Landscaping 3.12 – gtg
Landscape Companies
When you go about looking at landscape companies for your next yard renovation project, you might be a little overwhelmed by the sheer number of companies out there. What do they all offer that makes them different? Which one should you choose? How do you choose? Well, these are all excellent questions that we will answer for you right now! Landscape companies all offer slightly different things and the choice you make will be dependent on what you want to achieve for your yard design. The easiest way to find tune your list is to make a checklist answering the following questions:
Do you want a minimalist design?
Do you want a tropical or eastern theme?
Do you want something formal or informal?
Do you want the landscaping to be lush and countrified or more eclectic and modern?
Do you want lots of plants and trees or do you want lots of rocks and stones for effect?
Do you want to incorporate an outdoor entertainment area or cute little swing?
These are all important questions that you should approach the landscape companies with so that they can advise you if they are equipped to handle the vision you have in mind. The companies should be able to offer an all-inclusive service that includes every aspect of the landscaping from start to finish. This will entail measuring and drafting the design according to your specifications, selecting the plants and other materials needed, and finally overseeing the installation. Of course, if you want to be more involved in the decision making process, a good landscaper will be very willing to accommodate your requirements and will work with you to make your dream a reality. Most importantly, a great landscaping company will project manage effectively, and take the stress and hassle out of designing and executing a stunning, new outdoor space that you will love.
A key element of hiring a landscape company is to receive professional advice regarding your choices of plants, aesthetics, and livability. Many people make the mistake of trying to forge ahead on their own and end up with a bad design that does not work in the space, and the wrong plants and shrubs for the type of conditions. Landscaping companies take all the headaches, costly mistakes and guesswork out of the equation.
Landscape companies offer a multitude of services as part of the creative process. It is a good idea to become familiar with these services before you start looking for the best company to do your project so that you understand what each one entails and are aware of what you are getting for your money. The top landscape companies usually provide the following services:
Fire Pit Installation
Swimming pool and pond installations
Paver and stone pathway and walkway installations
Designing, placement and planting of the flowers, shrubs, creepers, and trees
Construction and installation of pergolas, arbors and patio covers to offer plenty of shade during those hot Texas summers
Installation of sprinkler systems
Permanent outdoor seating area construction
Decking installation
Unique water feature design, construction and installation
Installation of lawns
Installation of creative yard bed edges with various products
Utilization and installation of creative design elements such as large pots, figurines, bridges, mirrored panels, tiered fountains and other accessories that will enhance the design
Installation of creative and effective outdoor lighting that will bring the entire space to life
Installation of fencing and dividers that give the space a specific feel and look
Aside from the list above, there are many other services that are offered with various companies, and depending on what you want for your outdoor space, you can easily find the ideal company to suit your requirements and budget.
Designing and creating a themed outdoor space is very popular and interesting styles include Tropical, Indigenous, Water-wise, Bali, Indonesian, Organic, Gourmet Herb Yard, Formal, Tuscan, English Country, Provencal, Moroccan, Arabic, Courtyard, Classic, Contemporary, Minimalist, 5 Sensory Yard, Aromatic, Japanese, Zen Yard, Asian, Informal, Woodland, Container, Eco-friendly, Neo-classical, Pottage, Eco-chic, Arid Yard, Mexican, Afro-centric, Georgian, Abstract, Conceptualist, Children’s Yard, Atrium, Chinese, Maze, Ceremonial, and a Four Season Yard among others.
Other regular services that a landscaping company will provide include weekly yard maintenance, which involves trimming, pruning, raking, mowing and general neatening and tidying up of the yard; sprinkler system repairs and maintenance; pool servicing and maintenance; and tree felling; as well as once off, major yard clean-ups.
How to Find the Best Landscape Companies in
Most landscape companies operate by way of a star rating system and testimonials listed on their websites can help you to determine the legitimacies of their claims about being the best. Finding these companies is not so simple though, and takes a lot of time and effort. What if we told you that you don’t have to waste time doing this menial task? That’s right! We have the answer right here for finding the best landscape companies.
It has never been this simple to find the perfect landscaping company to help you with your outdoor revamp. No more scouring the internet for hours, or browsing the community pages to scrape together a list of companies who could potentially be what you need. We have exactly what you need right here.
It is quick and easy and will allow you to start your landscaping project in no time. Just give us a call and we will do the rest for you.
“Thank you for visiting our website to learn more about finding landscape company.”
