Thanks so much for the information. I am working on my medical and dental clinic landscape and was at a loss for what else to do with plants. the three groupings helped alot. Lower in the front and so on. Thanks again.
Mike, I really enjoy your videos and learn a lot of great things from them. You have a very beautiful collection of Japanese Maples. I look forward to more videos of your new property and new backyard nursery. Good Luck!
Congrats on a beautiful yard. Loved the landscaping. So many wonderful ideas. You make it look so easy. I noticed several of my favorite plants also.
Thanks so very much for sharing. Sincerely, Pat
Thanks for sharing Mike. I take your tips to heart. I see you love Japanese maples too. I want to put one more on the north side of my house (front yard) but it’s gonna get a cold blowing wind in the winter. I’m in the southern part of Michigan. I’m wondering, do put a burlap wall up around your Japanese maples that get a lot of wind or do you just leave them and hope for the best? Yours look great. Hope you can answer me and I do appreciate it if you do.
I really don’t think burlap will protect Japanese Maples at all. They are pretty hardy for the most part. If it gets really, really cold, and we see days at a time around zero some winters, they can be damaged. But when it’s that cold burlap will add absolutely no protection at all. That kind of cold penetrates just about everything including frozen ground as deep as 40″ or more.
And that’s what amazes me about little plants. Come spring they act like nothing happened!
Great Video Mike! I really enjoyed watching it. I get so inspired with anything related to home and garden. I love how you did your yard. I have a lot ideas but it is always good to get others. So I’m going to work in my yard today because I’m feeling pumped up! Thanks again for all that you do mike. Also, I wanted to tell you that your grandchildren are adorable. For Now, Your fried Dana Bly, Newnan, Ga.
Oh, tell Pam i said hello. Behind every good woman is a good man!
Thanks Mike for sharing that with us. I cant wait until you make a video of your new property and see its progress. Looks like your having fun and are enjoying it. I love your newsletter with its tips. Good luck and have a blast. Rich G
I was chatting with my niece today and she’s having trouble wrapping her mind around where and how to begin her landscape design work. I believe your video will help her tremendously, and it insired me too. Thanks for sharing. ;~)
I have 3 Japanese maples to and the same thing happen when it got cold I was so mad it was looking so nice one week and the next it look dead omg.What can I do so it dose not happen again year after year?
Thank you so much for all the great tips! I love Japanese Maples and last week I bought my first one from a local garden nursery. They told me to plant it in the shade because the sun will burn the leaves. I live in Covina, Califoria which is in the 8 Zone. My house faces to the East so I don’t have much in the way of shade. Where would you recommend I plant it?
I look forward to your up-coming segments of the new backyard plan. I love what your doing. Keep up the dream and the good work. P.S. Get the hosta out of the sun. Thanks.
Thanks Mike your video was the best part of my day . 1:15am and I just woke up to the sound of my smoke alarm going off and my place full of smoke down to 3 feet off the floor ! Thank goodness for smoke detectors. I was so tired That I fell asleep with some beans on the stove,…………… bummer but I got a chance to watch your video while the smoke cleared and no real harm done. I do love those Japanese laceleaf maples.
Interesting! Japanese Maples are an elegant looking tree. I have aquired only one since moving to our Tx.home. I also have several Red Azalea bushes, which I like the contrast of the bright flowers against the dark green leaves. I look forward to seeing and trying some of your landscape ideas. Thanks for sharing!
Loved the video, the grounds are beautiful. I love the Japenese maples and was wondering if Maine weather is okay for them. we have regular maples but never seen a Japenese one.
Your websites, newsletters and video’s are the best. I have gained alot of information and I really dig plants. Can’t wait for the backyard nursery videos and good luck with everything.
Hello Mike,
I am not a Gardener I am into Music!
But I do appreciate your Videos and the Great advice that you give.
I hope you do not mind but I give the information to my Neighbours.(They don’t have a computer)
Mike, I love to read your news letters, but the videos… I am very hard of hearing and I miss most of what is going on, is there a transcript of your videos some where in your site? I would love to read what you say???
Thank you for sharing the video of your landscape. We are in the process of preparing our property for landscaping (it has never been done in the 40 years the house has been here). I am looking for ideas and your yard is similar to what I want with the exception that at least one blooming flower bed will be a must. My way to relax is getting in the flower beds and getting dirt under my nails.
Hi Mike,
How nice to start my day with your great video. I really like your yard design; and Japanese Maples and Coral Bells are two of my favorites.
I am looking forward to seeing your new venture with your backyard gardening. You are gifted in the way you share.
I have always been happy I found your site and it is a treasure.I have learned and enjoyed so much. Thank you and Bless you and your family.
This was a great video! Our issue in Georgia is termites – they live in all mulches, so I’m told, and we can’t put mulch within 18-24 inches of the house. Any suggestions?
Cindy, we have termites around here in some areas. But I’m curious about the mulch. Most mulch piles are so hot that nothing can live in them, but I’d like to hear from an expert in your area. I’d call the local county extenstion agent and see what they say about mulches.
