Landscaping Designs for the Yard and Garden
You are in need of some landscaping ideas. Previously, it was enough to just mow the lawn. However, now that you have retired, you are in need of a hobby, and you have decided that the hobby is going to be landscaping. That being said, you need to think about landscaping designs for your yard, as well as for the garden.
About Landscaping Designs
The first thing that you should do is look at the landscaping designs of the other houses in the neighborhood. This is not to say that you should emulate the landscaping designs of your neighbors, but at the same time you can get ideas from them that you might not have considered otherwise.
A popular landscaping design that many people like to incorporate in their yard is flowers under trees in a circular border manner. However, something that you need to think about if you like this idea is the issue of how much shade various kinds of flowers need. For example, if you want flowers that require a significant amount of sunlight, you should not plant them under a tree that is thick with leaves.
Something else that you need to think about when it comes to landscaping design is whether or not you want to use mulch. Cedar mulch is a popular kind of mulch that people like to use, but unfortunately, the nice redness of the mulch gets lightened over time with sun and rain. However, if you want a kind of mulch that keeps its color longer, there is a new kind of rubber mulch available.
Many people like to incorporate bushes into their landscaping design. This is usually for privacy reasons. If you think that you want to have bushes as well, be aware that they need to be pruned at certain times during the year. If you do not have this done, the bushes can get too large and cumbersome.
The main thing that you need to think about when it comes to planning prior to figuring out definitive landscaping designs is the climate that you have. If you live in a climate that is temperate throughout the year, you have more of an advantage in terms of planting flowers that will last more than one season.
For more information on landscaping designs, go to your local garden center and ask customer service representatives. You can also ask various landscaping companies to come visit your yard and give estimates/ideas. You are sure to find the right landscaping design ideas for your yard with the proper research.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Need New Landscaping Ideas? Try Landscaping with Rocks!
You have made a great hobby out of landscaping your yard, but lately you have been bored with the same old materials that you have been using year after year. You would like to try something different, so you should consider landscaping with rocks!
About Landscaping with Rocks
Some people might jeer at the thought of landscaping with rocks, since rocks are usually the things that people want to get rid of in their yards. However, rocks can also make for beautiful landscaping materials as well.
For example, if you are the kind of person who likes to walk at the beach, you have probably noticed how unique and smooth the rocks are. These same rocks can really be great to use when it comes for ideas as to how you can landscape with rocks.
Begin at your front yard. Think about the places that would benefit the most from landscaping with rocks. Whether it is from the beach or not, make sure that the rocks are large enough so that they cannot be displaced by people or weather factors.
The front yards of people vary widely, but two of the most popular front yard places that people choose to landscape with rocks are as borders for the front walkway, as well as borders for the trees. If you have both of these things in your front yard, these are two excellent places to start.
When it comes to landscaping with rocks in the backyard, you can continue to use the rocks as borders for trees or bushes. You can also use them to liven up any gardens that you have. The great thing about rocks is that they can be very versatile in gardens.
For example, if you have a flower garden, you can use smaller pebble rocks to indicate various paths in the garden. Pebble rocks are often used as ground covering, much in the way that mulch is used, because it can stop weeds from growing.
Pebble rocks, however, do have a downside to them. Unlike larger rocks that can remain stationary, the pebble rocks can “travel” during inclement weather, and also when people walk on them. Thus, if you become hesitant about using pebble rocks for these reasons, you can always look into getting flagstones instead.
For more information on landscaping with rocks, be sure to go to your local bookstore, because there are a variety of books in the home and gardening section. You can also search the internet for websites on the topic. You are sure to find interesting information with the proper research.
About Landscaping with Rocks
Some people might jeer at the thought of landscaping with rocks, since rocks are usually the things that people want to get rid of in their yards. However, rocks can also make for beautiful landscaping materials as well.
For example, if you are the kind of person who likes to walk at the beach, you have probably noticed how unique and smooth the rocks are. These same rocks can really be great to use when it comes for ideas as to how you can landscape with rocks.
Begin at your front yard. Think about the places that would benefit the most from landscaping with rocks. Whether it is from the beach or not, make sure that the rocks are large enough so that they cannot be displaced by people or weather factors.
The front yards of people vary widely, but two of the most popular front yard places that people choose to landscape with rocks are as borders for the front walkway, as well as borders for the trees. If you have both of these things in your front yard, these are two excellent places to start.
When it comes to landscaping with rocks in the backyard, you can continue to use the rocks as borders for trees or bushes. You can also use them to liven up any gardens that you have. The great thing about rocks is that they can be very versatile in gardens.