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Landscape Lighting
Lighting a landscape is important for purposes of security, functional use of spaces, beauty and comfort. When done in the right manner, landscape lighting can help to highlight and bring attention to the house’s architectural features and plantings in the surrounding.
Most people go for low voltage landscape lighting for a number of reasons apart from being less costly than the 120 volts systems. The low voltage systems are easy to work with – meaning it is possible to achieve various lighting effects for purposes of beauty. Low voltage lighting systems are just 12 volts, meaning they are very safe to work with without risks of electricity shock. You can even do installation yourself.
12 volts should be adequate to power small flood lights, accent lights and path lights, among others. Being powered by low voltage does not mean that they do not adequately illuminate step ways, stonewalls, fences and trees, among other features so you can use the landscape optimally even after the sunset. With modern LED lighting technology and expertise from our landscaping company, it is possible to achieve optimum brightness from very low voltages. LED lights are also known amazing energy savers.
An important issue in working with low voltage lighting is incorporating an optimal lighting design in order to make sure that the right number of fitting are used in a more cost effective manner. For instance, you can use just two 20- watt wall-wash fixtures for a white-painted lattice fence, one on each side of the walkway. You can also install a 20-watt shrub up light for every evergreen shrub near the wall.
Solar Powered Landscape Lighting
Using solar power is the modern way of going green for many home owners. Besides, it has proven to be a more cost effective option on a long term because you will not have to pay for monthly bills once the system is installed. As a professional landscape lighting company, we will work out your energy needs when designing the landscape lighting system and then recommend the wattage for the solar panel and bulbs to purchase.
Besides, unlike for a step down transformer needed to achieve low voltage for landscape lighting, solar system is a bit more reliable and easier to install. It can also serve as a source of power for other equipment around the home in case of a blackout. Solar power also comes with lesser likelihood of causing fires since it does not handle excessive voltages and related variations. With such installations, you do not need to bury cables. In addition, the fixtures are less obstructive. One thing about solar panels is that they will require open spaces and thus you can either put them on top of buildings if there is not adequate space on the compound.
Landscape Lighting Design
The perfect landscape lighting design puts into consideration a number of factors, from taking care of the distance between the light sources to using different colors and lighting styles. With a nice design, you can create an inviting lighting effect for everyone who comes to your homestead. The first step to creating a winning landscape lighting design is writing down all your needs. First, decide whether you want a very bright appearance or a low lighting appearance. Other things include deciding the various lighting themes and which features to highlight in the landscape. As a professional landscape company, we assist those without any ideas on how to come up with the best lighting design for their landscapes.
You need not space the light sources too close. In marking parameters such as the walk paths, you could have a few landscape lighting sources pointing to the path to just help you navigate through the parameters. Avoid the ugly overlapping bright or dark areas in between two or more light sources. Other things to avoid are glaring at your neighbors. One sure thing is to place light sources at the edge of the walk paths to prevent people from tripping on the paths. You can also alternate the sources from either side of the path. Different color light sources can be placed beside interesting plants. You can even place lights on top of trees to give an appearance of moonlight. Placing the lights up higher provides a natural lighting appearance.
Make sure to avoid harsh bulbs near or above sitting places. You can also combine candlelight by using tabletop candles with moonlighting. Yellow produced by candlelight has a color temperature of 2000 kelvins. For a natural moonlight effect, use color temperature of 5500 kelvins. Flexible outdoor LED tapes can be used for hardscape lighting. Water features serve as focal points for front yards and should be lit from within (underwater lighting) or uplight. Others suggest that since you can hear water sounds as you approach, you can avoid using lighting to highlight water features and instead use soft down lighting such that a person will only look to find the water body after hearing the sound first.
Man-made objects such as statues are best lit with yellow/orange lights while plants are best lit with white/blue lights. Shrubs and statuaries can also be highlighted using spot lights.
Highlighting beautiful columns require use of up lighting as a technique. Up lighting is also used to create nice shadows on walls. Up lighting is best achieved by using outdoor flood lights and bollards. Illumination of patios, facades, gazebos and other outdoor areas is best achieved by using down lighting. Larger spaces meant for various outdoor activities are better illuminated using downward flood lighting. To highlight and enhance the texture of surfaces, use grazing or washing lights and wall lights – spotlights and floodlights can prove helpful in this case. In-ground lighting where a low voltage lighting fixture is buried and then covered with a casketed lens can be used to light walls, trees, or fences. You can even angle the beam to the desired direction. Another decorative trend is to use hanging lights on trees, pergolas and arbors.
