Ornamental Grass – A Headache?
Ornamental Grass – A Headache?
For those garden lovers who have little time at hand, grass could be the ultimate bliss in a time twisted world that could keep greenery close to their lifestyle. That may be one of the reasons why ornamental gardening with grass has won a popular stance in the recent past with many households neighboring different types of grass rather than trying to house different kinds of plants.
No offence to tall giants that provides shade and endless relaxation, but grass is easier to maintain once it is being brought up to the full fledge form. However, it is without no doubt involves a lot of hassle in the initial stages to cultivate grass, especially if seeds are used in the process.
To take the easy way out, simply browse through the different types of grasses that is available to be used as ornaments. After discussing with your landscaper about the implications and the picture you’d like to paint in your garden, you could simply allow the expert to worry about how the grass grows, what kind of treatment is needed in the process and what extra care is needed during the infant stages.
This way, you will start appreciating the emerging greenery around your house without having to worry about the hassle and dazzle that is involved in the process. In short, leave the headache up to your landscaper and in a few weeks’ time, you will have a fully nurtured piece of green wonder in your garden.
Ornamental grass gardening is done using a several varieties of grass. The best time of the year to start seeding or division is the spring; however, depending on the area in which you live, the best timings may change. If you decide on settling for division, you will need to have a lot of patience until the job is completed. If not, it is best to leave the job up to a professional. Remember that if you are meaning to have the grass as ornamental, you must never allow it to grow in size. Therefore, proper trimming and division done on spot is a must.
Some people take the easy way out of walking in to a garden center and buying ornamental grass. The ugly truth is that they can be so overwhelmingly expensive that by the time you cover up a big enough proportion of you garden using those, you will near bankruptcy. Not worth the trouble for wanting some grass in your lawn, is it? So be mindful when you wear the ‘carefree shopper’ hat! Spending exuberant amounts on ornamental grass is a big ‘no-no’ to avoid.
If you are keen on doing the division of your own, get yourself a four inch pot or so. Then grab the tools that you need for division and go on dividing the grass as they grow. Before you place them in the garden, check with your landscaper that the soil is in perfect condition. A professional will always have good tips and tricks to add to your practice.…
Improving Your Curb Appeal With Solar
Improving Your Curb Appeal With Solar
I am sure that you have all heard about the tax credits for new home buyers by now. The extended dead line for having a contract signed is April 30th, 2010 with the closings to be held by June. It is recommended that for those who are considering selling their property put it on the market now to take advantage.
With so many homes on the market yours will need to stand out and attract as many buyers as possible to get the best price. You want to make sure people notice your home and that you get this done with as little expense as possible. For starters make sure that the landscaping is trimmed and that the lawn is cut. This costs little but will make a big difference when someone looks at your home. Next make sure you attract as many buyers as possible. Take some solar spotlights and shine them directly on the for sale sign. People who pass by at night buy property too, and you need to make sure they are attracted to your house. You can also put some string lights around deck perimeters, patios and around windows that that don’t have electric handy such as an attic window. This will help night buyers get an idea of the size of the home, and more effectively notice decks and patios often overlooked during the day.
When you put some solar lights on the edge of the pathways, this adds a touch of class day and night. By putting in these guides it will avoid people inadvertently stepping on delicate plants.
A nice touch to the outdoor landscaping display is a simple solar water fountain. The peaceful sound of water moving sets the mood of a peaceful place; something most people want in their prospective new home.
Now you are probably thinking that tall this can be done by tying into grid power and you are right. Solar however has several advantages: The buyer isn’t adding the dollar figure in their head when they see this, as they have no electric bill, they are not tripping over extension cords (not the prettiest things in the world are they?), when the power is out solar lights are still on, and just think of the value that you are giving when you can honestly say that you used a green environmentally friendly source of power. Remember every little bit helps.…
Landscape Lighting – How it Can Change Your Landscape
Landscape Lighting – How it Can Change Your Landscape
When you decide to work on the landscaping around your home, make sure to thing about things other than your lawn. Functional things such as decks, porches, verandas, and pool areas provide looks and use. Visual items such as fountains, statues, trees, gardens, and flowerbeds provide a nice appearance. You can directly work on those areas, but choosing to add some nighttime improvements with landscape lighting will give you a new dimension to your landscape. Below are a few ways you can use landscape lights to accent your landscape.
