Retaining walls have come a long way in the past couple of decades, going from simple cinder block or concrete one-dimensional structures to elaborately engineered, multi-dimensional hardscapes with style options to fit every aesthetic. While the need to cover up unsightly walls may not exist like it used to, training plants to cascade over walls
Nothing is more refreshing than a slice of freshly picked juicy watermelon on a hot summer day. It tastes even better when the fruit is one that you have grown yourself. If you like growing your own watermelons but have no idea when to pick these delicious fruits, this handy guide will explain everything you
If you are looking for something a little different to add to your herb garden, look no further than chocolate mint. A hybrid plant produced by crossing peppermint with Mentha Citrata or orange mint, this is an attractive cultivar that tastes of orange and smells of chocolate. Chocolate mint is a fragrant hybrid plant. Menthe
Hanging baskets are a great way to fill your patio, balcony or even doorway with long-lasting, colorful floral displays that don’t take up too much space. But what flowers are suitable for your hanging basket? It can be difficult to know what flower combinations to plant. This guide to hanging basket flowers will take you
A popular houseplant, the Swiss cheese vine (Monstera adansonii), is so called because its large, heart-shaped leaves develop holes, similar to Swiss cheese, as the plant ages. This process, known as fenestration, gives the plant a distinctive appearance that helps it to stand out in any houseplant collection. Despite its show-stopping appearance, Monstera adansonii is
Succulents have exploded in popularity and have become a massive planting trend. What plant enthusiast doesn’t love these fascinating, fleshy forms of flora? The more unusual, the better, right? Unique and rare succulents are distinguished by their specific adaptive features and scarcity. These succulents are often easily identifiable because they generally have non-typical growth or
Are you ready to brighten up those shady corners of your home or garden? Look no further! In this article, we’ll introduce you to 30 remarkable plants that don’t need sun to survive. Yes, you heard it right – these botanical wonders have adapted to lower light conditions and will add a touch of greenery
Looking to get a new HVAC system and want to estimate HVAC replacement cost? The replacement cost and installation costs of a HVAC system are determined by the size of your house and the size of the HVAC system you want to install. On average, the replacement cost of a HVAC unit is between $2,500
Transforming your outdoor space from a green desert to a bustling oasis of wildflowers is relatively straightforward to achieve, and the change you make has a significant impact on the environment surrounding you. The focus is shifting away from traditional garden flowers toward pollinator-friendly blooms with medicinal properties, such as echinacea and plantain. Your wildflower
At first glance conifer trees can all look the same. However, each variety of conifer has its own growing preferences and requirements. They also bring different benefits to your garden. Learning the skill of pine tree identification, as well as being able to identify the other types of conifer, can have numerous benefits for both
If you are looking to add an attractive evergreen tree to your garden, look no further than the macadamia nut tree. This majestic glossy broadleaf specimen, the foliage of which is similar to that of the holly bush, is an increasingly popular garden design choice. A versatile choice, these specimens can be used in a
Who doesn’t dream of a lush, green lawn? Despite what you may believe this is easy to achieve without resorting to synthetic chemical or even artificial grass solutions. Top dressing your lawn helps to enrich the soil with nutrients, creating thick, healthy grass that not only looks great but is also beneficial for your garden’s
Trellising can form a vital part of the garden, providing a secure way to train and support large or vining plants. As well as helping your plants to thrive, supports can be particularly useful in smaller gardens where they can be used to elevate plants and free up more growing space. Used correctly, even a
One of the most popular types of mushroom, learning how to correctly identify chanterelle mushrooms is a vital skill for anyone wishing to forage for their own food. There are many poisonous false mushroom species that may harm or kill you if you mistakenly harvest and consume them. But don’t let this put you off.