Cindy, it is my understanding that pine straw mulch is the best deterent for termites. Landscapes we have used this in have had no problems with them. The mulch is a little moe expensive but it will save you money in the long run.
Micheal this is true about the pine needles. Cindy just needs to grab a pickup, some plastic lining and a big lightweight livestock shovel. Then take a road trip to North Carolina. We have Carolina pines everywhere and all the pine needles that she can fit in her truck bed!
Pine needles are used a lot here.
Super landscaping, I am growing a japanese maple in a large pot outdoors and am really enjoying its color and shape, its a wonderful addition to my design, thanks for your generosity in sharing your knowledge
happy growing
Absolutely beautiful, I can just picture in my mind what it would look like in July and the fall. Great job. This all inspires me to keep going with the front landscaping of my home. Lots of weeding to do every spring but I love it. My backyard is now almost where I want it to be including both my ponds. So thanks again for all the ideas.
Claire
Victoria Harbour, Ontario
Good luck with your new property & project ! Lots of work, but exciting ! I hope I can be successful w/ Japanese maples. I had my first one planted in what I thought was the most protected area of our property, but it looks like I lost it this winter. We packed lots of leaves in around it last fall, to try to protect it some, but it didn’t work. We’re in NE Wisconsin- a slightly colder area than you– can you give me any pointers for winter care, so if I spend a big chunk o’ change on another one, it will survive ? thanks ! Tami
With Japanese Maples and most other plants. Make sure they are not planted too deep, not planted in wet soggy soil, and not over watered. Also don’t fertilize them. For the most part they are pretty winter hardy. I’d suggest starting with a smaller plant. They like really well drained soil. If you have heavy clay soil raise the bed at least 10″ before you plant.
The website crashed and the hosting company was terrible about getting things restored so I just closed my account. One of these days we’ll build some of those photos into a page at http://www.freeplants.com/frame%20set.htm
I have been following you for years, Mike. You are my hero! Living in a Madison, Wisconsin suburb, I think our weather is alot like yours. Great ideas. Thanks so much for keeping it real – all the way down to your overalls. I love it! Friends think I am obsessed since they see me in the yard tending to things so much. This year I brought in 18 yards of dirt and 6 yards of compost to build up a berm area near our perimeter. My wife insists on using professioal grade weed block before putting down mulch; I disagree, per your advice. It just gets in the way, and it’s not like you can avoid weeds – the paper isn’t magical.
One question: how do you edge? Do you cut a trench? I don’t see any sort of plastic or brick edging. If you are trenching, how many times a year to keep it looking so good?
Thank you for being such a raving fan! The older I get the smarter I get about how to do things since doing them is not as easy as it used to be. I never edge beds with bricks, plastic edging or anything else. Years of landscaping I’ve pulled out miles of all of the above. As the plants grow you want to be able to adjust the beds if you need to. I edge by hand with spade, digging a trench about 2″ deep. I only do it once a year, then maintain it with Roundup if I need to keep the grass out of the beds. Thanks for asking.
Got a question for you. A couple of years ago we had a large ash tree taken out. We had the stump ground and planted grass at the site. this year we planted a red buckeye near the same spot. It was a healthy plant when we bought it and now it is dying.
Someone has suggested that because it is so close to the spot of the tree that we took out, that there is something in the soil that will kill any new trees.
Is there anything to this? If so, how long whould we wait before planting? Thanks for any info.
Cheri, I don’t think tree is failing because of the location, but maybe because it’s planted too deeply, or maybe you didn’t get all of the grindings from the stump out of the hole. Those grindings from a stump are all wood and actually pull nitrogen from the soil as they attempt to decompose. They also hold too much moisture. Your new tree needs to be planted in good rich topsoil and not planted any deeper than it was in the nursery.
Mike,
I have some young prairie sky poplar that were hit by hail and have the bark peeled off. The hail snapped the tips and peeled the bark down. Is there anything I can do, or should do. My largest one is about 10 foot tall now. Never seen anything like this. Will they continue to grow? Or has this storm wiped me out? I put them in as twigs for a wind break.
Thank you for your help!
Sherry
Sherry, the trees will more than likely survive. About all you can do is clean up the damaged areas, remove broken branches and where the bark is loose from the tree cut it so there are no loose flaps and places for moisture and insects to hide. Plants are a lot more resilient than you think.
Sherry, your trees should be fine. Just remove any broken branches and trim up any bark that is pulled away from the tree. Cut the bark back to the point where it is firmly attached so insects and moisture can’t get under the bark.
I’ve enjoyed your emails for over 2 or more years and trust your judgement. My husband and I are at a loss for what type lawn-garden edger to use next. Today was frustrating as I had to keep re-inserting the string in our Craftsman edger. We’ve tried the gas powered ones which we didn’t care for and this current one. Yikes! There must be something on the market that doesn’t fall apart, become tangled, have fumes or cost a lot of money (Under $150) . Really, its just a tool. Do you have any recommendations?
I’ve got gas powered edger with the metal blade that I use along my driveway and sidewalks. Brand name McClain. Works great! I with you on string trimmers. I don’t get along with them well at all. But I probably need one for the nursery. But I’m holding out for now.
