Landscape Articles | Landscaping Tips

Zach Rubin | February, 2024

7 Tips for Hiring a Professional Landscaper

Your garden is a reflection of your personality as well as the personality of your home, and it can be quite challenging to find a professional landscaper who can take your personality and translate it into an outdoor ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | November, 2023

Backyard Entertainment Ideas: How to Transform Your Backyard Into an Ideal Space for Entertaining

One of the many satisfying ways of utilizing your outdoor space is by entertaining your family, friends, and neighbors. Hosting gatherings in the garden that you care for throughout the seasons can be fun and very ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | August, 2023

Using Arbors and Pergolas to Add Shade and Interest in the Garden

As we find ourselves making our way through the dog days of summer, you may think, "Why didn’t I plant some more shade trees this spring? Or the last 10 springs!"

5 Ways to Enjoy Your Garden Through the Winter Months

Judith Lipson- Rubin | December, 2022

5 Ways to Enjoy Your Garden Through the Winter Months

Watching your garden erupt in the spring, flourish in the summer, and change and fade in the fall is thrilling. There is so much beauty to observe and so many fulfilling tasks to complete to help your garden be as ...

what's great to know about sustainable lawns and lawn care

Judith Lipson- Rubin | September, 2022

What's great to know about sustainable lawns and lawn care

Home lawn care has been a subject of human interest since around the 11th century, with the Japanese sodding areas around their gardens with turf grasses taken from livestock fields. Since then, with the introduction of ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | May, 2022

Shade gardening design ideas that bring the WOW to your landscape

If you’re a homeowner who has been discouraged about gardening because your property is partially or even totally shaded, take heart. Gardening in shady areas is not only possible, it also can be very rewarding – if you ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | April, 2022

The Best Garden Landscaping Tips Every Homeowner Wants to Know

There are few better feelings than getting outside and getting lost in your garden. No matter what the task at hand involves, from pruning and weeding to ensure your beds look beautiful, it’s an amazing feeling to ...

Yard Landscaping Ideas

Judith Lipson- Rubin | March, 2022

Yard Landscaping Ideas to Enhance Your Summer Enjoyment

The pandemic has forced many homeowners to spend a lot more time at home, contemplating their property and thinking of ways to improve it to add both value and enjoyment. For some their yards have become a refuge from ...

Popular Pollinator Garden Ideas

Judith Lipson- Rubin | September, 2021

Protecting Our Pollinators: Popular Pollinator Garden Ideas

Pollination has recently become a hot topic in part because a fatal disease has been killing honeybees, threatening the ability of commercial farms to produce an adequate supply of the fruits and vegetables we all love ...

sustainable landscaping

Judith Lipson- Rubin | August, 2021

Why sustainable landscaping will protect the environment

As efforts to combat climate change become increasingly urgent, one term that is gaining visibility and popularity is “sustainable landscaping.” But what exactly is it and how can it help us protect the environment? ...

spring gardening ideas

Judith Lipson- Rubin | May, 2021

Top 10 beautiful spring gardening ideas for New England

There’s no question about it – New England can be a tough place to garden. Whether it’s flowers or vegetables, pleasure or produce, New England’s soil and weather can take a toll on both the garden and the gardener. So ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | December, 2020

Landscape Design Ideas You'll Love to Know

The pandemic has had some unusual positive effects on people, and one of them is the upsurge in home improvement projects. Homeowners everywhere have gotten busy putting in new patios, firepits, walkways, gardens and ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | September, 2020

How to Pick the Best Foundation Plants for Great Curb Appeal

Nothing improves the beauty of a yard and the curb appeal of a home more than the right plantings. Color, texture, size, and shape combine to create a unique and attractive environment that adds value as well as beauty ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | April, 2020

The DIYer’s Guide to Garden Landscaping

Gardening and garden landscaping to many people invokes images of beautiful flowers or rows of healthy fruits and vegetables. But gardening is so much more than that. Modern garden design encompasses a wide range of ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | August, 2019

How to Prune Plants so They Thrive

Pruning is one of those gardening techniques that many people overcomplicate. While pruning does help a plant grow strong, healthy, and in the proper direction, that doesn’t mean it has to be a complex undertaking that ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | July, 2019

