Do you appreciate nature and enjoy interpreting the world symbolically? You’re probably a great fit for a Zen garden! Low-maintenance landscaping enthusiasts, on the other hand, should think twice before building one. Zen gardens might appear to be simple, but they can be time consuming. Here’s what you need to know before you start:
What Is a Zen Garden?
Zen gardens were originally crafted by Buddhist monks in ancient Japan (with some Chinese influence). Since their parts represent aspects of nature, they are often referred to as “miniature landscapes.”
The expanse of white gravel raked to create ripples represents ocean waves, and the tall, thin boulders sticking up vertically represent mountains. Shorter, verdant vegetation may be cultivated on or around the “islands” to suggest island plants, while architectural plants can be used as accents.
Tools and Supplies
White gravel
Rocks in a variety of sizes and shapes
Steel garden rake
Wooden Zen rake
Shovel
Hoe
Tape measure
String, string level, and stakes
Tamper
Landscape fabric
Edging stones
How to Make a Zen Garden
Remove anything that is sticking up out of the ground, such as plants, weeds, and pebbles. Also remove the top layer of existing soil from the selected area.
Check for level by pounding stakes into the ground end-to-end (both lengthwise and widthwise within your rectangle), strung between them, and using your string level.
Rake out uneven spots, tamp down the soil, and run stone edging around the space. This edging will retain the white gravel.
Make holes for the rocks you’ll be using to represent mountains and/or islands. It’s a matter of personal preference, but avoid using symmetrical patterns, circles, and straight lines if possible. Also make holes for any trees you intend to plant.
Install the rocks and plants in their holes. A significant portion of those tall, thin rocks (which represent mountains) should be hidden. They will appear more natural if you insert them like this at the end of the iceberg.
Lay landscape fabric over the soil, making cuts to accommodate rocks and plants.
Lay thin layers of white gravel on top of the existing surface. Using a hoe, spread it out. Shape ripples or circles in it with the wooden Zen rake. Maintain these forms by raking them back into the gravel with a Zen-garden rake after they’ve been disturbed by the components.
Our garden services at Legarden Designs handles every element of the process – from the initial design consultation through the project’s completion. We also provide seasonal reviews and yearly walkthroughs.Contact us today!
The term “pollinator garden” is relatively new, but it’s an essential one for both gardeners and environmentalists. We are in a pollinator crisis because of the rapid decline of bees, widespread use and application of pesticides, and economic aspects of previous horticulture practices that prioritized a plant’s attractiveness over its usefulness.
What is a Pollinator Garden?
A pollinator garden is a garden that is built to protect and provide foods for animals (bees, birds, butterflies, moths, wasps, bats, and small mammals) that pollinate plants within it from predators. Pollinator gardens are often made up of indigenous species, although non-native plants can still help local creatures.
Why It Matters
Pollinators are in decline, and it is primarily due to habitat loss and the use of pesticides. Urbanization is also proceeding at an accelerated pace and our natural space is being destroyed. Green space is frequently replaced with agricultural land, monoculture lawns, or exotic plants that do not support or host local insects for pollination.
How to Start a Pollinator Garden
Pollinator gardens are both easy to create and beautiful. As a result, pollinator gardens may be maintained year-round with only minimal effort once the basic groundwork has been laid down. You can make a small window box garden or a large plot that covers your entire yard. All you have to do is put it in a nice sunny location and provide suitable conditions.
Plants You Should Include
Begin with native wildflowers that support local pollinators. Milk weeds, coneflowers, Monarda, solidago, beardtongue, yarrow, coreopsis, and witch hazel are all excellent plants for pollinators. Native grasses are also a smart idea since they offer stability and structure to your flowers. You’ll find that there are many options to choose from depending on your USDA hardiness zone.
Creating a network of pollinator gardens is an important objective in restoring our ecosystem’s equilibrium. At Legarden Designs, we can help you create one! We also provide seasonal reviews and yearly walkthroughs.Contact us today to learn more about what we offer!
