Karie Lapham Fay

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Garden Guides uses a knowledgeable team of editors, writers, and experts to create all our content. We dive deep into the ever-evolving conversations surrounding gardening and landscaping, striving to deliver the most current and helpful tips, strengthened by expert insight and tutorials from our talented team.

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Stories By Karie Lapham Fay

  • Structures
    Structures By Karie Lapham Fay November 4th, 2022

    How To Build A Sitting Wall With Cinder Blocks

    How to Build a Sitting Wall With Cinder Blocks. There's something idyllic about a well-manicured lawn or a quaint little garden with pretty walkways and rustic sitting walls to rest and enjoy the view. Low sitting walls made of cinder block are fairly inexpensive to build -- you could even make your own blocks if you choose -- and simple to lay. You can also customize your new sitting wall with a wider-material top, a finished facade, or built-in planters made of the blocks themselves.

    By Karie Lapham Fay November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Karie Lapham Fay November 4th, 2022

    How To Care For Coastal Redwood

    How to Care for Coastal Redwood. One of the most majestic and breath-taking moments you may experience is gazing on a stand of coastal redwood trees. Occasionally towering over 360 feet, coastal redwoods are the tallest trees on the planet. Not surprising, when you consider that they thrived during the Paleozoic Era, when dinosaurs roamed more than 160 million years ago. Added to that, many redwood coastal trees are 600 to 1,200 years old. Incidentally, their Latin name, sequoia sempervirens, means "ever living" in Latin, as Humboldt County Convention & Visitors Bureau reveals. Growing a coastal redwood isn't very difficult. Originating from a fairly small area of the Pacific Rim, they like fairly mild temperatures, and thrive in the fog. Fog is a self-irrigating practice that provides them with all the water they need. Outside the region, coastal redwoods can still be grown. Just follow some general guidelines.

    By Karie Lapham Fay November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Structures
    Structures By Karie Lapham Fay September 6th, 2022

    How To Install Pea Gravel Flooring

    How to Install Pea Gravel Flooring. Pea gravel -- called pea stone in some parts of the country -- provides a superior flooring surface in most any place around your house. While contractors often spread and level pea gravel for home foundations, pouring the concrete over the stone, gardening enthusiasts find it ideal for greenhouse, barn or shed floors, driveways and in landscaping. Not only does pea gravel drain water well, it looks good and feels softer underfoot than either concrete or brick. Regardless of the application, a little prep work is all that is needed before you spread your pea gravel flooring.

    By Karie Lapham Fay September 6th, 2022 Read More