Posts Tagged landscape
The Ultimate Guide To Landscape Maintenance – v1
“A Landscape is a Living Space that Just Happens to be Outdoors” – GREG SOUTHARD
Didn’t quite get the most out of your gardening experience last season? Well, now that a new growing season is quickly approaching, you’re probably anxious to try a host of new ideas that you’ve included in your landscape maintenance plan which involves correcting all the things that went wrong last season.
Well, what better way to get started this season, than with landscape maintenance? This not only gives you a chance to make wrong things right in your garden, but you can finally bring new ideas to life.
With that said, if you’re looking to achieve the best results, it’s highly recommended that you hire professional help, however it is still important that you make a checklist of all the areas within your landscape in need of maintenance so that you have a general idea of all the work that needs to be done.
Landscape maintenance can be a tedious task for any gardener or landscaper, however consistency is key. So after you have completed your initial landscape maintenance you might want to keep track of areas in your landscape that need constant attention if they are to stay well-maintained.
In this article, we’d like to discuss what many top landscapers consider to be some of the most important elements of landscape maintenance and how they should be used to keep landscapes fresh, beautiful and healthy.
Landscape Like The Pros! – Follow These Tips And Learn How You Can Maintain The Perfect Landscape!
Have you ever stood and admired a breathtaking landscape that was so beautiful, you wished it were your very own? Well, you can achieve the gorgeous, landscape you’ve always wanted. Apart from patience and dedication, following the fundamental elements of landscape maintenance can make your ultimate landscaping dreams a reality.
It’s really quite simple, landscape maintenance is very important if landscapes are to maintain healthy plants and trees.
There’s no landscaper out there who likes the ghastly sight of weeds or fungi in their garden, as these not only interfere with the look and health of landscapes but they rob the soil of essential nutrients and steal the sunlight that plants and trees need to thrive.
Here is a list of the most important aspects of landscape maintenance landscapers should follow to help them keep their landscapes lush and healthy while exuding beauty and sophistication. These include:
Turf Maintenance – Mowing
To commence with your landscape maintenance, you may want to begin with the largest areas of your landscape first, and mowing your turf is usually the best place to start.
One of the biggest concerns landscapers have with mowing turf is achieving a consistent, turf level throughout the landscape and though landscape maintenance doesn’t come without challenges there’s always a smart way to do things.
To make mowing your turf easy, start by mowing two strips around the perimeter of the turf and then continue by mowing in straight lines perpendicular to this; You can alternate the same pattern at every other mow if possible, until you cover the entire turf area. It may be a grueling task but once you stand back and take a look at the results, we’re sure you’ll be pleased with what you see.
In maintaining your turf this growing season, remember to mow weekly taking care not to remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade at a time to ensure you maintain a sleek, level turf.
They say a good mower will mow wet turf and pick up clippings better, which once collected could be used later for other purposes like mulching.
Pruning and Trimming
Over the dormant winter period, when there’s not much, if any activity going on with landscapes, things can get a bit out of hand. Trees can accumulate lots of overgrowths, those that do survive the cold, while those that didn’t leave nothing but shells of branches and leaf litter behind.
At this point you know you have to do something to regain normalcy in your landscape, giving your trees, hedges, and bushes a chance to spring new life while helping to make things nice and organized again.
The trick to getting this done is to prune and trim trees and shrubs throughout your landscape; This keeps them looking attractive and producing new growth.
Pruning and Trimming is:
- Best done in the late Dormant Season
- To be done with the correct tools to avoid damaging or killing plants.
- A great way to avoid injuries and maintain safety in and around landscapes.
Even for some experienced landscapers pruning and trimming could be a bit complicated and if not done the right way could potentially kill a plant. This is one of the main reasons why it is recommended that people seek professional help when it comes to landscape maintenance as the professionals will know exactly what to do in these cases. Contact us for more information and look out for volume 2 of this topic.
Spring Fever? Check Out These Flower Bed Ideas!
Unlike that bad cold you had back in grade school, spring fever is something that you might actually want to catch. You know that you have spring fever if you’ve been planning out flower bed ideas and anxiously eyeing your garden for signs that you can start planting.
