Six Garden Trends from Plantasia 2014 in Western New York

Plantasia, known as "Western New York's premier garden and landscape show," brought some indoor sunshine to the cold Buffalo-Niagara region Thursday through Sunday, March 20 through 23 at the Hamburg Fairgrounds. The annual collection of what's hot and happening for the gardens and backyards of the area showed off some of the newest trends and what continues to be hot in the garden, with this year's theme of "Party in the Garden" shown off to full effect. These were six of the top trends viewed at Plantasia this year.

Whimsy - Whether it was small items like garden stakes in the form of birds, flowers or Easter eggs, or life-sized iron sculptures of giraffes or horses, whimsy was a huge feature at Plantasia. Other examples of whimsy included a huge 23-foot tree house from Buffalo Tree House that was constructed from reclaimed hemlock and included a suspension bridge and throne fit for a backyard king; the display won three awards at the show.

Water features - Water continues to be a trend in the backyard, and was used in combination with whimsy at the tree house site. Another combination of the two: a backyard party display featuring a champagne bottle waterfall into a pyramid of glasses.

Outdoor lifestyles - Not just "outdoor living," but "outdoor lifestyles" - a backyard "theatre" set up for the kids (and adults later on in the day), a putting green for the future golf pro and backyard kitchens, which have been popular for a few years. The theory: you have a beautiful backyard, use it as both an extension of your home and an extension of your life.

Fairy gardens and succulents - Miniaturized fairy gardens at the show often featured succulents, as the combination can be used indoors and outdoors. Fairy garden supplies can be found at many nurseries and garden centers, as well as craft and hobby stores like Hobby Lobby. While the plants and accessories are often petite, gardens themselves can be any size.

Recycling in the garden - One display featured wooden pallets turned into patio furniture, including chairs and tables; another featured a piece of drift wood used as a planter. This is another continuing trend, as the 2013 show featured objects like metal can lids and wine bottle corks as plant markers and pallets as gardens.

Polywood - Polywood, a plastic-like material often made from recycled milk cartons, has been featured for a few years as well, and continues to be an up-and-coming furniture product at the show. The benefits of polywood include its resistance to mold and rot, the fact that it is made in numerous colors (and requires no painting) and the fact that it can be left outside year-round - a big plus for the Western New York winters and for people without a lot of storage space.

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4 Steps to Whipping Your Flowerbeds into Shape for Spring

Now that spring has arrived it's time to get my yard in shape. I start by following my outdoor spring cleaning guide, which usually begins with conquering our flowerbeds. Despite my best efforts in the fall, our flowerbeds are always a mess after winter, so it takes a bit of effort to get them back in shape.
Here are the four steps I take to whip our flowerbeds into shape in the spring.

The cleanup
I'm not sure how it happens, but somehow our flowerbeds always end up full of leaves, dead plants, and sometimes even trash over the winter months. I can only guess that the winter winds brings it all in, but nonetheless, it has to be cleaned up. So, the first step to cleaning up our flowerbeds.

Removing or moving old plants
Once I have the flowerbeds cleared of debris, I start on removing old plants that have lived out their lifespans like annuals or older plants that lost their battle with the elements. Then, I remove plants that simply don't fit into my new design. If a plant is a perennial, meaning it lives for many seasons/years I almost always try to relocate it to a flowerbed where it fits in, but if that isn't possible I try to find it a home with family or friends before I toss it.

Pruning the roses
Our home came with a number of large rose bushes that have been on this property for more than 20 years. Though they don't always fit in with my design, I don't have the heart to risk transplanting them, so I leave them as they are. However, that means I have to keep up with their maintenance. Pruning rose bushes can be tricky, so it's important to identify the type of roses you have before getting started.We have repeat bloomers that like to climb, so it's best to prune then in the spring. I start by removing any dead or damaged wood, then I clip certain pieces to get them into shape.

Planting
Once I have everything cleaned up, it's time to rebuild our flowerbeds. I start by replacing the garden pebbles that were displaced or removed during the cleanup. Then, I begin planting the new plants. I place our perennials first since they will be a part of the garden for a few years. Once those are in place I add in the annuals to fill in the space.
Cleaning up the flowerbeds isn't an easy or fun job, but the result always makes it worth the effort.

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Garden Ideas That Kids Will Love

When it comes to creating the perfect family garden you have to have a space for the kids. One thing I always love to see is the kids out in the yard having a good time. One way for them to want to get out is to give them their own space and projects in the yard. So I thought it would be a good idea to list some kid friendly garden ideas, that the entire family will enjoy. Keep in mind that young children will need to be supervised in the yard. The ideas listed below are mostly for kids over the age of eight.

Climbing wall

A simple, small climbing wall is the perfect addition to any yard where there are kids. A climbing wall is easy to add to your yard, since all you need to do is order it. Then you will need to find the perfect spot in the yard for the climbing wall. If your yard is big enough then you will want to add it to the middle of the yard. The climbing wall does not have to be large like the ones you usually see, where you would need a harness. It could be a simple one that they can easily climb over to the other side.

Hopscotch Garden

A hopscotch garden is exactly what it sounds like. You can make large wooden hopscotch pads for your children to skip on. The fun part is that you can pick up the wooden blocks from your local arts and craft store, or you can pick up the wood from a local home improvement store. Once you have the wood pieces you can have your children help you paint them a variety of colors, and add the numbers. It may be a good idea to put a water resistant sealant on the wood pieces as well to protect them from the weather. Then take them out in the garden and plant them. You will literally need to dig about half an inch into the ground so that the wooden pieces will be flush with the ground. Then be sure to secure them by filling in the dirt around the wood pieces.

