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Have a Seat, Flip a Burger

An indoor-outdoor connection between your house and garden is always pleasing. A landscape designer can prepare plans for decks, patios and walkways. As you try to visualize the space needed, a minimum patio or deck size is about 5 ft. x 6 ft. and allows two people to relax at a small table. For multi-purpose decks and patios, allow about 64 square feet per person and the square footage can be broken up into several pieces to be used by all. Also, consider what type and size of outdoor furniture will be placed the deck or patio area.

Gates and paths should be a minimum of 3 ft. in width. Smaller gardens or service paths can be narrower. Tips on perspective, a deck constructed with wide boards makes an area appear smaller. And a deck built with narrow thin boards makes the space appear larger.

Green Roof - No Mower Needed

More and more American city planners, architects and homeowners are incorporating the benefits of green roof design in urban revitalization, new home and public building construction.

In addition to the benefit of healthier communities and workplaces, using plants as roofing materials:

• Reduce strain on storm water systems
• Provide biodiversity
• Support cost-efficient infrastructure and infill development

To learn more about the benefits of green roofs, visit www.greenroofs.ca.

Ornamental Grasses Get Haircut

The best time to trim Ornamental Grasses and Liriope ground cover is early spring before the new growth starts. Don’t be shy about cutting grasses and Liriope down to an inch or two from the ground.

Play in the Dirt

Before you invest time and money in a home landscape project, consider a soil sample test. The soil sampling provides useful information on the chemical composition of your lawn or garden area. The sample results determine if you have acidic or non-acidic soil. And, if areas need to be amended with fertilizer or organic material to ensure the plant material will thrive.

If you live in Virginia, contact the Virginia Cooperative Extension at Virginia Tech University. Or visit their web site for more information: http://www.ext.vt.edu/. For readers in other states, contact a local Master Gardener Horticulture Office.

A Rose is A Rose

Spring, after the threat of frost has passed, is the time to prune hybrid Tea, floribunda and grandiflora roses. If the shrubs are pruned too early, injury from frost may require a second pruning. To encourage healthy new growth, prune damaged, diseased, dead, thin and weak branches. Remove all of the weak shoots. Cut one inch below damaged areas.

Roses enjoy fertilizer from April to August. Feed every 3-4 weeks using organic, water soluble, or slow release fertilizer. Check with the experts at your local nursery for the best food for your region.

Some Like it Wet, Some Like it Hot

If you live in the Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. area – and want a tree to screen a view, provide interest or add to existing landscaping, here are some choices for wet and hot areas. Check with your local nursery for specific cultivars regarding height, spread, seasonal interest and planting requirements.

Trees with a Tolerance for Wet Areas
  River Birch
  Red Maples
  American Hornbeam
  Sweet Bay Magnolia
  Green Ashes

Trees with a Tolerance for Heat and Drought
  Lindens
  Hawthorn
  Ginkgo
  Zelkovas
  London Plane

Mix to Match

Landscape construction and plant materials should harmonize to create a unified look in a garden plan. For example, brick and finished wood materials blend well with fine- to medium- textured plant materials -- ferns, astilbe and azalea. Rock, cut stone and rustic materials harmonize with coarse textured plants -- rhododendrons, mahonia and viburnum.

Green Gardens

A Quiet Serene Place

It makes no difference if your Meditation Garden is inside or outside - you are fortunate to have a spot to relax. To add a touch of tranquility, use the soothing polished Zen River Rock from the Yangtze River in China. Nestle the rocks around containers or larger stones for maximum effect. We find that the rocks are soothing to touch -- as well as an asset to your landscape! The rocks are available in 2.5 lb. bags for your convenience. Order on-line, click Garden Accessories.

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