From annuals and pair bulbs to spring containers and early bloomers like petite flowers, there are steps that you can start taking today to make that spring fever work for you. The best place to start might be spring-blooming bulbs like daffodils and hardier annuals.
Think Daffodils, Snapdragon, Stock Flowers, Sweet Pea and Hyacinth
Hardy and half-hardy annuals are the way to go right now if you’ve got a green thumb and you can’t manage to set still. Half-hardy annuals like calendula and snapdragon flowers can withstand a light frost or two and add a full palette of color to your early spring garden.
- Calendula and Dianthus Flowers
Calendula flowers are sometimes known as pot marigold flowers and they’re great because they self-seed so that a handful of seeds really does go a long way towards beautifying your garden. And if you’re looking to add some nice clove scents to your garden, you might also want to throw in a few violet-colored dianthus flowers (growable in containers).
- Snapdragons are Very Hardy
If you’re in a climate that gets truly cold even into late winter, what kinds of flower bed ideas would actually be useful? Well, snapdragons are considered one of the toughest winter hardy flowers in the business since they can come back to full blossom even with significantly subzero temperatures.
- Keep Stock Flowers Around
Stock flowers are also fairly hardy, although they do best in spring and tend to wilt somewhat when summer rolls around. Because they have such a wonderful scent, though, you might consider tucking a container full of stock flowers in the back of your summer garden once they’ve started to wilt come late June.
- Daffodils and Hyacinths
Large bulbs with daffodils and hyacinths are always good to plant alongside your winter hardy flowers in early spring for the extra color and variety that they lend to a spring garden. Whereas peonies and lilacs like to bloom later on in the spring season, daffodils and hyacinths can start a little sooner and give you a head start on your summer garden.
Intersperse Flowering Shrubs with Your Flowers
You really want to think about your spring garden as more of a spring garden landscape. You’re going to be bringing together a lot of different colors, textures, and scents to create a full-on experience. Flowering shrubs look great, smell wonderful, and can even offer the partial shade that daffodils and hyacinths sometimes blossom best under.
- Forsythia Bushes
If you’re in a true four-seasons climate that’s more adventurous than tranquil year round, you might want to consider adding a few forsythia bushes to your spring garden landscape. Forsythia bushes are considered early bloomers, so you can expect to see forsythia’s yellow flowers beautifying your backyard oasis in plenty of time for spring.
- Azalea Blossoms
For more temperate climates where the temperature doesn’t get too cold in late winter or early spring, you should definitely check out azalea blossoms. Azalea is a veritable fixture in the Southeast part of the United States because the ubiquitous good weather there provides the partial shade and leaf litter that azaleas need to thrive and reach their potential.
For more flower bed ideas and advice about how to improve the look of your yard, contact us at DK Landscaping. We provide all our clients with maintenance, repair, irrigation and water savings tips.
Top Gardening Trends For 2018 – Create Your Santa Rosa Xeriscape
Santa Rosa Xeriscape – The Way to go!
Water conservation has become a big deal these days in Santa Rosa and in several other cities in California, since the state has been experiencing severe drought conditions in recent years. Here, authorities have been forced to implement specific regulations and water restrictions in order to facilitate the conservation of water throughout the state.
As a result of this many gardeners and landscapers in those areas have had to improvise with their gardening techniques and have been utilizing xeriscaping to keep their gardens in tip-top shape in harsh and limited conditions.
Xeriscaping can bring a whole new meaning to your gardening this year even if the area where you reside is not as dry as others. This technique can help you to save, spend less time watering plants and play your role in conserving water in your district.
FYI – Xeriscapes Make Things Easy For Gardeners Battling Drought
If you live in Santa Rosa or any other city in California that’s drought stricken, then you know that maintaining a healthy and well-nourished garden can be quite the task. Not only because of the harsh and conditions that can exist in some areas but also because of the many issues concerning water conservation.
This is certainly a discouragement for many gardeners as they may fear the worst for their gardens with water regulations being so strict, however there is hope. With your Santa Rosa xeriscape, all your gardening dreams can be made possible and you can still remain compliant with California’s Water Regulations. How?
