Mother’s Day Gifts From the Garden

This Mother’s Day, look to your edible garden for gifting inspiration. From bath salts to hand salve, here are a dozen ideas using flowers, fruit, herbs and branches to create unforgettable gifts for every mom and motherly figure in your life!

Floral Bath Salts

Colorful bits of dried flowers make these bath salts from Jenni Kayne’s blog Rip and Tan as beautiful as they are relaxing. We recommended purchasing ingredients in bulk and making one for each of your friends who are deserving of a fragrant good soak. 

Lavender Shortbread Cookies

If your lavender is blooming, grab some snips and your harvest basket. We can’t wait to make and gift a batch of these lavender shortbread cookies from The Beach House Kitchen. This recipe calls for fresh lemon to balance the herb-y lavender with the shortbread. 

Calendula Hand Salve

Calendula is one of our favorite winter florals, so we couldn’t go without recommending a DIY to utilize this stunning bloom. It turns out, combining Calendula with a salve makes a lovely gift for the gardener in your life, or anyone whose hands may be a bit dry from spending time outdoors. Try this recipe from Homestead and Chill. 

Orange Olive Oil Cake 

If your orange tree is dripping with citrus, we have the perfect dessert for mom. This delightful orange cake by Modern Honey also calls for olive oil, resulting in an earthy depth of flavor to balance the sweet. 

Floral Face Mask

Give the gift of self-care with this floral and herb infused bentonite clay face mask from Gardenista. We love the mask and the packaging, sealed in a clear French jam jar and tied with a butcher paper gift tag.

Pressed Flora Art

These beautiful framed pressed floral art pieces from Hearth and Vine remind of the antique versions we might come across at a flea market. From leaves to vines, herb sprigs, and flowers, we love the way these keepsakes capture a moment in time. 

Herbal Bouquet

Herbs are way underrated when it comes to bouquets. This Mother’s Day, try your hand at one of these three arrangements by The Hip Homestead. We’re particularly fond of the “Modern Monochromatic,” a carefree gathering of white and green flowers and herbs. 

Image via the—thread

Avocado Pit Natural Dyed Napkins 

If you like avocado toast, then you’ll love this DIY from Apartment Therapy. Save and freeze the pits until you have at least a 10 to make a batch of dye. The resulting hue is the perfect shade of blush pink, ideal for everything from napkins, tea towels, tablecloths and more. 

Image via someprettything.com

Rose Water Linen Spray

Some Pretty Thing’s rose water linen spray adds a fresh scent to the air. Also perfect for spritzing on towels or bed linens. 

Sage Incense Stick

These sages incense sticks from The Kitchn take a bit of planning but we promise, it’s worth the effort. While a single stick is a perfectly acceptable gift, we love the idea of presenting several in a muslin bag so to be on hand whenever one needs to clear the air. 

Garnish Bouquets 

For the chef in your life, we’re obsessed with these dried garnished bouquets from The Spruce Eats. Harvest your garden herbs, from tarragon to rosemary, thyme and bay leaves to make a generous handful of these pouches. Toss them in a large Weck Jar, and chef can use them for soups, casseroles, as well as roasted chicken or vegetables as needed. 

Eucalyptus Shower Steamers

Love is often expressed by the way in which we care for each other. While a jar of homemade eucalyptus shower steamers may not seem romantic, it does demonstrate thoughtfulness. We’d love to give (or get) a big mason jar full of these Garden Therapy steamers, perfect for using during the onset of a cold, or a good-old pick-me-up. 

A Letter from Allison Messner, Yardzen CEO: What Earth Day Means to Me

Today we celebrate Earth Day. And for me, honoring the planet means getting outside—running on a trail, enjoying dinner in the backyard, working with my kids in the garden. Being in green space is good for the soul. Never are we more connected to Earth than when we’re outside.

My 10-year old son planted his first garden last year. He chose the vegetables, learned how to take care of them and nurtured them to life, and in that found a connectedness to nature. Every morning last summer he was up early to tend to his small crop, and when it came time to harvest he shared his bounty with our neighbors.

One of the best parts of designing green spaces for others is the small role we play in planting new life in the ground. Not just creating new functional areas for living outside (we love that, too!), but helping you choose new life that connects you to Earth, provides food and habitat for birds, bees and butterflies.

Our mission at Yardzen starts with supporting and growing the American Rewilding Project, our effort to help people make good decisions for the small patches of Earth they control. We’re just getting started, but we’re passionate about the impact we can make when we all do a little.

This Earth Day, I hope you all can get outside and feel connected to the planet, however that looks for you.

