In today’s urban environments, space is a luxury that not everyone can afford. However, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the beauty and tranquility of a well-designed landscape. Small-scale landscaping design is the perfect solution for maximizing your limited space and turning it into a stunning outdoor oasis.

When it comes to small-scale landscaping design, creativity is key. Think vertically by utilizing walls and fences to create a vertical garden. Hanging planters, trellises, and climbing vines can add a lush and vibrant touch to your outdoor space without taking up valuable floor area. Additionally, incorporating mirrors strategically can create an illusion of depth and visually expand your small area.

Another crucial element of small-scale landscaping design is selecting the right plants. Opt for compact and slow-growing varieties that won’t overgrow and overwhelm your space. Carefully consider the color scheme, choosing plants that complement each other and create visual harmony. Remember to also pay attention to the overall maintenance requirements of the plants, as low-maintenance options will save you both time and effort.

Lastly, don’t forget about incorporating functional elements into your small-scale landscape design. Multipurpose features, such as built-in seating with hidden storage, can serve both as a practical seating area and a way to keep your outdoor space organized. Additionally, maximizing the use of natural light is essential, whether it’s through clever placement of windows or the use of reflective surfaces.

With the right mindset and strategic planning, a small outdoor space can become a stunning landscape design that provides both beauty and functionality. Small-scale landscaping design offers a world of possibility, allowing you to create a retreat that maximizes the limited space available to you. So, embrace the challenge, unleash your creativity, and transform your small outdoor area into a captivating oasis that will leave your guests amazed.

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When it comes to landscaping design, trends are constantly evolving. People are putting more emphasis on outdoor living spaces, transforming their backyard into a sanctuary where they can relax and entertain. So what are the hot trends in landscaping design for outdoor living?

One popular trend is the integration of eco-friendly elements. Homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to incorporate sustainable practices into their landscaping designs. This includes using native plants, implementing rainwater harvesting systems, and creating green roofs. By being environmentally conscious, homeowners can not only reduce their ecological footprint but also create a beautiful and lush outdoor space.

Another trending theme in landscaping design is the concept of creating outdoor rooms. Just like interior spaces have different areas for different activities, such as a living room, dining room, and kitchen, outdoor spaces are now being divided into distinct zones as well. This can be achieved through the strategic use of hardscaping materials, such as pavers or decking, to create separate areas for lounging, dining, and cooking. By creating defined spaces, homeowners can make the most of their outdoor living areas.

Lastly, a popular trend that’s emerging in landscaping design is the use of technology. Smart technology is now being incorporated into outdoor living spaces, allowing homeowners to control lighting, irrigation, and even entertainment systems with just a few taps on their smartphones. This seamless integration of technology not only enhances convenience but also adds a touch of modernity to the space.

In conclusion, landscaping design trends for outdoor living are constantly evolving. Eco-friendly practices, the concept of creating outdoor rooms, and the integration of smart technology are among the hot trends in the industry. By staying updated with these trends, homeowners can create a stunning outdoor living space that not only reflects their personal style but also provides a place to escape and connect with nature.

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December isn’t the coldest month of the year for South Florida, but it is a good time to begin preparing your plants. You typically won’t have to contend with extreme cold or snow – unless there’s a freak storm – but there are precautions you need to observe with some of your landscape plants.

Mulch

A good layer of mulch is beneficial at any time of the year. It aids in preserving moisture and provides protection for hardier plants.

Sensitive Plants

For those that are highly sensitive to temperature changes, be prepared to make room for them in your house. Depending on the plant, a garage may also provide sufficient protection. This is easy to do if they’re in containers. If bringing them in to a warmer environment isn’t feasible, temporarily cover them with a tarp if you experience a cold snap. Be sure to weigh it down at the bottom in case there’s a stiff breeze and uncover the plant the next day or when the temperature warms enough.

Pruning

Pruning during the “cold” time of the year when trees and shrubs are dormant is the best practice. For flowering trees and bushes that don’t bloom in the spring, January is the best time for pruning. It’s also a good time to prune deciduous fruit trees such as Asian pears, peach and plum.

Roses

If you’ve managed to successfully cultivate roses, the early months of the year is best for trimming and pruning. After trimming, a light application of fertilizer is a good idea and be sure to mulch. The mulch will help keep fertilizer in place and retain moisture.