Well, this particular type of landscaping is specially designed to reduce or eliminate the need for supplemental water to plants, making it easy for gardeners to maintain gardens or landscapes in the scarcity of water. Your Santa Rosa xeriscape does not have to be limited to a single look but can achieve almost any landscaping style conceivable. So whether you have a small garden or are responsible for maintaining a large landscape, using this concept won’t pose any issues with your gardening experience.
Furthermore for your Santa Rosa xeriscape, gardeners can choose from a host of attractive plants that not only show exceptional resilience to harsh conditions but also add variety and appeal to gardens.
Learn How You Can Achieve The Perfect Santa Rosa Xeriscape Following These Easy Steps
The fundamental element of xeriscape design is water conservation, making it the perfect solution for landscape designers who’re constantly searching for ways to reduce the amount water applied to their gardens and to maximize the use of natural precipitation.
Switching to xeriscaping from the more traditional way of landscaping is really quite easy and can be done by any gardener, however, whether you want to redesign an old landscape or create a fresh new, one using xeriscaping, there are a few basic principles that must be followed. These include:
- Planning
To kick off your Santa Rosa xeriscape project, planning is the first thing you should do, where you begin by constructing an aerial view of the site using graph paper, and then marking down North, South, East, and West.
Next, any limiting features such as trees, fences, walkways or structures should be included in plans, noting areas of full sun and full shade to help you to establish areas with different water requirements. You’ll also want to group plants with similar watering needs for most efficient water use.
It is also suggested that gardeners plot areas for seating, walkways, visual barriers, dining or play into plans; carefully constructing a section where larger plantings, such as shrubs and trees can be positioned to provide natural heating and cooling opportunities for adjacent buildings.
Lastly, study the natural contours and drainage patterns of the site to better understand the best or worst location for plants. These contours can be easily developed into terraces, which help to add visual interest and reduce soil loss and erosion.
- Soil Improvement
The next step to creating the perfect Santa Rosa xeriscape would be to improve soil quality on the site. In water-scarce landscapes having the ideal soil conditions does two things: it drains quickly and retains water at the same time. This is achieved by increasing the amount of organic material in your soil and keeping it well aerated.
All you have to do is to purchase some compost from your garden center to help increase the organic matter in your soil, though if you intend to use succulents and cacti in your Santa Rosa xeriscape you may want to work at achieving a leaner soil.
Adding bone meal and rock phosphate to the soil is also another way to boost soil volume and help to improve soil quality, however this is usually done with soils testing a high pH (too alkaline) and low in phosphorus.
- Create Limited Turf Areas
Next, you will need to reduce the size of turf areas as much as possible while retaining an area for open space, functionality and visual appeal. If you intend to plant new turf or reseed an existing lawn, it may be sensible to purchase water-saving species plants adapted to your area from your garden center. This brings us to our next step.
- Use Appropriate Plants
For gardeners to achieve the best results with their Santa Rosa xeriscape, they should select drought-resistant plants native to their region. The plants selected should have leaves which are small, thick, glossy, silver-grey or fuzzy – all characteristics which help them save water. It is also important to choose plants for their ultimate size which will reduce the need for pruning maintenance, especially in hot and dry areas.
Keep in mind to place plants along North and East-facing slopes and walls, that like more moisture but most importantly, it’s best not to mix plants with high and low-watering needs in the same planting area.
- Mulch
Most seasoned gardeners already know that mulching is a great way to promote healthy blooms and landscapes as it helps to retain moisture in the soil, prevent erosion and block troublesome weeds.
With xeriscaping, mulching is also another important aspect of the process and serves basically the same purpose that it would in any other garden. Mulch, such as leaves, wood chips, pine needles or bark should be used and placed to dress the top of soil on occasion, however, for the best results make sure that mulch is at least 3 inches thick and no areas of bare soil are left out.
- Installing Low Drip Irrigation
One of the main purposes of creating a xeriscape is to conserve water and to better facilitate gardens situated in inhospitable areas. Finding efficient ways in which plants can receive the water they need without overwatering can be a bit tricky but by installing a low drip or low volume irrigation system you can certainly pull it off.
