Taking a Bite Out of the Mosquito Population

They are the peskiest of pests, and they are at their height of peskiness during August.  But there are ways to  control the population in your yard.  It's not only their itchy bites that are problematic, but there is also need for worry over the diseases they carry.

Armed with the right knowledge, you make it a fair fight and hopefully come close to winning the battle against these annoying summer visitors.

It's a well known fact that mosquitoes need water to breed, so the first step to reducing the population is to eliminate their breeding sources.  There are many areas in  your yard that provide these areas to mosquitoes. Some are obvious and others are not so obvious.  It's not just standing water, it's also overly moist areas of soil, mulch and leaf debris.  Find the sources, eliminate them and you will see a huge decrease in the mosquitoes occupying your yard.

Find the areas in your yard that are not draining properly.  After a strong rain, do you have areas where water stands for more than a couple of days?  If you, you will need to regrade these areas to allow the rain to drain properly and absolve the puddling problem.  These areas are perfect for mosquito breeding, and should quickly be addressed.

Identify all the items in your yard that hold water.  This includes birdbaths, the drainage saucers under your potted plants, pet bowls, and any other items that have the ability to hold water.

If you have an ornamental pond in your yard, be sure to keep the water moving.  Use an aerating device to keep the water movement to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs.  If you keep fish in your pond, be certain to add some fish who will dine on mosquito larvae.  These include common goldfish, killifish and guppies.  They are known to eat larvae and are community fish and will live gracefully with your other pond dwellers.

A pond with no fish will benefit with the addition of gambusia affinis or mosquito fish. Because they are aggressive toward other fish, they have to be the sole inhabitants of your pond. About one inch long, they look like guppies and have a ferocious appetite for mosquito larvae.  One thing to be aware of is that they will also ravage the dragonfly larvae in your pond, which will happily feast on the mosquito larvae, although not at a rate even close to the mosquito fish.

Most people don't think about their gutters when thinking of breeding grounds for mosquitoes.  A collection of built up leaves in your gutters stores just enough water to make these areas an optimal spot for mosquitoes to leave their larvae.  Keep the gutters clean and be sure there are no clogs.

If you've got a swimming pool, then you'll want to ensure it's chlorinated properly.  Don't let the chlorine levels drop or mosquitoes will be sure to make it a new home.

To keep the breeding mosquitoes away from your yard, be sure and keep your grass mowed.  Mosquitoes like to hang out in the weeds during the day and if the lawn is tall and the weeds are many, the mosquito population in the evening will certainly show it.

Now that we've told you what does work, let's discuss what doesn't work.

Bug zappers. They kill other bugs, but don't count on them for mosquitoes.  Mosquitoes are not attracted to bug zappers.  Period.

The most important way to control the mosquito population is to limit standing water.  Be aware of the spots in your yard that could attract mosquitoes and do what's necessary to alleviate the problem.

Landscaping for Privacy

Separation.  Seclusion.  Concealment.  Solitude.  Quiet.

Neighbors on top of you.  An adjacent eyesore.  The buzz of a busy street.  Yes, these are the things that can keep you out of your yard, and out of what could be your own retreat and possibly the best part of your home.  There are many ways to create that private space, to camouflage ugly and to bring more welcome sounds to your yard.  The first step is to determine the main problem, the second is to come up with a plan, and then you need to implement the plan.

There are several ways to add privacy to your landscape.

Perimeter plantings.  If your home is too close to your neighbor and can't be in your backyard without seeing them, then chances are the right trees and shrubs will make a difference.  You might want to accomplish this by planting in clusters.  Plant groups in odd numbers.  It creates a more natural look.  If cluster planting doesn't appeal to you, and you want more of a living screen, then you may want to consider a mixed border.  A mixed border includes both shrubs and trees, but with a more linear planting style.  Mixing plant varieties keeps pest infestation down, too, by giving your landscape plant diversity.

If you have a very small townhouse or condominium yard, then your yard may consist of a deck or patio and just a small amount of green space.  If this is the case, planting in containers can often work best.  Arborvitae and bamboo, both excellent choices for creating a sense of privacy, do very well in containers and can also add style to your landscaping when the right containers are selected.

Fences and walls instantly add privacy, but they don't necessarily create the feeling of a backyard retreat.  To break up a plain fence, add some evergreens for the winter and some flowering plants to give it color during other seasons.

