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Transforming a Difficult Hillside into a Low-Maintenance Front Yard
Project Snapshot
Location: Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Project Type: Front yard hillside renovation with natural boulder retaining walls and landscape planting
Key Features: Four natural boulder retaining walls, over 60 linear feet of retaining walls, natural stone wing walls, evergreen privacy screening, and low-maintenance plantings
Outcome: A steep, hard-to-mow front yard transformed into a beautiful landscape that's easier to maintain and looks great year-round.
How to Help Birds & Pollinators Survive a Heat Wave | Easy Watering Tips
When temperatures soar, it's not just your plants that need extra attention. Birds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators all rely on fresh water to stay hydrated during extreme heat.
In this video, Greg shares simple, practical ways to provide safe drinking water for your backyard wildlife, from bird baths and bee baths to a few easy tips that can make a big difference during a heat wave.
Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just want to help your local wildlife, these easy ideas can create a welcoming oasis right in your own backyard.
🌿 In this video:
How birds and pollinators stay hydrated
The best ways to provide fresh water
Tips for keeping water clean and safe
Simple ideas anyone can do during a heat wave
If you found this video helpful, give it a 👍, subscribe for more gardening tips, and let us know in the comments: What's your favorite way to help wildlife during the summer?
Your Plants Are Thirsty! Watering Tips for Extreme Summer Heat
With "feels like" temperatures nearing 110°F, your plants are under serious stress. In this video, Greg shares his best tips for watering your trees, shrubs, flowers, and landscape during extreme summer heat.
Learn when to water, how much your plants really need, and how to recognize the signs of heat stress before it's too late. Whether you've just planted something new or you're caring for an established landscape, these simple watering techniques can help your plants survive—and thrive—through the hottest days of summer.
These hydrangea blooms are HUGE!
What happens when a garden guy sees a hydrangea tree covered in massive blooms?
Apparently… a rap video. 🎤🌸😂
Join Greg the Friendly Garden Guy as he celebrates the beauty, size, and sheer flower power of one spectacular hydrangea tree.
Warning: You may find yourself singing about blooms for the rest of the day.
Hanging baskets looking a little tired?
In this quick video, Lauren shows how a little trim can go a long way in keeping your hanging baskets full, healthy, and blooming their best all season long.
🌸 Encourages new growth
🌸 Helps create a fuller basket
🌸 Promotes more blooms
🌸 Takes just a few minutes
Think of it as a haircut for your flowers—sometimes a little snip is exactly what they need to come back looking better than ever. 💇♀️🌺
Watch along and give your baskets a quick refresh. Your plants will thank you!
Don't Let Your Plants Die While You're on Vacation!
In this quick garden tip, B demonstrates how to use a terra cotta watering spike to help keep container plants hydrated while you're away. This simple, affordable tool slowly releases water into the soil, making it a great option for weekend getaways and summer vacations.
Whether you're growing flowers, herbs, or patio containers, this easy watering solution can give you a little extra peace of mind while you're out making memories.
Greg's Guide to Repotting Water Plants
Many water plants come in temporary growing containers that aren't ideal for long-term pond health. Repotting helps:
🌱 Give roots room to grow
💧 Keep soil where it belongs—in the pot
🌿 Encourage stronger, healthier plants
🐟 Reduce excess nutrients that can contribute to algae
In the video, Greg demonstrates:
✔️ The containers we recommend
✔️ The proper aquatic planting media
✔️ Fertilizer tabs for healthy growth
✔️ How to position your plants in the pond
How to Keep Rabbits Away From Your Plants | Greg's Garden Tips
Are rabbits snacking on your flowers, vegetables, and landscape plants? In this video, Greg shares practical tips to help keep rabbits out of your garden and protect your plants from damage.
Japanese Beetles 101: Prevention & Control Tips
Japanese beetles can quickly turn healthy plants into a skeleton of leaves—but don't panic! In this video, Greg explains how to identify Japanese beetle damage, which plants they target most often, and the best ways to manage them in your landscape.
You'll learn:
🌿 How to spot Japanese beetles
🌿 Which plants are most vulnerable
🌿 Prevention and treatment options
🌿 Tips for reducing damage throughout the season
If Japanese beetles are showing up in your garden, these practical tips can help keep your plants looking their best.
Greg's Pond Tip: Plants Matter More Than You Think
If you've ever admired a beautiful pond, chances are the plants were doing more work than you realized!
In this week's Water Garden Wednesday video, Greg takes a closer look at some of our favorite water plants and explains why they're one of the most important parts of a healthy pond ecosystem.
Water plants do much more than add beauty. They help:
💧 Improve water quality
🌞 Reduce algae by providing shade
🐟 Create shelter for fish
🦋 Support pollinators and other wildlife
🌱 Keep your pond balanced naturally
Whether you're building a new water garden or looking to improve an existing pond, choosing the right plants can make all the difference.
Bagworm Damage: What to Look For & How to Treat It
Bagworms may be small, but they can cause serious damage to trees and shrubs—especially arborvitae, junipers, cedars, and other evergreens. In this video, Greg shows real bagworm damage on a tree here at Willow Ridge and explains how to identify these destructive pests, when to act, and the best treatment options available.
Learn:
✔ How to spot bagworms early
✔ Which plants are most at risk
✔ The damage bagworms can cause
✔ When and how to treat infestations
✔ How to protect your landscape from future outbreaks
If you notice browning branches, defoliation, or hanging "bags" on your trees, don't wait—early intervention is key.
🌿 Visit Willow Ridge Garden Center & Landscaping for expert advice, products, and solutions for bagworms and other garden pests.
What's in Our Pond with Julia? Midnight Marvel Hibiscus!
🌺 Welcome back to What's in Our Pond with Julia!
This week, Julia introduces Midnight Marvel Hibiscus, a stunning perennial known for its rich dark foliage and enormous scarlet-red flowers.
Why gardeners love it:
🌺 Massive 8–9 inch blooms
🌿 Deep burgundy-black leaves
☀️ Thrives in full sun
🦋 Attracts butterflies and pollinators
❄️ Returns year after year
If you're looking for a bold statement plant that brings color and drama to the garden from summer into fall, Midnight Marvel Hibiscus is hard to beat.
Stop by and see what's blooming!
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