For example, if you have a flower garden, you can use smaller pebble rocks to indicate various paths in the garden. Pebble rocks are often used as ground covering, much in the way that mulch is used, because it can stop weeds from growing.
Pebble rocks, however, do have a downside to them. Unlike larger rocks that can remain stationary, the pebble rocks can “travel” during inclement weather, and also when people walk on them. Thus, if you become hesitant about using pebble rocks for these reasons, you can always look into getting flagstones instead.
For more information on landscaping with rocks, be sure to go to your local bookstore, because there are a variety of books in the home and gardening section. You can also search the internet for websites on the topic. You are sure to find interesting information with the proper research.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
About Landscaping Yards
The first thing that you need to realize when it comes to landscaping yards is that it is not going to be as simple as taking your lawnmower and mowing endless lawns. You are going to need a significant amount of money to start this business, because you will need landscaping tools other than just a lawnmower.
For example, in order to be considered a professional when it comes to landscaping yards, you will need a leaf blower/mulcher for autumn clean ups, a weed wacker, a seed spreader, and various pruning tools. On top of this, you will need a truck that can securely hold all of the tools
you need for landscaping yards.
Once you have the truck and the tools, the next thing you need to do is get a business permit so that you can legally operate your business. You should probably have a designated office area in your home, or you will need to rent office space and have it inspected so that you can get a business permit.
When you have your business permit, you will next have to find employees to help you with your business. You will need at least two other landscaping employees so that you can get yards done efficiently and quickly. You will probably need to enlist the help of a financial advisor to figure out medical benefits and pay rates.
So, how do you find the right employees? Place an advertisement in your local newspaper or an online job database, and make appointments with them for interviews. You should also have background checks done.
When you have your workers, the next step is to build a clientele. At this time you should also have someone to act as a secretary for the business. Place advertisements in the local paper, in the form of flyers all over your town, and online if applicable.
The clientele base will grow if you do a good job, because word of mouth can definitely be an excellent marketing method, and clients will recommend you to family and friends. Thus, for this you should have business cards, and you can even think about making a website. As you can see, starting a business landscaping yards is a lot of work, but if you have a true passion for it, it will definitely be worth all the work.
For example, in order to be considered a professional when it comes to landscaping yards, you will need a leaf blower/mulcher for autumn clean ups, a weed wacker, a seed spreader, and various pruning tools. On top of this, you will need a truck that can securely hold all of the tools
you need for landscaping yards.
Once you have the truck and the tools, the next thing you need to do is get a business permit so that you can legally operate your business. You should probably have a designated office area in your home, or you will need to rent office space and have it inspected so that you can get a business permit.
When you have your business permit, you will next have to find employees to help you with your business. You will need at least two other landscaping employees so that you can get yards done efficiently and quickly. You will probably need to enlist the help of a financial advisor to figure out medical benefits and pay rates.
So, how do you find the right employees? Place an advertisement in your local newspaper or an online job database, and make appointments with them for interviews. You should also have background checks done.
When you have your workers, the next step is to build a clientele. At this time you should also have someone to act as a secretary for the business. Place advertisements in the local paper, in the form of flyers all over your town, and online if applicable.
The clientele base will grow if you do a good job, because word of mouth can definitely be an excellent marketing method, and clients will recommend you to family and friends. Thus, for this you should have business cards, and you can even think about making a website. As you can see, starting a business landscaping yards is a lot of work, but if you have a true passion for it, it will definitely be worth all the work.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
About Hillside Landscaping
You live in a hillside area, and as such you have not done much in the way of landscaping. In fact you are even afraid to mow the lawn for fear of tripping and falling down the side of the hill. Thus, what you need to realize is no matter how steep the hill, you can have some hillside landscaping done!
About Hillside Landscaping
The first thing that you need to think about when it comes to hillside landscaping is, understandably, the safety factor. If your hill is fairly steep (in that it is very hard to walk up it because of the angle) you will need to have professionals do the hillside landscaping.
If, however, the hill is just an area of your yard that you have been wanting to landscape but have not had any real ideas for it, then you can do the hillside landscaping yourself. Begin with a survey of the land itself and its location.
For example, if the hillside is in the front of your home, you can create an ornate landscaping design. First of all, evaluate the soil itself – is it arid? If so, be sure to purchase nutrient-rich soil before you begin. Next, you need to think about the plants that you would like to incorporate in the hillside landscaping design.
The best idea is to forgo plants and plant bushes instead. The reason for this is that bushes are hardy in many different kinds of weather, and only require minimal pruning during certain times of the year. The kinds of bushes that you should consider for the hillside landscaping project should ideally be ones that grow horizontally instead of vertically.
