The View of a Winter Garden From a Sofa
I f I were to be completely honest I would have to tell you that winter gardens make me blue. In fact, this is so much so that I have even decorated the drawing room in the last two homes I have owned so that the winter garden does not catch my eye. The layout consists of a sofa facing the picture window, and another sofa facing away from it. So when the frosts set in and the heating system is turned on I retire to the couch from which a view of the garden is unavailable. Certainly, any professional will tell you that there are ways to make a winter garden more than a visually sparse and dreary wasteland. This by no means is to say that I neglect my treasured outdoor living space. I actually do work quite hard to keep the space from looking anything less than its...
How to Shop at the Garden Centre Like a Pro
W hile you might think these recommendations of what to do before going to the garden centre will make you look like a true amateur, you would be wrong. Professional landscapers often work much like interior decorators do by doing some homework before the visit, and bringing bits and pieces to the centre. This cuts down on ill-conceived selections, and multiple trips to rectify any blunders. A good example of some legwork that you can do before heading to the centre is to take photos of the space you are working with. While you may have thought originally that the measurements of the area would be enough, this is inaccurate if you have anything pre-existing in the space. Things like utilities, plants already there, and outcroppings of things that might block the...
Taking Garden Barbecues to the Next Level and Beyond
W here I come from, barbecues are not just lazy Sunday affairs, instead barbecuing is actually considered a competitive sport. No, I am not kidding about this, there are teams that are formed to travel across the United States to compete for titles like Grill Master. The members are hardcore, and they mean business when it comes to these events. Of course there is always an element of fun involved, which is evidenced by some of the names that these teams and competition groups have chosen. At this point I absolutely cannot resist sharing at least a couple of my all time favourites with you now. In Fairfax, Virginia there is the Dizzy Pig Championship BBQ Team and in Fairfield there is the Pit Pirates Competition BBQ Team. While in Massachusetts there is one called...
Set Up Your Garden the Way Mother Nature Intended
P rofessionals know that the best advice when it comes to gardening is to work with what nature has given you. And while there are of course times when a client wants something a certain way, that goes against what nature has in mind, and it can be achieved, it should otherwise be avoided for several reasons. So, if you are building your own garden, word on the street is to follow the guidelines Mother Nature has laid out and you will find that things go a lot better, and easier. For example, while you can grow things in the shade which really call for full sun, or vice versa, you will have to take measures to make it work. This can mean the use of loads of environmentally unfriendly tactics to keep the plants well nourished and infestation free. Also while there...
Decorate for Christmas Like an Old Pro
F or quite some time now, professional decorators have been using natural items like fruit in vases to create focal points. There is no better time to follow this tip than the holidays, because whole red apples, green apples, and limes work really well in the Christmas colour scheme, and compliment displays of simple ornaments to create a monochromatic scheme that is sensational. In addition, strong branches are well suited for hanging additional intricate ornaments on an entryway table, or side table. Just weigh down the branch with shimmering stones inside a flowerpot painted in any metallic shade. Then drape the special ornaments from the mini branches that jut forth.
Professional Tips on How to Get Your Hydrangea to Bloom Properly
Y ou have planted according to instruction, and you have been dedicated to nurturing every step of the way. But, your hydrangea just will not bloom. Sure the foliage is green and lively, but there simply are no blooms. Do not beat yourself up, this is a very common occurrence, and can be rectified. In no time at all, after following this guidance you will have blossoms a pro would put her stamp of approval on. One of the following has probably taken place. The hydrangea are not receiving enough light, they have been pruned at the incorrect time, or the cold got to the flowers and froze them during winter. So, if sunlight is the issue, you will need to either move the plant, or move the object that is prohibiting enough light to get through. As for pruning, this is...