Expert Advice for Creating an Easy & Enjoyable Landscape

A common misconception we see among homeowners is that it takes tons of time and effort to build and then maintain a yard that provides enjoyment. Many people mistakenly believe that they don’t have enough spare time to ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | July, 2019

3 Rules for Beautiful Landscape Blooms All Year Long

While we may be firmly in summer’s grasp here in Massachusetts, as locals know, this weather won’t last forever. Although we are now seeing more extended runs of high temperature thanks to climate change, our area has ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | July, 2019

6 Fun, Creative Ways to Make Your Landscape Beautiful

One of the nice things about maintaining a healthy landscape is the aesthetic appeal. We believe that fewer things are more beautiful than an environmentally-friendly yard that forms a natural part of the local ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | June, 2019

Why Won't My Garden Grow? 3 Mistakes According to Mary

Now that we’re into June and the summer solstice is only a few weeks away, it’s time for the Earth to show us its natural beauty in the form of colorful, vibrant shrubs and trees. Yet we’ve found that this is also a ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | October, 2018

Choosing Hardy Biennials for Your Yard in Massachusetts

As the name suggests, biennials are plants that take at least two years to go through their entire lifecycle. With multicolor bloom phases and interesting shapes, these plants make an ideal addition to any yard. Some of ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | October, 2018

Redoing Your Lawn for Fall in Massachusetts

In the fall, changing leaves bring the year’s last few splashes of color as flowers, shrubs, and other plants start to become dormant for winter. Even though spring and summer are the main bloom times, there are many ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | October, 2018

Planting Grasses in the Fall for Year-Round Interest

One of our favorite things about landscape design is the amount of personal expression it allows. Most people associate landscape with flowers and shrubs, but there are many different styles of plants that can thrive in ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | September, 2018

Extending Your Fall Bloom Time for An Attractive Yard - Even in Cold Weather

Now is the time of year when cold weather approaches and spring blooms are mostly gone. But just because it’s not the beginning of the season doesn’t mean you have no interest in your yard to look forward to. With some ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | August, 2018

Reducing Waste and Harm to the Environment from Landscaping in Massachusetts (part 1)

In recent years, there’s been a large push to educate homeowners and commercial landscapers on how to conserve the environment. More and more home and business owners are realizing that poor landscaping practices will ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | July, 2018

How and Why to Minimize Your Lawn in Massachusetts

A short, neatly-edged expanse of sprawling green grass is the ultimate idea of the American lawn. Unfortunately, the “perfect” lawn is more reminiscent of a chemically-treated golf course than a healthy yard that ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | July, 2018

Seasonal Planting for Year-Round Beauty and Environmental Support

Homeowners often place lots of emphasis on creating a garden with beautiful flowers and shrubs that bloom majestically in the spring season. Unfortunately, focusing on beauty for a single season can leave your yard ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | June, 2018

Getting Ready for Spring- Tips for Your Garden and Yard

Spring Is On Its Way! Here are few suggestions for getting your garden and yard ready for the warm weather and green grass.

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | March, 2018

5 Excellent Plants for Your Natural Contemplative Garden

One of the best things about the outdoors is its ability to rejuvenate the human spirit. After a tough day at work or a difficult experience with a friend or family member, it’s nice to be able to get home to a tranquil ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | December, 2017

First 5 Steps to Create an Organic Landscape

Organic landscaping may sound overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be — all you need is a good plan and the ability to stick to it. Once you’ve decided to start an organic landscaping project, these are the first five ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | November, 2017

Your Lawn Deserves the Best: 5 Great Reasons to Use Organic Fertilizer

Are you looking for the best possible fertilizer for your lawn and unsure what to pick? Wondering if investing in organic fertilizers are even worth it? Organic supplements and fertilizers are not only better for the ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | October, 2017

Clever Ways to Use Stone in Your Landscape Project

Stones are a beautiful addition to any garden — they evoke a feeling of permanence and strength. By uniquely arranging rocks and boulders in your landscaping, you can enjoy not only the aesthetic benefits but also the ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | October, 2017

Most Popular Meditation Garden Backyard Layouts and Designs

The way you design and plan your meditation garden is a matter of individual preference. There are many factors that may go into deciding how to create your own space to relax and unwind. Here are some features that ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | October, 2017

Landscape Water Features: Which is Best for Your Backyard?

