Landscaped borders

The older I get, the more I like landscaped borders with large paved living areas as opposed to huge planted areas.  This idea works great for large yards with way too much maintenance.  It also accommodates those gardeners like me who are not fond of grass or spending way too much...

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Floors for outdoors

Love these pavers! Stephen Orr’s Tomorrow’s Garden (Rodale, $25) showcases the  latest trends in sustainable gardens from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.  Click here for his ecofriendly picks for outdoor flooring. ...

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Plants for Butterfly Gardening

My red pentas were the main attraction for butterflies in my old garden . . . and my favorite butterfly gardening plant.   They profusely flower and look gorgeous in a mass planting.  Pentas will once again play a huge part in our future garden landscape. Here is some...

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April Gardening Notes

     ~ What to do in April ~ a suggested list of notes for Florida gardeners Remove winter damaged plant portions. Look for shoots from near the ground line of severely damaged plants. Leaves are a source of free mulch or compost for the gardens. Give all poinsettias...

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More seed starting ideas

Recycle those old ice trays you aren't using anymore!  Click here for an awesome article with tips and tutorial. I love using the method of newspaper pots, another seed starting method using recycled items.  Lindy at Cottage Hill gives directions for a very easy method of making...

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Finishing Touches

You would be surprised at what a little paint will do to brighten up an area.  Just like in your indoor areas, painting an object can make the difference in bringing life to an otherwise dull area.  The photo is from Fine Gardening . . . I would have painted the terracotta containers to...

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Using color contrast in the garden

One of the things I love doing in my garden is using high color contrast in mass plantings to make a big impact.  Black eyed susans, as shown in the above photo, is the one plant that provides that contrast I love and so easy to grow for my area.  I love plants that tend to become invasive...

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Paver borders and walkways

This wide border framing a perennial garden   comes from Toledo Botanical Gardens. The use of pavers in the garden is one of my most favorite things.  It leaves a clean and natural line that serves as both border and a walkway.   I love wide paths and walkways that...

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My new home page

My home page is back!  Now you can keep up with all of my blogs, websites and places on the web in one place.  Click here to go to the blog, where you can follow via Blogger, Google Friend Connect, Networked Blogs, my new Facebook Fan Page or through RSS feed via your favorite reader...

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Our Paradise . . . past photos and some inspiration

The gardening season has arrived in Florida and The Captain and I are still cleaning up, making plans and repotting plants for the new garden.   We plan on making our own pavers out of concrete and painting them as I have done in the past . . . although the paths are still there from...

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