Wooden Tool shed

Why not take some time to build your child a wooden tool shed, just the right size for them. I'm not talking about a club house, but a place where they can keep their own gardening supplies, and any other tools they can use to be creative and build things in the yard. Of course what goes in their wooden tool shed depends on their age as well. This can also be a nice art space for your kids as well.

Want your kid to have a green tumb this article will help you achieve that Five Vegetables Your Kids Will Love to Grow (and Eat!)

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Unique Ways to Use Metal Tubs as Outdoor Planters

Saving Money on Yard and Garden Displays with Unique Design Ideas

Some of the very best outdoor planters are not made of stone, concrete, terracotta or cast resin. They are made of inexpensive metal, and they are an affordable alternative to flowerpots that can look just as good. With enamel paint and creative methods of arrangement, galvanized containers can look phenomenal. Consider these unique ways to use metal tubs and planters, and create an impressive display of flowers, foliage and more. The contents of the containers will steal the show in your yard or garden.

Begin By Spray Painting the Tubs

It is amazing how color can completely change something plain. Before using metal tubs as outdoor planters, coat them with metal primer and paint for outdoor use. These day you can find spray paint in every color of the rainbow, and some include texture and other unique effects. If desired, you can make cheap galvanized metal look just like stone.

Make a Gorgeous and Impressive Three-Tiered Display

When looking for unique ways to use metal tubs for planting, consider setting up a three-tiered arrangement. Buy containers in graduating sizes, and fill them with rich organic soil. Stack the planters with the largest one on the bottom and the smallest one on top. Plant vinca vines around the edges of the bottom tub and low-growing flowers on the inside. Opt for another low-growing variety for the middle container, and consider a spike for the top.

Thread Metal Buckets onto a Planter Pole

You can create an amazing display with a single metal tub and three metal buckets. Fill a large galvanized container with soil, and drill a hole in the center of the bottom of the first bucket. The hole should be just a little more than one inch in diameter.

Next, push a one-inch diameter metal rod into the center of the soil filled container, and pack the dirt around it. Attach a hose clamp to the metal rod approximately six inches from the top of the soil. The purpose of the hose clamp is to support the bucket. Thread the first bucket onto the rod, and fill it with soil.

Drill a two-inch hole in the center of the second and third bucket. Thread the second one onto the metal rod, and tip it either left or right. Fill it with soil. The first bucket will support it. 

Thread the last bucket onto the rod, and tilt it in the opposite direction. Fill it with soil, and plant petunias in a color of your choice in the buckets and the metal tub. It will look as if waves of flowers are pouring from the buckets and into the container below.

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Special Relaxing Touches You Can Add to Your Patio

So you don't have a large yard, but you have a nice size patio, however you don't appreciate your neighbor watching you relax, and it's not really that comfortable. So how can you add a little bit of privacy to your patio area. With a few special touches you can have a relaxing patio area, without too many prying eyes. Or perhaps you just want a piece of yard where you can kick back and relax during the spring and summer months.

Garden Wall

A simple garden wall on your patio can give you a nice amount of privacy with a great look. The best part is that you don't need to have a concrete wall, but can have one covered in with a few bushes and flowers. It will take a little bit of investment on your part, but if you shop early spring you may find a few sales. Be sure that you take measurements so that you get enough bushes to cover the outer edge of the patio. The bushes need to be high enough so that it gives you a bit of privacy. If you measure incorrectly. Try doing a bit of research on Pinterest to find a few garden walls idea.

Bird House Fence

If you like the sounds and sights of birds in the morning or throughout the day, then a bird house fence may be for you. A bird house fence can basically be a stockade fence with a few of the posts replaced with bird houses. It adds a nice touch to the fence, and gives a unique look. You can even experiment with different unique colors. Why not make your patio a place of relaxation, and comfort while adding privacy.

Comfortable seating

Of course the best part of any patio is that you can make a comfortable seating area. The best part about the seating area is that you don't have to spend a lot of money. You just need to look for the right sales and deals. You also don't need a lot of seating, but just enough to keep you and a few guests comfortable.

Outdoor carpet

One thing I really enjoy about a patio is the outdoor carpet. It's really relaxing to walk outdoors without any shoes on, and just relax. There are plenty of outdoor carpets that are made to deal with the elements, and easy to clean. However, a lot of outdoor carpets do not have any cushion to them, but you will not be walking on it for too long, so no need to worry about the thickness.

Need more design ideas, try searching for design in the top right corner or proceed to next article about garden design Patio Improvement Ideas That Work Year-Round for Entertaining

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Patio Improvement Ideas That Work Year-Round for Entertaining

Have you thought about improving your backyard patio for spring and summer after years of using the same design? Particularly after a harsh winter (or three), your previous design may have taken a beating that gives it an embarrassingly worn look to guests. You may need some different ideas to help enliven things for the summer and for use year-round, including during relatively stable winters.

Adding a Pergola

Pergolas have become excellent stylistic choices for backyard patios without necessarily protecting from the elements. That's because they still have openings at the top, though provide enough covering where they make direct sunshine less intense. They're the perfect hybrid between a gazebo and arbor. Using different designs, you can create ones that provide little private areas with table and chairs where visitors can hold conversations.

