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    Recycling nature: He makes rustic furniture from garden ‘debris’ - January 17, 2014 by Mr HomeBuilder

    David Hughes, a Doylestown landscape architect with an affinity for native flora and natural landscapes, often finds himself ripping out dead, overgrown, or otherwise undesirable plants to make way for new.

    But he doesn't haul that nasty Japanese honeysuckle, Chinese white mulberry, or Norway maple to the dump, curb, or chipper. Hughes is that rare soul who prizes what other designers and gardeners despise, more so if it's scarred by deer browsing, insect damage, or disease.

    That's because, in addition to designing ecologically responsible landscapes in the Philadelphia region, Hughes, 46, is a skilled woodworker who makes rustic furniture from garden "debris," a kind of plant-world Dumpster diver.

    "To me, it's a nice marriage, landscaping and woodworking," says Hughes, whose five-year-old business, his second, is called Weatherwood Design. It comprises about 70 percent landscaping and 30 percent woodworking.

    Storm-felled trees and gnarly vines make good raw materials. So do pruned branches, old barn boards, and stuff plucked, with permission, from the side of the road.

    An arborist friend scouts out intriguing branches and discarded trunks. Hughes helps the Natural Lands Trust and local preserves thin out invasives or dead trees. And every July Fourth, again with permission, he rescues unwanted driftwood from death by bonfire at a public beach on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

    The wood might sit for years on the one-acre property Hughes shares with his widowed dad, Merritt Hughes, a retired English teacher. Logs, planks, oddball sticks and scraps are stacked along the driveway, in the yard, and in and around Hughes' densely packed, unheated 8-by-12-foot workshop.

    "It's hard to throw anything out," he says a bit sheepishly of the jars of nails, screws, and bolts, the bits of this or that, and the saws, planes, and other tools of his trade.

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    Recycling nature: He makes rustic furniture from garden 'debris'

    Landscape Design Ideas, Pictures, Remodels and Decor - January 17, 2014 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Before starting your landscape remodel, survey your space and consider how best to fill it based on your interests. If you love working outdoors, a large rose garden or vegetable garden is the perfect way to use your space. On the other hand, kids might enjoy a large yard, along with a playground, swing set or pool. Think about what your family would use the most, as well as what would help boost your resell value in the long run. In the end, be sure to consider your front and back yard as separate entities; after all, they usually serve two very different purposes. What should I add to my front yard? When revamping your front yard, think about curb appeal above all else. This space is your chance to make a great first impression, so it should be inspiring, well thought out and consistent with the style of your home. A flower garden is a great option, but if maintenance is an issue, you can simplify the process by opting for low-maintenance succulents, bushes or hedges instead. If you don't have a green thumb, stick with grass and use a gravel pathway, water feature, wood fence or stone wall for variation. What should I add to my backyard? The backyard is for entertaining and playtime, so incorporate seating, dining areas, play spaces and sunny relaxation spots. A vegetable garden or rose garden is a common yard staple, especially if you add an interesting element like a pergola, arbor, raised bed, border, walkway or fence. You can even add fun accessories like birdbaths and feeders to aid with birdwatching. For the ultimate party house, incorporate a pool and patio or deck with a fire pit, outdoor fireplace, barbecue and outdoor kitchen. If you're an active, sports-loving family, add a basketball court, volleyball court, bocce ball or croquet. And don't forget about outdoor furniture! A bench in a garden makes a great reading or meditation spot, while a weatherproof chaise lounge, sofa and chair are nice for taking in those sunny days.

    Read this article:
    Landscape Design Ideas, Pictures, Remodels and Decor

    Earth-Kind Landscape Design School slated Jan. 31-Feb. 1 in Georgetown - January 17, 2014 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Earth-Kind landscapes combine the best of organic and traditional gardening and landscaping principles. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Kathleen Phillips)

    GEORGETOWN An Earth-Kind Landscape Design School will be held Jan. 31- Feb. 1 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office for Williamson County, 3151 S.E. Inner Loop, Suite A in Georgetown.