1. Use spotlights to highlight the front side of the house.
2. Use path lights to illuminate walkways and paths.
3. Light up high traffic areas with general landscape lighting.
4. Improve the ambiance with specialized lighting.
The first thing you want to do is to use spotlights to highlight the front side of the house. Spotlights focus light on a small area, which help accentuate their subject. In the case of your house, it would help to put focus on your house.
The second way is to light up paths with path lights. Path lights spread light indirectly on the ground, and can help light up pathways with softer light.
The third thing you want to do is to use general lighting sources to illuminate high traffic areas. Places such as your patio, porch, or deck are good areas for this lighting. There are several choices for general lighting, such as floodlights, post lights, or wall sconces.
The last way is to improve the ambiance with specialized lighting. You can create changes in the mood of an area with soft, indirect, and diffused lighting. Rope lights, for example, can help to create a soft highlight of an area.
The Landscape around a house, whether simplistic or involved, can benefit from some nighttime accents from landscape lighting. There are so many choices to choose from that you will be sure to find something that works for your taste and needs.…
I Want a Picture Perfect Landscape
I Want a Picture Perfect Landscape
You just moved in to your new home or have an exciting home and you want to add some beauty and value to your home by improving the landscape. Turn your ordinary property into your landscaping dream that others will admire and you will be able to enjoy for years to come. You want your front yard to welcome you home and your backyard to be your favorite get away.
Decide what will be your budget for your landscape project, decide if you are going to do it yourself or do you hire a landscape designer. If you choose to hire a landscape company then you should have several landscape companies give you estimates for the project. The designer should listen to your goals and visions, then add his expertise and experience after he has done an analysis of your property. The great thing about landscaping is that you can do your landscape plan in stages that are spread over several seasons. But landscaping takes time, resources and a lot patience to get that picture perfect landscape.
A landscape designer will always try to preserve all of the best natural resources that are already part of the present landscape. They can suggest plants, flowers, shrubs and trees that are native to your area, so you are not planting items that will not survive and wasting money. There are so many landscaping ideas to consider, but remember of all these options they should blend with your home and your lifestyle. Other options to consider are trellises, trellis, arbors, pergolas, water features, retaining walls, patio, decks, fences and outdoor lighting.
If you want perfect lawn, then you have to understand when is the best time to irrigate so you need to establish a watering schedule that is best for you type of grass, plants and of course weather conditions. Also you may have parts of the yard that retains water so you might have your landscaper discuss with you about having a French drain installed. You definitely do not want to deal with bugs that can make your favorite get away their home because of the standing water puddles.
If your budget allows, hire a professional landscape designer that can design, install and manages all aspects of a landscaping project from conception to completion of your picture perfect landscape.…
Plan a Xeriscape Yard For Water Efficiency
Plan a Xeriscape Yard For Water Efficiency
If you live in an area where water is scarce and summers are dry, a xeriscape garden planted with drought tolerant native plants is the way to go. Xeriscape landscaping does not mean just gravel and rock with a few cacti. Drought tolerant plants can be just as colorful and interesting as plants that thrive in moist conditions. Many will attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Most are easy to maintain and quite hardy.
Choose a sunny spot for your xeriscape garden. Good drainage is essential for drought tolerant plants. Some dry regions will have a layer of caliche below the soil. If this impervious and hard layer of sedimented calcium carbonate lies beneath your topsoil, you may need to break it up so water can drain properly. If you are unsure about the drainage, build a raised bed, fill it with soil and compost, and add some crushed granite. This will slowly decompose and add essential minerals to the soil.
Once your chosen plants are in the ground, mulch the area with shredded bark or pine needles. This will act conserve the moisture in the soil in hot weather and help keep roots cool. Mulch will also soak up available water so it acts like a water reservoir. As the mulch slowly decomposes over time, it will contribute to the soil’s texture and add nutrients.
