Archive for October, 2008

Ideas For Landscaping Your Backyard

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

A good backyard landscaping idea is to use evergreens.  They will add a stately nature to the feel of your home while keeping it welcoming and warm. Although the use of deciduous trees  is very popular, having evergreens will really add structure to your design.  Hopefully you will find these ideas for your garden useful.

When the winter comes and leaves fall off the other trees, you will be really pleased that you planted evergreens.  The key to any great landscaping design is to find a backyard landscaping idea like this that will keep your yard interesting no matter what time of the year it is.

Another good backyard landscaping idea is to use hardscape. This is the use of things like rocks, fences and walls. This can really add a focal point to your garden no matter the season. You can have climbing plants on it in the summer and spring and pretty trees around it that will look great in the winter. When looking for a good backyard landscaping idea you need to look for other options besides just plants. There is much more to landscaping than just plants and trees.

In addition to soft and hard landscaping there is also the lighting to be considered.  There are so many different types of outdoor lighting and some of them are for sheer beauty whilst others are for security purposes.  Both and very important and should also think about how they are going to be powered.  Many people are quickly realizing the benefits of using solar power for the environmental and practical reasons.  The patio is also an important part of your garden and you will want to remember to light it well so that you enjoy it even when night falls.  Also, click here if you are looking for ornamental fence ideas.

Remember that a good landscaping idea is one that your whole family can enjoy together. There are many different backyard landscaping ideas and most of them are pretty good but to find the one that is right for you and that is just what your yard needs may take some reading. This article will help you to find the perfect backyard landscaping idea for your home.

Should You Try A Tropical Landscape Idea

Tuesday, October 28th, 2008

A Tropical Landscape

Across the country, there are many people that decide that a tropical landscaping idea would be the best type of idea for the landscaping around their home.  There are a few items to keep in mind when using a tropical landscaping idea so the plants that are used in the area around the home will grow properly and the idea will become reality.  Taking the time to plan the area around the home prior to implementing the tropical landscaping idea will increase the chances that the plan will turn out exactly as the homeowner wanted it to be.

Choosing The Plants To Use

For a tropical landscaping idea, there are literally a variety of plants you can choose from to make the tropical landscape complete. Plants and flowers come in many different varieties but they should be carefully chosen so that they provide the right look and give the proper impression of a tropical garden through it’s vibrant colors and fragrance. The plants to choose should also be easy to care for and should be able to survive well in the environment that they are put in with minimal care. Typically the plants in a simple tropical landscaping scenario should have plants that can be easily maintained and should be able to adjust easily to the local climate.

The climate within the surrounding are of the home has to be able to support that plants and flowers, and allow them to survive and thrive. Choose the plants that will be able to thrive under the conditions or choose plants that will be able to adjust to the climate and not die because they are unable to adapt. The availability of adequate sunshine should be considered when choosing the plants as some plants thrive under direct sunlight while some do better under the shade.

To make the tropical landscaping idea easy to maintain, plants chosen for the area around the home should require the same level of care so all of them can be cared for in the same way.  These types of plants do well when planted near each other and the person can apply the same treatments to the entire area without worrying about killing the plants.  Plants from tropical areas of the world are notoriously hard to care for, but the same design can be accomplished using native species that require much less care.

The Addition of Tropical Décor

Every tropical landscaping idea should include tropical décor items to provide focal points in the area around the home.  Tropical décor items can be  found in any home and garden or nursery store and can be just about any décor item that the person likes. The tropical landscaping idea should be made unique to the family that owns the home and create a relaxing area that everyone can enjoy.

Landscaping Ideas For the Yard and Garden

Monday, October 27th, 2008

Landscaping Ideas Video

Lots of easy landscaping ideas for the yard and garden can be done in just one weekend.  You may have recently moved into a new home or have lived at the same location for many years and decide the yard needs a little pizazz.

There are new do it yourself kits now available, for example building your own gazebo that can take just a couple of hours to assemble and look like a million dollars.  Visit your neighborhood garden center they may have displays and helpful employees to steer you in the right direction.

Measure the space you want to redesign.  Put the dimensions on paper.  Include the part of your house facing the yard with doors and windows noted.  Layout where you would like to have a garden or play area or possibly a water feature.

After you have decided what you want in your yard and where to put them do some online research to find the best place to purchase the plants or kits for your project.  Some things may require a little more muscle but you can always invite your brother-in-law over to help.

