by Emily Vogler | Apr 4, 2023
Gardens of Babylon can help with all your irrigation needs – CLICK HERE FOR A FREE CONSULTATION.
A landscape needs three things to thrive: ample sunlight, fertile soil, and sufficient water to keep turfgrass and garden plants alive. For many homeowners, the water is the hardest thing to manage. Hauling hoses and sprinklers around the yard and garden beds is a chore, especially in oppressive mid-summer heat.
“The biggest advantage, if you have a system set up correctly and a good watering schedule, is that the system is taking care of watering needs for you,” says Tim Nebel, Garden of Babylon’s irrigation manager. It also helps save money, he says, when systems can be programmed to provide water as needed, and adjusted to meet different needs throughout the seasons.
After a disappointing experience with a prior provider, the homeowners requested that we take on their irrigation maintenance in 2019:
How did we help?
Our designer had been collaborating with them on a fencing installation featuring ‘Little Gem‘ Magnolias, two single–trunk ‘Natchez‘ Crape Myrtles to create a shaded canopy above a flagstone walkway, and a River Birch tree near the driveway.
Since the trees were positioned throughout the lawn–as opposed to being planted in a grouping within a garden bed–the challenge was to ensure that both trees and lawn would receive adequate moisture season to season. In this case, high-efficiency MP rotator nozzles were used in lieu of standard rotor heads. The spray pattern of an MP rotator provided superior coverage for the trees than a rotor could have, while still being an appropriate choice to evenly water the grass. The rotors are set to run for a longer period of time, while other nozzles with different spraying functions are also used.
Setting an irrigation schedule–particularly for a landscape with unique plantings and custom contours–is never a one-and-done task. Monitoring the performance of the system as the weather fluctuates over the year is key. To address this situation, the homeowners elected our gold irrigation maintenance package which includes four yearly services: a spring startup, two seasonal adjustments & inspections, and one winterization. The seasonal adjustment/inspections gave us an opportunity to gather information over time, and develop a schedule particular to their yard.
Want to learn why our irrigation program is head and shoulders above the rest? Click here to watch the video! Gardens of Babylon installs and maintains irrigation systems, and offers different maintenance package levels for landscapes of all sizes. Click here to learn more about the systems and book a consultation.
by Emily Vogler | Apr 1, 2023
Spring has officially sprung! What’s the next step for your landscaping? For many gardeners, April is the start of the gardening season. Check out these easy tips to get your yard in shape:
- Re-seed the damaged or bare areas of the lawn.
- Mow established cool-season turf grasses weekly or as needed; raise mower height to three to four inches.
- Contact us for a quote on lawn care. We can help by first completing a soil test to find out the actual composition of your soil. This test measures the soil’s pH level and points out nutrient deficiencies, and is the best way to know the next steps to take to improve the growing conditions in your landscape.
- Replace or refresh mulch around plants.
- Prune spring blooming shrubs and vines after they finish flowering. Allow foliage on spring bulbs to die back and dry before removing, so it can store food for next year. If you would like our help, our team can do a seasonal clean-up for you!
- Plant ground covers and warm-season annuals and perennials as soil temperatures warm and the danger of frost has passed. You can find all your gardening needs at our garden center!
- Check roses, ornamentals and vegetables for powdery mildew, prevalent in mild, moist spring weather.
- Check new growth on ornamental plants weekly for aphids and scale insects and treat with a natural pesticide, if necessary.
- Water all your plants when they’re dry, but be particularly diligent with new plantings that can quickly dry out in our persistent spring winds.
- Start up and test your irrigation system.
To begin your next project, schedule a phone consultation!
If you would like to work with your existing designer, simply fill in their name in the “Project Details” section.
by Emily Vogler | Mar 17, 2023
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Concerned that your evergreens have been permanently lost to the cold? Are you unsure of what to do next to replace your frost–ravaged shrubs? Worry no longer! Our VP of Operations, Dana, has the answers. In this video, she goes over three great varieties of plants that will serve as a brilliant replacement for any evergreens that didn‘t survive the winter chill. Here’s her recommendations:
1. Florida Anise
Florida Anise is an evergreen tree native to the southeastern United States. It produces clusters of small flowers in the late winter and early spring. The tree can reach heights of up to 15 feet and produces a sweet, licorice–like aroma when its leaves and berries are crushed. Historically, the tree has been used to make medicines, flavorings, and dyes. Its dried berries are often used to flavor fish, soups, and other dishes, while its oil is used in perfumes and soaps. Florida anise is also known for its ornamental value, as its glossy leaves and fragrant blossoms make it an attractive addition to any garden. It’s hardy from zones 6 to 9 so it’s going to be a great substitute for those Schip Laurels that you’ve had in your yard forever!
