A beautiful garden starts with smart design. Whether you're working with a small backyard, a front-yard flower bed, or a full outdoor makeover, this section helps you plan and plant with purpose. From choosing a layout and style to selecting the right plants for your climate, you'll find everything you need to build a garden that looks great and works for you.
Designing a garden from scratch is exciting - but without a plan, it's easy to end up with mismatched plants and a layout that doesn't work. This guide walks you step-by-step through the process, while also giving you 10 essential garden design rules used by professional landscapers to create beautiful, balanced spaces.
A well-planned garden layout can make the difference between a yard that feels cluttered and one that feels like an inviting extension of your home. Whether you're starting from scratch or transforming an existing space, your garden's layout should reflect your taste, your lifestyle, and the unique characteristics of your property. This guide takes you step-by-step through the process, expanding on the details that often get overlooked - so you can create a garden that is both functional and beautiful.
Great gardens don't happen by accident - they are the result of thoughtful planning, a clear vision, and a set of guiding principles that keep the design balanced, beautiful, and functional. Whether you have a small urban courtyard, a sprawling backyard, or a country estate, these seven principles are the foundation of every successful garden design. In this guide, we'll explore each principle in depth and give you actionable tips on how to apply them to your own space.
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Experts advise gradually reducing fruit tree watering in fall and stopping once the ground freezes, since frozen soil prevents water absorption and excess moisture can cause root rot or nutrient loss. Mature trees require less frequent watering, and during rainy periods it's best to pause supplemental watering to avoid long-term damage.
October 6, 2025
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Experts advise against pruning fruit trees in fall since it can trigger tender new growth vulnerable to frost, pests, and disease; instead, the best time is late winter to early spring while trees are dormant. The exception is light sanitary pruning in fall, where only dead, damaged, or diseased branches should be removed to prevent pest sheltering.
October 4, 2025
If you often forget to water your patio plants, drought-tolerant container species like agave, lantana, moss rose, iceplant, and Spanish lavender can thrive with minimal care. These resilient plants, many adapted to Mediterranean or arid climates, store water in their leaves or roots and continue to bloom beautifully even through dry spells and irregular watering.
September 30, 2025
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September 28, 2025
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September 28, 2025
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September 27, 2025