Once again, Busch Gardens Williamsburg offered its award-winning landscape skills to a homeowner with a needy yard.

This year's winner of the landscape giveaway, Naomi Donohoe, 37, of Salisbury, Md., wanted a fuss-free front yard that is also a habitat garden for wildlife. She also received a Bad Boy Mower from the giveaway's co-sponsor.

A disabled veteran, Donohoe has limited mobility from service-related injuries, so the team incorporated low-maintenance landscaping elements in the design. Shrubs and perennials provide year-round color and interest, and attract wildlife like bees, birds and butterflies.

Kim Martinez, regional education manager for the National Wildlife Federation (www.nwf.org) visited the finished landscape to recognize the yard as a Certified Habitat Garden.

"A habitat garden can be built in many sizes and styles, so long as the basic elements are met," said Erick Elliott, director of Busch Gardens Landscape Operations.

For 24 consecutive years Busch Gardens Williamsburg has won the "Most Beautiful Park" award from the National Amusement Park Historical Association. Last year, Busch Gardens began offering a new landscape to the winner of its Landscaping Giveaway contest.

"Here, the house is very linear, and lends itself to a formal garden style," Elliott said of Donohoe's home.

"By incorporating a short boxwood hedge, the landscape team provided the linear continuity for the garden, with formal topiary pieces to provide balance on the ends of the house. A half circle across the front of the home is filled with 10 different perennials in shades of purple to pink, providing blooms from April to October and seeds into the winter months.

The selection of plants also assisted the design.

"By selecting taller plants that are sturdy and 'good for cutting,' color blocks can remain more linear and help maintain a more formal appearance over time," he said.

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Busch Gardens landscape experts create wildlife habitat for lucky homeowner | Diggin' In

Is your garden as appealing to the birds as it could be?

Having a bird-friendly yard or garden has never been more important an average of 2.1 million acres each year is converted to residential use, and almost 80 percent of wildlife habitat in the U.S. is privately owned.

According to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service study, birding is the number one sport in America. There are 51.3 million birders in the United States, and it takes only a field guide, a spotting scope with tripod or pair of binoculars to go birding. Many birders put feeders out in their backyards to help our feathered friends, and that's good news. However, if you've been wishing you could attract more birds to your yard or garden, remember that providing adequate cover for nesting and protection is as important as providing food.

Shelter

Birds need shelter from the weather and places to hide from predators. Wooded areas, ground cover, a log pile, shrubs and roosting boxes are all examples of shelter your yard can provide.

For safer movement, birds prefer habitat with vegetation at varying heights. Place low-growing vegetation next to a thicket of shrubs and taller trees. Some birds like woodpeckers and chickadees excavate cavities in tree trunks for nesting and roosting. Where natural cavities are hard to find, nest boxes offer these birds a place to raise their young. You can also supply nesting material like yarn or string.

Recent studies show that free-roaming cats limit the survival and reproduction of wild birds in urban and suburban environments. So keep your cat indoors or put a bell on its collar.

Food: try native plants and wildflowers

When it comes to helping out the birds, a good place to start is with a reliable food source in the form of native plants or trees. Planting native plants, shrubs and trees is the easiest way to provide foliage, especially seed- and fruit-producing plants; native plants also require less watering.

Consider planting shrubs like snowberry, twinberry or serviceberry to provide fruit throughout the seasons. If your yard contains cone flower or black-eyed susans, don't deadhead them but let the seeds remain on the plant through the fall and winter to keep goldfinches and other seed-eaters around. Offer hummingbirds the standard mixture of four parts water to one part sugar.

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How to attract birds to your yard or garden

I was delighted to read Don Burnetts column in the June 5 edition of the Capital News, headlined Save natural state of hillside lots.

Frequently, new homeowners come to my xeriscape class to find out how to recreate the natural beauty that attracted them to their property.

Unfortunately, the native vegetation was destroyed in the building process, leaving disturbed soil infested with invasive weeds.

Sadly, it is very difficult to restore what has been lost.

Putting a true value on natural landscapes is long overdue.

Building with Nature, by Andy Wasowski, is an excellent book detailing how owners and builders work together to maximally preserve the natural landscape. Used copies of this are available online.

