The walkways you install into your landscape can make your garden more accessible, retain its beauty, and ad to the overall design. They are an integral part of your garden’s look and feel. Functionally, walkways offer a path through your garden that allow people to traverse them without disturbing the plants, grass, and other things you’ve set out for them to enjoy. It doesn’t take long for the places where people often tread to start to look trampled and faded if there are no walkways to protect it.

The beauty of walkways comes from the aesthetic mix of both the materials used and the shapes they and the walkway’s path take. Just as color can make them match or clash with the overall ambiance of your garden, their shape can either cut through the design or flow with it beautifully.

There are a variety of materials to make walkways from, each with its own design elements and functional properties. Interlocking concrete blocks and cobble-stone style bricks are the most popular choices. A bed of either heavy sand or small-pebbled gravel is usually laid and then the interlocking bricks are hammered into place using a wooden or rubber mallet. Bricks are laid in a similar fashion, being pressed together and tamped into place to firmly set them. This “floating” foundation allows the ground to heave with frost or moisture without dislocating the pathway.

Walkways are so integral to the design of a well-made garden than they are usually planned right from the beginning sketches and drawings before work even begins. Elements like bordering flowerbeds, concrete or rock edges, or bark strips are common walkway enhancers, defining the path’s edges for the eye.

Well-made walkways will have a slope or “crown” to them (a hump in the middle) that allows water to drain off so that it does not puddle on the walkway. This makes the walkway safer to traverse, cleaner, and keeps puddles from forming for mosquitoes to congregate in. The bricks and stones used are usually well-textured so that they have a good frictional quality to give a good grip when walking on them, minimizing slipping and dangerous falls.

Other common elements that are included in walkways are casual seating areas (benches, platforms, etc.), handrails for bridges or raised areas, or lighting elements for nighttime ambiance, and perhaps a great pool background to enhance the whole area. Other additions such as bird baths, feeders, squirrel hutches, pet-friendly plants, and other additions can make lively animals move in and around the walkway to give great entertainment and life to the gardens around the walkway.

If you enjoy the outdoors and being close to nature, you probably have a beautiful garden, and are growing many different plants to add color to the outdoors. As you probably realize, gardening and caring for plants can be a great therapy method and it is free. Many plants require specialized care and attention, which is quite therapeutic.

Of course, there are man different kids of plants that you can grow in your own backyard or on your patio. One of the most popular plants, known for its outstanding beauty and color, is the orchid. Taking care of orchid flowers requires dedication, but there are several tips for growing orchid flowers that will bloom abundantly and beautifully. If you follow these tips, you will have a beautiful and thriving orchid plant collection.

To take care of your orchid plants, one of the most essential things you can do is to make sure that you have the right kind of light for them to grow. Successful orchid growing requires the right amount of light. The leaves and flowers of your orchid plant can actually be burned if there is too much light. Particularly when the flowers are in bloom, it is essential that they not receive direct sunlight. However, they will not thrive if they do not receive enough light, so you should make sure they do receive some filtered light.

Besides the right amount of light, you also need to ensure that your plants are kept at the right temperature. Plants like the Lady Palms can live for more than 100 years when provided with the right amount of light. The same goes for orchids. In order to grow beautiful orchid flowers, you need to pay attention to each plant’s individual needs. Some orchid plants have low temperature needs, and these plants can be kept on the floor or on shelves without any additional heating considerations. For those that require warm temperature, you can mount them on trunks of palms near curtained windows, or use an electric fan to circulate warm air near the plants.

When watering and fertilizing your orchid plants, it is again important to understand your plant’s individual needs. Many types of orchid plants require certain amounts of water and fertilizer, and there are optimum times of the day to water and fertilize your plants. Read any information that came with your plants, or consult a nursery salesperson for assistance in determining the right amounts for your plants. If you follow these instructions carefully, you will be able to cultivate a beautiful collection of orchid plants.