Another way to gain privacy is to create a separate "room" in your backyard.  You can do this by adding plantings or small walls around a deck or patio.  The addition of  a pergola will give your "room" a roof that can be accessorized with fabric and lighting to turn the space into what could become the favorite space of your home.

If it's noise that's bothering you, you can always buffer it with plants.  But to really camouflage noise, whether it's traffic or the sound of an AC unit, the best solution is to cover it with a more pleasing sounds.  Fountains and water features can perfectly accomplish the task, and also bring visual beauty to your space.  There isn't a more peaceful sound than moving water  Be sure and listen to a variety of options to discover what will work best for you.

When it's privacy you're looking for, the possibilities are there.  Bring a touch of privacy to your space.

Lighting It Up.

One important, but often overlooked, element of a complete landscape design is lighting.  When you make the decision to illuminate your landscape, you are using light for a variety of reasons.  Landscape lighting has functional and a visually stimulating purpose, with different goals.

Functional lighting is important in terms of landscape use and security.  When adding lighting for security, it's important to do so tastefully and with balance.  It should illuminate quietly, but provide safety and security to the homeowner and to guests navigating through your landscape in the evenings.   

When deciding where to place landscape lighting, consider targeting walkways, pathways, steps, water features, pools, decks, patios and any areas that might be considered a tripping hazard.  Keep the brightness low, but a touch of drama, done correctly, will make your landscape the envy of the block.

Pool lighting.  The right lighting is important in the pool and around the pool.

Subtle landscape lighting.

Dramatic lighting.

Simple, yet elegant light choice.

Walkway Rope Lighting

Deck Lighting

Patio Lighting

Whimsical and fun

Back porch lighting

Romantic nights

Perennials in a Pot

Do you hit the garden season at the beginning of every season to purchase annuals for all of your pots?  You can save money by investing in more expensive perennials once and enjoy the benefits of their return year after year. 

Not only is the decision to plant perennial gardens more economical, but there are more selections to choose from in terms of color, size and sun requirements. One thing to remember when planting perennials in a container is that you need to use larger containers.  This will ensure your perennials have room to grow and they will also be most likely to return each year when planted in large containers.  You also want to be certain your containers have drainage holes.

We've selected some of our favorite container garden perennials (recommended for over-wintering) and hopefully we can inspire you to plant perennials the next time you create a new container garden.    

Hosta is a perfect choice for a perennial container.  They are bright, easy and will almost certainly return each year.  Planted in a very large pot will mean they will make a bigger, bolder statement each year.

Scabiosa or Pincushion Flower is a great flowering choice for container gardens and combines well with other plants.  It comes in a variety of colors ranging from pink to blue to purple to red.  The bonus is its long bloom season.

Campanula or Bellflower.  It flowers in shades of blue, purple and pink, and white varieties are also available.  Because it can reach a height of 36 inches, it's a great way to add height to a container garden.  

Echinacea or Coneflower.  This one is a favorite perennial in the ground, but it's just as splendid in a container.  There's more available than the well known Purple Coneflower.  Mix it up assorted varieties for a real stunner.

Dianthus or Pinks are a lovely addition to a mixed perennial container or as a stand alone.  They are pretty and welcoming.

These are just a few of our favorites.  The possibilities are endless.  Next time you plant a container, skip the annuals and move toward the perennials.  

A Stone's Throw

Love the look of stone and rock in landscaping?  There are many different types of stone that can be incorporated into your landscape, and an infinite number of ways to use stone.  New ideas pop up all the time, and some of the traditional uses will never go out of vogue.  Our favorites?  You certainly don't have to ask twice.

I love this idea of creating a dry creek to channel rainwater to a certain area, while decreasing erosion.  I found the idea at Fine Gardening and the project completely performs a double duty, offering function and beauty.

Flagstone creates an informal walkway, and is perfect for cottage gardeners.  Naturalized placement, combined with a whimsical plant design conjures up feelings of fairies and fantasy.

Stone fountains add a peaceful, natural addition to your landscape. The tranquil sound of trickling or flowing water over natural rock or stone completes an exterior retreat.  There are endless design opportunities for building a water feature out of rock or stone.  The size of your yard isn't a real consideration on whether or not to add a water element, but it is a determinant on the design.

