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15 Types of Boxwood Shrubs Every DIY Landscaper Should Know
Most types of boxwood shrubs are cultivars of either Buxus sempervirens, also known as common or American boxwood, or...
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How Much Does Shrub and Bush Removal Cost?
Highlights The typical cost to remove shrubs and bushes ranges from $448 to $1,393, with homeowners around the count...
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22 Fast-Growing Shade Trees to Plant in Your Yard
Sitting under the wide canopy of a tree can cool you off on a hot summer day and even lower home-energy costs. If you...
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The Best Tree-Planting Services of 2023
Having a beautiful garden boosts curb appeal and increases property value, but for those looking to diversify their l...
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7 Bat House Plans for DIY Mosquito Control
Bat populations are in decline, which is one reason homeowners should consider adding a bat house to their property. ...
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The Dos and Don'ts of Landscaping Around Trees
While trees bring shade and beauty to a residential landscape, the ground around tree trunks can become a barren blig...
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The Surprising Garden Gift on Your Christmas Tree
When I was a nursery manager, I spent each year buying and selling plants, tools, patio furniture, and supplies, and ...
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Tired of Killing Trees Every Christmas? Try a Living Christmas Tree
Every holiday season, the debate over cut or artificial Christmas trees resurfaces. Both options have their pros and ...
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2022’s Fall Foliage Map: When Peak Fall Colors Will Reach You
Many areas of the country had some strange weather this year. Forest fires, unexpected cold snaps, the late arrival o...
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The Best Fertilizers for Palm Trees of 2023
Palm trees are notorious for the tropical touch they add to a landscape. Though easy to maintain once established, th...
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The Best Root Killers for Sewer Lines of 2023
Slowly draining bathtubs and sinks, gurgling noises coming from the drain, toilets that regularly back up—though thes...
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The Best Fertilizers for Apple Trees of 2023
Most apple varieties mature in autumn when the temperatures start to moderate, and the bright greens of spring and su...
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11 Flowering Trees Every DIY Landscaper Should Know
If you wish to decorate your landscape with small flowering trees, you’ll likely want to choose at least one or two v...
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6 Types of Berries That Are Easy to Grow in Containers
Who doesn’t love a small-space edible garden? Plucking and eating fresh berries right off the plant makes for a conve...
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The Best Tree Removal Services of 2023
Trees provide our homes with plenty of perks, from shade in the summer to gorgeous fall color—not to mention major cu...
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Taking Down a Tree in Your Yard? Here Are 12 Things You Can Do With the Wood
Tree work can get messy. Whether you’re handling tree removal yourself or paying a tree service to tackle the job, th...
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You’re Probably Planting Trees Wrong—Here’s How to Do It Responsibly This Arbor Day
The first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska on April 10, 1872. More than 1 million trees were planted in the state...
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The Best Stump Grinders of 2023
Investing in a stump grinder may not make sense for homeowners who just have a stump or two they need to remove after...
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The Best Rope for Tree Swings in 2023
Rope swings are an old-school source of outdoor pleasure, offering a relaxing or exhilarating ride. Safety, however, ...
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The Best Places to Buy Christmas Trees in 2023
For those who celebrate the Christmas holiday, a dazzling tree—one decked out in sparkling ornaments, garlands, and l...
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6 Types of Maple Trees You Might Find on Your Property (Including One You Definitely Don't Want)
There is nothing else in the world quite like maple trees. We use maple sap to sweeten our pancakes, and maple wood s...
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The Best Pruning Saws Tested in 2023
Trees and shrubs can boost curb appeal—but not if they’re overgrown or blocking windows. Keeping a landscape tidy req...
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How Much Does It Cost to Plant a Tree?
Typical Range: $150 to $3,000One of the most noticeable aesthetic differences between new residential developments ...
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I Used This Tree Control Herbicide to Kill a Stump—Did It Work?
Living on a partially wooded 80-acre tract offers plenty of room to grow a variety of desirable trees, but it also pr...
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12 Stunning Dwarf Trees Perfect for Big or Small Yards
Consider one of these beautiful yet compact trees for your next landscaping project.
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The Best Stump Killers of 2023
Trees are majestic in the landscape, but not all trees are desirable, such as those that grow beneath power lines or ...
