Low Maintenance Landscaping Ideas Tricks for Real Estate

We know that curb-appeal and beautiful gardens help sell a home but it’s not always easy to achieve these things with our busy schedules. Low maintenance landscaping ideas is great for sellers who are out of town or who don’t have the time to look after a property.

Low Maintenance Landscaping Ideas

Let’s start with the lawn itself. Grass can be very time-demanding, as it requires regular watering and mowing. If you neglect a grass lawn, it will give away your secret by turning browning or growing into a messy jungle. Clover and moss are good alternatives to grass, because they are low growing and require little care.

If an all-clover or moss lawn isn’t your style, low maintenance landscaping ideas lawn mixes can be purchased instead. These lawns are usually derived from a mixture of slow-growing, drought-tolerant turf grasses, broadleafs and fescues. Note that these often include clover, but mixes with minimal or no clover can still be found. Low-maintenance lawn mixes usually need to be mowed a few times a year.

Smaller spaces can forgo lawns all together in favour of rock gardens. The primary ingredient in a rock garden is, of course, rock. These are then accented with plants that require minimal care. In general, choose rocks that are larger, because smaller rocks can be a nightmare to clear of leaflitter. Even if you don’t think you have trees nearby, autumn will prove differently. Gardens that use larger rocks can be vacuumed of excess debris, while smaller rocks may get sucked up and cause problems.

Flowering Plants

The best rock gardens are complemented by their plants, but the plants themselves don’t need to be showy. Rather than choosing a wide variety of plants, stick to a few types and repeat them throughout the garden. Good base plants for rock gardens are lichens and mosses, while nurseries and garden stores can suggest good flowering plants for your region.

A great way to green up your low maintenance landscaping ideas with minimal effort is with trees. Trees do need to be pruned but the reward is worth it. Evergreens are the most desirable trees, as they don’t shed, while deciduous trees can make a beautiful statement if you’re willing to rake the leaves.

Maintenance Landscape

Flowers, bushes and plants can also add to your low maintenance landscaping services if you choose the right ones. Native plants to any region are the most likely to survive, as they grow naturally in the area without human interference. Talk to your local nursery about the best low-maintenance plants and trees for your area. Factor in light levels and bring in a soil sample so they can best assess your needs.

The final key ingredients in any low-maintenance landscaping plan are mulch, stone, and pre-set irrigation. Mulch and stone look good and can’t die, while irrigation systems will water the plants and trees that can die. Both of these solutions require initial investment but reward you with long-term peace of mind. With a little bit of planning, the right landscape can look beautiful with very minimal effort.…

tips for Finding Quality Landscaping

How can you find a contractor or handyman you can trust? Often this is more challenging than it seems, as there are seemingly untold thousands of “contractors” all around you, just waiting for you to hand them your deposit check. Many will take it and begin the work. Some will take it and you may never see them again. And still others who, although they may have started the work, have walked off the job because they realized they under-bid the quality landscaping project and found it cheaper to abandon you rather than complete the project of your visions and dreams.

Quality Landscaping

Firstly, Although there is no fool-proof, iron-clad, one size fits all system to guarantee you a completed quality landscaping project with quality craftsmanship, a good place to begin is the BBB. The Better Business Bureau will list many contractors and handyman services in your area.

Company Complaints

They also maintain a history of each company’s complaints reported to the BBB by customers. Based upon the number of complaints, how they were or were not resolved, and on the length of time the company has been in business, the BBB will assign an alphabetical rating (A+ is best/F is the worst), just like what our teachers used for us in school. So your first step is to visit the BBB website.

Secondly, Narrow your search down to 2 or 3 possible contractor/handyman possibilities to work on your bath room, kitchen, basement or landscaping, and set up an appointment for them to meet with you. When meeting with them, take note of how they present themselves. They don’t have to be wearing a uniform, but should appear and act professional, with your best interest in mind.

Choosing a Reliable Handyman

Along this line, does he seem to listen to you and your ideas? Does he offer input that is harmonious with your visions and dreams? Or does he seem to want to override what you want with what he is used to and comfortable with? All professionals have some way to show you pictures of the quality craftsmanship of their work. It may be a photo album, a brochure or pamphlet, or a website. Ask to see it if he doesn’t volunteer it first.

Thirdly, In the search for someone who can be trusted, almost like “family” as he will most likely be working in your home much of the time when you are gone. Ask for testimonials and/or references. Testimonials are good reading and give you a sense of what others think about the person or persons you are considering hiring. But testimonials are very limited in their scope of usefulness.

