How to Build a Picnic Area in the Garden

backyard projects No Responses »
Jul 032010

A garden patio is a great place to entertain friends and family. But you can create a special area just for picnics. It could be more of a secret room or garden area for special occasion like picnics.

Bonfire on the Beach
Creative Commons License photo credit: sflovestory

Here are some ideas on how to build a picnic area in the garden.

One of the best places to build a picnic area is a spot located away from the regular activity of the household. If you have acreage, small pond, creek or wooded area this would be an excellent area. This will give you a feeling of “getting away from it all.

If your space is limited select an area of the backyard and make it more private by using small plants around the outer area to form natural walls that separate it from the rest of the garden and backyard.

When selecting an area you will want to make sure the space is level enough to set up a picnic table and benches.

It’s also best to have a shade tree nearby to escape from the heat during the day. You could also add a pagoda or set up a canopy for shade.

Have an area for cooking that is safe with out high plants or brush. You may even want to consider adding a fire pit or a quick fire ring made out of rocks to keep a campfire from spreading.

Build a path to the picnic area that will lead family and guest to the picnic retreat. This also gives the area its own identity.

If you have space add a tent for children to enjoy. And always make sure there is an ample supply of water nearby.

Another good way to build a picnic area in the backyard is to put to use any natural separate areas. Orchards also make a perfect spot for a picnic area.  Small creeks add character and atmosphere to a picnic area.  Or if you have a space on your property that you don’t want the expense of developing, such as a small woodlot, you can carve out a picnic area and create an area to walk and for children to play.

Picnic areas add to a backyard for entertaining and as a place to relax. This area will create memories for family members and friends.

Posted by Denise at 2:18 pm Tagged with: , ,

How to attract Butterflies to your garden

garden projects No Responses »
Jul 012010

Attracting butterflies to your garden and backyard helps the environment and adds color and activity to your home.

This you tube shows how easy it is to set up a butterfly garden and the flowers that butterflies need, both in their young stage as a caterpillar and later as a butterfly.

Posted by Denise at 10:37 pm Tagged with: ,

Planting tips for a new landscaping project

backyard projects No Responses »
Jun 272010

If you have a new landscape project in mind like I do for my front yard you need to have a plan and research the plants, trees and shrubs first. Make sure they are the proper plants for your area and will grow well.

Two important tips for any new garden project

1.  Do not to buy the first plants you see. Do research and make sure they will fit your landscaping needs. Another good point to check is how much maintenance will they need. High maintenance plants can be a drain on your time and backyard enjoyment.

2.  Don’t buy plants just because they are on sale.

Once you have a landscaping plan in mind here are a few helpful tips

1.  Keep any plants and shrubs you have purchased in a cool shady place and in their original pots. I set the plants out on the planting bed and move them around until I find a design I like. I also refer to their plating instructions and check the size they will grow to when mature. I may have to move a shrub to another if it will grow to tall and create problems

This step will give you a preview of how the bed will look when planted. I usually get a second opinion or take a photo so I can look at it later. Make any plant adjustments or spacing design before digging the holes. When you are satisfied with the placement it’s time to plant.

2.  I usually plant in the later afternoon, evening or on an overcast day. This is easier on the plant being transplanted and will help reduce plant stress.

3.  I also plant my landscaping gardens from the largest container to smallest container.  Trees first, shrubs next, and then perennials and annuals.

Tree-Planting Tips:

Dig a hole that’s twice as wide as the pot or root ball but no deeper. If the tree is potted, loosen the soil slightly around the roots, and then place the tree into the planting hole. This step is the most important step for a healthy tree. If it takes a day to dig the holes, take the time and make sure it’s done correctly.

For balled-and-burlapped trees you will want to loosen the burlap after the tree is in the hole. Cut away as much of the burlap as possible. When the tree is in place and straight, fill the hole one-third with soil, tap firmly to make good contact between roots and soil, then water. Repeat twice more until the hole is filled. Water the tree thoroughly by letting a hose run slowly for 30 minutes.

As you plant the tree you may want someone to stand back 10 feet or so and make sure the tree is straight.

Shrub-Planting Tips:

Plant the shrubs in a hole that’s about twice the diameter of the root ball. The top of the root ball should be slightly above the surrounding soil level. Backfill the hole with garden soil and tap the soil firmly to ensure contact between soil and roots.

Water the plant immediately by slowly running a water hose at the shrub’s base for about 20 minutes. Once the shrub is well watered add a layer on mulch to keep the soil cool and retain the moisture.

Perennial- and Annual-Planting Tips:

Set the plants in soil at the same level they were growing in the pot. Firm the soil around each plant with your hands. Water thoroughly and add mulch around the plants to keep the soil cool and retain moisture around the plant.