    The school will take place from 6-9 p.m. on Jan. 31 and from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Feb. 1. It will consist of an in-depth classroom program, plus a personalized 30-minute landscape design consultation with a landscape professional, said Fred Hall, AgriLife Extension agent for Williamson County.

    Earth-Kind landscaping uses research-proven techniques to provide maximum gardening and landscape enjoyment while preserving and protecting our environment, Hall said. The objective of Earth-Kind is to combine the best of organic and traditional gardening and landscaping principles to create a horticultural system that emphasizes water conservation, energy conservation, reduction of fertilizer and pesticide use and a reduction of yard wastes.

    This program will be especially useful for homeowners in homeowner associations considering changing landscape requirements to be more water efficient, he said.

    Lunch for Feb. 1 and refreshments are included in the $125 per-household registration. Per household refers to either one or two people living at the same address.

    Dr. Steve George, professor and AgriLife Extension landscape specialist and creator of the Earth-Kind Environmental Landscape Management System, will be the programs lead instructor, Hall said. When the course is complete, attendees will have been given a wealth of landscape knowledge and will leave with a labeled working landscape plan for either their front or backyard.

    Hall said potential attendees may wish to contact their local nursery or landscape professional to see if there are any tuition scholarships for this program.

    There will also be an opportunity for an extended consultation on Feb. 2 with Dr. George, he said. Anyone interested is encouraged to ask about the fee for this consultation and the availability for this opportunity when they register.

    Hall said each household will be required to bring a scale drawing of the landscape they wish to work with on the first evening of the school. Graph paper and an information packet will be provided when attendees register.

    The rest is here:
    Earth-Kind Landscape Design School slated Jan. 31-Feb. 1 in Georgetown

    Diggin’ In: Keeping the garden native, integrated - January 13, 2014 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Photo by Carol A. Heiser

    Trumpet honeysuckle, or Lonicera sempervirens, attracts hummingbirds; it?s a native counterpart to the invasive exotic Japanese honeysuckle, and is cold hardy to Zone 4. (Carol A. Heiser/Newport News Daily Press/MCT)

    Photo by Carol A. Heiser

    Blue mistflower, or Conoclinium coelestinum, is a native species that helps pollinators, and is cold hardy to Zone 5. (Carol A. Heiser/Newport News Daily Press/MCT)

    Photo by Carol A. Heiser

    Eastern sweetshrub, also known as Carolina allspice, or Calycanthus floridus, is an attractive flowering shrub that?s native to Virginia and southeastern states to Zone 5. (Carol A. Heiser/Newport News Daily Press/MCT)

    Photo by Carol A. Heiser

    Common milkweed, or Asclepias syriaca, is an important pollinator that benefits fritillary and tiger swallowtails, and is cold hardy to Zone 4. (Carol A. Heiser/Newport News Daily Press/MCT)

    Photo by Carol A. Heiser

    Native shrubs Virginia sweetspire, or Itea virginica, and oak leaf hydrangea, or Hydrangea quercifolia, bloom early spring; both display colorful fall foliage. Both are cold hardy to Zone 5. (Carol A. Heiser/Newport News Daily Press/MCT)

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    Diggin' In: Keeping the garden native, integrated

    Downtown Plattsburgh business landscape changes - January 12, 2014 by Mr HomeBuilder

    PLATTSBURGH Some new faces are visible in downtown Plattsburgh.

    Carolyn Tetreault opened A Beautiful Mess gift shop at 74 Margaret St. on Nov. 30. There is a second entrance at 43 Durkee St. and up one flight of stairs, which provides easy access from the Durkee Street parking lot.

    Tetreault said she used to own The Station Cafe and Gifts in Chazy until it closed in September 2011.

    I really missed the whole atmosphere of the business so I knew someday I would open another gift shop, she said.

