Organically Mosquito Proof Your Yard

Warm summer evenings are times when many people enjoy sitting out in the summer breeze and enjoying the quiet beauty of the season. The feeling of peace and quiet can go on for only a short time before the mosquitoes show up and ruin everything. Summer fun, during the day or night, is usually synonymous with attacking clouds of hungry mosquitoes. There are plenty of chemicals you could use to keep the bugs away, but it would be better to look into organic solutions that are just as effective.

Mosquito Repellant Plants

The idea of using chemicals to keep mosquitoes out of the backyard concerns many people, especially parents of small children. Instead of spraying chemicals, you can grow a wide variety of fresh herbs that will add a pleasant scent to your summer gatherings, and drive mosquitoes away at the same time.

Lavender

Lavender bushes make excellent organic mosquito repellents because of their refreshing aroma. Surround your yard with plenty of bright purple lavender bushes, and rub some of the purple flowers on your skin to help repel even more mosquitoes. Before offering fresh lavender to your guests as mosquito repellent, you should first make sure that no one is allergic to lavender.

Citronella

Most people recognize citronella as the ingredient in many of the natural mosquito repellents on the market. But did you know that you can grow citronella around your yard as a natural repellent all summer long? The best way to use citronella is to crush it up in great quantities and throw it in your summer evening fire. But it can act as a fairly effective repellent just growing around in your yard.

Peppermint

If you like the idea of your backyard smelling like peppermint then you are in luck, because peppermint is a natural repellent for mosquitoes and many other types of bugs. One of the consistent attributes about organic mosquito repellents is that they all have agreeable aromas, and peppermint definitely enhances that idea.

Basil

For many people, summer picnics include fresh basil on the table to enhance the taste of many foods. But fresh basil also has a scent that bugs, especially mosquitoes, cannot stand. Growing a lot of basil in your backyard has two positive outcomes. You have plenty of basil for those summer parties, and the mosquitoes will definitely not feel invited to your event.

Adding Herbs To Your Outdoor Fire

A nice fire is one way to keep mosquitoes away, but only for a short distance. If you really want to make use of that fire, then you need to add in a bundle of natural herbs that will drive the mosquitoes right out of your yard.

To make your bundle, you will need equal amounts of fresh sage, mint, and lavender. You should try to make the plants all the same length to make it easier to bundle them. Each bundle can have two or three branches of each herb. Tie the bundles together with twine so the entire bundle will burn to ashes. Make a few dozen bundles and put them in a box next to your next summer fire. As the fire burns, you and your guests can throw the bundles into the fire and enjoy a night without mosquitoes.

Growing Herbs in Warm Climates

Southern California has the perfect weather for growing herbs. Because it falls in zone 9 and 10 on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the climate is idea for plant growth because most herbs thrive when they have plenty of sunlight. Most herbs need six to eight hours of direct sunlight, both in the morning and early evening. However, when the temperatures reach ninety degrees and above, the amount of sunlight can be reduced to about four hours in the morning. Also, you might want to provide some artificial shade as temperatures rise.

SOIL

The soil is also important when it comes to growing herbs. Herbs produce essential oils and the production of these oils can be drastically affected by the soil. Herbs like slightly moist but most importantly well-drained soil. Too much water and herbs tend to rot.

Much of the natural soil in zone 9 and zone 10 is sandy. Because of the sandy nature of the soil, natural fertilizers like manure should be used as a supplement.

FERTILIZING

To prepare your soil. place about a 2-3 inch layer of manure or compost over the top of the sandy bare soil. Using a shovel or trowel, dig it in about 5-6 inches, mixing well. In addition, a layer of peat moss will help keep the ph of the soil down and also aid in water and nutrient retention.

SPACING

How well air is circulated around your herb plants is also very important. How closely the herbs are planted to each other, will make a difference in how well your herbs grow. Beware of how closely you plant certain herbs. Some herbs do not mind being planted closely next to each other. Other herbs will need more space, in order to spread out.

COMPANION PLANTING

Herbs, such as sage, mint, marjoram, oregano or rosemary, need a little extra room to spread. With these herbs, you should allow for at least 3 feet between each plant. Other herbs like parsley, chives, and cilantro, don’t mind being planted closely together and can get by in a relatively small space. When planting your herb garden, keep in mind that some herbs, like mint or lemon balm, should be planted in containers to protect against their invasive nature.

