Articles
LATEST NEWS

LATEST ARTICLES

Topic: Outdoor Structures



Date Posted: Monday, February 03, 2014
Posted by: Judy Walker (Master Admin)
Source: http://www.marinij.com/lifestyles/ci_24961062/fine-living-tips-fr...


Fine Living: Tips to freshen up your outdoor space


FEBRUARY IS almost here, and what better time to prepare for garden beauty in the spring and summer.

Here are some of my favorite outdoor tips to make this time of year constructive, followed by some inspirational ideas from Marin's garden professionals.

• Prune roses. This year you won't have to do it in the rain.

• Order yards of organic compost to amend your garden for happy spring and summer plants.

• Stroll your neighborhood and see how neighbors have improved their homes and landscapes. Choose different streets each time and look for clever examples for future improvements in your own home and garden.

• Walk your garden and make a list of future improvements. Is it to repair the pool deck, add a patio, clean the gutters, touch-up chipped paint on house trim or outdoor furniture? Post the list where you'll see it and, if it can't be done all at once, plan to do it in stages when either time or money allows.

• If you need help planning a new garden or revamping an existing, consider a consultation to get some ideas. Sloat Garden Design, for example, offers three options starting at $125. Check online for other companies, too.

Gloria Sanchez, manager of garden design department at Sloat Nursery in Mill Valley, has several suggestions for getting a jump on spring in the garden.

• Look at the structure of the garden. Many plants have lost their leaves; what's left? Where can you add evergreen and winter blooming plants that will give your garden cohesion and balance? Consider adding boxwood, camellias or wonderfully fragrant winter-blooming daphnes.

• Look for a place to plant a specimen tree. Elegant weeping cherries and magnolias are available in February.

• Add structure with pots. Use a pair on either side of an entryway or a group them as a focal point in a distant view. They should be large enough to make an impact. To keep it simple, plant them with single evergreen shrubs.

Brighten up pots at an entry or outside a window with primroses. They come in so many different cheerful colors and they love the winter chill.

• Do some clean up. We don't recommend pruning plants that were damaged by our recent frosts yet, but if the plant has been killed, remove it.

• Plan and freshen up your hardscape, such as decomposed granite and wood mulch paths.

• Repair and paint fences and background walls.

• Check and repair irrigation now while you can see the drip lines.

Sharon Begovich, owner of the Posh Planter in Novato, thinks February is a great time to take a look at plant containers and stands.

Read More >>



GET SOCIAL WITH US!
Follow OLP on our Social Media platforms to stay abreast of the latest happenings.

Follow Us on Facebook Follow Us on Facebook » Follow Us on Twitter Follow Us on Twitter » Circle Us on Google Plus Circle Us on Google Plus » Visit our Blog Feed Visit our Blog Feed » See Us on Pinterest See Us on Pinterest »
STAY CONNECTED!
Get the Latest News and Events from OLP delivered directly to your email inbox via our OLP eNewsletter.

We promise you'll love our content!


  I agree with Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Subscribe to Outdoor Living Magazine - It's FREE!
MOST POPULAR