Bob talks to Ryley about a fence and a brick path and to landscaper Susan Hoffer about a perennial and herb garden.

Bob discusses planting palm trees in the courtyard of house. The landscaper brings in five large fully-grown Queen Palms. The plan is to hide some of the structural features of the neighbor�s home. They cut some of the Palm�s roots so that it fits in the space designated. The introduction of full size plants can give the appearance of significance to new landscaping.

Bob meets with landscaper Ed Capote to discuss the plans for the yard. Ed has designed a lush tropical feel accenting the views from within the house.

Bob discusses the new gravel drive and shrub plantings with landscaper Susan Hoffer.

House eight of the Elmwood project. The side entrance deck needs more support. An underground sprinkler system is installed and a look at replicating an old railing.

Ruth Foster is on hand again to install a new tree for the cabin's backyard. The tree is set on the south west side of the house to protect the property from the summer's hot sun. Ruth also reviews the other plants installed throughout the area and Bob gets a progress report on the stone patio.

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. Our lives are increasingly busier these days, and it s hard to find spare time. Unless you have a home project that you d get a lot of enjoyment out of doing, it s worth considering calling on a professional for some of the routine tasks, like housecleaning and lawn care. There are some very good maid services out there, but be sure you check references and the company or individual s insurance before you hire. A visit just every two weeks could save your sanity and a lot of your time. A small landscaping crew can make light work of the jobs that usually take you all weekend. You can hire them weekly or just seasonally, and your plants will thank you. Why not stay off the ladder and hire someone to clean out the gutters and wash the windows? Keep the names and numbers handy of a good small jobs contractor and appliance service provider for those last-minute repairs. Establish a regular appointment schedule for HVAC tune-ups, gutter cleaning and other household services. Important maintenance will get done on time automatically, and you ll have a better chance of catching problems early. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008