CONCLUSION

Growing your own herbs can be a fun and relaxing experience. There is nothing better than using your very own home-grown herbs in the preparation of your food. If you live in a climate such as southern California, you have a unique opportunity to do just that. Take advantage of this and have some fun growing your own herbs.

Caring for your Avocado Tree Part 2: Diseases and Pests

Between homemade smoothies, skin care, and good old-fashioned guacamole, who doesn’t love a fresh, ripe avocado?

As much as we all wish that avocado trees could be a plant it, forget it, and harvest affair, caring for your tree requires consistency and vigilance. The health of your tree can and often does have a huge impact on your harvest during fruit-bearing season.

Here’s an overview of some of the most common diseases and pests that avocado tree owners have to be on the lookout for.

Diseases & Conditions

Sunblotch

Avocado trees that have been hit by sunblotch are often stunted in growth, discolored in the twigs and the bark, and, perhaps most importantly, yield discolored fruit. Even in situations where the tree doesn’t show a lot of symptoms, it’s not unusual for the annual yield to go down dramatically.

Treatment Options: Because sunblotch can’t be cured, tree owners have to focus on preventing it from spreading. Pruning tools need to be sanitized in bleach if they’ve been used on a sunblotch-infected area and if you can, using separate and uncontaminated tools for healthy trees is ideal. In situations where a single tree is at issue, it’s sometimes recommended that you destroy the infected tree to prevent spread to the others.

Cankers

You don’t have to be a tree whisperer to see when a tree is suffering from cankers. Not unlike a boil or a sore on human skin, trees with this condition often take a sunken appearance with sap and gum often dripping from the exposed areas. This may be merely unsightly if it’s just branches and trees affected, but if cankers develop in the trunk, this is a condition that could potentially kill your tree.

Treatment Options: Cankers require a multi-faceted approach to treatment. Pruning and removing dead and dying branches below the area that’s been infected is a good start along with being careful to seal the pruning cuts. To address the bacteria causing the cankers, fungicides are often highly recommended.

Fruit Rot

This is considered a fungal infection of the tree that usually happens as a result of unsanitary conditions and sometimes even from fruit that hasn’t been harvested quickly enough. You can tell when a tree is suffering from fruit rot when the fruit is wrinkling, showing brown spots, and falling before ripening.

Treatment Options: To salvage an avocado tree that’s infected with fruit rot, it’s recommended that tree owners remove the infected areas of the tree as soon as possible.

Common Pests

Mites

These pests aren’t always easy to spot visually, but the damage they do to leaves is undeniable. For those who are wondering why the falling leaves are considered such a big deal, it’s because the leaves are important to protecting the fruit from the damaging sun rays. If allowed to go unchecked, mite populations are capable of growing rapidly.

Treatment Options: The introduction of predator mites is one solution that’s available to tree owners, but the most effective treatment for mites is specialized horticultural oil.

Caterpillars

As it turns out, the popular image of caterpillars chewing through apples has a strong basis in reality. These creatures go after flowers, leaves, and fruit, and if they’re given free reign, they’re capable of destroying an entire avocado crop in practically no time at all. The speed at which they operate is a big part of what makes a caterpillar infestation particularly dangerous to your tree.

Treatment Options: Caterpillars can be treated with a bacterial spray called Bacillus thuringiensis. By taking care to spray the leaves and the insides of any buds, you can stop a caterpillar infestation dead in its tracks.

Thrips

This is a condition that results in scarred avocados and stunted growth depending on how serious the condition becomes. You will normally see these pests come during the earlier part of the season because they like to feed on growths and shoots while they’re still young and tender.

Treatment Options: Thrips try to seek moisture so stopping an infestation ultimately comes down to a combination of repelling the population on the avocado tree and removing alternative hosts. To combat thrips, it’s ideal for tree owners to pull out any grass or other plants near the avocado tree and to also apply a pesticide or oil and fat-based soaps designed to kill harmful insects.

Signs That Your Avocado Tree Could Have a Disease or Pest Problem

So we’ve talked about common diseases and pests that are capable of doing serious damage to an avocado tree. What a lot of these conditions have in common is the simple fact that if you catch the problem early, you have a much better chance at salvaging your tree.

Are there any signs to look out for? Is there some way to know if you should be suspecting a pest infestation?

Here’s a non-exhaustive list of symptoms to watch for:

• Premature leaves dropping
• Wilting leaves
• Lowering fruit production and cankers
• Poor growth
• Yellow or red streaks on the twigs
• Bark that’s peeling or cracking easily
• White powder on bark
• Mushrooms at the tree base
• Brown spots or scarring on avocados

If you notice any or all of these occurring, it could mean that there’s a problem with the tree that requires further investigation.