To encourage your new plants to get established, water them thoroughly when you plant them. Then during the first week water them lightly every day. Each week water them less often, and after 6 weeks they will need watering only every second week unless it rains. Look for drooping leaves that indicate your plants need watering. It is always best to water deeply and less often.
Many drought tolerant plants are commonly available in nurseries and garden centers. You can also find seeds and plants by searching on the internet. A few of the best common xeriscape plants are as follows:
Salvia lyciodes: Also known as canyon sage, this perennial grows into a small bush. It has cobalt-blue blossoms in both spring and fall, and silvery green evergreen leaves. Many salvia species are available, with various bloom colors, and all are loved by butterflies.
Echinacea purpurea: The purple coneflower has purple daisy-like blooms with an orange conical center. It grows up to 2 feet tall, blooming from spring through summer.
Lychnis coronaria: Commonly called rose campion, this perennial with vivid magenta blooms can grow to 2 feet. It has fuzzy gray green foliage that deer will not eat.
Armeria maritima: The sea pink is a small perennial with pink ball-like blooms. It has short evergreen foliage, and is very hardy.
Achillea species: Achillea or yarrow is a common wildflower with deeply divided silvery-green scented foliage. Many cultivars have been developed, and blossoms range from white to yellow, orange, pink and deep red.
Ceanothus: An attractive shrub that has small clusters of blue flowers that butterflies love. Species of this can be ground hugging or bushy, and some can be trained as a small tree.…
The Pros and Cons of Using Vinyl or Wood Fencing
The Pros and Cons of Using Vinyl or Wood Fencing
When you have a fence built for your home, the different options and types of fence can be a huge task in itself. Currently, the best choices in the fencing industry are wood and vinyl fences. You may have heard the proverb – “good fences will earn you better neighbors.” When you select which kind of fence to install, you will have to consider many factors such as price, quality, durability, etc. Before making the call to an installation expert you should think about the benefits and disadvantages first.
Vinyl fencing is a wonderful choice for a modern person who desires a new-age look over the natural wood finish. Vinyl fences are graffiti resistant and more versatile than wood fencing. Temperature changes or humidity will not affect them adversely. Vinyl fences are free from rust, termite and corrosion. Scratches and cracks rarely appear. They usually have warranties for many years and it doesn’t require constant upkeep. Vinyl has less weight and cleaning them tends to be an effortless job. Depending on your home and landscape, vinyl fencing is available in a wide range of colors in order to choose appropriate color combination as you visualize the overall layout. If you are content with these features, vinyl fences may be ideal for you.
There are a few disadvantages for vinyl fencing. Its price is the biggest deal killer. They are very costly and initial investment for vinyl fencing is expensive compared with wooden fences. They may be recycled after extended usage, however they are not eco-friendly. If you favor ecological fences for your home, wooden fences may be the appropriate choice for you.
Wooden fencing encompasses many of the benefits of vinyl fencing. Wood fences are inexpensive and the initial cost is much less. They are quite eco-friendly; therefore they will be a good selection for those who love ecological products. They will provide a natural appearance to your home and you can easily decorate your fence with flower pots and bird homes. Painting the fence creatively and giving it an extraordinary touch may add to the appeal. They are easy to repair and you can personalize your fence in numerous designs, colors and styles.
There are just a couple disadvantages regarding wooden fences. They require annual upkeep and repairs to keep it in top condition. Temperature changes and moisture may affect some types of wood while certain heavy woods are hard to work with. Also, insect issues, termites along with fungus could cause long-term issues in your fence. Wood fences are less stable and sturdy compared with vinyl. The possibility of wood rot is also very high.
So, both have their advantages and disadvantages. If you’re looking for something long-term then vinyl may be the way to go. If costs are an issue, then wood may be the best choice for you. Either way, there are many fine choices with either type of fence.…
Landscaping For the Environment
Landscaping For the Environment
Landscaping is an activity that changes the environment. It does not matter how big or small the lawn is, landscaping can make it much more appealing for the homeowner and guests alike.
