Let's enjoy these last few weeks of spring by making our outdoor spaces more colorful and comfortable. Learn how to keep mosquitoes from ruining your evening, get recommendations for small spaces, find out how to (safely) get rid of a garden pest, and make a little moonlight magic in the garden—all with just the right plants. There's not much that will ruin an evening in the garden quicker than an invasion of mosquitoes. Discover 12 plants that add color to your garden and patio, plus help keep mosquitoes at bay. Also, learn other natural remedies to make your outdoor areas a no-fly-zone for mosquitoes! Solving a Small-Space Problem in 7 Simple Steps Are you looking for help designing a small space? Garden designer William Morrow breaks down the 7 simple steps he used to transform his "less than aristocratic" Washington, D.C. backyard, along with size-appropriate plant recommendations. Photo by Roger Foley. If the gophers in your neighborhood aren't keeping their social distance from your garden, we’ve got some safe and humane ways to keep them away, including plants they don't like—but no explosives. Picture-Perfect Patio Planting When solving the problem of a boring patio, sometimes it’s just as important to know what NOT to do, as it is to know what to do. Learn the do’s and don’ts of patio planting and how to make this important outdoor space comfortable, and pretty to look at too. Tip: Use plants with bronze, lime green, or variegated foliage for a colorful space all year long, even without flowers. Photo by Maureen Gilmer. What's a moon garden, you ask? It's a garden a garden full of white or pale-colored flowers and silvery textured foliage that comes alive in the moonlight. Design your entire garden or just one area with these 20 plants and create a little magic in your landscape. Kids Gardening Roundup The benefits of spending time outdoors are plentiful—you get fresh air and vitamin D, reduce anxiety, boost your immune system, and more. So it's easy to see why getting kids comfortable spending time outdoors early in their lives can positively impact their long-term well being. Although outdoor play doesn't have to be guided, it's nice to have activities for days when you or your kiddos need some inspiration. Here are some ideas:
If you give one (or more) of these a try, share your pictures with us by tagging @gardendesignmag on Instagram and using the hashtag #gardendesignkids. Did you find this newsletter helpful? Why not share it with your friends? They won't automatically be subscribed, they'll just get a nice surprise from you in their email. If they like it—and I think they will—then they can subscribe. Happy Gardening! In Case You Missed It: Not currently receiving this weekly newsletter? Subscribe here! No images? Click here for a web version of this email. |