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2. Plum Yews
Another plant that didn’t get nipped by the frost was the Plum Yews. They did very well throughout the cold, so planting more of those would be a great replacement evergreen. They’re native to East Asia and parts of the Himalayas, so they can really take the cold. They’re hardy from zones 6-9. It is an attractive shrub with glossy, dark–green leaves and clusters of white flowers in spring. The fragrant flowers have a sweet, fruity smell and are often used in perfumes and potpourri. Plum Yew is also used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fever, colds, and headaches. It has been used in landscaping for centuries and is a popular choice for hedges, foundation plantings, and borders. Plum Yew is an easy–care plant that is tolerant of most soil types and does not require much pruning or maintenance.
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3. Spirea
Another plant that survived the cold is Spirea. They are an heirloom plant, meaning that it has been passed down through generations, typically saved by family members due to its sentimental value. Heirloom plants are open–pollinated varieties, meaning they are pollinated by natural means such as wind, birds, insects, or other plants, rather than through human intervention. Spirea is hardy from zones 4-8, and produce small clusters of white, pink, red, or purple blossoms. The shrubs are usually deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves in the winter, but some varieties are evergreen. Spirea grows best in full sun, with fertile, well-drained soil, and regular watering. These shrubs are easy to care for and have few pest or disease problems. They are a great choice for low-maintenance landscaping and can be used to create a colorful, flowering hedge or border. Spirea is also a great choice for container gardening and can be pruned to create a desired shape.
To conclude, what we’ve learned through the frost is that sometimes, the best plant options are ones that have stood the test of time. Heirloom plants your grandmother may have had growing in her garden are still there for a reason!
Watch the full video here:
by Emily Vogler | Feb 26, 2023
Shipping container pools are an easy and cost-effective way to create a unique and stylish swimming pool. They are quick to install and can be customized with different features and finishes. Plus, they’re also resistant to rot, rust, and other weather elements, making them an ideal choice for outdoor swimming. And that is exactly what this client went for – a Modpool Shipping Container pool! We reached out to the designer, Mike Omar, for his input on the pitfalls and highlights of this project.
The Biggest Challenge in the Project
A transplant from Brooklyn, this client wanted a pool in the backyard, but the prospect of going through the long process of digging one was daunting. So Mike proposed a creative solution: a shipping container pool. The client’s backyard was particularly challenging, as it was sloped and solid rock – meaning every inch of the pool had to be carved out of the rock. It was a laborious process, but the end result was worth it.
Mike was restricted in what he could do for the client’s desired outdoor space due to the solid rock basin. In order to create a creative solution, he thought of Modpools. He contacted them and their team arrived with a crane to set the pool in its foundation. After connecting it to the gas, the pool was ready for use in only three days.
Finding a Solution
Mike sought to create a seamless connection between the house and backyard by constructing a 500-square-foot patio off the back of the house. This patio allowed his clients to sit and enjoy the view of their new backyard, complete with an aquarium-like pool, while merging their existing landscape with the newly-installed shipping container pool. In addition, Mike constructed a stunning composite deck above the pool, which provides the perfect place to relax and soak up the sun with its accompanying lawn furniture, plants, and plenty of amusement.
The Designer’s Favorite Element
Mike’s favorite part of the backyard makeover has to be the custom pool – and it’s easy to see why. It’s the perfect spot to beat the heat in Nashville and it’s like no other pool out there. Can you blame him for loving it?
Want to watch the full video showcasing the final results? Click here!
Do you plan to upgrade your outdoor spaces in 2023? Click here to book a consultation with a member of Gardens of Babylon’s landscape design team.
by Emily Vogler | Feb 24, 2023
We are so proud to have been recently featured in an article by the New York Times on Farmers’ Markets! They had lots of awesome things to say about the market we call home, and shouted us out directly!
“One of the oldest Tennessee markets, the Nashville Farmers’ Market, is just a mile away from the honky-tonks on Broadway. The market’s current version, a long way from the 40-foot-long “city market” in 1802, is a 16-acre grid of stalls and one pavilion just north of the Capitol in the city’s urban core.
The open-air stalls operate throughout the year inside two large covered sheds that serve 150 vendors, including ranchers, artisans, dairy farmers and cheese makers as well as dealers of farm-direct products like honey, jams, jellies and chutneys. The market also lists 12 meat and seafood vendors.
Also open year-round is the Nashville market’s expansive, slightly raucous food hall, which offers several international restaurants, including Greek, Jamaican and Korean fare; cafes; a craft beer pub; and several specialty stores, including a comprehensive international market. If you have room in the car or truck, swing by the market’s popular Gardens of Babylon, a nursery with a focus on ecologically sensitive gardening practices.”
Our Garden Center is located in the heart of downtown at the Nashville Farmers’ Market. We carry an array of products for the home and garden, including vegetable and landscape plants, houseplants, pottery, organic amendments, and much more.
Check out some of the five-star Google reviews we’ve received about our outstanding garden center:
“I have been getting plants from Gardens of Babylon for several years now. Everyone has always been super helpful and informative based on my needs. I love their selection of plants and plant accessories.” – Nicole – Google review
“I love this place! Their pot selections are always so cute, they have a fun selection of crystals and incense, and of course – their plants are always high quality and wonderful. I could spend hours here and sometimes I do just looking at things. It’s definitely my go-to garden center here in Nashville.” – Stephanie – Google review