Can You Save or Protect Your Avocado Tree From Pests or Disease?

The good news is that many of the conditions mentioned here can be managed and actively protected against with a strong regimen of pruning, careful containment of problem areas, and fertilizer.

Whittier Fertilizer has two products that will not only help your tree grow but will also promote higher yields in its Grow More Citrus & Avocado Organic Fertilizer and its GreenAll Citrus and Avocado Food. Both of these products are organic, consistent, and go a long way toward promoting and preserving the health of your avocado tree.

If you have an avocado tree, you’re in a better position than most to enjoy avocado-based sandwich spreads and chip dips all year-round. Protecting your tree’s health is essential to keeping those harvests healthy and plentiful.

Consider contacting us today if you have any questions.

Caring For Your Poinsettias This Holiday Season

Poinsettia plants are synonymous with the holiday season, and in many homes and businesses this festive plant is must-have for the holidays.

As a native to hot, tropical climates, poinsettias can be a bit tricky to care for during the cooler winter months here in Southern California. However, with a little care and know-how, you can keep your holiday poinsettias vibrant and healthy throughout the holidays and beyond.

Types of Poinsettias

There are over 100 known varieties of poinsettias, with bracts (colored leaves) ranging in color from the traditional bright red to pink, white, marbled (varigated), and even speckled. If you’ve noticed blue-hued poinsettias, those are actually white-bracted varieties that have been artificially dyed.

Each variety varies in size, bract shape and color, and even the texture. There are also unique variations in the stems of the plants themselves, providing you with a wide range of options when it comes to choosing your poinsettia.

Picking a Healthy Poinsettia

Look for plants that have broad, blemish-free bracts surrounded by lots of full green foliage that extends right down to the soil line. Regardless of the height of the plant, the foliage should be at least double the diameter of the plant’s pot.

Pass on any poinsettias that are wilting, have a moldy odor, or are sold in non-breathable plastic sleeves as these plants may already be diseased.

Preserving Your Christmas Poinsettia

When you first bring your poinsettia into your home or office, place it near a sunny south or east-facing window to maximize exposure to natural light. Water until the soil is moist, and avoid leaving the base of the plant sit in water to prevent mold from forming.

If your indoor space is dry, you may need to water your festive plant daily, and be sure to protect it against drafts that can lead to premature leaf drop.

After the holidays, you can extend the life of your poinsettia by following these tips:

• Fertilize with a high-quality fertilizer to prevent calcium and magnesium deficiency
• If you plan to keep your plant longer than a few months, you should re-pot it using planter mix that contains vermiculite (perlite) to ensure good drainage
• Move your poinsettia outside in the spring into a partially-shaded spot
• Pinch back all the stems by an inch or so to promote sturdy, healthy stems

Poinsettia Myths and Facts

• As a member of the Euphorbiaceae, or Spurge family, poinsettias often leach a milky sap through their leaves. This sap can cause mild contact dermatitis among people who are sensitive to latex, which likely led to the widespread (and incorrect) belief that poinsettias are highly toxic.
• According to Jay L. Hocker of the Mayo Clinic, poinsettias are not actually poisonous per se, however, they’re not exactly edible either. Researchers at Ohio State University studied the impact of poinsettia extract on lab rats, and they concluded that contrary to popular belief, it’s impossible to ingest a fatal dose of poinsettia leaves.
• Although it’s always a good idea to keep plants away from small children and pets, the naturally bitter flavor of poinsettia leaves serves as a natural deterrent against curious kids, dogs, and cats.

By choosing a healthy, vibrant plant and following these simple care tips, you can enjoy the beauty of your holiday poinsettias throughout the winter.

Succulents: Ideal Indoor Plants

Succulents are plants with fleshy leaves that can come in a variety of colors. They are part of the same family as the cactus, and they can even be found on cacti in the wild. Succulents are excellent indoor plants because of their hardy nature and their colorful look. If you want to start planting succulents in your home to add color to your decor, then you should become familiar with the best ways to care for them.

Hardy and Soft Succulents

If you plan on planting your succulents indoors, then it helps to know the differences between hardy and soft succulents. Hardy succulents have thicker leaves and can survive in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in an area with cold winters and want to plant in a window box or in a window display, then hardy succulents are ideal.