Weather-Resistant Rugs

While you may have avoided using rugs in your outdoor patio area, a weather-resistant one can spruce things up without needing much else. More and more high-quality rugs resistant to weather have become available on the market, including from such unsurprising big names as Martha Stewart. And while buying from familiar names usually means quality, look for ones made out of recycled material if you want to live green.

Using a Fire Pit

Here's another stylish option that can improve your patio based on appearance and year-round usefulness. With a fire pit, you basically have a multipurpose system for roasting marshmallows or for building a general fire to keep warm during the fall or winter months. You can set up an environment not unlike a warm living room if you entertain during a winter that doesn't necessarily resemble Polar Vortex. Fire pits can be found on Google shopping for varying prices depending on stylistic choice.

More Creative Plantings

For those that want more nature around their backyard patio, you can add some vast improvements by honing in on your plantings. Adding more or shaping the ones you already have creates some interesting ideas.

Some people use plantings with their pergolas to create a natural wall for private settings. Others may want to create elaborate gardens with tropical plants or flowering borders around the patio. Adding flowers around a patio path can also create an aroma that some guests will love. That may have to be sans roses since you'd play risk of at least one guest being allergic to them. If you are looking ways to brind more light to your garden as well as aiming for a classy look this article titled Tips to Brighten Dark Areas in Landscape Design

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5 Containers to Use Instead of Flower Pots for Your Veggies

Thrifty Containers for Growing Vegetables

Even though I have a fairly large yard, I do a bit of container gardening as well. Container gardening lets me grow flowers and vegetables in areas of the yard where normally I can't grow anything such as the steps or on the sidewalk. Containers also let me elevate vegetables that our family eats raw (such as salad greens and basil) which keeps them out of reach from our family pets who aren't terribly discerning where they do their business.

While oversized flower pots are the most common type of container for planting your vegetables, there other options too. Here are 5 containers that I use for planting container vegetables.

Old galvanized wash basins

If you have Grandma's leaky old wash basin still kicking around the house, these 10 gallon basins are ideal for growing vegetables such as carrots, radishes, and salad greens. The ones I use have cracks in the bottom which allow for drainage; basins that still hold water should have a dozen or so holes pierced into the base using a five penny nail and a hammer.

Old canning kettles

While Grandma's old copper canning kettle holds firewood in my living room, her old canning kettles made of galvanized steel or speckled enamel have also found new life in my garden for flowers and lettuce. Because some of these do have antique value if in excellent condition, I only use the kettles that no longer hold water for growing vegetables.

Watering cans

Cans that have rusted, lost their spout, or their handles are usually tossed in the trash. I reclaim these fun containers for growing herbs. Old watering cans look cute when arranged on tree stumps, staggered along the steps leading up to the front door, or nailed to the top of fence posts.

Kiddie swimming pool

Years ago when I lived in a mobile home park, the soil that surrounded our home looked too iffy for growing food crops. What I did instead was to buy a couple of $5 kiddie pools to use for growing garden veggies. Kiddie pools are great for square foot gardening plus can be elevated on saw horses to keep out the cats. Like the wash basins, these pools will also need holes punched in the base to avoid water log.

Old wire bike baskets

The increase in popularity of coconut basket liners opens up all kinds of possibilities for turning wire baskets, wire crates and other wire containers into attractive containers for gardening. I use coconut liners to turn Mom's old bike racks into herb baskets that can be hung from the side of my garden shed. 

For families watching costs, containers for container gardening doesn't have to cost a lot of money. As long as the container is deep enough, has drainage holes, and isn't made of harmful substances that can leach into the soil, you can pretty much turn just about anything into a container for vegetable gardening. Looking for more information about container  gardening <--- click here

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Easy Ways to Enhance Your Landscaping

Is your yard a failed work in progress? Don't have the time, cash or energy to move it into the awesome neighbor category? Wish there was an easy fix? While landscaping is hard work, there are things you can do to perk up your exterior without spending a lot of time or money. You might be surprised what a few cheap simple fixes can do to change the appearance of your landscape.

Dump a load of....

What do you prefer? Much? Gravel? Fillers like these can cut down on maintenance while beautifying your yard and garden. We have one neighbor who completely rocked in their entire lawn. They scattered plants here and there to comply with code requirements. You know what's surprising? It doesn't look half bad. They told me their investment was less than $500. That's not bad, considering the cost of most green lawns and gardens.

What if you're not into that amount of rock?

Simply covering bare areas still makes a visible difference. Keep the good parts. Cover up the bad.

Use containers.

When time is your enemy, low maintenance containers brighten landscaping. When we moved in, our front lawn was devoid of florals. We hadn't the time to go all out with a big floral garden. Therefore, we did a good clean-up, adding floral pots here and there. We used seeds and bulbs in the pots, rather than buying full grown arrangements.

Keep it clean

Even the worst yards look better when kept neat and tidy. If you don't have a lot of time or money to invest in your yard, keeping it clean goes a long way toward your eventual goal. We still have some bare spots here and there. So do the neighbors. The difference is that we keep ours raked clean. Believe it or not, just that factor improves the look of our landscape considerably in comparison.

Trim it up.

Just giving bushes and shrubs a trim makes a world of difference. A shaggy bush that oversteps it's boundaries makes for an unsightly home, no matter what else is going on. Bushes are large and draw the eye to them. Keeping them trimmed is free if you have a few good tools. Why not get out there and take advantage of the fact?

