Backyard Ideas

retaining wall with landscaping brick…. our bricks are REDISH… what color of bricks would you do for the landscape part???

I dont’ want it to clash.
any other sugguestions as to which color of brink we should do up against red brick?

I would select a gray color wall concrete block and wall cap (home Depot etc. sell such wall systems). Go with a rough face or textured face so it looks like stone (they even have some stone like patterns). The gray will feel like granite next to red brick and a cool color will provide a nice contrast with warm red bricks. I would also plant something that will soften the wall/arch over it – low juniper for example

Learn landscaping ideas on how to deadhead roses to get more and bigger blooms by deadheading in this free online gardening video.

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Learn landscaping ideas on how to use metal, rocks or wood to edge your flower bed to help contain the plants and provide an aesthetic touch in this free online gardening video.

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well, i plan to put a garden, landscape or deck, anythig that would make our backyard a nice place to pass time, we have a small lot, 21 x 21 meters. i'd give 100 sq. meters of it for the garden or deck, or anything great to be put on it and its perimeter, i dont like walls and just putting bushes around our lot. please help me, thanks. hope i could see some pictures and ideas and some plans would surely boost my imagination. thank you (o;

fragrant herbs (and flowers) such as lavender and rosemary (evergreen) are easy to care for and soothing and relaxing to sit near; can both be potted but Rosemary can grow to a large bush.
A trellis with climbing roses, honeysuckle, sweet pea (for a quick fix until other climbers mature), etc… is a useful way to add structure (height), and give privacy/shade.
There is a great variety of small water features one can place anywhere now.
Instead of decking have you considered a mosaic-style courtyard? you would then have year round interest
parsley is a biennial, the 2nd year will produce seed, also will 'bolt' if dry, so keep moist and in shade
last year I got 6 plants, the ones that grew best (2 ft high) were in shade most of the day, the ones in full sun stayed small
Peppers need lots of sun and warmth, unless in a southern area will need a green house,
the best small veg to grow now are raddish and lettuce, lots of varieties, some can grow well into Autumn

TRY THIS SITE: www.bbc.co.uk/gardening

i have a small landscaping business going in my neighborhood. i already have 3 solid customers, but i want to expand next year. i want to go more professional and starting signing out contracts and work the same way as the big landscaping companies do.
where can i get info on running a small business? some particular to landscaping would be most helpful.

Plenty of resources available on the federal Small Business Administration web site. Also lots of books available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble about small business stuff.

Also check out continuing eduction schools in your area – local community colleges and so forth for seminars on this topic.

Two things I would suggest you pay attention to: What is the right type of corporation for you to establish in order to protect yourself and minimize your tax liability both Federal and State – ask around for a good business attorney and/or a good tax accountant. Speaking of taxes – make sure you understand what sales tax you may need to charge your customers if your state says landscaper services are taxable. The reason I point this out is because if you are supposed to charge sales tax but don't the State can FORCE YOU to pay the tax, not your customers if you are audited.

Good luck

I just moved to FL and have a new job. I want to make friends with coworkers and neighbors, so I've decided on a BBQ next weekend. My house is a fixer uper with very little space, so I'm starting to regret the desicion. I've invited people so I must go through with it. Andy ideas to distract people from the hole in the wall I live in and intersting themes I can use? Any advice at all?

You have gotten some really great answers already. Food and beverage are always necessary. Seating is again necessary. You sound worried that your new home isn't in the shape you were hoping for but as long as its clean most people won't care.

If you want to make it really interesting why not get your new friends, co workers, neighbors into the spirit and ask them for ideas for a specific room. Since they live there they will be able to direct you to all the local / nearby home and building supply stores as well as other little places where bargains may be hiding.

This way they while they may notice the defects in the structure they will know you already know, and who knows maybe your next bbq will be a house repair party!

http://www.mywaterproofdeck.com How do I use good deck design for low, or no deck maintenance? Brought to you professional Duradek and Durarail installers offering a 30 Yr Guarantee! Watch It Now!

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Learn landscaping ideas on how to plant flowers in this free online gardening video.

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I was hired by the contractor to build fences and decks for his landscaping company. I am not a licensed contractor, nor did I make any claim to be. He has refused to pay for all the authorized extra work due to changes and additions to the originally planned deck. How do I recover the lost wages????

If you're an employee, you should be paid for hours worked. If you're an independent contractor, paying you for the job isn't unusual.

The IRS has rules that govern which you are. Basically if the boss controls HOW you do the job, and not just the overall job, then you're more likely considered an employee.

Companies like to hire people as contractors rather than employees, since they save the 7.65% of their salary they'd otherwise have to pay for social security and medicare.

Have you been working for him for awhile? Has he been taking taxes out of your check? That would imply he considers you an employee.

Read through http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=99921,00.html for more information.

I have lived at my present location for 2 years, and have NEVER seen a frog. I believe that frogs are dying off, so I want to try to create a habitat for them, and then need to find a source for supplying them.

Build a pond. fill it with water. plant some marsh plants aournd it. make a big ol logpile and heap up some stones. Leave it. Come next april. Go get some frogspawn. If your short of that whereveer you are come on down to Gnoll Park, Neath, there will be TONNES of the stuff lying around. Half the time you cant even walk around there without stepping on a frog.