BACKYARD LANDSCAPING ROCKS IDEAS

One of the best backyard landscape ideas is to use large or medium sized accent boulders. Using these big rocks is very different than buildiing one of those rock gardens you see in some front yards. The rocks can add a lot of character to an otherwise dull garden or backyard area. If you position these boulders correctly, they can even give the illusion that your yard has several levels.

The trick to using large landscaping boulders in your backyard or front yard is the strategic placing of them. If you just lay out a couple of rocks and don't think about where they look best, they can even look quite odd. They need to look like part of the landscape and they need to look like they belong.

One tip to make this work is to not lay the rock on the top of the ground but to dig a small hole and bury one fifth or one sixth of the rock. You can then put various ground cover around the rock and it will look like it naturally belongs. Making everything look natural together and not forced is the key to doing something like this.

Some rocks are so big and heavy that you will have to have a professional place the rock for you. Landscaping rocks can be any size, shape or color but you need to use ones that fit in with the environment. For instance, the boulders you would find in desert climates are different from the ones you might find in the northern parts of the U.S.

LANDSCAPING DESIGN SOFTWARE IDEAS

Original Outdoor Landscaping Ideas

Landscaping the surrounding area of your home is not a lot different than other types of landscaping. People like their home to look as good as possible so the entire neighborhood will be envious. The great thing about backyard landscaping is it is not hard, and almost anyone can do it without out professional help. It will take some energy and spare time but doing it yourself can be enjoyable and rewarding.

Using a home computer to pre-plan backyard landscaping ideas with landscape design software is one way to help the do-it-yourself type. With this software inter-changing different layouts can be easily done until finding the best one to suit the individual needs.

If you prefer not to use landscaping software try searching online. The internet is a good resource to search for outdoor landscaping ideas. Using the internet can give you some insight and perspective on other completed projects to use on your own project.

Utilizing the online resources to find out what plants do well in your area and how large they will grow are practical things to discover before beginning a landscape makeover. The internet can help in locating the best place to purchase materials at the most economical price.

What is your Landscape Budget?

Being patient and purchasing smaller trees and shrubs and allowing them to mature over the years can be a huge money saving idea. Try to Cut back on expensive water features, rock and tile. "Less is more" is a great saying and can be a great way to not overspend on unnecessary items.

Always have the utility company survey the area to be renovated. Relocating or repairing utility lines can be expensive and dangerous.

You should also check with the city regarding zoning and setback restrictions. Most cities will give you a set of guidelines to follow. Some cities also have restrictions on tree elevations and fencing so be careful and comply with all the requirements. Do you homework and find out all you can before you start your project and avoid any wasted time and unnecessary costs

Step out of the box, so to speak, and research unusual and unique backyard landscaping ideas. Take advantage of the online resources available. You may discover new and innovative patio materials and plants. This will increase the value and look of your most valuable asset - your home. To get more landscaping ideas visit Landscape Designs For The Southwest

THE BEST DESERT LANDSCAPING PLANTS

Desert Landscaping Plants Are Easy to Grow

The folks in the Southwest part of our country get to enjoy the beauty and ease of gardening with desert landscaping plants. They need little water, are hardy and also easy to transplant. They come in many interesting types, some with beautiful blossoms and others with unique shapes.

The various varieties of the cacti, with their sharp thorns, have been used in many different backyard landscaping ideas. Cacti can be used as a fence to ward off predatory animals and other uninvited guests. They can also be used to protect a vegetable from animals that enjoy stealing your prized tomatoes. The short and stout "Barrel Cactus" would be very uninviting.

While creating a look using desert landscaping plants, you might find that you have some areas of the property or perhaps a side of the home with lots of shade. Obviously, this would require you to use landscape shade plants, those that will handle the hot and dry climate but also do well growing in shade. Again, the possibilities are tremendous, giving you great coverage and beautiful blooms during the year.

Listed below are just a few of the hundreds of varieties of desert landscape plants as well as a few landscape shade plants. The hot and dry climates produce many beautiful and hearty plants to choose from.

Agave Americana: The interesting form and the plant's high tolerance to heat, drought, cold, sun, and even poor soils makes this an ideal all-around plant. The Agave Americana will grow anywhere from one to six feet tall, developing into unique styles of leafs and beautiful colors.

Opuntia phaecantha variety discata, This is a very hardy plant that can survive in cold weather and will produce a beautiful deep yellow flower in the spring and summer months. It does tend to crawl along the ground and root as it goes. It has very sharp long spines that can be dangerous if planted around children.

Golden Barrel: This desert plant has beautiful gold flowers with gold colored foliage. At maturity, the plant will reach about four feet high and three feet in diameter.