Hose off your home.

Power wash your house. Use the garden hose if that's all you have. It'll cut down the insect population too. Paint the front door red. Clean up the walks. Add an accent or two, here and there. Small changes can really perk up your front yard. Even if you don't have house beautiful, you can have a home that reflects your loving, caring spirit.

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7 Ways to Save Water in Your Yard and Still Have a Pretty Landscape

I'd rather spend time enjoying my flowers and garden than watering them. I think most gardeners would agree with that sentiment too. Less work, money saved, land improved, recycling of natural resources and a pretty landscape to boot. That's what you can accomplish with these 7 ways to save water in your yard.

Less Lawn Care

Get rid of some of your lawn (and lawn care) by replacing some of the grass with low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants. Create large flower beds (or enlarge existing ones) and plant your choice of drought-tolerant flowers and shrubs. Mulch the bed with organic material to help retain soil moisture and prevent weed growth and you'll have less weeding, feeding and watering to do each week.

Gray Water

Consider container gardening near your front or back door so the use of 'gray water' will be convenient. Gray water is the usable water we allow to literally go down the drain instead of using. My hot water heater is in the back of my home, far away from my kitchen sink, and one gallon of cold water passes through the pipes and into my kitchen sink before the water become warm. That cold water is 'gray water'. Perfectly good water, it's just that I need hot water for my task, not cold. So instead of wasting that water, I catch it in a large bowl and use it to water houseplants and container-grown plants on my front and back porch. Most people have some type of gray water they can use for gardening if the plants are located in a convenient spot. If you own your home, place a rain barrel under down spouts to catch useable gray water for garden plants.

Rain Garden

Most landscapes have a slight indentation in them where rain water collects and the soil stays soggy most of the time. Use this wet area to install a rain garden. Use plants that tolerate 'wet feet' and enjoy soggy soil, like swamp rose and swamp azalea, and place pavers through the rain garden (aka rainscaping). This will improve the soil and landscape view while saving water and work.

Water Wisely

During times of summer drought, plants must be watered, but you can still water wisely. Water at the base of each plant when hand watering and set automatic sprinklers to come on very early or very late to minimize the water lost through evaporation.

Less Concrete

Concrete in the landscape causes usable rain water to run-off and be wasted. Consider using organic mulch or mulch made from recycled rubber instead of concrete in outdoor sitting areas to allow rain water to be absorbed into the ground.

Colorful Containers

Not all landscape color has to come from flower blooms. Brightly colored pottery containers can hold low-water succulents and provide landscape color while saving water.

Plan It

Plan it before you plant it. Place flowers and shrubs together that have similar water and light needs and place plants in the right landscape spots so most of their particular needs will be met by mother nature so you'll have less garden work to do.

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How to Have a Low-Maintenance Yard

You don't have to dedicate all of your Saturday mornings during the summer to your lawn and garden. There is a better and easier way to have both a beautiful yard and free Saturdays, and that's by having a low-maintenance yard. These four easy steps will get you on the path towards developing a low-maintenance yard so you can reclaim your weekends.

Low-Maintenance Plants

Start by planting low-maintenance plants that are suited to your particular landscape and growing zone. Select plants that require minimal pruning, dead-heading, separating and clean-up. For example, a slow-growing conifer will require less of your time and energy than an oak tree, and perennials require less planting effort than annuals. Opt for the easiest to maintain trees, flowers and shrubs to meet the landscape needs you have.

Right Plants

Every landscape has its own variety of micro-climates. One section of your yard may stay damp all the time while the another section may be in full sun and remain dry all the time. Select plants that do their best in each micro-climate for easy-care. Plant drought tolerant plants in the sunny, dry soil and marshland plants in the damp areas and the plants will be right at home with little effort on your part.

Always select plants that do well in your particular growing zone for easy-care. A tropical plant, like a bird-of-paradise, will require much less hands-on care in Florida than it in will New York. Plants that are native to your growing zone will require the least of all maintenance.

Rethink the Lawn

How much green grass do you really need? Less grass means less mowing, but that's not to say let the weeds take over. Consider low-growing ground covers that require little to no maintenance but are still foot-traffic friendly. Another option to a wide open expanse of grass that needs mowing is to implement some xeriscaping into your landscape. Xeriscaping is done with pebbles, boulders, succulents, yard art or other items that require nothing other than what mother nature provides for them.

Hardscaping

Walkways, patios, decks and lawn edging are called 'hardscapes'. Lawn surface made from hard material and requires little to no maintenance. Consider adding hard pathways around your flower garden, stepping stones to your garden or a new patio to help cut down on Saturday morning yard work chores.

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Fun Ways to Decorate the Trunks of Trees

Trees are beautiful without extra embellishments. In the spring, their leaves are a gorgeous shade of bright green, and their color deepens as they mature. What sets them apart from the rest are their size and characteristic shapes. Some develop magnificent blooms, and others grow fruit or unique seed pods. Either way, they can look far more colorful and visually appealing. Consider adding cast resin, metal or wooden decorations, and do something different to enhance your yard. Small finishing nails can be safely used to hang outdoor decor on live trees, and the items that they hold will personalize your outdoor space in exclusive and striking new ways.

