Category Archives: Yard & Outdoors

Seven Easy Ways to Landscape Garden the Patio

April 02, 2024   Matt

Seven Easy Ways to Landscape Garden the Patio

Patios serve as extensions of the living rooms inside the house. They serve as mirrors and reflect how the inside of the house. It is important that the patio be decorated and presentable to those that who see it. Landscaping the patio is one way to make it attractive in the eyes of those who look at it.

Here are some tips on how to landscape the patio the easy way:

1. An outdoor chime may be placed to add a light mood in the patio. Wind chimes and musical chimes are perfect for outdoor use. Hearing pleasing sounds in the patio can add drama to the landscape.

2. Patio heaters may be used to provide warmth in colder weather. This will allow more time to spend in the patio rather than staying inside the house in cooler weather.

3. Benches that are intended for outdoor use may also be placed on the patio. The benches will serve as decorations and they can be used to entertain visitors. Guests will have a place where to sit and enjoy the view of the patio.

4. Hammocks can also be used to decorate the patio. Hammocks provide a relaxed atmosphere and they serve as additional design to the landscape garden. There are portable hammocks that are sold on the market. They are easy to assemble even without the use of tools. If the budget is limited, hammocks may also be improvised.

5. Planters should never be missed in landscaping the patio. Patios always come with planters. They can be used to plant flowers and add beauty to the landscaped area.

6. Hanging flower pots may also add drama to the patio. There are hanging flowerpots that are made of plastic or mosses that are placed in a frame made of steel wires. The choice will depend on the taste of the person decorating the patio. There is also a wide variety of hanging flower plants to choose from. They are of various colors and sizes that will satisfy the different tastes of gardeners.

7. Decorator outdoor lights are also used to landscape a patio. They add a lively effect especially at night. Lights will allow the people living in the home to enjoy the patio during the evening.

Landscaping a patio is not that hard ass long as there is creativity. Even cheap accessories will add grandeur to the patio. A patio that is lovely and welcoming will reflect how the persons inside are living

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Landscaping 101: A Pond in Your Own Yard

March 28, 2024   Matt

Landscaping 101: A Pond in Your Own Yard

A pond is attractive way to enhance the landscape if your home and have l large area you wish to landscape. So what do you do? Consider an area where the pond would be attractive and practical.

Why create a pond, you ask? Ponds increase the value or your property, and would be a way to attract a prospective buyer. A well designed and functional pond also adds a peaceful effect to your yard. Ponds create an ideal ecosystem beneficial not only plants but wildlife as well. If you are fond of fish and water plants, a pond would be ideal.

This article will not go into details on creating your pond, but will furnish information about the landscaping aspect…

Landscaping your pond starts at the pond itself. Create a border by adding stones, plants and statuary that will create a great view. You should also create a walkway from your pond to your house. Access is important and easily accomplished by using stepping stones, etc.

Trees are both beneficial and harmful to your pond. Trees provide shade that will be good for your pond but they will also add to debris such as branches and leaves or fallen fruit The key is to strike a balance between the two.

Shrubs will also play a role in maintaining unity between the tall trees and the low pond. They will create continuity from your pond to the trees. You may also add some flowers to provide some color. Be sure to cut the off the old blossoms to prevent debris that can make your area unsightly.

Water plants are a must for ponds and should be added immediately after your pond has been finished. Use similar colored plants as their surroundings to create some balance and harmony between the two. Be creative and do some research on different kinds of water plants to use.

A finishing touch for a pond is adding some fish. Add them after everything else has been finished. Always select appropriate species of fish that will not out-grow the size of your pond.

Creating a pond for your yard will both be tiring, but the fun of creating it will be rewarding. Be sure that do regular maintenance to so it will always be free from debris. After all of your work is finished, enjoy your pond and marvel the harmony you have created in your yard.

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Landscaping Lessons-Proper Placement Of Trees In Landscape Design

March 23, 2024   Matt

Landscaping Lessons-Proper Placement Of Trees In Landscape Design

Landscaping and landscape design goes beyond just creating beautiful designs. As a professional designer, it’s not only my job to create designs but also to envision every possibility of the mature landscape in years to come.

And while most elements will remain what they are for years to come, the one thing that most do it yourselfers and some professionals overlook is the space that tiny little sprouts will occupy when they become mature plants and trees.

Trees serve a number of obvious purposes in the landscape. Creating shade, wind blocks, noise reduction, boundaries, and focal points are just a few. Once I have established where I’ll need trees for these purposes in a design, I have several other considerations before I can designate their permanent home.

Planting without considering the space that the mature full grown plants and trees will occupy can become more than just an inconvenience. It can be costly.

Things to consider.

Around Play Areas

A shaded canopy over play areas, sand boxes, etc. may be desired for shade from afternoon sun. However, you need to consider the mess that birds and other critters will drop right into your childs play area if the canopy extends over it.

