Archive for Landscape Design
Landscaping Services – We do it Right!
Serious and well informed homeowners are the ones who invest time and money in landscaping services in order to ensure that their landscape is always beautifully designed and well maintained. This is because they understand the need to add value to their property in the event they might need to put it up on the market for a quick sale.
Most professionals are on the hunt for the best and most attractive job offers and find themselves moving and relocating to different states in order to get the job that pays top dollar. Others might move in order to benefit from lower costs of living that can be afforded in other states leaving them no choice to sell their current home and move to greener pastures.
Now when this happens you want to be in a position to sell your home at the best price and one sure way to do it is by the proper maintenance of its landscape. This not only adds value to the property but it provides a serene atmosphere for you and your family.
DK Landscaping Services
We at DK Landscaping offer the best home and commercial gardening services in Rohnert Park and Santa Rosa areas. We offer sound advice on how you can increase market value by installing the very best landscaping tools and techniques.
Many of our clients have been provided the opportunity to not only upsell their properties to the next buyer but also feel good knowing that they are offering a property that has been efficiently managed and maintained.
Our specialized team can manage all landscaping development projects including high end to low maintenance landscaping projects as well as irrigation installation projects. We remove shrubbery, cut trees and properly dispose of all waste in a manner that’s eco friendly and hassle free.
If you need to make a first time impression or simply just want to tidy your surroundings don’t hesitate to give us a call or contact us online for more information. You’ll be surprised to know that we’re more than what meets the eye.
Immaculate Yard Maintenance Rohnert Park
As seasons change, so do the landscaping needs. Landscaping services are essential for a beautiful and healthy outdoor space throughout the year. The first impression is the lasting one, and your yard sets the tone on how people see you. Weeds and fungi are not only unsightly; they compromise the soil nutrients, sunlight, and water that your landscape plants need for healthy growth. Regular yard maintenance Rohnert Park services involves regular weeding, and irrigation, among other landscape face lifting services. Here are the reasons why you should engage a landscaping maintenance professional for your home.
Time-saving
Handy homeowners willing to get their hands dirty and research more can dramatically change their landscaping appearance. However, yard maintenance Rohnert Park jobs are time-consuming and may cost more than you can imagine. You will need to attend to the yard throughout, and seasons like fall, spring, and winter will give you extra work. The lack of expertise in the area may see you rush through some crucial steps affecting the outcome. These shortcuts will also compromise the health of the plants. Professional landscapers work with the homeowner to bring out the best from their space. Apart from beauty, landscape maintaining companies take the least time possible in transforming your space into a haven.
Increases house value
The first impression is a crucial part of the buyers’ decision making process. Most people will decide if they will consider buying a house immediately they see it. Since the first contact with a property determines the prospective buyer’s feelings about it, a good yard will attract people more and stir their curiosity to see more of the house. Well done landscape increases a house value and reduces the time your home is on the market.
Healthier you
Landscape maintenance companies ensure a well done and clean compound. Cleaning services keep your homes healthier as pollutants are filtered, providing fresh air. Studies reveal that an attractive and clean environment also reduces stress levels increasing mental health. Sitting on a well-done landscape as you unwind is therapeutic to both the mind and body.
Conclusion
Getting a landscaping company in California is easy as checking “yard maintenance Rohnert Park” online will give you enough options. However, not all companies fit the bill. If you are looking for specialized services in irrigation and water-saving landscape designs, repairs, and general landscape maintenance, get in touch. Every house deserves a beautiful outdoor space. Contact us for more information.
How To Find A Good Landscaper in Rohnert Park
As per the survey conducted by the National Association of Landscape Professionals, 67% of Americans agree that professional landscaping allows them to have beautiful yards. You, too, want an inviting yard and outdoor space. However, the challenge is finding the right landscaper. In this article, you will find out how to find a good landscaper Rohnert Park.
Identify what you want
There are different types of landscapers. Each specializes in different things. Some specialize in lawn installation and maintenance. Others, solely do gardening. While others offer full-range services, including landscape design.
After identifying what you want, you can know what type of landscaper to look for.
