Important Information About Leaf Blowers
Important Information About Leaf Blowers
There are many benefits to using a blower over a rake. The most obvious is time. For example, a yard that is 1/3 of an acre will usually take approximately three hours to rake. Of course, a lot will depend on how many tree branches hang over the lawn. In this case, it is assumed that trees cover the majority of the lawn. With a blower, this three hour event can be cut down to only about 30 to 40 minutes. Most people greatly appreciate saving this kind of time. It allows them more time to work, play, or spend with the family.
Another benefit to using a blower over a rake is helping prevent pain. Excessive rake use can lead to blistering, aching joints, sore muscles and even dehydration. An often overlooked benefit for owning a blower is improving neighbor relationships. Offering use of a blower to a neighbor will sometimes lead to offered favors in return, which could mean use of an extension ladder, a pruner, a hatchet, or anything along those lines.
It is now possible to buy a four-stroke engine blower that uses gasoline, or a two-stroke engine that uses a mixture of gas and oil. There are varieties attached to a backpack for easy carrying, or models that are hand-held. The hand-held blower is better for smaller jobs and the mounted blower is better for larger jobs.
As with anything, as long as the use of a blower is limited, it will not pose any serious risk to anyone or anything. Users should take the time to don work gloves, safety goggles and long pants to protect themselves from flying leaves, dirt, dust, twigs and rocks. Operators should also request that any small children or pets have left the area before using.
In conclusion, power leaf blowers take less time to corral leaves and debris than rakes. They are more efficient and reduce physical labor while promoting goodwill. As a result, they are worth the investment.…
Landscaping Ideas and Tips
Landscaping Ideas and Tips
Many individuals have lately chosen to stay at home to spend free time to relax and enjoy their surroundings. In this case, spending hard earned money on beautifying your home surroundings is a wise investment.
You will want the outside area to be an inviting space for you and your family to spend quality time and for your guests to enjoy a barbeque or get together. The back yard landscaping ideas plays a major role in transforming a dull yard to a comfortable and pleasant environment.
Decide what type of landscaping will give you the best effect considering the size of your yard, the number of trees or lack thereof, the type of grass and ages of the people in your home. If you have small children, keep in mind a place for them to play and incorporate a play yard set, swing, or whatever they will enjoy.
Most people are happier with landscaping that is easy to take care of and requires little maintenance. Plants and bushes will fill empty space beautifully. Flowering bushes give you a double benefit, and butterfly bushes are a pleasant addition, especially when the butterflies start fluttering around your yard. With the proper type of plan, landscaping will also make you feel that you have a larger yard.
If you love fresh vegetables, plan an area for gardening. Fresh tomatoes, peppers and herbs will guarantee good meals and be money saving. Plant seasonal flowers amongst the bushes for additional beauty. For those who entertain impress your guests by lighting up the area with spot lights, string lights, or twinkling lights in the trees and bushes. Extra lighting will also provide safety for evening time outside.
There are many other accents that can make your outside area functional and fun. A pool, hot tub, bar and fireplace are a few ideas for some.…
Beauty All Around – Sprucing Up Your Yard!
Beauty All Around – Sprucing Up Your Yard!
The first thing that guests notice when they pay a visit to your home is not the immaculate interior, or the perfectly matched drapes, rug and furniture. It is your yard. Making your yard look good is the perfect way to start a home renovation, or simply as a good hobby to pass the time. There are several things that one must keep in mind when performing a do-it-yourself landscaping.
Consider the space in your yard. No one wants to over or under-use the space in his or her yard. You want to be able to use every space available to create a cohesive and pleasing design, but not so much that it becomes crowded and overbearing. If you have a smaller yard, more economical decorations, such as flowers and small stone statues can be the best way to go. If you have the space, and a budget, large stone sculptures, topiaries and water fountains are perfect eye catchers.
