landscape design ideas

If you are unfortunate to have deer wandering around on your land, it can be both inconvenient and costly. Deer can eat or trample upon crops and landscaping, as well as damage your lawn; over 50 percent of American farmers state that they have had crops damaged by deer; and deer are also responsible for millions of dollars of damage every year. Fully grown deer also tend to have healthy appetites – the average male deer eats over 5 pounds of food every day. And it isn’t just rural areas – deer can be a surprisingly widespread problem in many urban areas.
Deer fencing is specifically designed to be sturdy enough to keep even the largest deer off your land and to prevent costly damage. It is generally less expensive than other types of fencing – especially if you are buying it in a long length – and it is fairly quick and easy to install. Unlike certain other types of fencing, most deer fencing can easily be secured to existing trees, posts and other outdoor furnishings. There are several different styles and types of deer fencing available and it is easy to compare products and buy good quality deer fencing on line.
A properly installed deer fence can also reduce the risk of catching Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that accounts for most vector-borne infections. In fact, the National Institute of Health estimates that deer fencing can reduce the risk of Lyme disease by up to 97 percent. Although many tick species carry Lyme disease, deer ticks are the main carriers; once the deer are unable to access your yard or land because of the fencing, any deer ticks that are still present will eventually die out.
Another advantage of deer fencing is that most of it is designed to be unobtrusive and won’t detract from its surroundings. Mesh size on deer fencing can vary, but tends to be about two inches square, meaning it successfully blends into just about any background. Deer fencing is also completely humane and as it is not electric, it cannot inadvertently harm deer or any other animals. It needs little or no maintenance and good quality deer fencing can last for several years.
When installing deer fencing, it is especially important to make sure that the fencing completely encloses the protected area, regardless of its size. Sooner or later, deer will find any gap in the fencing and push through it, if it is large enough. It is also important to make sure that the bottom of the fencing is firmly attached to the ground to prevent deer from entering under the fence; the most effective method is to flare out at least a few inches of mesh onto the ground and then secure it.
Whether you have just a small backyard or several hundred acres of land to protect, good deer fencing is an essential requirement. It’s an easy and affordable way to help to protect your valuable investment, by keeping deer and other large animals away.

About the Author

Information in this article about Deer Fencing provided by leading fence installer Riverside Fence in the Wilton CT area.

Learning to build your very own Japanese Style Garden is easy and will turn your otherwise boring garden into a green and vibrant getaway to be enjoyed.

Anyone who has been to Japan has probably been lucky enough to have visited the world famous KOKOEN gardens located in Himeji. The city known for having the only remaining original feudal castle in Japan.

KOKOEN is an absolute fascination in terms of design and serenity. A truly great way to spend a few hours relaxing with your family and friends.

It is really not at all hard to build your own little mini KOKOEN garden out on your patio or in a section of your garden. Your entire garden can be transformed in a single weekend. Imagine taking a few days off to transform your garden and then inviting all of your relatives over to see your creation. Amazing!

Anyway, the biggest obstacle that most people run into when deciding to build their own Japanese Style Garden is a lack of reputable information regarding what kind of plants to use and how to actually design the garden in a way that it will end up looking like an authentic piece of Japan.

There is a guide that doesn’t cost much more than a pizza that is the most comprehensive guide available for people wishing to build their own Japanese gardens. This guide is chock full of designs and pictures of what kind of plants and trees to use and makes building your own Japanese Style Garden a real breeze.

Just imagine the attention you are going to get from your neighbors, friends, and relatives. They will be green with envy! Probably not as green as your garden, though.

To learn how you can transform your garden into your own little piece of the world famous KOKOEN gardens, I recommend this amazingly easy to follow guidebook. Build Your Own Japanese Garden!

About the Author

Lucas Uren lives in Japan with his wife and 3 beautiful kids. He is passionate about writing and spends the vast majority of his free time writing articles and ads. He is also the owner of the website articles-and-ads.com and invites authors to submit their articles and ads for publication.

Studies show that a well-maintained landscape can add as much as 15% to the value of a home at resale. Are your trees and shrubs getting the care they deserve?

Professional lawn and landscape companies have made a name for themselves by helping customers grow lush, green, beautiful lawns. However, there is much more to a well landscaped lawn than green grass. You can rely on a lawn and landscape care service to provide your trees and shrubs with comprehensive care that will keep them growing in beauty and value for years to come. Why put your whole lawn at risk by trying to do it yourself when you can have a program designed with the unique needs of your landscape plants in mind. Most lawn and landscape service providers can custom-tailor a program to fit your specific goals and budget.

When you sign up for a professional tree & shrub care program from your lawn service provider, here’s what you can expect:

Professional feeding -

Your lawn care professional will provide your trees and shrubs with seasonal, root zone feedings of timed-release fertilizer. By applying the fertilizer directly into the root zone, it will be distributed more evenly throughout the soil. This will make it easier for your landscape plants to absorb and use the nutrients they need for vigorous, beautiful growth.

Disease control -

Your lawn service professional will also evaluate your landscape to determine which trees and shrubs may be prone to particular diseases. Then, those plants will receive preventative treatments throughout the year. If other diseases do appear, they’ll immediately be treated with the appropriate control products.

Insect control –

You can count on your landscape professional to provide your trees and shrubs with a combination of preventative treatments and control applications throughout the year to minimize damage from harmful insect pests. You can rest assured that the appropriate product will be used only when and where needed, and in the proper amounts for effective control.

Continuous monitoring –

Your lawn care specialist will keep a constant eye on your landscape plants for signs of trouble. In this way, we can identify and correct any problems before they have a chance to seriously affect your trees and shrubs.