Quality Material

References allow you to get an even better understanding of who you will be dealing with. This assumes, of course, that after you ask for and receive said references that you actually follow up and call them! Sounds simple, I know. But many of us drop the ball here and assume that since he has given us references, that no more research is needed. Wrong! Call them. Ask them how well they can be trusted. Ask about the quality of quality landscaping. Ask if he provided ideas which were not only viable, but dovetailed nicely with that homeowner’s visions and dreams.

Finally, Remember the best way to protect oneself is to exercise due diligence. Do your preliminary homework at the website. Then get personal and meet with the few individuals who managed to garner your interest. Make mental notes of how they presented themselves, how timely they were, if they showed real listening skills, and if they seemed to possess true creativity.

Lastly, before picking the one who will be responsible for implementing your vision, ask for and follow up with the references he provides.…

Are You Planning a Major Landscaping Jobs?

With summer here for most of the country, many people start getting into the mindset of doing a landscaping project to accentuate their home. Landscaping can be a great way to add flair and excitement to an otherwise normal home, and can help to make your property more unique and attractive than that of anyone else in the neighborhood. When it comes to organizing a major landscaping jobs, you need to call in a contractor who can make use of the heavy equipment necessary to do the right job.

Landscaping Jobs

Many people who are familiar with handling small landscaping jobs feel as if they could probably handle a job of larger size on their own. However, this is almost always a bad idea, as getting involved with larger jobs can not only be dangerous but can comprise the look and stability of your property or landscaping companies

Only by working with an experienced landscaping contractor will you be able to rest assured that you’re home is in good hands and everything will run smoothly. Hiring an excavating contractor is often necessary for those who wish to install pools or other large structures, as these jobs require the use of heavy equipment that only an excavating contractor is properly trained to use. A job like this would be dangerous and nearly impossible for the everyday person to tackle.

Excavating contractors can usually work very quickly so as to assure that your project stays on schedule, and their rates are much more affordable than if you were to try to do the job yourself and rent all of the necessary equipment.

Proper Training

Depending upon the lay of your property, you may need to make use of demolition. Properties that are crowded with ingrown rock known as ledge must sometimes make use of demolition in order to clear an area to install things like pools and other large, subterranean structures.

The only way to get rid of ledge is to blast for it, as it often comes in large clusters that must be cleared out completely to be removed. No one without a license and proper training should ever try to do this type of work on their own, as it can be extremely dangerous and you can end up ruining your property.

Landscaping Contractor

Hiring a landscaping contractor is a smart move for anyone who is interested in doing a job that would be classified as too big for the average person to tackle on their own. A contractor will work out a fair deal with you and take care of all the logistics so you can sit back and relax, anxiously awaiting your newly landscaped property.

You can save valuable time, energy and money by hiring a contractor for your large landscaping jobs.…

What Is Landscaping?: Landscaping As A Science And Art

Some people may not be too conscious about their environment, but no one hates a beautiful surrounding, right? Isn’t it refreshing to stay or behold a beautiful place? That is what landscaping do – to develop a particular area according to what one prefers. So, what is landscaping? Basically, landscaping is any activity that transforms a land or an area into something that a person wants it to look like. And this land development varies in many different designs, ranging from garden landscaping to bricks or blocks landscaping. Many people prefers garden landscaping that uses plants, both flowering and non-flowering plants.

What Is Landscaping?

This land development is not just putting plants, bricks, walls and fences, or swings in a random manner. What is landscaping then? It is actually considered as a science and also an art. As a science, it requires keen observation and knowledge about the different elements of nature (like landforms and bodies of water) and life elements (like plants and animals) and how they can be put together to get the desired look of the area. It also requires the knowledge of construction and even color combination.

What is landscaping? Landscaping may include buildings, structures, fences or walls, and other material objects that needed construction. The landscaper must know the right places of these material objects in the area so that they fitted naturally together making the area look great. As for color combination, it creates the ambiance of the area, like cool colors are relaxing while warm colors enliven the viewers.

Landscaping Design

Meanwhile, as an art, landscaping requires good designing skills. This skill is the main highlight of land development because designing is the main core of landscaping and what is landscaping?. It is important that landscaper must know the appropriate design of the area and how it can be executed. Planning is also crucial because well planned landscape creates a successful land development. Designing is not an easy job for land developers because it considers many aspects both the “hardscape” and the “softscape” of the area. The hardscape being the structures in the area as well as landforms, terrain shape and land elevation, while softscape includes the lawns, shrubs, trees, etc.