This method offers the easiest and most efficient way to supply water just because it delivers water directly to the base of the plant. It also reduces moisture loss, pooling, erosion and is generally the best option when watering plants less frequently.
- Keep Landscapes Well Maintained
Low-maintenance is one of the many benefits of xeriscape, in fact it’s how it got its name; Where the word ‘zero-scaping’, was later substituted with ‘xeriscape’, referring to a landscape that requires zero maintenance.
Although preventing weed growth may require some attention there’s not much for gardeners to maintain when they decide to utilize this form of landscaping. Nevertheless redressing mulch on occasion and cutting turf areas moderately to allow shade for the roots can all be done from time to time to keep your Santa Rosa Xeriscape fresh and healthy.
Get Help Constructing Your Santa Rosa Xeriscape From Scratch – Look Us Up At DK Landscaping Inc. – We’re The Best At Xeriscapes
Following tips can be one thing but when undertaking large gardening projects such as these most people will require an extra hand. Don’t get injured working without the necessary tools or spend long periods of time trying to get projects completed, call the professionals at DK Landscaping.
Producing some of the best Santa Rosa xeriscapes, we strive to incorporate creativity, professionalism and hard work into one service at a fair and affordable price.
We can help you to plan and develop the perfect xeriscape, whether it be residential or commercial. With our xeriscaping services, we offer clients assistance by helping them to choose the right plants, slope sites, mulch areas and install irrigation, this way they can avoid the hassle and save money.
Contact us today at (707) 280-3632 to get started creating your Santa Rosa xeriscape or visit our website at dklandscaping.com for more information on our services.
Revamp Your Outdoor Space With Help From The Expert Rohnert Park Landscapers
“The Garden Is A Love Song, A Duet Between A Human Being And Mother Nature .”
-Jeff Cox
Maybe you’ve just purchased a beautiful home in Rohnert Park but the outdoor space could do with a bit of perspective; Or maybe you already reside in Rohnert Park and feel like your backyard has become nothing more than a wasted space, in desperate need of a makeover.
Well, it doesn’t have to be this way, as an expert Rohnert Park landscaper can be at your door with just a call or click. Look us up at DK Landscaping Inc. as we provide the best landscaping maintenance services that Rohnert Park has to offer; We’d be delighted to come in and give you a hand with any landscaping projects that you may have in mind; We can turn the most unattractive surroundings into an area you can enjoy.
Instantly Transform Your Property – Get Started With Your Own Personal Rohnert Park Landscaper
Planning Your Project
A landscape design is like a floor plan for an outdoor area. Basically, it serves to create a visual representation of a site using scaled dimensions. These plans also include natural elements like flowers, trees, and grass as well as man-made elements such as lawn furniture, fountains, lighting, and sheds. Sounds like a lot huh?
Well, truthfully, this isn’t something you want to skip out on, as this actually saves you time, and money while helping you to determine exactly what your project will need in terms of materials, tools, and costs.
Naturally, most people, will need professional help to plan a landscape the right way; So why not work with the best? The Rohnert Park landscaper experts here at DK Landscaping offer expert advice on landscape design plans or can even help you, by drafting a plan that works for your surroundings and the appeal you wish to exude.
Preparing The Area
Grading the site is usually the first item to be addressed when preparing an area for the restoration or creation of a landscape. Essentially, this is to ensure a level base, that basically acts as a foundation for landscape projects. At this point, our landscaper will also have to perform an evaluation of the drainage, soil conditions and elevations for walls or steps as these are also important elements that need to be considered when creating a landscape.
We make this part easy – Our experienced team of Rohnert Park landscapers here at DK Landscaping Inc. can guarantee A-Class, landscape grading services for the best results with your landscape and also make sure that sites are completely clear of rocks, weeds and debris before proceeding with projects;
As we like to say here at DK Landscaping “ We like weeds, we like jungles”, so there’s no environment we can’t handle. We’ll bring all the necessary tools to get the job done. This brings us to our next step, soil conditioning.
Basically a big word for a product that’s added to the soil to improve its physical qualities. It is made from ‘press mud’, which is a residue of sugarcane filtration and is mainly used to improve poor soils or to rebuild soils which have been damaged by improper soil management. However, in most situations the soil conditioner minimizes the amount of imported topsoil needed for a project, resulting in overall savings for clients.