I strongly recommend it to anyone involved in land development or construction as well as those planning to have a home built.

In Kelowna, we have a wonderful example of this method of building by the late John Woodworth, a prominent architect and ardent conservationist (founding and 25 year member of the Nature Trust of B.C, chair of the Nature Conservancy of Canada, co-founder of Brandts Creek Marsh, and recipient of the Order of Canada for conservation work).

As his final project he designed a home for his wife and himself on the extremely steep hillside beside his long-time residence.

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Steele: Let Mother Nature maintain your yard

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) June 20, 2014

Water features can add an exquisite touch to an incomplete landscape design, says B&D Rockeries. Their recently published article, Exquisite Water Features, explains the various types of fountains and waterfalls that landscapers can use to spice up their yard designs.

B&D Rockeries, an experienced rockery landscaping company has been in business since 1975 and is passionate about increasing the aesthetic beauty of their clients property.

To view B&D Rockeries work, visit the following link: http://www.bdrockeries.com/our-work/.

If youre looking for that little pick-me-up or way to make your yard look especially lovely, water features are a charming way to do so, the articles says.

B&D Rockeries goes onto explain how fountains and waterfalls can fit any style of landscaping and any size of space available. Spouting, cascading, and pondless fountains are lovely additions to any landscape. Waterfalls, both large and small, can have a charming effect on the atmosphere of an outdoor scene.

The article concludes by saying, If youre interested in rockery formations that incorporate water feature designs, B&D Rockeries would be delighted to have a conversation with you.

About B&D Rockeries: B&D Rockeries has been serving in the Snohomish and King county areas for over 35 years. Owner Neil Eneix has a capability and skilled knowledge of rock retaining wall development that will help you accomplish any rock garden design that you need. Whether youre looking for rocks or blocks, Neil has been helping homeowners carefully plot out their landscaping projects for years.

B&D Rockeries 1249 NE 145th St Seattle, WA 98125 206.362.4022 http://www.bdrockeries.com/

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Exquisite Water Features for Landscaping Revealed in New Article Released By B&D Rockeries

AMES, Iowa - Maple trees are a landscape staple valued for their shade and vibrant fall colors. Homeowners may notice growths, spots or sooty areas on the maple leaves during summer. Horticulturists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach identify the leaf abnormalities and tell how to manage them. To have additional questions answered, contact the ISU Hortline at (515)294-3108 or hortline@iastate.edu.

There are erect, hair-like growths on the upper leaf surface of my maple tree. Should I be concerned?

The hair-like growths are likely galls. Galls are abnormal growths of plant tissue induced to form by mites, insects or other small organisms. The hair-like gall on the maple leaves is probably the maple spindle gall. Maple spindle galls are yellowish green and about one-fifth inch long and are as thick as the lead in a pencil. The galls are somewhat thicker in the middle than at the ends, hence the common name of spindle gall.

Maple spindle galls are caused by tiny mites. Adult mites spend the winter under bark and other protective places on trees. In early spring the adults move to the developing, unfolding leaves and begin feeding. The leaf responds to the small irritation by rapidly producing extra cells that form the abnormal growth at the feeding site. The gall encloses the mite, which continues to feed and lay numerous eggs within the gall.

Reproduction is prolific and as the new mites mature, they leave the gall and move to other newly developing leaves to repeat the process. Only new leaves are capable of producing galls. Mite activity continues until mid-summer when it starts to decline. In the fall, adult mites leave the foliage and move to overwintering sites.

Another gall commonly found on maple leaves is the maple bladder gall. Maple bladder galls are typically found on the upper leaf surface of silver and red maples. The roundish, wart-like growths are initially light green but quickly turn red and finally black. Other galls occasionally seen on maple foliage include the gouty vein gall, a green or red thickened swellings along leaf veins, and maple erineum gall, bright red velvety patches on the undersides of leaves. While galls may be unsightly, they do not cause serious harm to healthy, well-established trees. Galls cannot be "cured" once they have formed. Preventive insecticide treatments are seldom warranted.

There are black spots on my maple leaves. Is this a serious problem?

Tar spot is a common leaf spot on maples in the United States. Several fungi in the genus Rhytisma cause tar spot. Spots are black, slightly raised and up to 3/4 inch in diameter. The black spots resemble blobs of tar, hence the common name. Fortunately, tar spot does not cause serious harm to maple trees; the damage is mainly cosmetic.

