Patio Construction

QuestionI have an unlimited supply of random scrap pieces of granite and marble, of all different sizes and shapes. I have been planning on building a about a 1000 sqft patio with fire pit, tables, benches, decor, e

Drainage with river rock

Questionyard QUESTION: Hi, I live in Southern Ontario Canada. Recently we had an interlocking stone patio built in our backyard. Its a fairly square yard, with an 8 foot fence around the perimeter. We

flower edging

QuestionWe would like to have the scalloped stone edging that they use for tree rings but can only find the 24 inch long ones. When they are put together they go way beyond the 24 across space that we want i

Answer

QuestionWould you answer my question Rest assured this is not a homework question. If you think the question is so Fundamental, I do not know about the Answer, therefore, I ask the question. Does digging a hole in

Steep Hill

QuestionI live on a very steep hill with great views of the Smokey Mountains, problem is the only yard I have is about 20ft. around my house that they leveled for the house, Two months ago we started moving dirt fro

arbovitees

Questioncan you please tell me when is the best time to prune my arbovitees what is the best way to do so &nbs

Bradford Pear Tree

QuestionHi Marc There is a Bradford Pear tree planted 5 meters from our home. It is 11 years old and about 30feet tall. Is it wise to leave the tree there or can it potentially cause subsidence or other damage to ou

Paving stone sunken Driveway

QuestionHi Marc, I am currently a student and was approached to do some work for an elderly lady. She wants me to raise and level the paving stones in her driveway as they have sunken overtime because of the w

Saga Palms

QuestionDear Mr. Ray, I love Saga Palms. The problem is I live in Alabama. To order them they say Zone 7-8. I want to plant a cluster of 3 in the corner of the pool yard to create the island

brick path

Questionhello, i am replacing a grass path with brick. i understand the process - gravel, tamp, sand, brick....my question is about the edging. i currently have the common plastic garden edging down and

Surface Drains

QuestionMark- I just had surface drains installed in my property (catch basins with drain pipes that run to the bottom of my property). The catch basins collect some water (a few inches) on the bottom that do

ocotillo cactus

QuestionQUESTION: Can I remove the thorny gray parts of the ocotillo without harming it? My ocotillo is large, probably 15 feet, I transplanted it from someone elses yard a year ago, its green and has a couple orang

Italian cypress tree possible disease

QuestionMy tree has begun to develope dead branbches from the ground upwards. the leaf like portion is dying gradually. first noticed several weeks ago. Live in atl. ga area. had a drought fo

ocotillo

Question pruned ocotiilo Thanks Russell. I am in AZ, the thorn branches come out from the spongy stalks low and high - I want my Ocotillo to look like the picture, with no thorns. If I understand you I can prune all

Help for Flat-Fronted Modular House

Question Hi, Marc: Ive just purchased a manufactured house on a one acre lot. The house sits 100 from the road with a straight, gravel driveway leading to the garage at one end of the house. The

How far from our house should we plant a windbreak.

QuestionWe live in a wonderful 100y/o country home with no A/C. The Southerly breezes during the spring and summer cool the house well but the winter is another story. The prevailing winds come from the

foundation landscaping

QuestionQUESTION: how far should i be planting away from the foundation? i am thinking of planting the following as foundation shrubs but want to avoid problems with deep roots affecting the foundation. -thuya oc

Gravel Paths

QuestionI saw a product made to seal gravel paths on a TV news report. ITs supposed to bind the stone but still let water pass thru. They said it has been used at the Biltmore House. Can you help me find some info o

random stone staining sealing

QuestionQUESTION: Im doing some hardscape random stone with a 12 inch border and a 5 ft diameter fire pit with border. I want to stain it with a Kemiko stain. What color(s) do you think look good for random stone, t

Paver Instalation

QuestionQUESTION: I live in MA. and recently installed pavers over my exiting concrete slab and stairs using SRW, a concrete adhesive. My question is what type of sand or should I use stone dust too sweep in between