Rhode Island is home to some of the more beautiful private gardens you will ever see as well as some of historic importance but if you are not lucky enough to get an invite don’t fret there are still lots of beautiful landscaped gardens for your to visit and marvel over.

1. Blithewold Mansion, in Bristol RI. Located on Narragansett Bay, 25 minutes east of Providence and 60 minutes south of Boston, Blithewold is one of the finest garden estates in New England. Your exploration of Blithewold will include diverse gardens, specimen trees, and a 45-room English style manor house, all chronicling the rich social history of the lives of one family over a span of more than 80 years
2. Wilcox Park, in Westerly, RI.  “The people shall have a park.” So saying, in 1898 Harriet Wilcox purchased and donated to the Memorial and Library association the seven acre Rowse Babcock estate in the heart of Westerly’s business district
3. Block Island, at Block Island, RI.  Birds stop here while migrating in the spring and fall along the Atlantic Flyway. In addition to the plants and animals, the human community is dedicated to conserving open space to preserve their natural and cultural heritage.
4. Linden Place, in Bristol, RI. Madam Colt ran Bristol Society from Linden Place as if she was Queen Victoria and the great actress Ethel Barrymore who married in to this most prominent of American families. At the tour’s end, visitors are welcome to stroll the sculpture-filled gardens where they will find Greek bronzes and an 18th Century gazebo.
5. Prescott Farm Garden, on Aquidneck Island, RI.  The plant varieties grown in the gardens represent what many Aquidneck Islanders may have used for food, medicine and other utilitarian purposes in the colonial era

Over the last ten days I have listed some spectacular public landscaped gardens in NH, ME and MA. Today the list visits Connecticut to give you more places to visit and gain ideas for your own landscaping projects or if you just feel like a picnic somewhere new.

Public landscaped gardens are all around us but often they are an overlooked resource. Many of the gardens are private but through the generosity of their caretakers are open for the public to enjoy. Spending some time in an oasis that are the public gardens can bring hours of relaxation and inspiration.

1. Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford, CT.  We offer the community year-round educational programs for all ages, an extensive horticultural library, an herbarium with specimens dating back to the 1800’s, a summer plant clinic, and seasonal events and family festivals.
2. Dinosaur State Park & Arboretum in Rocky Hill, CT.  Our goal is to grow representatives of as many of the Mesozoic Era plants families as we can within our zone 6 site. The initial plantings established a “backbone” of hardy conifers and then the collection was filled out with dwarf and slow-growing conifer cultivars.
3. Hartford Botanical Garden in Hartford, CT.  The Hartford Botanical Garden will be a 21st century garden steeped in the history of Hartford’s Colt Park and the region’s rich horticultural fabric. Specializing in past, present and future linkages between people and plants in urban environments, the Garden will feature demonstration gardens for urban settings
4. New Canaan Nature Center in New Canaan, CT.  The Nature Center was established in 1960 on the former estate of Miss Susan Dwight Bliss. This 40 acre site was given to the Town of New Canaan for the study of nature, horticulture and related sciences. The Town continues to own the land and buildings, and provides maintenance support. The Nature Center’s wide array of innovative environmental education programs generate more than 60% of its annual revenues
5. Highstead in Redding, CT.  Since its formation in 1982 by Mr. and Mrs. James Dudley, Highstead has developed as a sanctuary for the study and appreciation of woodland plants and habitats. The past two decades have witnessed remarkable growth and activity at Highstead that have yielded an attractive landscape, excellent facilities and a range of effective programs

In New England landscaping takes place for only a few short months but the conversation and planning of layouts and design go on year round. Looking at the the trends for 4 words over the last seven years shows a growing interest in mulch and compost while interest in pavers seems to be waning and loam stays at the bottom of the pile with little or no interest growth.

The top 5 countries searching for mulch are listed below.

1. United States
2. Australia
3. Canada
4. United Kingdom
5. Germany

The top 10 US. Metro areas search for these keywords.

1. Columbus, OH
2. Raleigh NC
3. Indianapolis, IN
4. Cincinnati, OH
5. Cleveland, OH
6. Philadelphia, PA
7. Reston, VA
8. Atlanta, GA
9. Washington, DC
10. St Louis, MO

Many people in New England have acres and acres to cultivate and landscape in their quest for the most perfect and beautiful property, but for those who live in the city starting up a weed-wacker or planting a dozen trees can lead to your neighbors showing up with pitchforks and torches threatening to run you and your landscaping ideas clear out of the city.

Box Gardens are not just about growing veggies they can also be about designing for an area as small as a foot square or smaller. If you are like me you want to have flowers, shrubs and other natural accents surrounding your living area.

Sketch out the space you want to work with and then start adding squares and rectangles that you can plant in. Arrange the squares and rearrange them till you have created just the right compromise between space and boxes. Remember you can make some boxes large and some small, some can be tall while others may be short. The goal is to create lots of planting options in the space you have. Remember make the landscaping design fun.