Once these important aspects are covered then you’re on your way to creating the perfect landscape; And remember, you can get all the expert help you need from our seasoned Rohnert Park landscapers here at DK Landscaping Inc.; We’re just a call away.
Check Out These Popular Landscape Designs For Modern Homes And How Our Rohnert Park Landscapers Can Make It Happen
You don’t want to overdo, but you still want your landscape to be intriguing and have variety; And to be honest, one of the most difficult aspects of landscaping your yard is finding the right ideas. This is simple – you just need the right landscape design to suit your needs. Here is a list of different landscape design ideas for backyards that you may find interesting, to help you to transition your landscape this spring.
A Backyard Design For Entertaining
This particular design is the perfect set-up for summertime activities so if you enjoy relaxing outdoors in the summer this design is ideal for you. Here are the features it includes:
- A large gate to bring in tables, chairs, tents and more
- Hardscaped surfaces to place tables and chairs
- A fire pit and other sources of landscape lighting and heat for fun after dark
- An area to facilitate a grill or an outdoor kitchen to prepare food outdoors
A Low-Maintenance Landscape Design
Mostly used to create enjoyable, serene, outdoor settings without having to perform much maintenance, this design has features that include:
- Xeriscaped and hardscaped areas that don’t require pruning, mowing or watering
- Covered seating area to keep outdoor furniture in good shape.
- Native plants, trees, and grass
A Landscape Design For A Family
With this design every family member can have their own special place to enjoy in the backyard with features like:
- Safe play area for the kids
- Hammock for teens to enjoy a good book on a lovely afternoon
- Seating area for adults to soak up the outdoors and keep an eye on the kids
- Fenced in yard for privacy and safety
With the right tools, our hardworking professionals here at DK Landscaping can make redefining your landscape, a straightforward process that only calls for a basic idea of what you are looking to achieve. Additionally, we can also help you to choose plants, materials and more to ensure your backyard meets your specific needs.
To work with our professionals here at DK Landscaping Inc. please contact us at: (707) 280-3632 or you can visit our website at dklandscaping.com for more information.
Improving the Landscape of Narrow Walkways
Are you a garden enthusiast who is always looking for ways to enhance your surroundings? Well if you are they’re quite a few simple things you can do to uplift and make a few improvements. Let’s take for instance landscapes that have narrow walkways within their perimeter.
Gardens or outdoor landscapes are set up in such a way that there are certain areas designated for the location of plants, trees and blooms as well as other areas that facilitate the movement of traffic throughout the surroundings known as paths or walkways.
Narrow Walkways can Pose Certain Issues in Landscapes
The main purpose of having walkways throughout gardens is to provide a specified area for persons to travel without causing damage to lawns or blooms. Nevertheless over time some people have used walkways to decorate or add additional character to their outdoor surroundings.
In most landscapes the size of trees or the number of plants increase after a while which can eventually result in smaller more narrow walkways. This can decrease walking space in gardens which can eventually lead to the damage of trees, lawns, plants or flowers.
Over time walkways could incur certain damage causing them get narrow. Some can be a result of the outdoor elements mainly rain or snow or others could be a result of physical or structural damage. Nevertheless regardless of how damaged is sustained its obvious that repair will be necessary to restore walkways to what they should be.
Perhaps a bit of mortar could be used to reconstruct damaged areas or you may have to redesign the entire walkway depending on the extent of the damage but be sure to cover garden beds with tarpaulin to protect the plants you intend to keep.
Increased plant growth is also a very common circumstance that can cause narrow walkways to develop. As we are all aware plants compete for space and grow continually in ideal conditions which can sometimes present certain issues if they’re not properly maintained.
In cases like this plant overgrowth tends to invade areas designated for walking resulting in narrow walkways. Projecting tree branches, overgrown lawns, weeds etc. can all affect the space available to walk so by utilizing pruning and other maintenance techniques gardeners can control plant growth in gardens to maintain adequate space and eliminate narrow walkways.