Because of the impact that changing the landscape can have on the surrounding area, careful planning should go into each project. Things that were not an issue prior to changing the landscape, such as water runoff, could crop up and create some nasty issues that must be dealt with.
Not all of the issues raised by landscaping are immediately obvious. There are some things that can be done to help minimize the impact on the environment and end up with an earth-friendly landscape.
1. Use drought resistant plants
No matter the amount of rainfall in the season that plants are put in, with each new season, there is the threat of drought. Planning ahead and using plants that are tolerant of these conditions means less watering that will need to be done.
In times when water is plentiful, these plants will flourish. In the dry weather, they may become somewhat dormant. Choosing plants that do not demand large amounts of water will make maintaining the landscape an easier job no matter how much moisture the season brings.
2. Use organic fertilizers
Man made fertilizers can have a negative effect on the soil. This is especially true when used by homeowners since most homeowners tend to over apply them. These fertilizers block the amount of nutrients that plants can absorb from the soil.
Over-applying the fertilizers means that the ground may not hold all that is put down. This is when the chemicals are available to leach into the water tables. This is the underground water that flows all over. Wells can become contaminated, causing unsafe drinking water and health issues for anyone consuming it.
Man made fertilizers are also made of chemicals that are not necessarily healthy for humans. Exposure to these chemicals (most commonly bare skin) can cause health issues.
Organic fertilizers contain decomposed natural materials. There is no chemical basis for them. The only exposure issue is that the person applying the compost may get dirty, or not like the smell. The compost is full of ingredients that occur in and support nature. Ground water contamination is no longer a concern, neither is the drinking water from any wells in the area.
3. Use trees to support the landscape
Trees serve several purposes. Not only do they provide shady areas around your lawn, but they can also protect the house from the elements helping to reduce energy costs. Trees have extensive root systems which helps to hold the soil in place.
4. Divert rain water
During seasons when rain is scarce it becomes more obvious to everyone that conserving water is important. When designing your landscape, why not build in a way to divert rain water so that it can be used to support the plants or other parts of the landscape?
Finding ways to use rainwater can be as simple as installing the roll away sprinklers that attach to the bottom of the downspouts on the house. If the landscape includes a pool, the water can be diverted to help refill the water in the pool. Use a rain barrel to catch excess water from the roof and use it to water the plants when the weather is dry.
Thinking about your landscaping and the environment does not have to mean major changes to plans. There are many subtle differences that can have a major impact. The landscape designs of one small yard can help nature improve on the ability to support itself and the area around it.…
How Landscaping Will Increase the Value of Your Home
How Landscaping Will Increase the Value of Your Home
Like with anything the best part about landscaping is the final result and in this case the final result is the increased value of it. If you want to sell your house then I highly suggest starting to landscape your yard using a decent design and a modern layout. The nice part about landscaping is that you can increase the value of your home substantially with very little effort and a small budget.
Do you know what works to increase the value of your home through landscaping? The best way to increase the value of your home is to create a eye popping design and layout that way your home is the centerpiece of a piece of work instead of the centerpiece of a eyesore. Some of the most common things people do to increase the value with their landscape is add trees, plants, grass, and lawn ornaments in order to attract your eye, but that is not all people do. If you want to get the most attention from the people passing by then you need to implement some kind of attraction such as a water feature or a large object.
Things to add to your landscape
Water fountain – The thing I like the most about a water fountain is that you can have them running year round and they will continue to attract peoples attention. If you spend roughly $500 on a water fountain I bet it will add at least $1500 to the value of the home as long as it is placed in a decent spot.
Unique fence – Not all unique fences will help increase the value of your home but there are examples of some that will. I saw a fence that was hand crafted using cedar that had wooden animals carved to the top posts ever 5 feet. It was so unique that I had to ask the owner why he did what he did and he said that he wasn’t too sure but he was glad he did because it increased the value of his home by $5000.
Fake animals – Something that works really well if you live near a mountain is placing fake animals in your yard. The reason this works great is because it will make people stop and take a look. I know this might not increase your value a bunch but it will make people stop and look which is one way that you determine eye candy in a home.