Research local landscapers
First, go to Google and search for landscaper Rohnert Park. You want to find landscapers that provide their services in your area.
Make a list of landscapers you could potentially hire. Then compare them. Compare services offered, price, and reputation.
Reputation is vital as you want to hire a company that provides quality services. So, look for reviews of the company on sites such as Yelp, BBB (Better Business Bureau), and Angie’s List. Also, check the landscaper’s website for testimonials or ask them for referrals.
Request quotes
At this point, you have identified a few (2 to 3) landscapers you consider best suited to handle your project. Go ahead and ask for quotes. Most landscapers will prefer to come and see the scope of the project before they can provide an estimate.
This one-on-one meeting is an opportunity to vet them further. As much as the budget is essential, it should not be your sole focus. Ask about:
- Insurance: you do not want to be liable to injuries to the people working in your property.
- Completion timetable: Landscapers often have multiple clients, and a company might delay your work as they are already engaged in several other projects.
- Guarantees: A good landscaping company will offer at least a 2-year guarantee on their work.
- How they will handle your project: By asking this question, you get to gauge how experienced and knowledgeable a contractor is.
Consider their personality traits
You don’t just need a landscaper with the right skills and qualifications. You need one that will understand what you need and work with you to make your dream yard come true. So, as you talk to them, look for the following personality traits:
- Excellent communication: You want a contractor that explains the processes and work involved clearly.
- Patience: A patient contractor will not only listen and but also understand your needs.
- Willingness to work with your ideas
- Creativity: so that they can improve your ideas
Do you need a landscaper Rohnert Park? Contact us today. We specialize in landscape repair and maintenance and irrigation. We are also specialists in xeriscape or water-saving landscape design.
The One-Third Rule of Pruning Shrubbery
Pruning your shrubs can give your entire landscape an amazing aesthetic appeal. Ideally, there are typically two types of landscapers when it comes to pruning shrubbery; those who prune timidly from fear of damaging their bushes and those who prune aggressively to come up with perfectly shaped shrubs. However, to achieve the best outcome when pruning your bushes, trimming about one-third of the good wood is ideal.
If you prune more than this, you risk exposing your shrubbery to excessive damage, which could stunt its growth. Prune less than this, and you might not do much to improve the appeal of your shrub.
Read on to learn about the one-third rule:
Why The One-Third Rule?
Moderate pruning is pivotal when it comes to stimulating vital growth. Plants typically live in a balance between the below-ground and above-ground parts. Once the plant loses a number of stems through pruning, it tries to gain back the balance by pushing forth new growth. This regrowth is essential, especially in moderation, since it allows the plant to heal as well as simulates growth from dormant buds.
If your shrubbery loses too much leafy growth, it goes into panic mode. This can be shown by the appearance of water sprouts or suckers, which can leave your shrubs ragged looking. Even worse, this suckering can go on for a long time, making landscape maintenance tough.
Use the Rule on Established Plants
The one-third rule is ideal for your fully established shrubbery- plants that have overcome their transplant shock. If you have newly planted shrubs, give them a grace period of one or two seasons before pruning them to ensure that their root systems become established enough.
Use the rule on small ornamental trees and shrubs. As for larger shade trees, limit pruning to at most a quarter of the total branches. While growth on shade trees is stimulated into new growth through assertive pruning, its pruning shouldn’t be as vigorous as that of multi-stemmed shrubs. Pruning the trees often is vital since it reduces the chances of wind damage.
When Might The one-third Rule Not Be Enough?
If you neglect your shrubbery for too long, it might overgrow and get out of control. Normal pruning might not suffice. For such shrubs, rejuvenation pruning (a severe form of pruning) might work. While rejuvenation pruning will leave the shrub looking unattractive for a while, it allows it to reform itself into a better shape.
As long as you show your shrubs love, they will light up your landscape. Pruning ensures that you can shape your shrubs to fit right into your ideal landscape design. Consider using the one-third pruning rule to improve the appeal of your landscape.