Plants That Boost Appearance
For people residing in urban areas the best plants to use are low-growing perennials. Besides their beautiful shades most of them die in the winter or can be cut to the ground. Making it easy for gardeners during winter and the upcoming growing season.
The Lysimachia nummularia species possesses a delicate looking foliage that covers ground quickly and softens the edges of a path and using slightly taller plants in landscapes would also prove sensible as they won’t bend into the path creating narrow walkways. In addition to this they will add a contrasting feature to the surroundings.
Need Help With A Narrow Walkway? DK Landscaping Inc. Us Here To Help!
Here at DK Landscaping Inc. we specialize in all your landscaping needs and aim to provide the highest quality services to clients at an affordable price. If you may need assistance repairing, restoring or improving a narrow walkway we’d be happy to come in and give you a hand. Give us a call at 707 217-6508 or contact us via our website.
How Mulch Can Be Applied To Your Garden v2
To keep gardens healthy and vibrant gardeners utilize mulching and it is one of the easiest and more commonly used methods in most gardens. Mulch is mostly available in two forms organic and inorganic and is mainly used to eliminate weed growth, lend additional support to plants and to help plants retain moisture. Mulch can be purchased from any gardening supply store or can even be formulated by gardeners themselves by recycling other products or materials.
Try Mulching!
If you mow your lawn the clippings of grass that remain can be converted to mulch. Grass clippings have a high nitrogen content and can be used to naturally fertilize plants but works exceptionally well to fertilize vegetables.
For gardeners who have enough compost this too can be used as mulch. Once it isn’t dried out compost is great for enriching soil but to ensure that it provides the necessary nutrients and remains biologically active another layer of mulch such as chopped leaves should be added to cover the compost.
There are so many different things found in and around gardens that can be used to mulch. Having said using straw or hay throughout gardens is another excellent mulching option. It has most of the benefits of other mulches while adding organic matter to soil as it decomposes.
Gardeners should keep in mind when using hay or straw to make sure it is weed and seed free when making applications. They should also ensure that it is not placed too close to stems to prevent attracting slugs and rodents.
Did you know that mulching a vegetable garden with sheets of black plastic film can do wonders? This is another neat, gardening and mulching alternative that has proven to be very effective where the black plastic transmits the sun’s heat to the soil beneath, creating a microclimate that is about three degrees warmer than a garden that does not have mulch applied.
Since the plastic film remains warm and dry fruits and vegetables are protected, they don’t rot and they are kept clean. As with other mulches it prevents weed growth and retains moisture however when using plastic gardeners should remember to punch holes so that soil can still receive air and that plants and seeds can be transplanted or sown.
As we may know some mulches come in inorganic forms as well. Gravel, stones, and geotextiles can all be used to mulch gardens. Even though some are of a hard or rough texture and do not filter nutrients into soil they still allow air and water through to the soil beneath while keeping weeds from coming up.
These are all great ways to recycle materials or products in and around gardens or homes as well as to help gardeners to save money. Mulching is great for plants and vegetables and promotes a healthy environment throughout gardens so if you haven’t already maybe it’s time you start as you don’t even have to buy it you can make it and apply it yourself. Contact us for more information.
How Mulch Can Be Applied To Your Garden v1
One very useful and effective approach that gardeners can adopt to promote a healthy garden is mulching. This measure can be utilized in several areas including vegetable gardens and flower beds. The use of mulch can help to eliminate the presence of annoying weeds and helps soil to retain its moisture. Spend less time plucking up weeds, watering gardens and fighting pests when you use this technique.
Mulch For The Perfect Garden
When mulching gardens there are two basic types of mulch that can be used and these are organic or inorganic. Organic mulches usually consist of several different,\ materials including chopped leaves, straw, grass clippings, wood chips,sawdust and shredded bark and inorganic mulches are mainly comprised of gravel, stones, black plastic, and geotextiles. Both types of mulch can be used to discourage weed growth and improve soil quality but organic mulches gradually improve soil as they decomposes while inorganic mulches don’t.