The solution to this is to place large shade trees a distance from the area in line with the travel of the sun. If you know the trees you plant and how far the mature canopy will extend, you can still plant for shade without exposing your kids to unsanitary conditions.

Around Pools

Keeping a pool clean is hard enough without a mess of leaves and branches. And while most pool areas are sunny locations, it is sometimes desirable to have a space near the pool where one can escape the sun.

Unlike play areas though, you may not want to shade the entire pool landscape from the afternoon sun. Therefore you shouldn’t plant large shade trees in direct line with the travel of the sun. Design as to create a shady area to one side or the other. This is also another spot to eliminate top rooting trees around concrete. Evergreen types are usually your best bet for around pools.

Roots And Concrete Footings And Foundations

While infrequent deep watering as opposed to frequent shallow watering will help deter top rooting trees, some trees are still determined to seek out other sources of water which may be on the surface or moist areas under structures.

The seeking roots of large trees are a powerful force that can break sidewalks, foundations, and even lift walls out of place. This is the biggest and most costly mistake I see. Know your landscaping trees before you plant them next to your home.

Under Power Lines
Know what’s overhead.

Property Lines And Easements
This one can make enemies out of neighbors.

Underground Utilities, Sewers, And Septic Tanks

Besides the roots being able to break pipes and lines, you don’t want to have to move or destroy a mature tree to fix a leak. Locate lines and plant away from them. Some trees can spread out much further underground than they do up top. Know what’s underground.

Perspective

You need to keep in mind the mature size of trees in proportion to the size of your home and other landscaping elements. Large trees can dwarf a small home and small trees can look like shrubs placed around a very large home. Know the mature size of trees and keep them in perspective.

Hiding or framing a home

Consider the view from the street and other areas and consider the purpose of your trees. If you wish to seclude your home, you don’t need much thought for that. However, if you only wish to frame or accent your home, you’ll again need to consider the mature size and placement of your plantings.

Parking Areas

Here’s another opportunity for birds and critters to make a mess of things. If possible, plant in accordance with the travel of the sun. And once again, know the mature canopy of your trees.

Usefulness And Cost Effectiveness

If you’re going to make an investment in landscaping, look for ways to make it work for you. Placed properly, large trees can shade your home and reduce your cooling costs and vise versa. You can intentionally create shade for your shady garden, screen and divide areas, reduce noise, and a world of other applications if you just give it some thought.

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Creating a beautiful home is something all of us strive to do

March 18, 2024   Matt

Creating a beautiful home is something all of us strive to do

Trees, shrubs and bushes are all an essential part of the look of your landscaping. Not all greenery grows well in all climates so it’s wise to use the research tool on many of the landscape design software programs to choose which plants will thrive in your area. Once you’ve made that determination you are ready to get started.

Mapping out the area that you are actually working with is the best idea. You can do that to scale with the software and this will allow you the opportunity to then plan exactly where you want everything to be. If you are working on both a front and back yard space do one at a time. It’s easy to get carried away in the ease of the landscape design software but you want to ensure you create the most inviting environment in both spaces.

Decks and pools should be planned for before you set your mind on where greenery will go. The reason is that most shrubs and trees will fill out over time and if you plant them to close to a structure they may actually need to be removed. Young trees and plants should be placed in areas where they have room to spread, so first place the structure and then add any additional elements. Some of the best landscaping ideas involve creating a small garden in one area of the yard that is situated far from the pool or sitting area.

Some homeowners enjoy the vibrancy of flowers in their yards. Brightly colored blossoms can transform a dull space and make it inviting and warm. Many of the popular brands of landscape design software allow you to place flowers, including colors on your plans. This really affords the user the opportunity to visualize how certain colors will mesh with the other elements of the landscaping. You can even choose the flowers by name so you know what to look for when you go to the garden center in the spring.

If you’ve ever looked at a neighbor’s perfectly planned yard and wished you could do the same, you really can. Just purchase landscape design software and spend some time creating a beautiful outdoor space that you and your family can enjoy for years to come.

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How to Start a Landscaping Business

March 13, 2024   Matt

How to Start a Landscaping Business

There is money to be made mowing someone’s lawn and cutting the trees. Why? This is because some homeowners don’t have the time to do it and this is where you come in by starting your own landscaping business.

But a landscaping business does not only involve doing some chores that a kid can do on their own. You also have to plant some trees, flowers and shrubs and take care of them. Major projects also require you to decorate an entire area including the installation of walls and lights so people will also be able to see your work at night.

Those who are starting out can work on homes in the neighborhoods and when they are ready to handle something bigger, they can offer their services to public and private schools, the park and office buildings.

Probably one of the biggest projects to undertake is a golf course because there are more than 18 holes to finish and each one has a different terrain.

But can you still enter the market when there are plenty of them around? The answer is yes because as long as homeowners do not have time to do it themselves and more infrastructure projects are being done annually, there is plenty of room for everybody.