You can buy boxes already to go or if you are really adventurous buy the lumber and hardware and build them yourself. If you are going to build it yourself check out the web for types of wood and finishes and ask questions at the lumber yard.

Your boxes can sit by themselves or connected with other boxes create a continuous flow of green within your space. Think about using different heights that create a terraced or waterfall effect. What ever new plants you bring into your limited space you will get back a multitude of enjoyment from the effort.

The heat is bearing down on Massachusetts, New England and the whole east coast, what a great time to relax at a nearby public garden and pick up some great design ideas for your next landscaping project.

Today I’m highlighting some public gardens in Massachusetts, so make some iced tea and cucumber sandwiches and head out to for a serene afternoon looking at nature and landscape design.

1. Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge, Ma. Called “a glistening community gem” by Virginia Small, author of the book Great Gardens of the Berkshires, the Garden’s mission is to fulfill the community’s need for information, education and inspiration concerning the art and science of gardening and the preservation and improvement of our local environment.
2. The Arnold Arboretum in Boston, Ma.  The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is the oldest public arboretum in North America and one of the world’s leading centers for the study of plants. Administered by the Office of the Provost of Harvard University and a link in Boston’s Emerald Necklace of parks, the 265-acre Arnold Arboretum is a unique blend of respected research institution and beloved public landscape.
3. Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich, Ma. Heritage provides a memorable experience of beauty, exploration and discovery for all ages, which inspires visitors to return and share the excitement with family and friends.
4. Mount Holyoke Botanic Garden in South Hadley, Ma.  The primary mission of the Mount Holyoke College Botanic Garden is to maintain a diverse, well-documented and accurately labeled living plant collection that supports and enhances teaching and research for the faculty and students of Mount Holyoke College.
5. Garden in the Woods in Framingham, Ma.  This ever-changing living museum—New England’s premier wildflower garden—has more than 1,000 native plant species, with many rare and endangered native specimens throughout the gardens, as well as the unique “New England Garden of Rare and Endangered Plants.”

Continuing with my list of recommended gardens to visit for great ideas to add to your own landscaping design and projects, today I’m highlighting Maine.

1. Harvey Butler Rhododendron Sanctuary, Springvale, ME This gently undulating, 30-acre tract has at least 39 species of wildflowers and a 5.3-acre stand of Great Laurel (Rhododendron maximum), a very rare species in Maine. The site borders a red maple swamp and wet meadow, and is listed on the Maine State Register as a Critical Area.
2. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Boothbay, ME  250 Acres At Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, you’ll discover stunning ornamental gardens and exceptional natural beauty, waterfalls, and incomparable stonework and sculpture.  Miles of trails allow you to experience waterfront and woodlands that are quintessentially Maine
3. Ecotat Gardens & Arboretum Hermon, ME  The acreage is home to over 60 gardens containing 280 varieties of trees, over 1500 varieties of perennials, and an abundance of animals, birds and insects.Visitors can enjoy tours of the gardens during the growing season, hikes through fall foliage or cross country ski on trails during the winter. The Mary Blethen Memorial Library, established by the Bangor Nature Club, is open three days a week in season.
4. Viles Arboretum Augusta, ME  Our tree collections include native and non-native hardwoods, softwoods, nut trees, fruit trees plus a variety of woody shrubs and several different forest habitats. Our plant exhibits include Maine’s premier Hosta collection and an outstanding rock garden. Wetlands, several ponds, vernal pools, and acres of grasslands make up the natural landscapes of this outstanding facility.
5. Robert P. Tristram Coffin Wild Flower Reservation, Woolwich, ME
   Hilly woods, a brook, and 1,256 feet of sandy shore and tidal marsh make up this 177-acre sanctuary, which borders lovely Merrymeeting Bay. Over 100 wildflower species–including pink lady’s slipper, yellow violet and white baneberry–grow on the site, which is located along a migratory flyway for water fowl. Other features of interest include a lovely cobbled cove, hemlock stands, and a swamp.

1. Fuller Gardens – Fuller Gardens in North Hampton, NH is a turn of the century public botanical garden, located on the ocean featuring rose bushes of hundreds of varieties, formal English perennial borders, Japanese Garden and Conservatory.

2. Cathedral of the Pines Located in Rindge, NH Situated on a hilltop with a panoramic view of the Grand Monadnock, the Cathedral of the Pines is a breathtaking open-air cathedral and meeting space on 236 acres. Our historic monuments honor the service of American men and women—both military and civilian. We welcome visitors from all over the world to participate in our events and to explore the extraordinary sanctuary grounds, meditate in outdoor chapels and gardens, and learn our history.

3. Rundlet-May House – Located in Portsmouth, NH The Rundlet-May House shows four generations of family possessions and taste, ranging from original 1807 wall-coverings and furniture to twentieth-century additions by the Rundlets’ great-grandchildren. The gardens retain their original layout with plantings that were popular during the Colonial Revival period.