Landscape Shade Plants for the Desert

Another great shade plant is the astilbes, also known as the feather flower, due to the shape of its blooms which are puffy, feather like spires that come in white, ivory, pink, red and purple. For an easy care plant with lots of color, great texture and toughness astilbes would be a great addition to your garden.

The hosta plant is another great shade plant. The large variety available range from some with variegated leaves, solid green, gold or bluish green. They are perennials, returning each year larger than the last.

Liriope Spicata: Another excellent shade plant, this one appears like grass, which is why it is more often referred to as border grass. The flowers are spiked in shape and while in bloom the color changes from white to purple then in the fall, a dark berry grows.

Foxglove: Known more commonly as day lilies, these plants grow extremely well in shade and sun, producing long stems that grow exotic looking flowers of varying colors depending on the species but keep in mind, Foxglove is poisonous so you want to keep it out of reach of pets and smaller children.

Get more information of landscape plants and landscaping ideas please visit Desert Landscape Gardens

BACKYARD KOI FISH POND IDEAS

Are you thinking of building a water pond for koi fish? A beautiful fish pond with a couple of wooden benches to sit on a lazy summer afternoon is something you can add to your backyard if you know how. Keeping these gorgeous koi in your garden can be great fun and it is not as complicated as it seems and is one of those backyard landscaping ideas you might consider. If you take proper care for them, koi have a long life span sometimes getting up to a metre long. Follow these simple rules to build your garden pond for fish properly so your koi fish will live long and happy life.

Depth is important

Depth of your pond is crucial. You pond should be at least 4 feet deep, however it is much better to give your fish six or even 8 feet deep pond. This will ensure that your koi are safe from raccoons, cats and other animals who can empty your pond. Deeper fish pond also helps to prevent pond from overheating in the middle of summer. With this landscaping ideas, you need to make sure you have enough room to make it safe for the Koi and to make the pond look right too.

Koi really love a lot of room to swim

Small ponds are no good for koi. Remember, with time koi can grow quite large and they will need some space. Also there are so many color variations of koi, that as time goes you will probably want to get other varieties. So it is better to create a big backyard pond from the start than rebuild it later. About ten thousand gallons is considered decent space for a koi pond , bigger would be even better.

Heat the water in colder months

Unlike tropical fish, koi are resistant cold; however you should never let your pond freeze all the way. Installing a proper pond heater will always keep an opening in the ice. Also keep in mind, that koi fish only grow when the water is warm, so with a heater your fish will grow faster

Give your fish shade

When selecting where to place your pond, make sure it is out of direct sun. Also keeping water plants like water lilies in your pond makes sense - not only they add beauty to the overall landscape, but they also provide shade for the fish. However, you should avoid building your koi pond in an area with many trees. Cleaning a fish pond of fallen leaves is a nightmare so you will need to take this into consideration for the backyard landscaping.

Keep the birds away

There are many birds of prey that would love to steal your koi. Don't give them the opportunity; plan your pond location so it is possible to cover it with a net.

Keep insecticides away from your pond

When landscaping your pond keep in mind that you should not use any insecticides or herbicides so they can get into the water. Even a small amount of common garden poison can kill your beautiful fish.

Pumps, filtration systems and other fish pond accessories

Several accessories are necessary for a healthy koi fish pond. Ideally you should get a water pump, filtration system, pond water aerator and an ultraviolet sterilizer. If the water in your pond is still, your koi might get sick and eventually die. Koi pond filters are expensive, so to save you can make your own homemade filters.

JAPANESE LANDSCAPING DESIGN IDEAS

For Japanese landscape design ideas, you will find a list of specific items to consider. Now, some Japanese gardens are simplistic while others include everything that would be found in a traditional Japanese landscape design. Therefore, the first thing you would need to do before shopping for the various types of Japanese garden supplies and materials is to determine the completed look you want.

Plan a strolling garden with beautiful paths taking you past tiny waterfalls and small ponds filled with koi fish. There are so many stonework Japanese art pieces to arrange along the paths to complete the look and feel of an authentic Japanese garden.

Japanese Garden Bridge

With a Japanese garden bridge, you would actually walk over the water features or simply stand or sit on the bridge to soak up the gorgeous view. After all, a Japanese garden design also features tons of greenery in the form of plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees, bamboo fences, waterfalls, statues, lanterns, lily pads, pebble walkways, and so on. In fact, for the larger gardens, some will also feature a teahouse, which is authentic.

You should be able to find an authentic looking Japanese garden bridge at your local garden shop. They will either be made out of wood or stone. They add a nice touch to your Japanese garden and offer a fun way to cross over a small stream or pond.