Call us if you are looking for a landscape lighting company.
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Landscape Design
You just moved into your new home or you have been living in your home for a while now and you are considering landscaping it. You have no idea where to start, which is why you are looking for a landscape design company. The problem is, you don’t know how to start looking for the best landscape design contractors. The good news is we have compiled a list of factors to consider when choosing a landscape contractor.
Make sure the landscape design company that you want to work with has liability insurance and workman’s compensation. These two are very important because if you hire a company without liability insurance or workman’s compensation, you could be held liable for any accidents that happen within your home- including damage to your property. You should never assume that the landscape design company has obtained proper insurance so always ask to see proof of insurance. And as you check for proof of insurance make sure to check if it is up to date.
They should also have a valid state license from a certified organization. If you contract with a landscape designer who does not have certification, you’ll have no recourse should you have a complaint against them. Besides, why would you pay someone who can’t guarantee that your project will be finished or be of the highest quality?
A company’s experience in designing landscapes is extremely important because you can check out their previous works to see if they meet your needs and standards. Moreover, it will be much easier for you to contact their previous clients and find out if:
a) They conducted themselves professionally during the entire project duration.
b) They completed the project on time and if they didn’t, what was the problem?
c) Their projects stand up well to the test of time.
Remember a company can be in business for several years but deliver mediocre work and some exaggerate their experience, skills and abilities. So before you get reeled in by verbal promises, make sure to counter-check with their previous clients.
2. The Landscape Design Company’s Cost and Contracts
Now that you have narrowed down a list of credible landscape design companies, you need to find out how much your entire project will cost. Most of them will request to come to your property and assess it before giving you an estimate. The tricky part about getting an estimate is that sometimes the price might not be fixed and it might change so an estimate is not usually the final price. The best way to find out if the project is fixed is to ask the landscape design contractor whether the cost will change along the way and if it will, how will the changes be handled? Once you have reached an agreement, make sure you put it in writing.
Contracts ensure that no hidden fees suddenly appear and the project scope remains the same. Don’t let your contractor to start working on your project before you agree on the overall budget or scope of the work even if they offer to do so. The last thing you want is to start arguing with your contractor about how much work was going to be done or how much you were going to pay.
Speaking of payments, you should be wary of a company that requires you to pay them in full or make a huge deposit before they begin working on your project. If they ask you to pay up in full before work begins it could mean that:
a) They plan to disappear once the money hits their account.
b) They are unlicensed and don’t plan on finishing your project.
c) They don’t plan on honoring your contract. For example, some contractors are known to drag their feet after they have received payment. So a project that was supposed to take a week to complete ends up dragging on for months.
If the landscaper asks you to pay a small deposit to kick start the project, that’s okay as long as they are not asking you to pay more than half of it. You’ll be building a trustworthy relationship with them because they are trusting you to pay the rest of the money once the project is completed and you are trusting them to finish the project on time.
3. Types of Landscape Design Services
Your yard not only impacts the way your home looks but it also impacts how much people are willing to pay for your home should you decide to sell it. Different types of landscape design services can increase the value of your home and improve its aesthetic appeal significantly. With that said, let’s look at different landscape design services.
a) Water features installation
Water features include everything from cascades, pools and streams to fountains. Water features are particularly very popular during the warm season because they make outdoor living very enjoyable.
b) Irrigation installation system
You don’t need to drag that old lawn sprinkler around anymore because you can get your own irrigation system installed. You can also get your old system modified or expanded.
c) Patio construction
Get your own custom designed patio installed and transform your space into a wonderful landscape. You can have it constructed using stone, pavers or any other
material.
d) Stone wall construction
Stone walls can be both beautiful and functional. If you own a sloped property, you can have retaining walls built to create level areas. You can also add
functionality and beauty to your patio or garden by adding free-standing walls.
e) Driveway construction
If you are looking for an alternative to an asphalt driveway, you can get an entire paver driveway installed or you can work with a landscape designer to come up with a design that delivers both functional and aesthetic appeal.
