Posts Tagged backyard

The Environmental Benefits Of Water Gardens

3 January 2010

The beauty and tranquility that a water garden adds to any outdoor area is more than enough incentive to create one of these stunning landscaping features in your backyard. However, there are benefits to a water garden that go beyond the pleasant hedonism of enjoying the unique aesthetic pleasures of a water garden. A water garden is as great for the environment as it is pleasant for homeowners. (more…)

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Incorporating Your Natural Landscape Into Your Tree Garden

10 April 2008

When people get ready to construct a beautiful backyard, they often forget to use what’s already there. We get so preoccupied in developing the “perfect” yard that we are oblivious to the beauty lying in our own yard.

Every one cherishes his trees to some degree, but no one really thinks money grows on them. Between the most affluent, experienced owner and the most modest and inexperienced, prudence is a common denominator. What the former well knows, the latter fears: tree care can be overdone as well as underdone. Each seeks a happy medium where overhead will not outrun psychic income and real value in the property.

As with any other performance, some familiarity with the cast of characters is essential to directing and enjoying tree care. Happiest are those people who can recognize and understand all the trees they own.

Having acquired or planned a home with trees, an owner should, before he goes in for any planting, make the most of what he finds growing wild on his site. Later chapters will discuss grounds long since built on and planted, and naked acres where a start must be made from scratch. Considered in this chapter will be virgin land more or less wooded and not yet trammeled by the bulldozer; or, if building and grading have begun, not yet treescaped. Trees never before touched by man give their first possessor a sense of receiving gifts straight from nature, entirely his own.

Tree guide in hand, walk your property – purchased or prospective – when the country is in full leaf. If you can inspect it during spring bloom, so much the prettier; but later on, when all the leaves are out, even in summer’s heat when some trees are suffering, your view of shading, crowding, and moisture conditions will be much clearer.

What you want to know first is what species you have got. Then: Where stand the finest specimens? Are there many more of some species than of others? How do your trees compare in kind and condition with the trees on neighboring land? How is their water table? Their drainage? The answers to these questions may have strong bearing on whether or not you buy. If you have already bought, the bearing will be on how you handle your investment.

After you have identified and sized up your trees in a general way, start thinking about the position of your new house in relation to feature trees, the finest specimens. These are not necessarily the largest ones. Kind and shape are what count, and promise for the future. Close proximity to the house is not an important criterion either. Looking from a little distance at trees is often more satisfying than seeing how they flatter the architecture. Fine outpost trees will enhance your grounds as a whole, and your sense of space.

Where conflicts threaten between valued trees and the building, driveways, or pipelines, make early decisions and avoid compromise. If a tree must go to make way for a wall or footing, take it out promptly and forget it. Later this would cost you much more, with the finished work in the way. If you really do want a tree that “interferes,” change the blueprints.

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Developing The Perfect Landscape For You And Your Family

9 April 2008

If you are looking for information on landscaping design, you can rest assured in knowing that there are plenty of common landscape design ideas and features available for you to gain inspiration when beginning an attractive landscape project. Many of these options that are available to you are both entertaining and resourceful at the same time.

There are many things that you should know about landscaping, particularly if you are intending to do it on your own. It is important that you do not overwhelm yourself, especially if it is your first time, because there is so much information available that you can take it, that it can often seem confusing.

Keep in mind that it is not a requirement that you take every little piece of information into consideration in order for your project to be successful, and that you should just learn about the basics at first and then progress into learning more information as you need to.

The best place to start to learn about the subject of landscaping would be through the Internet; the speed and the efficiency of the Internet allow one to be able to browse through the disbelieving mass of information that is available out there, thus lessening and shortening the search process radically overall.

There are so many websites and companies available that are designed and set up specially to help people learn about subjects that they wish to know more about, such as landscaping, for instance. Doityourself.com, for example, is one website especially which exclusively devotes itself to helping people find out and be aware of different subject matters, so that they can grab at least the basics and thus be able to complete projects themselves without having to agonize about hiring professionals to do the work.

Doing landscaping on your own isn’t as tough as what you think. All you need is a good system to start. Here is one for your consideration. While every design is different and every designer follows different rules and principles, it is interesting to note that all great success in landscaping start from the same starting point, that is begin by laying down any paths, driveways, access routes, or walk areas that might be needed. Establishing walk, drive, and access areas will in turn assist to construct borders and boundaries. Once you have your walkways planned out, you can easily design a lot of the landscaping around them.

