street sound suppression designs

QuestionWe are looking at a home that backs up to a busy neighborhood street. There is an existing 7 foot tall brick wall approximately 15feet from the street. There are two 25 feet tall live oaks betwee

Planting in tree stump area

QuestionI live in southern New Jersey, Zone 7. I had double scrub oaks removed..50 foot. The stumps were ground down about 12+ inches. will anything grow in that spot..another tree,or large shrub? I have russian jun

Gravel lawn

QuestionI was elated to see the question that you were asked about laying a gravel lawn. But you replied with a question about the use of their space (it was growing moss and they wanted to just gravel it in...) &nb

Blue Spruce

Question -- not answered ----------------------- Followup To Question - What size tree is suggested for best transplanting for a Colorado Blue Spruce tree in Western Colorado at 8200 feet altitude? We have

Help for a complete novice.

QuestionHi there. I am trying your good self in the hope that if you are unable to help, you may guide me in the right direction, possible web sites to view or books to get, etc, although what Ive read so far hasnt

TREE BED

Question ------------------------- Followup To Question - I WANT TO BUILD A BED FOR A FEW SPRUCE TREES. ABOUT 2-3 FT HIGH. THE REAR OF THE BED WILL FACE MY FENCE. WHAT CAN I USE FOR THE REAR RETAINING WALL BEING

Evergreen for foundations

QuestionHi Laura- I spent the past yr. creating an English Garden however I have a challanging area... we have a rambler with in- ground window wells for our basement so our foundation is about 2 to 3 feet high b

need to block my view

QuestionWe just built a new home in south central PA (zone 6) on 4 acres. I have two questions: 1.I need a hedge. Here are the requirements: -100 ft. long, 8-12 ft. high -total shade year round -evergre

Tree House

QuestionCan you give me guidance on building tree house or can you direct me to a source. thanks AnswerSuch a simple-sounding question....but, WOW! what a full subject! There are books, seminars, and co

locus root system

Questionjanesville, wi. 53548 just viewed a program on a cable show regarding an evasive root system destroying the slab and other extensive damage to a home. we have cracks and are concerned. we believ

Hiding a slight, but awkward slope

QuestionHi Laura! We just bought a new home in a hilly neighborhood of Fort Worth Texas. The yard has excellent drainage, sloping across the front of the house to the left and from the front of the house to the bac

Laying Flagstone on Concrete Slab

QuestionI want to lay 1/2 red flagstone with 1/2 joints on my existing concrete walkway. My climate is -20 to 90F. What cement mix or material and method do you recommend for this task?

wet back yard

QuestionThe back yard of our house is heavily wooded. At the very rear we have built a deck with a swing with a rock walk leading to it. Our problem is that it,s so damp (actually wet)around the deck and never seems

Beautifying my yard

QuestionHi Laura, I have a huge problem. I just purchased a home a month ago in Illinois. My yard is a mess! I have bushes, weeds, plants that have grown wildly and trees with ivy all over them an

what to do with a large 45 degree angle slope

QuestionMy house is on a hill. Behind my home is a 45 degree angle slope. It is quite large, and there grows a massive weed jungle and probably haven for numerous pests. I would be happy if I could

Clearing brush...maintaining property

QuestionHi Laura: I am a 41 year old former Marine and am working on a small property in Hammondsport, NY. My tenents trust me...because I do what I say I will do. I was wondering how the following ph

Best Designs for a Florida Landscape

QuestionLaura, I am in need of a cost effective idea and design for my Florida Lawn. I have a preety good St. Augustine Lawn with a sprinkler system installed. I just need to know what will do well in F

starting from gravel

QuestionI just moved to a new house in Boise, ID. The former owners removed all the grass from the small yard, covered it with gravel, and planted cactus. There isnt even a tree in the yard and Im on a c

deck/patio design

QuestionLaura: we have an existing brick patio that was layed 10 years ago when we put on an addition. It was done badly and we have sunken areas below foundation with water problems. We are pullin

Putting in a Patio

QuestionI have old weathered limstones in my backyard that are sunken into the ground with grass growing around and through them. I wanted to put in a patio (cement) there, but I dont know the first steps to go abou