by Gardens of Babylon | Jan 1, 2025
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Well, you might be thinking, “Winter? Planting trees? That doesn’t sound like a garden party!” But hold on, green-thumb enthusiast. There’s more to this season than meets the eye. Picture it as a cozy slumber party for your trees – a time when they quietly focus on growing strong roots, nestled snugly in their forever homes before the grand awakening of spring. Now, let’s delve into six compelling reasons that make January and February the prime months for winter tree planting.

Dormancy and Root Development: Winter is when deciduous trees take a well-deserved nap. During this period, they shift their energy from growing upward to strengthening their roots. By planting in January and February, you provide them with the ideal conditions to establish robust root systems, setting the stage for healthier, sturdier trees in the long run.
Reduced Stress During Transplantation: Transplanting can be a bit of a shock to trees, potentially causing setbacks. However, during winter’s dormancy, this stress is minimized. Trees can settle into their new surroundings without the added pressure of sprouting leaves. This gentle transition fosters better long-term health.
Adequate Moisture: Winter often brings more rain and snow to many areas. Planting trees during these months allows them to benefit from natural moisture, reducing the need for excessive watering. This moisture is crucial for the initial growth of trees, and winter provides a natural advantage.

Cooler Temperatures: Planting trees in cooler weather mitigates the risk of heat stress, especially for young trees. Without the scorching summer sun, they can adjust to their new environment without the added challenge of extreme heat, resulting in a healthier start.
Early Establishment for Spring Growth: January and February planting sets the stage for early spring growth. With well-established roots, trees are ready to sprout new shoots and leaves as temperatures rise. This early start leads to vigorous growth throughout the entire growing season, giving your landscape a jumpstart on lush greenery.
Landscape Planning: Winter provides an excellent opportunity for landscape planning. With deciduous trees shedding their leaves, it’s easier to assess your property’s layout and decide where new trees will have the most significant impact on your landscape design.

While winter may seem like a time for hibernation in the gardening world, it’s actually a golden opportunity for tree planting. The benefits of dormancy, reduced stress during transplantation, ample moisture, cooler temperatures, early spring growth, and time for planning make January and February the ideal months to kickstart your arboreal projects. Embrace the winter chill and watch your landscape thrive with healthy, vibrant trees in the seasons to come.
Here at Gardens of Babylon, our team of plant experts is ready to assist with all your tree-planting needs. Want to avoid cold hands? Let us do the the work for you — book a consultation here. Our skilled team can upgrade your landscaping this Winter and you can reap the rewards come Spring!
by Gardens of Babylon | Nov 4, 2024
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We’ve all seen it — a once-beautiful Crepe Myrtle now cropped and chopped in a not-so-nice way. “Crepe murder” is often done because the tree is too big for its space or because people think it will make the tree bloom more heavily. But there are better ways — don’t commit a crime against a tree. Here’s how to prune Crepe Myrtles:

Why do people prune Crepe Myrtles poorly?
If you live in the Southeastern United States, you’ve probably seen hacked Crepe Myrtles while walking through your neighborhood. They’re chopped thickly, leaving large stubs instead of naturally tapered limbs. Some people prune their Crepe Myrtles harshly because they think it will promote more heavy blooming, while others may prune them this way simply because the tree grew too large. But chopping the limbs of your tree with a chainsaw to shorten it or to induce blooming actually produces “knuckles” on the tree. These knuckles lead to weak, drooping branches unable to support the tree’s beautiful flowers.


How should you prune Crepe Myrtles correctly?
You should only prune your Crepe Myrtles to maintain the tree’s natural form. As mentioned above, avoid severe pruning and focus on selective thinning. Here are some tips:
- It’s best to prune in Winter before new growth starts.
- Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches.
- Thin out crowded branches to improve air circulation.
- Avoid topping or heading the tree, as this can lead to weak, leggy growth and reduced flowering.
Check out Southern Living’s
guide to pruning Crepe Myrtles if you want to do it yourself!

How do I prevent poor pruning practices?
There are a few preventative measures you can take to avoid crepe murder. Starting before you purchase your tree, find out the mature height of your tree. Some Crepe Myrtle varieties only reach 15-20 feet while others can exceed 30 feet. If you have an existing Crepe Myrtle and you feel like it is getting too big, you can transplant it to give it some more room. Crepe Myrtles respond quite well to transplanting if done correctly!
Do your research, and remember that you can always cut more, but you cannot go back if you prune too much! And if you want the experts to handle your pruning for you, reach out to us! Our maintenance teams are highly skilled and can safely and accurately prune not only Crepe Myrtles, but all kinds of foliage. Book a consultation today!
by Gardens of Babylon | Sep 25, 2024
Retaining walls play a crucial role in both the functionality and beauty of your landscape, especially in areas with challenging topography. Whether you’re dealing with a steep slope, preventing soil erosion, or looking to create more usable space, a well-designed retaining wall can transform your outdoor area into a stable and visually appealing environment.
Why Are Retaining Walls Important?
Retaining walls are essential for managing both the stability and aesthetics of landscapes, especially in regions like Middle Tennessee where the topography and climate can pose unique challenges. One of the primary benefits of retaining walls is their ability to prevent soil erosion. In areas prone to heavy rainfall, the risk of soil movement and erosion increases significantly. Retaining walls act as a barrier, holding soil in place and maintaining the structural integrity of your yard. This is particularly crucial for properties on sloped terrain, where uncontrolled soil movement can lead to landscape damage and even threaten the stability of nearby structures.