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Landscape Ideas
Want to transform your front or backyard in just a few simple steps? It’s a lot easier than you think – and it doesn’t have to cost you the earth. From fencing to flowers, stones to shrubbery, you can turn your garden into a welcoming outdoor space where you can invite guests and spend time with your family. You could even increase the value of your home when you improve your yard – especially if it complements the exterior of your property. Revolutionize your garden in with these simple landscaping ideas that you can create on any budget. By the end of this article, you’re going to find out how you can turn your yard from bland to brilliant!
When it comes to landscape ideas, it’s all about curb appeal. You’ll be able to transform your front or back garden and reap the benefits. In fact, improving your yard can add value to the neighborhood and even increase the value of your home. Your key is to create a welcoming space which will attract passers-by and guests who visit your property. This is a lot easier than it sounds, and you will be able to incorporate a wide range of flowers and plants to catch the eye and create a unique look. Simple landscape ideas can compliment any period detail you have on the exterior of your home and make your property more attractive to potential buyers.
If it’s privacy you’re after, construct a small privacy screen on the front lawn, which will create a barrier between your garden and the street in front. But that’s not all. You can border different sections of the garden by using fencing. Keep it simple: You won’t want your fencing to take attention away from the flowers or plants you end up using in the green space. Your fence is practical too; it can be used to keep dogs out and protect your favorite flowers. Stuck for ideas? Walk around your local neighborhood for some design inspiration or refer to landscaping magazines to see the latest styles. Remember, your front yard is your unique space where you can showcase your style and personality; don’t be afraid to be bold and creative!
You might also want to incorporate a path that leads from the street through your garden and to your front door. This is pretty simple to achieve with just a few simple tools – just call in the professionals who will be able to do it for you quickly and effectively. You will be able to line your path with small flowers or plants of your choice. Fill in our simple form or call us today to find out more about landscapers in the area.
Landscape Ideas For Plants and Flowers
When it comes to landscape ideas, you will want to create a space that attracts attention without looking overly fussy. Sometimes, less is more. One way to do this is to use perennial shrubs that keep their leaves all year round. This will prevent your yard from looking barren or empty in the winter months. You will be able to line your borders with bushes and shrubs with the help of a professional landscaper – although you can suggest landscape ideas of your own based on your personality and lifestyle. To complete the look, incorporate bold flowers with long stems and colorful petals. This will instantly become the centerpiece of your yard, and will contrast well with the green of the shrubbery you have used.
If you don’t have enough time in the day to water your plants on a regular basis, opt for low maintenance flowers. Trees are another good idea to incorporate into your yard. You won’t want anything too big (so as to not annoy the neighbors) but evergreen trees can help you achieve the overall look you are going for. Don’t forget your front door – which is just as important as the rest of the garden. Paint it in a shade that matches the colors you have used in your garden to create a uniform look. Use a good quality paint product so you won’t have to repaint the door for several years to come. Another tip: When choosing plants and flowers for your garden, make sure they will thrive in the current conditions. Some flowers only bloom in particular weather.
Landscape Ideas For Focal Points and Features
Looking for more landscape ideas? Focal points turn good gardens into great ones. A water feature in the center of your front lawn can be an effective way to transform your garden space and is one of the most popular landscape ideas – you might need a professional to help you do this! Seating areas and benches will provide you and your guests with the perfect place to relax in the summer months as you overlook your plants and flowers. You can even incorporate tables and chairs – perfect for when you have the family over and are preparing food. Choose tables and chairs that you can pack away easy if it starts raining.
You can also decorate flower beds with gravel, which will contrast well with any flowers or shrubbery that you incorporate into your garden. If you still want to add a burst of color, opt for colored gravel instead – a cost-effective way to decorate flower beds. Large stones can also be used for decoration while small statues or decorative items can be placed in various sports. To finish the look, use hanging flower baskets which will cascade from an exterior wall. You can choose from hundreds of different flowers for your hanging baskets – so whether you want something eye-catching or low-maintenance, you’ll find a variety that best suits you.
Hiring a professional landscaper will enable you to run your landscape dreams into a reality, and they will work with you to create a unique yard that will last for years to come. A landscaper will suggest ideas for plants and water features that can provide you with a return on your investment f you are thinking about selling your property in the future. Looking for a landscaper? Just give us a call to find out more!
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How To Use Annuals In Landscaping Your Garden
Planting in fall is advantageous since it permits the flowers to get an early start the following spring. Certain other hardy annuals can be planted early in spring as soon as the ground is workable. It is a good idea to start some of the less hardy annuals in seed pots, or in cold frames, as early as March. Otherwise, these plants cannot be set out until all danger of frost is gone. Outdoor planting of annuals in the spring follows thorough soil preparation.