To ensure healthy growth and discourage weeds, it’s best to fertilize your lawn in mid to late spring. When you’re ready to apply fertilizer for the first time this season, here are some pointers on how to use it safely and other things you can do to help your grass grow.
Handle Fertilizer Carefully
It’s critical to handle fertilizers with care and caution, especially since some of them include pesticides. It’s important to treat all fertilizers in a safe and responsible manner. Read the label carefully before using it to make sure you understand everything it says.
Even for pet owners, fertilizer can be harmful. While applying it, keep pets and children out of the way as well as any other precautions required. It’s also a good idea to wear gloves and safety glasses when dealing with fertilizer since many kinds contain chemicals that may irritate the skin and eyes.
Grass Clippings
You might be tempted to just toss them in the garbage, but you may consider using them instead! Grass clippings are a great natural fertilizer for your grass, stimulating it to grow healthy and vibrant.
Add Compost to Your Lawn
When added to the soil, compost improves grass growth and appearance while being a great alternative for individuals searching for a natural approach to improving their lawn’s health.
Compost is decayed organic material that plants require to thrive. The addition of compost to a lawn or garden might aid in the improvement of the soil by breaking up compacted areas and stimulating the development of helpful microorganisms.
Overseeding
Have you considered overseeding your patchy lawn? Overseeding is a method to improve the health and appearance of grass without having to start from scratch. It may help with issues such as brown or bare patches, as well as the ability to transition between warm and cool season grasses for a green lawn all year long.
Ready to improve your landscaping this season? Our garden services at Legarden Designs handles every element of the process – from the initial design consultation through the project’s completion. We also provide seasonal reviews and yearly walkthroughs.Contact us today!
It’s time to start planning for your spring yard now that you’ve survived the harsh New York winter! Here’s a landscaping checklist for March to keep your garden looking beautiful all summer.
Early preparation
The first step in creating a lovely yard is to prepare ahead of time. It’s a wonderful time to check your landscaping tools and clean off any remaining dirt and debris in March. Also, make sure to perform any tool repairs before the season begins.
It’s also an excellent time to tidy up from the previous season. Remove any flowers or plants that perished over the winter and trim your landscape’s ornamental grasses.
Lawn care
The yard, while not the most striking aspect of your landscape, is nevertheless a crucial element. It’s critical to take action right away to ensure that your yard is both colorful and healthy all year round.
In the later stages of the cold New York winter, you may notice a lot of barren areas in your grass. You should not ignore the naked patches since they can have a detrimental impact on the health of your lawn.
Plan out your garden
Attend flower shows to see the latest trends
Shop catalogs to get some inspiration
Prune shrubs and plants
Stockpile the seeds you need
Seed your garden
Our garden services at Legarden Designs handles every element of the process – from the initial design consultation through the project’s completion. We also provide seasonal reviews and yearly walkthroughs.Contact us today!
Gardeners seem to be more susceptible to spring fever than others, and the appropriate treatment is to add more and earlier flowers to your landscape! To get more blooms from your garden than ever before, follow these top tips:
Pick Out Some Early Bloomers
Opting for bulbs like snowdrop which bloom early, can make you feel like you’ve cheated winter! These hardy bulbs may start blooming even as you’re taking down the holiday decorations.
Stick Bulbs with Hardy Annuals
Plant big bulbs, such as tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, with cold-hardy annuals to create a look that is similar to a gardening magazine spread or a public garden exhibit you love.
Don’t Forget About Flowering Shrubs
Shrubs give the garden texture and depth and can also provide dependable shade for spring blooms. Choose a shrub with vibrant berries after its flowers fall away, like viburnum, if the prospect of a drab green bush among your blossoms doesn’t appeal to you.
Include Spring Containers
Including blooming containers in your spring garden will result in your blossoms arriving sooner! Small hanging baskets may be kept inside a shed or garage when the temperature falls at night, while big pots can be moved to a covered area if you use casters.
Our garden services at Legarden Designs handles every element of the process – from the initial design consultation through the project’s completion. We also provide seasonal reviews and yearly walkthroughs.Contact us today!
