Guest article by Ali Sanderson. Photo by Luke Schobert on Unsplash. Planning and developing a beautiful garden is a very rewarding pastime. However, there is one aspect of a successful garden that many people overlook. That is the availability of pollinators. For those who hope to grow fruits or vegetables in their garden, having nearby pollinators, such as domesticated bees, is necessary for flowers to set fruit on plants. Thankfully, beekeeping has become an increasingly popular activity for people with gardens and yards of all sizes. You do not need to have several acres of apple orchard to keep bees. You just need a little planning to ensure you have adequate food resources available for your hive. Creating the Perfect Landscape New Orleans agriculture, plants, and wildflowers depend on pollination from bees. Thus, the fall season is the perfect time to plant and make your…
When is the best time to add a shade tree to your landscape? Beverly suggests fall is one of the best times to add shade trees to your landscape. The soil is still warm, yet the opportunity for rainfall and cooler temperatures allow the tree to establish itself before springtime. When selecting a shade tree for your landscape, a few considerations should be kept in mind. Size how large will the tree become once it’s mature where will it cast its canopy in your landscape, and how will its shade affect other plants Appearance what will the tree look like throughout the year will it fit in with your landscape aesthetic Ecological how your selection will benefit the local wildlife whether or not the tree be a host to destructive insects and disease pests Maintenance what maintenance will accompany your…
Louisiana citrus season is here and for the next two months or so, you will notice an abundance of Louisiana tree-ripened satsumas, grapefruits, navel oranges and lemons at your local grocer and farmers’ markets. When it comes to Louisiana citrus, an ongoing trend is homeowners buying their very own citrus trees to plant in their yards. We consulted the experts at LSU’s AgCenter to find out what to look for and how to maintain a healthy citrus tree in Louisiana. A few tips include: Purchase your citrus tree from a certified nursery; this ensures the health and longevity of the tree. Allow your fruit to tree-ripen before picking. This allows the fruit to absorb the most nutrients from the soil resulting in a sweeter fruit. Do not let the root stock take over the tree. Doing so creates a thorny plant…
You have decided to create an outdoor space, now it is time to plan for your hardscaping needs. Hardscaping offers a plethora of appealing options whether you want a paved walkway or driveway or an elaborate outdoor living room. When planning the hardscape phase of your project, the entire landscape of the area must be a consideration. One would not build a house by building a room, then a year or two later, add another room. Your outdoor space has to be given the same consideration as you are designing your space. You may want to start with a courtyard and a walkway, then your project could eventually include a pool, water feature or retainer wall. The planning stage should include a professional consultation to help you reach your current and future goals for your space. Next you will want to…