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How To: Kill a Tree Stump
Removing a tree from your yard can be a tricky and expensive process, but it’s especially frustrating when you still ...
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The Best Splitting Wedge to Split Logs Easily
Many homes rely on firewood as their primary source of heat, but converting wood logs into usable stacks on your fire...
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How To: Water a Christmas Tree
For many, nothing quite says “Christmas” like a real tree. With it comes the tradition of picking one out with loved ...
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Solved! How Long Does a Christmas Tree Last?
Q: Our family wants to replace our artificial Christmas tree with a real one this year, and the kids want to go tree ...
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The Best Leaf Mulchers Tested in 2023
Few sights are as lovely as the red and gold hues of falling leaves, but when you must rake them and bag them—often m...
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10 Trees That Spell Trouble for Your Yard
Avoid planting these troublesome trees in your yard.
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The Best Tree Swings of 2023
A ride on a swing can range from a calming back-and-forth rhythm to a wild adventure through the air. It can rock bab...
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Solved! When Is the Best Time of Year for Spraying Fruit Trees?
Q: The fruit on several fruit trees in my garden grows poorly and the leaves look bad. I probably need to spray the t...
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9 Types of Palm Trees That Thrive in Warm and Sunny Climates
Tropical islands, remote jungles, desert oases, and Miami have a common visual: palm trees. In tropical and subtropic...
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The Best Pruning Shears Tested in 2023
Keeping a garden and landscape in top shape requires care and maintenance, including regular pruning. Whether you nee...
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12 Things an Arborist Wishes You Knew
Most people wait until a tree is leaning precariously or a large branch has fallen off before they seek the help of an arborist. But certified arborists aren't ju...
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The Best Pole Saws Tested in 2023
In order to stay healthy and look their best, trees need occasional pruning to remove broken branches and to thin out...
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The Best Loppers of 2023
Handheld pruning shears are great for nipping off narrow stems and branches up to ½-inch in diameter, but for pruning...
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7 Signs Your Tree is Dying—and How to Save It
A sick tree may be saved, but a dead tree can pose a risk your home and family. Look for these symptoms to determine the health of your tree.
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The Best Christmas Tree Stands of 2023
An evergreen strung with delicate ornaments and lights but sitting in a shaky, shoddy base is an accident waiting to ...
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The Dos and Don'ts for Landscaping Around Trees
Enhance the area around large trees with color, texture, and design elements—while keeping those big guys healthy and strong.
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The 7 Best Types of Christmas Trees for Your Home
When shopping for a Christmas tree at a local lot or tree farm, you’ll likely encounter different types of Christmas ...
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Solved! The Best Time to Plant a Tree
Q: I’d like to plant some new trees to boost our home’s curb appeal. Will they survive if I plant in the fall, or sho...
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The Dos and Don'ts of Safely Felling a Tree
Whether it's blocking your view, is diseased or damaged, or is taking up space you'd rather use for something else, f...
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6 Trees with White Bark for a Beautiful Landscape All Year Long
Often, trees are selected and grown for their foliage, fruit, or flowers—seasonal features that blossom and fade over...
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Solved! Which Evergreens Grow the Fastest
Q: We just bought a house in a brand new development so our yard is pretty bare. We’d like to plant some fast-growing...
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Solved! What to Do When a Tree Falls on Your House
Q: We just experienced a strong thunderstorm, during which a tree blew over on our house! We have no experience with ...
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How To: Transplant a Tree
Whether they’re deciduous or evergreen, shade or ornamental, trees add value and curb appeal to any property. But occ...
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How To: Kill Tree Roots
Trees add great beauty to your landscape and their shade can help keep cooling costs low. But when a tree outgrows it...
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7 of the Best Trees You Can Grow Indoors
If you're trying to add a touch of life to a room, houseplants are the way to go. But if you're looking to make a bigger statement, you can't beat the impact of a...
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How To: Stake a Tree
Many new trees do just fine on their own. In fact, the movement they experience from normal wind and weather helps th...
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The Dos and Don'ts of Pruning a Bush
Shrubs play a vital role in the landscape, serving as decorative borders, living fences, and foundation plantings tha...
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How To: Get Rid of Woodpeckers
As pretty as woodpeckers are to observe in your backyard or garden, these noisy birds can cause major damage to your ...