    Former Merkels store

    Tetreault, a certified public accountant for more than 20 years, continues that practice in Chazy and hopes to add new clients in the Plattsburgh area.The new space has its own office space, so she can concentrate on that when business is slow at the gift shop, as well as meet with clients before or after store hours by appointment.

    The new store was once home to Merkels department store. The interior still features brick walls and a tin ceiling, features that attracted her to the property.

    A Beautiful Mess specializes in unique gifts, including re-purposed furniture she finds at flea markets and yard sales. The sales counter is a antique buffet she found at a yard sale and converted.

    The shop offersMaison Blanche Paint Co. paints for restoration of older furniture pieces. Tetreault plans to offer workshops to show people how to restore their own pieces of vintage furniture.

    She carries the Homestead Maple products line, produced by Angela and David Swan in Chazy. Also available are skin-care products from the Farmhouse Fresh line, which features natural vegan, gluten-free,paraffin-free products.

    Read more here:
    Downtown Plattsburgh business landscape changes

    Growing Concerns: Your Christmas tree can keep giving to your yard landscape - January 11, 2014 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Wondering what to do with that Christmas tree? Before tossing it to the curb, try recycling it in the landscape.

    Leave the tree in its stand, remove all of the ornaments and put it in the backyard for the rest of the winter. Use it to add color to a bare spot.

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    Originally posted here:
    Growing Concerns: Your Christmas tree can keep giving to your yard landscape

    Q&A: Lenten rose in bouquets and the yard - January 11, 2014 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Originally published January 9, 2014 at 5:31 AM | Page modified January 9, 2014 at 3:21 PM

    Gardening Events

    Ciscoes Picks

    Plant It And They Will Come: Hosting Wildlife In A (Mostly) Native Landscape: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Jan. 17. Part of the Snohomish County Master Gardener Foundation Sustainable Gardening Winter Speaker Series. Mukilteo Presbyterian Church Social Hall, 4514 84th St. S.W., Mukilteo; series tickets sold in advance but $20 individual tickets are available at the door on a first-come basis (425-357-6010 or http://www.gardenlectures.com).

    The Many Benefits of Indoor Plants: 11 a.m.-noon Jan. 18. Jenn Dazey, naturopath and botanical expert from Bastyr University, will explain which indoor plants are most effective for cleaning the air, lowering health risks and helping us adapt to the changing seasons. Molbaks, 13625 N.E. 175th St., Woodinville; free (www.molbaks.com).

    Which Path to Take?: 11 a.m.-noon Jan. 18. Garden designer Dawn Chaplin will examine a variety of styles and materials commonly used to build attractive and functional walkways, paths and patios. Christiansons Nursery, 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon; $8, reservations required (360-466-3821, 800-585-8200 or http://www.christiansonsnursery.com).

    In the Garden

    Q: I like to make winter-flower arrangements. I have seen the flowers of Lenten rose in flower arrangements, but when I cut them, they simply wilt.

    A: Its quite difficult to prevent the flowers of Oriental hellebores (Helleborus x hybridus) from wilting when you cut them if you dont know the trick.

    Experts recommend singeing the cut end of the stem with a match, or putting the cut end in boiling water, but those methods rarely work.

    Original post:
    Q&A: Lenten rose in bouquets and the yard

    Q&A: Lenten rose hellebores in bouquets and the yard - January 9, 2014 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Originally published January 9, 2014 at 5:31 AM | Page modified January 9, 2014 at 3:21 PM

    Gardening Events

    Ciscoes Picks

    Plant It And They Will Come: Hosting Wildlife In A (Mostly) Native Landscape: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Jan. 17. Part of the Snohomish County Master Gardener Foundation Sustainable Gardening Winter Speaker Series. Mukilteo Presbyterian Church Social Hall, 4514 84th St. S.W., Mukilteo; series tickets sold in advance but $20 individual tickets are available at the door on a first-come basis (425-357-6010 or http://www.gardenlectures.com).

