Lee Bell asked:


As we all turn our sights toward a more environmentally friendly lifestyle, many North Texas homeowners are left trying to figure out the most economical and ecological way to maintain the landscaping around their home. While they obviously want the best looking property possible, it’s often a tough balance from an environmental perspective, but thanks to recent improvements and technologies, the process of maintaining an environmentally sound yard is easier than you think.

From simple composting to healthy soil nutrients to the proper methods for cutting the grass, living a greener lifestyle is something we can all do to try and minimize our impact on the planet. And with the added saving in utility costs, it provides homeowners with a much needed relief in general household expenses.

Cutting the Grass Shorter is Not the Answer

Many people are under the misconception that cutting your grass shorter is your best alternative because it reduces the number of times you need to cut the grass. In reality, it’s very unattractive and it places stress on the grass, allowing weed seedlings the golden opportunity to establish. The shorter the grass, the easier it is for unwanted crops to try and take over. The simple solution – lower the wheels on your mower, cutting only the top one-third of the grass blade. It’s important to make sure that your lawnmower blades are sharp, dull blades tear the grass and leave it susceptible to various organisms that can cause potential problems. Sharp blades cut in a manner that allows the grass to easily repair itself and heal quickly. Also, it’s a great idea to use a munching blade, which returns valuable nutrients from the clippings back into the lawn. As a rule of thumb, weeds need light to germinate, so by keeping your grass at least three inches in height, it significantly reduces the ability for weeds to reproduce.

Let Nature Help Balance Your Yard and Remove those Annoying Pests

Without resorting to harmful chemicals, there are many natural products that can help maintain a healthy landscape. Believe it or not, Ladybeetles are among the most popular forms of controlling harmful insect populations in your garden. Because of their predatory nature toward aphids and other insects, they provide an easy and environmentally friendly alternative to chemically controlled landscapes. Other useful insects include bees, soldier beetles and parasitic wasps. You may also want to consider placing bird and bat houses in your garden to attract insect feeding predators. All told there are many alternative solutions for everyday lawn and garden care problems, especially for those of us in the North Texas area.

A Healthy Yard Begins with Healthy Soil

Healthy soil is the number one factor in establishing a healthy yard. The bacteria, fungi and other microscopic life forms are important because they break down all of the organic mater, thereby releasing carbon and nitrogen back into the soil for the plants and grass to feed off of. The more organic matter your soil has, the better the opportunity for grass, plants and garden to thrive. Another important aspect is watering, with too much or too little, causing problems, ranging from disease to death of your outdoor environment.  Always remember, deep watering encourages deep root growth, so water deep, but with much less frequency than you’re accustomed to. During the hot summer months, it’s actually better to water more frequently, but reduce the duration of the watering, helping to conserve our natural supply.



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Paula Brett asked:


Landscaping can be an enjoyable activity. Make sure you consider your landscaping choices, your house’s orientation on the lot and the size of your space. You will need some creative ideas and some passion for what you are trying to accomplish.

1…It is recommended that you use the view of the sky or big trees as the background for the scene you are trying to create, to frame your house. Essentially, you are creating a living landscape, much like artists do on their canvases. The tall trees are generally placed in the back garden and the shorter ones in front of the house, providing a beautiful, changing background on your living canvas.

2…Too much of the foundations staring out at the neighborhood can create an unappealing view of the house from the front. You can fix this with a careful selection of shrubbery of varying heights and shades of green. Adding some bright flowers can go a long way to beautifying the front of your house.

3…When planting trees, wherever you do it in your garden, leave some walking space of about three to four feet from the trees.

4…Place taller shrubs between the windows and remember to colour coordinate them and to vary the leaf textures to make an attractive picture.

5…Examine your garden, and, if you see nothing but straight lines and right angles,

soften these lines with vines or small trees grown in large containers in the corners or edges of your garden.

6…One nice addition to your new landscape is a vegetable garden. This will not only greatly enhance your family’s meals, but increase your enjoyment and exercise when you plant, water and harvest the “fruits of your labour” Pick a spot out of the way of the usual traffic in your garden and where there is lots of sunlight.

7…Planting tall trees around the perimeter of your garden will focus attention on your house and soften the vertical lines. Adding smaller trees and shrubs as needed on the remaining parts of your landscape, working your way forward, presents a pleasing appearance from the street and the illusion of depth. One technique is to use plants with darker leaves in the background and plants with variegated leaves or brightly coloured flowers in the foreground.

8…When planning your living landscape, be sure to leave space for parking or for your children’s play area. Vines on trellises and small shrubs can be options to cover the areas or direct attention somewhere else. Do not forget brightly coloured flowers in beds or pots, which gives a sparkling, friendly appearance to the outside your home.

9…Cover the things that are not pleasing to the eye, like clotheslines and

dustbins. Trellises and fences can be attractively concealed when vines cover them. For added beauty, take a look at flowering vines.

10…There are plants that grow faster than others and some that require less attention. A check with your local garden centre will help you make the right choices. Beginners are advised to start with plants that do not require major attention and tending in order to grow adequately.

Landscaping can be enjoyable if it is approached as a family activity and not as a “major dirt moving and backbreaking experience” Your garden is your living canvas. Creativity and passion is all that’s needed to make it a masterpiece.



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