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Bob Vila Radio: Is It OK to Cut Protruding Tree Roots?
You love that tree in your backyard. But one of the roots is protruding above ground, creating a sure toe-stubber, an...
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Bob Vila Radio: Know the Signs of a Dying Tree
It's not always easy to spot when a tree is in trouble, but it's important to keep your eyes open for problems. Here ...
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Top Tips for Identifying a Hazardous Tree
It's not always easy to identify a tree that's in trouble. In part, that's because while trees face certain knowable ...
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Bob Vila Radio: Protect Trees from Lightning
Beautiful trees enhance the look and value of residential properties, so no wonder people spend so much time trying t...
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Bob Vila Radio: How to Relocate a Young Tree
Ever come to the frustrating conclusion that you've planted a young tree in exactly the wrong place? Here are some ti...
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Bob Vila Radio: Removing Tree Stumps
At some point, you may need to remove a tree, whether because it’s too close to the house or because it’s dead or dyi...
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Bob Vila Radio: Lilac Pruning
If you didn’t prune your lilacs right after they bloomed, you still have a little time left, but don’t delay: Pruning...
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How To: Prune a Tree
Sometimes a homeowner prunes a tree for aesthetic reasons, trying to keep the landscaping neat and tidy. Other times,...
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What Would Bob Do? Removing a Tree Stump
I would like to remove a tree stump that is a couple of feet away from my house. It's starting to rot, and I'm afraid...
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Bob Vila Radio: Pruning Young Trees
A good way to help your young tree stay healthy is to prune it wisely. The best time to prune a tree is late winter, ...
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Quick Tip: Felling a Small Tree
 Here's a helpful tip you can use when you need to cut down a small tree. Make sure you wear proper safety gear and m...
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How To: Plant a Shrub
 Here's how to properly plant a new shrub around your house. Mix one part peat moss with two parts top soil for high ...
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Bob Vila Radio: Planting Fruit Trees
Do you dream of picking a crisp apple or juicy peach from a tree right in your own backyard? Planting a fruit tree ca...
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How To: Plant a Bush or Shrub
Available in countless varieties, bushes add depth and diversity to the landscape, whether they are fruit- or flower-...
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Bob Vila Radio: Hot Weather Tree Care
Hot weather can really take a lot out of a person. . . and out of a tree as well. That’s why it’s important to take s...
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Heirloom Apples: Growing a Slice of History
Shopping at the grocery store, one can usually find only eight or ten varieties of apples. That selection represents ...
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How To: Transplant Trees, Shrubs, and Perennials
With the sun shining, the birds chirping, the temperatures rising, and the days getting longer, this is the season to...
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How To: Plant a Tree
The Arbor Day Foundation was founded in 1972 with a mission toward conservation and education. It’s the largest nonpr...
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8 Reasons to Love Azaleas
From Southern roots, azaleas have grown into a countrywide favorite, prized for their beautiful blooms in so many colors.
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Deck the Halls: Holly Bushes
As your home decor becomes festive inside, it’s nice to see a little of that color scheme reflected outside as well. ...
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5 Fiery Fall Bushes
Finding your garden lacking when it comes to fall color? Our favorite fall bushes will not only add a bright spot of ...
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8 Disease-Resistant Apple Tree Varieties
To cut down on yard maintenance and reduce the need for dangerous pesticides, opt for one of these eight hardy apple tree species.
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How To: Plant an Apple Tree
Since moving to the 'burbs, I’ve been slowly trying to convert on this fantasy I have of backyard sustainability. I p...
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Creating Privacy and Beauty with Hedgerows
Whether you’re looking to create a privacy enclosure, windbreak, or wildlife deterrent, or simply bring some traditio...
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Boxwoods: Maintaining Structure in Your Garden
Boxwood hedges might look formal, but they are a workhorse in the garden. The evergreens can define areas and be the ...
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Today Is National Arbor Day: Plant a Tree
A couple weeks ago I stumbled on the sale of a lifetime: 6'-7' maple trees for under $20 at my local Tractor Store. O...
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Quick Tip: Tree Care
Contrary to what we used to believe, we now know that the vast majority of tree roots are in the top foot of soil. Al...