    The Many Benefits of Indoor Plants: 11 a.m.-noon Jan. 18. Jenn Dazey, naturopath and botanical expert from Bastyr University, will explain which indoor plants are most effective for cleaning the air, lowering health risks and helping us adapt to the changing seasons. Molbaks, 13625 N.E. 175th St., Woodinville; free (www.molbaks.com).

    Which Path to Take?: 11 a.m.-noon Jan. 18. Garden designer Dawn Chaplin will examine a variety of styles and materials commonly used to build attractive and functional walkways, paths and patios. Christiansons Nursery, 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon; $8, reservations required (360-466-3821, 800-585-8200 or http://www.christiansonsnursery.com).

    In the Garden

    Q: I like to make winter-flower arrangements. I have seen the flowers of Lenten rose in flower arrangements, but when I cut them, they simply wilt.

    A: Its quite difficult to prevent the flowers of Oriental hellebores (Helleborus x hybridus) from wilting when you cut them if you dont know the trick.

    Experts recommend singeing the cut end of the stem with a match, or putting the cut end in boiling water, but those methods rarely work.

    More:
    Q&A: Lenten rose hellebores in bouquets and the yard

    Be patient when dealing with freeze-damaged plants - January 9, 2014 by Mr HomeBuilder

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The landscape across the First Coast changed the past two days following a spell of freezing temperatures.

    Pete Miller wrapped his tender plants in plastic, hoping it would take some bite from the cold for his plants.

    "My wife and I dug every one of these holes and planted everyone of these plants. You want to keep them healthy and safe," said Miller fromhis front yard in Mandarin.

    Nick Zimmer knows something about plants and freeze damage. Zimmer handles all kinds of plant issues at Trad's Garden Center on San Jose Boulevard.

    "Just because it looks dead now doesn't mean it is actually dead," said Zimmer, making reference to a hibiscus that looked distressed from the freeze.

    Zimmer said don't think of pruning back damage until March, when the threat of hard freezes has passed.

    Then, he said, cut back dead wood until you see green in bark.

    Zimmer noted that he believesblankets or sheets offer better protection than plastic. He also said when covering a plant, make surethe covering goes all the way to the ground so the plant can capture heat from the ground.

    First Coast News

    Excerpt from:
    Be patient when dealing with freeze-damaged plants

    Kingwood Garden Club honors the January Yard of the Month - January 9, 2014 by Mr HomeBuilder

    The Kingwood Garden Club is proud to announce the January Yard-of-the-Month selection.

    The lovely landscaped yard of Richard and Debbie White is located in the Woodstream Village at 3206 Pine Alcove Court.

    The homeowners shared that this landscape has evolved over a period of eleven years. They began with a builders grade landscape to create this oasis in the subdivision.

    They began with tropical plantings, but with a snowy glancing blow of old man winter, they didnt survive.

    Since then they have worked to naturalize their landscape. They have developed multiple separate, but coordinated, planting areas that incorporate rock beds, Tuscany type jars and jugs planted in the beds, river rock streams and weaving walkways of brick, rock and slate.

    Richard and Debbie both take pride in developing the individual areas of their yard, naming one area the square, which utilizes a fountain and water rocks to replicate a dry river bed.

    The foundational plantings include a giant sago palm, a Texas Mountain Laurel, dwarf umbrella Indian Hawthorn bushes and a large knock-out rose bush.

    These plantings are supplemented with bottlebrush bushes, foxtail ferns, African Iris plants, Aganthepus and Nandina bushes.

    The Whites add seasonal decorations, plantings, and a whimsical rabbit who watches over the scape.

    The winter plantings included cabbage, kale, Johnny jump-up, pansies, cyclamen and snapdragons. The homeowners have enjoyed the new flower beds in the backyard and have added vintage style copper low voltage lighting that adds a soft glow to the landscape in the evening.

    Excerpt from:
    Kingwood Garden Club honors the January Yard of the Month

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