When you have selected the kinds of bushes that you want, the next step is to figure out the kind of pattern that you want them in. For that, you will not only have to calculate the amount of bushes you will need, but you will also have to calculate the area that you want to dig out for the bushes. The area can be any shape that you want, but a popular shape that many people choose is the square shape.
As for the design, you could place the bushes in a linear pattern, equally spaced so that they form the inside of the square like a checkerboard. Or, you could place the bushes in a spiral pattern. If you would like a more ornate pattern, you should discuss design ideas with a professional landscaper.
If you would like more information on hillside landscaping, simply go to your local bookstore and look at various gardening magazines. You can also ask for assistance at your local gardening center. You are sure to find the right hillside landscaping ideas with the proper research.
About Hillside Landscaping
The first thing that you need to think about when it comes to hillside landscaping is, understandably, the safety factor. If your hill is fairly steep (in that it is very hard to walk up it because of the angle) you will need to have professionals do the hillside landscaping.
If, however, the hill is just an area of your yard that you have been wanting to landscape but have not had any real ideas for it, then you can do the hillside landscaping yourself. Begin with a survey of the land itself and its location.
For example, if the hillside is in the front of your home, you can create an ornate landscaping design. First of all, evaluate the soil itself – is it arid? If so, be sure to purchase nutrient-rich soil before you begin. Next, you need to think about the plants that you would like to incorporate in the hillside landscaping design.
The best idea is to forgo plants and plant bushes instead. The reason for this is that bushes are hardy in many different kinds of weather, and only require minimal pruning during certain times of the year. The kinds of bushes that you should consider for the hillside landscaping project should ideally be ones that grow horizontally instead of vertically.
When you have selected the kinds of bushes that you want, the next step is to figure out the kind of pattern that you want them in. For that, you will not only have to calculate the amount of bushes you will need, but you will also have to calculate the area that you want to dig out for the bushes. The area can be any shape that you want, but a popular shape that many people choose is the square shape.
As for the design, you could place the bushes in a linear pattern, equally spaced so that they form the inside of the square like a checkerboard. Or, you could place the bushes in a spiral pattern. If you would like a more ornate pattern, you should discuss design ideas with a professional landscaper.
If you would like more information on hillside landscaping, simply go to your local bookstore and look at various gardening magazines. You can also ask for assistance at your local gardening center. You are sure to find the right hillside landscaping ideas with the proper research.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Desert Landscaping: The Hot And Cold
Perhaps when most people think of the desert, they only think of broiling hot days, cacti, and dry heat. In truth, many deserts are located in high terrain and the hottest of days can actually turn into cool nights. Many deserts also experience cold winters that can include snow, and desert landscaping often reflects this.
Desert Landscaping: The Hot And Cold
Because the desert can experience such a range of temperature changes, desert landscaping needs to be hardy enough to tolerate heat as well as cold. Evergreen shrubs and trees survive well in high terrain deserts, because they withstand the heat and tolerate cold. Many cactus plants are also cold hardy. This surprises many people, because they think of cactus as hot area plants.
If you have a home in the desert and want to do some desert landscaping around your house the best place to buy your plants is from a local nursery. Often big box garden retailers have their plants ordered by someone in their regional office. This person often doesn’t understand the complexities of desert weather and orders plants that might not do well in your yard. Ordering plants from a local nursery or choosing landscaping that is locally grown ensures that you will get plants that will thrive and grow in your desert landscaping.
Desert Landscaping: Water With Care
If you stick to plants that are native to the area in which you live, watering your yard shouldn’t be an issue. However, if you want to grow flowers, vegetables, or other plants that don’t normally grow in the desert, you need to make sure that you provide a source of water to your desert landscaping. Before you design your desert yard, check with your local authorities to make sure that there are no watering restrictions in your city or county. Once you have established how much water you want to spare on your yard each month, come up with a watering plan. Do you want to water by hand? The easiest way to water your lawn and garden is with a timed sprinkler system. If you plant grass set your timer to go off in the early morning hours, so that the water can seep into your ground before the sun rises and causes it to evaporate. Choose a drip irrigation system to water your shrubs and ground covers and you will see minimal waste.
If you want to cut back on the amount of watering your desert landscaping requires, fill your yard with gravel or rocks instead of grass. This low maintenance alternative to grass looks attractive in a desert setting. One caveat to rocks is that light colored gravel will reflect the sun’s heat, causing your yard to seem even hotter each afternoon.
