The Far Reaching Benefits of Trees...
Albert Einstein once observed, “The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago-and the second-best time is now.” For being a nuclear physicist and not a landscape architect, he certainly had that theory right. Einstein surely wasn’t alone in his appreciation of trees and his understanding of their importance in our landscapes and our lives. Everyone loves to sit under the shady canopy of a mature tree...Farm to Table...
Fresh Herbs Are Easy to Grow and Add Zest to Home Cooking Written by Robyn Roehm Cannon My favorite time of year in the garden is basil season. In Seattle, that’s August and September—which constitute our short Pacific Northwest summer. There’s nothing so satisfying as a dinner of grilled chicken or fish alongside a composed salad of vine-ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced sweet onions, chunks of soft buffalo mozzarella,...From Red Clay to Green Hedges...
Green is the color of the garden created by Frank Byers and Jerry Northcutt. It’s a peaceful place where they can entertain graciously and where the geometry of shape and form creates a restful, visually pleasing composition. What looks so “right” today began eleven years ago as a blank slate. Dotted on the property around the newly built house were a few mature cedars, but otherwise the land was bare. “We started...Realizing the Essence of Place...
Forty years ago, when Geoffrey Cridland and his wife, Val, first rented one of a pair of run-down nineteenth-century workers’ cottages located in an English village near Petworth in West Sussex, he didn’t dream that the garden he would make there would change the direction of his life. As far as they both were concerned, this rural setting was no more than their weekend escape from the madding crowds of London, where they...Landscaping to Add Curb Appeal...
A well-landscaped yard creates curb appeal and helps your property retain maximum value. Here are a few tips and tricks for sprucing up your outdoor spaces yourself. A beautiful yard is a head-turner, no doubt about it. The good news is that even if you can’t tell a tulip from a turnip at the garden center, you can still create eye-catching curb appeal by paying attention to the basics of good landscaping. Ignoring your...Creating a Dream Asian Garden on Vancouver Island...
Sometimes inspiration can be found close to home. But for Joan and Gary Cunningham, it was a faraway land that would seal the fate of their Vancouver Island, British Columbia, garden. “We had somewhat of a vision of what we were going to do, but a trip to Japan made it all very clear,” says Joan, who was influenced by Marc P. Keane, a prominent garden designer and author of Japanese Garden Design, among other books. “I...Helpful Tips for Growing Beautiful Roses...
For centuries, the ubiquitous rose has been loved and desired more than any other flower. This simple and fragrant bloom that comes in every color of the rainbow has inspired poets and lovers—and it has both charmed and frustrated many a gardener. A common myth is that roses are fussy and hard to grow. But, thanks to today’s improved hybrids—sturdy varieties that bloom repeatedly and resist disease—the rose is one of...Use Your Home’s Curb Appeal to Create a Grea...
RISMEDIA, March 9, 2011—(MCT)—Now that virtually all the winter’s snow has melted (in some areas of the country) and it’s easier to navigate the streets, let’s consider something calculated to get people slamming on the brakes: curb appeal, that special something that makes prospective buyers stop for a better look at a house for sale. In normal market times, the National Association of REALTORS®, 49% of buying...Home Trends: Orchids...
RISMEDIA, March 2, 2011—Orchids can add eye-catching appeal to any room. Follow these basics to produce vivid blooms throughout the winter. Temperature: Generally speaking, if you’re comfortable, your orchid is comfortable. Aim for day temps of 70° to 85° Fahrenheit and 60° to 65° F at night. Light: Supply the brightest light you can. A sunny south or southeast window works great, but shield tender leaves from direct...Connect with Brenda Mancil