Discussed above are just a few of what is landscaping about. Developing an area is not simple and requires a lot of considerations. But there are people who are inborn with this talent. And there are also those who gain expertise in this field. If you are not one of these people and your yard needs developing, you can employ help from experts who offers these kinds of services.…

Low Maintenance Landscaping Tricks for Real Estate

We know that curb-appeal and beautiful gardens help sell a home but it’s not always easy to achieve these things with our busy schedules. Low maintenance landscaping is great for sellers who are out of town or who don’t have the time to look after a property landscaping services

Low Maintenance Landscaping

Let’s start with the lawn itself. Grass can be very time-demanding, as it requires regular watering and mowing. If you neglect a grass lawn, it will give away your secret by turning browning or growing into a messy jungle. Clover and moss are good alternatives to grass, because they are low growing and require little care.

Low Maintenance Lawn

If an all-clover or moss lawn isn’t your style, low-maintenance lawn mixes can be purchased instead. These lawns are usually derived from a mixture of slow-growing, drought-tolerant turf grasses, broadleafs and fescues. Note that these often include clover, but mixes with minimal or no clover can still be found. Low-maintenance lawn mixes usually need to be mowed a few times a year.

Smaller spaces can forgo lawns all together in favour of rock gardens. The primary ingredient in a rock garden is, of course, rock. These are then accented with plants that require minimal care. In general, choose rocks that are larger, because smaller rocks can be a nightmare to clear of leaflitter. Even if you don’t think you have trees nearby, autumn will prove differently. Gardens that use larger rocks can be vacuumed of excess debris, while smaller rocks may get sucked up and cause problems.

Suggest Good Flowering Plants

The best rock gardens are complemented by their plants, but the plants themselves don’t need to be showy. Rather than choosing a wide variety of plants, stick to a few types and repeat them throughout the garden. Good base plants for rock gardens are lichens and mosses, while nurseries and garden stores can suggest good flowering plants for your region.

A great way to green up your landscape with minimal effort is with trees. Trees do need to be pruned but the reward is worth it. Evergreens are the most desirable trees, as they don’t shed, while deciduous trees can make a beautiful statement if you’re willing to rake the leaves.

Flowers, bushes and plants can also add to your low maintenance landscaping if you choose the right ones. Native plants to any region are the most likely to survive, as they grow naturally in the area without human interference. Talk to your local nursery about the best low-maintenance plants and trees for your area. Factor in light levels and bring in a soil sample so they can best assess your needs.

The final key ingredients in any low maintenance landscaping plan are mulch, stone, and pre-set irrigation. Mulch and stone look good and can’t die, while irrigation systems will water the plants and trees that can die. Both of these solutions require initial investment but reward you with long-term peace of mind. With a little bit of planning, the right landscape can look beautiful with very minimal effort.…

Perfect Four Seasons Landscaping

The Outer Banks of NC are a small group of islands rich with history. This is the site of the first attempt of colonization by England and it is here that the Wright Brothers took flight in Kitty Hawk with their gravity defying aviation. Now, the area is a National Seashore in an attempt to preserve its fragile sea environment. With such a protected and fragile area, it is no wonder that the Outer Banks needs a perfect four seasons landscaping that can tend to the needs of such a treasured place. Your landscaping company needs to satisfy specific needs of a coastal region like this.

Four Seasons Landscaping

Companies that operate within the entire Outer Banks work from Corolla and Duck to Manteo and Nags Head. Their Landscaping services specialize in the type of land so that all the plants and other landscaping is suitable to the land and will stand up against the salt, moisture and sand. What would be a landscaping nightmare in many places is their strong specialty.

With theirperfect four seasons landscaping ideas services, they stabilize your beach grass, sea oats, love grass and sand fence. They also specialize in sea tolerant trees, shrubs and grasses. Artful design is a major point in an area known for its beautiful vacation homes. Extra attention should be paid to your irrigation, work with your water pumps or wells and stabilize your pool or grounds with rock stabilization.

Landscaping in the Outer Banks

In an area such as the OBX (how the locals refer to it), where the ground is mostly made of sand, erosion is an unfortunate problem that happens often. Sand is not a very stable ground so often times, it needs to be reinforced so that your house doesn’t crumble down to the sea below or you don’t end up getting your shrubs eaten by the ground. Your perfect four seasons landscaping expert should completely safeguard your house.

With such an area where most of the land is protected, the grounds need to look perfect. Trust a company that understands the land and the plants that will last there. Make your property another attraction in the landscape of this historical area.…

Landscaping Software – Are They Really Free?

Have you heard of someone using landscaping software in landscaping his own garden? If this thing is new to you, then hop in and start learning more about this cool stuff for your Landscaping needs. Landscape design has never been so exciting than before with this software.

