Display of spring annuals in a residential courtyard
Photo of a traditional partial sun landscaping in Chicago for spring.

Design ideas for a contemporary full sun landscaping in Los Angeles with decking.

The garden 3 weeks after planting, on a foggy day. Photo by Steve Masley
Inspiration for a timeless deck container garden remodel in San Francisco with decking

the bamboo is a clumping variety called Bambusa eutuldoides viridi-vittata , Asian lemon bamboo. This variety is a clumper and you do not need to contain it, however, do allow an 8'by 10' area for its ultimate growth. Bamboo does require constant maintenance and you will need to do some research for the specific variety you choose. Once planted, it will become a beautiful focal point and add a stunning tropical accent. Photo Credit: Sherwood Cox

Tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers are planted above yellow melampodium. Learn how to grow easy vegetables that look great on your patio from the book "Easy Container Combos: Vegetables & Flowers." See a free, 24 page sample of the book at www.pamela-crawford.com. in the 'Books' section. Pamela Crawford designed and photographed the planter. Pamela designs landscapes throughout Palm Beach County, FL, including Boca Raton, Delray Beach, the town of Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and Wellington.

Christine Darnell Gardens
Design ideas for a traditional landscaping in New York.

'Sweet 100' cherry tomatoes growing in a 15-gallon terra-cotta pot. Container-grown tomatoes are more susceptible to blossom end rot, but cherry tomatoes like 'Sweet 100', 'Sungold', and 'Black Cherry' rarely have this problem. Photo by Steve Masley

Nick McCullough

Deck - transitional rooftop rooftop deck idea in Boston with no cover

'Carmello' tomato growing in a 15-gallon terra-cotta pot, week 1. Photo by Steve Masley
Example of an eclectic home design design in San Francisco

Apple crate planters placed around Jorgensen Farms, a premier organic farm and wedding venue in Plain Township, OH. The planters are filled with a variety of annuals and perennials highlighted by Ipomea ‘Illusion Emerald Lace’, Plectranthus 'Silver Shield', Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender' Digiplexis 'Illumination Apricot', Supertunia 'White Russian' Nick McCullough

Photo of a mid-sized traditional full sun backyard landscaping in Chicago for fall.

This project represents the evolution of a 10 acre space over more than three decades. It began with the pool and space around it. As the vegetable garden grew, the orchard was established and the display gardens blossomed. The prairie was restored and a kitchen was added to complete the space. Although, it continues to change with a pond next on the design plan. Photo credit: Linda Oyama Bryan

The "secret ingredient" in organic container gardens: worm castings with live worms. Red compost worms convert organic nutrients in potting soils into plant-available form, and the last chamber of the worm gut is loaded with beneficial bacteria and fungi that boost plant immunity, cycle nutrients, and increase the water-holding capacity of the potting soil. Photo by Steve Masley.

Photo- Lisa Romerein
Inspiration for a mediterranean orange floor front door remodel in San Francisco with white walls and a medium wood front door

© Sharon Risedorph
Inspiration for a contemporary entryway remodel in San Francisco with white walls

Potting mixes for container gardens need to drain freely, but still retain moisture. My base potting soil mix contains (clockwise from upper left) coarse builder's sand, high-quality organic compost or worm castings, coconut coir, and small lava rock. I supplement this with additional compost, fresh worm castings, and organic soil amendments, with the amounts varying depending on what I'm planting. Photo by Steve Masley

Summer annuals display. Photo by Rachel Carlson
This is an example of a traditional partial sun landscaping in Chicago for summer.

Teenage eggplants hanging out. Eggplants thrive in containers, whether they're terra-cotta pots, or fabric Smart Pots. Photo by Steve Masley
Photo of a traditional landscaping in San Francisco.