6 Small Yard Designs: Our Favorite Layouts for Your Tiny Space

Here at Yardzen, we design yards of ALL sizes. From large estates to tiny atriums, your Yardzen team will help you make the most out of your yard!

One common misconception about small yards is that you can’t do much with the space. Think again! With smart design tips, like drawing the eye through the yard with plants, and styling tips, like choosing chairs over sofas, our design team has come up with six ways to make the most out of a small space. Make your tiny yard your favorite room in the house!

Get started on your small yard renovation today!

In small spaces, like this simple square lot, adding texture and levels will make the space feel larger and will create the feeling of multiple “rooms.” Here, we added a small deck off the back of the house, big enough for a couple chairs. The deck creates a transitional space between the home and yard, and cascading steps make it all flow. Below the deck are several functional areas carved out by different ground covers, from gravel under the dining table to pavers under the chairs and fire pit. And, since we always love to include pollinator-supporting plants and edibles, we added a raised bed toward the back of the yard.

The challenge with small, oddly shaped yards is creating a flow that encourages use of the whole space. One of our top recommendations: use the corner, or the “in between space",” to bridge the gap. In this setting, two disparate outdoor “rooms,” both a fire pit and a dining table, are connected by an expanse of lawn (turf and gravel would also work well). As with many of these configurations, we added a row of climate-adapted, habitat-supporting plants, which helps add beauty and texture and moves the eye throughout the yard.

We work with many clients who live in townhouses and want to be able to create a functional space out of their very small yard. In spaces like this, we recommend creating one focal point, like a fire pit with a chairs. In these hard-to-maneuver spaces, we always recommend sticking with chairs over a sofa, even if a sofa will fit. This will allow you to easily reorganize, clean, and remove the furniture. A long row of plants, positioned well for the sun, helps move the eye through the space and gives it texture.

We see a lot of “short and wide” yards, especially in urban areas where home additions encroach on already limited backyard space. The key to this type of yard is to create multiple rooms, differentiating them by ground cover and furniture. Where possible, we do recommend leaving a little bit of “free space,” such as gravel, lawn, or turf, for unstructured play, craft projects, or picnics. And, of course, we love to add climate-adapted, habitat-supporting plants wherever possible. A thin row of plants or trees at the back of the yard is a great solution for creating privacy, adding foliage, and drawing the eye toward the rear of the yard—creating the illusion of a bigger space.

For our clients in row houses in cities across the country, it’s always a challenge to think about how to organize their long and narrow yard. In these spaces, we recommend placing the focal point, generally a gathering space, toward the back of the yard, this helps move the eye through the space. We also recommend planting climate-adapted plants along the border of the yard, which makes the whole space feel cohesive, and help support the local habitat!

Many of our clients have sloped or terraced properties with small, disparate spaces to actually make use of. As with many of these small yards, thinking about the area in terms of distinct “rooms” helps make the most out of a small or disjointed space. We recommend getting creative with split spaces—give each area its own function and personality with distinct furniture and styling.

This Deck Renovation Transformed a Family's Home and Lifestyle

Yardzen cofounder Allison enjoying the deck at our Mill Valley project

The owners of a mid-century home in Mill Valley, CA, purchased a Full Yard package from us this spring. Their goal: transform their multi-level yard on a hill into an oasis for both kids and adults to enjoy. In their design, we added retaining walls, a large swath of new plants to anchor the soil, turf for the kids, and a new deck.

The “before” of the deck.

Our clients were thrilled with the design and ready to begin, but the budget was a concern, so they knew they would have to tackle the project in phases. After Yardzen's CEO Adam walked the job with one of the trusted contractors in our Pro Network, the family decided that the immediate concern was the rickety deck off of the house--for safety, function, and indoor/outdoor aesthetics.

The new deck made a couple of notable departures from the original deck, and some of these improvements have changed this family's life.

First, we enlarged the footprint of the deck to create ample living space. After completing the project, our clients added a dining table, seating area, and a fire table. The family now enjoys the space daily and even plans to host Thanksgiving out there this year.

3-D rendering of the new deck and stairs

We also added stairs, a decision that our clients say is the "best decision we've made so far" in their exterior renovation process. The stairs have changed their kids' lives and their neighborhood. Whereas the home used to be very separate from the backyard--only accessible by a steep slope on the side of the house--the stairs now encourage the kids to go into the yard. Not only that, making the backyard accessible opened up a relationship with the kids next door, and through a newly added gate along the back fence, the kids now go out to join their neighbors for nightly basketball games. 

We also made some materials changes to the deck. To add a modern-rustic feel, and for safety, we added hogwire fencing around the deck. We changed the deck from pressure-treated lumber to redwood, a decision increased the price, but one that our client was happy to make because of the sustainability, durability, and beauty of redwood. Learn more in our guide to decking choices.

