Diggin' the Yard!

Who couldn't use more space for activities in the yard.  A deck can give you more space to hang out and enjoy the outdoors around your home.  And, decks can be erected in many challenging spots where a simple patio wouldn't make sense.  In this episode, Tim & Brian discuss everything to consider when looking at building a new deck.  And, they'll help you decide if you should DIY your new deck!

Long, hard days are best ended with a peaceful, relaxing soak in a hot tub, spa, jacuzzi, or whatever they're called in your neck of the woods.  In our opinion, no backyard is complete without one of these treasures.  Here are a few things to think about before making the plunge (oops, I made a funny)!

When you think of xeriscaping and utilizing water wise plants, do you only think of planting in the ground?  Well, water wise plants work great in container gardening, too!  Here are the best practices for planting a great looking, colorful, water smart container.

Perennials are great for so many reasons, but many of them only bloom for a short period.  It's easy to curtail the one-hit-wonder syndrome, though, with a little bit of advance planning.  Here's how to make sure you'll have perennial blooms to admire throughout the year.

There is a whole world of plants that look amazing and put on a show of color under low water conditions.  Xeriscaping doesn't mean bland, desert-like color schemes.  Here are some great ideas for bedding plants that put on a show while still conserving water in the yard.

Which is better, compost or mulch?  What's the difference, even?  In this episode we talk about fighting the weed battle, saving water, and setting up the perfect foundation of soil for plants!

Some may think you can't plant in hot temperatures, however, as long as you're aware of these few tips, you're good to garden throughout the Summer!

Have you ever been walking along and caught the scent of something that transported you to another place and time.  Fragrances can elicit emotions AND bring back memories.  Here's how you can add another dimension to your gardens by bringing in flowers that emit different scents.

Frost can be unpredictable and devastating.  However, once you realize there is a whole world of flowers you can plant in the early spring that will take an unanticipated frost, you can extend the growing season and fight off the cabin fever!

Do you enjoy watching a butterfly float from flower to flower in your backyard?  Or, how about the buzz of a hummingbird as it searches for sweet nectar amongst your landscape? In this episode, Tim & Brian discuss the importance of pollinators and teach you all the things you can do with flowers to bring more pollinators to the yard.

The most beautiful flower beds are planned out in advance.  Learn how to pick out annuals and perennials, where to place them in the yard and within each bed, and how to setup the bedding plant areas for easiest maintenance.  Tim & Brian go over three different design methods to help you get the most out of your annuals and perennials in the landscape.

Failing to plan is planning to fail. -Benjamin Franklin Set yourself up for a succesful landscape by planning out the design of your yard.  You don't need to be a plant expert or an artist to come up with a practical plan and design for your landscape.  By planning ahead, we can stretch our budgets further as well by avoiding costly mistakes out of the gate.

Everything you need to know to get started gardening with bedding plants.  Whether you're interested in annuals or perennials, or a combination of both... nail these foundational principles and you'll be ready to enjoy gardening as a hobby for a lifetime. In this episode, Tim & Brian cover everything from design and picking varieties, to irrigating and maintaining plants in your landscape flower beds or containers.

Plants and gardening offer countless benefits: physical and mental health, stress-relief, connection with nature, opportunities to nurture, happiness...   Recorded during the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, Tim & Brian welcome Dr. Charlie Hall, Chief Economist for American Hort and Professor and Ellison Chair in International Floriculture at Texas A&M University.  We discuss how to counteract the negative effects of social distancing, stay-at-home orders, and the resultant mental health challenges many of us are facing during this time of crisis.  Listen in to find out why we feel the world needs flowers and plants, now more than ever.

Tim and Brian talkin' dirt, or more appropriately, soil.  Everything you need to know to setup the best foundation for your plants, trees, shrubs... We'll help you understand soil structure and what type of soils are best for most plants.  How to amend your soil with compost and provide the nutrients needed for living things to thrive in the landscape. Tim also talks about his recent trip to the Kuekenhof Tulip Gardens in Amersterdam, Holland.

The creative side of gardening in containers, and the plants. This is part two of the two part series on growing out of the ground. What makes a good design when planting combinations?  How should we go about picking colors, textures, and shapes?  Tim and Brian share all the information you'll need to finish creating great container gardens.  

The why of gardening in containers, and the how. This is part one of the two part series on growing out of the ground. What makes a good container, planter, or hanging basket?  Where should we place them in the yard?  How do we water?  Tim and Brian share all the information you'll need to set the foundation for great container gardens.  

More than just a great Expose song from the 80's... seasons change in the garden too!  Tim and Brian discuss why different plants work better in different seasons.  And what's this Creative Destruction idea?!  The song gives us a clue (with a slight twist of the lyrics): I'll sacrifice today, just to have you here tomorrow.

Tim and Brian discuss their backgrounds and how they got into gardening, landscaping, and hardscaping.  The landscapes around our homes, our yards, were meant to be lived in and enjoyed, no matter how big or small.  Design, install, maintain... whether you love to do it yourself or hire it out, we'll teach you the tips and tricks to have great outdoor spaces.  So, get the most out of your landscaping, gardening, flowers, trees, shrubs, lawns, plants, vegetables, hardscapes, and everything else that goes along with an awesome yard.  Don't forget to subscribe so you can join us each week here on the Diggin' The Yard Show!