When the heavy rains come to Virginia, they can really wreak havoc on the backyard! Fortunately we had a lot of grading to do anyways, so all the extra mud will be cleaned out and we can leave everything back in its perfect condition.

This was a very complete project so it took some time to make everything not only look good but flow smoothly throughout the space, and we actually finished with a walkway leading to the backyard from the front of the house so there would be an easy way to get to the good stuff. And if you're wondering, there was a LOT of good stuff to get to...

Welcome to southeastern Virginia, specifically the Tidewater region! We love our sandy soil near the coast, but a little further inland, the easy digging can come to an abrupt end when you hit clay or a clay blend. Planting in the clay soil that Hampton Roads has to offer is difficult, and establishing plants is even harder. I hear many friends say they have a black thumb and then give up. In reality, they are just dealt a poor hand.

​Are you struggling with what to plant in your pond, pondless waterfall, or fountain? The right plants can take an ordinary water feature and make it simply extraordinary. They can take a basic water feature and turn it into an oasis!

The best part? The benefits of adding plants go beyond simple aesthetics. The right plants can keep your water crystal clear by absorbing excess nutrients in the water.

How can you tell if your tree is dying in the winter, and what can you do to prevent damage to your tree during the cold months? Watch this video for tips and tricks on winter care for trees, including:
🌳 What makes crape myrtles different from other trees.
🌳 Indicators that your tree needs pruning.
🌳 How to tell if your tree is struggling in the cold weather.
🌳 How to 'retrain' your tree to grow in the winter.

Need advice for starting a garden in the spring? Here is some advice about how to water the new plants in your garden:
💦After aeration and seeding this fall, make sure to provide your lawn with short, frequent waterings to establish the new seed.
☘️Somewhere between 14 and 21 day mark, drop down to a longer once-daily watering. This will allow the water to absorb deeper into the soil.
📆 After about six weeks, your lawn should be established enough to return to a normal watering schedule.

Watch the video for more details about watering your garden!

The difference between annuals and perennials is basic: annuals need to be replanted every year, while low-maintenance perennials can be planted once and will bloom year after year. Unfortunately, a hard frost will kill annuals, but perennials can survive a frost.
🌺 Annuals require more water, but are more lush.
☘️ Perennials do not create as beautiful of a background, but are hardier.
🌷 Perennials do provide structure to your landscape.

Watch the video for more about the debate between annuals and perennials!

It's a common question: when should I stop planting trees or bushes? Can I continue planting in my yard or garden during the winter? Our answer is simple: as long as the ground isn't frozen, you can plant what you want!

A few tips and tricks for planting during the winter months:
🚫 Do not use fertilizer, which can encourage top growth.
💦 Make sure to water your plants enough (about one inch of precipitation each week).
🌱 Do not aggressively agitate the roots.
💧 Adding mulch around the new plant will keep heat and moisture in.

Watch the video for more advice on planting in the winter!

Garden roses are absolutely stunning, but they can be incredibly difficult to maintain. Luckily, there is an alternative! Ever since their debut about 19 years ago in the pursuit of creating a drought- and disease-resistant roses, Knock Out Roses have been the plant of choice in many landscapes due to their ease of maintenance.

Benefits of knock-out roses:
💦 Extremely drought resistant - Knock Out roses do not require a lot of watering, and are extremely resistant to drought and disease.
🚫 No need to deadhead - most roses require high levels of maintenance, but Knock Out roses require very low maintenance, with no need to deadhead the roses each year.
💩 Fertilizer helps, but isn’t a requirement - these are rare roses that do not require fertilizer, although applying 10-10-10 fertilizer every 8 weeks will give your plant a boost. You can also get a rose-specific fertilizer to make your blooms pop even more.
🙅‍♂️ Only prune if they get too big - you only need to prune Knock Out roses every 3rd year, unless you want a plant larger than 4-5 feet tall!
🌹 They bloom often - if you are looking for a plant that blooms throughout the spring or summer, Knock Out roses are the answer! They bloom every 5-7 weeks from May to November.

Clearly, Knock Out roses are the best plants to buy if you are looking for low-maintenance flowers in your garden or yard. For beautiful plants from spring to fall and rose bushes that grow to new heights, look no farther than these sturdy plants. And watch the video below for tips on how to take care of your Knock Out roses!