Since designing and installing the deck, our clients have had some time to save, and they are ready to tackle the next project—that steep slope on the side of the house. Stay tuned to see the results!

7 Easy Edible Garden Plans

There's never been a better time to plant your edible garden. Here's our simple guide to getting started, plus seven easy garden plans with specific plant recommendations, ranging from Salsa Gardens to Green Juice Gardens.

As a reminder, many local nurseries are still open for all of your plant, soil, and compost needs. We put together a list to help you find a garden center near you.

Want Yardzen to create a design with space for an edible garden? Get started here.

Getting Started

If you're planting directly in the ground, your soil is likely better than you think! Many people worry that their soil is "too hard," "too sandy," or "too [fill in the blank]," but it's probably better than you're giving it credit. To prepare the ground for planting, turn over your soil to loosen it up and bring nutrients to the surface (tutorial on @yardzen_), and adding a good dose of organic material, like compost, manure, and worm castings, is likely all that you need for a bountiful edible garden. 

If you're building raised beds (here's our favorite tutorial), you will need to purchase soil from your local garden center. This can get quite expensive, so to save money, try to find a local garden center that sells in bulk (ask if you need to bring your own bags!). It's important to add about 25% organic matter, like compost, manure, and worm castings--use your shovel or your hands to mix! Many bagged soils, like E.B. Stone Organics Raised Bed Mix, already have all of the elements that your plants will need.

Planting Tips

• Save yourself the time: seedlings, not seeds, are the way to go!

• Plant deep in the ground. Make sure that the root ball and a portion of the seedling's stem are well-covered (but not too compact!). This gives the plant excellent support and encourages vigorous root growth. (Tutorial on @yardzen_)

• Pro tip: Feed your seedlings with a healthy dose of liquid seaweed. Beware of liquid fertilizers other than seaweed or kelp; unless expertly applied, they can kill your plants.

• Plant your shortest plants on the eastern side of your garden bed, and your tallest plants on the western side of the garden. This ensures that all of your plants get the most sun.

• Wherever possible, include pollinator-loving plants! Pollinators are essential for your edible plants.

• With tomato plants, if you have limited space, look for determinate varieties, which are much more compact.

• Always cage your tomatoes!

Garden Plans

Salsa Garden

Tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, and marigolds! Why marigolds? They attract pollinators, and they repel pests, like nematodes, which can wreak havoc on tomato plants. With your tomatoes, be sure to give them as much room as possible, and if they start blocking the sun from other plants, trim them back (don't cut too much, but there's no right or wrong way to do that).

Tomatoes: Paste tomatoes, like widely available Romas, are traditionally used in salsa. Cherry tomatoes are a personal favorite for salsa because they keep their crunch and their sweetness adds flavor complexity when mixed with the heat of the peppers and tartness of the cilantro.

Peppers: Choosing the best peppers for your garden depends on how spicy you want to go! A safe bet is a mix of bell peppers, like Big Berthas (homegrown bell peppers tend to be quite small) and jalapenos.

Cilantro: Look for slow-bolting cilantro, which is better suited to summer heat. If you can't find slow-bolting, no problem, be prepared to replant if they go to flower.

If you have extra room, consider adding tomatillos, which are the husked tomatoes found in green salsas. Tomatillos can grow very large and should be planted in pairs (for pollination), so be sure you have ample space.

Italian Garden

This garden will keep you fed with all of the ratatouille, tomato sauce, bruschetta, caprese, and eggplant parmesan you want! With your tomatoes and zucchini, be sure to give them as much room as possible, and if they start blocking the sun from other plants, trim them back (don't cut too much, but there's really no right or wrong way to do that).

Tomatoes: Go for a mix of paste (Roma, San Marzano), heirloom (Brandywine, Mortgage Lifter), and cherry tomatoes--that way, you'll have all your culinary bases covered.

Eggplant: Just about any variety of eggplant tastes delicious covered in sauce and cheese. Easy growers include Black Beauty and Japanese eggplants.

Oregano: Oregano is not only a popular herb in Italian dishes, it's also an excellent companion plant--it deters many garden pests.

Basil: For Italian dishes, choose sweet basil, like Genovese or Italian Large Leaf. To keep the pollinators happy, we also included an African Blue Basil, a prolific and fragrant basil that's more ornamental, although it can be used as a garnish.

Zucchini: The blessing and the curse of zucchini is that it will thrive in just about any garden. The foliage and fruit can become aggressively big, so be sure to trim back your plant and harvest the zucchini when it's young.

