1) Lawnmowers

These come three different ways — electrical, gasoline powered, or the kind that you push and have no power source. This device will do the major part of the work in that it will mow the grass which is the major component and the largest part of the task.

2) Cultivators

If you have hard, compacted soil, your only hope for cutting through it to prepare that flower garden or vegetable plot is to get a cultivator.

3) Lawn and Leaf Blowers

These are great for clearing leaves and mowed grass off of driveways, lawns, and walkways. They normally have a long tube hooked up to a fan that is powered by either electricity or gasoline.

4) Edgers or Trimmers

These come in three different types like lawnmowers — manual, electrical, or gasoline powered. In the electric and gas models, there are now string trimmers as well as those that use blades to trim and manicure the edging of your lawn.

5) Spading Fork

This tool has a shovel handle, but instead of the spade or shovel head, it looks like a large fork with elongated tines. These are used primarily for lifting plants (when transplanting from one part of the yard to another), separating perennials, and turning soil. Spading forks are a little easier to use than a standard shovel when it comes to digging in rocky soil.

Examples of the different types of shrubs

Shrubs add color to your yard as well as a texture that trees, plants, and grass can’t add. Some of the more common shrubs to consider are:

• Azalea
• Dogwood
• Hardy Shrub Rose
• Hydrangea
• Lilac

Using a border that is comprised of colorful shrubs creates a beautiful focal point and enhances the look of the driveway and walkways around your home. They also add height to your lawn and garden.

Shrubs make a great border

In order to develop a decorative border, you need to consider the factors of textures, height, and varied layers of color. Shrubs provide all three of these aspects. It really doesn’t matter what color that you choose, your lawn and surrounding landscaping will be enhanced by the color and the texture of whatever shrubs you select.

In order for shrubs to be allowed to show their natural colors and style, and to stimulate growth, it is imperative that you shape and trim them on a regular basis. Shrubs can also be planted to separate your property from your neighbors, and if done properly, you will eventually have a decorative fence dividing the properties.

Normally, low-voltage landscape lighting is fairly easy to install and it is UL safety approved for children and pets. Another plus is that it consumes very little electricity, so it doesn’t adversely impact your monthly energy bill. Better yet, it consumes less power than standard line voltage lighting. When landscape lighting is applied to pathways, ponds, shrubs, statues, and trees it creates a peaceful and serene atmosphere that is pleasing to the eyes. Landscape lighting is a great addition to driveways and sidewalks as well.

As far as enhancing the look of your garden or yard, nothing does it better than landscape lighting. In addition to the ambiance factor that it provides, landscape lighting is also very practical. It is a great way to accent your garden areas as well as mark driveways, pathways, and walkways. Adding landscape lighting to your outdoor areas gives you the full use of your garden, patio and yard areas. It will also make you feel safer when you return home in the evenings rather than coming home to an unlit area. In addition to making your backyard and patio areas more relaxing, landscape lighting can also provide a great backdrop for entertaining outdoors in the evening.

The use of beautifully colored baskets and plants are an attractive way to decorate porches and verandas. The position that the baskets are in (side of the house that they are hung) will usually determine the types of plants that you put in them. There are three types of sun that plants can be exposed to: light or none, partial (part of the day), or full sun. There are plants available for all types of exposure to the sun.

You don’t have to hang baskets strictly on a patio or porch. You can hang baskets of flowers or plants adjacent to patio or porch steps, frame your entrances with baskets, or build an arbor and hang baskets on it. Once you decide to plant, you’ll want to figure out the type of planter that you want. Most come in sizes from 6” to 12”, but you will want to choose a size that is conducive to the area that it is going to hang in.

The first thing you’ll need to do is to line the basket with moss. Most people use Sphagnum moss due to its moisture retentive qualities and the fact that it actually helps plants grow better. Once the moss has been moistened and fitted to the contour of the hanging basket, then you will want to add the potting soil and any nutrients that you want the plant roots exposed to right away. You may want to add some polymers because potting soil normally will not hold any nutrients. So polymers should be added to the potting soil periodically.

Gazebos are characteristically built in a garden setting as well as on backyards, lawns, and public parks. They are available in a variety of sizes and are either round or octagonal in shape. Either they can be shipped in a panel format to be assembled by the do-it-yourself individual, or they can be constructed by professional laborers. They are available in metal as well as the traditional materials.

When purchasing a gazebo, it is recommended that their endurance and utility factors be checked out primarily because if they are prone to rotting, they will eventually be rendered as useless. Rotting will result when they are constructed of wood and exposed to extreme weather conditions such as excessive moisture. Harsh sunlight and high temperatures, as well as snow will also have an adverse effect on their life expectancy.

In recent years, modern techniques have been integrated so as to answer consumer concerns and complaints about their durability. Some gazebos are constructed with treated lumber (coated with protective oils and varnishes) so as to enhance their durability and protect them against rapid weathering. Wooden gazebos also suffer with insect problems (e.g. borers and termites). Care and maintenance should be performed so as to protect the material that the gazebo is constructed of. Information is usually provided regarding the care and maintenance issues, and it is advisable that a regular schedule of cleaning and preventative maintenance be done in order to enhance the gazebo’s appearance and longevity.