Flower Beds

You can plant cold tolerant annuals such as pansy, petunia, snapdragons, and dianthus during this time. If you decide to enter plants that have bulbs, be sure to add a layer of mulch. Be aware that bulbous plants will require routine watering to help them get established.

Vegetable Gardening

You can still enjoy fresh veggies during the winter. Many cold hardy vegetables can be grown such as carrots, cabbage and cauliflower, along with some potato varieties. Be prepared to cover them if there’s a cold snap.

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A lush, green lawn is a point of pride for many South Florida residents. However, everyone isn’t a fan of the constant rounds of mowing, fertilizing and watering. You can still have a stunning landscape without the grass. Depending on the type of design you choose, it can conserve water, reduce your water bill, and utilize a variety of materials.

Artificial Turf

This is an elegant solution if you want to eliminate mowing, fertilizing and watering. The turf remains green year-round and won’t die. There’s a lower cost for upkeep and it’s much more tolerant of wear and tear than traditional grass.

Low Moisture Groundcovers

With groundcovers, the plants are free to roam throughout a traditional lawn area. They don’t have to be mowed, many groundcover plants produce a bounty of colorful blooms, and they have very low water requirements. They fill spaces between trees and can provide habitat for native pollinators.

Rock and Glass

An increasing number of people are choosing to landscape their environments with natural stone, lave rocks, and colored class – or a combination of all 3. Most designs feature beds with miniature junipers or similar evergreens, surrounded by rock or glass. There are dozens of sizes and colors from which to choose. The designs are often complemented by colorful pavers to minimize grassy areas.

Gravel Gardens

Designs that feature gravel gardens are becoming more popular. Different sizes, shapes, colors, and textures of gravel take the place of grass. They’re often accompanied by hardscapes of fountains, statuary, pergolas and arbors.

Desert Oasis

This type of landscape can utilize the strategic planting of decorative grasses, and succulents that require little moisture, interspersed within the rocks.

Cottage Garden

Instead of grass, some are choosing to create yard-sized cottage gardens. They have a wild look and combine a variety of different types of plants in varying heights and textures. Mulch plays an integral role in these designs.

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The winter months provide a respite from the tasks of lawn care. However, a healthy spring lawn begins with the proper preparation in the autumn. That means having your irrigation system inspected, leaving lawns longer, and ceasing fertilizing at the proper time.

Let it Grow

You won’t need to mow nearly as often. It’s recommended that you leave your lawn slightly longer than usual during the winter months. It will help protect roots if there’s a cold snap. Cold weather isn’t normally a problem, but it has occurred in the past. A large portion of South Florida lawns are Bahia or St. Austine grass. The best height is 3.5 to 4 inches. Other grasses should be maintained at a height of 2 to 2.5 inches.

Water Sparingly

Your lawn’s growth slows during the winter months and a healthy spring lawn depends on the care you give it now. You don’t have to worry about scorching due to heat, but your lawn will still require some moisture every 1 to 2 weeks. Be careful not to overwater. A good rule of thumb is to look for grass that retains your footprints. If you see your footprints, it’s time to water if you don’t have a programmable irrigation system.

Fertilize in February

Don’t fertilize your lawn unless it’s actively growing. Stop fertilizing in Sept. to Oct. Wait until spring to resume fertilizing, 2 weeks after you observe new growth, typically in February. Bear in mind that climate change can affect growth patterns.

Overseeding

It’s very possible that your lawn will begin to brown during the winter. The best solution is to overseed your lawn with a grass variety that does well during cooler months. It will provide the lush, green appearance you desire during the winter. Cooler weather grass will die off in time for the heat and humidity of summer when your normal lawn grass begins growing again.

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South Florida rarely experiences cold temperatures, but cold snaps do occur. For instance, temperatures dropped to -2°F in 2009-2010. Since then, there’s been a move toward plants that are cold hardy. Bear in mind that even though many plants can tolerate lower temperatures, they may only be able to do so for a short period of time. That doesn’t mean they won’t sustain some damage below 30°F. Mulching will significantly help them survive. Bear in mind that “cold” is a relative term in your location.