Pollinator Friendly

A simple, prolific, and visually exciting pollinator garden, complete with African Blue Basil, Lavender, and Artichoke. In addition to being fantastic for pollinators, all of the plants listed here have many uses in the home. African Blue Basil looks and smells incredible as a cutting flower, lavender has a multitude of applications, and artichokes are delicious—you just have to let some of them flower to attract the pollinators!

African Blue Basil: Bees go nuts for this stuff! If you can't find this variety, look for Tulsi, and if you can't find that, you can use culinary basil and let it flower! Fair warning: It can grow quite large, so cut it back if you're short on space.

Lavender: There are many types of lavender, and they are all an excellent choice for pollinators. Check out this great guide to lavender varieties.

Artichoke: Artichoke in a pollinator's garden? Yes! You just have to let some of them go to flower. Pollinators love the purple flowers, and they add a beautiful pop of color to any garden.

Tea Garden

There is nothing quite as delicious as a homemade iced tea on a hot summer day. How does lavender and lemon verbena sound?

Chamomile: A classic for tea and easy to grow! Delicate white flowers make these a gorgeous addition to any garden.

Marjoram: Marjoram tea is said to have a whole host of benefits for tea drinkers (check it out!). It adds a deep, herbal flavor.

Mint: Mint is a vigorous grower, so be sure to cut it back!

Lemon Verbena: Just as you might have guessed, lemon verbena adds a distinctly citrus flavor to any tea. 

Lavender: Lavender creates an incredible tisane and can be added to a whole host of culinary and self-care recipes.

If you have more room, consider adding: lemongrass, bergamot, calendula, anise hyssop, and bee balm.

Children's Garden

Tomatoes: Go for a mix of heirloom and cherry tomatoes. Sun Gold and Super Sweet 100s are two cherry tomato favorites that are perfect for popping right into your mouth!

Cucumbers: Cucumbers are always a hit! Once established, they are quite easy to grow (tender seedlings can fall victim to garden pests, so it's good to keep an eye on them). Great slicing cucumber favorites, opposed to pickling varieties, include Sweet Success, Burpless (learn more), and Spacemaster. Important: cucumbers prefer something to grow on! A trellis or a tomato cage work well.

Pumpkin: Pumpkins are one of the most fun things to grow in the garden. They're easy, and their growing timeline feels like a Halloween countdown. Fair warning: Pumpkin plants can get HUGE, so if you're planting in a small space, think about how you can drape the vines over the edge of an in-ground planter or raised bed.

Lettuce: Most lettuce is "cut and come again," which means you can trim it for salad, and it will regrow. Homegrown lettuces tend to be sweet and mild, especially Bibb and Butter lettuce.

Sweet Peas: Sweet Peas are always a hit! Fast to grow, fragrant flowers, and sweet pods for eating right of the vine. Importantly, sweet peas require trellising.

Carrots: The one exception to planting seedlings is carrots. Carrots do best when planted from seeds, as planting seedlings are disruptive to growth. Follow planting directions on seed packets! A favorite seed purveyor is Renee's Garden.

Green Juice Garden

Kale: Like most lettuce, kale is "cut and come again." It's incredibly easy to grow, and it's packed with nutrients.

Celery: We've all heard of the celery juice crazy. Now is the time to grow it! It's very easy to care for, but it does take a long time. 

Cucumber: Slicing cucumbers, as opposed to pickling varieties, are best for juicing. Try Sweet Success, Burpless (learn more), and Spacemaster. Important: cucumbers prefer something to grow on! A trellis or a tomato cage works well.

Parsley & Cilantro: Many green juices contain these excellent detoxifiers. Look for slow-bolting cilantro.

Broccoli: Most broccoli prefers cooler temperatures, but some heat-resistant varieties will be happy during the summer!

African Blue Basil: We added one basil in the corner to keep the pollinators happy!

Dealer’s Choice

Hi! I'm Kendra, and I'm the Growth Manager here at Yardzen. I'm also an avid edible gardener. I have been gardening all of my life, and at my home in San Leandro, I have an edible front yard (photo). Here are my go-to picks for an easy edible garden.

Tomatoes: For the most part, I prefer big, red, beefsteak tomatoes, but I always include some paste and cherry tomatoes, too. My favorite varieties: Brandywine, San Marzano, German Johnson, Sun Gold, and Early Girl. I also love growing tomatillos and freezing green salsa to enjoy all winter long. 

Cucumbers: We eat a ton of cucumbers in my family, so I had to include them. Great slicing cucumber favorites, opposed to pickling varieties, include Sweet Success, Burpless (learn more), and Spacemaster. Important: cucumbers prefer something to grow on! A trellis or a tomato cage works well.