The severity of tar spot can be reduced by raking and removing infected leaves from around the base of the maple tree in fall. In most cases, controlling tar spot with a fungicide is not practical.

The leaves on my maple tree are covered with a black, sooty material. What is it and is it harming the tree?

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Yard and Garden: Maple trees

Bob Hyatt sets out one of his trains in his garden railroad. (Photo courtesy Carol Kagan)

When Bob Hyatt goes out into his back yard he can choose to tinker with the trains or manage the miniature landscape that goes in and around the loops of train track.

At an early age, his father gave him an American Flyer train followed by an HO scale set. "My grandmother used to take me to the switching yard in Allentown to watch the trains," Hyatt said.

Hyatt's career experience and Master Gardener training prepared him for giving both turf grass management and landscape gardening workshops.

For this Franklin County Master Gardener, his life-long interest in trains and pleasure in landscape gardening merged into his Clark's Knob Freestyle Garden Railroad at his home near Upper Strasburg.

This year for the first time, Hyatt will have a "Beginning Railroad Gardening" workshop on Saturday, June 28 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Participants will learn the "ins" and "outs" of this unique style of gardening at Hyatt's home on Shives Lane, Orrstown.

The workshop will provide information on starting a railroad garden as well as designing a layout and adding the finishing touches. (For details and registration, see Workshops on this page.)

The popularity of having train models follows the history of railroading as people sought to bring some of the excitement into their own homes and yards. Moving from large outdoor trains to small sized and toy indoor models, around 1970 trains began to be designed specifically for use outdoors rugged with the motor parts enclosed.

"It's not a cheap hobby," said Hyatt, who has been adding to his layout since 2002. He currently has about 400 feet of track in three loops and uses "G" gauge (1/29th scale) trains and brass track.

Deciding what kind of railroad garden is a first step. Some railways may just meander through the existing normal-sized plants in a yard or garden. Other railways are stationed at a village and may even have a theme such as the Old West or a logging or coal town.

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Lawn and garden: Railroad gardening picks up steam

Credit: San Diego County Water Authority

Above: A San Diego County yard after a water-wise yard makeover.

Aired 6/19/14 on KPBS Midday Edition.

San Diego County Water Authority Offering Classes For Low-Water Yard Makeovers

GUESTS

Carlos Michelon, principal water resources specialist with the San Diego County Water Authority

Nan Sterman, garden journalist and host of the KPBS show "A Growing Passion"

With California in an unprecedented drought, San Diego residents are being asked to limit outdoor watering this summer to three days a week.

The San Diego County Water Authority wants only overnight irrigation, and officials are urging residents to change their landscaping to reduce water use. But that's easier said than done.

What plants do you choose? What kind of water system will you need? Will your property still look good without that old water-guzzling lawn?

More here:
San Diegans Offered Ways To Save Water By Remaking Their Yards

June Yard of the Month winners Rickey Anderson and Julie Hansen of 4107 Saxony Circle have a backyard that blends into the adjoining Riverside Prairie Preserve. It's hard to tell where one ends and the other begins.

"It's like a nature preserve in the backyard," Anderson said.

Anderson and Hansen, who live in Woodbury Heights, will often spot foxes, bobcats, turkeys, pheasants, raccoons, woodchucks, red tail hawks, eagles and other wildlife from their back door. They alsoreceive visits from birds, such as hummingbirds andorioles.

From the ridge, the homeowners can see Ponca State Park, Elk Point, Port Neal and other places of interest in the Siouxland area.

"It overlooks the Dakota Dunes development. It's an amazing view," said Hansen, an equipment operator for MidAmerican Energy.

The couple haveenjoyed thescenery for the past six years.It's what drew them to the property and made them decide to live there.

When Anderson and Hansenbought their home, they made several enhancements.They brought in rock, which they placed above the back wall, around their deck, and next to the house. They also built one of the berms.