It is no surprise that geraniums are very popular with home gardeners as they are extremely colorful. For those people who have little experience in gardening, the huge choice of geranium varieties can seem quite daunting and can make the choice of plant very difficult. “New” gardeners may also think that these pretty plants are difficult to care for, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Think about why you want a geranium prior to purchase. The more common geraniums with large red flower heads are an ideal choice for jazzing up a tired garden bed and they are also a great addition to window boxes and pots. Still other varieties of geranium are more suitable for a window box. These include climbing or “hanging” geraniums: these create a beautiful display as they spill over the sides of the window box or pot. Small areas with “container” gardens will benefit from the impact of geraniums with double flowers or variegated leaves and even pink or white varieties can look spectacular in a small space.

Some people are attracted to “multi-purpose” flowers. If you want a useful plant that is also decorative, you should perhaps consider a variety of geranium known for its ability to repel mosquitoes. Some geraniums are pleasantly perfumed and their petals are excellent when included in potpourri.

Although geraniums have differences, they are also similar in many aspects. The varieties we grow in gardens are known as “Pelargonium” or “zonal” geraniums and, although they are commonly sold as annuals in cooler climates, they are able to survive for many seasons in warmer areas of the world.

When you are choosing a geranium, check it carefully. A shorter plant with many short branches is a better choice than a tall, thin plant as it is by nature stronger and more likely to produce many blooms over a number of seasons. Be careful not to choose a plant that is root bound. One that has many roots showing through the drain holes of the pot is obviously, at the very least, partially root bound. If it is possible, lift the plant out of the pot to see if the roots are growing freely in the soil. Any plant that is root bound will have had its potential growth compromised.

Geraniums should be treated the same as any other new addition to your garden. Before they are replanted into the desired position in the garden, window box or pot, be sure to give them a good watering to reduce any transplant shock and to give them a good chance. Once this is done, carefully remove the geranium from the pot and tease the roots out to encourage them to grow out from the root ball. The plant should then be placed into its position in the ground or pot and the hole filled so that the plant is stable but the stem is not buried. Press the soil down around the plant and give it a further watering. This will ensure that there are no air pockets around the roots as these will damage the root system. Complete the treatment of the plant with a good covering of suitable mulching material, taking care to leave a space around the stem of the plant. Whilst mulch is beneficial to the health of the plant as nutrients, it can encourage disease and rot if it is placed up against the stem.

A regular feeding with a general “all purpose” plant food as the plant develops and removing dead flowers will ensure that the geranium flowers continually up until coldest part of the year.

Geraniums can be potted up before the cold of winter hits and then brought indoors, where they will reward you with pretty flowers throughout the winter season, provided they are placed in a sunny spot so that they remain healthy or you can have borders stones to add more beauty on your garden or landscape.They can then go back outdoors in spring.

If there simply isn’t enough room in your house or you don’t have a sunny spot indoors, you can prolong the life of a geranium by removing it from the soil (make sure you shake it all off to avoid a mess). Once this is done, hang it upside down inside a paper bag in the laundry until the cold weather has finished. With a bit of water and a repotting, you might be able to resurrect the “dead” plant for another chance at life.

Many people are familiar with antique furniture, but did you know that there are also antique plants? These plant species have survived for generations, and they are called heirloom plants. There is a wide variety when it comes to heirloom plant species, but the most popular of these is an orchid. Although many people, especially beginning gardeners, fear that they would kill an orchid plant and never dream of owning one, many varieties of orchids are actually easy to care for.

One popular heirloom orchid, the Paphiopedilum orchid, is a very low maintenance plant. These orchids have been popular for generations due to their big, bold flowers. These colorful flowers make a wonderful accessory in your home, brightening the whole room. Another type of heirloom orchid that you may want to consider is the Cattleya orchid. These orchids grow stalks with clusters of small blossoms. They come in colors ranging from yellow and pink to simple white orchids. These are very striking plants, even in less bold colors.