Beyond their functional role in erosion control, retaining walls also provide an opportunity to create more usable space in your yard. By transforming sloped or uneven areas into flat, stable surfaces, they open up possibilities for new garden beds, patios, or recreational areas that would otherwise be unusable. This can greatly enhance the functionality and enjoyment of your outdoor space.
Additionally, retaining walls contribute to the aesthetic appeal of your landscape. Available in a variety of materials such as natural stone, brick, and concrete, they can be customized to match the style of your home and garden. Integrating features like planters, seating, or water elements can turn a basic retaining wall into a focal point that elevates the overall design of your property. With the right design and materials, retaining walls can blend seamlessly with your landscape while providing essential structural support.

Commonly Asked Questions About Retaining Walls
What materials are best for retaining walls?
Common choices include concrete blocks, poured concrete, treated timber, and natural stone. Each material offers unique benefits depending on the look you want to achieve and the structural needs of your property. Our team can help you select the best option to suit your landscape and budget.

Can I DIY a retaining wall?
While small walls may be manageable as a DIY project, larger or more complex walls should be left to professionals to ensure safety and structural integrity. Mistakes in design or construction can lead to costly repairs down the line.

How do I choose the right type of retaining wall?
The best choice depends on your soil type, slope, wall height, and desired aesthetics. Consulting with a professional ensures you get a wall that meets your specific needs and stands the test of time.

Why Choose Gardens of Babylon for Your Retaining Wall Project?
At Gardens of Babylon, we understand the unique landscape challenges of Middle Tennessee. Our team of experts is well-versed in designing and constructing retaining walls that not only serve their functional purpose but also enhance the beauty of your property. We take into account local soil conditions, climate, and your personal preferences to create a solution that is both effective and aesthetically pleasing.
Whether you need a simple garden wall or a complex multi-level structure, we can help you transform your outdoor space into a stable, beautiful, and usable area. Our commitment to sustainability and collaboration ensures that every project is handled with care, using eco-friendly practices and materials whenever possible.

Ready to Elevate Your Landscape?
Let’s build something beautiful together. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and discover how a custom retaining wall can transform your outdoor space into a functional and beautiful extension of your home.
by Gardens of Babylon | Sep 5, 2024
As the days grow cooler and the nights crisp, you might find yourself thinking about adding a patio to your outdoor space. Whether you have a sprawling lawn or just a small area outside your back door, now is the perfect time to consider creating an outdoor “room” where you can enjoy the beauty of every season.
“A patio can be your personal retreat,” says Eric VanGrinsven, a landscape designer with the Gardens of Babylon design team. Our designers excel at crafting unique patio spaces that seamlessly integrate with your overall landscape design. Today’s patio trends range from cozy, intimate corners to expansive outdoor living rooms and kitchens that are perfect for entertaining.
Surface Matters: The Foundation of Your Patio
The foundation of any great patio starts with the surface. “Many of my clients are looking for patios that are both clean and easy to maintain,” says landscape designer Max Finkbeiner. “Natural stone or clay pavers are popular for their timeless appeal, but we also see a demand for simple, sharp, and elegant concrete options that offer a cost-effective solution.”
Stamped and dyed concrete, often in natural stone patterns or herringbone designs, is another popular choice. It’s easier to clean and maintain, with a lower upfront cost, making it an attractive option for many homeowners.
Flagstone patios continue to be a favorite for those who love a more organic look. “I find that clients are increasingly drawn to natural stone slab patios with gravel joints,” notes landscape designer Ryan Fogarty. “These joints are wider and irregular, offering a permeable surface that’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing.”

Warming Trend: Extending Outdoor Use into Cooler Months
As the weather cools, patios designed for year-round use become even more appealing. Many clients want a patio that’s versatile – great for summer barbecues and games, but also perfect for gathering around a fire pit in the cooler months.
The challenges of recent years have made fire pits a must-have feature for outdoor spaces. Fogarty has noticed a significant increase in requests for built-in wood-burning or gas fire pits. “Whether it’s a rustic stone design or a sleek modern setup, fire pits with seating walls create a cozy outdoor environment,” she explains. Gas-fired options offer the convenience of a fire at the flip of a switch, without the hassle of wood.
More recently, flexibility has become key in patio design. “Portable fire pits, like Solo Stoves, are increasingly popular,” Fogarty adds. “Clients appreciate the ability to move the fire pit, allowing their patio to serve multiple functions depending on the season.”