A Xeriscape Guide to Cold-Winter Gardening
Xeric plants thrive on any climate and can flourish on extreme temperatures, extra water, dry conditions, low light, or lots of light. Xeriscaping is one of the best ways of planning an economically and ecologically sound garden. Xeriscape winter gardening can be rock-filled, lush, and can also feature different types of fauna.
The Winter Gardening Challenges
Winter temperatures can cause stress to plants. During winter, there are less angled rays and diminished sun exposure. Rainfall is also limited, meaning that regular irrigation may be needed. The soil type, wind exposure, and the slope must be considered before selecting winter gardening plants. Winter is open to elements such as extreme cold and dryness.
The temperatures may also get to the freezing level. Tender plants need to be located to sheltered locations to keep them from the winds and dryness. Be careful to watch out on slopes. These are of particular concern given that they face moisture runs and winds, which could then create dry conditions. The arrival of winter does not mean that your xeriscape garden cannot thrive.
Go Native
Native plants are adapted to the local weather conditions and soil. They do not require much water and can survive in harsh conditions. These plants support bees, birds, and other wildlife by offering shelter and food. Native flora also protects your yard from wildfires.
Hydrozone
Select water-wise plants during winter, and group them wisely. The same way you would cater to beds based on the plants’ particular needs for sunlight should be the same logic used for water usage.
Plants that need lots of water need to be grouped together. The same applies to native perennials. When selecting your plants, look for those that can keep moisture trapped inside for longer. These are plants with thick leaves and fine hairs.
Maintain Proper Drainage
Xeric plants thrive most in rocky environments, meaning they don’t tolerate too much rain. These plants should be planted in soils with organic matter and little clay. They should also be planted on raised mounds for better water drainage. Instead of raking leaves, use them to mulch the ground. This is an organic layer that encourages nutrients to penetrate the ground leading to a lusher yard.
Xeriscaping is an excellent winter gardening that eliminates the need for supplemental water. It varies from natural landscaping due to the emphasis on the selection of plants that conserve water. For all your xeriscape landscape maintenance needs, call us today or contact us online.
Shrubbery Like Boxwood, Lavender, and Camellia
Adding shrubbery to your home’s outdoor landscape is a wonderful way to frame your garden and border a winding path. One particularly popular way for doing both, or either, is with evergreen shrubs.
Benefits of Evergreen Shrubs
Evergreen shrubs are shrubs that can be a permanent fixture in your garden thanks to the fact that they will last all year.
In fact, evergreen shrubs like fatsia, lavender, and camellia can create beautiful flower displays and perfume-like scents throughout the year, even when everything else in your garden appears to have fallen dormant.
Evergreen shrubs will often be naturally variegated and create a colorful cascade of colors over your garden. Some shrubs are like trees and come with needled or broadleaf foliage.
Adding shrubs to your property will beautify the landscape all four seasons and provide a smooth transition between taller trees and the groundcover plants lining your walkway or garden.
Shrubs can be used for a number of different purposes beyond lining walkways and framing your garden as well.
Shrubbery can provide groundcover on slopes, buffer ambient noise from entering your home, and provide a breathtaking backdrop for your garden.
Boxwood Shrubs
One of the easiest-to-work-with types of evergreen shrub is boxwood shrubbery. Boxwood is hardy to zone 6, which essentially means that it will maintain its integrity no matter what nature throws at it.
Boxwood also fits most people’s initial idea of a shrub – boxwood has tiny, glossy foliage that can be hedged by Xeriscape’s landscaping experts into just about any desired shape.
Most homeowners like their boxwood shrubbery to be a few feet in diameter but, left to its own devices, boxwood can grow up to two dozen feet tall! This is a hardy shrub that will grow well in moderate sun and ligher shade.
Lavender
Lavender is a drought-tolerant plant that is a kissing cousin to mint, and each has a similar fragrance. Lavender, though, is a perennial shrub that has a lot of different size and color options to match your landscape.
There are actually four main types of lavender that homeowners in North America typically consider for their gardens: English lavender, Spanish lavender, Portuguese lavender, and lavandin.
English lavender owes its name to the English lavender trade of the 1700s and the fact that it smells so wonderful. English lavender can furnish homeowners with those variegated colors alluded to above: purples, violet, mauve, and mixtures of all three are afforded by English lavender.
