River Rock Creekbed

QuestionIm installing a river rock creekbed as a landscape feature, but that will also channel water during heavy rains (which we have plenty of in W. Washington!). the soil is a weird mix around here, but inc

covering tree roots

QuestionCan I use coquina rock and pea gravel around live oak tree roots? I am concerned about the lime content. Thank you. AnswerHello Marrue Although I am not familiar with the rock Coquina, I do not feel

type of shrubs

QuestionHi Mark, I wrote to you previously regarding having privacy in my backyard without too many trees. You mentioned to use some type of shrubs, are there any names in particular? I live in southern California.

making a new plant bed

QuestionCould you please tell me the most efficient and effective way to turn an area that is currently lawn, into a garden bed? I would like to minimize the grass and weed growth in the future, as much as possible.

Dogwood trees

QuestionI read your answer that a retaining wall will kill a dogwood, my dogwood is at least 25 years old and Id like to put a ten foot wide wall around it, only about 10 inches high. There are some thick root

driving on my lawn

QuestionI have an area of lawn that I need to drive across about 8-12 times a year primarily in the summer when the soil is dry and the lawn is brown. Up to now it was an established lawn, with quite a bit of

decomposed granite pathway

QuestionHi Sean, Thanks for the information on how to create a decomposed granite pathway http://en.allexperts.com/q/Landscaping-Design-724/2009/1/Decomposed-Granite-Path... My garden has a slight inclination. You

planting between slate stone

QuestionMy patio is Montana slate about 8 yrs old. I am trying to plant amongst the cracks and keep getting lots of moss. We originally put the slate on sand and I have since filled in cracks with pottin

fenign around outside air conditioner

Questionwe have an outside A/C unit and want o put up some fncing to keep our dog form urinating on the unit. What would you suggest. Thanks Les AnswerHey, Les. It doesnt really matter what type of fence you put

edeging around existing trees

QuestionI want to install landscape edging and mulch around existing trees. If I remove the sod will it damage the trees, or am I best to leave the sod then install the edges and place the mulch on top of the existi

Garden Path Border Plants

QuestionHello, Mark. Hope youre having a great weekend! We are located in Zone 5 and have a large shady garden under a group of pine trees consisting of primarily hosta and ferns varieties. I will be installing a co

prices and lawn care

QuestionHi, I have a few questions. Who do I have to talk to to place bids for mowing the medians in the middle of road ways? Are there web sites I can go to; to place bids for all sorts of landscaping and lawn mai

Large limestone rocks around trees

QuestionSeveral years ago I had a landscaper dump large amounts of 10-12 inch limestone rocks around my trees. They are beginning to lose their nuts and leaves and it is only June. Is this a result of th

Jacaranda Trees

QuestionMy mother-in-law lives in the Clovis/Fresno area. She is having a 75th birthday party and she really wants a Jacaranda Tree. It looks like they may not do well in her area. She cannot find

Connifer replant

QuestionCan a 3 year old connifer about 3m high be transplanted without risk? If so how should this be done? AnswerHello Alma The answer is yes but it clearly has to be done in the correct manner. Ok, evergreens

how to make clay soil more porous

Questionour lawn is clay. we recently removed an old pool which left a layer of sand in the yard. i have researched enough to know that mixing sand with clay creates something less porous than clay. if i left the la

replace a tiny pond with slate or brick

QuestionQUESTION: HI Sean, I recently moved into a townhouse here in No.Virginia. the backyard has a small pond about 5x4 feet in size. It originally had gold fish, but they were eaten by a heron. Now we find the li

Rock Quarry Patio

QuestionHi Mark, I saw that you answered some questions about rock quarry for a patio. I have a question concerning a sealing issue as well. We recently had this put in. I dont know anything about it, so we

Heavy Rains Wash Out Soil

QuestionQUESTION: Heavy Rains Wash Out Soil My back yard has a long wood fence. Behind the fence, my neighbor抯 yard has a gentle slope down to my fence. His yard is grass and some bare areas. During hea

Raised flower bed against brick wall

QuestionWe are building a 24 inch raised bed with the back side of the bed being against the brick on the house. The dirt line is above the floor level and I need to know what is the best way to keep the water