A Garden Transformation
Here's what Nancy and David had to work with near the house. The border was planted from back to front, with bougainvillea, agapanthus, iris and annuals. To make some of the bricks seem taller, add a small amount of soil to the trench before ... [... more]
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Trees in the Landscape
To select the proper tree, you must first study the planting site. Select young trees that aren't too large for their containers. Gary Moll of the American Forest Association discusses the benefits of trees in the landscape. Trees can increase ... [... more]
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Aerating and Liming Your Lawn
Most lawns get a fair of amount of traffic, especially if children use them. Such traffic -- as well as the act of mowing -- results in compaction of the soil. Compaction ultimately hinders a plant's ability to grow because it reduces the soil's ... [... more]
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Lawn Preparation
You can help keep your lawn looking its best this spring and summer by adjusting your lawnmower. In all likelihood, it's currently set too low. Raise it at least one notch before you mow again. If you scalp your lawn the way many homeowners do, ... [... more]
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Reseeding: 7 Easy Steps
Lawn expert Jamie McMurray shares basic steps in reseeding a lawn: Apply top-quality seed to thin spots in the lawn (by hand in small areas or with a drop spreader in large areas.) Mark the location of existing sprinkler heads. Rake up dead grass ... [... more]
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Dethatching Your Lawn
Lawn expert Dr. Tom Samples of the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service explains that dethatching is essential to maintain a lush, healthy lawn. Thatch ( You can leave your grass clippings on the surface of the lawn after you ... [... more]
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Container Lawns
John Greenlee, the author of The Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses, shares tips on creating a lawn even if the only space you have is a rooftop. He shows a variety of ornamental grasses that can be grown in containers ( Eric Hansen, the turf ... [... more]
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The Best Fall-Blooming Plants
Combine blue flowers with a yellow accent, and you have a great-looking garden. Pink, rose and purple in a shady area will pop if you add a touch of white. When you work with bright-red or orange flowers, use just a touch of yellow for ... [... more]
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Lawn-Watering Basics
A soaker hose puts water right where it's most needed -- around the bases of plants, in close proximity to the root system. This technique of irrigation (vs. sprayers or sprinklers) helps reduce the waste of water through evaporation. I water my ... [... more]
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Ornamental Grasses
Jessie Mack Burns offers advice on the selection and use of ornamental grasses in landscaping. Ornamental grasses come in many varieties and can add height and fullness to your garden, borders and beds. DIY's horticulturist Jessie Mack Burns ... [... more]
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Basic Composting
Jessie Mack Burns adds landscape waste to a compost. Other suitable ingredients include grass clippings, leaves, garden dirt and vegetable-matter kitchen waste. Avoid placing animal products in a compost pile. Begin with some sort of composting ... [... more]
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Troll Design Topiary (Norway exhibit)
One of the most striking topiaries at Epcot is a 7-foot-tall Norwegian troll ( First a rebar frame is constructed; the frame is then covered with sphagnum moss, and a wire netting is added to hold the sphagnum in. At one time only ivy was used ... [... more]
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