We recently purchased a house that borders a very busy noisy street. We are separated from the street by our narrow yard and a 6' high brick fence. The fence would help if it were taller. We have a length of about 65' to fill in. Buying mature trees or scrubs is almost prohibitive because of the cost. Is there an inexpensive attractive way to reduce the noise and stop some of the road grime that gets on our patio? What ever we plant needs to grow tall and not too wide. Any suggestions?
This article has some good suggestions:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/spaces/noise-reduction-plants.htm
Coniferous trees are usually best for use in noise screens because they typically have dense growth, as well as often growing tall and relatively narrow, but there are some flowering trees that should also work. The trees listed as good windbreaks in the following article should work for noise as well:
https://extension.psu.edu/plants/gardening/fact-sheets/trees-shrubs/using-trees-and-shrubs-for-privacy-and-wind-screening
This article discusses some fast-growing species that may work in your situation:
https://hoke.ces.ncsu.edu/2007/07/the-best-trees-to-use-as-a-buffer-between-your-home-and-the-road/
I am new at gardening and have no idea where to begin. I would like to plant a butterfly garden in a raised platform. Is this possible, and what are the best plants for this project? Any help would be very appreciated. Thank you.
Yes, it is possible to plant a raised butterfly garden. Any of the plants that work for container butterfly gardens will work:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/beneficial/butterfly-container-garden.htm
The best plants will depend on your region, but here are some ideas. Choose smaller plants rather than the larger plants and shrubs listed, since you will be growing them in a raised bed, which is similar to container gardening.
https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/4H/butterfly8.html
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/beneficial/attracting-butterflies.htm
Here is some advice for creating raised gardens:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/best-soil-raised-garden-beds.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/accessible/building-table-gardens.htm
I have a large bed that I would like to plant coleus and other plants so it makes a design. What other plants would be good to use?
Coleus are a wonderful plant to grow in a partial shade location.
They are a wonderful companion plant to any other part shade loving perennials, annuals or shrubs.
Here are some links to help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/partial-shade.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/shade/shade-tolerant-flowers.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/shade/plants-for-shady-borders.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/shgen/shade-loving-shrubs.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/bgen/bulbs-for-shade-gardens.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/coleus/coleus-plant-care.htm
After doing some research on plant varieties and care requirements it's very helpful to visit local garden centers to visualize mixing different plants together.
Have fun with this planting project!
Could you give more information on where the bed is located? How much sunlight does the spot get? Are there already other plants in the bed? Is it a raised bed? What kind soil does the bed have. Coleus usually looks best in shade and partial shade locations. I usually plant it in a shade and partial shade location with caladiums, impatiens, astilbes, hostas, heucheras, and autumn ferns.
The best edging plant used for lettering?
A fun garden project!
Here is an article that discusses this and a list of plants to use.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/spaces/writing-with-bedding-plants.htm
I am looking for a plant that will grow well in an area that will get full sun from mid-Oct to mid-Feb, and during the rest of the year is in full shade. Also, due to a large Californian pepper tree (9m high approx.), the backyard is in full shade from about 3pm onwards. Due to the area's location, the soil remains relatively damp. Do you have any suggestions of what can be grown in this area? I was thinking of something fruiting but I don't think it will get enough sun early enough.
We have a collection of articles about gardening in the shade here:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/shade/
You will find many ideas for ornamental plants in those articles. Of course, you'll also have to consider your local climate and soil type when you choose plants (I'm not sure where you live.)
As for vegetables, here are some ideas for shade:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/shade-vegetables.htm
https://transylvania.ces.ncsu.edu/edibles-for-the-shade/
Radishes, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, and many herbs can also grow in partial shade. The only places you should attempt to grow anything fruiting are in areas that will get at least 6 hours of sun during their growing season.
Since you mentioned the soil remains damp, improving drainage and reducing any compaction will be beneficial to almost anything you can grow there. You could try aerating and/or taking other measures in the following articles:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/improving-compacted-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/what-is-well-drained-garden-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/yard-drainage-problems.htm
Then, add garden soil mixed with compost on top to build up the beds so the plants can enjoy deeper soil.
One side of my house in FL never gets sun, but I would like to plant some flowers there. Are there any that will grow and thrive if they never have sun? It's a very sandy soil too.
There are a number of flowers that can grow in shade- please see these articles:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/shade/shade-tolerant-flowers.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/bgen/bulbs-for-shade-gardens.htm
Leafy ornamentals are also a good option for shade, since most need even less light than the above flowers.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/what-is-full-shade.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/shade/plants-for-shady-borders.htm
What kind of tree can I grow in a 10 x 24 inch tall container? I live in central Alabama.
Some options may include: Japanese Maple, Apple Tree, Dwarf Conifer, Topiary specimen of Boxwood, Yew, Bay, Privet or Holly, Olive Tree, Citrus Tree or Pink Silk Tree.
Here are some links with more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/growing-trees-in-containers.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/crepe-myrtle/tips-to-grow-crepe-myrtles-in-containers.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/pomegranate/pomegranate-in-a-pot.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/lemons/growing-lemon-trees-containers.htm