Take advantage of the season before it's completely over (always too soon!!). Nothing says “summer” like a fresh, juicy, just-picked tomato. If you’re fortunate to have plants of your own, or can find your way to the bounty of a local farmer’s market, go ahead and try a new recipe like…

 Beautiful, healthy plants usually define a garden, but sometimes adding something unexpected (and not necessarily green!) helps re-define the space and reflects something of our personalities and creativity. This can make your garden grab visitors attention more than just a display of lovely plants. Incorporating art and other elements into the landscape…

Ever Wonder What's Blooming Along Your Road? July has been such a colorful month with a huge assortment of perennials now in bloom - keep an eye out in August as well! While you might enjoy the beautiful blooms of plants, such as: Blue Mallow (Malva sylvestris), Foxglove (Digitalis Purpurea),…

JULY GARDEN CHECKLIST “I drifted into a summer-nap under the hot shade of July, serenaded by a cicadae lullaby, to drowsy-warm dreams of distant thunder.” - Terri Guillemets Now that summer is in full swing, you may be tempted by that hammock in the shade, swaying gently in the breeze… Now should be…

What is a Rain Garden? A rain garden is a shallow depression in the landscape designed to temporarily hold runoff water in order to allow it time to infiltrate through the soil instead of rushing into storm drains and ultimately surface water, e.g., lakes, rivers, and streams. When designed and installed…

Native Plants in the Landscape More gardeners are becoming aware of the benefits of using native plants in their landscape. In addition to providing a nurturing and healthy ecosystem for birds, insects and other wildlife, it helps eliminates the need for pesticides, fertilizes, excessive watering, as well as use of…

From June 24 - July 4, Dane Buy Local is participating in the annual Independents Week campaign. Independents Week is a national buy local campaign that engages local businesses and citizens in celebrating the unique entrepreneurial spirit and freedoms that our independent businesses embody. Avant Gardening & Landscaping will be participating…

Sick of asparagus yet?! Looking for a great recipe to use up the last of your last harvest? This Asparagus & Mushroom Risotto is the best comfort food ever! It takes some patience to make, but really isn't that difficult! Experiment with this recipe if you're looking for something new to…

“In June, as many as a dozen species may burst their buds on a single day. No man can heed all of these anniversaries; no man can ignore all of them.” - Aldo Leopold Summer is finally here! Take advantage of every minute outside in the beautiful weather! Hopefully this list…

With so many colorful flowering shrubs and perennials available today it’s easy to overlook the simple beauty of the color green. On more than one occasion I’ve actually had a client say to me, “green is not a color”. It seems Kermit the Frog said it best when he crooned,…