Even if you choose to go with the professionals at the end of the day, you should still be familiar with a bit about landscaping, so that you will be not be cheated by some of these professionals or pay for unnecessary costs. Ask around and get the best company to do the job, and so that you will know that you are getting the best value for your money.

Again and again, you may run into problems with your landscaping design. Sometimes things just do not look right. Other times, the problem is in the health and well being of the landscape itself. In any case, you should solve the setback as soon as you can so that you do not have to be troubled about it and that it does not get so bad as to spoil the design of your whole backyard.

Whether all you have is a small garden or an elaborate piece of land, all projects need money and planning. Creating a landscape budget is very crucial as it will not only help you work out how much money you can assign for your project, it will also turn out to be an investment in your home that can yield great returns when you sell your property. Remember that the initial costs of making a landscape often lead to recurring maintenance cost. Maintenance and other related and recurring costs that are a part of the landscape experience must be factored into your budget.

Too many people seem to think that landscaping design is difficult, or that it can only be done by professionals, but this is completely untrue. The truth is there are many conventional landscape ideas available to help you get started and provide inspiration for future projects. In fact, more and more people are beginning to take landscaping design into their own hands.

Cindy Heller is a professional writer. To learn more about landscaping brick and landscaping shrub, visit backyard landscaping idea.

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How To Save Money On Your Landscaping Project

9 April 2008

The planning stage of creating a landscape requires you to carefully think about what you would like to do, figuring out the budget for your landscaping. If you do not carefully plan your landscape, the process can become very costly and you might end up with something you do not want. When you think carefully about what you are doing and create a plan, you’re much more likely to experience a successful landscape design for your home.

The first thing you should know is your landscape budget. Do you have enough money to execute your entire design straight away? You need to decide how much money you have on hand for each stage of your design, and what you’ll do if you cross the line under finances. The main thing is you need to set a target amount for your landscape project and then stay within the budget.

As a rule of thumb, the cost of landscaping is roughly about 5-10 percent of the value of your home. This cost estimation includes decks, patios, irrigation, fencing, ponds, and other elements you want to incorporate into your backyard. It is not necessary to finish everything at the same time. It’s much more practical to progressively make improvements over the years with ready money than getting yourself into heavy debt because of landscaping.

Before when you do your budgeting for your landscaping project. There are many hidden costs in nearly any landscaping project. It is imperative to be alert to some of the costs that you might not usually think of before you begin a project. Or else, you will find that the projects true cost is much more than what you have budgeted for. Worse still, you may realize that you are unable to afford the monthly expenses that is needed to sustain the operation of your landscaping design.

To give you some quick guide, here are some areas where you can possibly under estimate the costs:

The first hidden cost is having landscaping features that require lighting. Most people only consider the cost of buying those landscaping features without considering the cost of operation. You can minimize your electrical bill by buying energy saving lighting. Another way to reduce your electrical cost is to reserve the use of your outdoor lighting for times when you are entertaining people outdoor, or when you are sitting in your yard at night.

Another hidden cost is the cost of water consumption. Water consumption for some landscaping feature can cost a bomb to your monthly electrical bill. Some examples of landscaping design that need substantial water consumption include the water sprinkler system for your lawn, a small pond and your water fountain. It is a good idea to bear in mind the amount of additional water you will be using to. This can add up to be quite a bit of extra water, and if you city charges more money once your usage reaches a certain point, it can be even more costly. Some people spend a fortune making expensive water features, only to realize that they are unable to afford the daily operation. What a waste.

Last but not least is the cost of soil improvement. If you have landscaping materials such as a plant or a lawn, you will have to add fertilizer to your soil regularly in order to maintain the healthy grown of your plant. The costs of adding fertilizer to your yard can easily add up. This problem can be minimized by choosing plants that grow well in the soil you have, or in near conditions, so that you can save a great deal on soil amendment. Most local master gardeners will give you guidance on native plants for free, or for a very small fee.

There are ways to save your landscaping cost. One way is to approach your neighbors about sharing costs. If you gather your resources, you can get some good bargain on items bought in bulk, and everyone benefits. At the same time, you can split the rental fees for machinery such as tillers, chippers, and aerators. If everyone chips in a few dollars, you can work out a calendar that lets each neighbor use the equipment before it is due back. This is how you can lessen the costs of your landscaping.