How should the white clover plants be taken care of. The clovers are fine and green, but the white flowers that grow with them look bad when they sprout up to a foot tall. What would I use to get rid of them or to control the flowers?
Mike, do you have time to accept pictures of peoples yards and direct them in the right direction for landscaping? (May be another income source for you)! I WOULD NOT MIND PAYING for such a service from YOU.
DEAR MR. MIKE,
I CERTAINLY ENJOYED WATCHING YOUR VIDEO, I HAVE NEVER SEEN A “CORA BELL”.
IS IT A SHRUB? I AM GOING TO BUY TWO OF THEM, SO PRETTY, THANK YOU….
I HAVE FOUR BURNING BUSHES, BUT THEY DON’T SEEM TO BE GROWING WELL..
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ME, CONCERNED, THEY ARE GROWING SLOWLY?????
LOVE YOUR DESIGNS….
I HAVE CLAY SOIL…..HELP!!!
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP WITH GARDENING…..
TINA
I am in a tropic region, Philippines. We just had heat wave and now storms start to enter. I love gardening and envy your refreshing and beautiful garden. What should I do to keep my plants alive from very hot sun and now are often under water. Underneath the garden soil is lahar (from Pinatubo) that I believe is why my plants grow so slow. What tips/help can you give me? Thank you and more power.
Been a fan of your work since I first saw your videos. I’m only 19 but I have developed a decent backyard nursery thanks to your inspirations. I must admit though I am very jealous of how weed free your beds are. I have a serious crab grass problem and I’m not sure how to fix it. Any ideas? Keep up the great work bud and I hope to see more videos. Thanks,
Hi Mike.Thanks for showing your Lavendar Twist…took a lot of phoning but I finally found some here in my neck of the woods…sort of. I am in Bowmanville, Ont. Had to go to Trenton. You mentioned you had one in your front yard and I was so taken by your story about it that I wanted one..hope it survives my front yard. Our Takamura Jap. maple didn’t. It is a south exposure and this year it is very hot and muggy. I like how you keep your’s trimmed up. I will have to trim mine next year since I am just planting it this week.
Thanks again, Phyllis T
I enjoyed your video and your landscaping. I have several very large pine trees I am going to take out of my front yard and the roots have spread all over the yard. I will have the stumps ground out but the roots that have spread about the yard will have to die off on there own. How do I go about planting around them and will they be harmful to the other plants as they are rotting under ground. I am a novice so looking forward to your advice.
Thanks for any advice you can give me.
What I would do is create raised planting beds over those roots, then you won’t have to deal with trying to dig through the roots. If you create your
raised beds this fall, they’ll be all ready for planting in the spring. I’ve got a similar problem with very rocky soil, so I’ve been making all raised beds for
my planting areas. Instructions are found here: http://freeplants.com/preparing-raised-planting-beds.htm
Ellen, The roots that are left behind after grinding will do no harm. As they rot you might see a mushroom or two where they are just under the surface. harmless. As soon as you get the stumps ground get those grindings out of the hole. They are no good to plant in and if you leave them in the hole they’ll get we and be miserable to get out later. You can pile them up out back, but it takes them a long time to rot down.
Maybe you should edit the post name title Landscape Design Tips | Mike's Backyard Nursery to more catching for your blog post you write. I loved the post however.
Mike I like what you do with the corabells but a bit confused. You have them in full sun with no shade. All of books on corabells say put in shade for good results. Thanks Joe
Thanks Mike,
I am planting a flower garden for the first time and I do not have a clue of what to do. This video is very helpful and I am playing it over and over to get it right. Continue to send helpful hints for I so need it. I told the lady in the store that I need a gardening for dummys book.
Thanks again,
Sharon C. Memphis
Mike we lost a hugs shade tree do to high winds last spring, my Jap maple is amost fried do to the sun that hits it now can I prune it way back? Parts of it is Ok but did lose some of it. Thank You
HI MIKE 1 JIM HERE I HAVE NOTICED OVER MANY YEARS THAT SO MANY PEOPLE WILL LANDSCAPE IN FRONT OF WINDOWS FROM THE OUTSIDE INSTEAD OF PLACING THE SHRUBS AND OTHER PLANTS…. THEN GOING INSIDE THERE HOME TO SEE HOW IT LOOKS, OR PLANTING A MAPLE TREE 10ft. FROM THE HOME …. A MAPLE HAS A 30-35 ft.SPREAD…
I wish you would consider creating a video on how to ‘raise” the bedding. I don’t get how you do the edges? Are you putting in edging or creating your own?
The beds are raised by first putting top soil down to form the beds. Then, a good layer of mulch is spread over the top soil. The edges are created using a spade. We will try to get a video done on how to edge your beds so you have a better idea on how it works.
love the landscape , mine is a mixture of a disaster. plants of all kind. I live in a small town about 20 minutes from Sudbury, Ontario Canada. Winters can be quite harsh but summers are great. I have a miniature lilac tree, a burning bush, miniature rose bush, lilies, tiger lilies etc…
Like your planting, however, what no one seems to have picked up on is the twist in your drive. Before planting the basic has to be right and the twist in the drive makes it more interesting than had the drive been strait, which it easily could have been.
