Two years ago my husband and I thought we were doing the right thing when we put in a raised garden bed to grow organically grown herbs and vegetables.  We did so much research on the plants, the soil and the pesticides/herbicides we should stay away from as well as water runoff.  We thought we had done everything right including stopping using fertilizers on our lawn.  Then we found out that by using treated timber to build the beds we were introducing the toxic chemicals into the bed.  Last fall we replaced everything with real organic raised bed kits made of cedar.

Now that the beds have been replaced we are again planting and making sure we are doing everything we can to make sure we have good clean, natural food to eat. Though I know it’s not as important to everyone to go to the trouble we have, it is important to have good food to eat at your disposal.  Whether they are organic or not, I highly recommend the raised garden kits for the ease they bring when planting, watering and caring for your plants.  There is no better way to garden!

One of the things fall brings with it is the quiet between the rustlings of the leaves. It won’t be long until everything is still and you can hear nothing but the city around you. It is in those moments, above all others that I so appreciate my wonderful water feature that Teacup Gardener did for me several years ago. They talked to me before dirt was ever turned to find out what I was looking for before designing and installing my wonderful rock waterfall.

Before this, I had done some research and looking into doing it by myself but just never seemed to have the time to get it all together. I guess what I really wanted was the same ease I get when I walk along the streams in the mountains; to enjoy the running water without any work! I was really glad that Robert and Beth were referred to me by a mutual business associate because I had confidence in them before I ever met them. The fact that they delivered on the design and the implementation within budget and on time was just a plus. I highly recommend Teacup Gardener if you are remotely close to the Nashville, Tennessee area.

As the end of summer becomes a reality, it’s also the time of year we realize that we didn’t get all those “summer” jobs and repairs completed like we thought we would. You know, building the compost pile, putting in the flowerbeds and building that Koi pond your wife has wanted now for two years. Maybe the reality is that you just don’t have the time you thought you would and it’s time to look for an alternative way to get these things accomplished and out of the way so they are not hanging over your head next year.

Why not hire a landscaping company to either do or at least help you with the construction of these types of projects. It will do two things for you that you don’t seem to be able to do for yourself; get it done and take it off your list! In almost all local markets around the US there are very competent landscape and construction companies that can handle these types of jobs. Get several bids and let their experience help you with ideas as well. Their experience can translate to saving you money and time if you seek their advice, especially for projects like water features and ponds.

I like to make sure that the creatures who called my flower beds home all season get to continue overwintering there until Spring.  I guess you could say I run a four seasons resort for bugs and butterflies.

To ensure that these cold-sensitive friends have what they need to make winter nests, I like to pile up leaves from my yard, and just let them hang out all over my beds.  Of course I use a little help to keep the leaves in place, so that strong gusts of sub-zero winds don’t undo all my hard work.  Simple metal fencing staked around the perimiter of my beds helps to keep things contained, and in the Spring, they really set off my early beds with a finished, expectant look.

So why so much bother for the critters?  Well, first of all, it’s not a bother.  Butterflies enrich the beauty of my garden spaces, and anything I can do to make sure they are there again the following year, well, it’s a small thing.  The eggs and larvae use the leaf cover to stay warm, and even some adult butterflies will use the structure to hibernate.

But your plants will love you for it, too.  Nothing like having my fragile yearlings overwinter and spring back to life when everyone else on my block is digging up the frozen dead come March.

I know it’s not what you want to think about in December, but it might save you some good money in the long term if you buy one of the larger items you will need this spring.  If you don’t think you need a storage shed, garage, greenhouse or other large outdoor item, then don’t bother shopping for one.  However, if you know you are going to have to bite the bullet anyway, why not get the deals now.

You can landscape on the cheap as well with this same principle.  Many outdoor product and structure stores have some great bargains going on during the holiday months.  There are items that need moved off their shelves before the next year’s batch can be brought in and many are pricing them to sell.  Online stores are also giving a lot of free shipping and free accessory deals right now that are attractive.  Just FYI.

Raised beds are one of the most versatile things you can use whether you are creating an entirely new landscaping theme or just making the one you have better.  The main reason is that you can use these beds almost anywhere and if you are building them, they can be built rather easily on sloping lawns.  You can also put them on your patios and throughout your lawn and gardens.

However, they’re not just versatile because they can be placed just about anywhere but also because there is not much you can’t grow out of them.  They are perfect for herbs gardens, salad gardens (tomatoes, lettuce and onions) and any number of vegetables and flowers you can think of.  You can also use them around trees, walks and patios to set them apart for the rest of your yard.  These wonderful little beds are something you might want to think about.