Friday, November 5, 2010
Swimming Pool Designs Swimming Pool Looking Tired?
Swimming pool looking tired? Don’t go off the deep end get help with swimming pool designs.
If you want to make your in ground swimming pool the focal point of your backyard, I have good news for you. Simply by adding walkways using brick or natural stone you can turn your yard into show stopper. If you have the budget consider extending the walkways into a patio section for your lawn furniture. Both materials are low in maintenance just brush or hose them off if they get dirty.
One way to save money if you can’t pay for stone is to use concrete and stamp it, it will look like stone but at less expense. Consequently, so your patio area does not look like a runway break up your brick or stone with a few planters filled with colorful plants, grass, or even a vegetable garden.
If you have a Jacuzzi or live in a climate that you can spend most of the year outside in the evening be sure to include fragrant flowers that you can enjoy close by. Don’t forget to add landscape lighting to make the yard sparkle in the evening.
If you plan on planting a tree or two think about evergreen trees or tress that do not lose their leaves in the winter unless you have a pool cover. If not carefully planned you could be spending more of your time dipping leaves out of the pool than swimming in it.
The best way to find landscape ideas for your home is looking through pictures in landscaping magazines. Here is a great online source with over 4000+ landscapes ideas with a section on inground swimming pool designs
If you want to make your in ground swimming pool the focal point of your backyard, I have good news for you. Simply by adding walkways using brick or natural stone you can turn your yard into show stopper. If you have the budget consider extending the walkways into a patio section for your lawn furniture. Both materials are low in maintenance just brush or hose them off if they get dirty.
One way to save money if you can’t pay for stone is to use concrete and stamp it, it will look like stone but at less expense. Consequently, so your patio area does not look like a runway break up your brick or stone with a few planters filled with colorful plants, grass, or even a vegetable garden.
If you have a Jacuzzi or live in a climate that you can spend most of the year outside in the evening be sure to include fragrant flowers that you can enjoy close by. Don’t forget to add landscape lighting to make the yard sparkle in the evening.
If you plan on planting a tree or two think about evergreen trees or tress that do not lose their leaves in the winter unless you have a pool cover. If not carefully planned you could be spending more of your time dipping leaves out of the pool than swimming in it.
The best way to find landscape ideas for your home is looking through pictures in landscaping magazines. Here is a great online source with over 4000+ landscapes ideas with a section on inground swimming pool designs
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Friday, October 29, 2010
Landscape Design Pictures and Ideas
They say a picture is worth a thousand words that is certainly true when it comes to landscaping. Landscaping can increase the value of your home when you resell as much as 20% so not only do you get to enjoy the beauty while you live in your home but you can recover some of the cost as well.
The problem is most folks aren't landscape architects and really have no idea what it is they want when it comes to the front or backyard design. I found a solution for you.
This wonderful resource has over 4000+ landscape design ideas with thousand of stunning pictures, included are ideas for lawns, pools, gardens, garages, fountains, and more over 60 categories of landscape ideas you can use to make your property a jaw dropper.
Click here for Landscape Design Pictures and Ideas
The problem is most folks aren't landscape architects and really have no idea what it is they want when it comes to the front or backyard design. I found a solution for you.
This wonderful resource has over 4000+ landscape design ideas with thousand of stunning pictures, included are ideas for lawns, pools, gardens, garages, fountains, and more over 60 categories of landscape ideas you can use to make your property a jaw dropper.
Click here for Landscape Design Pictures and Ideas
Garden Landscape Design Planning Tips Video
Need some help planning your garden landscape? Here's a couple quick tips
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Landscape Design Planning
A good landscaping design starts with a plan but most folks don’t know where to begin. It’s easier than you think, you can start near your home, just take a trip around town and note the flowers, trees, and shrubs that you like and their placement. Don’t forget to take your camera! Another easy way to find front or backyard designs is to look through landscaping books, which are readily available online.
Use what nature or your climate gives you don’t try to fight it. Some plants just won’t grow well where you live, however you can find similar flowers or trees that will grow in your zone. This is where your research comes in handy; whether you have just a few feet of space or an acre, planning is important. You don’t want to rip out everything and start over later because of bad choices. It wastes money and time.
