Landscaping Stone and Ornamental Grasses

Whatever your views on conservation, when it comes to money, we are all pretty much in favor of it. A landscape design created by using landscaping stone and ornamental grasses conserves water and money. Landscaping materials, such as flagstone and landscape rock, expand your living space in a way that is both practical and easy on the eye. In combination with various grasses, you can design a landscape that is expansive and inviting landscaping ideas

Landscaping Stone

More and more landscaping stone are utilizing materials such as river rock, pea gravel, boulders and drought resistant plants and grasses. The reasons for this vary from conserving water to less time and expense to maintain.

I have had two experiences in the past three months that have shown me the benefits of using “water friendly” materials.
My wife and I own property in the Columbia Gorge area in the state of Washington. The property has some pretty steeped sloped areas that were dominated by weeds and other wild growth common to the area, none of which is very pleasing to the eye.

Change the Property Section Into One of Two Categories

• Terraced land that provided areas for future family gatherings
•  A garden, of sorts, of grasses, wild flowers and herbs
  The terracing portion of the project involved hiring a heavy equipment operator to carve the land and bring in the boulders. This was the expensive part of the project. Fortunately for us, we found two brothers known for their work and reasonable rates (side note, I will gladly give their contact info. if you happen to be in the Gorge area). Anyway, once we had the land terraced and boulders placed, we were well on our way.

Clearing of the weeds and other wild growth took some time. Again, with the right landscape crew, we saw the beginning of our thought process coming to light. My wife, with the help of our landscaper, investigated the many, many ornamental grasses available. In all, they planted over 350 one gallon pots.

Beautiful Grasses

In the beginning, water was essential to the success of this project. In a matter of weeks, however, we were able to cut back on watering. And now that the grasses have a solid root system, the amount of water will be reduced to a minimum. And yet, when we look out over the property we now have beautiful grasses of varying types where once we had nasty looking weeds. Over time the grasses will continue to grow and expand, their need for water will diminish and for the most part will require no maintenance.

On the terraced area, we were able to build an outdoor kitchen with a fire pit. We have had several family functions in an area, that a short time ago was not usable. Except for the initial cost, we were able to expand our living space without creating a future burden in regard to expense and time.

Briefly, my other experience was in Florida at my sister’s house. This was a do it yourself job that involved pea gravel and flag stone. Other than the initial cost and elbow grease, this was a project that added living space, used no water and required no maintenance.

She had a small area outside her patio. It was the perfect spot for a barbecue, but it was nothing but dirt and sand. She wanted to create something that allowed her to go outside and not track the dirt back into the house. Also, she wanted to look out her window and see something else other than dirt.

With a little bit of planning and discussion, we were able to pick up the materials at a local hardware store. The materials consisted of 40-50 bags of colored pea gravel (much easier on the eye than gray gravel) and 35 or so prefab colored flag stone pavers. Over the course of three days, I was on “vacation” mind you, we laid and tamped down the gravel and set the pavers in the gravel. The end result was an additional 100 sq. feet of usable living space that requires no maintenance or expense.

So when considering your landscaping stone materials or projects, keep in mind conservation, if not water, then money and time. Personally, the less time and money I spend on maintaining my landscape, the more time I can spend enjoying it. The fact that I use less water is a win win for everyone.…

Landscaping for Rocks – Unleash Your Creative Instincts!

Planning your rock for landscaping is a lot of fun and the end result can be very rewarding. Your landscape design should be harmonious with the architectural design of your home. But what if you are growing tired of the same old flower beds and shrubs that look similar to all the others yards in your neighborhood? Maybe, just maybe, it is time to consider some redesigning, and put to use some decorative boulders.

Rock for Landscaping

This can be quite a simple thing to do. First of all, take stock of what you now have. Look at all the pieces that make up your current landscaping rocks, including all the trees, bushes, flower beds, garden ornaments and so on. Think of ways to relocate some rocks for landscaping items in a way that would include landscape stones. If you want an exciting way to create a natural-looking landscape, adding those decorative rocks or boulders just could be the ticket.

Large Rocks

If you are going do landscaping with boulders or large rocks, a lot of preparation is needed. It is important to have rocks of different sizes and shapes in groupings. Once you have decided on a plan, selected the rocks from a landscaping yard, they will need to be delivered. They must be set in place carefully, usually by machine.