Think of having a focal point. One of the best ways to create cohesiveness in the design of your yard is through centering on a focal point. This will allow all the other elements in your yard to move around it. A great focal point is one that is large enough to catch attention, but not enough to be gaudy or tacky. Consider putting a small water feature, such as a fountain or a birdbath, or maybe a favorite statue or sculpture.
Consider your landscaping. Most yards are perfectly flat, and while this provides a very orderly and linear sense, you may want to think about spicing up your yard a little. Add a bit of depth and texture to it by creating elevated flower beds, or perhaps putting different types of foliage to create a whirlwind of color, shape and texture to catch any passer-by’s eyes.
Remember 365! That is the number of days in a year, and the number of days that you have to take care of your garden. Spring and summer are easy because your garden will practically decorate itself for you, especially if you have a lot of annual plants there. For autumn and winter, consider plating a few perennial plants as well, so that your garden does not become suddenly completely bare. Also, while planning the landscaping of your garden, try to image as to how you are going to decorate your garden for occasions, such as Christmas and Halloween, so that you will have an idea where to place the more permanent fixtures.
“Branch” out to other types of plants. Flowers and trees are beautiful, but there are times when you want to get out of the box and use something else to decorate your garden with. Why not try flowering, climbing vines around your fences or tree trunks? Or consider planting drought-resistant plants, such as cacti and bamboo to give your garden a more exotic look.
Landscaping is easy if you have the patience for it, and a little creativity to make the garden of your dreams a reality!…
Consider These Things Before Building Your Pergola
Consider These Things Before Building Your Pergola
Having some problems mapping out how to get your pergola up? Well, don’t fret. You’re not the only one who managed to hit this stumbling block. As a matter of fact, a number of homeowners have faced this dilemma as well. So to help you get things started right, here are some things you can consider to help you map out how to build this structure more efficiently.
Determine a Budget
When building a pergola, money is sure to come out of your pockets. So to keep you from spending in excess, make it a point to have a budget that you can work around on. That way, you won’t make the mistake of going beyond the money you set aside for the project.
Get the Right Materials
Since pergolas are placed outdoors, the last thing you want is to settle for run-of-the-mill materials. Do that and you can expect this structure to go down due to regular exposure to harsh weather conditions and elements. Not only will this prove costly to you financially, it will also prove to be a hassle since you’ll be forced to set things up once again.
Have a Specific Area To Build Around On
Since you’ll be setting up a permanent fixture in your home, you need to make sure that you know where you want it built. That way, you won’t have to tear the whole thing down in case you decide that it doesn’t look that good where you had it built. Again, doing this will save you both time and money.
Get To Know Your Power Lines and Pipes
Finally, before building your pergola, make sure you won’t end up destroying any integral power line or pipe in your area. Since these things can be found underneath, you stand the chance of damaging them if you’re not aware of where they’re placed. Face it, the last thing you want is to have a nice garden structure but don’t have any electricity or water. So know your pipes and lines.…
The Advantages of Landscaping Idea Pictures and Where to Find Them
The Advantages of Landscaping Idea Pictures and Where to Find Them
The yard is usually the first part of your house that is usually noticed by your visitors or even passersby. This is why many people take extra effort to make their yard attractive through landscaping.
If you are in the process of planning for a new look for your yard, a landscaping idea picture is the best that you can have.
You will get inspiration and good ideas from the picture and you will also get to learn many things about landscaping. You will also have an idea on what looks fabulous and what is not.
It can be acquired from many different sources. It is a good decision for you to collect as many ideas as you can and rate them according to which you like best and you like least. By doing this, it will be easier for you to pick up the landscaping picture idea that you really want.
Then you can show the pictures to the contractor if which of them suits your yard. Another advantage of doing this is for the provider to easily grasp the kind of result that you want to achieve. It is important to communicate very well with the designer so he will know what to do and what you want done.
You can get landscaping pictures from books, magazines and other literature. The library has these resources and you can borrow several of them.
Some libraries even have gardening and landscaping section, otherwise you can ask the librarian to assist you in finding those. Most books have amazing pictures of landscapes and you can choose from among the hundreds of choices available.