Around the house they planted a variety of perennials including daylilies, barberry bushes, Royal Candles, fountain grass, an Oriental lilac tree, hostas and a red azalea bush. Under the white flowering crabtreetree in the front yardare Russian sage, daylilies, hostas, and knockout roses that the homeowners had to replant because of the cold winter. On the side of the house are dark purple irises that look like velvet, and in the backyard, around the deck, are lilac bushes and purple salvia.

In the back, on the wall, the homeowners put ina row of catmint, another perennial. It attracts a lot of bumblebees.

"Deer don't disturb it," said Anderson, who is retired from the postal service. "When you have wildlife, you have to work with them. They like to eat plants. They love geraniums, so you have to spray. Otherwise, there will be none left the next day."

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Yard of the Month connects to nature preserve

Andy and Vivian Walker look over some of the plants at their Woodland home Saturday, which was one of 10 featured during the city s third annual Water-Wise Landscape Tour. (JIM SMITH-DAILY DEMOCRAT)

The Walker's residence was one of 10 stops on the City of Woodland's third free Water-Wise Landscape Tour Saturday, offered to explore attractive, water-efficient landscapes.

"Water-wise landscapes not only reduce water consumption and reduce potential of pollution discharges into the storm water system, they can also beautify a home, lower maintenance, and provide welcome habitat for beneficial insects and birds," according to Wayne Blanchard, water conservation coordinator for the city's Public Works Department.

The Walker's agreed.

Andy and Vivian Walker look over some of the plants at their Woodland home Saturday, which was one of 10 featured during the city s third annual Water-Wise Landscape Tour. (JIM SMITH-DAILY DEMOCRAT)

Andy, a professor of viticulture at UC Davis, said the front yard of their home on the quiet cul de sac has gone through many iterations over the past decades, but its present mix is both attractive and water smart.

The couple have lived in the home for 24 years, and Andy said there was no definitive plan on how to go about building the yard itself.

"It's been a lot of work, and I'll work on it now every couple of months, putting in little bits and pieces," Walker explained as people started arriving to check out the home.

There were around 100 people who signed up for the tour this year, about the same as in previous years, city officials explained.

"During warm weather months residential customers with traditional lawn landscapes allocate, sometimes unknowingly, about 50 percent of their water use to landscape irrigation," Blanchard said earlier as a reason for the tour. "A properly designed water-wise landscape can easily cut outdoor water consumption in half during those warm months."

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3rd Annual Woodland Water-Wise Landscape Tour offers money-saving ideas

The soil that surrounds new houses in most production-built communities in the Washington area is of such poor quality that foresters and turf specialists call it dead soil.

How is that possible?

Before home construction begins, builders remove the topsoil and stockpile it to the side. When the house is completed, the topsoil is put back.

That provides some boost to a new yard, though not nearly enough, because all that stripping, stockpiling and respreading is disruptive. The topsoil is not remotely the same quality as what was there before, said Vincent Verweij, an urban forester with Arlington County Parks and Recreation.

But the biggest factor in the problem, Verweij said, is what happens to the subsoil after the topsoil has been removed.

The builder is legally required to stabilize the subsoil to ensure the stability of the foundation, basement floor slab and walls and the grading around the house, and he does this by compaction, he said. But the compaction degrades the soil quality, increases its acidity, kills microbes and significantly reduces the ability of the tree roots and other roots to take hold and have access to nutrients.

Although necessary, the compaction creates a type of soil so firm that experts call it hardpan. Mike Goatley, a turf specialist at Virginia Tech, said that trying to landscape in a yard with this type of subsoil is like trying to grow plant materials in concrete.

There is a solution, which requires a builder to take an additional step.

Typically, at the end of the job, a home builder engages a landscaping contractor to scarify, or lightly till, the surface of the compacted subsoil before spreading the stockpiled topsoil. Then the yard is sprayed with a mixture of water, green paper mulch, seed and straw. (In late fall or early spring, sod might be used instead.) The extra step would require the landscaping contractor to spread a two-inch layer of new compost and thoroughly rototill it to a depth of 4 to 5 inches before the spraying. To be effective, a high-quality compost from a reputable source, such as a local municipalitys compost-producing facility, must be used.

Breaking up the uppermost layer of subsoil greatly increases the soils ability to absorb rainwater, and adding the top-grade compost gives a huge boost to everything planted in the new yard.

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An extra step by home builders could lead to better yards