertilize and apply weed killer,...

Be careful with newly planted fescue lawns. Fescues are cool-season grasses and do well in cool, shady locations. They are drought-resistant, easily seeded and come in several varieties for...

If you use tractors, you already know that any repair or maintenance can be frustrating and dangerous. Changing the blades on a finish mower is no exception. You can do several things to ensure...

For many homeowners, using sod to create an attractive green lawn almost overnight is a popular choice. Sodding a lawn is more expensive than seeding but it is faster and usually requires less...

Whether you're adding a functional outhouse to your yard or want to install a decorative outhouse as a garden feature, you may wonder how to integrate the building into your landscaping. There are...

Hydrangeas are deciduous flowering shrubs native to Asia. The flowers of the hydrangea are known as either mopheads or lacecaps, and are either white, blue, purple, pink or, more rarely, red. For...

Topsoil is essential for plant growth and the strength of the land itself and its removal, by clearing it for construction or by creating runoff from developed areas, can destroy natural habitats...

Landscaping your garden can add beauty to your backyard space as well as value to your home. If done well, you can have a well-planned area that blends with the style of your own home. In creating...

When planted properly, fruit trees can yield a rewarding harvest or be great additions to your landscaping. As they grow, they can give shade and provide fresh fruit every season for years. For...

A mowing business is a great way to earn a living and get outside at the same time. It's important to have the right equipment and tools for a mowing business to be successful. Some tools you will...

Use chicken wire around your house in new ways that make your life easier. Turn a roll of unused chicken wire that has been sitting in the corner of your garage into a working support system....

Many gardeners are choosing rubber mulch for landscaping flower beds and other growing areas. Rubber mulch is an affordable option and stays attractive for many years. Rubber mulch comes in a...

Fescue is a cool-season grass that thrives in sun or light shade. It requires frequent watering to keep it from turning brown, especially in summer. If kept thoroughly watered, however, fescue...

Topsoil screeners are used in earth-moving operations, quarries, and sites for the production of marketable topsoil for use in home and building construction. There are standards as to the content...

If you have a large yard you may be looking into installing and building a pond. If there is a local river nearby you may be able to use its water to fill your pond with water. This water should...

Landscaping with pine straw is both economical and safer for your yard than traditional mulches. Pine straw is lightweight and inexpensive, especially if you have pine trees in your yard. It is...

Aside from legal descriptions, which are Greek to most, there are some relatively easy methods of estimating the area (square feet/acreage) of an irregularly shaped piece of land. This article...

IF you are in the process of putting a piece of real estate on the market today, you maybe asking your self what you can do to help improve your chances of getting a high house appraisal. ...

Landscaping on steep slopes can be dangerous and should be done very carefully. Using rocks on a steep slope can be challenging, but if done properly will add a nice dimension to the landscape.

The Great Plains, known as the nation's breadbasket, consist of about 15 percent of the country's land area throughout 10 states, including Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and South...

Ever wnated to cater to the wildlife outside your home and add a little excitement to your outdoors? This will help you create something that will attract those beautiful winged birds to your...

Coastal landscaping creates a beach atmosphere with simple furniture, beach-themed accessories and hardy, but beautiful, plants. The elements of a coastal landscape should be down-to-earth and...

Bush rocks are available in several different sizes and types. Some are so large that they need to be moved with machinery. The easiest bush rocks to use in landscaping are the ones you can move...

Junipers often are used as ground cover or edging plants. They sometimes are used in areas as living mulch, too. However you decide to use juniper, you always want to discourage weeds from popping...

Take a strategic approach while planning for a low maintenance backyard. Spending long hours in the yard isn't everyone's cup of tea. Changes to the types of grass you grow, using gravel or rocks...

A split rail fence can provide a beautiful and casual accent along the borders of properties and yards. This type of fence is intentionally friendly since it doesn't try to keep anything inside or...

Landscaping a slope can be particularly challenging, but also very rewarding once it is completed. Erosion, poor soil, gravel or rock ground cover that will not stay in place and danger in mowing...

Wood chips are a popular material for landscaping, and for good reason. You can use them in variety of different situations and they have the added benefit of putting good use the byproducts of an...

Rocks can add interest and year-round color to any landscape design, but not every landscaping rock suits every need or every space. Landscaping rocks vary in shape, color, material and use. The...

Backyards should be a private oasis or a little miniature park. Most backyards consist of an open space with grass. Other backyards are filled with a riot of trees, brush and blackberry bushes....

Gardeners searching for an inexpensive, low-maintenance landscape material often choose pea gravel. Pea gravel fits easily among plants and shrubs and will stay attractive for a long time. With a...

Landscaping styles involve everything from plants to statuary in the garden. One important aspect is the rocks used for landscaping that provide a solid, enduring quality to your yard. Different...

Landscape a perennial yard with flowers and shrubs that will be there to enjoy for years to come. Plan on the front end to get the maximum pleasure and enjoyment from the landscaping. We often...

Landscaping styles vary. However, the basic concept of designing outdoor spaces is to make them beautiful. The definition of a beautiful garden depends on location and use of the space. Today...

A shimmering body of water can be refreshingly beautiful if it's cared for properly. If it isn't, odds are that all that will be refreshed is the algae population. Although some algae growth in...

If you are planning to build a new cabin or are renovating an old one, one thing you should remember to plan for is landscaping. Most homes are affected by their surroundings, and this is...

Instead of picking up a bunch of landscaping lights and installing them in random places in your yard, take the time to plan things out. By thinking things through before you make your purchase,...

Alternative groundcovers work very well as a substitute for lawn grasses. Areas such as hill slopes and banks, beneath shade trees or an area shaded from the sunlight, and areas that are difficult...

The design of landscapes used to be mostly a matter of style and affordability. However, as home and business owners have become more environmentally conscious, other factors are now coming into...