I know "landscaping" refers to plants, fences and the like. But is there a core idea behind landscaping and landscape design?
Those who have just become homeowners for the first time might want a good reason why they should bother landscaping that piece of real estate at all.

If enhanced enjoyment of your property is insufficient incentive, consider this: landscaping enhancements can raise your real estate's value by at least fifteen percent!

When to remove mulch from perennials? Do spring perennials just push up through?
No. While perennials sometimes will successfully break through a thick layer of mulch, other times damage will result. Don't take a chance with your perennials! In late winter or early spring (depending on the weather) you should begin checking to see whether the ground is thawing or not. If the ground is thawing, leaving landscaping mulch on top of your perennials can smother them -- it is time to remove the mulch, to let your perennials breathe. Once the perennials have pushed up (so that you know where they are), you can re-apply mulch around them to suppress weeds.

I've heard that I should be pruning my flowering trees and shrubs, but I'm worried that I'll miss out on this year's blossoms if I prune at the incorrect time. Is there a general rule of thumb for when to prune flowering shrubs and trees?
Yes. As you know, it's good practice to prune flowering trees and shrubs. But we worry that we'll miss out on this year's blossoms if we prune at the incorrect time. Here's the general rule of thumb to know when to prune a particular plant.

General rule of thumb for pruning flowering trees and shrubs:

For plants that bloom in summer or fall on the current year's growth, prune in winter. For trees that bloom in spring from last year's growth, prune after their blooms begin to die.

Is there a right and wrong way to rake the leaves out of the lawn and garden in fall?
Yes, if you want to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of your raking. There's more to rake off the lawn in fall than just leaves and pine needles: there's also thatch. Thatch is the layer of dead turfgrass tissue between the green vegetation and the soil surface that must be removed, or "dethatched," to maintain lawn health. Consequently, there is a right and wrong way to rake your lawn in the fall:

Right way: Raking deeply enough to remove thatch as well as fallen leaves. Wrong way: Simply skimming the fallen leaves off the surface, leaving thatch behind.

While serious thatch problems cannot be resolved merely by raking, it certainly doesn't hurt to try to stay ahead of thatch by raking deeply when you do rake.

How long into the fall season should I continue to mow the lawn?
Continue to mow the lawn until the grass stops growing. Proper lawn care dictates you set your mower height so as to maintain the height of the grass at 2"-3".

What about lawn herbicides? Is it too late once fall comes to be concerned with any weeds growing on my lawn?
No. Fall is a good time to apply herbicides to broadleaf weeds.