Now, there are also dry Japanese gardens in which case sand is raked into a swirl design that represents water. In the center of the sand is a rock or boulder, which is symbolic of an island. Even in this garden design, a Japanese garden bridge could be used to create the same appearance of having a bridge going over water.

Japanese Garden Supplies

Once you have carfeully planned and drawn out the design of your garden you will need a shopping list of all the components you would like to include in your garden. You can look online and order items or find them locally at a garden supply shop.

Once you have added the bridge, you can look at other Japanese garden supplies to complete the overall look. Again, lanterns, statues, bamboo fences, deer chasers, waterfalls, pebbles, and stepping stones are all common, along with lots of beautiful flowers and plants. If you shop around online or even at your local home and garden center, chances are you will find a wonderful selection without spending a fortune. To get more information on backyard landscaping ideas visit Outdoor Landscaping Ideas.

BACKYARD FIREPIT IDEAS

Balmy spring temperatures may entice people to say so long to the crackling fireplace inside the home. However, now you can simply move that fire from inside to your outdoor space, by adding outdoor gas fire pits to your yard area. Some of the best backyard landscaping ideas include a great looking firepit. A firepit can be used for cooking, adding warmth or simply enjoying the coziness of a campfire right in your own backyard. And with the many types of pits that are available today, you can rest assured that you will be able to find the perfect design for your outdoor space that will provide every possible function that you might need. But before you run out and purchase a firepit for your yard, there are a few factors that you will want to consider.

Safety First

Just like that hearth that graces your family room, outdoor fireplaces will have safety concerns as well. However, if you follow a few basic guidelines, you will be able to enjoy your outdoor fire without worrying about possible risks that might be lurking. First, it is important to consider the location of your pit. These units are not appropriate for use on decks or outside apartment buildings. You should always make sure that you have enough distance between your house and firepit to make burning fires completely safe. The retailer that you purchase your pit from should be able to advise you as to the recommended requirements here. It is also important to check with your local municipality in regards to building codes that might apply to your firepit.

Function

What is your reason for a propane firepit in your backyard landcaping? Are you looking for a way to keep warm so that you can enjoy the great outdoors well into the fall season? Are you interested in doing some cooking over an open fire? Perhaps ambiance in your outdoor space is your primary interest in adding a firepit. It is important to determine what function this pit will fill so that you know what type of fire pit will work the best for you. Take into consideration how many others will be occupying this space. A larger pit may be a better option if you're looking at an atmosphere for socializing outside. On the other hand, intimate, romantic setting might just call for a pit large enough for a small fire that will work for marshmallow roasting.

A firepit can be a great addition to an outdoor space, particularly when evening temperatures begin to drop. With landcaping ideas like this, you can continue to enjoy the brisk, fresh outdoors, while keeping warm and cozy.

BACKYARD DESERT LANDSCAPING IDEAS

If you live in a dry and arid climate then your backyard desert landscaping is going to take a little more planning than some other parts of the country. Ddesert landscaping will have to work with a plan that includes only plants and trees that can survive with much less water than some other plants. There is no point in planting something if it can not sustain itself afterwards. So take some time with your desert landscaping ideas and make sure that you have done everything suited to the climate.

You could spend the money to get better irrigation put in but it would be expensive and time consuming. It would be much simpler for your desert landscaping ideas to just include plants that will thrive even in the hot sun all day.

What makes using desert landscaping friendly plants so great is that not only will these plants do well even in the hot sun they will also be able to thrive in poor quality soil. This is a much needed quality because places that have so much sun tend to have poor soil as well. So in essence you are killing two birds with one stone as they say.

Here are some wonderful plants that you can use with any backyard landscaping ideas in the desert:

Longwood Blue bluebeard

This is a shrub, it is deciduous and it will grow back each and every spring. It will always come back healthy and happy and this makes it perfect for desert landscaping. It is not a tiny shrub, it will grow to be anywhere between 3 and 4 feet high with a width of about 2 feet. This is a lovely plant to use in your desert landscaping as it is not only beautiful with its pretty blue flower clusters and silver foliage, it is also very fragrant.

Autumn Joy

This is a wonderful perennial that you can plant for your desert landscaping. With this choice you will have great leaves in pretty whorls. These leaves can be any number of different colors and can be bought to go with any desert landscaping design. This plant is the ultimate for desert landscaping because it can grow in rock gardens with ease. This lovely desert landscaping plant also has a unique and interesting flower unlike any other I have ever seen. These small flowers grow in clusters and they can be a few different colors and shades. The most common are yellow, orange and red and pink. If you plant these in your garden you will have butterflies around all of the time and they make for lovely entertainment on their own.