Landscaping Software

You maybe dreaming of landscaping software your garden but you think landscaping is too expensive that you hold in to that dream and even leave it as a wish that you think is impossible to achieve. Some other folks think of landscaping as a very expensive idea because they are thinking of hiring a professional landscape designer due to their lack of creativity and artistic talent. However, technological advancements have made a way for easy and convenient landscape design ideas that could make greater advantages to both the novice and professional outdoor designers landscaping

Here are the Landscape Software.

1. It is offered as free software. Yes, you read it right. You can get it free. It has copyrights but you can download it for free with proper instructions and permissions.

2. It has great functions. It has tons of designs which can help any beginner to think of any desired design. The 3D features allows you to modify the designs or even try your own creativity to add plants, rocks, lighting, fountain and other accessories on any preferred landscape. You are offered a lot of landscape design choices here. It also has its “aging” software which allows you to see the actual design after a few years. You can then eliminate design choices that may not fit your preferences while on this “aging” process.

3. It even allows printing. You can print out preferred designs and layout variations for contractors to bid on the project or for further personal considerations. The software even provides you a material list for your landscaping software design. This list even includes the names and numbers of the trees and plants that you need for the designs.

4. It is easily accessible. Downloading your software is easy. You can access this free software directly from Google search and select from the list. There is no opt-in stuff that you have to deal with. It keeps you free from disclosing your personal details as it lets you download the software quickly. You could even delete your download and look for your perfect fit without any hassle.

Freeware Consequences

Nothing is totally perfect. We all have our limitations or weaknesses. You have to understand that your amazing software has few limitations too.

• The free version usually comes as a demo version. Just like any other freeware, the software may not let you change garden designs, especially for the layout of the flower bed. Changing sizes, locations of the trees and plants and the colors are the only features that are usually allowed for harmony and balance. If you want to use the special advanced features in your landscape design, you can upgrade it to its full version.

• It does not offer technical support. Your free version software does not include company support about the technical features. The full support is catered by the upgraded or full version purchase.

The Right Choice

If you will weigh the consequences to its actual freeware features, you can see that this has still more advantages for your landscape project. It depends on your particular needs and preferences in deciding whether to upgrade or not. A new designer may take advantage of the free version for personal use. Experts can both go for the freeware or full version based on the demands of clients and contractors. If you want to start a landscaping career, there are many courses and resources available for you.

You can even start designing with the freeware and upgrade to its latest version once you have saved enough to get more projects for more success. The choice is all yours.…

Landscaping Logo Design Ideas for the Lawn Care Service Owners

Therefore, creating a landscaping logo design requires a good deal of creativity and aesthetics as well. Uniqueness is the another factor that plays a pivotal part in the success of such brand marks because lawn care business can be competitive at times, therefore, a corporate identity that sets its business apart from the rest is the most important thing in the overall promotional campaign of this company landscaping companies

What is Landscaping Logo?

It is any activity that symbolizes or modifies certain features of a land including flora and fauna, landforms, terrains, water bodies, building structures, weather etc. It is a field of study that comes under the field of science and arts. It involves great use of aesthetics and design skills to culminate a picture perfect beauty landscaping logo.

This is why; even the smallest lawn care service has tipped their toes in such a marketing strategy. Now in order to create a unique brand mark, one has to develop clever and intelligent ideas that have the ability to hold the attention of a viewer for long. There are many ways to develop these interesting ideas that will turn your small business into a big name.

Creative Ideas for Designing Brands More Effectively

• First of all, get it designed by professional graphic design company. A small investment by hiring a graphic design company will help you get a perfect brand image for your company which is indeed a good deal. All you have to do is find an affordable, experience and professional service and hire them as your logo designer.
• Go for the obvious choices. The choices with which people can easily relate to and find a clear connection between your lawn care service and your brand mark. You can go for trees, plants, blades of green, lawns etc to depict natural beauty. They have been undoubtedly used thousands of time in such logos but a good designer knows his art and so he will use them in a very creative and original way.
• Go green when the color scheme is concerned. Green is the color of the nature which is extensively used to exhibit the lifelike beauty. That might sound again very common but you cannot in any way deny the importance of this color when it comes to the landscaping logo ideas.
• A catchy slogan will definitely pay off. What I believe is there should be a caption that defines your company’s face value to the audience in a very stylish and clever way. A slogan will say it all to the viewer in a short and concise way that it becomes memorable for them as well. Hence, using a slogan will definitely help your brand mark to flourish like anything

Therefore, although not comprehensive but the above told ideas will undoubtedly help you come up with a corporate identity that will represent your business to the world in style!…

Residential Landscaping Services Near Me

Do you admire the beautiful front yard of your neighbor’s? Do you ever envision having a breathtaking garden of your own? Perhaps it is time for an outside-home renovation. Professional residential landscaping services near me can help bring the lifestyle you envision to life. At a landscape design company, a wide range of landscape design selections is offered.