Basil: One of my favorite recipes to make from the garden in pesto--I eat it on everything. To keep my pesto supplies going, I always make sure to have 2-3 basil plants in my garden. Sweet basil, like Genovese, is best. I also ALWAYS include as much African Blue Basil as will fit-- it's incredible for pollinators, looks beautiful in phases, and smells heavenly.

Squash: My go-to squash varieties are Delicata and Butternut. They are easy growers and store for months. We like to roast them and make soups throughout the winter.

Eggplant: I could eat eggplant several times a week. It's an excellent meat substitute in many types of cooking, like Italian, Indian, and Thai. I like to grow both Black Beauty and Japanese eggplants. They both work well in all cuisine.

Kale: Like most lettuce, kale is "cut and come again." It's incredibly easy to grow, and it's a favorite of mine for sauteing (it's also our pet chickens' favorite!).

Pumpkins: I LOVE growing pumpkins. Seeing them mature is always a fun reminder of fall and Halloween. They are easy to grow but require a lot of room. I like to drape them over the edges of my raised beds. I grow a mix of small pumpkins, like Sugar Pies, which are perfect for cooking, and giant pumpkins, like Big Ben, which make lovely front porch decor.

10 Books That Will Inspire You to Get Out in Your Yard This Spring

Yardzen’s team of designers, horticulturalists, landscape architects, and contractors put their heads together to come up with this list of their top ten favorite landscaping books. From small yard style to edible gardens to growing cannabis outdoors, there is surely something here for everyone! What are you waiting for? There’s no better time to get out in your yard!

Ready to get started on your yard? Begin a project with Yardzen.

A Garden Can Be Anywhere: Creating Bountiful and Beautiful Edible Gardens  (2019)

By Lauri Kranz

Edible Gardens LA founder Lauri Kranz shares her secrets for planning, planting, growing, and maintaining luscious edible gardens, no matter the setting or size of the plot. Through gorgeous gardens created for her well-known clientele, including James Beard award–winning chefs, celebrities, rock stars, and more, Lauri shares her essential methods for growing abundant organic food. This practical guide is built around Lauri’s philosophy that nourishment and beauty are not separate goals. It’s also at the forefront of a gardening revolution, where more and more people are craving a patch of land for growing and the trend is toward edible gardens over ornamental gardens. A Garden Can Be Anywhere reveals Lauri’s knack for providing both beauty and bounty in her clients’ outdoor spaces. (Abrams)

The Earth in Her Hands: 75 Extraordinary Women Working in the World of Plants (2020)

By Jennifer Jewell

In this beautiful and empowering book, Jennifer Jewell—host of public radio’s award-winning program and podcast Cultivating Place—introduces 75 inspiring women. Working in wide-reaching fields that include botany, floral design, landscape architecture, farming, herbalism, and food justice, these influencers are creating change from the ground up. Profiled women include flower farmer Erin Benzakein; codirector of Soul Fire Farm Leah Penniman; plantswoman Flora Grubb; edible and cultural landscape designer Leslie Bennett; Caribbean-American writer and gardener Jamaica Kincaid; soil scientist Elaine Ingham; landscape designer Ariella Chezar; floral designer Amy Merrick, and many more. Rich with personal stories and insights, Jewell’s portraits reveal a devotion that transcends age, locale, and background, reminding us of the profound role of green growing things in our world—and our lives. (Timber Press)

Floret Farm’s A Year In Flowers (2020)

By Erin Benzakein

Brimming with gorgeous photography and practical design techniques, this new book by beloved flower farmer and floral designer Erin Benzakein illustrates beautiful seasonal bouquets that anyone can make and everyone will enjoy. Each seasonally-inspired chapter engages and encourages readers to observe the colors and textures of the natural world around them and incorporate locally-grown ingredients while creating centerpieces, posies, and other floral arrangements. (Chronicle Books)

Growing Weed in the Garden: A No-Fuss, Seed-to-Stash Guide to Outdoor Cannabis Cultivation (2020)

By Johanna Silver

From the former garden editor of Sunset magazine, Johanna Silver, Growing Weed in the Garden brings cannabis out of the dark, into the sunlight. This groundbreaking, comprehensive guide to incorporating weed into your garden leads you from seed or plant selection to harvest. Filled with gorgeous photographs of beautiful gardens, as well as step-by-step photography that shows how to dry, cure, and store cannabis, make tinctures and oils, and roll the perfect joint, this book provides all the information you need to grow and enjoy cannabis. For both the stoned and sober, the new and seasoned gardener, Growing Weed in the Garden is the definitive guide to doing just that. (Abrams)

