pruning azaleas

QuestionLaura, Is there a best time and best way to prune back azaleas. They havent been tended to for 3 years? They are kind of all over the place, shooting up all over. Thanks, Karen AnswerKaren, Ge

Sod Harvesting

QuestionHow do sod harvesting machines work? Is it possible to harvest a piece of sod without a machine? If so, how? Thanks for any help you can spare. AnswerFrom one curious person to another:I have of

Downcast lighting

QuestionHi, our development requires downcast lighting to reduce light pollution but when I try to find downcast lighting all I see are ordinances by developments and such and no retailers specifically noting downca

Privet Hedge

QuestionI have another question re: a shrub I bought thats new to me. I bought 3 variegated privits. My intent is to use them as a screen around some hvac equipment in my yard. I bought the biggest

Growing Arborvitae in pots

QuestionI live in Massachusetts and am growing Arborvitae in large pots around my pool area. Should I bring these in for the Winter and if not, what special care would they need? AnswerRobin, It all depends o

Cutting Flagstone

QuestionI have just purchased a home with a pool and spa that have a flagstone perimeter. The spa deck overhangs about an inch to an inch and a half to the inside. I would like to cut this off and smooth it do

expert testimony design of parks

QuestionWe are a law firm in need of an expert in recreational park design. Our client is an elderly lady who fell into a hole built for pole vauling. The hole is located in the middle of a running track

Interlocking Pavers

QuestionHello, Thank-You for your time spent on this site. I have two questions. We have just installed a pool. I will be doing some interlock pavers around the pools concrete deck. I have dug the topsoil down

transplanting large trees

Question Sir, I have a question for you that is, how should I say? Huge times three. 15 years ago I purchased many blue spruces and temporarily planted two close to the house. Now theyr

lawn to garden

QuestionI have Bermuda Grass where I want to put a garden. Can I just start tilling and raking? Thank You AnswerI wish I had good news and it could be that easy! IF the grass has not gone dormant, yet, yo

Hydrander

Question Hi Marc, I have had a Hydrander (blue) for 6 years. I got beautiful blooms the 1st 2 years and nothing since. The bush it self is huge and needs to be cut back. How to I trim and get it to bloom again. I

Railroad ties

Question Sean, Are there any health issues in burning old R.R. ties? AnswerFor one I thing, by asking the question you probably already know its not a good idea. RR ties are full or

Removing Shrubs

QuestionI recently moved into a new home and have these large evergreen shrubs in front of my home. I am wanting to get rid of them and put something that would give the home more curb appeal. How do I g

Picket fence - where do I start?

QuestionIm buying a house with a partially fenced back yard. There will be a couple little dogs living there with us. Im thinking of putting up a little, maybe 3-foot-high, picket fence. My dad (Mo

new lawn

QuestionI just bought a new home, and need to put in a new lawn. i live in northeast Ohio and heard that this is not a great time to plant. Would sod be able to take. I have a dog that is bringing in mud into house.

How to make a simple drain?

QuestionHi: My wife and I just bought a small townhouse but in the backyard, which we share, the water acumulates and is nasty to walk and even take the trash out. We have some grass growing there but a slightly

front of house landscape--choices of shrubs

QuestionWhat are the best choices for shrubs that look nice together for the front of a traditional house (tudor/colonial), in front of large living room stained glass window? I would like to stay in the everg

Labor & time needed to put sod on 3.5 acres of land

QuestionHi There, I would like to know how many people (labor) will be able to put Sod on 3.5 acres of land and how many days this whole process will take. The purpose is to get the place ready as early as possibl

Building a deck out of concrete pavers.

QuestionI very much appreciate your response, but if I am in a desert climate with no chance of freezing then is a concrete slab required? Or is a very well compacted base sufficient and then mortar the gaps? I do a

lawn/landscaping

QuestionWe have a large front yard (1 acre +/-). It is all lawn... nothing breaking it up. Id like to take a small section of the lawn, remove the sod, and put in a small landscaped area. Maybe inc