If people are applying mulch to combat weeds there are two important tips they should consider if it is to be done properly and effectively. The first would be to lay down mulch on soil that is already weeded and the second would be to lay it down thick enough to discourage new weeds from reappearing. The ideal thickness of mulch should range from around 4- 6 inches when laid even though a 2- 3 inch layer normally suffices in shady areas where weed growth is not as prevalent as it is in full sun.
Mulching is also an easy way to keep soil cool and moist in dry conditions and reduces the need to constantly water gardens. It provides protection to plants in harsh cold conditions preventing the freezing and thawing of the soil as the gradual decomposition of materials help to generate minimal heat.
Organic mulch has low nitrogen content and should fertilize soil first with a high-nitrogen product such as blood meal or fish meal to boost nitrogen levels in the soil before applying mulch. Another important thing that gardeners should take care to remember is to keep mulch about an inch away from crowns and stems. This is because wet mulch that rests against the stems of flowers and vegetables can cause them to rot. So be sure that mulch is at the appropriate distance to prevent this from occurring.
To protect and maintain the ideal conditions gardeners should definitely consider mulching as an option it is easy to apply, saves time and encourages a healthy, nurtured, environment throughout any garden. Contact us for more information.
Hardscape Ideas for Lawn Landscapes
In creating gorgeous landscape designs people tend to go above and beyond in seeking to create and achieve the look they want. There are a variety of techniques that can be used to not only enhance but to give an elegant finish to any landscape or outdoor space.
Bring Elegance To Your Landscape With These Hardscape Ideas
One very effective technique used to achieve the perfect finish to any landscape is Hardscaping. When speaking about hardscaping it refers to the structural inanimate features used and incorporated into a landscape to add a stylish and sophisticated appearance. These features can include anything from decks and walkways to edging and ornamental features and can be formal or informal depending on the style of your home and surroundings.
Nevertheless it is very important that varying textures be carefully considered as the texture of material/s used when hardscaping usually determines the final appearance of the landscape. Using too much or too little materials can result in a dull or cluttered finished look therefore to prevent any issues after the designed space is completed it would be best to choose no more than two or three textures of hardscape materials for projects.
Selected materials should be able to perfectly blend and complement the exterior structure of the home as well as be visually attractive. Other elements like color and drainage patterns once carefully and selectively used can and should improve the overall appearance of the home and surroundings.
Installing walkways and paths are also common elements incorporated within the hardscaping process and are used to accentuate and designate the areas in which traffic constantly travels. This is usually achieved by utilizing materials such as bricks, pavements, woodchips, flagstones, retaining walls, rocks or concrete blocks.
Different areas of the landscape may require various hardscape elements based on their purpose. For example using shredded tires painted in various colors for areas that children play or frequent. This provides a safe and attractive environment for kids who utilize outdoor surroundings for activities.
For areas used to entertain like dining or sitting areas the addition of a patio or deck accessorized with elegant furniture and decor are ideal ways to enhance and decorate big or empty areas. Water features like small ponds or fountains and ornamental accessories like a bird bath, statues or benches could also be great ideas that help to create a tranquil yet beautiful and characterized, outdoor space.
Once you have planned and designed the outdoor space that you wish to have the only thing left to do is to fill in your garden and lawn areas with the desired plants, trees or grass and proceed from there. Furthermore the addition of outdoor and garden lights will not only enhance and give ambiance to the outdoor area but provide a sense of safety and security when using outdoor spaces at night.
The concept of hardscaping really isn’t difficult to execute so long as planning is carefully and accurately done. It really gives an extra edge to outdoor spaces and surroundings while being an excellent expression of your unique taste and style. Contact us for more information.
Kinds and Uses of Fertilizer
Are you a gardening enthusiast or local farmer? Well if you are you most likely do all in your power to create and maintain a healthy environment for your blooms or crops. There are some cases though that crops or plants don’t grow to their full potential and one of the main reasons for this is poor soil quality. There are a few techniques that can be applied to rectify the issue of poor soil quality one of which is the use of fertilizer.