The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012)

By the Editors of Sunset

As surely as gardens change with the seasons, gardening is ever changing. New plants, techniques, materials, and lifestyles are constantly broadening the choices you have and reshaping the way you garden in the West. In response to this natural evolution, the editors of Sunset-the West's most trusted source of gardening information for more than 80 years-have completely redesigned and updated The Western Garden Book in this Ninth Edition. Following the best-selling success of the previous editions of The Western Garden Book, this edition includes a fresh new look, thousands of color photographs, fresh illustrations, and an easy-to-follow format. Written by experts for gardeners in the West, this book is an indispensable reference for beginning and expert gardeners alike. (Sunset Publishing)

You’ll find this book on every Yardzen designer’s desk!

Dry Gardens: High Style for Low Water Gardens (2018)

By Daniel Nolan

Hot days, cool nights, dry air, a blazing sun—California’s Mediterranean climate is not what you think of when you hear “lush garden,” but leading garden designers Nolan and his peers have revolutionized this genre with their artful designs.

Nolan, the authority on dry gardens, has carefully selected 25 unique public and private garden masterpieces, diverse examples of interior and exterior gardening techniques. Readers will be treated to a complete look at crafting elevated and rustic gardens through a variety of environments, from pools and pocket gardens, front lawns, balconies, and living walls to retail spaces, museums, and vineyards. Each detailed project offers a different approach to incorporating the desert’s wild array of flora and becomes a practical tool, addressing various materials and horticultural and compositional solutions.

Rich with bold architecture of spiny cacti, brilliant and muted sage, rosy succulents, bright, dusty sands, and red rocks, Dry Gardens proves that inspiration has no geographic boundaries. It will be appreciated by lovers of gardens and interior design from around the world. (Rizzoli)

The Beautiful Edible Garden: Design a Stylish Outdoor Space Using Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs (2013)

By Leslie Bennett and Stefani Bittner

We’ve all seen the vegetable garden overflowing with corn, tomatoes, and zucchini that looks good for a short time, but then quickly turns straggly and unattractive (usually right before friends show up for a backyard barbecue). If you want to grow food but you don’t want your yard to look like a farm, what can you do? The Beautiful Edible Garden shares how to not only grow organic fruits and vegetables, but also make your garden a place of year-round beauty that is appealing, enjoyable, and fits your personal style. Written by a landscape design team that specializes in artfully blending edibles and ornamentals together, The Beautiful Edible Garden shows that it’s possible for gardeners of all levels to reap the best of both worlds. Featuring a fresh approach to garden design, glorious photographs, and ideas for a range of spaces—from large yards to tiny patios—this guide is perfect for anyone who wants a gorgeous and productive garden. (Ten Speed Press)

Gardenista: The Definitive Guide to Stylish Outdoor Spaces (2016)

By Michelle Slatalla

The team behind the inspirational design sites Gardenista.com and Remodelista.com presents an all-in-one manual for making your outdoor space as welcoming as your living room. Tour personality-filled gardens around the world and re-create the looks with no-fail planting palettes. Find hundreds of design tips and easy DIYs, editors’ picks of 100 classic (and stylish) objects, a landscaping primer with tips from pros, over 200 resources, and so much more. (Artisan)

Small Garden Style (2020)

By Isa Hendry Eaton

Petite gardens align with the movement to live smaller and create a life with less stuff and more room for living. But a more eco-friendly and efficient space doesn't have to sacrifice style. In Small Garden Style, garden designer Isa Hendry Eaton and lifestyle writer Jennifer Blaise Kramer show you how to use good design to create a joyful, elegant, and exciting yet compact outdoor living space for entertaining or relaxing.

A style quiz helps you focus in on your own personal garden style, be it traditional, modern, colorful, eclectic, minimalist, or globally inspired, then utilize every inch of your yard by considering the horizontal, vertical, and overhead spaces. You'll learn how to design stunning planters and container gardens using succulents, grasses, vibrant-colored pots, and more. Hendry Eaton and Blaise Kramer recommend their favorite plants and decor for small gardens, along with lawn alternatives and inspiration for making garden accents such as a fire pit, front door wreath, instant mini orchard, boulder birdbath, patterned vines, perfumed wall, and faux fountain with cascading plants.