Spanish lavender will come with pink and purple petals and have a unique pine scent. Portuguese lavender (a.k.a., Broadleafed lavender), on the other hand, will have paler purple leaves that are slightly larger.
Portuguese lavender can cross-pollinate with Engligh lavender, and both types are used in aromatherapy. The camphor in Portuguese lavender is good for attracting friendly insects into your garden and lending a sense of exotic variety and soothing color.
Lastly, lavandin might be a fancy name in this context since lavandin only means a cross between English lavender and Portuguese lavender. Lavandin produces sterile seeds but can grow in hot, arid climates and live through periods of sustained drought.
Camellia
Camellia is also a type of evergreen shrubbery, but the flowers of a blooming camellia are truly unique in certain species. There are more than 300 species of camellia, and approximately 3,000 hybrid species. Some camellia flowers are double.
Where does camellia work? Woodland gardens with dappled sunlight or gardens with slightly acidic soil are especially promising foundations for camellia.
Ask Xeriscape about the possibility of installing camellia shrubbery around your garden because the flowers come in a variety of beautifying colors: pinks, reds, yellows, and whites are common. Contact us for more information.
Why is Fertilizer Necessary? Is Organic Really Better?
Fertilizer has a host of nutrients that will enable your lawn and garden to reach its full potential, which really everyone wants.
The shocking thing is that fewer than half of home gardners in the United States use any kind of fertilizer in their yards, according to a Gallup Gardening Survey.
Why is Fertilizer Even Necessary?
Basically, if you’re not using some kind of fertilizer to nourish your lawn and garden, then your grass and plants aren’t getting the nutrients they need to thrive.
Even if you’re fortunate enough to live on a property or area of the country with fantastic soil, your plants will naturally pull nutrients from the soil to grow. This process depletes the soil and underscores the need for any homeowner serious about lawn care and gardening to invest in a good fertilizer.
The more plants that you have in your garden and the more depleted your soil, moreover, the more that you’ll benefit from fertilizer. Xeriscape can come by and measure your soil’s PH and perform a soil analysis to detect the levels of critical nutrients.
When you get the right fertilizer for your lawn – the “right” fertilizer is one that helps overcome particular deficiencies with your soil – you’ll have more beautiful flowers and much healthier produce.
Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorous
Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous are particularly important nutrients found in all fertilizers. Nitrogen allows plants to grow more robustly by giving plants the proteins needed for plants to create new tissue in the growing process.
Your plants will be constantly assimilating carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from the ambient air and water, but nitrogen is something that plants don’t always get in adequate amounts. That’s why plants gorge on nitrogen when the nutrient is around.
What about potassium and phosphorous? Potassium serves a number of different functions for your plants, including: helping your plants fight off diseases, improving your plants metabolism, and improving your plants’ ability to create carbohydrates.
Phosphorous is also critical for plant growth since it gives your plants the nutritional tools to grow strong roots, flowers, buds, and new seeds. Plant’s need a PH level of around 6.7 to effectively absorb phosphorous. Set up an appointment with Xeriscape to make sure your soil’s PH is good.
Micronutrients Calcium and Magnesium
After getting in to this trio of all-star fertilizer nutrients, you should know that nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous are known as fertilizing macronutrients (really important!) but fertilizers also contain secondary micronutrients.
Secondary nutrients include calcium (used for fighting diseases and cell membranes) and magnesium. You might want to consider using an organic, at-home fertilizer like eggshells because these lower your soil’s PH and provide calcium to your plants.
Magnesium is actually hugely important and almost considered a macronutrient since plants need this nutrient for chlorophyll and turning sunlight into energy. Plants couldn’t really grow without magnesium!
Organic and Synthetic Fertilizers
Organic and synthetic fertilizers contain many of the same nutrients, but the source of each is different and each enters the soil to nourish plants at different rates. Organic fertilizers enter plants more slowly, so now is the time to apply organic fertilizers.
