Showing posts with label house landscaping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label house landscaping. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

HOW TO TRANSPLANT PLANTS

For the most optimum growth, transplanting plants can often be necessary. If you have a potted plant, there may not be any soil left in the container, only roots. Some plants become too crowded in the garden and may need to thinned out.

In the very early spring, when plants have just barely begun to show some signs of new life, is the best time to transplant. The new plantings can get a good start while the weather is still cool and they can be watered by spring rains.

The differences in your front and backyard landscaping plants can be essential. If your front yard faces the South and your backyard faces the North they will receive differing amounts of sun. If you are transplanting a plant that has done well in your North facing backyard to the South facing front, it may not do as well. One of the most important tips associated with transplanting plants is to make sure you have the new location prepared before you dig the plants, shrubs, or trees up.

The longer the plants are out of the ground without being replanted the more chance of them dying. Therefore, with the soil ready to receive the new front or backyard plants, you then look at the roots to make sure there are no air pockets. Instead, dig up the plants to be moved so you actually take the roots with a ball of dirt to move to the new hole.

To have good growth from a transplant, the stem should be about 1/12 of the root size. The larger the root the more chance you will have a healthy plant transplant. Once you have dug up the plant or separated it, shake some dirt from it and prune a tiny bit of the roots, this will aid in root growth. The freshly cut root ends would then be able to absorb nutrients from the fresh, nutrient rich soil and promote expansion of the root system and this is a key to backyard landscaping ideas.

Rock plants that have been planted to fill in the spaces between the rocks on a garden retaining grow mostly in a mossy type soil. They seem to do well when transplanted as long as they receive the same amount of water, drainage and are planted in the same type of soil.
If you would like more landscaping ideas go to Landscape Patio Design.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

ENERGY EFFICIENT BACKYARD LANDSCAPING IDEAS

A pretty backyard can only go so far. Many experts have proven that energy efficient landscaping that takes into consideration energy needs, may well save a family more then 30% of their usual heat or cooling costs - either in the winter or summer. These savings could tangibly translate to almost $250 worth of savings in a year.

Of course we would all like to save on our energy costs but how can we do this? Many of us already have solar garden lights but are there any other ideas like maybe using wind power? There are several innovative backyard landscaping ideas to look into when relandscaping your yard.

Making Use of or Protection from the Sun's Rays

You may live in the southern most part of the country where summer days are long, hot and very dry. On the other hand, you may live in the north where the winters are long, very cold and brutal and the days are short. The type of backyard landscape you have surrounding your home can make a huge difference. You may need large shade trees to protect your home's walls from the sun's rays or you may want the sun to warm your home for as much of the day as possible.

Usually, the best way to keep the sun out is to design shade landscaping. Plant deciduous, dense, and broad trees to the south or west of the house, where their foliage can provide shade against the rays of the hot summer sun. Keeping the sun out can reduce temperatures to up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

These deciduous trees lose their foliage over the winter and will give you access more of the sun's heat in the winter when your home's walls and foundations need the heat.

Create A Wind Break

Wind chill can also cause your home to be cooler. A cold winter wind blowing through your home can quickly drop the inside temperature by as much as 10%. Ask your local nursery expert about using trees as wind breaks and which trees would be the best as well as fast growing. Some of the more sturdy walls or fences can also be excellent wind breaks.

Keeping Your Home Cool or Warm

One of the primary culprits in the wasting of energy is the heat or cool that escapes through the home's roof, windows and doors. It is imperative to find a way to keep heat or cool air inside the home.The best way to achieve this is by planting shrubbery around the home's foundations. This creates a dead air barrier, keeping the heat and cool inside the home where it matters. Experts have suggested widening the distance between the shrubbery and the house's walls in order to increase this area for dead air. A properly maintained and landscaped home cannot only be attractive but practical. You will saving hundreds of dollars each year by making energy efficient backyard landscaping a priority.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

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

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

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

Monday, September 22, 2008

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.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

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.



Saturday, September 20, 2008

WHERE TO GET THE BEST LANDSCAPING SOFTWARE

Are you looking for the best landscaping software on the market? There are some fantastic landscaping software programs that will help you to design the backyard of your dreams but there are also some landscaping software programs that are a complete waste of money. The trick is to find out which landscaping software programs are good before you purchase them.

Many of the landscaping software programs that are on the market for the regular consumer are not really very good. Some of them are just plain awful and to buy them is to throw your money down the drain. They will have terrible cartoonish drawings that are not clear and that will not do you any good at all. On the other hand there are some of the more expensive commercial grade landscaping software programs that will blow you away with their capabilities.

What you need to remember when you are using a landscaping software program is that it is not going to do anything for you, it is only a tool for you to use to make your ideas a reality. So if you are wanting to buy some landscaping software so that you can have your yard designed for you then do not even bother. If on the other hand you have some great ideas and you want to get them laid out so that you can see if they are really as good as they seem then a good landscaping software program might be for you after all.