Desert Landscaping: The Hot And Cold
Because the desert can experience such a range of temperature changes, desert landscaping needs to be hardy enough to tolerate heat as well as cold. Evergreen shrubs and trees survive well in high terrain deserts, because they withstand the heat and tolerate cold. Many cactus plants are also cold hardy. This surprises many people, because they think of cactus as hot area plants.
If you have a home in the desert and want to do some desert landscaping around your house the best place to buy your plants is from a local nursery. Often big box garden retailers have their plants ordered by someone in their regional office. This person often doesn’t understand the complexities of desert weather and orders plants that might not do well in your yard. Ordering plants from a local nursery or choosing landscaping that is locally grown ensures that you will get plants that will thrive and grow in your desert landscaping.
Desert Landscaping: Water With Care
If you stick to plants that are native to the area in which you live, watering your yard shouldn’t be an issue. However, if you want to grow flowers, vegetables, or other plants that don’t normally grow in the desert, you need to make sure that you provide a source of water to your desert landscaping. Before you design your desert yard, check with your local authorities to make sure that there are no watering restrictions in your city or county. Once you have established how much water you want to spare on your yard each month, come up with a watering plan. Do you want to water by hand? The easiest way to water your lawn and garden is with a timed sprinkler system. If you plant grass set your timer to go off in the early morning hours, so that the water can seep into your ground before the sun rises and causes it to evaporate. Choose a drip irrigation system to water your shrubs and ground covers and you will see minimal waste.
If you want to cut back on the amount of watering your desert landscaping requires, fill your yard with gravel or rocks instead of grass. This low maintenance alternative to grass looks attractive in a desert setting. One caveat to rocks is that light colored gravel will reflect the sun’s heat, causing your yard to seem even hotter each afternoon.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Three Amazing Front Yard Landscaping Ideas
Your front yard doesn’t have to be a typical patch of grass, mailbox, and garden flag. The front yard landscaping ideas that are available for you to use are endless. With a little creative thinking and an open mind, you can have a front yard that everyone in the neighborhood will talk about.
Front Yard Landscaping Idea Number One: Create Outdoor Rooms
Many landscapers sell the idea of creating outdoor rooms in your backyard, but it is very popular to apply this landscaping idea to the front yard. Simply assess the size of your yard and look for areas that can be landscaped as a separate little sitting space. Place a bench under a tree. Fill in the surrounding area with different types of flowers and shrubs, and add a few potted plants next to your bench. Having a sitting area in your front yard creates a wonderful place to visit with neighbors, observe the daily happenings on your street or even watch your kids while they play.
Front Yard Landscaping Idea Number Two: Create Visually Pleasing Displays
Make your front yard a fun place to be by adding lots of visual stimulating objects. Adding a bird house or birdbath will attract lots of interesting wildlife to your yard. Planting shrubs and flowers that attract butterflies is a great way to bring these gorgeous insects to the area around your house. Try to partner your non plant items with compatible foliage and fauna. For example, if you place a birdbath in your yard, plant a colorful array of flowers around the base.
Containers are a fantastic way to add variety to your yard. You can place big tubs or planters of flowers on your front porch, along your driveway, or even on your lawn. The beauty of containers is that when you get tired of them in one place, they are easy to move or replant.
Front Yard Landscaping Idea Number Three: Mix Perennials And Annuals
Perennials are one of the easiest ways to landscape your yard. The bloom year after year can be propagated by division, making them an inexpensive way to add to your landscape, and they are relatively maintenance free. Perennials tend to bloom in succession, so you always have something blooming in your yard. Annuals give a continuous burst of color in your front yard, but they only last one season. They aren’t that expensive, so it isn’t hard to plant them each spring. Because they only last one season, they are wonderful for people who like to try new things each year. By having a mix of perennials and annuals in your front yard, you get the best of both worlds.
Front Yard Landscaping Idea Number One: Create Outdoor Rooms
Many landscapers sell the idea of creating outdoor rooms in your backyard, but it is very popular to apply this landscaping idea to the front yard. Simply assess the size of your yard and look for areas that can be landscaped as a separate little sitting space. Place a bench under a tree. Fill in the surrounding area with different types of flowers and shrubs, and add a few potted plants next to your bench. Having a sitting area in your front yard creates a wonderful place to visit with neighbors, observe the daily happenings on your street or even watch your kids while they play.
Front Yard Landscaping Idea Number Two: Create Visually Pleasing Displays
Make your front yard a fun place to be by adding lots of visual stimulating objects. Adding a bird house or birdbath will attract lots of interesting wildlife to your yard. Planting shrubs and flowers that attract butterflies is a great way to bring these gorgeous insects to the area around your house. Try to partner your non plant items with compatible foliage and fauna. For example, if you place a birdbath in your yard, plant a colorful array of flowers around the base.