That is the difference between good landscaping design rather than just thinking about planting right.
Hey Mike
I was looking through your tips on landscapes and I have really enjoyed them.I been looking at japanese maples at different nurserys and some have rust spots on their leaves.What causes this?What would i need to do with it if i bought one.
I am looking for some small japanese maples that i can buy and use for stock or liner plants.Nursery here where I am from don’t carry them.I need to get a start.So I don’t need many.
I have a question on soil. I have kind of clay soil. What do I use when making a bed and for planting roses or J Maples? I know lots of people that mix different soils, like,potting mix, manure, peat moss etc. What do I use??? help!
Laura,
the easiest answer is good rich topsoil. You can till in well rotted manure, that would be great. But with clay you have to be careful to not make the bed too porous. That lets the water seep in, but no way for it to get out. With clay I prefer to build a raised bed on top of the exisiting soil using good topsoil. That way you know you have good drainage which is essential for most plants.
Mike, What kind of grass do you have in your yard? It is beautiful, we just bought our first house, and the grass is horrible, it is mostly weeds. I would love to know what you are doing with yours?
Hi Mike,
I was looking through your videos on landscapes, they are very useful. I have some questions on re-landscape.
I have trees/ shurbs that have grown crazy and covered my dwarf maple under them. I want re-locate my trees or dig out the dwarf maple and relocate it. How can I do it? and when is the best time to do it? I also want to get new lawn, so what is the order to do all these? New lawn first or re-landscape first? Thank you very much.
Well, you really can’t do any transplanting until after Thanksgiving. You have to wait for the plants to go completely dormant. Normally I’d say do the re-landscaping first, then the lawn. But late November is really no time to be planting grass unless you are in a warmer climate. So re-landscape this fall, new lawn next spring. Or new lawn in the early fall, then re-landscape. It’s really nice to have all of the landscaping done first, but I don’t know how big of a hurry you are in. The best times to plant grass are early fall or early to mid spring. Don’t try and establish a lawn when it’s hot and dry. And November is too late because it’s cold and the seed needs warm temps to germinate quickly. If it doesn’t germinate quickly, the weeds will for sure.
Hey Mike, Great video with a lot of great ideas in it. I love all the Japanese Maples you’ve incorporated into your landscaping. I have a lot of ideas for my own landscaping after watching this video…….and by the way….nice haircut
Raquel, our members buy and offer fruit trees at deeply discounted prices. We have a number of wholesale sources that our members buy from which is at least 50% of what the garden centers charge. Go to http://airpropagator.com for the clamshell propagator.
Thank you for taking the time, Mike. It really is appreciated. We have 2-1/2 acres that we just don’t know where to start. I find alot of ideas for small lots and yards, but not alot on what to do with large front yards, etc. This was actually quite helpful.
Good, I’m glad you found this useful. Years ago I used to be really particular about landscape designs had to be just right. Then when I started planting plants in the mounded beds in my backyard because I either really like the plant, or need to plant to take cuttings from, I had to toss my landscape design strategies out the window and broke a lot of rules. I loved the finished product and learned something!
Great video, Mike! This gives me lots of ideas for my own landscaping. It needs some help.
Marie
Thanks so much for the information. I am working on my medical and dental clinic landscape and was at a loss for what else to do with plants. the three groupings helped alot. Lower in the front and so on. Thanks again.
Mike, I really enjoy your videos and learn a lot of great things from them. You have a very beautiful collection of Japanese Maples. I look forward to more videos of your new property and new backyard nursery. Good Luck!
Congrats on a beautiful yard. Loved the landscaping. So many wonderful ideas. You make it look so easy. I noticed several of my favorite plants also.
Thanks so very much for sharing. Sincerely, Pat
Thanks for sharing Mike. I take your tips to heart. I see you love Japanese maples too. I want to put one more on the north side of my house (front yard) but it’s gonna get a cold blowing wind in the winter. I’m in the southern part of Michigan. I’m wondering, do put a burlap wall up around your Japanese maples that get a lot of wind or do you just leave them and hope for the best? Yours look great. Hope you can answer me and I do appreciate it if you do.
Ingrid,
I really don’t think burlap will protect Japanese Maples at all. They are pretty hardy for the most part. If it gets really, really cold, and we see days at a time around zero some winters, they can be damaged. But when it’s that cold burlap will add absolutely no protection at all. That kind of cold penetrates just about everything including frozen ground as deep as 40″ or more.
And that’s what amazes me about little plants. Come spring they act like nothing happened!
good stuff
Great Video Mike! I really enjoyed watching it. I get so inspired with anything related to home and garden. I love how you did your yard. I have a lot ideas but it is always good to get others. So I’m going to work in my yard today because I’m feeling pumped up! Thanks again for all that you do mike. Also, I wanted to tell you that your grandchildren are adorable. For Now, Your fried Dana Bly, Newnan, Ga.
Oh, tell Pam i said hello. Behind every good woman is a good man!