Decorative Boulders

Preplanning is necessary before they are permanently positioned. The area should be leveled so the stones will sit properly, and indentations made for the larger ones. It is essential to make it appear that they have always been there. Rocks or decorative boulders should always be set into the ground rather than just plunked on top. Once they are in place, and soil and plantings filled in around them, they will look natural.

Small Rocks

The scale of the rocks you use should match the size of your yard. In a small yard, gigantic boulders would look out of place. In the same way, using many small rocks in a spacious yard would be equally out of place. Rocks should always be placed in groupings, preferably three or five, and all three of differing sizes and shapes. One taller boulder, accompanied by a recumbent one and a low flat one make a pleasing grouping of decorative rocks. Leave space between them for small plants, grasses or an interesting tree or shrub.

The color is one aspect that must be carefully chosen as well. The wrong color picks can detract from the complete rocks for landscaping. You can choose attractive rocks that have colors complementing your house color, or use neutrals like grays or tans. You can even match different tones of one color, or mix different colored rocks in one area for a more interesting look. Different colors will have an energizing or calming effect, so choose rock colors that suit the whole landscaping mood you are trying to achieve.

Landscape Rocks

You will find that landscape rocks come in a variety of shades, including reds, white or fresh ivory, soft grays and greens, and even black. Some may be mottled, striated or striped. Some will be smooth and rounded, others more angular. With these possibilities to choose from, you have many options for your landscaping.

You will find that landscaping with rock will give a feeling of solidity and permanence to your yard. And your yard will be the showplace of your neighborhood.…

Secrets to Maximizing Landscaping Materials Near Me

When it comes to planning out a dream design for your property, it is important to use the right landscaping materials near me. In general, they fall into two categories, hardscapes and softscapes. Hardscapes are permanent structures that are laid down or installed on a property, such as brick pavers, fences, patios, fountains, and other structures. Softscapes, on the other hand, are the natural living components of the design such as trees, plants, flowers, and grass.

Landscaping Materials Near Me

Combining both of this landscaping near me materials is the best way to create a cohesive and comprehensive design. Incorporating both types of materials results in a layout that is both functional and beautiful that will increase a home’s value and curb appeal while providing enjoyable living spaces.

Finding The Right Landscape Suppliers

Using the right landscape suppliers is vital when putting together an elegant design. Homeowners have to be conscientious when buying their supplies and this includes finding landscape suppliers that offer the best prices, quality goods, and complimentary hardscape and softscape materials. Using a supplier that can offer a wide range of landscaping materials near me under a single roof is arguably the best way to find the best deals and complimentary stock.

Hardscaping Ideas and Examples

Homeowners have a lot of choice when it comes to hardscaping on their property. Terraces are an excellent way to turn the slopes on your property from a nuisance to a beautiful part of the yard. Terraces can be designed as steps or step gardens and can be built from retaining walls or timbers.

Walkways and brick pavers add architectural detail to a yard and help to frame the entire design while giving it flow. They are used in nearly every yard’s design and come in a wide range of styles and colors to match any decorating style.

Decks and patios define outdoor living spaces and made for ideal gathering areas. Add in an outdoor fireplace to finish the design. Outdoor lighting goes hand in hand with both outdoor living areas and along walkways and pavers. Gardens ponds are like self-enclosed ecosystems and can be stocked with fish, waterfalls, bridges, or fountains. Finally, fencing frames the entire yard and can provide privacy and security.

Softscaping Design Decisions

First and foremost, choose species that will do well in your local climate, your neighborhood landscaping materials near me suppliers should be able to help you make the right decision. Non-native plants and flowers typically require much more care and upkeep, meaning more time and money spent on yard work and maintenance.

Plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs provide the opportunity to utilize a number of colors and shapes throughout the yard. Flower gardens are a favorite among most homeowners and offer a lot of design flexibility with both annuals and perennials. Trees provide shade while shrubs provide ground cover. Mulch, grass, and ivy all add texture to an outdoor space, and mulch is a good low maintenance alternative for unused sections of the yard.