Once you have selected an orchid, you’ll need orchid potting mix, a clay pot, a tray, and some small pebbles. When you purchase your orchid, it will probably come in a small plastic pot, or with bare roots. To re-pot your orchid, fill your clay pot with the orchid potting mix, and then simply plant your orchid into the mix. Use the tray filled with small stones underneath your pot, to help catch the draining water.

To water your orchid, place it under room temperature running water for around two minutes. Because sitting in water is one of the easiest ways to kill an orchid, make sure that the potting mix has time to drain thoroughly. Now, place the pot on the tray, and then place your orchid in an area of your home that does not receive direct sunlight. Once per week, check your orchid. If the orchid potting mix is dry, you should water your orchid again by placing it under running water.

If you do not want to grow or to care for orchids, there are many other heirloom plants to choose from, including flower bulbs. These plants are very hardy, and can endure years of neglect. One of the most popular heirloom bulbs is the daffodil. There is a surprising variety of daffodils available, from the smaller true daffodils to the larger narcissus. Many have wonderful scents, or unique petal shapes that can turn down even the most expensive orchids such as Vanda or the moth orchid. Hyacinth flowers are known for their beautiful colors and strong fragrance.

Once you have purchased your flower bulbs, you’ll need to plant them. You’ll need a container, some potting soil, and a cold spot to store your bulbs during the winter months. Fill your container with potting soil, and plant your bulbs with the narrow end facing up. Keep your container in a cold area for the winter, and then bring your bulbs inside during the early spring, placing them in a sunny window. Water it regularly, and your bulbs will soon sprout. After they bloom, you can plant your bulbs out in the garden. Otherwise, you can also discard the bulbs after they are done blooming, and buy new ones next year.

For most home gardeners, insects and other pests, as well as plant diseases, are not a very important issue. In most cases, the death of your house plant can be traced not to insects or mold but to neglect and improper care, as well as selecting the wrong plant for the environment.

However, insects and disease can sometimes claim house plants, so understanding these issues can help you avoid the death of your favorite plant. Understanding how to provide proper care and take the necessary precautions to avoid bugs and disease can help you avoid such issues, and even prevent them from making it into the house. You should be especially cautious when bringing home a new plant, and when bringing your plants back into your home after letting them spend the summer in the garden.

No matter where a new plant has come from, either from a florist or nursery or as a gift from a friend, you must check it over carefully for insects who may hitch a ride into your home. Washing it down before bringing it inside can also be an effective precautionary measure. Both of these steps are also necessary for your own plants which have spent time outside, where they may have picked up insects. These simple steps can save you a lot of time later when all of your plants have been affected by a new pest.

Another useful preventive measure you can take is to spray down your plants every week. Ideally, this should take place in a bathtub or on your deck or patio, where you can really spray them well without making a big mess. While you should not spray African Violets and other plants wit hairy leaves, your other plants will love being sprayed so that both sides of their leaves are completely drenched. The leaves will get the moisture they need in order to thrive indoors, and the water will also wash off any insects which may have found their way to your plants.

Most house plant seedlings can be attacked by pests and bugs as well as the disease called “damping off.” To avoid it, use sterilized starting mixture, which can be purchased at any nursery. Because the fungus that causes “damping off” grows in the dirt, using sterilized soil will decrease the chances of this fungus affecting the seedlings you grow in it. However, if you are unfortunate enough for it to affect some of your seedlings, there is only one remedy. You must throw away those that have it in order to avoid its spread to your healthy plants.

Selecting seed for your yard can be an intimidating and daunting task. The first thing you’ll need to consider is the lay of your lawn, shade versus sunlight, and the amount of water your yard typically receives. Most commercial seeds are formulated for sun and shade, but if you’re lawn will receive less than three hours of light, or you’re planting under trees, you may want to consider a specialty seed.