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The Winter Garden: Hedge Your Bets
“Don’t stop gardening just because it’s winter,” says Cindy Baker, Manager of Grounds at the Chicago Botanic Garden. ...
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Revising the Landscaping Plan
Bob talks with landscape architect Rick Lamb about revisions to the plan. Bob points out the redesigned parking area and the plan for magically melting the snow.
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Touring the Burpee Trial Gardens
Bob visits the Burpee trial gardens in Ambler, PA, to review the current and future catalog of plants and flowers.
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Reviewing the Landscaping Plans
Landscaping architects Rick and Nancy Lamb present their ideas to Bob for converting the landscape and creating urban spaces.
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Beginning the Landscaping
Bob meets with landscape architects Rick and Nancy Lamb to assess the back yard. Arborist Charley Cummings trims some Hemlock trees.
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Replacing the Gutters, Trimming a Tree, and Creating a Low-Maintenance Front Yard
Old gutters are replaced and external landscaping continues with the trimming of a tree, installing a front garden, and creating steps from recycled granite.
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Removing a Hazardous Tree
A large rotted tree is removed for safety reasons.
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A Sustainable Yard and Landscape
Bob does a walkthrough of the finished Punta Gorda home. He discusses sustainable gardening, water conservation and low-maintenance plants. Then he joins Leslie...
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Shrub Planting Techniques
Landscape designer Ruth Foster offers a brief lesson about planting techniques
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Planting Trees and Shrubs in the Front Yard
Landscape contractor Janet Cox explains her approach to the plantings for Roxbury development homes.
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Landscaping Plan
Bob reviews the existing landscape with landscape architect Juan Capote, and the two discuss Juan's plans to improve it.
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Project Update on the Patio and Kitchen
Bob meets with contractor Ed Weller for a project update. The patio is well underway and the landscaping is beginning. A stone grill has been started and, inside,...
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Landscaping for Energy Efficiency
Landscape designer Ruth Foster explains her selection of plant material and flowering shrubs for the backyard and directs the planting of a Sephora Japonica shade...
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Demolition Continues
Bob reviews the newly completed caissons with the architects, and demolition continues with the removal of a tree from the courtyard.
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Planting Palm Trees in the Courtyard
Bob and the landscaper discuss planting five fully grown Queen Palm trees in the courtyard, partly in order to hide unsightly features of a neighbor's home.
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Touring the Courtyard and Meeting Pamela Anderson
Bob tours the tiled courtyard, with its Queen Palms and fountain. And there is a surprise visit from Pamela Anderson, a cast member of "Home Improvement".
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Removing Trees from the Project Site
Bob joins contractor Bob Ryley and the tree removal specialist to discuss clearing the site. Special tips on chainsaw use and safety are provided.
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Planting a Shrub
Bob, landscape architect Clara Bachelor, and contractor Bob Marzilli review how to plant a balled and burlapped shrub.
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Reviewing the Landscape
Bob meets with a landscaper to discuss the existing plantings, some of which will be removed or cut back to maximize the amount of interior light. Trees, shrubs, ...
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Altering Landscape Plans
With Bob having decided to alter the landscape design, shrubs are transplanted and perennials are planted. Plus, sodding goes down to create a grass lawn.
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Reviewing the Home Exterior
Bob and carpenter-contractor Bob Ryley review the exterior of the home, pointing out the new trellis and the new entryway. Next, they move inside to have a look ...
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Landscaping the Property
Bob meets with landscape contractor John Wall to talk over removing existing plant material.
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Landscape Tour of the Cracker Cottage
Remodeling of the cracker cottage is complete. Bob tours the home, starting with the exterior and the landscape.
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Clearing Trees and Stumping
Bob surveys the lot and oversees the preliminary work for building a new Cape Cod-style house.
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Further Site Preparation
Bob watches as the crew clears more trees and brush to make room for building structures.
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Landscaping the Front Garden
Gardener John Rasthenis landscapes the front garden.
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Landscaping the Coach House
Bob goes outside to observe a tree being planted and to see the little garden beyond the entryway landscaped.
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Landscaping with Hedges, Trees, and Perennials
Landscape designer Ruth Foster joins Bob to review the landscaping plan. Foster has selected a hedge and evergreens to screen the yard from street traffic and ne...
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