Thanks Dana,
Yeah, were kind of attached to those grandkids, and I can’t wait to get them over in the new nursery. Lots to do but I’m excited.
Mike, Thanks for the information.
Mike, thanks so very much for your dedication and patiense to get us so many good ideas and help.
I have enjoyed and learned from the information you have given us through the years. Thanks
Ruby, you’re welcome. It’s really nice to hear that.
I love your landscaping. Thanks for showing us around!
Thanks Mike for sharing that with us. I cant wait until you make a video of your new property and see its progress. Looks like your having fun and are enjoying it. I love your newsletter with its tips. Good luck and have a blast. Rich G
Rich,
Videos of the new property will be up soon. I just need to invent a few more hours in the day!
looking forward to videos of your newly bought property.
dennis r
zone 5 ny
Enjoyed very much , thanks for the info and the visit to your beautiful plants and trees.
Mike,
I was chatting with my niece today and she’s having trouble wrapping her mind around where and how to begin her landscape design work. I believe your video will help her tremendously, and it insired me too. Thanks for sharing. ;~)
I have 3 Japanese maples to and the same thing happen when it got cold I was so mad it was looking so nice one week and the next it look dead omg.What can I do so it dose not happen again year after year?
Thanks Mike Gives me something to look forward to . The colors are great..
Thank you so much for all the great tips! I love Japanese Maples and last week I bought my first one from a local garden nursery. They told me to plant it in the shade because the sun will burn the leaves. I live in Covina, Califoria which is in the 8 Zone. My house faces to the East so I don’t have much in the way of shade. Where would you recommend I plant it?
I look forward to your up-coming segments of the new backyard plan. I love what your doing. Keep up the dream and the good work. P.S. Get the hosta out of the sun. Thanks.
It wasn’t the sun, they love the sun they get in that bed. The frost got them.
Thanks Mike your video was the best part of my day . 1:15am and I just woke up to the sound of my smoke alarm going off and my place full of smoke down to 3 feet off the floor ! Thank goodness for smoke detectors. I was so tired That I fell asleep with some beans on the stove,…………… bummer but I got a chance to watch your video while the smoke cleared and no real harm done. I do love those Japanese laceleaf maples.
Interesting! Japanese Maples are an elegant looking tree. I have aquired only one since moving to our Tx.home. I also have several Red Azalea bushes, which I like the contrast of the bright flowers against the dark green leaves. I look forward to seeing and trying some of your landscape ideas. Thanks for sharing!
Loved the video, the grounds are beautiful. I love the Japenese maples and was wondering if Maine weather is okay for them. we have regular maples but never seen a Japenese one.
Thanks alot. I am growing me a sweet potato flower, thanks for giving me the information about how to do it.
Your yard looks grest!! Thanks for the video. Looking forward to the next one.
Your websites, newsletters and video’s are the best. I have gained alot of information and I really dig plants. Can’t wait for the backyard nursery videos and good luck with everything.
Thanks, my tractor should be here in a few days. Trying to get some other things done before I dive into the nursery.
Thanks Chris, it’s really nice to know that people appreciate what I do here. It makes me want to do more.
Hello Mike,
I am not a Gardener I am into Music!
But I do appreciate your Videos and the Great advice that you give.
I hope you do not mind but I give the information to my Neighbours.(They don’t have a computer)
Kindest regards Don aka d4k9
Don,
I love the fact that you share my information with your neighbors. Especially someone who doesn’t have a computer.
Mike, I love to read your news letters, but the videos… I am very hard of hearing and I miss most of what is going on, is there a transcript of your videos some where in your site? I would love to read what you say???
Thank you for sharing the video of your landscape. We are in the process of preparing our property for landscaping (it has never been done in the 40 years the house has been here). I am looking for ideas and your yard is similar to what I want with the exception that at least one blooming flower bed will be a must. My way to relax is getting in the flower beds and getting dirt under my nails.
Hi Mike,
How nice to start my day with your great video. I really like your yard design; and Japanese Maples and Coral Bells are two of my favorites.
I am looking forward to seeing your new venture with your backyard gardening. You are gifted in the way you share.
I have always been happy I found your site and it is a treasure.I have learned and enjoyed so much. Thank you and Bless you and your family.
hi, mike how are you thanking you so much for your tips ,i am enjoying the your ideas ,and hope you will continue. thanks
thanks for sharing the video. I have learned a lot of things from you. You are a great teahcer.
This was a great video! Our issue in Georgia is termites – they live in all mulches, so I’m told, and we can’t put mulch within 18-24 inches of the house. Any suggestions?
Cindy, we have termites around here in some areas. But I’m curious about the mulch. Most mulch piles are so hot that nothing can live in them, but I’d like to hear from an expert in your area. I’d call the local county extenstion agent and see what they say about mulches.
Cindy, it is my understanding that pine straw mulch is the best deterent for termites. Landscapes we have used this in have had no problems with them. The mulch is a little moe expensive but it will save you money in the long run.
Micheal this is true about the pine needles. Cindy just needs to grab a pickup, some plastic lining and a big lightweight livestock shovel. Then take a road trip to North Carolina. We have Carolina pines everywhere and all the pine needles that she can fit in her truck bed!