I often will use compost as my mulch. It will add extra nutrients to the plants when they are adjusting to their new home.

Depending on the garden plan a rule of thumb I try to use in most gardens is to keep the perennials and annual plants about even. The perennials give me a base to the garden and constant texture and color through leaves. The annuals add change in color of the garden plan and fill in any holes in the garden.

By planning a landscape or garden project before you start planting you can make the job easier and move along quicker. And by using trees, shrubs and plants you give the garden depth and create atmosphere.

Posted by Denise at 4:05 pm Tagged with: , , , , ,

Terraced hillside garden ideas

landscaping No Responses »
Jun 242010

Terraced gardens serve several purposes. They take away the hassle of mowing a steep bank, they create beautiful gardens and they can stop erosion and water runoff problems.

Garden Terrace
Creative Commons License photo credit: MoToMo

Hillside gardens may create a secret garden area in a section of the yard that served no purpose and they seem to add depth and give a small space backyard more of a feeling of space.

There are many ways to create a hillside garden. The proper flowers, plants, shrubs and trees must be selected and drainage is always a concern. By laying out the hillside and taking into account any drainage, water runoff and possible flood control you can set up a stunning garden area.

This you tube shows several hillside gardens. The styles of most of them seem to be more of a cottage garden look.

During this summer I will be creating a terraced hillside garden in my front lawn. The area is difficult to mow and recently has had run off flooding problems due to a clogged roadside drain. The easiest solution to this problem is to terrace the yard and redirect any water away from the house.

It will also create a beautiful easy to care for yard and more privacy to the area. My plans will take more than a year to accomplish but hopefully during that time I can make the area look somewhat pretty.

During the next week or so I will have some of my beginning plans shown for hillside steps, small space raised bed garden, terraced gardens, hillside plants and plans to keep any water away from the home. Yes, my house was severely flooded by flash flooding last year.

Posted by Denise at 1:15 am Tagged with: , , , , ,

Creating A dry bed for your backyard

backyard projects No Responses »
Jun 202010

I live on the lower part of a large hill; many would call it a mountain. When the road drains are clean I have no water drainage problems. But when they are clogged I have massive property damage. The drains are a problem I have no control over, but I can add terraced hillsides and dry creeks to help redirect the water and stop soil erosion and possible flooding problems. Sloping property often will have drainage problems.

A dry creek bed will provide a route excess water to escape. A dry creek bed, if properly designed is attractive whether dry or when it’s directing water and it will add the ambiance of a rushing stream, even without water.

This you tube shows a more decorative cry creek. It looks to be made for more of a gentle runoff.

Here is one way to build a dry creek bed for landscape drainage.

Plan the course of the dry creek bed. To help with planning notice anytime when you have had excess water and what route it traveled. If there is a way to want to re-direct the water, include his in your plans

The easiest way to make your creek bed is to outline the shape with a garden hose. By using a water hose you can create gentle curves and turns that resemble a meandering stream. You can also pick up the hose easily and create a new path if so desired. Redirect the bottom of the stream away from the property or into a pond for proper drainage.

Dig the outline by using a shovel and make sure the creek bed is slightly deeper in the middle. You will also need to have an idea of how much water you may have in drainage and plan accordingly. I will be making three cry creeks that will range is width from 3 feet to 8 feet. (I have a fair amount of property and many creeks.) Use the soil that you remove to build up mounds along the sides of the dry creek bed. Firmly tamp the soil down.

Dry creek beds are generally about 3 feet wide and 1 1/2 inches deep. But as I mentioned above I have several areas hat have large runoff at times and will be wider and deeper. These beds require different landscaping to look nice all season.

Lay landscape fabric in the creek bed to keep weeds from growing in a smaller dry creek. Make sure you don’t get any dirt on the fabric. You don’t want a place for weeds to start to grow. Place the large boulders or rocks here and there along the sides of the creek bed. Settle them in 1 to 2 inches deep. The rocks give the creek a more natural look and will help to slow down rushing water in the event of runoff. I usually try to find unique or pretty rocks to add more interest to the dry bed.

Scatter the largest size of river rock over the fabric of the creek bed. This will help hold the fabric in place. Add an inch deep layer of pebbles over everything. Toss the remaining sizes of river rock down the dry creek bed. You are trying to create a natural creek bed look.

Walk around on the pebbles to settle them in place. Let the dry creek settle and then you will want to add plants for a “garden look” and to naturalize the area.

Selection of plants that will grow well in a dry creek will take time and research. Look online for Dry Creek plant suggestions or check back in a week or so for plant ideas.

I will be adding dry beds during the summer and the project will probably last into next summer.

Posted by Denise at 1:57 am Tagged with: , , , , ,
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