However small your garden, Small Garden Style will transform it into a magical, modern outdoor oasis. (Ten Speed Press)

The Bold Dry Garden: Lessons from the Ruth Bancroft Garden (2016)

By Johanna Silver

Ruth Bancroft is a dry gardening pioneer. Her lifelong love of plants led to the creation of one of the most acclaimed public gardens, The Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek, California. The Bold Dry Garden offers unparalleled access to the garden and the extraordinary woman responsible for it. In its stunningly photographed pages, you’ll discover the history of the garden and the design principles and plant palette that make it unique. Packed with growing and maintenance tips, profiles of signature plants for a dry garden, and innovative design techniques, The Bold Dry Garden has everything you need to create a garden that is lush, waterwise, and welcoming. (Timber Press)

Book a Campout in Your Own Backyard

Image via One Kings Lane

No plans this Labor Day Weekend? No problem. It’s easy to throw together an unforgettable campout in your backyard with these 11 pieces of super chic camp gear.  

Image by Shelter Co.

Meriwether Tent by Shelter Co: Set the glamping mood with this generous-sized tent from San Francisco based Shelter Co. Sixteen-feet in diameter, it’s roomy enough for lounge furniture, napping cots and piles of rugs and pillows for playing games or watching movies on the projector. 

Take! Renewed Bamboo Chair Long from Snow Peak: Did you know the secret to the perfect campout is actually in the chair? And these beautiful, collapsible canvas slings are just the thing for a relaxing fireside lounge. 

Cast Iron Fire Pit from Walmart: Share spooky ghost stories and roast marshmallows around this modern cast-iron black finish fire pit. Weighing in under 40 pounds, it’s a cinch to store when the party is over. **IMPORTANT** Please be sure to follow all Spare the Air alerts and Fire Safety Guidelines.

Tundra 45 Hard Cooler in Coral from Yeti: The beer will never get cold and the juice boxes will never run out with this spacious cooler. Plus, this limited-time bright coral hue will pop whether you’re out in the wild or in your backyard. 

Cream Gingham Tablecloth from Heather Taylor Home: For a minimal take on the classic red gingham tablecloth, we love tossing this casual cream version over the table from LA-based textile artist Heather Taylor. 

Enamelware from Falcon: Refresh your old camping enamelware with everything from dining sets to pie dishes, serve ware, mugs, cups, pitchers and more. Choose from classic white and blue rim combos, solid red or modern black and gray hues. 

Forest Lantern from Barebones: Don’t let sunset deter your glampout. Simply flick on one of these vintage-inspired rechargeable USB lanterns in classic bright red or a modern dark bronze finishes. 

Beat Pill Portable Speaker in White from Apple: If your sans a campfire guitar player, just along bring your own beats. This sleek portable Bluetooth speaker holds its charge for 12 hours, so you can play “Sweet Caroline” and “Ring of Fire” on repeat. 

S’mores Kit from 1927: No joke, a campout just isn’t without allll the s’mores fixings. Take it up a notch with this small batch kit of homemade grahams, marshmallows and bittersweet chocolate. Before you know it, you’ll forget all about those sticky Stay Pufts. 

Coghlan’s Telescoping Extension Fork from Amazon: This classic camp brand still brings it, and one of our essentials are these timeless wood-handled extension chrome forks so you can achieve the perfectly brown roasted marshmallow every single time. 

Hardscaping 101: Gravel

Gravel is one of our favorite hardscaping elements. It’s low-maintenance, inexpensive, and incredibly durable. In recent years, gravel has become one of the most popular landscape design treatments, even replacing lawns and traditional ground covers.

Gravel landscape works beautifully in many applications—patios, paths, ground cover, and in between pavers—and it adds timeless organic style and an elegant neutral tone to any yard. Gravel comes in many shapes and sizes, ranging from superfine decomposed granite to large stones like river rock.

Interested in using gravel in your landscape design? We include hardscape recommendations in our Full Yard and Partial Yard Packages. Read on to learn more about the different types of gravel.

Decomposed Granite

Decomposed granite is the finest of the gravel options. It has the look and feel of coarse sand and is typically tan or gray. Landscape designers use decomposed granite in several ways: as mulch, loosely sprinkled at the base of plants; with a stabilizer, which makes a compact surface for patios and pathways (pictured below); and, with resin, which creates a hard surface for driveways.

Pea Gravel

We're seeing pea gravel everywhere these days. It's beautiful as a patio, path, ground cover, mulch, and in-between pavers. Pea gravel is often gray, but colors also include tan, white, and dark brown. Pea gravel is one of the most inexpensive gravels, and it has many benefits. It's easy to install, drains well, and is an excellent weed blocker. The biggest downside: pea gravel isn't firm underfoot, so it's not the best option for patio furniture or kids on bikes.

Black Basalt

Black basalt is beautiful in modern landscape designs. The dark color creates eye-catching contrast and clean lines. In its smaller form, it can be used as mulch, a ground cover, and in between pavers. Basalt has sharp edges, so it's not used for patios and pathways. Large black basalt rock is beautiful in Gabion walls.