Compost, manure, and mulch are organic fertilizers that might work for your yard. Home garden experts recommend applying organic fertilizers like those made from plant and animal byproducts (e.g., bone and plant meal) in the fall so that the soil can assimilate those nutrients over many months – in time for spring’s blooms!
If you determine with Xeriscape that your garden could benefit from a quicker-acting solution, then a synthetic fertilizer might be more desirable.
Synthetic (man-made) fertilizers are often cheaper than organic alternatives, and synthetic fertilizers let you get the exact combination of nutrients that will enable your lawn and garden to thrive! Schedule an appointment with Xeriscape today and have your soil tested. Contact us for more information.
Rock Garden – It’s More Than What Meets the Eye
Contrary to popular opinion, there is more to a rock garden than a garden filled with rocks. In reality, it is a blend of plants and rocks complimenting each other.
Unlike easterners, mainly Japanese who use rock gardens to find enlightenment, we in the west are more focused on creating beautiful spaces that are a pleasure to look at and relaxing.
Before we get into how you can use the rocks, here are some few benefits of having a rock garden.
- First, these gardens can survive harsh climate. You can throw anything at them from extreme winters to sweltering heat, and they will endure. Strong winds or droughts will no longer be a concern.
- They are low maintenance. Unlike customary gardens, these are easy to maintain as they don’t require frequent feeding, watering, mowing, aeration, or control of pests. Moreover, the rocks can be placed around the plants to control weeds reducing the need for chemical control. They are ideal for people who lead busy lives.
- Also known as Zen gardens, you will appreciate that they look great all year round. However, you should use a combination of plants that bloom in spring and summer together with evergreens and fall foliage.
- Rocks allow you to create depth and diversity by combining tiny pebbles with large boulders.
- Rocks also create the illusion that your yard is large. Seeing as you use fewer plants than traditional yards, you create the perception that your yard is extensive.
How you can use rocks around the garden
You can use different stones to create a specific impact depending on what you want.
First, if you are looking for ambiance or a casual, laid-back garden, an area you can sit and relax; we recommend beach pebbles or river rocks. These add warmth, are pretty inviting, and are customizable seeing as they are available in various sizes and colors.
You can also use rocks to control weeds. Place them around your plants and flower beds, and fill up those empty spaces between plants as mulch.
You can use white marble chips to create a cheerful and bright space. They are especially useful in shady areas as their bright color will contrast with the dark soil and general ambiance there. You can also use dark marbles to balance out a bright area.
A rock garden will come in handy if you have a steep slope or uneven surface. Some of these spaces are difficult to mow and maintain. However, you can use rocks to transform it into a showcase of more delicate plants.
You can also use stones to create a border around your ponds. They are great for camouflaging the liners and creating contrast with the water for a dynamic look.
Conclusion
Rock gardening can give you a sense of sophistication and class. It is rare but beautiful, and the rocks and greenery compliment each other superbly.
However, it takes expertise to create a terrific rock garden. There is a ton of technical knowledge and experience required, and we encourage you to hire professional landscapers. You can contact us to book an appointment for garden maintenance, irrigation, water saving landscape design, and rock gardens. Contact us for more information.
Landscaping Ideas Just in Time for Spring
Spring is the ideal time to take stock of your yard’s overall health and consider a few landscaping ideas. It is also a good time to remove broken branches and have shrubbery pruned back by a professional landscaping company.
First: Test Your Soil
Testing your soil and having your lawn fertilized could also be a helpful practice to get into at this point in the season.
When you have your soil tested, you’ll receive a rundown of your soil’s pH level as well as whether your soil has the right mix of nutrients to allow bushes and flowers to thrive.
The great thing about getting your soil tested early is that it gives you time to respond.
If your soil is missing a particular mix of nutrients, for instance, you’ll be able to have a professional landscaping company like Xeriscape fertilize your lawn to get the perfect blend of nutrients.
Mix Enclosure and Openness
The root word for garden is actually enclosure. With a great outdoor landscape, you’re actually looking to blend an enclosed space with the openness of the great outdoors.
There’s even something called the law of significant exposure to guide your landscaping ideas.
The idea behind this is to create a sense of refuge while allowing you and all of your guests to bask in the outdoors.