Soft succulents can survive in temperatures below freezing, but die out by the time the temperature gets to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Soft succulents offer a broad range of colors and sizes, which is why people like them for indoor planting. All succulents do well in temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but temperatures that go beyond 90 degrees could damage your plants.

Potting Succulents

Succulents require plenty of room for their roots to breathe and gather water. Standard potting soil is too dense, so you will need regular garden soil in your planting pot. Succulent roots will rot if left for too long in water, which is why your soil should contain good drainage. Whittier Fertilizer offers products such as 3/8 pea gravel, white golf course sand, and pumice to create ideal drainage conditions. A ratio of 2/3 drainage material for every 1/3 of soil is ideal for succulents.

Unless you are an expert at caring for potted succulents, you should always use a pot with a drainage hole. Succulents will look great in any kind of novelty pot, but you must allow for water drainage if you want your plants to survive. As your succulents get bigger, you can trim their growth or move them to a larger pot with ease.

Caring For Succulents

Succulents can sunburn and die if exposed constantly to direct sunlight. You can either place your pots in a place where the sun offers limited exposure, or move your pots out of the sun halfway through the day. Succulents prefer standard room temperatures, but any species can tolerate a temperature drop to freezing.

Do not over-water your succulents, and watch for pests. Potted succulents tend to be attacked by mealybugs, but you can spray your plants with a combination that is 70 percent alcohol and 30 percent water to protect them. Water your succulents at least once a week, but do not add water until the soil feels dry. If you keep your home at a warmer temperature, then you may need to water more than once a week.

Identifying Problems

If you see the leaves of your succulents starting to take on a darker tone, then you are giving them too much sunlight. A good rule of thumb is to only expose your succulent plants to 50 percent of the available sunlight on any given day.

It is important to remember that succulent roots absolutely hate being wet for an extended period of time. Some people use clear containers specifically so they can monitor the health of the roots. If you see the roots turning black, then stop watering your succulents so often. If you cannot see the roots of your plants, then look for your normally sturdy plant leaves to start going limp. That is a sign that you are drowning the roots.

Succulents are great for indoors because they require little maintenance, but they add plenty of color to any home. Buy a hardy succulent and see how well you do with caring for it to see if you are ready to introduce your home decor to the color and personality of succulent plants.

How To Get Rid Of Moles

Moles are an enigma for gardening enthusiasts and people who love to keep a nice lawn. While moles do their part to aerate the soil and remove plant pests from your yard, they also like to create holes all over the place that can be unsightly and even dangerous. As with any other lawn pest, the best way to take care of a mole problem is to understand what you are up against and know the best ways to handle the situation.

How Do I Know If I Have Moles?

The two most common ways to tell if you have moles is if your garden vegetables are being eaten and your lawn has little volcano-shaped mounds all over it. Moles eat only insects and sometimes vegetables, which is both great and terrible for gardeners. You will be happy to know that moles are loners who rarely travel in groups, which means that you might only have to get rid of one mole to solve your problem.

You can be pretty sure you are dealing with moles if your volcano-shaped holes in the ground lead to what looks like an underground network of tunnels. Moles constantly tunnel underground to find food, and that tunneling can cause your lawn to collapse in spots. Moles are hard workers, so you will need to address the problem quickly if you want to save your lawn.

What Does A Mole Look Like?

A mole is anywhere from six to eight inches long and is covered in brown or gray fur. It has a long snout on the front, and its front and back paws have what look like human fingers with long claws on them. At first glance, it can be almost impossible to see a mole’s eyes and ears, but rest assured that they do have both features.

How Long Does The Average Mole Live?

In the wild, a North American mole can live to be six or seven years old. Since moles do not eat many plants, they are not normally affected by the chemical pesticides used to keep out bugs. But if a mole does wander into a yard that uses chemicals, then its life span decreases significantly.

Why Do Moles Live In People’s Yards?

Moles eat approximately 80 percent of their body weight in bugs and larvae every day. Your finely kept lawn and well-fed garden tend to have the kinds of food moles love. A mole will burrow its way around your yard indefinitely looking for food until you put a stop to it. When a mole chooses your yard it is nothing personal, it is just survival.

How Do I Get Rid Of A Mole?