There are times when the somewhat simple addition of a large rock or two can be just enough natural appeal to complete your final look.  Large rocks and boulders are very heavy and if that's an issue, you may want to consider some of the artificial rock accents currently available on the market.  (Yes, this rock is an artificial alternative.)

If your landscaping style leans toward an Asian or Zen style landscape, then rocks, stones and boulders are an integral part of your design.  Stones are used for foot paths, walls and simple water features in this particular style of garden.

When we think of a walkway, many of us think of stone.  But we can also think of going outside the proverbial box and using the idea a little differently.  One of the most creative walkway ideas I've seen involves carving a walkway into your lawn with river rock or pebbles and creating round stepping stones using the grass.  It's unique and will definitely make the statement that  you are, as well.   I found this idea at Sunset, and I think it's nothing short of amazing.

Using stone as art, is a perfect way to let your creativity shine.  A mosaic walkway created from a variety of stones isn't just a walkway.  It's a piece of art.  Garden Molds tells you how to do it, and I thank them...from the bottom of my creative heart.

I adore natural stone in the garden.  I'm always searching for new ideas to incorporate stone into my personal landscape, as well as for the homeowners I design for.

Late Summer Color Fixes for your Fading Landscape

Like many people, you may not have planned your garden to accommodate the fading color palette that often happens in the last summer.  There are several plants you can plant to fill  your landscape with color through early fall.  If you missed planting them in the late spring then you might be able to find them in your garden center now.  If you do, then strategically place them where you need to brighten up things and bring the color back to your landscape.  

Coleus.  A plant with amazing foliage color.  New varieties arrive each season, and the bright color combos will fill your yard with sunshiny happiness until frost.  Many of the new varieties don't flower, so the care is easy and most love the full sun and heat.

Alternanthera.  Another plant with amazingly lush foliage is the Calico Plant.  This easy to grow plant produces leaves in purple, bronze, orange, red and yellow to make it a rich color addition to your beds or containers.  Planted in the spring, the color will continue to produce until frost.  Although it's a tropical, it's tough enough to handle some rough weather and will often return the next season in some subtropical areas.

Salvia.  Varieties include both annuals and perennials and many varieties bloom through frost.  Salvia plants need good drainage and grow rather quickly.  Quite a few varieties will invite hummingbirds to your garden and the colors range from purple to blue to pink and white.
 

Scabiosa.  The Pincushion Flower blooms from spring and into fall.  It will come back each year, and during particularly mild winters, you may even see a bloom from time to time.  Varieties include Butterfly Blue, Pink Mist, Samantha's Pink, Mars Midget and Vivid Violet.

Dwarf Crape Myrtle.  During the hot, hot heat of August, a crape myrtle may be the only bright color you'll see.  If space is a consideration, then consider planting some dwarf crape myrtles.  They will give you color through the month.  Varieties include Red Filli, Cherry Dazzle, Diamond Dazzle, Strawberry Dazzle and Sweetheart Dazzle.

Coreopsis.  This plant has one of the longest blooming seasons.  If you didn't plant it in the spring, then most garden centers come out with a new group for the late summer, early fall season.  Colors vary and the daisy like flowers are always a welcoming sight.

If you missed the late summer color planting in the spring or can't find them in your favorite garden center in August, then there's always next spring!

Feasting on Flowers

One of the best ways to add color in interest to your menu is with the addition of fresh flowers.  There are many blooms that look beautiful on the side of a plate, but are also perfectly safe to use in recipes.  

Pansies are a flower that can gently float in a cocktail, or add a mild, slightly minty flavor to salads and other dishes.  

Begonias have a somewhat sour taste and is another salad addition.  Pretty to garnish with, delicious to munch on.

Marigold blossoms can be sprinkled on soups, pasta, rice and salads to add a bright touch of color.  

Dandelion flowers have a sweet, almost honey-like flavor when young.  If you wait too long to pick them, the mature flowers become bitter.  The dandelion has multiple uses.  Flowers are edible, can be made into wine and the greens, when young, are delicious steamed or tossed into salad.

Edible flowers are beautiful when frozen into ice cubes and added to summer drinks.

There are many edible flowers, with a wide array of flavors. It's always fun to discover ways to bring the garden to your table.