Sow more seed than appears necessary, and then trim out after the plants appear above ground. Thinning is required, in any event, for a good crop of annuals, if only to insure sufficient room for each plant. Transplanting is a considerable shock in the life of a plant, and unless it is carefully done, the plant will die. It is a good idea to expose cold frames and potted seeds to the outside air for a time before transplanting, in order to prevent shock.
An annual, from the point of view of the amateur gardener, is any plant which must be replaced each year and which flowers only once in its life. Annuals generally are grown from seed. The chief advantage of annuals over perennials is their low cost. Thousands of plants can be grown from a single packet of seeds.
All the soil in the frame or pot should be used when transplanting. Transplanting should be done on a cloudy, damp day, if possible. If the soil is dry, it should be watered before transplanting, and then thoroughly after the plants are in the ground. If the day is sunny, some sort of shade should be provided for the newly transferred plants. As soon as the plants are established, these protective coverings can be removed.
Annuals are also very decorative, and provide the best source of flowers for cutting. Their season of bloom is relatively long, as well. Their chief disadvantage is the late date at which they bloom. If annuals are used alone in a bed or border, a good part of the season will pass with little to show in the way of color.
In no case should they be sown more than 1 inch deep. The seeds of larger plants which have a strong growth, such as sunflowers, can be planted in hills spaced from 2 to 4 feet apart. Often, annuals are planted in rows. This method is used when a cutting garden is being grown. To do this, dig a shallow trench not more than 1 inch deep with a trowel, or your fingers, and then place the seed in the trench.
The seedbed must be carefully pulverized with a rake after it has been prepared and prior to planting. Eliminate all lumps. The seeds are sown broadcast in the patch selected, and then are lightly covered with soil. The soil may be gently tamped after the covering is completed. The patch should be identified with a stake and some sort of sign. Flower seeds are best planted near the surface.
Annuals are also of use as a filler between shrubs set some distance apart. This permits the shrub to grow, yet prevents too stark an appearance. The sowing of annuals, of course, depends upon the class to which they belong. The hardier flowers, such as larkspur, poppies and cornflowers, can be profitably planted in late fall. The ground preparation must be just as careful as for spring planting.
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Hills and holes: Not part of your landscaping design?
Do pests ‘gopher’ your lawn? Chances are, if you have a lawn, you risk the chance of having pests, such as the gopher and his cousin the mole. And, perhaps even those pesky six-legged creatures- ants and other insects- call your grass patches home. Why are these animals and insects attracted to your lawn? And, what can you do to stop them from burrowing and nesting? Those answers and more will follow in this article.
The below ground insects are just that, they feed on your lawn through the root system, which means they are the most destructive of the two. They are also the most difficult to identify since they are not easily seen. These can include grubs, beetle larvae and bill-bugs. There are literally thousands of species of insects, far too many to list here. You could borrow a book on insects from your local library, or check out some entomology websites to learn more about what roles and functions they have. After all, you don’t want to kill off any allies!
Gophers, the largest of the pesky pair, have buckteeth and small ears. These creatures love to dine on your grass and plant roots. Gophers also leave mounds of dirt, but they do far more damage underground, causing sinkholes. While your green may not encompass as many acres of the turf in the movie Caddyshack, they can cause just as much recurring trouble. Getting rids of gophers and moles leads to one grand solution – killing them. There are also more conventional methods, such as traps.
The first option is to call an expert. Use your local directory or a referral from someone you know that had a similar problem. But if you are like most people today, you may want to do it yourself. And, if you are a DIYer, the first thing you need to do is size up your situation, and what you are up against.
Moles and gophers are two of the most common animal pests, and due to striking similarities they are often confused. Both animals build tunnels under your lawns, but that does not mean they are the same. These two have many things that set them apart from one another. Moles are smaller than gophers, and have pointed snouts and large front claws. They do not feed on your lawn, but the insects that dwell within. Sounds like they are helping you with the insects? Maybe, but the moles’ tunnels leave mounds of dirt on the ground above, and their shallow tunnels cause uneven ground.
The best way to deal with pests though is to perhaps not have them at all. This can be achieved by taking preventative measures in your lawn. But of course, nature has a mind of its own!