Add Forest Faces

You can give your trees fun expressions with forest faces. They can be found online, and they are typically made of cast resin, wood or garden cement. The separate pieces can be attached to make extra-large or small faces that appear to be part of the tree trunk. Some are smiling and friendly in appearance, while others are wise and somber spirits of the woodland. In any case, they are a fantastic addition to a piece of property with country cottage or forest style.

Consider Smiling Monkeys

If you would prefer something whimsical, consider hanging smiling cast resin monkeys on your tree trunks. Search the Internet using the terms hide and seek monkey tree decor. They look as if they are playing hide-and-go-seek as they peek around the sides of the trees. Their smiling faces are hard to resist. If possible, buy one for every tree in your yard. Display potted tropical plants and other rainforest decor beneath the trees and throughout the yard. It will definitely look unique, especially in location that is anything but tropical.

Hang Metal Butterflies on the Trunk

Do you love butterflies? Metal butterfly wall sculptures that are meant for indoor use can be protected with clear acrylic sealer and hung outdoors. Several small metal butterflies with look fantastic on a tree trunk. Wire them to small finishing nails that have been tapped into the wood. For something truly eye-catching, plant astilbes, lobelia, lily of the valley and/or black cohosh around the tree. They grow well in shade in most hardiness zones, and their gorgeous blooms will attract real butterflies.

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Using Flower Bulbs as the Main Attraction

Do you plant flower bulbs, seeds or plants in your floral garden areas? I've used all 3 over the years. We don't have a floral garden yet at our new home. We've been using pots and concentrating on the backyard veggies for a few years. Soon, we plan to branch out a bit. Bulbs will make up the main part of my flower garden, once I get it planted. Using flower bulbs as our primary floral plantings will help us in numerous ways. Here's a few.

Low maintenance

Bulbs are easy to plant and maintain. We could have rose bushes or other perennials as our main floral attraction. However, bulbs are much simpler to take care of. There's no pruning or big time maintenance involved. Just cut them back after their bloom season. You will have to dig the bulbs up occasionally to move or divide them.

Self-propagation

Most floral bulbs have "babies" all on their own. There's no need to buy them more than once over many years. Just dig them up and divide them as needed. You can give the extra bulbs to friends or plant them elsewhere. The bulbs in your garden can last for decades if you take good care of them. Not all perennials are this long lasting.

Easily moved

When we want to move flower bulbs, it'll be easy enough to dig them up. We won't have to worry about "getting them all" like with some other perennials. As long as all the bulbs are removed and relocated, they won't regrow in the same spot. With other perennials, sometimes the smallest root left behind will come up the next year.

Staggering bloom times

Different flowers bloom at different times. Bulbs of different bloom times can be planted together. We could actually have a garden completely filled with bulbs if we wanted. It's easy to plan a bloom pattern with bulbs. They can be placed on the ground in a pattern that makes it easy to visualize seasonal growth, then dug in.

Bulbs are steadfast soldiers

When we want variety, we can fill in around our bulbs with annuals. Other perennials can go in future beds. That way, they won't have to be moved when dividing bulbs. Annuals are removed at year end anyway, so we can do both tasks at once. We can frame our bulb beds quickly with roll out annual seed mats to save time and trouble.

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Why I Love Spider Plants

At my mother's house, there is a spider plant that is older than I am. Yes, it's been growing and flourishing for around 25 years, and it seems like there's no stopping it! As soon as I got a place of my own, the first thing I did was introduce spider plants into my own home. And here's why:

Spider Plants are Hardy
Take it from me, you can forget to water a spider plant for weeks, and it will forgive you! I have seen these plants recover from seemingly the brink of death.Even the most forgetful, negligent plant owner would be hard pressed to destroy one of these babies! As far as sunlight, my spider plants seem to do well with indirect sunlight. So even if you don't have a ton of natural light, these hardy plants can flourish with even a little light.

They're Fun to Share
When a spider plant gets large enough, it starts to produce little spider plant babies that are easily removed from the main plant and re-potted all by themselves. All you have to do is carefully remove the offshoot, making sure to keep the little roots intact. You can either keep it suspended in a cup of water for a week, or directly plant it in a small pot. It's fun to take the little babies and set them up in cute pots as a fun and inexpensive gift!

They Clean Your Air
According to an article on Mother Nature Network, spider plants help clean up toxins such as "benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene" from the air in a house. It's amazing to think that a simple, inexpensive houseplant could do so much to improve the quality of your air, but I swear I can tell the difference in my own house! They're hard-working little plants that give far more than they get!

They're Beautiful
With those long, graceful, arching leaves that dangle oh-so-perfectly from a hanging basket, spider plants are unarguably gorgeous plants. Even the smaller ones have a certain softness and beauty to them. Spider plants come in all different hues of green, and some varieties have lovely striped patterns. Your house guests will always be impressed by a well-grown, healthy spider plant, and they certainly work to brighten up an office space.

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Creative Ways to Hide Your Neighbor's Ugly Backyard

Tips for Hiding the Ugly Yard Next Door

Does your neighbor have an ugly backyard? Mine does and it totally drives me nuts every time I step into my own my yard to feed the animals, hang up laundry, or putter around in the yard. One way to hide a neighbor's ugly backyard is with a wooden fence which can easily cost several thousand dollars or more. There are also less expensive, more creative ways to screen a neighbors yard as well. Here are a few of the strategies I've used over the years to create a visual privacy screen between our two yards.