Containers are a fantastic way to add variety to your yard. You can place big tubs or planters of flowers on your front porch, along your driveway, or even on your lawn. The beauty of containers is that when you get tired of them in one place, they are easy to move or replant.
Front Yard Landscaping Idea Number Three: Mix Perennials And Annuals
Perennials are one of the easiest ways to landscape your yard. The bloom year after year can be propagated by division, making them an inexpensive way to add to your landscape, and they are relatively maintenance free. Perennials tend to bloom in succession, so you always have something blooming in your yard. Annuals give a continuous burst of color in your front yard, but they only last one season. They aren’t that expensive, so it isn’t hard to plant them each spring. Because they only last one season, they are wonderful for people who like to try new things each year. By having a mix of perennials and annuals in your front yard, you get the best of both worlds.
Monday, October 1, 2007
The Secrets Of Front Yard Landscaping
Your front yard says a lot about you. It is the first thing that visitors see, even before they enter your home. Your front yard landscaping often is the first impression that your neighbors will have about you. Taking a little time to design your front yard landscaping will pay off with years of enjoyment.
Keep Your Front Yard Landscaping Consistent With Your House
Before you decide on your front yard landscaping, take time to choose a style that fits with the type of house you live in. If you live in a Spanish style stucco bungalow, choose a plant scheme that is compatible with this style of architecture. For example, consider terra cotta planters, draping bougainvillea plants and other tropical foliage. If you live in a sprawling ranch house, consider low growing shrubs and changing annuals.
Keep Your Front Yard Landscaping Easy On Maintenance
Before you invest your time and money in landscaping your front yard, take the time to do the preliminary work the correct way. Invest in a good sprinkler and drip water system, complete with a timer. For years to come, you will enjoy a green lawn and healthy plants without ever having to worry that you forgot to water.
Take the time to have your yard leveled before you plant grass, and have an expert give you advice on any drainage issues you might face. Putting the extra work in before you plant can save you lots of money and work down the road. If you don’t like the grade of your yard, it is easy to add top soil to your yard and change the level of your slopes.
If mowing isn’t your thing, consider having easy to maintain groundcovers instead of grass as a part of your front yard landscaping plan. Many people prefer to have their grass behind their house and choose to landscape their front yard using shrubs, rocks, bark, or even flagstone.
Have Fun Landscaping Your Front Yard: But Not Too Much Fun
It can be a lot of fun to show off a little personality in your front yard. While your front yard can be a great canvas for expressing yourself, don’t make it an eyesore that causes your neighbors to shudder. Having one garden gnome or a cute garden sign is fun, but having a collection of gnomes or pink flamingos can be a bit overwhelming. Strive to create a classic balance of whimsy in your front yard and your landscaping will be appreciated by everyone who visits.
Keep Your Front Yard Landscaping Consistent With Your House
Before you decide on your front yard landscaping, take time to choose a style that fits with the type of house you live in. If you live in a Spanish style stucco bungalow, choose a plant scheme that is compatible with this style of architecture. For example, consider terra cotta planters, draping bougainvillea plants and other tropical foliage. If you live in a sprawling ranch house, consider low growing shrubs and changing annuals.
Keep Your Front Yard Landscaping Easy On Maintenance
Before you invest your time and money in landscaping your front yard, take the time to do the preliminary work the correct way. Invest in a good sprinkler and drip water system, complete with a timer. For years to come, you will enjoy a green lawn and healthy plants without ever having to worry that you forgot to water.
Take the time to have your yard leveled before you plant grass, and have an expert give you advice on any drainage issues you might face. Putting the extra work in before you plant can save you lots of money and work down the road. If you don’t like the grade of your yard, it is easy to add top soil to your yard and change the level of your slopes.
If mowing isn’t your thing, consider having easy to maintain groundcovers instead of grass as a part of your front yard landscaping plan. Many people prefer to have their grass behind their house and choose to landscape their front yard using shrubs, rocks, bark, or even flagstone.
Have Fun Landscaping Your Front Yard: But Not Too Much Fun
It can be a lot of fun to show off a little personality in your front yard. While your front yard can be a great canvas for expressing yourself, don’t make it an eyesore that causes your neighbors to shudder. Having one garden gnome or a cute garden sign is fun, but having a collection of gnomes or pink flamingos can be a bit overwhelming. Strive to create a classic balance of whimsy in your front yard and your landscaping will be appreciated by everyone who visits.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