Most household lawns are not large enough to attract so many pests that a serious problem will result, but nonetheless, they can be a nuisance and cause some minor damage to your grassy nook. Insects are not very easy to spot, as some are so small they are naked to the eye, however, they can be identified by dead, brown patches of grass. Telltale signs of moles and gophers are a little more obvious – dirt hills on the top of your lawn, and beneath them, tunnels and holes. Once you identify that you have pests, you then need to decide the best way for you to take care of the problem.
When dealing with insects, the first thing you must realize is that not all insects are bad guys. Sure, we probably would swat at them all, but in reality, some insects can actually act as exterminators against others. Other insects can actually help control your thatch level. There are two types of insects when it comes to the ones who invade your lawn: above and below ground insects. Above ground insects usually feed on your grass, and can be seen fairly easy. Some examples of these can be chinch bugs, green bugs and army worms.
There are five basic types of treatment for anthills and other insects: chemical insecticides, biological insecticides, botanical insecticides, insecticide soaps and predatory insects (remember- some are your friend!). There may also be specific types for specific insects. Weigh each option and choose which one fits your needs the best.
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How To Use Flower Beds In Landscaping Your Garden
Should you use manure, be careful not to let it touch the roots of plants. The problems of color should be kept in mind when planning flower borders and beds, so that while there is sufficient contrast in texture and color of the flowers, there is at the same time an attractive blending.
Coral bells, whose lovely foliage makes a handsome edge, are an all-season flowering plant, and they provide unusual cut flowers.
Baby pansies, violas, portulaca, ageratum, dwarf double nasturtium and dwarf marigolds are multi-colored flowers.
All heavy lumps should be broken up. It is a good idea to spread some sand, cinders or ashes in the bottom soil to break it up. Also, you might work manure, well-rotted compost, grass clippings or peat moss into the bottom. Do not firm the bottom soil down, but let it settle naturally.
A plan for a bed of annuals, for example, might be designed to stress zinnias, with contrast provided by such softer flowers as chrysanthemum, scabiosa, nasturtium, cosmos and candytuft. Siting of the flower bed is important. Ideally, it should be close to the house, facing south or south west.
Good loam should be used for the topsoil — e.g., well-rotted manure, humus, peat moss, well-sifted leaf mold or heavy sand. Wood ashes are fine for spring, and lime may be used for loosening the soil. You might think about the character of your soil and consider the particular fertilizer which contains the elements your soil needs most. Should you use manure, be careful not to let it touch the roots of plants.
The loveliness of flowering plants needs little embellishment by description. Certainly every gardener seeks the beauty and color that can be brought to his grounds by a variety of flowers. The proper arrangement of flower beds in your garden and attentive are to them can insure you a continuing bloom of lovely flowers
year after year.
Any location that gets good sun, however, will produce well. The order should be located away from trees or shrubs. These plants absorb more than their share of moisture and nutrients from the soil and, because of their strength, can overpower the more delicate flowering plants.
For with planning, it is possible to maintain flowers in your garden during the entire length of the growing season. Borders and beds are planted with flowering annuals and perennials which bloom at different periods during the year. By choosing carefully initially, and by caring for the flowers thereafter, the blooms
will overlap each other, so that there will never be a period when an old bloom disappears but that a new one will start to show its color.
Preparing the soil for flower beds or borders requires greater care than planting a lawn. For one thing, digging must be deeper. It is not too much to dig the bed 2 feet deep, although 1 1/2 feet is suitable. It is, of course, possible to grow flowers in a shallower bed than this, but the deeper you dig, the better your
production will be.
A good background such as a stone wall or a fence adds to the beauty of a flower bed or border, and evergreen shrubs make a pleasing backdrop. Edgings need not be restricted, as they so often are, to one color (e.g., the white of alyssum).
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Evergreens You Can Use For Landscaping
Austrian pine (black pine) with its rich, green color and spreading branches has great favor in the Midwest. Globe mugho pine is a small, rounded tree for ornamental planting.
Evergreens tend to be adversely affected by hot, dry summer weather and should be watered every 10 to 14 days at this time. Be sure the water reaches the deep-root growth, at least 6 inches deep.
Norway Spruce is probably the most widely planted windbreak evergreen. Quick growing and. hardy, it has short needles of dark green; is a compact, pyramidal shape. Black Hills spruce grows toy 40 feet in time, is hardy and drought-resistant. A slow grower, it can remain in close quarters for many years.