Pine needles are used a lot here.
Super landscaping, I am growing a japanese maple in a large pot outdoors and am really enjoying its color and shape, its a wonderful addition to my design, thanks for your generosity in sharing your knowledge
happy growing
Absolutely beautiful, I can just picture in my mind what it would look like in July and the fall. Great job. This all inspires me to keep going with the front landscaping of my home. Lots of weeding to do every spring but I love it. My backyard is now almost where I want it to be including both my ponds. So thanks again for all the ideas.
Claire
Victoria Harbour, Ontario
Good luck with your new property & project ! Lots of work, but exciting ! I hope I can be successful w/ Japanese maples. I had my first one planted in what I thought was the most protected area of our property, but it looks like I lost it this winter. We packed lots of leaves in around it last fall, to try to protect it some, but it didn’t work. We’re in NE Wisconsin- a slightly colder area than you– can you give me any pointers for winter care, so if I spend a big chunk o’ change on another one, it will survive ? thanks ! Tami
Tami,
With Japanese Maples and most other plants. Make sure they are not planted too deep, not planted in wet soggy soil, and not over watered. Also don’t fertilize them. For the most part they are pretty winter hardy. I’d suggest starting with a smaller plant. They like really well drained soil. If you have heavy clay soil raise the bed at least 10″ before you plant.
Whatever happened to your outdoor John toolshed plans and pictures?
Dave,
The website crashed and the hosting company was terrible about getting things restored so I just closed my account. One of these days we’ll build some of those photos into a page at http://www.freeplants.com/frame%20set.htm
I have been following you for years, Mike. You are my hero! Living in a Madison, Wisconsin suburb, I think our weather is alot like yours. Great ideas. Thanks so much for keeping it real – all the way down to your overalls. I love it! Friends think I am obsessed since they see me in the yard tending to things so much. This year I brought in 18 yards of dirt and 6 yards of compost to build up a berm area near our perimeter. My wife insists on using professioal grade weed block before putting down mulch; I disagree, per your advice. It just gets in the way, and it’s not like you can avoid weeds – the paper isn’t magical.
One question: how do you edge? Do you cut a trench? I don’t see any sort of plastic or brick edging. If you are trenching, how many times a year to keep it looking so good?
Thanks,
WTP3
Will,
Thank you for being such a raving fan! The older I get the smarter I get about how to do things since doing them is not as easy as it used to be. I never edge beds with bricks, plastic edging or anything else. Years of landscaping I’ve pulled out miles of all of the above. As the plants grow you want to be able to adjust the beds if you need to. I edge by hand with spade, digging a trench about 2″ deep. I only do it once a year, then maintain it with Roundup if I need to keep the grass out of the beds. Thanks for asking.
Got a question for you. A couple of years ago we had a large ash tree taken out. We had the stump ground and planted grass at the site. this year we planted a red buckeye near the same spot. It was a healthy plant when we bought it and now it is dying.
Someone has suggested that because it is so close to the spot of the tree that we took out, that there is something in the soil that will kill any new trees.
Is there anything to this? If so, how long whould we wait before planting? Thanks for any info.
Cheers,
Cheri Powell
Cheri, I don’t think tree is failing because of the location, but maybe because it’s planted too deeply, or maybe you didn’t get all of the grindings from the stump out of the hole. Those grindings from a stump are all wood and actually pull nitrogen from the soil as they attempt to decompose. They also hold too much moisture. Your new tree needs to be planted in good rich topsoil and not planted any deeper than it was in the nursery.
Mike,
I have some young prairie sky poplar that were hit by hail and have the bark peeled off. The hail snapped the tips and peeled the bark down. Is there anything I can do, or should do. My largest one is about 10 foot tall now. Never seen anything like this. Will they continue to grow? Or has this storm wiped me out? I put them in as twigs for a wind break.
Thank you for your help!
Sherry
Sherry, the trees will more than likely survive. About all you can do is clean up the damaged areas, remove broken branches and where the bark is loose from the tree cut it so there are no loose flaps and places for moisture and insects to hide. Plants are a lot more resilient than you think.
Sherry, your trees should be fine. Just remove any broken branches and trim up any bark that is pulled away from the tree. Cut the bark back to the point where it is firmly attached so insects and moisture can’t get under the bark.
Dear Mike,
I’ve enjoyed your emails for over 2 or more years and trust your judgement. My husband and I are at a loss for what type lawn-garden edger to use next. Today was frustrating as I had to keep re-inserting the string in our Craftsman edger. We’ve tried the gas powered ones which we didn’t care for and this current one. Yikes! There must be something on the market that doesn’t fall apart, become tangled, have fumes or cost a lot of money (Under $150) . Really, its just a tool. Do you have any recommendations?
Thanks,
Barb
Bowie Maryland
Barb,
I’ve got gas powered edger with the metal blade that I use along my driveway and sidewalks. Brand name McClain. Works great! I with you on string trimmers. I don’t get along with them well at all. But I probably need one for the nursery. But I’m holding out for now.