Kentucky bluegrass is a top choice for grass. There are years when it is difficult to find. One downside to bluegrass is its need for a midsummer rest period. Kentucky bluegrass will also stain your clothing more easily than other grasses, but it is a hearty, easy to grow grass that will resist weeds.

For small lawns or gardens, you can consider a ‘bent’ grass. Colonial bent is a widely used choice. It thrives under less than stellar conditions and is low growing. It will spread quickly and requires frequent grooming and top-dress.

If you’re looking for a combination, Redtop combines very well with Kentucky bluegrass because its rest period is different from that of bluegrass. Another plus to Redtop is that it will not stain your clothes.

Chewings fescue is a shade grass. It matures late in season and resists midsummer drought conditions. It will grow well in acidic soils and is also great in the fight against weeds.

Rye grass is a plus for new lawns. It’s tough and quick growing that helps keep out weeds while the lawn grows.

Bermuda grass will grow well in sandy areas and is commonly used in the South.

Some people like look of clover in their grass, others find it a nuisance. The plus to clover is its ability to grow in poor soil and it typically prevents weed growth. The downside is that it tends to look patchy and sports white blossoms.

Generally, mixing grasses will provide a more satisfying look. Varying grasses are active during different times of the year and will keep your lawn in continual lushness. Mixtures also tend to fair better against weeds than do single seed grasses.

If you’re not content to grow grass by planting grass seed in spring, you should consider alternate ground cover. Juniper, wild trailing rose, and evergreen vines make excellent ground cover in areas where mowing would be difficult or a unique landscape design is desired.

Lily of the valley and sandwort are also excellent ground covers that will add to the appearance of your lawn.

Whatever your choice for the look of your lawn, educating yourself on the options as to what plants do you really desire and when to plant them on spring or at other time will guarantee that you get the most bang for your buck and may even allow you to grow grass from seeds the best looking lawn on the street!

Taking proper care of a lawn is vital to the success of any landscape design. A beautiful, healthy lawn will always add to the aesthetics of the landscape, whereas a poorly maintained lawn will ruin the effect. Here are a few lawn care tips that will assist you in the maintenance of your lawn.

Choosing the Right Grass for Your Lawn

There are many types of lawn grass and these are used according to the purpose of the lawn and the climate. Consider the following points when deciding which grass you need.

What is going to be the use of the lawn?

Is it to be purely ornamental or is it a play area for the children?

What budget are you able to afford for the lawn?

Do you have the amount of time required to spend on the maintenance of the lawn you choose?

What are you looking for regarding the appearance of the lawn?

How much sun or shade will your lawn have? Is the area wet or dry?

What characteristics does your soil have?

Mowing your lawn

It is important that the lawn is regularly mowed to make sure it looks its best. However, there are some things you should consider before you start mowing. Firstly, you should not cut the lawn too severely as it can cause damage to the grass. It is also the case that a lawn that is cut too low will grow faster and in turn require more watering and therefore further maintenance. Follow these tips when mowing your lawn:

* Don’t cut the grass too short. Not only does it damage the grass, it will also allow weed growth.

* The different types of grass require different cut heights, so make sure that you check this with the landscaping company. As a rule of thumb, the best height is 3-4 inches.

* It is not a good idea to remove more that a third of the leaf in one cut.

* Ensure that the mower blades are sharp before each mowing. Having a spare set of blades will help you.

* Maintain your mower, including changing the oil once or twice in the mowing season.

Watering your Lawn

As with most living things, grass is able to adapt to varying conditions. “Stressing” the grass a little, by not watering too much, is a good idea as it promotes deeper and stronger root growth. This stronger root growth will in turn ensure healthier grass growth. Consider the following points:

* Early morning is the ideal time to water your lawn as it will reach the roots before the heat of the day causes it to evaporate. Mid afternoon is not so good as the water will evaporate and if you water at night you increase the chance of diseases developing.

* Water evenly, avoiding “pooling” in areas or missing others.