Formal trees can be kept trim, with no ragged branches sticking out, and badly shaped or deformed trees can be corrected through shaping. Evergreens are susceptible to “winterburn” from too much wind and winter sun, so that they dry up and their branches crack under the weight of snow or the force of wind. A precaution is to water them deeply before the ground freezes in the late fall.
The juniper family is useful in planting, in tall forms such as the formal columnar juniper and the upright juniper, and as a spreading evergreen — the remarkable Pfitzer juniper—for banks, ground cover and edgings. The green feathery foliage grows rapidly; can stand crowding. Height at maturity is 8 feet, spread up to 12. Ground-covering junipers include prostrate, Sargent, Waukegan and creeping varieties.
Evergreen trees and shrubs are more expensive in general than deciduous trees (trees that drop their leaves in winter). But they are worth their cost because of their year-round beauty, hardiness and longevity. Evergreens range from the broadleaved shrubs like rhododendron and laurel to the tall-needled cone-bearing pines and stately spruces.
Arbor vitae, like cedar, furnishes the flat evergreen branch found in flower arrangements at Christmas. It is an ornamental tree of many varieties, and is best located in moist protected places. Un-trimmed, it is a broad pyramid, 35 to 50 feet tall, but it shears to any size or shape.
Another evergreen with feathery foliage is the hemlock. The Canadian hemlock can be sheared in a symmetrical manner. Hemlock is most effective when planted in a grove with others.
Douglas fir is the best fir for windbreaks and screening. Hardy, healthy, drought-resisting, it grows quickly and compactly, and its lofty pyramid makes a good lawn specimen. Balsam fir, the Christmas tree, is noted for its fragrance and lustrous foliage. White fir, a specimen, has an attractive silvery color.
White spruce has short, thick, light blue-green needles; it matures at 60 to 70 feet and is good for landscaping and screens. Colorado blue spruce is a good specimen tree and hardy, too, but it suffers in heat and drought. Of the cedars, red cedar is a fine ornamental evergreen for hedges and windbreaks. It withstands dry weather and the thick green foliage has a bronze in winter.
Yew, with its thick glossy needles and dense, upward-reaching branches, is useful as both shrub and tree, growing well in sun and shade. Try using it not in the usual manner as foundation planting only — but as a single handsome specimen against a wall of the garden. The low-spreading bushy dwarf yew can be clipped well. Other varieties are upright yew and Japanese yew, a tapering or conical tree or shrub used for hedges.
The giant spruces and firs are most effective as windscreens; the spreading evergreen shrubs are widely used not only because of their attractiveness but also because they can be shaped and trimmed and do well in the shade (such as for foundation planting).
A mulch of grass clippings or peat moss will also protect the tree from loss of water in dry weather. Pruning in late spring before new buds appear seems to help an evergreen thrive. Prune so that the inner branches can develop and the tree or shrub is more compact.
They may also be protected in winter by screens of burlap or straw mats. Where wind and winter sun are not too strong, shielding only on the sunny side is necessary. Burlap boxes or covers should be well ventilated. Thin, tall shrubs or small evergreen trees may be tied with strips of cloth, so that the branches will not crack. Old trees with heavy limbs may be propped with boards to prevent breakage under heavy snow or ice.
Pine is the most commonly known of the evergreens. White pine is noted for its long, soft, light silvery-green needles and rapid attainment of its 60- to 80-foot maturity. Red pine, as well as white pine, is splendid for backgrounds and windbreaks. Ponderosa pine, a broad, compact tree, is used for protection and ornamental screens.
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How To Use Vines In Landscaping Your Home
Planting Vines
Vines can be the quick salvation of the new home owner. Fast-paced annuals will twine up a hastily erected pergola almost before summer starts, providing a cool, fragrant and beautiful awning. Annuals and perennials (or hardy vines, as perennials are called) are an inexpensive way of softening the lines of new
buildings, linking them to the landscape.
If you have a wooden house and want vines on the walls, it is a good idea to construct a detachable trellis, hinged at the bottom o that it can swing outward when painting is going on. There will be sufficient flexibility in the tendrils to allow this.
Finally, there are those that climb by twining around other branches or poles, climbing from left to right, or right to left like honeysuckle). This type can be parasitic in the worst sense, climbing over small bushes and trees and completely strangling them.