Your local climate will have a tremendous impact on the type of landscaping that you should have in place. Flowering plants that require a great deal of humidity will not thrive in a dry climate. While there are some plants that will need direct sunlight, there are others that prefer a shaded area in order to grow. If you are not proficient in the different types of flowers and plants that are best for your area, be sure to utilize local resources in order to check out the best selections for your planning purposes.

If your goal is to create something visual attractive with not much upkeep involved plant for all seasons.  Get an assortment of evergreen shrubs and trees that look good all year.  Mix in a few seasonal plants also.  Ones that bare fruit in the spring and change color in the fall.

Unless you have to have a lawn for your children to frolic on try to lose it.  It is such a time and water waster.  Play areas can be created with sand or bark.  Look into “rubber bark” that is made out of recycled tire and lasts long and looks great.

Do not feel overwhelmed when it comes to outdoor landscaping. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned gardener, there are many different ideas to suit any skill level. Using the internet as a resource will aid you in the landscaping process for each step of the way and help prevent any misconceptions you may have regarding plants, specific designs, or even landscaping a hill side area.

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Landscape Maintenance Equipment for Any Garden Job

Monday, October 27th, 2008

We all like to make our jobs easier and having the right landscape maintenance equipment would make keeping our landscape beautiful simpler.  Below we have detailed descriptions of some of the most basic and important tools every home gardener should have in their shed.

I am sure we are familiar with shovels, rakes, and trowels.  Almost every home has at least one variation of landscape maintenance equipment stored in their garage or garden shed.

First the shovel, it is necessary for turning the soil, digging holes for new plantings or any other garden job that involves creating large or small holes.  Secondly are the rakes.

Two rakes should be adequate, a large and small one.  The smaller rake, maybe 6 to 8 inches wide is great for cleaning out the flower bed.   A bigger rake will be needed to for the larger job of clearing leaves from the lawn.

Thirdly are trowels.  Trowels are available with long or short handles. A hand trowel will have a short handle suitable for planting small flowers or vegetables plants.  A larger trowel with a long handle is great for creating beds.

The home gardener would also need a set of shears and pruners.  The shears would be for keep neatly trimmed hedges and bushes.  The pruners are used for the larger job of cutting back the dead branches from fruit trees to allow new growth during the next growing season.

A back saving tool to add to your landscape maintenance equipment collection is the wheelbarrow or a garden wagon.  The wheelbarrow can be used to mix cement, haul fertilizer or mulch, and transport large bushes or trees from area to another.

The lawnmower is a vital piece of landscape maintenance equipment.  There are several types of mowers, which one you get depends on your needs.

Do you have a large piece of property?  If so you would need a ride-on lawnmower.  If you just have a small side yard to mow a small push mower would do the job.  Most people need an in between size power mower.  The power mowers are very versatile. They can be used for cutting the lawn, clearing brush, mulching, and even to pick up the leaves.

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Take Care When Transplanting Plants

Sunday, October 26th, 2008

Transplanting Plants

You may have a plant that has outgrown its current residence or you may need to thin out another, whatever the reason for transplanting plants, care needs to be taken.  For the best results care of the root system is adamant.

The cooler weather and fresh spring rains can add to the success of your transplanting project.  If you live in a milder climate area successful transplanting can be done almost any time of the year.  But in the harsher climates where there is the transition from a cold winter, mild spring, to a hot dry summer, springtime is the best.

Entry Plants and Backyard Patio Plants

Remember, front and backyard plants will become dormant during the fall when the weather goes through a hard freeze.  Perennials will stay dormant in the ground until spring.  You want to make sure the leaves are not open and out, a sign that transplanting plants is too late.  However, if there are green and swollen buds that have not changed into actual leaves, then transplanting is fine.

First, find the perfect location for your transplanted plant, then prepare the area.  Have the hole ready and fresh soil on hand to gently pack your front or backyard plants into place.  Be sure to keep the root ball intact with a small amount of soil while moving it to its new home.

A healthy root system is vital to successful transplanting.  While a certain amount of pruning of the roots is good, too much may kill the plant.  A small stem with a bit of fresh growth with a large root area is best.  Too much growth on top and a small, weak root will not do well.

To aid in the root growth of your new transplant, prune a small amount of the roots before planting.  The cut ends will be able to take in nutrients from the new soil and new roots will sprout from the cut ends produce new growth in the stem system above ground.

Starting Rock Plants from Transplants

Now, if you want to consider rock plants for transplanting, you may find that you have to move the rocks to get enough of the root so the existing and cut plant to move is not damaged.  Sometimes, rock plants will wrap the root around the rock or deep underneath so you will need to make sure you can gain proper access to get enough of the root or consider some other types of front or backyard plants to transplant.

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