The right landscape suppliers are an excellent resource for ideas on how to use common and unique landscaping materials.…

Three Easy Decorative Landscaping Stone Near Me Projects

Decorative landscaping stone near me is a natural, affordable, and durable landscaping option, as well as an easy way to add beauty to your landscape, property or yard. Homes built on larger spaces benefit greatly from open-air decoration and decorative stone landscaping. Trees, plants, stone walls, fountains, and rock landscapes are easy and attractive additions worth making to the surroundings of a home.

Landscaping Stone Near Me

• Creating a Rock Path
  Protect your lawn from being trodden upon by creating a rock path. It’s easy to do-dig up part of your lawn you wish to designate as path space, then place either a single or double row of rounded stones down to form a footpath. These stones will look beautiful and protect the rest of your lawn. Over time, the stones will blend in more with your landscape, grow mold and look very natural. You may wish to select different colors and shapes of rock for a unique look. Consult with a landscape supply company before you begin your decorative stone landscaping project and a professional be able to recommend the best landscaping rock for a rock path project.
• Camouflage Troublesome Landscape
  More durable then mulch, decorative landscaping stone is the perfect way to camouflage and conceal a problematic area of your lard or landscape. If you’ve encountered ground conditions that don’t lend themselves well to planting or vegetation, transform the space into a decorative stone landscaping project. Cover the area in stone, or plant a few plants that can survive in difficult soil and conceal the remaining area.
• Install a Fountain or Pond
  Backyard ponds and fountains can come in all shapes and sizes and serve as a beautiful focal point and addition to any yard or landscape. Before beginning your project, ensure you have a water connection pipe nearby. If not, a “T-Pipe” can always be used to divert a slow stream of water from another supply pipe.

Decorative Stone Landscaping Project

Choose decorative stone and create a round pool / pit in your yard – select a variety of stone colors and sizes for a more natural look. Before beginning to dig, remember to consult with your local utility company to avoid damaging buried utility lines. After selecting your location, you may then dig a hole for your pond and lay down a flexible and waterproof liner as a ground barrier.

Boulder rocks are an excellent option for holding down this liner. For a project like this, you will need 20-30 rocks, depending on the size, and a mixture of sizes and shapes is fine. Select flatter rocks that are easier to stabilize, and find smaller stones to decorate the edge of the pond to conceal any visible plastic. It’s best to consult with a landscape supply company before you begin your decorative stone landscaping project. They will be able to recommend the best landscaping rock for a backyard pond or fountain project landscaping near me…

Choosing the Right Gardening Supplies Near Me

Landscaping supplies near me can be categorized according to their primary function. Choosing each material should be carefully weighed depending on the design and size of the garden or the landscaped area, the recurring maintenance activities that the owners expect and the resources allotted to invest in these supplies.

Landscaping Supplies Near Me

The success of every gardening project relies heavily on how coherent and complementary the elements and resources are. Aside from the time needed to be allotted for the maintenance of the land plot, the right choice of landscaping supplies is also a contributing factor to the success of each landscaping or gardening effort.

Landscaping supplies near me broadly refers to the process of modifying the physical features of and adding elements to specific locations according to the owners’ preference. Garden landscaping is a narrowed-down category which has become a popular hobby among residential and commercial owner. The favorable acceptance of the market to landscaping has spurred the development of different gardening styles and landscaping designs landscaping near me

Soil digging

Garden or flat-edged shovels, stirrup hoe, trowel or rakes are the most common supplies for digging soil or scraping through the top soil. Shovels are among the must-haves that should be furnished to properly dig the soil or correct loose terrain components.

Watering or irrigation

Garden hose, water wand, watering can or the traditional water bucket and dipper should be available in every garden. This guarantees that the gardener have a readily available supply of water for the plants or for cleaning purposes.

Transportation

if owners foresee the recurring need to move elements from one space to another, wheelbarrows and related gardening carts are perfect to lessen the effort and risk of heaving materials to and fro different locations.

Fencing

temporary structures such as wooden panels or perimeter enclosures can be installed to protect the plants from stray animals or to provide a defined shape to the location.