* For lawns on sloping ground with newly added lawn fertilizer, take care that the water does not simply run off or it may wash down all lawn fertilizer that you might have added. You may need to water this area in shorter, more frequent bursts to be sure that the lawn has enough liquid supply.

* During hotter times in summer or in periods of drought you may have to make a decision between more regular watering or allowing the lawn to become dormant. Repeatedly allowing the grass to become dormant is not a good idea as it creates too much stress on the plant.

* A newly planted lawn will require more frequent waterings to ensure that it “beds” down well and that the roots are well established.

The purchase of a houseplant and the care and maintenance of it requires time and effort. It will reward you through its ability to bring life to the home and as a decorative feature. You can gain additional benefits through growing your own new plants from seeds or cuttings.

Seeds

You should always collect and use good quality seed. It is not always possible to guarantee that the seeds are first rate unless you have selected your own from a good plant. If you obtain your seeds from a reputable source, that is a good start.

If you are growing plants from seeds, it is vitally important that the soil is properly prepared. You should begin with sterile earth, not just the dirt that is outside your house as this soil may have weed seeds, bacteria that may be harmful to the new seedlings, insect larvae or any number of other problems. To maximize seed germination, it is best to use good soil that is known to be pest free.

Using a seed starting tray is best for most new plants as they contain a capillary mat which will soak up water from below, feeding the seeds and maintaining moisture in the soil. They are also an ideal size for the critical first few months of a plant’s life. You should aim to keep the soil warm (at least 72 degrees F or 22 degrees C) during the day and no less than 65 degrees F or 18 degrees C at night. Use a warming lamp if needs be.

Enough light is vital for newly developing seedlings. If the climate or the location of the plants does not allow enough natural light, supplement with artificial lighting. The light should be suspended above the tray allowing a few inches between the tray and light.This heat will then penetrate the soil, warming the seeds to allow germination and once the seedling is above the surface, the same light and heat will supply the energy required for photosynthesis and therefore plant growth.

When the seedling has developed a few leaves, it is time to apply a fertilizer that is diluted to between 1/4 - 1/2 strength. It is then time to transplant the seedling into a pot.

Cuttings

You can use many of the same ideas when growing a new plant from a cutting. For instance, you would like to try growing Bird of Paradise plant from cuttings. Just like growing white Bird of Paradise from seeds white bird of paradise from seeds, the first step is to choose a good, healthy cutting. Green stems that have not hardened or become woody are the best and choose one that has a node (this is the point where a leaf attaches to the stem). This will then develop into roots to support and feed the new plant.

Be sure to remove all but one or two leaves with their nodes. Until the nodes develop roots, the plant will obtain its nutrients from the leaves. The soil should be prepared as for the seeds and the cuttings inserted with care and gently into the soil.

Ensure that the soil is kept moist but not overly wet during this stage as too much water will cause rot that will kill the new plant. Allow for plenty of light as with seeds - at least 12 hours per day, supplementing with artificial lighting if necessary.

After the plant has developed a root system, allow a few months before replanting into a longer term pot.

Terraces are wonderful additions to any house, functioning as outdoor style living rooms or patios in the summer, and a nice transition area between indoors and outdoors at all times of the year. Terraces can be below ground level, slightly above it or right at ground level.

The simplest type of course is the ground level terrace, we requires a simple grading process to be undertaken before the project can be set into motion. You have a choice when it comes to flooring material, the most common choice being cement, which is leveled with a large board.

You can also use flagstones by applying a load of sand or gravel on top of the subsoil and setting the flagstones into the sand or gravel. The area between the stones can be dug out and filled with topsoil, grass or some other cover. Hollow clay building tiles are used in a similar manner, by splitting them and wedging them into the ground. Another good material for a terrace floor is exposed aggregate, whose rough finish prevents the glare which is common place with other flooring types when exposed to as much sun as a terrace floor will likely be.