Azalea

The deciduous variety of the bush can easily withstand temperatures as low as -35°F.

Bougainvillea

The maximum low temperature a bougainvillea can survive is 40°F.

Crepe Myrtle

Most are hardy to temperatures of 0° to 10°F

Florida Maple

A deciduous tree, it’s able to withstand temperatures of -15°F without being mulched.

Magnolia

Some magnolia varieties can survive temperatures of 20°F to -10°F.

Perennial Morning Glory

They can sometimes survive a frost, depending on where they’re planted. Otherwise, they’re typically rated for maximum cold temps of 45°F.

Plumbago

Also known as lead wort, it can sustain temps of -20°F. An added bonus is that it typically blooms during autumn months.

Red Fountain Grass

The lowest minimum temperature that the grass is able to tolerate is 20°F

Rhododendron

Masters of cold temperatures, the shrubs can easily survive temperatures of -35°F.

Ruellia

Also known as wild petunia, leaves will typically die back to the ground when temperatures drop into the 20s.

Sycamore

Depending on the species, sycamores can survive temps up to -30°F

Variegated Asiatic Jasmine

They’ve been known to survive temperatures of 0°F, but will die in temperatures lower than that.

Palms and Evergreens

There are a great number of palms that will survive colder temperatures than you might think. The same is true of evergreens. When purchasing plants, pay attention to the tags inserted in the pots. They’ll provide the information you need to know before buying a plant that’s destined to die if the weather turns frigid.

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Even if you hire a professional to keep your garden, flowerbeds or lawn in pristine condition, there are times when you may want or need to do some tasks yourself. There are some basic tools that every homeowner should have at their disposal. If you don’t have them, now is the time to begin working them into your budget for spring time. Some tools can be expensive, depending on the brand and design.

Garden Fork

They’re excellent for digging into dense soil. Forks with a slight curve to the tines also makes it easy to turn compost piles or scoop mulch.

Garden Hose

This is essential for watering plants. You’re going to need an adjustable nozzle attachment, along with a spray wand to gently water delicate plants.

Gloves

Not only will gloves minimize blisters, they’re also effective for preventing splinters and injuries from thorns and sharp leaves. They should be durable and allow freedom of movement. Gloves help prevent soil-borne infections.

Hand Trowel

This is essential for planting or transplanting. A slim blade is best for digging up weeds, while a wider blade works best for installing plants.

Hoe

A hoe with a wider blade can be more effective for working in a vegetable garden. A hoe with a thinner blade is best for working around delicate plants that don’t like to be disturbed. Hoes can create rows for planting or cutting/digging up weeds.

Loppers

The long-handled shears are used to prune woody growth of bushes, vines and trees.

Pruning Shears

These are essential for reigning in plants that are overgrowing their allotted space.

Rake

Choose a garden rake for lawn debris or a leaf rake for moving leaves.

Shovel

A round-point shovel can cut through compacted soil. A square-point shovel is handy for scooping dirt or scraping weeds from paths or walkways.

Spade

The square shovels have short handles and are very effective at moving dirt, digging holes or lifting sod.

Watering Can

This is invaluable for transporting water to plants that can’t be reached with a hose. They’re offered in metal and plastic styles.

Wheelbarrow

This is the essential tool for transporting plants, bags of fertilizer, soil and any other material around your property. They’re available in plastic and metal models.

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The Florida citrus industry has been under attack by one of the most serious bacterial infections in the world – citrus greening disease. Homeowners with citrus trees in their landscape should be aware that their trees are also at risk. The disease is spread by tiny insects called psyllids. The disease is not contagious to people or pets.

About the Disease

The systemic disease affects all parts of a tree, from fruits to roots. It impacts all citrus varieties encompassing tangerines, kumquats, lemons and limes, oranges, and grapefruits. Some ornamental plants and bushes are also at risk, representing about 2,070 species. It includes trees, woody shrubs such as boxwood and orange jasmine, and a few types of herbaceous perennials.

Citrus greening disease occurs around the world. It’s particularly prevalent in locations such as South Florida that has a warm, subtropical climate.