Once you find the plants you like the next step is to make a budget, while most folks consider this an evil word it can help you decide if you want to use the services of a professional landscaper. You can always do your landscaping in phases if you find the price is too high.
You can save money if you do-it-yourself but half-finished projects are disheartening and can get you in trouble with your better half. If you do-it yourself only start with what you know you can finish in the time you have available and take on the next project at a later date.
The next important decision to make is upkeep - what do you have time for? The more you plant the more tending it needs. This is where container gardening comes in handy it is a good way to dip your toe in landscaping. You may think you want this lush flowery backyard but once you start planting you realize there is more work than expected.
Containers are also an excellent idea for apartment dwellers either take them with you or leave it for the next bunch of folks that move in.
Landscaping with flowers - the quickest way to add beauty is to plant flowers. You may want to add a mixture of perennials (comes back each year but may not bloom the first year) and annuals (one season) this way you can treat yourself to a new flower each year and if you don’t like they way it looks then choose another next year.
Rocks and stones - you may not realize it but some native rocks and stones are real beauties if you don’t have much time to tend to your landscaping consider adding a few into your master plan.
Water features – adding a pond, fountain, or a wall feature will make your landscaping come to life. The sound of water trickling is very soothing to most folks so if you like relaxation then a water feature maybe just what you are looking for.
Furniture - although you may not think of it as part of landscaping it is. If you want the landscaping to be complete right away then plan for furniture in your budget. If furniture is the last part of your plan spruce up the chairs with some textured paint or cushions until you can buy your new patio furniture. Use a tablecloth to hide and not so pretty table.
Lighting - you would be surprised how adding a single light can transform the look of your yard. There is a variety of options available from lighted stones to hanging lights you can’t go wrong here maybe just overboard…lol
Trees are the most important aspect of your design because they are permanent to a point. You can plant a tree anywhere but consider the cost and headache if you put it in the wrong place. Their roots go down deep, and can mess up your sidewalks and other areas so be sure to take your time when choosing trees.
When it comes to planting trees consider…
1. How big it will get?
2. Will the leaves fall off every year? If so you may have to rake them up.
3. How deep or far will the root system grow?
In conclusion some folks make landscaping harder than is has to be.
1. Find out what you like by looking at pictures in books or taking a trip through town.
2. Make a budget and consider how much time you can devote to upkeep.
3. Get estimates if you can save money by doing some of the work yourself that’s awesome.
4. Start planting
5. Enjoy the view
Use what nature or your climate gives you don’t try to fight it. Some plants just won’t grow well where you live, however you can find similar flowers or trees that will grow in your zone. This is where your research comes in handy; whether you have just a few feet of space or an acre, planning is important. You don’t want to rip out everything and start over later because of bad choices. It wastes money and time.
Once you find the plants you like the next step is to make a budget, while most folks consider this an evil word it can help you decide if you want to use the services of a professional landscaper. You can always do your landscaping in phases if you find the price is too high.
You can save money if you do-it-yourself but half-finished projects are disheartening and can get you in trouble with your better half. If you do-it yourself only start with what you know you can finish in the time you have available and take on the next project at a later date.
The next important decision to make is upkeep - what do you have time for? The more you plant the more tending it needs. This is where container gardening comes in handy it is a good way to dip your toe in landscaping. You may think you want this lush flowery backyard but once you start planting you realize there is more work than expected.
Containers are also an excellent idea for apartment dwellers either take them with you or leave it for the next bunch of folks that move in.
Landscaping with flowers - the quickest way to add beauty is to plant flowers. You may want to add a mixture of perennials (comes back each year but may not bloom the first year) and annuals (one season) this way you can treat yourself to a new flower each year and if you don’t like they way it looks then choose another next year.
Rocks and stones - you may not realize it but some native rocks and stones are real beauties if you don’t have much time to tend to your landscaping consider adding a few into your master plan.
Water features – adding a pond, fountain, or a wall feature will make your landscaping come to life. The sound of water trickling is very soothing to most folks so if you like relaxation then a water feature maybe just what you are looking for.