If you found pictures that caught your attention, have them photocopied. Put the photocopied images in a folder for protection. When you arrive home, you can start making notes on which of those you like best and you can also combine some ideas to be incorporated in your yard. You can write notes at the back of the pictures for easy reference.
Landscaping can easily be done if you only have a clear picture of the result that you want in your yard. Go and find landscaping idea pictures and select which one can be best applied in your entire yard and you will have an attractive home, which you have always wanted.…
Edible Landscaping
Edible Landscaping
When you’re selecting plants and trees to landscape your home and yard, why not consider those that are edible or have edible components? There are many plants and trees that provide attractive foliage and decorative interest to your landscape and can also be used for eating or cooking. This article will focus on some really easy alternatives you can incorporate into your master landscaping plan or add to your existing landscaping that do just that.
Fruit trees. Fruit trees are a wonderful addition to any landscape. During the springtime or early summer, the blossoms on these trees are delightful and colorful. Later the fruit provides color and interest to your yard. And ultimately, at harvest time, you can reap even more benefits in the way of tasty fruits for eating, freezing, and baking.
The specific type of fruit tree you incorporate into your landscaping will depend on the plant hardiness zone in which you reside. Some kinds of fruit trees require warmer temperatures, specific soil types, or longer growing seasons. Consider, for example, apple, orange, lemon, plum, pear, nectarine, apricot, peaches, mulberry, and cherry trees, among others. There are many different varieties of each, and some come in miniature varieties for smaller spaces.
Go nuts with trees. Many varieties of trees that produce edible nuts can also be wonderful additions to your landscape. Similar to selecting other trees, you will want to be sure the tree you select will thrive in your area of the country. Some nut producing trees to consider are: walnut, hazelnut, almond, pecan, chestnut, and butternut.
Colorful fruits amid the foliage. You can include other fruit growing plants in your landscaping to introduce height, depth, and visual interest to your yard. Many fruits are produced by low-growing plants with foliage that is also attractive and can make a nice ground cover. Again, some fruits grow in better climates and soils than others, so select plants that will thrive in your area. Strawberry plants, rhubarb plants, currant bushes, bush cherries, gooseberries, grapes, and raspberry, chokecherry, honeyberry, elderberry, and blueberry bushes have very diverse and distinctive foliage, for example. When planted in groupings or with other complementary plants to take advantage of their individual features-such as height, leaf size, leaf texture, etc.-they can add interest to your landscaping in addition to tasty fruits and edibles that work well in cooking and even jams.
In addition, bright red chokecherries, blue blueberries, currant bushes that change color, and other fruit laden foliage provides beautiful color and visual interest. Again, floral blossoms contribute to a gorgeous springtime display. And both blossoms and fruits are fragrant.
Herbs do double duty. Many herb plants can be incorporated into flower gardens, potted gardens or patio landscaping, and other landscaping elements in your yard, as well. They are varied in form, color, structure, and scent, providing a wonderful range of practical diversity. Spiky lemon grass, tarragon, rosemary, basil, and even chives are great additions. Some flower and provide wonderful fragrances as they grow in addition to seasoning cooking after they are harvested.
Going green. While all natural landscaping elements are “green” in terms of being good for the environment and ecologically friendly, edible plants are an even better use of environmental resources, including those in your yard. Why not incorporate plants that can help you feed your family and neighbors and provide all of you with organic food options? You’ll save money, help reduce waste from packaging of products you would otherwise purchase in stores, and do your part to improve your little part of the world.…
The Basics of Front Yard Landscaping
The Basics of Front Yard Landscaping
The basic differences between backyard and front yard landscaping are in the intended purpose of the design. Front yard landscaping will first consider how to provide necessary access into the home while backyards are usually focused on entertaining or relaxing. And since the front is where folks usually enter and leave home, they also takes curb appeal and invitation into consideration. So with the two basics of appearance and access in mind, a front yard landscape design can often be as simple as designing the necessary walkways, driveways, and other access and then designing the rest of the space around them.