Signs and Symptoms

You may see psyllids, evidence of their waxy droppings, or eggs. Fruits may appear lopsided, be hard, have a bitter flavor, and contain dark seeds. Affected fruits may remain green, even after ripening and leaves display blotchy spots. Other indications include:

• Yellow shoots
• Twig dieback
• Stunted or sparse foliage
• Trees and bushes may bloom out of season

There is No Cure

If you suspect your trees or bushes are infected, the best solution is to call a specialist. A landscaping expert will be ablet o make a definitive diagnosis. There is no cure for citrus greening disease. Once a planting has been infected, it will continue to deteriorate. It’s vitally important to remove any plantings that are affected.

The Impact

The bacterial disease has hit the Florida orange industry particularly hard, leading to record high prices on fresh citrus fruit and juices. The disease is a major factor in reduced production, but other elements are also in play. They include hurricanes, trees that aren’t adaptable to adverse weather conditions, and other diseases. The same factors that are influencing commercial growers can affect homeowners that just want to grow a citrus tree or two in their back yard.

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Dogs have to be walked, but when the feces can ruin your lawn. Defecating dogs and inconsiderate humans continue to plague South Florida homeowners. It’s an ongoing problem and one that can discolor lawns, kill grass, and damage expensive landscapes. There are some safe and simple measures that you can take to aid in alleviating the problem.

How Dog Feces Affect Your Lawn

South Florida residents are proud of their lush, green lawns and work hard to maintain them. The nitrogen in dog feces causes lawn discoloration. Dogs will return to where they’ve previously relieved themselves. Feces in the same spot kills grass.

Fungi and Disease

Multiple types of fungi can grow where a dog relieves themselves. Some of those fungi are capable of spreading throughout the lawn. The fungi flourishes in environments rich in nitrogen and moisture from rain or high humidity levels. Dog waste can also carry bacteria, fungal, viral, and parasitic organisms that can be transmitted to humans.

Ways to Discourage Dogs

If you know who the culprit is, try speaking to them. Be calm and respectful. They may not realize or understand the damage being done. If that doesn’t yield results, you can try the following:

• Use a scent repellent along your border such as vinegar, citrus or citronella- lavender plants are also a good repellent
• Activate the sprinkler system
• Keep the yard clean
• Install signs and a motion sensor camera
• Create a barrier by installing a fence

Bags and Receptacles

Many neighborhoods have installed pet waste disposal stations that provide bags for people to clean up after their canine, along with a receptacle to dispose of the waste. It eliminates the “I forgot a bag” excuse.

Be Prepared for Pushback

Pet owners are intensely loyal to their animals and will often defend against their activities, even when they know cleaning up after their canine is the right thing to do. If you can’t come to an equitable arrangement with your neighbor, the solution of last resort is to seek legal intervention.

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Tis the season for holiday decorating and that extends to outside plantings. There are some dos and don’ts of decorating plants that should be observed, along with etiquette that won’t start a feud with your neighbors.

Lights On Plants

Holiday lighting that remains cool to the touch is generally safe for plantings, whether it a tree or bush, but don’t use lights designated for indoor use outside. For delicate plants, try to limit the amount of light they receive. It’s never a good idea to string heavy lights on a young tree as it can damage limbs and buds.

A popular adornment is net lighting that can be draped over a bush.

Some ornamentation can be difficult to install and you may be tempted to leave it up year-round to avoid the hassle next year. Don’t given in to temptation. The cords on light strands can result in girdling on tree trunks that expand in size each year.

Decorating Etiquette

Holiday decorating has moved from the realm of restraint to productions worthy of a large budget Hollywood spectaculars. Dozens of people are featured on social media each year for their elaborate designs, lighting synchronized to music, and range of inflatables.

Illumination and Traffic

The glow from that many lights can be extremely annoying to neighbors, especially those of school age children. It can also result in an unwelcome and unsafe increase in traffic as people come to view the presentation.

Observe the Rules

Some homeowner’s association (HOAs) have very strict rules about the types of decoration that can be installed. All homeowners are well advised to check local ordinances to see if there are any restrictions.

Even more important, if you intend to have an elaborate holiday display, it’s a good idea to talk with neighbors first. Even if there are no ordinances against the display of your dreams, your neighbors may not appreciate it or be understanding. Be sure and turn it off at a reasonable time.

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