Virginia creeper

This fast growing perennial vine can grow 20 feet a season and is a fantastic solution for anyone who needs quick privacy screening. Virginia creeper is green in the summer, turns a vivid red in the fall, and will provide dense screening from May to late October. I've planted several starts on the boundary fence line and over the years have trained it to go up the fence and over into his yard to block the view.

Temporary bamboo fencing

I love the look of Bamboo privacy fencing which is another great way to provide screening while also giving me a place to hang metal yard art, fishing nets, and other decor. Six-foot high bamboo fencing can be purchased at most home improvement stores or through online garden stores and runs approximately $100 for a 20 foot section.

Plant hanger

If you have a collection of shepherd crook" styled plant hangers like I do, these too can be used to create screening. I set mine about 2 feet apart and load them up with overflowing baskets of Ivy geranium which blocks the view from eye level.

Set up an outbuilding

When I had a greenhouse built a few summers ago, I had it plopped down 5 feet off the side yard property line where it does a dandy job of screening well over half of the neighbor's yard. If you have a garden shed, metal tool shed, or even a child's playhouse, consider moving it so that it can provide a visual barrier between you and your neighbor's ugly yard.

Quick growing plants

Shrubs and evergreen trees will also provide excellent screening from a neighbors back yard but does take years to grow. I've taken to planting some quick growing Pampas grasses on our boundary fence line which grows to heights of 8-10 feet in a single year. Even though Pampas grass does die back in the winter, the dead foliage will also provide privacy through next spring. Other quick growing plants include bamboo and butterfly bushes which grow so rapidly that many gardeners consider them invasive.

Screening your neighbor's ugly backyard is easier than you might think. A combination of garden structures and quick growing plants is all it takes to block an ugly view in no time at all.

 

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Spring Into Action With These Gardening Tips

Five Ideas That Will Help You Have an Enjoyable Experience

Can't wait to get out in the garden? Heed these five tips and you'll likely have an enjoyable experience:

1. Patience is a virtue 

After winter, everyone is anxious to work in the garden. But take your time. Don't plant flowers or vegetables too early or else your efforts could fail when a late frost occurs. 


Gardening expert Roger B. Swain says: "I try not to plant seed in soil that I wouldn't be comfortable lying down in." ("The Anxious Gardener's Book of Answers" by Teri Dunn Chace).

Wait until Mother's Day to plant annuals. By then, the threat of cold temperatures usually is gone.


2. When to prune 

Don't assume all plants and shrubs can be cut back in spring. Remove dead or diseased branches from shrubbery, but lilac, forsythia and rhododendron bear flowers on wood formed the previous year.
Wait until after these have bloomed to prune them. It's okay to prune plants that bloom later in the summer in early spring. But hydrangeas bloom on old wood so if you whack these in early spring, you'll be cutting out the flower buds.


3. Feed the soil 

When asked about fertilizing, a gardener friend said: "How would you like it if you didn't get fed for a whole year?" That's a good reminder that you just can't put something in the ground and expect it to do well without assistance. That's where fertilizing helps.
Spring is a good time to fertilize, because that's when plants are growing. Don't fertilize in the fall, because that will encourage growth at a time when plants should be slowing down. Once you fertilize, water the plant well to ensure the food gets to the roots.


4. Match the plant to sunlight conditions

A flower might look beautiful at a garden center, but how do you know whether it will thrive in your yard? Don't place a plant that prefers part-shade in full sun or vice versa. Keep track of how much sun your yard gets daily. Does it get morning sun? Does it get at least six hours each day? 
Those observations will be beneficial when you select your plants. 


5. Stick with one or two colors
When you're mass planting, it's smart to stick with one or two colors. Your planting (no matter the size) will have a better impact than trying five or six colors.

 

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The Importance of Garden Décor

While flower gardens add beauty and value to any landscape, they can also become monotonous and require a lot of hard work. Garden décor will break up the monotony and add an element of surprise to any size garden. Adding maintenance-free garden décor also lightens the work load and fills in the bloom-time gaps that can leave a flower bed looking in need of a little something more.

Surprise!
A sea of red tulips in bloom during the spring is lovely and a trellis covered with the fragrant purple blooms of wisteria is breathtaking. But while walking along the garden paths to behold these blooming sights, an element of surprise and whimsy tucked among the flower blooms makes the walk even more interesting.

Garden décor is also a great way to transition between one grouping of flowers and another without using harsh lines, like rocks, to divide the planting spaces. The decorative items also require no maintenance.

Garden Décor Ideas
A decorative turtle poking his head out from under the broad leaves of a hosta or a lifelike ceramic squirrel or rabbit tucked among the garden foliage will give guests a momentary pause for a second look to see if the item is real or not.

For those gardeners who prefer whismy, add decorative animals and other objects that can't be mistaken for the real thing to add color and fun to your garden.

In-Between Time
Every garden has in-between times, those times between the first round of blooms and the second growth spurt. In-between times can be dull-looking unless you fill in the gaps with garden décor to capture and hold visual interest. Decorative pieces will provide something pretty in the garden to look at year 'round.

Light It Up
Adding solar lights along the edge of a garden pathway will illuminate the blooms by night, but whimsical solar lighting can become part of the garden décor by day as well. Solar lights come in a variety of shapes, styles and colors, including lights that look like flowers, butterflies and animals.