Before you commit to buying any landscaping software try to get a demo. This will let you try out the program to see if it can even help you in what you want to achieve. You should try to choose a landscaping software program that has good graphics. The better the graphics are on your landscaping software the easier it will be fore you to visualize the end result of all your hard work. Remember that this is the goal of any landscaping software program. If the landscaping software is crap then you might be better off using the drawing programs that are already on your computer.

By getting a demo you will also be able to directly compare the different programs in terms of price. Lets face it, if there are two landscaping software programs and they look the same and they both have the tools that you need but one is cheaper, which one are you going to chose? The cheaper one of course. So check out the prices.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

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.


Wednesday, September 17, 2008

BACKYARD LANDSCAPING - THE JAPANESE GARDEN

The Beauty of Bamboo Landscaping

Of all the landscaping ideas, turning your backyard or front yard into a Japanese garden is one of the most exciting. Bamboo landscaping is really quite appealing. Moreover, bamboo has long been an accepted material used in gardening and landscaping but currently with so many people focusing on green, bamboo landscaping has blossomed.The explanation is that bamboo is more like a grass than a tree. Therefore, when bamboo is cut, it grows back quickly opposed to forests being cut down and destroyed.

While bamboo can be used in any garden, it is most frequent incorporated in the making of a Japanese garden. For this style of garden, there are very particular elements and materials used. Furthermore, there are different types that can be created. With the dry garden, sand is used, raked carefully into patterns that reflect the rippling of waves. In the center of the “pond”, a rock is placed, which represents an island.

Moreover, the most incredible styles for building making a Japanese garden are plant life and water. This type of garden would commonly have a small water fountain, which would include a waterfall, pond, or stream. As a part of the body of water you could think about adding a small bridge, a deer chaser, post light, and various styles of plants such as water lilies.

Then, Japanese garden fences are also a common dynamic, which are created from bamboo. These fences are utilized to create a sense of privacy. The whole concept of the Japanese garden is balance of peace and tranquility. This is the one place where after a hectic work day, you will be able to sit or walk, finding rest for the body, mind and spirit.

In Japan and even some of the larger Japanese gardens in the US, a teahouse will be erected. Now, in making Japanese landscaping, the teahouse doesn’t have to be big and elaborate, merely a small area where you can relax and take in the beautiful surroundings of the garden. In fact, several home improvement stores and gardening stores actually have kits for the do-it-yourselfer. If you have a big enough space, this backyard landscaping ideas might work.

Consequently while there are many types of gardens, it is hard to surpass the charm found with a well planned Japanese garden. Incorporating bamboo landscaping, Japanese garden fences, lots of trees, plants, and flowers, as well as the other elements mentioned, the look would be complete. With the garden being finished, you are sure to be the envy of every other person in your neighborhood and for good reason.

So, to gain a better understanding as to the making of a Japanese garden, you will find several excellent resources that can be used for reference.

Also, the internet is an abundance of information. While scanning, you can look at the many different, taking the different elements you like the most and designing a garden based on personal preference, yard size, yard configuration, and budget. Backyard landscaping is taken to a whole new level with a Japanese garden!

Monday, September 15, 2008

HOUSE LANDSCAPING IDEAS

House or home landscaping is no different than any other kind of landscaping. It is natural for people to want their home to look as great as it possibly can and who does not want the kind of back and front yards that the whole neighborhood is envious of? The beauty of home landscaping is that it does not have to be hard and much of it can be done by you. All it will take a it a little elbow grease and some time to spare and you can design your own home landscaping design quickly and easily.

There are even products on the market that will help you to find the best home landscaping ideas out there. You can choose to use home landscaping software for one. These programs can be a great help to you as you are trying to figure out what will suit your home and yard the best. With these types of programs you will get to see a few different layouts and options are always good when trying to narrow down your choices.

If home landscaping software programs are not for you, then you can try doing a search online for some wonderful home landscaping ideas. The internet is full of great sites that you can use to get everything done the right way. It is important to do plenty of research before you start your own home landscaping so that you keep the number of mistakes made down to a minimum. If you do make a boo-boo, don’t worry about it, any thing can be fixed.

Before you start your backyard landscaping you will need to also look into any gas lines and electrical lines that may be running through your yard. This is very important if you are planning to be doing a lot of digging. You cannot afford to hit any of these things, not only can it cost you a bundle to fix, it can also be very dangerous. Hitting an electrical line with a metal shovel could put an end to all of your work, your life too.

You will also need to find out about zoning restrictions that could affect your home landscaping. In some places you cannot have trees too high and even some fences are not allowed. Find out these kinds of things before you start your home landscaping work and you could save a lot of time and money. Think things through first for all backyard landscaping ideas you might have before you actually start the projects.