Sweeneys Custom Landscaping Articles
New Year, Greener Yard: Simple Goals
Starting the New Year with big landscaping goals is easy—keeping them is the hard part. The good news? A greener, healthier yard doesn’t require a full overhaul. With a few low-effort landscaping resolutions, homeowners can enjoy real results without the stress. Start Small with Realistic Landscaping Goals You don’t have…
Independence Day Wishes
Wishing You All a Safe and Happy 4th of July! “Independence Day: freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed — else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.” —…
Simple Guide to Supplemental Watering
Nascent Summer seems to have settled in nicely, replete and contented. Yet her once dewy, fresh face begins to grow sallow and somber under the impossible weight of hot, humid temperatures and lack of meaningful moisture. Her youth, vigor and novelty are starting to wear thin. July is upon us….
Bee Friendly! It’s National Pollinator Week! June 16th – 22nd.
Every flower awaited its turn, like an eager dance partner, as the bees flitted and twirled amongst them. Summer’s arrival finds our gardens and landscapes in full bloom. It’s no coincidence that Summer’s arrival this Friday coincides with National Pollinator Week. A wonderful time to revisit the importance of pollinators…
Bring Color & Interest into Your Shade Garden
With Memorial Day behind us, and over a week into June, our “safe” planting date has finally arrived! This generally marks the beginning of warming temperatures, which in turn means my outside exposure gradually begins to decrease as temperatures and humidity rise. When I do find myself outside, I…
3 Ways Landscaping Can Increase the Value of Your Home
The bee floated amongst the flowers, hovering and bouncing between the blooms, landing and lingering upon only the most appealing. He made several passes, returning to some, while ignoring others. He seemed discerning in his quest, much like today’s home buyer. Landscaping, or the lack thereof, can help or…
Sun Bathing Out. Forest Bathing In.
The delicate, silvery strand caught a splinter of light, momentarily shimmering and glistening in the early summer sun. As the wind began to roil and swirl, the spider’s silk became untethered, taking flight upon the breeze. A bit of a metaphor for the slowed and freer pace Summer offers many…
Memorial Day: Honoring and Serving
She stood slender and tall, majestic and noble, clad in her sapphire gown of petals and glittering diamonds of dew. She was, at once, royal and proud, yet demure and gracious. Posturing amidst the wind and rain. A beacon of loveliness and tenacity. A sign of Summer’s emergence. This weekend we’ll be celebrating Memorial…
Interpreting the Secret Language of Weeds
The air was slight and gauzy one day, and leaden and damp the next as Spring fought to get a foot hold. Nevertheless, trees were beginning to leaf out as spring ephemerals faded, and plants were pushing forth green shoots and buds. Unfortunately, weeds were only too quick to…
Let’s Get Wild: Native Plants for Mother’s Day
With May’s prudence and seeming benevolence, we will finally be able to exhale as warming temperatures mean we can soon begin to plant. May, after all, means Mother’s Day, and Mother’s Day means flowers, so what better way to honor Mom than with native plants and flowers that are as…
Guiding Light: Understanding Sun & Shade in the Garden
The sun dappled and danced upon the lawn as it beamed through the lush, albeit nascent canopy. Although temperatures have been mostly mild, the sun is still a major factor in our yards and gardens, even if we don’t always feel her warmth. In fact, it is the most essential…
Go Your Own Way: Creating a Garden Path
Late April’s landscape was celebratory with sweet, blooming treats, from the tufts of cotton candy blooms of the Magnolia & Pear, to the spun sugar strands of the Red Bud & Prairie Smoke to the swaths of candy dots of the Vinca and Squill. Spring was surely the pathway to…