Once you’ve done your homework, and know exactly how much you can afford to spend every month, you can make your purchases without buying excess materials that waste your money. By heeding a few of these money-saving tips, you can hold down your costs and create a beautiful landscape that you can afford to maintain.

Cindy Heller is a professional writer. To learn more about pool landscaping and concrete landscaping, visit backyard landscaping idea.

Important Things to Know About Yard Landscaping

9 April 2008

There are many things that you can do in order to make your yard look its best. It is imperative that your backyard looks pleasant, because this is a place that can be a safe and beautiful haven for you and your family. A beautiful backyard provides comfort for a family and a magnificent place for rest and relaxation. It can also be a place where you entertain guests and be together as a group.

The backyard can be a place just to recoil from the daily grind to watch the birds float by or it can be a place for a great party. As such, your backyard landscaping is very important because it is something that will let you and your family to take pleasure in these outdoor areas to their fullest. Planning the perfect backyard should take in ideas to make the backyard great for all of these activities.

When it comes to backyard landscaping, there are some tips that are very essential. If you have a large backyard and take pleasure in gardening and landscaping but are overwhelmed by choices, here are some ideas to get you on your way to gardening and landscaping around your home.

When getting started on home landscaping you need to first sit down and draw up a plan. One of the biggest challenges of landscaping is making a one-of-a-kind look for your yard. Landscaping yards might seem like a lot of work, and it might seem like you can’t do it on your own, but in reality, it is just the opposite. Regardless of whether you are a beginner or a professional to the idea of backyard landscaping, or landscaping altogether in fact, there are a few things that are imperative to be familiar with, especially before you begin any type of yard landscaping design yourself, for example.

To begin with it is imperative to keep it simple. By keeping a simple and pleasant looking backyard, you are going to let yourself to feel at ease there. If you are concentrating on keeping your yard simple and quiet and neat, it is going to be much better for you than a yard that is full of landscaping. Try to keep your backyard landscaping to a few colors and one distinctive theme. Just like the interior of your house, it is significant that your backyard landscaping fits in and that everything looks connected. To have a successful landscaping, it is very important to keep it simple, especially at the start.

There are certain questions that you can ask yourself to help you with the overall process. These questions include: does your house blend with those nearby? Is it appealing? It is distinctive? Does it blend well on the site or look out of place? Does it require stronger horizontal or vertical lines? These are just some of the many questions that you can ask so as to give yourself a better idea of what type of design you should go with. Before you start, it is also important that your familiarize yourself with topics like: plants and structures, entries, walks, steps, edgings, creating an attractive front, trees, foundation plantings, planters, and front-yard privacy, for instance.

The next thing you have to do is assess or look over your lawn. You need to look at the space with which you have to work, the soil conditions and any special problems that your garden may have. The whole idea of landscaping is to make your home look better from the street. You should consider how you want the final landscape to look. By evaluating your lawn right at the start, you will be able to get a good idea of what you need to begin formulating your landscaping plan and choosing the necessary landscaping features.

Last but not least, the most important thing of all to keep in mind in regards to yard landscaping is to simply have fun. You do not want to make this process into a chore, and so you should always bear in mind that if it is getting annoying or otherwise intolerable, just give yourself a break and wait until you feel like working on it again. If you can, get your family members to involve because it is also a good time when you can have more interaction with your family members. This is a good bonding activity for many families.

Cindy Heller is a professional writer. To learn more about landscaping on a slope and landscaping material, visit landscaping tip.

Things You Should Look Out For Before Doing Your Landscaping

9 April 2008

There are many things that one should know about landscaping design overall, especially if you are planning on taking on a landscaping design project of your own. So many times I find landscapers struggle to find their design idea. However, once they establish a framework of necessary design elements, it usually goes pretty smooth from there. By taking the time to think of various basic questions, you’ll realize that your landscape design plan will be more efficiently carried out with regard to effort, time, and cost.

Before you start your landscaping work, make a plan. Having a plan for your landscape lets you take advantage of common sense and economy when doing your landscaping. Without a plan, you may buy things you don’t really need, and waste a lot of time and money, only to realize that you are getting no where. Begin by completing a rough sketch of your landscape design. Find out precisely what you require to make it possible. If you need suggestion, there are numerous websites where you can get lots of ideas of what you need to complete the task. Specialty stores and home improvement warehouses are places where you can get free advice from other experts on hand who can give you good pointers.