The law of significant exposure says that the vertical top of a space should be at least a third of the horizontal length of a space.
How does this all work in practice? If you have a patio that’s 21 feet wide horizontally, then a nearby hedge or overhanging tree should be at least 7 feet tall (3:1 ratio) so that there’s a comfy sense of enclosure. The same thing applies to gardens.
Create Multiple Seating Areas
Installing different seats and tables for different purposes and different times of the day is one of the best landscaping ideas out there.
A hammock deep in the yard, if you have the space, would be great for relaxing. A pair of set-off seats might be nice for enjoying a coffee in the morning or a cocktail later in the evening.
On the other hand, a table and perhaps a few couches would be ideal for entertaining guests or bringing a few plates outside and enjoying dinner al fresco!
Start with the Big Stuff
You might have to fight off the temptation to immediately plant your perennials in the sense that there are practical and design benefits to planting the big stuff before the small stuff.
Landscapers recommend going from planting trees and shrubs to dealing with perennials and ground cover.
You should start with something bigger like a tree because doing so gives you an anchor and an idea of where you’re going structurally.
It also prevents you from trampling newer planted flowers if you have to use a tractor or other heavy machinery to get your trees and shrubs into position.
And remember to follow the law of significant enclosure (mentioned above) and ensure, for instance, a small tree abutting a garden is at least a third the height of the garden’s width.
Variation Within Consistency
Repeating similar tones and textures in your garden often achieves a more powerful effect than experimenting with a bunch of individually interesting but collectively jarring colors.
A few different varieties of ferns lining your walkway and leading into the backyard achieves a consistent yet beautifying effect as opposed to dozens of mismatched plants and exotic flowers.
Summing it up, landscaping ideas should revolve around a sense of enclosure, comfort, and intriguing consistency of textures and tones. Contact us for more information.
Tips for Choosing Landscaping Shrubs
Shrubbery plays a great role of defining the visual space of your front yard and also guiding visitors to your doorstep. Since they come in variety in terms of color, shape, and size, the task is to pick shrubs that match your needs. The variety also gives you the freedom to ensure that your yard is as appealing as it can be. Consider the following tips when picking the right plants for your landscape.
Size of the shrubs
When it comes to choosing size, you need to be thorough. The secret here is to choose the ones that complement other trees and flowers in the landscape. Proximity to other plants is also a factor to consider. Their placement in the garden should be such that it is easy to care for them as well as other flowers and trees.
Where to plant and why
In most cases, the function of the bush determines where you should plant. As you may know, shrubs have different types of shrubs have different functionalities and hence you need to consider this before making a choice. For instance, long bushes are most suitable planted near the home as they will help control the climate during summer and winter. On the other hand, if you have a sloppy area that is susceptible to soil erosion, you should go for low growing plants. These will spread fast and within a few years you will have the slope completely covered.
Their closeness to other plants
Some bushes tend to grow tall and can shade other landscape plants from getting enough sunlight based on where they are planted. If you want them to be close to other plants, then you should consider planting the larger ones should fall on the northeast side. If you feel that the shrubs will interfere with the sun exposure to other plants, then the smaller ones are most suitable.
Color choice
Shrubs come in different colors and there is a color for each season. Since adding color to your landscape is one of the major reasons for having a shrubbery, you need to be keen when choosing the right colors. There are a variety of green shades to choose from, which help add interest to your landscape. The flowers is also another factor to consider when it comes to choosing the right bushes. Some common colors available include white, red, and blue. You can plant each color in between. There are also some plants that produce colorful berries which is a plus since they can feed birds in your garden.
Growing conditions
It is always wise to think about suitable climatic conditions for a particular plant before planting it. If you are in the south or southeast where the climate is a bit hot, you need to go for drought resistant shrubs. If you are in the north or northeast, consider cold resistant bushes. Another factor to consider in this category is the salinity. If you live near the beach where salt level are a bit high, choose plants that can withstand the condition.
When choosing shrubs for your landscape, always make sure you choose the ones that complements you yard in terms of color and size. The period the plant will last in your yard should also influence your choice. Contact us for more information.