According to the US Bureau of Statistics, the demand for landscaping services grows much faster than the national average for any other occupation. You can probably quit your day job and devote most of your time here as long as you the have the desire to succeed.

Do you need a college degree and a huge sum of money as startup capital? The answer is also no. Some of the things you will need include a truck, a weed eater, a broom, rake, cellphone, lawnmower and computer. If you already have a truck, the others items will probably total under ,500.

However, it wouldn’t hurt to have a little background in agriculture, business or horticulture so you know what you are talking about when giving advice to clients. There are courses and seminars you can take so you are able to learn and earn some money at the same time.

Some entrepreneurs start out by doing the job themselves and then when they are ready to expand, decide to hire one or two workers to cover a larger area. It is going to be back breaking work especially in the beginning but as things pick up, you don’t have to get your hands dirty that often anymore and instead supervise your crew.

If you offer services that will be using chemicals and pesticides, you will have to enroll in a 6 to 8 week course at the community college that costs less than 0. This will guarantee you know what you are doing so you don’t kill the plants or harm anybody.

Starting a landscape business or in any other for that matter will always be challenging. So start out small and then see what happens. Since more money is going out than going in, build a good rapport with your clients so they can refer you to their friends. You can give out calling cards and advertise later on so you can get a bigger share of the business.

Also, don’t be afraid to take chances because you may even be better than some who have been in the business for a long time.

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Common Landscaping Tools For Every Landscaper

March 08, 2024   Matt

Common Landscaping Tools For Every Landscaper

For the avid do-it-yourself landscaper, the right tools are important. After all, if one wishes to save money on the expenses associated with having a well cared for yard, it is best to make sure that he or she has all of the tools necessary to create an attractive landscape. By understanding some of the most common tools used for basic landscaping needs, you can ensure that you have everything you need to keep your lawn in the best possible shape, bringing delight and distinction to your grounds, be they large or small.

Shovels, rakes, trowels, and hand cultivators. These are the most basic of tools when it comes to landscaping. Every home should be supplied with these basic implements. They make just about every landscaping endeavor possible. Shovels to remove sod and turn soil, as well as dig the holes necessary for fixtures like trees and hardscapes, Rakes are essential to smooth out planting beds and prepare ground for things like sod without packing the dirt. Trowels and hand cultivators allow you to perform minute work that requires more attention to detail. All of these tools are necessary to the proper functioning and care of a landscape.

Pruners and shears. These tools are used to improve the appearance of woody plants and trees. They keep plants from encroaching in other areas, and they also promote the overall health of the plants. They help maintain a neat appearance, and if you have topiary concerns, they are indispensable in maintaining a set shape. There are hand pruners, tools that help with the smaller branches and are easier to use, loppers for getting thicker branches that are to large for pruners, and even pruning saws that can help you with the toughest of branches. Hedge shears provide a way for hedges to be trimmed more conscientiously than with electric or gas-run trimmers (although these are widely available and can make maintaining hedges much easier).

Lawnmower. This is perhaps one of the most common and most obvious of landscaping tools. It is meant to keep the grass at a reasonable level, and to keep the lawn neat and healthy. Related to lawnmowers in the trimming department are things like weed wackers, which are very useful in keeping edges that can’t be cut by a mower nice and neat. Additionally, the use of some special machinery, designed to eliminate thick brush is useful to have on hand, even it is only in the form of a machine rented once a year.

Other tools of interest. Of course, there are specialty tools that may be needed depending upon on the features of your landscape. If you have a water fixture, it is important to make sure that you have the proper pumps and filters, and that you have little skimmers that can allow you to remove larger pieces of debris from the water. Automatic sprinklers can make watering the lawn and your other plants much easier, and you should have a garden hose for special watering needs. Regular household tools such as hammer and nails, levels, and drills can be helpful if you have built landscape features like patios, decks, pergolas, and trellises. They can also be useful in building things like containers and creating raised beds.

Wheelbarrow. A wheelbarrow will always be of infinite use for the avid landscaper and improver. Wheelbarrows are very useful for moving debris as well as bringing needed implements to their proper places. They haul dirt and bring in plants. They make it possible to for one person to carry a load that otherwise she or he would not be able to handle. For the serious landscaper, a wheelbarrow is indeed necessary.

When you have all of the tools necessary to take care of your landscape, then you are well rewarded for your hard work. Acquiring the more common tools can also save you money in the long run, as they can be used over and over again. Additionally, many of the more common landscape tools are fairly small in size and easy to store in a garage or a shed. As long as they are kept neatly arranged in place, they are easy to get to when needed, and not hard to find. Proper maintenance of you tools is important: keep them from becoming rusty, and make sure your lawnmower and other gas or electric implements are well oiled and always have plenty of gas. Proper care of your tools ensures that you will be able to properly care for your landscape.

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