Two tropical fruits that are similar in appearance, when it comes to choosing between durian vs jackfruit, you can be forgiven for struggling to tell the two apart. However, there are some key differences between these two tropical fruits. Once you learn how to spot these differences you will be able to tell them apart
A raised bed vegetable garden is a great growing solution for many people. Ideal for a range of growing environments, planting a 4×8 raised bed vegetable garden provides a good way to grow your own food if your soil is poor. This growing solution not only enables you to make the most of limited space,
When we think of our gardens, most people tend to focus on their flowers, vegetable crops, fruit trees or immaculate green lawn. However, what surrounds your outside spaces is just as important. Garden fencing or walls can help to secure a space, keeping people out and your pets in. The right structure can also be
One of the easiest garden projects, growing pea sprouts provides a quick and easy way to enjoy your own microgreens. A low maintenance crop that is suitable for growing both indoors and outside, this is a reliable, year round crop that is suitable for gardeners of all abilities. Rich in flavor, pea sprouts are also
Succulents provide an attractive, low maintenance way to grow plants. Ideal for cultivation as houseplants, succulents are resilient plants that tolerate a little neglect. This has helped to make them a popular choice for people who may not otherwise have the time to care for other types of houseplant. One of the most attractive types
One of the most useful plants, aloe vera can be used to create everything from a soothing burn relief or skin treatment to a face mask and even in a healthy drink. While you can purchase aloe leaves for use at home, it is just as easy to cultivate your own aloe vera plant and
Are you looking for a houseplant that is a little different? A plant that stands out from the crowd. If so, the distinctive lace aloe may be the plant for you. Visually arresting, the lace aloe is a stemless flowering succulent that produces soft lanceolate white-spotted leaves in a rosette pattern. This attractive plant not
One of the most useful herbs, learning how to grow lemongrass can also add visual interest to your garden. Its long leaves sway gently in the summer breeze filling your outdoor space with color, interest and movement. As summer turns to fall the leaves turn from light green to pleasing shades of red or burgundy
There is nothing like the taste of a home grown, freshly picked tomato. If you want to enjoy this taste but worry that you don’t have the space, growing small tomatoes is the ideal solution. Taking up surprisingly little space, small tomatoes can be grown in pots, planters, hanging baskets and even on kitchen windowsills.
When it comes to planning your garden’s planting scheme, foliage is often neglected. Considered simply the backdrop against which spectacular floral displays are showcased. However, for many plants, it is the foliage that is actually the star of the show. Selecting shrubs that have colorful, textured or unusually shaped foliage enables you to create year
A popular ornamental spring flower, did you know that there are over 300 different types of iris? These different varieties come in a range of different shapes and colors, from large border filling specimens to smaller container plants. Part of the Iridaceae plant family the iris is not only visually attractive it is also easy
There are many drought-tolerant plants available, including vines, trees, shrubs, and flowers that can look great and thrive, even if you go weeks without rainfall. These plants will help you minimize the money and time you have to spend on watering your yard or garden. Some even prefer to thrive planted in poor soil, so
If you’re looking for a natural, non-toxic wood stain, you may want to look and see what you have available in your kitchen for a DIY wood stain recipe. Vinegar, tea, coffee, walnut hulls, and berries are all popular ingredients in wood stains. Refinishing your furniture pieces or wooden surfaces with natural stain can be
When you have a lot of cabbage from your garden, you can make sauerkraut, or fermented cabbage. Homemade fermented cabbage is much better than anything you could purchase in a store as it has a nice bite to it and is crunchy. It’s perfect for putting on a sandwich or on beer-braised bratwurst, and you
Photinia is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that can come with striking red coloring on the new leaves. As the shrub matures, the foliage takes on a deep, leathery green appearance. Many people choose to use this plant as a privacy screen or hedge due to the dense growth habit. However, fungal leaf spot can quickly
Are you new to the pepper world? Shishito peppers are one of the best pepper plants you can start with. Not only do they have very simple growing requirements, but they have a mild flavor profile that blends well with dozens of recipes. They also have an earlier harvest, so you’ll have mountains of peppers
The weeping blue atlas cedar is a very majestic ornamental specimen to have as part of your landscape design. The sculptural form of lightly cascading branches make a very eye-catching display, and the bluish-gray coloring on the foliage is also very unique. It’s a perfect specimen plant to add a dramatic focal point to your
Grown as a shrub or the loquat tree, this fruiting plant is very interesting. It’s a relative to the rose, and it produces small fruits that taste like a mixture of mango, citrus, and peaches, and many people claim it has a honey note. However, most people have never tasted this fruit and know virtually