I know this might not be enough ideas for you and if not then take a look at some of these simple landscape ideas.…
Landscape Your Lawn – Reap Comfort and Serenity
Landscape Your Lawn – Reap Comfort and Serenity
Everybody wants to have a good place to stay. People buy their dream houses and make it as beautiful and presentable as they can because of that same reason; they want the place where they are to be like their kingdom or palace. I barely know anybody who does not want to have a good, comfortable, and nice place to live at.
Do you have enough space for a garden? Then why not turn that garden into a beautiful landscape that could as well reflect the personality of the people living there.
Landscape gardening can be compared to painting a picture. It can be treated as another form of art where you can express yourself clearly by what you put around. Like a painting of a picture; your garden should have a main point where you are going to focus the interest and then develop the surrounding area as the background to the picture.
How can you effectively do this? There are just a few things to remember. The lawn is treated like your canvas. As much as possible, leave it as simple as you can and do not put too many things on it. At some points, breaking up the big lawn can be done by putting some bedding on some special points to create the illusion of dividing your canvas. The bedding that you use should not disturb or make it more difficult for you to mow the lawn. Adding a gazebo can be your main point of interest in your lawn then start to develop the picture by putting some focal points like little shrubs on the side and then some flower beds on the other. You can also put in some trees if your lawn is quite big but you should also consider the probable height of the trees first before you do that. You do not want to have overly grown trees placed between or in the midst of some shorter trees. The lawn also needs to have sunlight to grow and flourish well, and you do not want to have overly grown trees casting a big shade over your lawn.
The color of leaves from the trees can also create certain mood and feeling to your landscape garden so try to be creative when it comes to matching and pairing the trees that you put on your lawn. That is landscape gardening!…
Helpful Ideas for Effective Outdoor Decorating
Helpful Ideas for Effective Outdoor Decorating
Just like indoor decorating, outdoor decorating is also important. A beautifully landscaped, relaxing backyard doesn’t only provide you and your entire family a comfortable hang out place but it also invites people to come and visit your amazing home.
Creative outdoor decorating guarantees 100% return on your investment and certainly improves the value of your home. You can enhance your home’s curb appeal with just a few helpful tips. Start with a well-thought plan which includes lighting, landscaping, an outdoor feature, pottery, a focal point and a sitting area. Avoid committing costly mistakes by taking your time to carefully think things out.
Before starting with your outdoor decorating project, take a photo first of your house’s front view. This will give you the chance to look at your front yard in an objective manner. Get the picture form the curb and check if your door stands out or blends with your current outdoor decor. Your front door should stand out since it is your focal point. Your front door leads your visitors where to enter. A fitting color or a pottery placed on its both side can accent your front door.
Landscaping is another great way to improve your home’s overall curb appeal. Make sure to carefully choose your plants as they will certainly reward you by thriving with less care and effort from you. You can also add different heights, textures and colors to improve your outdoor decor. Maintain all the trees in your yard as they provide shade and decrease energy costs by cooling your home in a natural way. Colorful flowers can make a statement and indeed effective in beautifying your front yard. They direct the eye to the front door and make beautiful accents.
Another effective way to decorate the exterior of your home is by coming up with outdoor lighting. Outdoor lighting gives light to walkways and adds carriage lights around doorways – definitely a good investment. Outdoor lights’ availability will not be an issue as they even come in a wide range of designs and styles to complement your outdoor decor.
If space permits, a sitting area in your front yard will be a good addition. You can place a nice outdoor bench or maybe a pair of rocking chairs matched with a fitting beverage table. You may also want to add a couple of relaxing fabric pillows in your sitting area for comfort. Another option is to add some hanging plants for a more refreshing ambience.
Remember that outdoor decorating should extend into your backyard so you can maximize your outdoor living area while building functional spaces. Maintain a style or theme that perfectly blends with your home decor. With proper planning and perfect execution, you can have a very nice relaxation area, an outdoor kitchen area or even an entertainment area.
Involving yourself in an outdoor decorating project is indeed very exciting as you want to end up making your front yard an amazing view for everyone.…