Furniture - although you may not think of it as part of landscaping it is. If you want the landscaping to be complete right away then plan for furniture in your budget. If furniture is the last part of your plan spruce up the chairs with some textured paint or cushions until you can buy your new patio furniture. Use a tablecloth to hide and not so pretty table.
Lighting - you would be surprised how adding a single light can transform the look of your yard. There is a variety of options available from lighted stones to hanging lights you can’t go wrong here maybe just overboard…lol
Trees are the most important aspect of your design because they are permanent to a point. You can plant a tree anywhere but consider the cost and headache if you put it in the wrong place. Their roots go down deep, and can mess up your sidewalks and other areas so be sure to take your time when choosing trees.
When it comes to planting trees consider…
1. How big it will get?
2. Will the leaves fall off every year? If so you may have to rake them up.
3. How deep or far will the root system grow?
In conclusion some folks make landscaping harder than is has to be.
1. Find out what you like by looking at pictures in books or taking a trip through town.
2. Make a budget and consider how much time you can devote to upkeep.
3. Get estimates if you can save money by doing some of the work yourself that’s awesome.
4. Start planting
5. Enjoy the view
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Desert Landcaping Ideas Desert Landscape Design
It may be more of a challenge to design a desert landscape than many other designs but very doable, you will need to find plants that will survive in dry and hot climates, after all you don't want to watch your hard earned money scorch in the hot sun. So spending some extra time and researching your project first will save you money in the long run.
Your natural instinct may be to have a oasis type design but that would mean installing a costly watering unit, and use one of your most precious resources too much time for upkeep. Save the money for the irrigation system and use it on a good solid landscaping design plan that incorporates native plants and rocks you can live with.
Don't fight with nature find plants that will thrive in the sun and are able to live in lesser quality soil with little to no water. Here are two of many plants you can use in your yard. Longwood Blue (blue beard) a deciduous shrub that will come to back to dazzle your senses each spring.
It's a hardy plant that handles drought well and excellent for your desert design. The blue beard can grow upward of 3 feet tall and about 5 feet wide. It has a fragrant aroma and clustered blue violet flowers with silver foliage which make it a seemingly good choice for your desert garden.
Autumn Joy is another perennial that looks divine in a desert landscape. Because of the versatility of this plant to grow in rock gardens, and the leaves come in many colors it's another perfect plant. This lovely desert landscaping plant also has a unequaled and captivating flower, these small flowers grow in clusters and add beauty to your desert landscaping design.
Now, I don't recommend you give up your oasis design idea but instead of doing your entire yard that will be a chore to upkeep, why not compromise and design a extra special spot in your garden where you go to unwind and relax. This way you still get what you want from your yard, beauty that is manageable both in cost and maintenance.
Here's some recommended resources for desert landscaping ideas.
The Hot Garden: Landscape Design for the Desert Southwest
Your natural instinct may be to have a oasis type design but that would mean installing a costly watering unit, and use one of your most precious resources too much time for upkeep. Save the money for the irrigation system and use it on a good solid landscaping design plan that incorporates native plants and rocks you can live with.
Don't fight with nature find plants that will thrive in the sun and are able to live in lesser quality soil with little to no water. Here are two of many plants you can use in your yard. Longwood Blue (blue beard) a deciduous shrub that will come to back to dazzle your senses each spring.
It's a hardy plant that handles drought well and excellent for your desert design. The blue beard can grow upward of 3 feet tall and about 5 feet wide. It has a fragrant aroma and clustered blue violet flowers with silver foliage which make it a seemingly good choice for your desert garden.
Autumn Joy is another perennial that looks divine in a desert landscape. Because of the versatility of this plant to grow in rock gardens, and the leaves come in many colors it's another perfect plant. This lovely desert landscaping plant also has a unequaled and captivating flower, these small flowers grow in clusters and add beauty to your desert landscaping design.
Now, I don't recommend you give up your oasis design idea but instead of doing your entire yard that will be a chore to upkeep, why not compromise and design a extra special spot in your garden where you go to unwind and relax. This way you still get what you want from your yard, beauty that is manageable both in cost and maintenance.
Here's some recommended resources for desert landscaping ideas.
The Hot Garden: Landscape Design for the Desert Southwest
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