Convenience, style, and tidiness are all reasons to build a raised garden bed—not to mention the boost they give to your veggies. But if you’ve never held a saw or drill in your life, don’t worry. Raised beds are an excellent project for any beginner garden or...
The best gardens take advantage of microclimates around the landscape. Full shade or full sun are not obstacles but rather opportunities to plant species that thrive in those areas. As it happens, many low-maintenance perennials thrive under the sunshine. From the...
With new flowers bursting every day, butterflies emerging, and migratory birds arriving, May is the time to frolic amidst the springtide. Caught in the rush of scents and colors, it’s easy to forget the important tasks that will set your garden up for success. Here is...
By the time we need a landscape makeover, the scale of the task at hand can seem overwhelming. It’s no secret that a brand new landscape plan is a major investment, and while the returns are huge both for your home’s value and your quality of life, it’s not a decision...
We wait all year for their riot of flowers. These landscaping plants give us colorful blossoms, invigorating fragrance, lush leaves, and sometimes fruit and dazzling fall colors. Here are the best spring-flowering trees and shrubs for the Midwest! Except for pruning,...
The secret of a healthy garden is in the soil. We often don’t treat it any better than dirt. But soil is so much different than that. As a clump in our hand, it looks simple enough, but under a microscope, we see it’s a complex substance, alive, and teeming with...