How should the white clover plants be taken care of. The clovers are fine and green, but the white flowers that grow with them look bad when they sprout up to a foot tall. What would I use to get rid of them or to control the flowers?
I really enjoyed this video. Now if I can just get my husband to watch it!!!
Thanks Mike!!!!
I loved this video. I going to ask my husband to watch it for some pointers.
Mike, do you have time to accept pictures of peoples yards and direct them in the right direction for landscaping? (May be another income source for you)! I WOULD NOT MIND PAYING for such a service from YOU.
DEAR MR. MIKE,
I CERTAINLY ENJOYED WATCHING YOUR VIDEO, I HAVE NEVER SEEN A “CORA BELL”.
IS IT A SHRUB? I AM GOING TO BUY TWO OF THEM, SO PRETTY, THANK YOU….
I HAVE FOUR BURNING BUSHES, BUT THEY DON’T SEEM TO BE GROWING WELL..
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ME, CONCERNED, THEY ARE GROWING SLOWLY?????
LOVE YOUR DESIGNS….
I HAVE CLAY SOIL…..HELP!!!
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP WITH GARDENING…..
TINA
I am in a tropic region, Philippines. We just had heat wave and now storms start to enter. I love gardening and envy your refreshing and beautiful garden. What should I do to keep my plants alive from very hot sun and now are often under water. Underneath the garden soil is lahar (from Pinatubo) that I believe is why my plants grow so slow. What tips/help can you give me? Thank you and more power.
Mike.
Been a fan of your work since I first saw your videos. I’m only 19 but I have developed a decent backyard nursery thanks to your inspirations. I must admit though I am very jealous of how weed free your beds are. I have a serious crab grass problem and I’m not sure how to fix it. Any ideas? Keep up the great work bud and I hope to see more videos. Thanks,
ORTHO MAKES A CRABGRASS CONTROL 5000sq.ft. BAGS or USE A SELECTIVE WEED KILLER.. I STRESS READ THE LABEL
Hi Mike.Thanks for showing your Lavendar Twist…took a lot of phoning but I finally found some here in my neck of the woods…sort of. I am in Bowmanville, Ont. Had to go to Trenton. You mentioned you had one in your front yard and I was so taken by your story about it that I wanted one..hope it survives my front yard. Our Takamura Jap. maple didn’t. It is a south exposure and this year it is very hot and muggy. I like how you keep your’s trimmed up. I will have to trim mine next year since I am just planting it this week.
Thanks again, Phyllis T
Mike
I enjoyed your video and your landscaping. I have several very large pine trees I am going to take out of my front yard and the roots have spread all over the yard. I will have the stumps ground out but the roots that have spread about the yard will have to die off on there own. How do I go about planting around them and will they be harmful to the other plants as they are rotting under ground. I am a novice so looking forward to your advice.
Thanks for any advice you can give me.
What I would do is create raised planting beds over those roots, then you won’t have to deal with trying to dig through the roots. If you create your
raised beds this fall, they’ll be all ready for planting in the spring. I’ve got a similar problem with very rocky soil, so I’ve been making all raised beds for
my planting areas. Instructions are found here: http://freeplants.com/preparing-raised-planting-beds.htm
Kathy Anderson
Mike’s Assistant
Ellen, The roots that are left behind after grinding will do no harm. As they rot you might see a mushroom or two where they are just under the surface. harmless. As soon as you get the stumps ground get those grindings out of the hole. They are no good to plant in and if you leave them in the hole they’ll get we and be miserable to get out later. You can pile them up out back, but it takes them a long time to rot down.
Maybe you should edit the post name title Landscape Design Tips | Mike's Backyard Nursery to more catching for your blog post you write. I loved the post however.
Wow, Mike, you have a beautiful place. I love your landscaping and those beautiful curves in the sidewalk too.
Gorgeous place, lots of room.
Mike I like what you do with the corabells but a bit confused. You have them in full sun with no shade. All of books on corabells say put in shade for good results. Thanks Joe
Hi Mike,
thanks for this lovely video with great ideas.
Maria
This video is what I’ve been looking for. Showing and explaining. A million ideas just came to mind. Thanks alot Mike
thanks Mike. even not complete yet study your book abaout secret gardener……….i use this for my inspiration to produce the money from backyard…….
Thanks Mike,
I am planting a flower garden for the first time and I do not have a clue of what to do. This video is very helpful and I am playing it over and over to get it right. Continue to send helpful hints for I so need it. I told the lady in the store that I need a gardening for dummys book.
Thanks again,
Sharon C. Memphis
Mike we lost a hugs shade tree do to high winds last spring, my Jap maple is amost fried do to the sun that hits it now can I prune it way back? Parts of it is Ok but did lose some of it. Thank You
HI MIKE 1 JIM HERE I HAVE NOTICED OVER MANY YEARS THAT SO MANY PEOPLE WILL LANDSCAPE IN FRONT OF WINDOWS FROM THE OUTSIDE INSTEAD OF PLACING THE SHRUBS AND OTHER PLANTS…. THEN GOING INSIDE THERE HOME TO SEE HOW IT LOOKS, OR PLANTING A MAPLE TREE 10ft. FROM THE HOME …. A MAPLE HAS A 30-35 ft.SPREAD…
Great video Mike – thanks! And I like your tip on edging – we’re going to try that.