Landscaping Services Near Me

The professionals will first have an on – site consultation to understand the lifestyle and the space of your residential garden. They define the “hardscapes” or the outdoor spaces, such as pool, deck, et cetera; and then together with the client, they discuss the “greenscapes” or the theme of the gardens that clients may wish to include such as: buffers, vegetation, containment, and water features. Professional residential landscaping services near me deliver a simple step-by-step process that conveniently fits into the lifestyle and budget for you and your family landscaping near me

Landscape Companies

Professional residential landscape companies ensure that the landscape designers understand the client’s desire and needs while providing professional consultation. There are so many details that one may not know and need to consider before installation. The choices of plant nursery to place in your home can offer privacy, add fragrance, and it can also provide a natural habitat for other animals. The professional landscaping services near me consultation educates the clients on such vital matters that will help you make an educated decision to achieve a beautiful and easy maintainable garden.

Residential Landscaping Services

From arbor installation to paving, a professional landscaping service will submit details that exceed your highest expectation. Knowing that your money is being spent on professional experts can add comfort and security to your home. By having a customized landscape design installed, not only enrich the overall outlook of your house and impress your friends and neighbors, it will also improve your property value.
Trying to design the landscape around your house or even trying to install it yourself can be quite a hassle. It takes up time, and causes unnecessary headache. A request to a professional residential landscape company is easy.

Project Complete

They come to your home and do an on site consultation that ensures that the client is receiving quality service, products, and reasonable rates. They provide the most up to date installation technology that is will have your project complete on time with little complications.

You no longer have to admire your neighbor’s garden when you can enjoy the serenity of one in your own home. Professional residential services will make the home of your dreams come true.…

Landscaping Software Free Design Programs

For those who just want to dabble or for those wanting to try their hand at a free option, finding a good landscaping software free package can be challenging. Many of the big-name home and landscape software providers offer a trial period, but there aren’t very many completely free packages. Below is a list of the free landscape design software programs available on the Internet.

1. Landscaping Software Free

Most landscaping professionals consider Google SketchUp to be the best free option. You can use the program free for as long as you want. They do have an upgrade option (Google SketchUp Pro) that costs $495. However, you don’t need the pro version to be able to create some pretty amazing landscape designs. The power of this free tool is unmatched by any of the other free options.

The one downside to the Google SketchUp free version is the learning curve you will face. Don’t expect to download the free version and have an amazing landscape design done in one day.

2. Better Homes and Garden Plan-a-Garden

Better Homes and Garden (BHG) has a free software tool known as Plan-a-Garden. This software tool is super easy to use but it’s in a different class (a much lower class) than Google SketchUp. If you are simply looking to design (in 2D) a small, vegetable-less garden then this is the option for you. You can create simple designs in just a few minutes.

The one thing that really annoyed me about this tool is that it doesn’t offer any vegetables. You are limited to flowers, bushes, trees, and structures.

3. BBC Virtual Garden Free Tool

A lot of people mention using a free landscape design tool provided by the BBC. Getting BBC’s garden tool to work correctly is difficult. The program has a history of crashing and BBC is no longer providing any form of customer support on the tool (it’s hard to offer customer support on a free tool). If you do get this free landscape design software to work, then supposedly it has 3D capabilities.

4. PlanGarden

This tool would be on the other end of the spectrum from Google SketchUp. PlanGarden has very few capabilities when it comes to landscape design. This software program is designed to help you design and manage your garden. If that’s all you’re looking for, then PlanGarden might be a good idea for you. PlanGarden is basically the same tool as BHG’s Plan-A-Garden software, but it comes with vegetables! Note that this tool is no longer free. They do offer a 45 day trial though.

5. The ShowOff Visualizer

The landscaping software free offered by ShowOff is one of the better free options out there. It has a feature that allows you to upload a picture of your landscape or house and then you can create your design by adding objects to the picture. Unfortunately that’s about where the usefulness of this software ends.

The software is useful, but it still acts like free software. There are a lot of bugs and annoyances. For example, it logs people out at random times and doesn’t save your work. You can’t rotate the objects you insert. There is no 3D mode. The user-interface isn’t very intuitive and it’s hard to find the objects you are looking for to insert into your design. This software doesn’t compare with the paid programs available.

Overall ShowOff is probably your second best option after Google SketchUp for landscaping software free. You can accomplish some pretty good designs in a matter of minutes. You can add trees, swimming pools, and lawn ornaments.…