Another flooring possibility is through the use of redwood or cypress blocks, they these are not quite as durable as stone. You can buy them cut to predetermined sizes and lay them directly into the sand or soil. Unmortared brick laid out in a pattern over well-tamped sand is one of the easiest flooring methods available. The bricks can be laid out flat or on their ends, with an angle iron driven into their corners to prevent spreading.

A terrace which rests below ground level is aptly named a sunken terrace. These not only give you a very unique view, being as low as right at ground level while seated, but they also provide as a nice cooled down room for those hot summer days, which is their main intent, though these terraces are perhaps too cool during colder months as a result of this. After the hole is dug, the walls will need reinforcing with a retaining wall, to prevent the soil from continually eroding into the terrace. The subsoil should be dug up to a depth five or six inches below the actual level of your sunken terrace floor, and replaced with a sand or gravel base. The topsoil can consist of whatever you desire.

Finally there is the raised terrace, probably the least common terrace, as it doesn’t provide for great views of the outdoors, especially if you have a nice garden or solitary brick paver, unless you’re sitting right at the structure’s edges for a view down. A retaining wall made from materials such as landscape brick is also necessary for a raised terrace, as is a good deal of attention paid to leveling, the number one problem in raised terrace construction. Once that process is complete the terrace itself is built much like the other two styles. Drainage from the terrace is supplied by a central drain which connects to underground piping through the retaining wall in most cases.

If you’re a rose lover, you probably know already that roses can serve a variety of functions, and are not limited to sitting in flower beds looking pretty, though that surely remains their most popular use. They can also be used in conjunction with shrubs, hedges, vines and climbers.

Rose originators are unceasing in their relentless efforts to supply us with new and unique creations that dazzle the senses and melt the heart. Some of the more popular recent creations include the bright floribunda Jiminy Cricket, the pure pink tea rose the Queen Elizabeth, and the bright yellow peace rose. In fact there are 5,000 different varieties of roses in the United States alone, meaning you’ll all but certainly have changing tastes as the seasons progress with the dizzying array of options available.

When selecting roses, it’s important to choose healthy plants, and not base your choice solely on the bud alone. Like many constructions, it all begins with a solid base. Stems should be a lush green with the roots moist. Do not assume that the most expensive rose means the best or most well-kept. The price may simply be based on the current favorite or trendy rose at that point, and not on the individual rose’s quality.

Roses come in two general types, which are bush roses and climbers. Of the bush type the dominant strain is the hybrid tea, which accounts for well over 50% of all roses grown in the U.S. Other well-known bush types include the floribundas, polyanthas and the hybrid perpetuals. Climbing roses include ramblers, which are adept at covering walls and fences, pillar roses which can grow near buildins and on posts, and climbing hybrid trees.

Planting roses needs to begin with a good garden loam with organic matter, including peat moss, compost, manure and leaf mold. The bed should be prepared well in advance of the planting, to allow for natural setting of the soil.

Planting is best done in the fall, but can also take place in spring. Roses should be planted immediately after purchase, and should the roots try before that point, they should be soaked in water before planting. Be sure to dig a hole that is wide enough to accommodate the roots and allow for future spreading.

Maintaining healthy roses requires cultivation, pruning and spraying. A well cultivated bed limits the amount of watering that is required, but in hot weather the roots should be soaked about once a week. Spraying your roses every week and a half will help prevent the onset of any diseases and ward off insect attacks.

Your roses should be winterized after the first frost hits by mounding sod around their bases. In areas where the weather gets very cold you’ll need to remove the supports from your climbing roses. Place the canes on the ground and peg them, then cover them with soil mounds. Striped Dracaena cane is not handled that way.

When springtime rolls around, trim your roses back to about half a foot off the ground, removing all but a few of the canes from any hybrid teas. Once they have grown out you’ll need to remove any further buds, except the ones on top of the canes. By this method you’ll grow strong and healthy plants with beautiful and large blossoms.