Dining with Friends: Outdoor Kitchens for Every Space
No patio is complete without a space for dining. Even if your patio is small, a simple setup with a grill, table, and chairs can transform your outdoor area into a delightful dining spot. If you have more space and a larger budget, the possibilities are endless. Think outdoor refrigerators, sinks, fireplaces, and even pizza ovens.
For larger outdoor kitchens, our designers emphasize the importance of counter space. You can never have too much counter space and it often becomes the gathering spot for guests. Adding shelter, like a pergola or covered porch, can also enhance your patio’s functionality. “My clients tend to prefer simple, modern pergola designs,” Finkbeiner notes, which offer both shade and style.

Plan Your Patio with Gardens of Babylon
As you plan your perfect patio, remember that it’s more than just an addition to your landscape—it’s an extension of your home. Whether you’re envisioning a small, peaceful retreat or an expansive outdoor entertaining space, our Gardens of Babylon landscape design team is here to help bring your vision to life. Book a consultation with one of our professionals today and start enjoying your outdoor space in every season.
by Gloria Ballard | Aug 9, 2023
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It’s that time of year when, after summer’s unrelenting heat and humidity, we gardeners enjoy getting out and getting our hands in the soil again. Gardeners, it’s time to prep your landscape and garden beds for fall. Did you know we offer a Personal Farmer service at Gardens of Babylon? You can book a consultation here and we can help you create the garden of your dreams. But if you want to do it yourself, where do you begin?

Harvest
If you grow veggies in a kitchen garden, you’ve likely been harvesting tomatoes, squash, beans, okra, cukes and other summer favorites all along. You’ll keep doing that, of course, but it’s also a good time to pull or dig up any dead or dying plants, trim dead foliage, clean up leftover debris, and add another layer of mulch to any vegetable plants that are still going strong.
Beds of annuals and perennials also benefit from a cleanup heading into fall. Remove dead or dying foliage, sticks, twigs or other debris. Deadhead perennials and annuals as needed, and gather a bouquet of summer blooms to enjoy indoors while you’re at it.
And of course there’s the never-ending task of removing unwanted plants (aka weeds). If the summer heat drained any energy you had for pulling weeds, now’s the time to catch up on that necessary garden chore.

Bed prep
Garden beds that have provided fresh produce for you all spring and summer – whether they’re in the ground or raised beds — can use a little attention about now. Boosting the soil with compost, organic fertilizer, mulch or other amendments will send them into the next season in better shape. Top off raised beds with special soil mix or a topsoil blend, and work it into the existing soil.
Kitchen garden beds that will not be used outside of the growing season benefit from a cover crop – a fast-growing annual planted in late summer or fall and plowed under before planting time in spring. This “green manure” protects from soil erosion over the winter, provides organic matter to improve soil structure, and nutrients to boost growing conditions, suppresses weeds and provides habitat for beneficial insects and pollinators – a win all around.
Plants to consider for cover crops in established kitchen garden beds include alfalfa, crimson clover, hairy vetch, buckwheat and annual rye, along with mustard greens and daikon radish, two edible crops that benefit the soil, as well.
If you’re thinking of starting a new garden bed to plant next spring, now is the best time to act. You can start by laying cardboard and mulch over the soil in the new bed to suppress weeds that may grow; by next spring, the area should be ready for digging and planting.

Plant a Fall Garden
As the summer kitchen-garden crops begin to fade, make the transition to edibles that grow in cooler weather. Some suggestions:
Broccoli: When you buy transplants, make sure they are short and compact and have good, green color. Plant them in full sun about 18 inches apart. Water as needed to keep the plants from wilting, and apply a complete fertilizer when they are about 10 inches tall.
Collards: Sow seeds or set seedlings in full sun and well-drained soil, 12 to 18 inches apart. Provide about an inch of water a week and harvest by cutting the outer leaves as they reach full size.
Cabbages: Set out transplants in full sun and well-drained soil, spaced about 18 inches apart. Fertilize the plants when they’re about half grown, and harvest when the heads reach full size.
Leaf lettuce: Begin now to sow seeds in successive plantings every two or three weeks. Sow in rows 12 inches apart, and thin to 4 – 6 inches apart when seedlings appear. You can also sprinkle seeds over soil in large pots and planters. Harvest when the leaves are large enough to use.
Spinach: Sow seeds in full sun in rows 12 inches apart, and thin seedlings to one plant every 6 inches. Provide regular water, and harvest when the leaves are large enough to use.
Turnips (for greens or roots): Sow seed in full sun and well-drained soil ½ inch deep, 8 – 10 seeds per foot. When the seedlings are 4 inches tall, thin them to about three inches apart. You should have greens to harvest in about five weeks; if you grow turnips for the roots, harvest them when they are about 2 – 3 inches in diameter.
Garlic: Plant individual cloves (pointed ends up) two inches deep and about four inches apart in a sunny bed with well-drained soil. Harvest the bulbs next spring.
Visit Gardens of Babylon Garden Center for plants, seeds, tools, equipment, raised beds, soil, mulch and all you might need to prep your established or new garden beds for fall.