Landscaping Basics

Landscaping your yard or garden creates an orderly, aesthetically pleasing effect for you and your guests to enjoy. While landscaping projects can include many elements, using various mulches to...

The trickling sound of a water feature creates a peaceful environment, making them favorite landscaping decor in residential areas. Water features add a natural touch to any yard even in the...

Professional landscapers use mathematics in order to get the job done right, and, for the most part, their money and time are huge factors.

Chicken wire is one of the most affordable types of fencing available to consumers. It serves a variety of purposes, such as caging in small animals like chickens (hence the name "chicken wire")...

Old tires can be a big environmental hassle to deal with. Millions of tires are disposed of every year. Old tires, however, can have many uses around the garden. Using tires around the house and...

A do-it-yourself home improvement can often be a daunting job, especially when faced with home sprinkler systems. The heartbeat of an irrigation system is composed of pipes, fittings and risers....

Gas trimmers are an essential tool for any landscaping enthusiast. Trimmers help to keep the sides of your garden or lawn straight and neat, ensuring that your landscape will continue to look even...

Framing a sidewalk is a relatively simple activity you can perform on your own, or with the help of a friend. Do-it-yourself home projects are very rewarding and are also a great way to save...

Wood mulch can benefit a garden by keeping down weeds, moderating soil temperatures and providing nutrients to the soil. While cedar mulch may provide some of these benefits, there are definite...

Whether you live in the tropics or just want a mental escape each time you step into your backyard, a tropical landscape creates a distinct outdoor living space. The planning of the tropical...

While clay soils are rich in nutrients and minerals, they are comprised of tiny particles that cause problems with drainage and aeration. Clay soils are easily compacted, and this compaction makes...

When trying to get rid of a ficus tree, many gardeners and landscapers have discovered that simply cutting it down is not enough. Ficus trees have a strong root system that is efficient and able...

Ground covers are easiest to grow by planting them in the spring, but they can be planted in the autumn, too, if done early enough to get established before the first frost of fall. It helps to...

The LG Sonic can be used to effectively control the growth of blue-green algae in lakes, harbours and rivers without adding chemicals. LG Sound has years of experience in the usage of the LG Sonic...

Creating a raised bed lined with loose rock can add visual interest to your garden and provide a location to grow plants that require good soil drainage. The most vital aspect to using rock is the...

When preparing to lay sod, it's important to plan your strategy. Sketch the area where you plan to install the grass, and measure it. This will help you figure the square footage you need and...

Accent lighting in landscaping increases your home's beauty at night. It draws attention to your favorite features and makes your home seem more secure. There are many options in both style and...

Give your lawn a professional look by installing concrete landscape edging. This not only makes your flower beds look nice, but concrete edging also gives each section of your lawn a more groomed...

Fountains are a beautiful addition to any garden, but too often homeowners feel they have to locate the fountain right next to an outdoor plug--unless they want to run extension cords through...

Gravel driveways are ideal for certain homes as they avoid the upkeep of cleaning, filling cracks and potholes or killing the weeds that grow out of stone, cement and pavement driveways. They are...

Soil erosion is the washing away of soil by wind or water, sometimes resulting in deep gullies. There are several methods that may be implemented to control soil erosion for a home owner as well...

Green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) is medium to tall tree used in many landscape applications. A fast grower, green ash is useful for riparian conservation plantings, farm and field windbreaks and...

Using sod is an excellent way repair barren spots in your lawn or to start a completely new lawn. The choice of sod type depends on many conditions such as climate, soil and the general makeup of...

Desert landscaping can be a very attractive and alluring look to your home or garden. If you live in a dry desert city like Phoenix or Las Vegas, desert landscaping is encouraged in order to save...

Landscaping is only one aspect of improving your home's curb appeal. The front of the home makes a big impression on those passing by or visiting. The exterior windows are one of the most...

While you may think of a garden as filled with only flowers, incorporating shrubs to the mix adds structure and interest to a space. Planting shrubs can provide additional benefits such as privacy...

Compost worms such as redworms or red wigglers feel the cold once their bin gets below 57 degrees Fahrenheit. If you keep your compost worms outdoors in an area with cold winters, you must find a...

When you are starting with what looks like a vast expanse of dirt, trying to get a lawn to grow can seem like an unending battle. You rake, amend the soil, sprinkle the seed, rake some more, set...

The excitement of starting your landscaping job leaves you ready to jump right in with the project. Before you get too excited, take the time to prepare the area for the changes that will take...

Whether you're plotting land for a garden, estimating where to lay sod or making other landscaping measurements, sometimes the ability to lay out a reasonably accurate square area in a short...

Clay is a soil rich in the nutrients that plants need to thrive and it holds water. On the other hand, clay soil is easily overwatered, which causes compaction and eventually plant death. It is...

Cascading rock garden plants thrive where others cannot. An ugly retaining wall, an unsightly slope or a steep hillside can be turned into a vibrant focal point of dramatic color and eye-catching...

Mulching is a natural, effective way to improve the overall appearance and health of your yard or garden. Cedar mulch is aromatic and eye-pleasing, and turns any ordinary flower bed into a...

Changes in landscaping sometimes require growing grass in an area that was once covered with cement. Although sod can be planted in any but the coldest of seasons, the best time to lay sod is in...

Cubic yards of topsoil are converted to tons by multiplying the number of cubic yards times the soil density (in tons per cubic yard): ____ cubic yards X ____ soil density factor = approximately...

A tripper conveyor is a form of conveyor belt used in construction, mining, and other large-scale earth-moving businesses. They are also known as tiered or stepped conveyers, and the term...

Perennial borders accent your yard or garden. Grasses, shrubs, small trees and flowers are a few of the types of plants that you might include in a perennial border. By planning a simple design...

Mulch is a gardening aid used to moderate soil temperature and retain moisture. You can buy dyed mulch in a few different colors: white, brown, red and black. Black mulch is one of the most...

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,...