trees near foundation

QuestionHi Marc - We moved into a house that has what I think is a carrotwood tree planted a few feet from the house. Are these roots safe to be so close to the foundation or should we have it remo

weed block

QuestionI have areas around my home (slopes, pool, house perimeter) where I want nothing to grow..what kind of weed fabric do you recommend? Is black plastic better than the fabricks? I would be covering it with gra

3d programs for garden design

QuestionHi Im interesting to know about the best in graphic quality and photo realism program for garden design with rich flower -trees library. I think autocad or 3dstudio max are the best Ill wait for your opini

Jacaranda

QuestionI planted the seeds of the Jacaranda tree and of a sapote tree. The labels were blown away by the wind, and now I dont know how to identify the young plants. I will be transplanting them soon, bu

Looking for large yew

QuestionI am looking for a rather large yew ... approximately 15 feet tall by 8 feet wide. Any suggestions on where I can locate this size plant and what it would cost. Thank you Linda AnswerLinda- There ar

Installing pavers in a pathway

QuestionHi. Im planning a 30 foot by 4 foot walkway on a slight slope (2 foot drop in about 30 feet). I want to use pavers installed on a sand bed. Ive read some articles that mention using 2 or so of gravel under t

Installing pavers in a path/walkway

QuestionHi. Im planning a 30 foot by 4 foot walkway on a slight slope (2 foot drop in about 30 feet). I want to use pavers installed on a sand bed. Ive read some articles that mention using 2 or so of gravel under t

Pruning forsythia bush

QuestionI am in Western New York (Buffalo area) Can a forsythia bush be safely pruned back beyond where the leaves are showing? If so, what cautions should be taken, what time of year should it be done and wh

Front house landscaping

QuestionMarc, Thanks for volunteering your time. We live in Frederick MD (about 25 miles North of Wash DC - listed as North East US at USNA). The front landscaping of our house, which was done by our bu

Gravel for Japanese garden

QuestionWhat is the best type of gravel, available in the midweatern U.S., to use in a Japanese garden that can be raked into typical Japanese garden designs? AnswerHi there! You could use anything that is whytish

Hill erosion

QuestionMy house was built on a river. There is one side of the house that is close to a hill that is beginning to erode pretty badly. What vegetation would best prevent further erosion? Or should

Clerodendrum Myricoides

QuestionDear Laura, I planted the above species in my Rancho Bernardo garden and it has never bloomed. Can you give me some advice? Thank you, Christy T. AnswerChristy, What is your plant zone? I am assuming

pics

Questioncan u send me som nice pics of gardens to my mail or suggest sites were i can see? AnswerI know it sounds simple, because it is! Go to Google.com, click on IMAGES, then type in the search box the words gar

Land question (sorta)

QuestionMr. Chapelle: Thanks for the quick response, and for the helpful suggestions. Youre right, of course...its always best to avoid going to court if at all possible. But this guy has been jerking us aroun

Courtyard Entry way - HELP!!

QuestionHi there - My house is L shaped and we are converting the garage into a family room and adding a new garage onto the front of the house, which will make it more U shaped. We envisioned the center area of

Removing dirt from under 40 yr old tree

Questionwe have a 40 yr old avacado tree in the back yard. I would like to remove about a foot of dirt under neath the tree, will that hurt the tree? AnswerHi there! It will depend on how deep the roots are. With

THORNED VINES

QuestionHI LAURA - HOPE YOU CAN HELP, IF NOT DIRECT ME WHO MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP WITH THIS.... I LIVE IN TEXAS AND I BOUGHT LAND AND CLEARED IT. HAVE THOUSANDS OF VINES COMING UP OUT OF GROUND WITH THORNS AN

Blue spruce close to house

QuestionThe former owners of our home planted a blue spruce about 3 feet from our home. The tree is now about 25 feet tall and we are concerned -- can the tree destroy our homes foundation? What would you sug

Blue Spruce transplant

QuestionI have a 10 blue spruce that I want to transplant to my new home. It has sentimental value and the developers that bought our property said they would probably trash all of our leylands & spruces for t

growing moss

Questionmy yard has a mixture of trees and is in the shade most of the day. i want to grow moss under the trees. the soil is clay and some moss is there. would a layer 1 or so of old fir sawdust help keep the moistu