While planning your landscape design, remember to check on building codes and make sure that your plan is according to those complicated property lines. Check with your utility companies where the underground power, telephone, and cable wires are run. You do not want to hit one of these important things while digging around in your yard and building your landscape. Figure out all of this before you finalize your landscape plans. This can help you a lot of unnecessary trouble in the future.

If you are intending to add plants, think about what kinds of plants grow well in your area. You need to know what plants are local to your region so that your success rate of growing these plans is higher and your cost of maintenance is lower. You might really enjoy succulents, for instance, but if you live in a very wet area they might drown in all the extra water. Please be warn that maintenance cost for landscaping features such as water features and plant may cost you a bomb. For example, if the soil is not suitable for the plant you’ve grown, you may have to spend a fortune to fertilizer that plot of land, just to make sure that the plant is growing healthily.

If you’re making your purchases at a big store, be sure to carefully inspect plants for diseases and insect problems. These stores are not always motivated to offer their plants the kind of care that a nursery would. If the plant you purchase is diseased, you’ll have to get it all over again when it dies, and this means cash down the drain. Besides that, the disease or pest can spread to your other plants.

A useful tool in planning your landscape is landscape design software. This software can be used to figure out which plants may look good in your backyard, and which plants would go with your house. Some software even let you to scan in an image of your own house to get a better idea of the possibilities. It can also be used to find out which plants are best suited to live in your climate.

If you have to purchase any landscaping equipment, do your purchasing in stages. Your plan should include a timetable for when you will install each portion of your landscape. If you’re like most people, you probably can’t afford to make all the changes you want at once. Planning out your landscape project in stages allow you to buy what you need as you go, and when money is available. This helps you avoid the interest and fees associated with home improvement loans or putting your purchases on credit cards.

You should keep in mind that cheaper is not always better. If there is very minute distinction in quality, then buying the cheaper item is of course the best choice. However, if you compromise the quality for price, you may end up having many future problems. Fortunately, local stores often have seasoned experts who can share their wisdom for free if you ask questions while making a purchase. Specialty stores can also provide you with correct information on landscaping. If you are not experienced, you can save money in the long run by spending a little more for better service.

Cindy Heller is a professional writer. To learn more about swimming pool landscaping and landscaping trailer, visit backyard landscaping idea.

A Bird Bath – A Perfect Gift For Your Backyard

7 April 2008

On a typical sunny weekend afternoon, countless of individuals, men or women, across this country that will head out into their backyards, pruning shears in hand, and begin to cut and clip and trim the various plants and bushes that are growing there. We take great pride in the appearance of our backyards and gardens. We choose foliages in certain colors so that they look nice against the paint color of our house. We plant flowers that will emit particular aromas that we are fond of. We situate shrubs so that they will provide privacy from our neighbors, and yet not block whatever scenic view we desire.

A back yard requires constant attention in order to keep it weed free and appealing to the eye. Once all of the flowers have bloomed, and the shrubs have been trimmed, we can sit back and admire our hours of handy work. From the weeding, to the seeding and to the sodding. We spent many weekends in this backyard in order to create just the right look. Yet, as our keen eyes scan the yard, it may occur to us that something may be missing.

A backyard can show us more than just the visions of nature; we can also hear the sounds of nature if we choose to. The pride of many, other than those award winning roses planted in the back corner, may very well be the bird bath that has been placed directly in the middle of all of the eye catching foliage. Once the bird bath is filled with even a small amount of water, birds of all colors and sizes can and will be seen playfully splashing in your garden everyday.

The bird bath may be made of stone, pedestal style, with a squirrel carved into the trunk. The bird bath may even be copper that takes on a beautiful green patina as the years go by. This bird bath can even hang from a tree branch, designed for the smallest and lightest of our feathered friends. Filled with just enough water for the birds to stand what appears to be ankle deep, a bird bath will no doubt attract many visitors and fill our backyards with sounds of nature that seem to complete the feel of the type of garden you were aiming for.

If you enjoy nature, getting a bird bath for your garden adds some delightful sound for you. It is also a very thoughtful gift for friends. They will be able to enjoy both the sights and sounds of nature up close and personal from within their own backyard.

Joshua Poyoh is the creator of http://www.homeimprovementview.com.
For more independent home improvement ideas and views, visit Home Improvement Views.