Shade Garden
Plants that grow well in shade rarely produce flowers, or have small, insignificant flowers. Adding garden décor that is colorful and light-reflecting to a shade garden will make up for the lack of blooms on shade-loving plants. Whirlygigs, wind socks, chimes and spirals will all catch and reflect the small amount of light in a shade garden and use the wind power to add movement to the area and draw the eye's attention.

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How to Force Spring Blooming Branches Into Early Indoor Color

By late winter, gardeners are feeling antsy. We want to see something spring back to life in our landscape after a long, dormant winter, and waiting for mother nature to run her course is difficult. Speed up the spring blooming process by forcing branches from ornamental and fruiting shrubs and trees into early indoor color with these tips.

Cut Branches
Use sharp pruning shears to cut pencil-thick branches from your favorite spring blooming shrubs and trees. The cut branches should be between 12-24 inches for best results. I make this my spring pruning time so I can shape up my trees and shrubs and gather branches for indoor color at the same time. Forsythia, crabapple, wild plum, serviceberry, redbud, tulip tree and any fruit tree or rhododendron are good choices to use for forced spring blooming.

Bucket of Water
Get the cut ends of the branches in a bucket of water as soon as possible. Place bucket in a shower and allow tepid water to shower down on the branches for a few minutes. This will warm the branches and trick them into thinking they are feeling a spring rain shower, so the bloom buds will begin to swell.

Drip Dry and Cover
Leave the bucket of branches in the shower until the water has stopped dripping off the branches, but they're still wet. Cover the branches and bucket with a large plastic trash bag, then move the bucket to cool location that receives light, either via the sun or indoor lighting. The plastic bag will hold in the moisture and raise the humidity level so they branches will begin to show signs of life. Check the branches every three days, changing the water at that time too. Depending on the tree and/or shrub varieties chosen, the branches will take anywhere from three days to three weeks to bud.

Just Right
When the buds are just about to pop open, remove the branches from the bucket and place in a display container filled with water. Trim the branch bottom if needed to fit the container properly. Place container out of direct sunlight, away from exterior doors and heat sources. Change water daily to keep the forced spring blooming branches looking their best.

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Creative Ways to Use Wooden Crates in the Garden

Create Gorgeous Floral and Foliage Displays

Wooden crates might seem like ordinary rustic containers that once held produce, but when filled with flowers and foliage, they can be creatively arranged and used to decorate the yard in impressive new ways. Unlike ordinary round pots, they offer many more possibilities, especially in the garden. Instead of planting simple rows, do something different. You can create gorgeous tiered or stacked displays, and without the help of a professional.

Begin with a Coating of Water Sealer

To make your wooden crates last longer when placed outdoors, coat them inside and out with a water repelling sealer. It is well worth the cost since it will greatly extend the life of the planters. It will repel moisture and block damaging ultraviolet rays. Store the containers in a protected location during the winter months. When properly treated and stored, they will last for years instead of a single season.

Create a Border of Flowers

Wooden crates can be used to make a unique border of flowers around a simple garden bed. Arrange them around the perimeter, and be sure to leave an opening at one end. Line the crates with heavy landscaping plastic, and fill them drainage stones and rich organic soil. Add vibrant petunias or another plant that produces thick foliage and gorgeous blooms.

Make a Tiered Display with Flowers and Vines

Tiered floral displays are absolutely gorgeous, especially when used to border a garden. You do not have to spend hundreds of dollars on professional landscaping and specialty planters. They are easy to create with wooden crates, and they do not have to be permanent. Since they are rectangular in shape, they are easy to stack, arrange and move as desired.

Line the containers with heavy landscaping plastic before filling them with a layer of gravel for drainage. Add rich organic soil before stacking the crates. Create two side-by-side rows on the bottom. Top the base with a single row down the center. Line the edges with vinca vines, and fill the centers with flowers of your choice.

Create a Gorgeous Stacked Display

Haphazardly stacked wooden crates also looks phenomenal in a garden, especially when placed at the corners. Arrange two crates with corners touching, and stack a single crate on top. Fill them with drainage stones, mineral-rich soil and plants of your choice. Work the ground in between the stacked planters, and add low-growing flowers to complete the display. Impatiens are ideal. They will thrive and grow in the shade of the flower-filled wooden crates.

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Home Decor Houseplants

Houseplants Excellent for Decor and Aroma Any Place at Home

Decorating with a variety of small houseplants adds aroma and decor of the residential home. Houseplants are very healthy to everyone, because plants take in carbon dioxide (which is exhaled), toxins, and pollutants, and in turn release clean oxygen. An Indoor plant adds to the brightness to a room, and always a cheerful sight, on any gray day or a dreary winter day.

Using an unconventional pot to plant flowers would be more stunning in a room. Such as, a teapot, watering can, jars, colored bottles, empty coffee can, or large glass pitcher. Anything that would seem unusual to hold a potted houseplant, will gain the most intention in the room. Remembering, that the outside of any containment, can be painted or decorated in any form or variety, you desire, before adding any plant. Recommend, that you add, some small tiny rocks, white stones, sea shells, gravel stones, broken pieces of clay pots, or one coffee filter, at the base of any enclosed container. This gives any plant, proper drainage, which prevents the leaves from turning yellow and dying. Another type of drainage, making holes into the bottom of the container, where water would drain onto a small dish, underneath the plant. The small dish could be any size, shape or color.

