Whether you have a small balcony or a spacious backyard, we have ideas and solutions that can help you maximize your outdoor space and create a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city. Join us on this journey of creating your very own urban oasis.
The firepit area will be 12 by 17 ft. I am just getting started setting the pavers. These are the dominion concrete pavers from Mutual Materials. I will have about 2 inches between the pavers and the retaining wall. I know that there are easier ways of doing this but I like setting each one…
This magnificent evergreen shrub Ceanothus ‘Dark Star,’ commonly known as California Lilac was planted in 2012. I love the stunning royal blue flowers and bees seem to enjoy them as well. This variety offers a splash of vivid color to your garden in the late spring and early summer and the flowers have little golden…
Our ground cover is getting better each year. We use a combination of Thyme, Moss, Sedum, and Corsican Mint. I love low-growing ground cover plants the biggest reason is that I don’t need to mow. When used correctly, they may significantly improve the appearance of a front yard. Use ground covers to cover up trouble…
Brick wall support brackets or ties serve as indispensable elements in establishing a robust connection between your brickwork and the underlying structure. By delivering additional stability, they contribute to the overall strength and reliability of your wall, effectively safeguarding it against potential hazards and ensuring its enduring structural integrity. Brick wall support brackets or ties…
Retaining walls and other ground-draining structures all have weep holes. Weep holes offer a drainage outlet that enables any moisture that may enter the wall from behind through penetrating, capillary action, or leakage. The installation of weep holes in brick masonry also acts as a ventilator, allowing air to reach the back of the wall…
The concrete retaining wall in the back of our yard was poured last year and is now ready for the bricks. Bricks from the removal of two chimneys that are over 100 years old are being used for most of the wall. The first step was to clear out the area in front of the…
Growing food in the winter is easier than you would think. First step is to start early, around late July through early September. Make sure your plants are sturdy before the low light of Fall sets in. the cool weather will prevent bolting so if you plant correctly you can harvest until early spring. Another…
The first thing to be harvested from our cold frame was a bowl full of peppery arugula. We planted through August and we were able to keep cutting leaves through the winter. Arugula can be added to just about anything, my favorite is on pizza. I also love to add arugula on this Chipotle Burger….
When we purchased the house in 2011 the backyard was covered with grass. I really do not like to mow so my fist step was to dig up all of the grass. This is what the back yard looked like after I was done digging up the grass.
We just finished moving into this 1901 house in Seattle. One of the first things that we started working on was taking out the front lawn. I really do not like to mow. It was a lot of work to dig up all the grass in the front. Some of our neighbors thought that it…