Mike,
I wish you would consider creating a video on how to ‘raise” the bedding. I don’t get how you do the edges? Are you putting in edging or creating your own?
Thanks
Marlene,
The beds are raised by first putting top soil down to form the beds. Then, a good layer of mulch is spread over the top soil. The edges are created using a spade. We will try to get a video done on how to edge your beds so you have a better idea on how it works.
Thanks,
Duston
landscaping…
Landscape Design Tips | Mike's Backyard Nursery…
great stuff mike
love the landscape , mine is a mixture of a disaster. plants of all kind. I live in a small town about 20 minutes from Sudbury, Ontario Canada. Winters can be quite harsh but summers are great. I have a miniature lilac tree, a burning bush, miniature rose bush, lilies, tiger lilies etc…
Like your planting, however, what no one seems to have picked up on is the twist in your drive. Before planting the basic has to be right and the twist in the drive makes it more interesting than had the drive been strait, which it easily could have been.
That is the difference between good landscaping design rather than just thinking about planting right.
Hey Mike
I was looking through your tips on landscapes and I have really enjoyed them.I been looking at japanese maples at different nurserys and some have rust spots on their leaves.What causes this?What would i need to do with it if i bought one.
I am looking for some small japanese maples that i can buy and use for stock or liner plants.Nursery here where I am from don’t carry them.I need to get a start.So I don’t need many.
Ronnie,
Rust spots on Japanese maple leaves this time of year could be just frost damage. I wouldn’t be at all concerned about that. Nothing you need to do.
I have a question on soil. I have kind of clay soil. What do I use when making a bed and for planting roses or J Maples? I know lots of people that mix different soils, like,potting mix, manure, peat moss etc. What do I use??? help!
Laura,
the easiest answer is good rich topsoil. You can till in well rotted manure, that would be great. But with clay you have to be careful to not make the bed too porous. That lets the water seep in, but no way for it to get out. With clay I prefer to build a raised bed on top of the exisiting soil using good topsoil. That way you know you have good drainage which is essential for most plants.
Mike, What kind of grass do you have in your yard? It is beautiful, we just bought our first house, and the grass is horrible, it is mostly weeds. I would love to know what you are doing with yours?
Hi Mike,
I was looking through your videos on landscapes, they are very useful. I have some questions on re-landscape.
I have trees/ shurbs that have grown crazy and covered my dwarf maple under them. I want re-locate my trees or dig out the dwarf maple and relocate it. How can I do it? and when is the best time to do it? I also want to get new lawn, so what is the order to do all these? New lawn first or re-landscape first? Thank you very much.
Vivi,
Well, you really can’t do any transplanting until after Thanksgiving. You have to wait for the plants to go completely dormant. Normally I’d say do the re-landscaping first, then the lawn. But late November is really no time to be planting grass unless you are in a warmer climate. So re-landscape this fall, new lawn next spring. Or new lawn in the early fall, then re-landscape. It’s really nice to have all of the landscaping done first, but I don’t know how big of a hurry you are in. The best times to plant grass are early fall or early to mid spring. Don’t try and establish a lawn when it’s hot and dry. And November is too late because it’s cold and the seed needs warm temps to germinate quickly. If it doesn’t germinate quickly, the weeds will for sure.
Hi Mike
Good job for the world.You tips will help me and my neighbours to improve on our farms,I like them.
Apollo Uganda
Hey Mike, Great video with a lot of great ideas in it. I love all the Japanese Maples you’ve incorporated into your landscaping. I have a lot of ideas for my own landscaping after watching this video…….and by the way….nice haircut
Hi Mike thanks for the tips. nice
Thank you for the video.
Do you have any info on how can i get big fruit trees and at very low price? thanks
ps. Do you have information on where to buy the black ball that make roots on a middle of the plant.
Raquel, our members buy and offer fruit trees at deeply discounted prices. We have a number of wholesale sources that our members buy from which is at least 50% of what the garden centers charge. Go to http://airpropagator.com for the clamshell propagator.
THANK for the info we just started year on yard we got 5 JM some far like what you did with your keep us posted
Thank you for taking the time, Mike. It really is appreciated. We have 2-1/2 acres that we just don’t know where to start. I find alot of ideas for small lots and yards, but not alot on what to do with large front yards, etc. This was actually quite helpful.
Doug,
Good, I’m glad you found this useful. Years ago I used to be really particular about landscape designs had to be just right. Then when I started planting plants in the mounded beds in my backyard because I either really like the plant, or need to plant to take cuttings from, I had to toss my landscape design strategies out the window and broke a lot of rules. I loved the finished product and learned something!
Hi Mike, Which of your plants can winter ok in zone 4?
they look very nice.
Mike, will this stuff survive and grow in the #9 Zone? Such as Tucson Az.? Thanks
Hugh
Hugh,
My landscapes are zone 6. Most of the plants would be different for you, but the design would be the same.