The good thing about garden landscaping supplies near me is that owners can be flexible in terms of the mixing and matching of elements as long as the components look good when integrated into the overall property mix. The choice of gardening materials to be invested in is usually anchored upon these designs. Given that a lot of designs can be adopted in every landscape project, owners should make sure that they have the right materials to commence the effort with an easy start and a great looking finished product.…

Tips On Using Landscaping Stones To Decorate Your Garden

Using landscaping stones for decoration is not exactly a new concept, but it has proved itself time and time again to be a great method to improve the look of gardens and yards of homes and palaces all around the world.

Where To Find Landscaping Stones

Needless to say, there’s a huge variety of stones to choose from, so planning ahead is definitely something you should do. Don’t just start hauling stones to your house and then decide what you’re going to use. Instead, do a well planned design that includes the types of rocks and colors you want to use. After that start searching for places you could get your stones from landscaping

Some hardware stores have different kinds of landscaping stones available. But it has been my experience that usually the best way to obtain these stones is to simply search the internet and order them online. Saves me from the struggle of having to drive from place to place only to be disappointed when the rocks I were searching for weren’t actually there.

So How Exactly Do I Use Them?

Landscaping Stones can probably be used in as many ways as there are people on Earth. One popular choice is to use them to create a pathway leading to, say, your porch. You can even spice up the pathways themselves by creating patterns such as a checker pattern and achieve a very unique look.

Artificial landscaping stones can be used to hide things. Say you have a nasty septic tank riser in your garden that you’d like to get rid of, but really can’t. Instead of ripping it off (Don’t do this!), you can put a fake stone on top of it and hide it for good. You can then use that stone as a center piece and create something unique around it.

Fake Landscaping Stones

Using fake stones has recently become more and more popular thanks to constantly improving materials. These fake stones can make your garden look great, and well artificial stones are nearly impossible to distinguish from real ones. They can even be used to hide any unwanted objects in your garden such as septic tank risers.
Conclusion

Whichever way you prefer, the stones or real landscaping stones, you can’t really go wrong just as long as you design your plan well, and remember that it isn’t all that important to try to come up with the perfect plan. Just go with the flow and give your design your own unique look. It’s better to make a small mistake and end up with a unique landscape, than to tinker around trying to perfect your design and never finishing it.…

Free Landscaping Rocks: How To Use Rocks To Make Your Garden Come Alive

Using free landscaping rocks can be a great source to add variety and uniqueness to your garden and make it really come alive. Whether you decide to use artificial landscaping stones and rocks or boulders or simply real rocks, adding landscaping stones can really spice up your garden for years to come. You can create beautiful flower beds, place rocks at the edges of stream streaking across your garden or even create delightful resting places for your family landscaping ideas

Free Landscaping Rocks

Every good design starts with a plan and designing your garden is no exception, of course. So grab a pencil and a piece of paper and just start drawing some ideas that pop into your head. Should you run out of ideas, or even if you just like to, you can always check the internet for pictures of gardens that have been decorated withfree landscaping rocks.

Ultimately you want a design that has been carefully designed, one that doesn’t leave anything up to chance, and above all else, is easy to read. So don’t scribble everything down to a small paper, and then spend ages trying to figure out what it is you were trying to convey. Instead use your initial scribblings as a source to create a clean-looking final plan. It should include your drawing, the kind of rocks you want to use, their colors and so on.

The Execution

After you’ve finished planning, you should start seeking places to buy landscaping rocks from. If you are a person that doesn’t want to get their hands dirty, the internet is full of places that sell all kinds of landscaping rocks ranging from artificial landscaping stones to real landscaping stones or even artificial free landscaping rocks.
If you don’t want to spend any money looking for things that are, after all, readily available almost anywhere, just take a walk around your house and see if there are any stones that could be used in your design. The colors don’t even have to match, you can always paint them for the perfect match.

Once you have your stones it’s time to get down to business of decorating your garden, and on to the path of making it come alive. You can really create some incredible looking scenes if you put your mind into it. Remember that landscaping with rocks can be quite hard work, especially if you use real rocks, so prepare to sweat quite a bit — it’s going to take some work to decorate your garden, and make it look good. But in the end, it will definitely be worth it. A good looking garden will bring joy for you and for your family for years to come.…

Landscaping Rocks Near Me As Art

One of the most striking examples of everyday art that I see is elegantly placed landscaping rocks near me. These stalwarts of the decorating world have been around for thousands of years, and for good reason. They last for a very long time, are strong and sturdy against weather, and give a look to any home that commands a King like respect due to their strong association with castles.