Planting ideas and schemes in front yards will often follow a rule of simplicity and repetition. Less is often more. It’s important that the plants, as well as all other elements in the landscaping, complement the home rather than overpower it. Trees, shrubs, and some larger plant groups are important in design to help transition, hide, blend, and unify the home into the landscape.
The corners of the house and the front door entry are two areas that need special consideration in the design. In some instances the front door is the focal point of the house. And in order to frame it and focus attention on it, it’s a common practice to transition down to shorter plantings on both sides of the front door. For the corners however, taller plants are necessary to soften the corners as well as lead the viewer’s eye toward the front door.
Trees can also serve to frame the view of the home. The frame can be used to channel the focus on the home as the most dominant element in the landscape. Select trees with a shape that can match the overall design of the house. Steep angle roofed homes will most always look best with trees like Spruce and Birch which are pyramid shape. And for the lower lines of a ranch type dwelling, trees that are horizontal or round in shape, like maples and dogwoods, are great choices.
And just as the other plants and trees, lawns are also important parts of some front landscapes since they can create atmosphere. A lawn on the front yard with uncluttered flower beds, shrubs and ornaments can create the illusion of extra space.
As with all designs, the most important step in designing landscaping ideas in the front is to start with a complete and finished design. Whether you plan to do the entire project all at once or in steps, a finished plan is necessary to keep it on track. Without a finished plan, you’ll end up with a pieced together patch work landscape. Before you begin, consider all we’ve discussed in this article and create a finished plan.
In a nutshell, front yard landscaping is about access, creating curb appeal, and accenting the home. And as simple as it may sound, coming up with an appealing design can really be as simple as designating the necessary entries and then creating a simple design around them.…
Professional Landscaping Drainage
Professional Landscaping Drainage
Having in place the right residential drainage is essential not only for the health of the lawn, plants and trees, but also for the main residence. An effective drainage system is highly effective at protecting the foundation of property, which can stop the onset of swelling, shrinkage, or cracking. If planned correctly by a professional drainage company, any water will flow away from the lawn and vegetation to make sure that standing water isn’t a problem. It left unattended, the standing water has the potential to cause a buildup of mosquitoes, a potential slippery surface, or a generally water-soaked landscape.
A well thought out drainage system for a backyard area is designed in such a way that it is able to create proper grading, which will mean that the excess rainwater will always clear the main structures on the property. It is also vital to consider the neighboring properties and to make sure that the water isn’t directed in that direction.
In the planning stage, the professional drainage contractor might also need to consider other matters that relate to natural low areas, poorly positioned downspouts, and recently constructed extensions, which might have changed the direction that the water initially flowed. If the drainage expert is able to establish the reason for the backlog of water then this can often go a long way to eliminating the problem and putting in place the right drainage system.
Here are several points to consider in the installation process
Plans: if you are planning on installing a well planned drainage system in the backyard, it often benefits to call on the services of a professional who is able to inspect your landscape drainage problems and determine the best course of action to take. In devising the plans, it will be necessary to consider the overall drainage area in relation to the soil porosity, the gradient of the surfaces, the available run-off areas, and the space between the existing drainage areas, such as the lawn, deck and roof area. A drainage expert will be fully capable of identifying the different problem areas and suggesting the necessary fixtures and pipe systems that might be installed to create a high-quality landscape drainage area.
Permits: it is often a possibility that for the installation of a full landscape drainage system it becomes a necessity to send a detailed drainage plan to the local authorities. A key point that is often considered relates to the dimensions of the pipes as there are often minimum measurement requirements in this regard.
Preserving trees and vegetation: if it becomes clear that the drainage will need to be installed in near to trees or other vegetation, then it is often recommended to hand dig in these areas and not use a mini excavator. This ensures that minimal damage is caused to the tree roots.…
Design Is Key Aspect of Landscaping
Design Is Key Aspect of Landscaping
How can my yard be changed so that it will look new and fresh? What does it take to create a landscape which wows your family and friends? The answers you are looking for are here. There are also tips here that will show you how to keep your project on track so that it will meet your needs.