Many people don’t have access to large plots of land to grow a garden, and a lot of people have to make do with a balcony or porch. However, if you don’t have a lot of space and you still want to experience picking fresh fruits and vegetables from a garden, you can try growing
Liatris, also called gayfeather or blazing star, is a perennial wildflower that has a long blooming period and is native to the eastern part of North America. It’s a member of the bigger, Asteraceae family, but it doesn’t have the daisy-like blooms most plants in this family produce. Instead, you get very unusual flower heads
The snake plant (Sansevieria) is a hardy low maintenance houseplant. Tolerant of a range of conditions and even a little neglect, the snake plant is one of the easiest plants to care for. However snake plant problems are all too common. Being able to quickly identify any problems helps you to solve the issue quickly,
A popular member of the vegetable garden, crunchy cucumbers freshly harvested from the garden are one of the joys of summer. If you don’t like eating these nutritious fruits, you can also use them to flavor water or as part of your skincare regime. As the summer draws to a close, excess fruit can be
Once considered an exotic delicacy today the banana is one of the world’s most popular fruits. This popularity is largely due to the fruit’s delicious flavor and creamy texture. They are also packed with nutrients such as potassium and vitamin C. A popular choice at the grocery store, but did you know you can also
Kalanchoe Daigremontiana is a visually unique houseplant. Further adding to its popularity is the fact that it is pleasingly easy to care for. Best described as a forgiving plant, Kalanchoe Daigremontiana is an ideal choice for inexperienced and nervous plant parents. In return for just a little care it produces lots of rich, green serrated
A gorgeous addition to the home, the lyre-shaped leaves of the Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) have helped to make it one of the most popular houseplants. Its glossy, lyre or violin shaped green leaves make it a great addition to a room. Taller varieties, which can grow up to 6 ft tall, can also
One of the most popular members of the vegetable garden, lots of people, myself included, love growing tomatoes. As many gardeners will tell you, once you have tasted a homegrown tomato freshly picked from the garden, store bought types will never taste as good again. While many people buy young plants or transplants from garden
One of the most popular flowers in the garden, peonies are popular for their large, showy blooms. While the peony flower is not one of the longest lasting blooms, they are certainly one of the showiest flowers, providing your garden with lots of colorful, frilly interest. Surprisingly easy to grow, particularly as a cut flower,
One of the most exotic plants you can add to the garden, turmeric has a range of benefits. In addition to its large, green leaves providing you with lots of visual interest, the plant can be used to add flavor to dishes such as curries. This useful herb also has a range of health benefits.
Hostas are popular ornamental plants, their lush green leaves are an ideal choice to fill a difficult space in the garden. Once established the hosta provides long lasting interest. A resilient, shade perennial, the hosta is versatile enough to work in a range of planting schemes. Providing further interest, the plants are also available in
So, you have a pretty swimming pool and you’re starting to look at pool fence ideas. You may wonder which is best for you and what you should pick out. How do you ensure you get the protection you need without sacrificing the flow and look of your space? If you’re asking these questions, we
Do you want to give your indoor plant support with a moss pole to help it climb? While you can go out and buy moss poles from online retailers or your local nursery, they’re an easy DIY project you can make at home for a fraction of the cost. Plus, making it yourself allows you
If you’ve ever gotten a hydrangea in a pot, you probably enjoyed how it looked for a few weeks then watched as it faded and slowly died off. This experience may have led you to believe that hydrangeas in pots aren’t a good idea, but this isn’t necessarily correct. Most gifted, potted hydrangeas don’t thrive
Concrete resurfacing is a nice way to improve the look of your business or home, and it can boost your property value. Resurfacing concrete is a project where you remove the top layer of concrete and replace it with a new one, and you can hire someone to do this or do it yourself. If
While you may spend the most time relaxing outside during the spring and summer months, caring for your lawn is an all year round project. If you don’t follow some type of do it yourself lawn care schedule, it’s easy to miss something vital, like fertilizing or watering. It takes a large amount of discipline
If your plant is drooping, this is usually a sign that it is slowly dying. If you are a plant lover or gardener, you know how frustrating it can be to see once healthy plants withering away. So, if your plant is drooping, why? There are several reasons why your plant is drooping, and a
Globe amaranth is a tropical annual that has globe-shaped blooms that last for a long time, and they come in a range of colors. They work well in rock gardens, beds, borders, and xeriscapes as they’re very tolerant to drought. This plant is one of the 90 Gomphrena species of flowering plants that you find