Landscaping Rocks Near Me

Stones can make any statement you wish them to, from a solitary boulder sitting alone in your lawn like the great boulder in John Steinbeck’s classic ‘To A God Unknown,’ to the power of a castle modeled after a King’s great estate, you can do it all with stone. I would not, however, recommend you try to use stone in a way which emulates the ‘stoner classic’ by Hunter S. Thompson known as ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,’ I believe that is a different usage of the word stone landscaping near me

Landscaping of The Sea

Armour stone has been used for centuries outside of the decorating world. Their original use was as surf breakers along the edges of the sea and rivers. Their job was to act as armour for the shore and its inhabitants by being surge protection against inclement weather, and the regular rise and fall of the tides.

Today they are used as grand statements of the highest kind. These one to fifteen ton rocks are always used as attention grabbers, and can be very functional parts of your home. Uses include large steps, retaining walls, edging for pools and driveways, and general takers up of big space where big spaces need to be taken up.

Single Garden

Boulders have long been around for decorating. From a single garden stone to a collection of rocks like Stonehenge, they are the long lasting statements of countless pieces of rock art. Commonly they are the centre of attention for lawn arrangements, and other smaller rocks and pebbles are moved around them.

These smaller rocks can include pea gravel of contrasting or complementary colours which add an element of artistic interest to your arrangement. The best thing about them, in my mind, is that once they are properly set they require nearly no maintenance. You may have to wash them with water, but it will not be the same ritualistic watering undertaken by Joseph in ‘To a God Unknown,’ you’ll just be watering it to give it a good cleaning which gets it back to its original look.

Beautiful Patios

Flagstone can create beautiful patios. It comes in a wide variety of colours and types of rock such as sandstone, micas, slates, basalt and granite. These one to two inch thick piece of rock either come in natural uneven shapes, meant for being set in sand, or cut and square pieces meant to be set in mortar. Either option will be a great choice as you can create anything you wish, making your patio a piece of durable and long lasting art that you will gladly let your friends walk all over.

There is no other art in the world that gets used, abused and is as long lasting as landscaping rocks. Doubt me? Ask the people who built Stonehenge.…

Tips on Choosing Landscaping Stone Suppliers Near Me

Yes, it is the season for the landscaping stone suppliers near me will need to beautify your home or business. Landscape supply items may include mulch, topsoil, pavers, stone, decorative landscaping stone, and boulders. Other landscape items for the do it yourself may include seed, equipment, fertilizer, tools and machinery, chemicals and anything else necessary to create the pristine landscaping you wish to do to enhance the beauty of your home or business landscaping companies

Landscaping Stone Suppliers Near Me

What is the best landscape item you can start with to be your first line of defense in gardening? Most professionals will tell you it is mulching your shrub and flowerbeds. This simple landscaping stone suppliers near me item is your first defense against ugly weeds. Mulch allows the soil to hold moisture so you won’t have to water as often or worry about Mother Nature not raining on your garden. Over time, mulch made from organic materials break down and increases the structure and fertility of your soil.

Since your most important landscaping supply item is mulch, knowing how and when to apply garden mulch is knowledge to low maintenance landscaping. Mulch is the true unsung hero of the landscaping items!

Resources For Your Landscaping Supplies

A fully stocked landscape supply yard will have the many types of mulch that are available for your personal choice in colors to compliment with the decor or needs of your landscaping project. The landscaping supply yard can offer the colors of black dyed, brown dyed; premium aged bark, root blend, hardwood bark, and certified playground and licorice root mulches.

landscaping stone suppliers

A landscaping stone suppliers near me supply yard can also help with estimating how much mulch you will need to complete your project. They are the professionals available to you and will use a formula for calculating and estimating the cost based on your yardage. This calculation will eliminate the stress of you “guessing” how much mulch you need, ordering the correct amount so the landscaping can be completed without additional deliveries or pickups, and additional costs of those deliveries or pickups.

So in the end the landscape supply yard will make it more affordable without those additional costs.…