Constructing Your Garden Pond – The Basics

7 April 2008

So you have decided to build a garden pond? Congratulations! With a little bit of time, effort, and money you can build a pond that is both beautiful and functional. Below you will find a checklist of what needs to be done to construct a garden pond in your backyard, as well as a list of additional things that you will want to consider when designing your pond.

The Basics

Step 1: Design/Plan your dream pond. This step in the process is not one to be taken lightly. You need to decide the best place to put your pond, how big you want it to be, the shape/depth, whether you want fish or not, and many other details. Changing your plan mid-construction will likely cost you both time and money. Write down all of your ideas and create a list of the things that you want your pond to have, and what you could do without.

Step 2: Outlining your pond. You will want to use a garden hose, or twine and stakes to outline the general shape of your pond. Double check to make sure that it isn’t in the way of power or water lines, and is away from overhanging trees or other environmental hazards.

Step 3: Start Digging. This is the most labor intensive part of the process. You can either dig the pond yourself, or hire someone to do it for you.

Step 4: Line your pond. Depending on the type of liner that you choose, this can be a simple or a complex procedure. If you use a PVC liner, it is simply a matter of getting the liner in place and smoothing out bubbles to make it conform to the shape of your pond. Fiberglass and concrete linings (which are more durable and long lasting) require more prep work.

Step 5: Finish up the liner. If you are using PVC lining, you will want to leave a couple of inches around the edge of your pond for rocks and edging. If you choose fiberglass or cement, you will want to make sure that the application was completed properly, and your system is flushed ready for water.

Step 6: Decorate! Small and large rocks strategically placed around the outer rim of your pond will help conceal the liner and make it appear more natural. You can be as creative as you want with this process.

Step 7: Stock your pond. If you plan to put plants or fish in your pond, this is the time to do it. You will likely want to wait a while before introducing fish, and test the water often to make sure that the water levels are acceptable for supporting life.

Additional Items to Think About

If you follow the steps above you will have a simple garden pond to enjoy for many years to come! If you plan on having any fish or want to design a medium to large pond, you will also want to read up on filtration systems, waterfalls, and the various types of plant and animal life for your pond.

Michele Miller is the author and publisher of two Ebook Guides
Pond Building And Caring For Your Koi Fish You can sign up for her free ecourse and learn valuable tips and advice about Building Your Own Backyard Pond

Your Water Garden Oasis

6 April 2008

A water garden can provide you with a level of relaxation and calm that you may never have even dreamed was possible. Adding a water garden to your backyard can transform your property’s outdoor space from a run of the mill lawn to a transporting, beautiful place that makes you feel instantly peaceful and tranquil.

One reason why a water garden creates such a calming atmosphere is due to the effects of the gentle noise of bubbling, flowing water. Water creates what is known as white noise, a calming atmosphere of sound that some experts believe is reminiscent of the sounds heard in the safety of the womb. White noise has been shown to reduce stress and tension, and regular exposure to environments rich with white noise, such as a water garden, may help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. The sound of water helps to block out other, less pleasant ambient sounds like traffic or the activity of noisy neighbors. The white noise of a water garden can create an atmosphere that makes you feel as though you are millions of miles away from your daily life, in a place of safety and calm that nothing can intrude into.

Another reason for the powerfully positive effect that a water garden has on the attitude of anyone sitting nearby is that a water garden has a tangible effect on climate and temperature. The evaporation process that is a natural part of any water garden disperses water molecules through the air surrounding the garden. The humidity of the air around your water garden is great for your skin, and its gentle, dewy moisture can help you feel refreshed after even a long and hectic day. In addition, a pond, waterfall, or other water garden feature provides subtle climate control, creating a very pleasant area around your water garden where temperatures are milder and more comfortable than elsewhere in your yard. During even the hottest summer day, your water garden will provide a comfortably cool spot where you can relax.

Because it is easier to maintain than most landscaping options, a water garden will leave you free to enjoy its beauty without worrying about devoting hours to its care. A water garden can help you make pleasant, soothing relaxation a viable part of your daily schedule. When you stroll into your backyard to enjoy your water garden, you are telling the world that you are ready to relax and unplug. By building your own water garden, you can enjoy the beautiful sight, soothing sounds, and comfortable climate that a water garden provides on a daily basis. Having a personal sanctuary in your own backyard is invaluable because it gives you a chance to unwind completely without having to do anything more than step out your door.

Find out how to build your dream water garden, even on a tight budget. Click here now for full info!