Displaying a plant in a glass jar or large pitcher, would be interesting to observe, what type of drainage is being used inside the containment, and seeing the roots of the plant. Certainly noticeable if the plant needs to be re-potted, into a larger containment. The potting soil should already have all the necessary nutrients added. Sometimes the plant will need fertilizer. An example of a fertilizer, would be PlanTea, which is an organic fertilizer developed for houseplants. The ingredients include kelp meal, rock phosphate, bone meal, and dried botanicals. Planting seeds or bulbs, can be very interesting to see them grow, but patience is certainly a requirement. Types of flowers that grow good in shady conditions include, Amaryllis, Begonia, Bonsai Plants, Avocado, Cactus, Impatiens, and Coleus. Each has a unique appeal to a room. However, certain types of houseplants should be avoiding, since those plants contain poisonous residue that can be toxic to children or pets. Those types of poisonous houseplants include: Flamingo lily, Angels wings, Kaffir Lilly, Cyclamen, English Ivy, Azalea, and Jerusalem Cherry. The average room temperature for a house plant, should be between 68 to 72 degrees fahrenheit, however slight above or below, won't effect the plant, except if the temperature where to fall below 60 degree's for any duration of time. Proper watering is always essential, depending on the type of houseplant. A good source of water for houseplants would be collecting, rain water or melted snow.

When purchasing, a growing houseplant to bring home, always check to make sure the plant is perfectly healthy. Check to see if the plant has good color, no distorted leaves or flowers, the plant is not drooping, and there should be no signs of webbing on any leaf, which indicates insects or pest problem. When you bring a new plant home, should then isolate the plant from other plants you have at home, for two to three weeks. This will avoid the possibility exposing the new plant to other plants in your house, in case the new plant has any problems, you may not notice immediately. Also, the same precaution should be followed, if you plan on re-potting the new plant, into another container. Trimming back any leaves on top portion, of the plant, will provide the energy to grow new leaves from the lower portion of the plant. Some houseplant owners would say, that soft music or talking to a houseplant provides, an additional source of fulfillment for the plant to grow healthy.

If you are unsuccessful growing houseplants, allergic to plants, or don't have the time to devote to the care of a houseplant, then you might consider an artificial houseplant. They are available in many department stores and different varieties. Certainly there are many advantages, and disadvantages. There is no maintenance for artificial plants, except to occasionally dusting them from air pollutants, leaves never die, and never have to be watered. However, the aroma and purification of the air, is not present.

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Tips to Brighten Dark Areas in Landscape Design

Mirrors and other reflecting surfaces bring light and depth to the landscape just as they do with interior decorating. Use mirrors, small water features or reflective lawn ornaments in landscape design to brighten dark areas. Reflective pieces also bring attention to a sitting area, add whimsy and may be used as art. How and where you place mirrors in your landscape design is important. An improperly positioned mirror has the potential of temporarily blinding someone walking or driving past your home if the sunlight is just right. Reflective items in the landscape provide the most satisfaction when placed near seating areas or along walkways that flow through a garden or wooded area. 

Types of mirrors

Framed glass mirrors of varying shapes and sizes are readily available in most discount stores. You can glue wood muntins (vertical and horizontal pieces) to create a mirror window if desired. Sea shells or plastic craft gems may also be used to segment the mirror. 

Concave mirrors (curved inward) or convex mirrors (curved outward) offer contorted views much like the crazy mirrors you might see at a carnival. Concave mirrors make images appear larger while a reduced-size image displays in convex mirrors. Inexpensive unbreakable acrylic mirrors such as those used for camping, traveling or in the shower are small and come predrilled for hanging. 

Types of small water features

What you use to hold water to create a reflective surface doesn't have to be expensive. A small pond, particularly if it has a waterfall to add a tranquil sound, isn't something that we all can afford. Instead, look to cost-effective alternatives. A bird bath, when filled with water, creates a small reflective surface. Consider using three bird baths grouped together at varying heights for an added wow factor.

Looking for something even cheaper? Create an indentation in the ground to hold a plastic trash can lid with the rim of the lid level to the ground. A dark blue or brown plastic trash can lid can create a water feature mimicking nature. 

Other reflecting landscaping objects

Show your playful side and bring a disco ball outside. Gazing balls made of stainless steel are in keeping with a traditional landscape design or an English cottage garden. Gazing balls, also called landscape globes, are available in varying sizes and colors. The smaller globes may have an attached stake while larger globes are designed to rest on a stand though the globe may be placed directly on the ground. Plastic Christmas ornaments make suitable gazing balls. 

Incorporating mirrors or reflective elements in landscape design

Look upon a mirror or reflective element like a bird bath or gazing ball in the landscape as an accent piece. As you walk through an ornamental garden, look for areas that can benefit from a touch of whimsy, like a gazing ball partially hidden by plants, waiting to be discovered. Place a small mirror on a table top beneath a lamp, flower arrangement or other centerpiece to reflect light upward. A large framed mirror may be attached to an open "wall" built to form the side of a pergola. On a porch, attach a mirror to the wall or stand the mirror on a table. 

Use short strings to suspend acrylic mirrors or plastic Christmas ball ornaments from tree limbs, fence or railings. Keep the string short to reduce swaying of the ornament in the wind. Other options for using plastic Christmas ornaments: unwind several wire clothes hangers, push the wire into the opening of the ornament, apply glue to hold it in place to create a stake, and then place a grouping of ornaments in the ground in a non-foot traffic area. Always consider safety when placing mirrors or other shiny and potential breakable items in the landscape.

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