River Rock

River rock is a large gravel option with several applications. River rocks range in size, from 1" to 5", and come in a wide variety of colors. Landscapers often use river rock for drainage, but it also works beautifully as a ground cover, mulch, edging, and in-between pavers.

Wondering what kind of gravel is best for you and your yard? Schedule a design consult today.

Yardzen Launches with New Furniture & Decor Partners for Spring!

Spring is on the horizon, and there has never been a better time to get started on your yard! To help Yardzen clients bring their dream yard to life this season, we’ve partnered with a select list of furniture and decor partners to add to our partnership with CB2 and Crate & Barrel.

Introducing Yardzen’s Spring 2021 Partners: Yardbird, Neighbor, Häti-Häti Home, and Article.

Starting today, Yardzen designers will incorporate pieces from all of these brands into their projects. New clients are welcome to request pieces from specific brands, or let their designers choose based on their property’s unique style and characteristics.

How did we select this cohort? An internal team at Yardzen, including designers, data scientists, and sustainability experts, carefully curated this list of four brands, with an eye toward durability, sustainability, craftsmanship, and stylistic variety. Say goodbye to cheap, disposable outdoor furniture—we want to create yards and recommend furniture that our homeowners will love for decades to come!

Ready to get started on your yard? Start designing now!

A family enjoys their Yardbird furniture!

Yardbird

Sustainability is at the core of this father-son-founded outdoor furniture company. All of Yardbird’s furniture is composed of at least 64% recycled ocean plastic and its pieces are 100% recyclable. That means they’ll gladly reclaim their furniture when you’re done with it and upcycle it into new furniture. As if that’s not enough to convince you, 50% of their packaging comes from recycled sources.

We love the diverse styles included in the Yardbird collection—you’ll find everything from modern to traditional. Loved by clients and press alike—you’ll find them in Martha Stewart, Architectural Digest, and more—they have furniture to complement any space and aesthetic.

Neighbor’s Haven Collection in a Yardzen yard!

Neighbor

“Yardzen creates beautiful spaces where memories are made. Since we are trying to achieve the same with our furniture, we’re thrilled to be a part of that experience!” - Chris Lee, Neighbor Co-Founder

Neighbor’s mission is to think of outdoor space as actual livable square footage. They believe that well-equipped yards empower homeowners to unlock new space outside.

Neighbor launched in 2020 and has since seen remarkable traction with their modular Haven Collection—a favorite among Yardzen designers, making the list of Favorite Outdoor Couches (pictured above in a Yardzen yard). By prioritizing sustainably harvested FSC-Certified teak and Sunbrella fabric, their materials are responsibly sourced, beautiful, and durable—ready for a long life outside! 2021 will bring new products, fabrics, and other outdoor goods for this company working to bring your living room outdoors.

Häti-Häti Home furniture in a beautiful backyard!

A Häti-Häti Home artisan!

Häti-Häti Home

“Yardzen is the perfect partner to bring our outdoor line into beautiful spaces across the US. Their emphasis on design, sustainability, and great customer service fits our brand perfectly.  When you talk to anyone at the company, it's immediately evident that they are full of animation for their mission. We are really excited to partner with Yardzen to create outdoor spaces that bring positive energy and warmth to homes across the US.” - Adam Thomson, Owner & Co-Founder, Häti-Häti Home

Häti-Häti Home believes that a beautiful home and yard should be enjoyed, well lived in and filled with thoughtfully curated pieces that reflect your unique spirit. Inspired by the rich, laid back feel of Bali’s island lifestyle, their furniture cultivates that same elevated sense of creativity, possibility, and serenity. All of their handcrafted products are made by local artisans in Bali and Java with ethically-sourced, durable materials like teak, vegetable-dyed leather, Danish paper cord and rattan. The end result is a stunning, visual testament to the energy, care, and attention to detail that’s poured into every piece.

Sustainability and stewardship are at the heart of Häti-Häti Home’s creative process. They use the cleanest, natural materials they can find to reduce environmental impact and ensure that your purchase isn’t at the expense of the earth we love.

Article

“Partnering with Yardzen helps us achieve a common goal and make the process of furnishing outdoor spaces simple. We’re looking forward to supplying stylish furniture to complete the fantastic outdoor spaces that Yardzen creates.” - Duncan Blair, VP of Marketing, Article

Since launching in 2013, Article’s mission is to make great style easy, long-lasting and well-priced. Their team works directly with manufacturers to produce unique, durable pieces using high-quality materials. This direct relationship means they bring clients beautiful, modern furniture and decor at unrivaled value.