Let’s examine the following options for getting rid of a mole:

1. The first option, which is the hardest, is to simply catch the mole. You will need to be quick, but it is not impossible. Go around to all of the mounds the mole has created and either stomp the molehill down with your foot or tap it down with a shovel. Notice the direction of the holes and try to stand upwind of them because the mole can smell you coming. You will also need to stand perfectly still as the mole can hear your footsteps. When the mole pops its head out of a new mound, quickly dig into either side of the mound with two shovels. The shovels will trap the mole at the top of the mound, and you can put the mole into a box and take it miles from your home.
2. A second option is to use a blend of organic repellent that seeps into the soil. Moles have a heightened sense of smell that they use to find insects. Using an organic repellent irritates their sense of smell and taste and quickly find another place to dig for food.
3. A third option is to use a mole trap. First, find out if mole traps are legal in your state before you start setting traps. If mole traps are illegal, then use the humane method. If mole traps are legal, then get a couple of spring-loaded traps and put them in the mole’s tunnels. If you can determine the direction the mole is burrowing in, then that would be helpful. Set your traps and check them daily. After you have caught one mole, keep an eye out to make sure it was only a one-mole problem. If there are more moles, set more traps.
4. The last option is to use poisons or chemicals to try to get rid of moles. Consult a professional if you are interested in this option as they can offer advice on what to use as using poison make you susceptible to killing neighborhood pets, doing damage to your lawn or garden, and getting arrested (if it’s not legal in your state).

Prevention

The easiest way to prevent other moles from using the tunnels in your yard is to spray a combination of two tablespoons of dish soap, one cup of castor oil, and one gallon of water into the tunnels. You can also purchase solar-powered mole-repelling stakes and place them throughout your yard.

Whittier Fertilizer Gopher Control Products

What Plants Grow Well in the Shade

If you want to plant a garden but you only have access to land that is constantly shaded, then you need some good advice on which plants will grow in those conditions. Apartment dwellers can sometimes live in areas where the sunlight never reaches them, or many people have backyards that are permanently shaded by trees. Another common issue for gardening enthusiasts is only being able to plant alongside of a building that keeps the garden in the shade all day long.

Luckily, there are several types of plants that can grow in the shade, and others that thrive on only partial sunlight. Before you give up on your dream of a beautiful garden, we recommend checking out these plants and giving them a try in your dark growing environment.

PLANTS THAT GROW IN FULL SHADE

Contrary to popular belief, mushrooms are not the only plant (or fungus) that grows in full shade. There are several types of flowering plants that enjoy the cooler and darker environment created by shade, and they can be brought together to create a beautiful garden.

Jerusalem Sage – One of the more popular shade plants is a flowering plant called Jerusalem Sage. It can be found in yellow or purple, and it usually grows in groups. This is the ideal plant for lining your walkways, or giving color to different parts of your garden.

White Trillium – White Trillium is a wildflower accustomed to growing in dark forests, which is what makes it so hearty. It has broad, white petals and dark green leaves that make this flower stand out in any arrangement.

Lily of the Valley – If your garden is in the shade and restricted by a small footprint, then the Lily of the Valley is an ideal solution. This popular plant has large green leaves with yellow accents and small white flowers that can add character to any garden.

PLANTS THAT GROW IN PARTIAL SHADE

Most of the wildflowers that have become popular can grow in any kind of shady conditions because they are used to the intermittent light of the forest. There are plenty of great plants to choose from if the sun only makes a temporary appearance in your yard each day.

Hydrangea – Hydrangea bushes actually prefer shade during the hottest times of the day, and they reward your garden with blasts of white flowers set in deliberate bunches.

Amethyst – Amethyst flowers are the purplish flowers most commonly seen in hanging baskets. These flowers require a minimal amount of sunlight, and can look great anywhere in your garden or landscaping.

Begonia – The Begonia offers a vibrant flower with a yellow center that can survive in almost any type of shade. You can choose from a variety of colors with the Begonia, and they can grow anywhere there is fertile soil.

WATERING YOUR SHADED PLANTS

Watering shaded plants is tricky because the shade tends to slow down the evaporation process for water, and the trees that cause shade can provide extra water as the dew arrives in the morning. Do not put your shaded plants on a regular watering schedule as you could give them too much water and drown them. The best approach is to check each day to see if the soil is getting dry and only add water when there is more dry soil than moist.

If you have to contend with shade in your gardening area, then all you need to do is find the right plants to make your garden complete. There are many different types of plants that can survive in varying amounts of shade to help make your garden beautiful.

How to Care for your Sod

The process of properly caring for sod starts the moment it is installed. The first few months are critical to making sure that your sod takes hold and becomes a lush and green lawn. The clock is ticking the moment you sod is laid down, so it is important to know what you need to do at each stage of the life of your new lawn.

