Home and Living

Gardening is probably the most popular hobby in the United States. It is a way to create something beautiful, spend time outside, and get some exercise. When planning your home landscaping, consider trying something beyond a simple bed of marigolds. Larger home landscaping projects can take more time but are also a greater enjoyment.

Birdscaping

You can attract birds to your yard with a few garden additions. The first and simplest thing to do is add a birdfeeder to your yard. Keep it filled with fresh seeds, and in a matter of weeks, birds will start showing up.

To attract a wider range of birds, put out a birdbath that is kept clean and plant flowers that birds like. Sunflowers, coneflowers, and holly are all produce seeds that birds eat. Your home landscaping should also include at least a few trees and shrubs for the birds to perch in. They feel safer if they can survey the yard from camouflaged spots on twigs and branches.

Topiary

Topiary is the art of trimming shrubs and bushes into whimsical shapes. It may be as simple as cutting a shrub into a cube or sphere, or as difficult as training a tree into a double helix. Either way a topiary is an eye-catching, sometimes surreal home landscaping project.

Most topiary aficionados choose evergreen plants like cedar or holly for their designs. Check with a local nursery for suggestions in individual climates. Start small and simple. Topiaries may need trimming once a week in summer.

Ponds and Fountains

A water feature is probably the most time-consuming but rewarding home landscaping project. The simplest water feature is a shallow birdbath that you clean weekly. The most elaborate ponds include fish, waterfalls, plants, rocks, and a lot of maintenance.

However, it is possible to have plants and even fish in a small container. Pick a light-colored cachepot that has no holes and holds at least five gallons of water. Put gravel in the bottom, anchor a few aquatic plants and move one or two bright goldfish in. In very cold climates, the water garden must be dismantled for the winter. But in warmer climates, fish can stand a thin layer of ice forming for a few hours.

A fountain will keep itself free of mosquitoes, but you must plan how to run electricity to it. Also, in very cold climates, most fountains must be shut off for the winter. But the sound and sight of cascading water will attract more birds, and people, to enjoy your garden.