Decorative and functional, vines are often the answer for older homes as well, the ground-covering varieties serving as cover for foundations and banks, others spreading a carpet of flowering
greenery over walls, making fences seem friendlier and stone
buildings less harsh.
The methods by which vines climb will necessarily influence and determine your selection. Some vines, such as grape vine, have tendrils which reach out and grasp small objects to hold on to; these vines need a lattice or fence. Others, such as Boston ivy, have adhesive discs that fasten on to a brick or stone wall, and
still others, such as the climbing hydrangea, hold to a masonry wall with small, aerial rootlets.
If you are planting annuals, ordinary digging in well-drained soil should suffice. But if you are planting perennials, you will want to plant them as well as any shrub; remember that if they are planted close to the foundation, the soil may be poor initially and may need preparation. The hole should be at least 2 feet square. Break up the bottom soil and mix in bone meal, peat moss, etc.
No vine should be unsupported, however, and attractive vines are those which are carefully trained and held up. Supports such as arbors, trellises and pergolas need not be elaborately constructed, since their function is to display the vine, not themselves. Wood or other material that does not require painting is ideal, for the natural woods are really more suitable as a background for vines than are the painted ones.
If you are planting near the house, be careful to place the vine far enough from the overhanging eaves so that water will not drip on the leaves. In winter weather, wet leaves can freeze in the evening and crack. Also, if the vines are placed against a sunny wall they will get reflective heat, and so they should receive
extra watering in hot weather.
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Creative Landscaping with Railroad Ties
The creative use of railroad ties will enhance your landscapes, decrease your labor costs in grounds maintenance, and are easy to work with and install.
Think of using railroad ties on your next landscaping project. All it takes to install railroad ties is a hammer, some chisels and gouges, and a heavy drill with a long sharp boring bit.
Before we talk about all the great things you can do with railroad ties lets talk about how easy and inexpensive they are to use when compared to various brick and block structures. The nicest thing about railroad ties is the ease with which they can be used. It requires much less skill to construct a retaining
wall of ties than one of block. For one thing you don’t have to be overly concerned about perfectly straight lines. While railroad ties may cost as much as brick or block per square foot to purchase they cost only 1/4th the time in labor to install. Consider how much money that could save, especially if you have to subcontract out the brick or block work to a mason.
How about a walkway or driveway? How about a fence? Stand them upright and spaced 3\” to 6\” apart. Or, stand them upright on a diagonal so that from one angle they appear to be a solid wall but from another afford a view. Cut them into 2 foot lengths and create a basket weave walkway. Why stop there? How about a jumbled collection of short sections stacked amongst some boulders or to frame a flower bed? Have a steep hill that’s slowly washing away? Terrace it with a series of short retaining walls. Tired of the boring expanse of iceplant on a slope? Break it up with groupings of railroad ties.
If you have your own growing grounds for nursery plants then loose ties can be easily used for dividing areas and controlling invasive weeds.
Maintenance gardeners appreciate the use of railroad ties to divide lawn areas from the garden areas because of the durable nature of the tie. The use of ties around parking areas will protect your sprinklers from damage. Mowing and edging along ties is easy with a line trimmer and saves time on lawn
maintenance.
Railroad ties come in many different shapes, sizes and grades. These factors can be very important in determining the price of the ties. Not all railroad ties are the same. Some come rough cut and others are smooth and even-cornered. Some are pressure treated and creosoted while others are only creosoted. When ordering or selecting railroad ties measure their height, depth, and length to make sure that they meet your planned specifications. Nothing can be more frustrating than to have ties that are two inches shorter than you planned.
Separate irrigation areas (i.e. lawns, flower beds, and trees). Stand one upright and stick a mail box on it or a concrete seagull! Better yet you can make some real nice walkway lights. Use railroad ties to define water effects like ponds or fountains. Ties can be integrated into waterscapes as well as landscapes.
Did you know that people are still using railroad ties for all sorts of decorative and functional purposes throughout their landscapes? You didn’t? Well, where have you been? Railroad ties are used by landscape contractors as a main design component of landscaping both homes and businesses. The use of railroad ties make work easier for grounds maintenance.
Creative uses of railroad ties are limited only by your imagination. They can be stacked horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. They can be staggered front to back or top to bottom. They can border lawns as a mowing strip or set off ground cover from gravel beds. They can be used as risers for stairs or as terraces on a slope.
There! That should give you a few ideas. See? Railroad ties can be used for all sorts of things.
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