tree roots in the lawn

QuestionBought a house in Michigan in 2009. My neighbors tell there was a Oak tree in the front yard. The tree was cut down in 2007. It was stump but I dont think it was stump low enough. I c

Preparing mulch beds

QuestionQUESTION: After reading so many articles regarding mulch bed preparation, I am confused. Some say you must weed, some not, some say till others not etc. I am thinking of doing the following and would appreci

Property divider

Question Property Divider We just built our home last yr. and of course it still needs work. We general contracted the whole thing and did most of the work. The house is Italianate Style. We need ideas on div

Above ground fire pit.

QuestionI built this above ground fire pit that is round and bar height. The pit is made in three sections. I took a two commercial size pots...one for a trash can and one for a flower pot. Both ha

Patio edge drainage

QuestionBetween our patio & the curbing surrounding our lawn is a two foot wide space that currently has decomposed granite with pavers on top. There is a slight slope towards the house. I am trying to f

Deck paint color?

Question Deck We have stained our deck for the last 3 years (since it was built), but I am thinking maybe painting would hold up better. We usually stain in the spring, and by the next spring it looks H

Planting a Pear tree near a retaining wall

QuestionWeve been doing some landscaping in our backyard and have replaced a pear tree that was located too close to where our new retaining wall would go ( in addition to the fact that it had some other problems )

Red Apple Ice Plant

QuestionHow do you get rid of weeds and various grasses that are invading the Red Apple Ice Plant AnswerHello: In order of effectiveness,economy and simplicity,consider the following: 1) Mulch. 2) Weed barrier f

sealing stamped concrete

QuestionHello, I would like to know if its necessary to seal stamped concrete? I hired someone to put stamped concrete and said that its not necessary to seal the concrete, is this true? What is the purpose of seali

wet garden

QuestionIve just created a garden. Everything is perfect except, the right side. After all of the rain we got the right side of the garden that I had created is very wet. How can I fix that, or what can I plant ther

concrete foundation+dirt flower bed

QuestionI have a concrete foundation. Seeing as my two beds begin at the concrete base, I need to know how to protect the house from the moisture of the flower beds. The only thing Im coming up with is t

Screenroom mold from outside planter

Question Outside Planter next t Hello Marc. Im enclosing a picture. I have some mold at the very bottom of some fake brick paneling on the part of a wall inside my summer screenroom that butts up against

natural area in clay soil

QuestionWe just moved to Greensboro NC. We do not like yard work so want to naturalize an area of the back yard. We live in an area where the soil has a lot of clay. What would you suggest? THANK

Stone pathway with drainage problem

QuestionI am planning the installation of a stone pathway to connect my driveway to the rear corner of my lot. The yard is genly sloped laterally in the direction of the pathway and to the rear of the lot. Im

dappled willow

QuestionI live in zone 5 (Oak Lawn, Illinois). I am on my third dappled willow tree. This tree is located in a corner of a berm south east of my house with a 6 foot privacy fence protecting it. Wit

Flower Beds Against Stucco House

Question My Garden Hello Sean: I own an older stucco house built in 1939 of lath and plaster with a concrete foundation (unlike the newer-construction stuccos)on a small piece of property in sunny slightly inland N

landscaping boulders vs rocks

QuestionI hope this is an easy question. Were in the process of having a gunite pool installed by a very reputable company. They just finished the tile and coping phase where our coping is OK Flagstone,

hide a well head pipe

QuestionI have a well head pipe that sticks out about 16 out of the ground. What are some ideas to hide it with landscaping....and please dont say fake rock..I cant stand the thought of paying $60.00 for a fak

Road bank landscape

QuestionHi Marc, I have a bank near the road that contains some juniper and lillies. Each Spring I spend money on mulch and labor to cover it thus I am no longer able to do the labor myself. Then, after

Water

QuestionHi, I live on a farm and we have clay soil. Our paddocks get very muddy and the water just seems to lay on top of the ground because the clay just doesnt absorb the water. Are there any trees th