The second type of patio is free-standing in the garden area and is not attached to the house. Typically there is a sidewalk or stepping stones that lead from the house to the patio in the garden. These types of patios are generally of a semi-open nature as well. In some instances there are doghouses within the patio area which protects the pet. This type of patio can also be decorated in a distinctive manner since it is totally separate from the rest of the house.

Garden patio construction is usually fairly simple and oftentimes is nothing more than a medium height brick wall with an attached sloping roof supported by vertical posts. Though simple in design, this type of patio creates a habitable space for those who intend to use it on a regular basis. The main purpose of a patio is to create a small space wherein people can enjoy the outdoor surroundings.

Where patio landscaping is concerned, a little creativity can create wonders. An extra interest can be created simply by integrating the surroundings into the realm of the patio itself. As an example a pond or even a portion of the lawn can be incorporated into the patio’s interior. Just remember that the main purpose of the patio, whether it’s attached or not, is to use it and enjoy the surroundings. As a finishing touch, one can utilize decorative container gardening and floral hanging baskets to create a soothing atmosphere to relax in.

The larger fountains are obviously best suited for larger gardens and can be either pond fountains or wall fountains. Wall fountains are exactly what their name implies. They attach to walls and do not take up a lot of space. Normally, these work best in smaller, tighter garden settings. There are indoor fountains as well as outdoor ones. An enclosed patio’s features are always enhanced by the addition of an indoor fountain. Pond fountains are usually quite large and require programming to achieve certain water spray patterns and effects.

Various materials go into the composition and manufacture of garden fountains. Choosing the material that works best for you is a matter or personal taste. They are normally constructed out of one of the following five materials:

1. concrete
2. copper
3. fiberglass
4. porcelain
5. wood

Selecting the right type of fountain for your garden area can be a challenge sometimes. There are numerous aspects to be considered such as how the fountain is mechanized, the proper wiring, water feed, tubing, and so on. Garden fountains need to be built in an area that is very stable and preferably on as level ground as possible. Professional help is oftentimes recommended so that you have a fountain built that best compliments the garden area that it is going into.

1) Remember that the first rule of thumb with any outdoor furniture is “safety first.” Even if you don’t live in a windy area, you should still by furniture that can be anchored to the ground or cemented in place.

2) If your furniture is wooden, make it a habit to regularly check for cracks and splinters.

Nobody needs to remind you of how painful splinters and wood lacerations can be, so check and repair the wood as necessitated.

3) If your furniture is metal, regularly check for rust spots. Treating smaller, corrosion spots is much easier than when they get considerably larger. Don’t wait for them to get bigger and unsightly.

4) Be environmentally friendly. You want to make sure that your garden furniture has been manufactured from renewable resources. If it is wooden furniture, make sure that it is made from sustainable timber.

5) Make sure that you develop a maintenance program for your furniture. Making a small investment in maintenance goes a long way. Nice garden furniture doesn’t come cheap so you might want to think about spending a few bucks on protective covers for your furniture and keep it looking new. Woven polyethylene makes the most durable covers. You want to make sure that they are the washable type and aren’t prone to tearing easily. Also, make sure that the stitching is made from a firm and long-lasting nylon or weather tested material like the covers.

Even though rocks and some boulders are a part of your backyard, they don’t have to be the only part. You can add some colored rock and some desert plants to add some life to what otherwise looks dull and lifeless. When choosing plants for the landscaping, your best bet is to deal with a local nursery that grows plants indigenous to your area, rather than a department store garden department. Most of those plants are shipped in from climates that the desert will destroy due to the arid conditions. Cacti and succulents are always your best bet as they are tolerant to hot and dry conditions.

Another idea is to add some kind of a water feature such as a pond or a small pool. Even a water garden can be added. Any of these features can make that backyard into a mini-oasis and bring hours of pleasure when you are spending time on your patio. It’s a great backdrop for entertainment or just a nice place to escape the heat.

As a final touch, add some lighting for when you’re spending some time outside into the evening. That lighting will highlight the desert landscaping you worked so hard at and will bring hours of pleasure when you are spending time outdoors in the desert evening. Remember, lighting can give an area a style and beauty that is uniquely all its own.

There are 5 basic materials that plant containers are manufactured in:

• Clay
• Metal
• Stone
• Synthetic
• Wood

Clay containers are also called “Terra Cotta”. They are usually porous and dry out quickly, as well as not being frost resistant. Though they look nice, they are not always the wise choice.

Metal containers are nice and heavy so they are very good for keeping tall plants standing upright, but they also attract a lot of heat so the roots of the plant can bake. These are a great choice for the winter, but not for the other three seasons.

Stone containers (or concrete) are excellent for maintaining moisture and temperature of the soil. They do heat up, but they also have insulating qualities. These can be left out in any season. The only downside to concrete or stone containers is their weight.

Synthetic containers are usually made from fiberglass, plastic, or resin. Fiberglass and resin planters are lightweight and usually frost resistant. Plastic containers are also lightweight and very moisture conserving.

Wood containers have good water retention but they are prone to rot. Choose wood containers that are manufactured out of hardwood to resist the rot factor. Wood will expand and shrink with moisture, look for good joint construction. It is also recommended that you don’t let them sit directly on the ground.