First Two Weeks

The first two weeks are critical as it is important to water your sod at least three to five times a day until it is spongy to the touch. You need to get at least four inches of penetration from your sod to the soil when you water, and you can measure that penetration by carefully lifting a corner of a sod segment to see how deep the water is getting. You need to keep this process up for at least seven days, and it may require a full 14 days of watering for the sod to take hold.

If the weather is hot and dry where you are, then a sprinkler should be running several times each day to keep the sod constantly wet. If the sod is not kept wet during this period, then it will dry out. Avoid walking on your new sod as you will leave footprints that will become a permanent part of your lawn. When the two weeks is up, you can allow your sod to dry so that it can be mowed.

Heading Into The End Of The Month

As the third week approaches, you can reduce your watering frequency to between one and three times a day. You can try to skip a day in between watering, but go back to watering every day if your sod starts to dry out.

When you start getting into the end of the first month, you should put a day or two in between watering days. It is important to split up your watering into two segments separated by one hour of waiting time. This allows the water to penetrate to the new root system, which has created a denser soil underneath.

The Next Five Months

You will need to monitor your new sod closely for the first six months of its life. After the first month, you can reduce the number of days you water to two or three each week, and you can also reduce how much water you apply. But you need to keep a close eye on your sod to make sure there are no brown patches. If you see drying sod, then you will have to water. After six months, your sod should be a lush lawn that needs the same amount of water as any other standard lawn.

Mowing

In most cases, you will be mowing your sod for the first time after the second week. But the best way to judge when to mow your lawn is how tall it is. Once your lawn reaches 3-1/2 inches in height, it can be mowed. Do not try to mow your lawn until it has reached that height or you could cause permanent damage.

As your new lawn settles in, be sure to add product when needed such as GreenAll Sure Start fertilizer or EB Stone Organics Sure Start fertilizer. The first two weeks of a new lawn’s life are crucial, so be sure to monitor your sod and do what you need to do to give it the chance to take root.

Make the Most Out Of a Small Backyard

Your backyard can be a haven from the world, offering greater privacy than the front yard. It is a place where you can enjoy nature without having to venture outside your total comfort zone. Whether you are an outdoorsy person or just enjoy stepping outside for a few moments, there are ways to optimize your backyard space for beauty, fun, and entertainment. These tips will help your backyard look more spacious and even a bit bigger!

Set Up a Separate Vegetable Garden

Create a squared off vegetable garden. Having a few separate sections of a small backyard can help you feel as though you have a larger outdoor space. It’s important to have big aspirations for your garden, but make sure that you start small on every level. Focus on the vegetables that you most want to grow, while also considering what is easy for a beginning gardener and what grows best in your climate. Whittier Fertilizer’s GreenAll Tomato & Vegetable Food can help the garden thrive by providing humic acid, micronutrients, and slow-release nitrogen to your plants.

Add a Lovely Depth of Vision

One way to really get a double view of the beautiful yard that you have crafted is to hang vintage, decorative mirrors on the back of your hard. Not only will these mirrors show off the gardening you’ve done, but they also reflect the beautiful greenery of your yard. The mirrors essentially make your outdoor space seem larger by reflecting the beauty that is already there. You can just add a couple or go big and add several to cover much of the back of your home. It’s a great “shabby chic” addition to the backyard, and kids will really get a kick out of the reflections.

Remember That Less Is More

When you have a little space, it can be tempting to fill it up as much as you can with things to enjoy. However, instead of filling your backyard with a lot of furniture, playground equipment, and other items, it’s important to consider that less is nearly always more when it comes to small spaces. Keep the clutter at bay. Kids will be more likely to enjoy the open space of the yard than toys that are too crowded. Likewise, entertaining guests is much easier when there is more room for them to move around and enjoy the natural beauty of the yard.

Take Scale Seriously

When you have a small backyard, you don’t want to put big pieces of furniture in it. That would only make the space feel even smaller. Instead, opt to plant small bushes over big trees that could potentially overtake the yard. You may opt to focus on grass and gardens instead of trees and bushes in a small space. Your landscaping should be proportionate to the space at all times. Simple gardening tools and equipment from Whittier Fertilizer can help you achieve that goal.

Finally, keep in mind that your imagination should be your guide. When it comes to landscaping your most personal spaces, it’s okay to do it your way. Let go of preconceived notions of what a backyard is supposed to look like and go for what you truly want yours to be. Whether you are envisioning hours of gardening or joyful moments of watching your kids, landscaping products from Whittier Fertilizer can help you achieve your backyard goals.