Fertilizers In Detail
Fertilizer can come in several forms and is an excellent way to enrich your soil and promote plant growth. Before using fertilizer with your plants or crops it would be a good idea to educate yourself on the different types of fertilizers and why they are used. It would also be best to read labels to ensure that applications are accurately made when using fertilizer. Here is a list of some of the most commonly used fertilizers in gardens or on farms. These include:
- Organic Fertilizer – These consist of naturally bio-degradable materials and mostly come in the form of animal manure but others can also contain compost, seaweed, peat moss, mineral deposits and other ingredients from nature. This type of fertilizer is great for gardens and crops as it not only restores the overall soil quality but improves the long term health of soil.
- Inorganic Fertilizer – Again this type of fertilizer can come in several forms including liquid, powdered or granular form. These fertilizers are generally used to treat industrial fields as they are cheaper and produced on a large scale. They also allow plants to carry nutrients from the soil easily since they are not as bulky as organic fertilizers.
- Chemical Nitrogenous Fertilizer – This type of fertilizer usually comes in granular form and has a high content of nitrogen. Once applied to the soil it is converted to ammonia and dissolves when it rains where the nutrients then travel through the ground and into the plant’s roots.
- Phosphate Fertilizer – This is mainly applied to soils that are acidic and is contained in both organic and synthetic forms. This type is usually applied during the sowing season.
- Potassium fertilizer – This is normally utilized to help improve plants thriving in sandy soil. It works to increase the potassium content where it’s inadequate. Potassium fertilizer can come in the form of sulfate of potash and muriate of potash. Sulfate of potash is made by treating potassium chloride with magnesium sulfate and muriate of potash uses a crystallized form of potash to fertilize plants which is absorbed at the surface level of the ground.
Now that persons are a bit more educated on the different types of fertilizers and their uses they should easily be able to determine how and what type of fertilizer they should use to achieve the best results with their plants or crops. Contact us for more information.
Ideas On How To Save Water For Gardening
Gardening is a recreational activity for many Californians. Creating and maintaining a lovely garden is the dream of every gardener. With seasonal plants, exotic varieties and breathtaking blooms nurturing and maintaining a garden can sometimes be pretty challenging task.
There are several activities and responsibilities that need to be considered and employed in order for a garden to be properly maintained and nurtured. One of these main responsibilities would most definitely include the provision of water to trees, plants and flowers.
Successful Gardening
When it comes to supplying a garden with water most people have the perception that all is well so long as plants and flowers get watered however this may not exactly be true as there are many factors that can affect the way trees, plants and flowers receive water.
Since this is the case trees, plants and flowers can be affected in such a way that they don’t obtain sufficient nourishment to grow or bloom as they should. Even though this may be so giving trees, plants or flowers an excessive supply of water can be harmful to them and costly for you.
So in order to eliminate most of the issues that are encountered in gardens as it relates to watering plants incorrectly here are a few insightful tips that gardeners could utilize to reduce costs and water usage in gardens.
One very resourceful way to reduce the amount of water used in gardens is to attend and maintain soil. Adding mulch and organic matter to soil are both excellent ways to reduce the excessive use of water in gardens. They both help to improve water retention and soil structure so that plants don’t constantly need to be watered.
Disproportionately watering gardens tends to not only be a wasteful practice but also causes gardeners to do more work than is actually necessary. So to rectify this issue simply check to see if plants, trees or flowers do or do not require water.
To do this gardeners should take a spade and push it deep into the soil if it’s damp things are ok but if it’s dry then it’s definitely time to water. It is important to remember if you have clay soil it might feel damp whether it’s irrigated or not and sandy soil can feel dry even if it contains water. So in these cases gardeners should watch plants for when they start to show signs of water stress.
Knowing the best time to water plants is extremely important and by utilizing certain tools and techniques such as automated irrigation, sprinkler systems, watering cans or hoses water can not only be adequately supplied to plants at the required time but their use can minimize the amount of time spent and the amount of water used watering gardens.
In addition another way to supply water to plants and reduce usage would be to collect rain water. Place an empty receptacle at the end of drains to collect rain water whenever there is a shower of rain.
With this method people could reduce the usage of water in their gardens by 50% helping them to save money and at the same time still being able to care for their gardens.
These helpful tips can easily help gardeners to save time and money but most importantly it can help them to save a very, precious resource. Contact us for more information.