Fountains, birdbaths, and ponds add a soothing and relaxing element to your landscaping — but they can be expensive and difficult to engineer. This short guide will give you an introduction to picking out the perfect ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | October, 2017

Make Time to Stop and Smell the Flowers: 8 Plants and Shrubs with Relaxing Scents

Picking the right plants for your gardens not only makes your landscaping look beautiful, they can add pleasurable, relaxing scents. Choosing flower smells you enjoy is important because they can have a positive effect ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | September, 2017

Do More Than Just Garden: 5 Tips for Creating a Relaxing & Remedial Landscape

Is your garden just a garden, or is it providing you with a place to escape and find rejuvenation? With some careful thought, you can create a beautiful place where you’ll find rest from a busy world. These five tips ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | September, 2017

Top 4 Landscaping Tips for the Ever-Changing New England Climate

Creating vivacious landscape designs can be challenging, given New England’s intense four seasons. Massachusetts weather ranges from bitterly cold nights in the middle of winter to hot and humid summer days. This ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | August, 2017

Little Known Ways to Select Foundation Plantings You Will Love

Picking out the right permanent plants will give your landscapes great color throughout the year. They will complement your house and the flowers you chose for the rest of your garden. That’s why many considerations ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | August, 2017

3 Rules for an Effortless and Stress-free Landscape Project

After a busy day of work, you want to come home to a beautiful landscaped yard — without worrying about hours of weeding, pruning, fertilizing, and watering. How can you design a stress-free garden? These three rules ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | August, 2017

5 Fun and Creative Ways to Increase Your Home’s Curb Appeal

The front of your house is the first thing that people see. What does yours say about you? Creating a warm entryway makes your house feel welcoming and gives a great first impression. A home with great curb appeal isn’t ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | August, 2017

5 Super Easy Ways to Create Privacy in Your Backyard

Entering your yard should feel like coming home to your own little sanctuary from the world. How can you do this naturally? A fence may seem like an easy solution, but there are other ways to give your backyard some ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | November, 2016

Low Maintenance Gardens for Eastern Massachusetts

In Eastern MA, there are many different types of gardens that will grow and thrive, even in the finicky coastal MA weather. A few garden types you might want to consider planting are:

Judith Lipson- Rubin | May, 2016

Questions To Ask A Professional Landscape Designer

Are you looking for a new landscape design this season? All landscape design jobs- backyard designs, garden design plans, and front yard landscape designs, require a consultation with a professional landscape designer ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | September, 2015

What Are the Best Plants for Shade Gardens?

Are You Growing Plants in the Shade?

Anne Marie DiMatteo | June, 2013

Colorful Garden Landscape Designs

The colorful garden combination above is from a front yard garden design in Arlington, Massachusetts. The homeowner wanted colorful blooms combined with various textures and flower shapes and sizes. The pink shrub is an ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | April, 2013

The importance of a soil test in Massachusetts

WHAT IS A SOIL TEST?

Bigleaf Hydrangea

Judith Lipson- Rubin | July, 2012

Red, White & Blue Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are one of the easiest shrubs to identify throughout Eastern Massachusetts. They are superb garden plants with an enormous diversity from evergreen climbers, to small deciduous trees with splendid masses of ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | April, 2012

How to Extend Entertainment Space Outside

For many homeowners here in the Northeast, having enough space for entertaining guests can be a bit challenging. A good cost-effective alternative to full-scale home additions or remodeling is creatively extending your ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | January, 2012

Landscape Problems & Solutions (3 of 3): Creating Curb Appeal

Welcome to our 3rd and final blog of the Landscape Problems & Solutions series!

Anne Marie DiMatteo | January, 2012

Landscape Problems & Solutions (2 of 3): Outdoor Entertaining Area

Welcome back to our Problem & Solutions blog series!

Ilex Crenata Sky Pencil

Judith Lipson- Rubin | January, 2012

Landscape Problems & Solutions (1 of 3): Urban Landscape Solutions

Welcome to the new blog series- Landscape Problems & Solutions!

Jesse Golden | January, 2012

Foreman's Favorite- Dwarf Hinoki Cypress

One of my favorite aspects of living in New England is being able to watch the seasons change and plants adapt with seasonal interest. Most plants have one or two seasons of which they bloom or have bright foliage, very ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | June, 2011

Choosing the Right Plants for Your Yard

5 Quick Tips for Selecting Plants for Your Yard!