4. Robert Frost Farm – Located in Derry, NH offering Tours, displays, a trail, and poetry readings are all available at the park. Programs are offered to the public at no charge. This National Historic Landmark is supported by the Division of Parks and Recreation, the Robert Frost Homestead Trustees, and the Friends of the Robert Frost Farm.

5. Rhododendron State Park – Located in Fitzwilliam, NH Rhododendron State Park is named after the 16-acre grove of Rhododendron Maximum, which is the focal point of the park. A 0.6 mile-long universally accessible trail encircles the grove allowing visitors to observe, close up, the fragrant clusters of pink blossoms as they burst into bloom in mid-July.

New England has many dozens of gardens that showcase not only beautiful gardens but also innovative and original landscaping design and techniques and now is the perfect time to load up a picnic basket, grab the kids or dogs and head out for a days journey of landscape viewing.

Many of the gardens are private and you should check their websites for hours of operation and any restrictions they may have. Another avenue for gaining access to some of these landscaped gardens is to join a local garden club. Many garden clubs have special arrangements with many private gardens and in addition they can offer invaluable insights. Don’t forget to take your camera.

Today’s state is New Hampshire

1. Founded in 1987 and located in Lee, NH the Bedrock Gardens has grown to over 30 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens and sculpture.

2. Canterbury Shaker Village is a destination requiring many visits. The refurbished and reconstructed village is on over 690 acres of forests, gardens, fields, mill ponds and nature trails. Located in Canterbury, NH this is surely a place you will return to many times.

3. Located in Cornish, NH Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site is filled with gardens and sculpture that surely will inspire your landscaping design.

4. It has a restaurant for lunch, gardens to explore and workshops to take, it’s Pickity Place and it’s located in Greenville, NH.

5. Rent a canoe for a totally different way to look at nature and landscape design. A highly recomend destination is the Newfound Audubon Center located on the shores of New Hampshires Newfound Lake.

Loam, The Balanced Soil
Loam is finely balanced soil comprised of three main elements: clay, silt and sand. The percentage of sand is approximately 40% to 40% silt and about 20% clay. Thus, it has a higher nutrient value for agriculture and general gardening. Sandy soil, while it has excellent drainage, lacks the full range of nutrients of loam. Clay soils, which are less gritty than sandy soils, do not offer the nutrient benefits of loam. Understanding composition of soil is extremely important in order to arrive at the best possible results for gardening.

How To Configure the Best Soil Needs
Most avid gardeners know soil in existing gardens isn’t always soil that’s best for the kind of gardening design they have in mind. Here’s a tip for configuring the best soil composition: Take note of the particle size of the soil’s elements, the locality’s average humidity and rainfall, as well as volume of sunshine in an average growing season. By comparison to other types of soil, loam has a particle size large enough to contain a large pore space for circulating good air and moisture. Loam also has sufficient internal surface to retain moisture and nutrients plants need to thrive. Another feature of loam is the benefit of having no requirement for the addition of organic matter and doesn’t require additional humus content. Thus, humus should not be confused with loam. Humus, according to the understanding of gardeners, is largely comprised of nutrients developed over time from the decay of composting materials. Loam, on the other hand, has been developed over time in combination with other soils.

Loam For Large And Small Crops
The essential element for a thriving garden crop begins with the right soil. In context, it’s ideal to consider a blend of existing soils and loam to raise the levels of soil quality. For the small garden, it’s necessary to turn over soil blended with loam on an annual basis in order to derive maximum benefits. This is the reason large agricultural farms prefer to incorporate loam into their soils to prevent nutrient erosion from annual plantings. For small gardens, check with the loam supplier on the amount of loam that will be needed to reinvigorate existing soil. Loam does not retain humidity as with other soils. Therefore, crops require less watering than ordinary humus. Loam is a helpful additive for soils that have become depleted or compacted. In certain countries, loam is used as an insulator for homes because it doesn’t retain humidity. The particles of silt, as quartz material and the more compact clay components are likely the reason for the balance of density adequate for use in homes.

How To Distinguish Loam From Humus
There may be confusion about differences between humus and loam. Both are easily distinguishable. Loam has a typical soil density; whereas, humus is lighter in density and texture and is predominantly darker color. Humus also has a silkier texture. Loam’s more defined soil texture is noticeably lighter in color.

Japanese Gardens make up all or part of many peoples landscaping ideas and designs. One of the great things about adding Japanese touches to your plan is that you can start small and integrate a few touches here and there. Once you become comfortable with the design process you can make your garden larger and of course you can make it to suit your tastes.

There are two beautiful Japanese Gardens close by to New Hampshire. At the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston they have a wonderful example of a traditional garden and in Maine on Mount Desert Island another spectacular garden awaits your exploration.

If you are traveling near any of the Japanese Gardens listed below be sure to stop by and spend some time.