Prior to starting a landscape endeavor, spend a bit of money on a professional consultation. Although landscape architects may seem expensive, they can save you both time and money. An hour of a professional’s time should suffice to get you all the pointers you will need to successfully complete your landscaping endeavors.
In landscaping your property, you need to understand the different species of plants to ensure that things are grown in the appropriate soil and at the appropriate times. Do not forget to take different seasons into account when landscaping, too. Knowing these things will help you make the most of your yard and your landscaping budget.
When planting seeds, cover as much ground as possible. It will take about the same amount of time to prepare the ground for seeding whether it is 10 square feet or 100, so working in large groups will end up saving you time.
Look for other resources when purchasing plants; don’t just stick with catalogs and stores. Check out any local botanical garden or arboretum where you can find a variety of native plants and materials for sale. Many times, you cannot find these plants at your local nursery. You may also wish to check with your neighbors to see if they have any perennials which need to be thinned.
If you want to hire a landscaper, get references. Price is very important, but so is quality. Being able to see properties that the landscaper completed will give you a better idea if the landscaper is a good fit for your needs.
For plenty of color at a reasonable price, consider using wildflowers in your garden. Most home improvement stores carry wildflower seeds. Scatter these over big areas as well as areas where it’s difficult to plant. With the seeds, you’ll get a variety of flowers of all colors and types. They will be great for bouquets.
Visiting with the neighbors is certainly great, but one goal you might have when landscaping is increasing the amount of privacy you enjoy. You may want to use a fence or a particular tree or shrub to create your personal space. When you combine living landscape elements with non-living, the possibilities are almost endless.
Buy your products online and in bulk to help save money. The web has many sites which provide great products at unbeatable prices. It is always wise to check reviews by other customers so that you are confident that the product you are ordering is a good one that is delivered in a proper protective package. Remember to compare prices of different websites.
Remember that watering is just one part of maintaining your landscaping. You also must think about fertilization, soil type, and many other factors. It is important to use the right fertilizer. It is equally important to follow the instructions.
Maintaining landscapes can be tricky. When mowing your lawn for instance, leave some grass clippings where they fall. This helps your lawn get good nutrients. The decomposed grass lessens the amount of fertilizer you will need on the lawn.
What you learned has provided a good introduction to landscaping that any homeowner can benefit from. Regardless of how much landscaping you intend to do or where you want to start, you should be ready to begin now.…
Raised Bed Garden Soil Preparation
Raised Bed Garden Soil Preparation
Layering dependent on the type of soil:
Different soils require different types of layering. Sandy soils will require a mix that contains halve the quantity of sand and double quantity of peat. After putting this top layer sandy soils become more drought resistant and are able to retain moisture better. A clayey soil will require a layer of one part peat, 4 parts of sand, and 2 parts loam as it helps proper growth of roots as well as allows better drainage.
Ingredients have to be thoroughly mixed and only then evenly put over the soil. The mixture then has to be worked into the surface with the back of a rake or a stiff broom. This procedure is essential as otherwise the grass will not get smothered.
You must not hurry with the application as with patience only you will be able to prepare soil for a raised bed garden. At times the soil in the garden could be compacted with bigger particles. An even or thin layer of sand needs to be evenly spread over the layer in such a case.
Layering annually:
Make sure to aerate the soil before putting the top layer of sand. This needs to be essentially done to ensure that air circulates freely around the roots off the grass. With the creation of air channels, air can freely pass around the roots which can be done by removing the cores in the soil.
The process of removing cores is just like putting in spikes or coring of an apple. Raising the bed of your garden is essential as it helps to the lawn healthy throughout the year. The process may not take much of your time, and if you need to take the services of a gardener which is worth the effort after all the garden has to look healthy as it is a part of the surroundings of your house.…