Landscaping Ideas
A well-designed landscape can improve your property value. Landscaping 
Landscaping can reduce air conditioning costs as much as 25 percent by shading the windows and walls of your home.
A few gardening tips:
• Annuals die at the end of the growing season and must be replaced the next year. Perennials die at the end of the season too, but re-emerge year after year.
• Planting seeds is more cost-effective than starting with plants, but not all varieties are hardy enough to survive.
• Early bedding plants can be planted while it’s still cool. Plants such as pansies, snapdragons, dianthus (pinks), alyssum and dusty miller are tolerant of the chilly spring.
• Hold off planting new perennials, warm-season annuals and anything that does not tolerated frost until the danger of frost is past.
• Before you go shopping for plants, consider what kinds of plants you would like to plant. Are you looking for flowers, vegetables, herbs or greenery? Following a theme is often useful, say Japanese, or contemporary.
• Be realistic about your budget. You may not be able to afford it all this month or even this season.
• Before picking out plants, decide where you want to plant them. Is the area sunny or shaded, or both?
• If you’re not a big avid gardener, keep in simple with some pretty flowers. Talk to your lawn and garden company about what will grow best.
• Lawns should be treated several times a year to help prevent weed growth, and to keep the grass in top condition.
• Read plant labels. They tell you everything from how far apart to plant, water needs, and whether it’s an annual or perennial.
• Many culinary herbs are easy to grow from seed or from plants. Many can be grown on your back deck or a window box.
• Prepare and test your soil.
• Mulch will keep the soil moist and cut down on weeding.
Choosing a nursery/greenhouse:
• A well run plant nursery should be clean and tidy with orderly, well-stocked displays.
• How well are the plants categorized? Plants should be categorized into plants for sun and plants for shade and separated annuals, perennials, etc.
• Plants should be well watered and cared for, pest and disease-free.
• Signs should be easy to read and clearly identify each plant. Prices should be marked.
• There should be an adequate number of sales people to consult with customers and the sales people should be well-informed about the plants they are selling.
Garden Trends:
• Concerned and heightened awareness for the environment
• Low maintenance landscapes for busy homeowners
• Using colorful foliage plants to spruce up monochromatic plantings
• Plants that attract and feed wildlife