In addition to providing services and lawn care products, landscaping professionals also provide expert advice on areas of your lawn that you might have overlooked. This includes proper pruning practices, which are essential for healthy growth.

About the Author

Perry Boylan is a Marketing Manager with Scotts LawnService. Perry has worked for Scotts Miracle-Gro for 10 years providing sound lawn, garden, and pest management advice. Scotts LawnService will transform your lawn with organic lawn care services, gardening tips, and tree and shrub care. Scotts offers a FREE lawn analysis. Visit http://www.scottslawnservice.com/

It’s not often you find a shrub, tree, or flowering plant that captures the essence and spirit of a generation. But if you’re looking to bring the highlights and roaring lifestyle of the 70′s to your garden, along with a little tropical flare, then there’s no better plant for you than the Hibiscus Moscheutos Rose Mallow.

Often referred to as the Disco Belle Pink, this hardy little Hibiscus can grow as high as two and a half feet tall, and has enormous flowers, reaching up to nine inches in diameter, or roughly the size of a dinner plate! What’s more, these phenomenal beauties can be found in the United States, in St. Louis, Missouri of all places. These flowers are most often a brilliant, near fluorescent pink color a center that ranges from deep pink to bright red. The best thing about this particular plant is that while each of the flowers individually lives for only one to two days, each day sees the blossoming of several more flowers, so you are able to enjoy the beauty and wonder of these gargantuan flowers all throughout the growing season.

But Hibiscus Moscheutos Rose Mallow has some inherent issues that the responsible gardener must be ready and willing to deal with in order to keep this plant alive, blooming and beautiful from first planting through the entire life of the plant. First, while this hardy hibiscus is able to tolerate any type of garden soil, that soil must always be kept moist or the plant will not be able to create enough nutrients. Additionally, while this particular plant can live in some shade, it does best when it is planted in areas with full sun that are well ventilated and provide good circulation for the air. Wind can harm the delicate, beautiful blooms on this plant as well as its leaves and stems, so it is important to keep this Hibiscus in an area that is protected from strong winds.

The excellent thing about Hibiscus Moscheutos Rose Mallow is that is does not suffer from any serious diseases or insect issues. If it is not properly cared for it may become susceptible to blight, rust, leaf spots and cenker. And Japanese beetles, a frequent “house guest” of this plant, can cause sever damage to the leaves if you leave the plant without proper care and watching over.

Like most Hibiscus, this plant blooms from July to September. But this one can be grown in most growing zones including Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

Be careful if you happen upon this plant in the wild. Hibiscus Moscheutos Rose Mallow is considered protected to a degree in Canada and is also a wetland plant in most areas of the United States.

If you choose to plant this lovely little Hibiscus, remember to take good care of it. It not only will bring back the best memories you have (or movie moments you watched) of the 70s but it will also create new, fond memories of your garden’s heyday.

About the Author

http://www.tnnursery.net
TN Nursery is a state certified tree nursery specializing in native plants and trees, shrubs, fern, and perennials as well as pond plants and wetland mitigation species.

Jointing sand (types) Click Here!

Sand particles should typically be symmetrical and angular in shape. Particles that are too round and close to the same gradation will eventually wash out of the joints. Sand that is too soft will not be able to transfer loads properly.

Contractors have several different options available for sand. Polymeric sand is gaining in popularity among contractors for several reasons. Polymeric sand is unlike sand. Polymeric sand stays in place, stabilizes the work, follows movement of the pavers, reduces weed growth, keeps insects from penetrating between the joints and is available in different colors. Click Here! Other jointing sands that are commonly used by contractors are mason sand, torpedo sand and stone dust.

Purpose of jointing sand

There are generally three functions for jointing sand:

1. It will act as a medium through which applied traffic loads are transferred between paver to paver.

2. It helps prevent pavers from being pinched together.

3. It exerts friction between the pavers to help prevent movement.

Typically when the joints between the pavers are completely filled with sand, the loads applied to the pavers are transferred to the surrounding pavers. This enables the paver units to act together, as a load bearing system. Joints that are not completely filled with jointing sand can cause the pavers to act independently, which might result in future pavement failure.

Pavers will tend to shift and rotate when exposed to various traffic loads. Joints between the pavers that are completely filled with sand will prevent this from happening. Most pavers are manufactured with spacing bars. These spacing bars create a space between the pavers, which allow for proper sand installation. Pavers that are installed without spacing bars will tend to pinch, resulting in the chipping of pavers in heavy traffic.

Jointing sand installation and final compaction

Before jointing sand is spread across the surface of the pavers. The pavers should be compacted. (See section 4.8 ). After your first compaction of the pavers, you can spread a liberal amount of jointing sand across the surface of the pavers. After you have spread the jointing sand, you need to sweep the sand into the paver joints. Once the jointing sand has been swept across the surface of the paver, you can vibrate the pavers with a plate compactor. When compacting the pavers with jointing sand, it is recommended to compact the pavers in two different directions. This will force the jointing sand down into the joints and interlock the pavers. After compacting the pavers, jointing sand should be applied to the entire surface again and swept into place. This will ensure that all the joints are being properly filled. You should repeat this process as many times as needed to fill all the joints.

Final inspection and cleanup

Once you have completed the jointing sand application, it is best to do an overall inspection of your project. The overall appearance of your project is very critical, especially to your clients.

It is best to remove any extra sand from the surface of the pavers prior to doing your final inspection. During your inspection, it is important to pay attention to the following:

1. All damaged pavers are marked and replaced.

2. All pavers are level and true to grade. The final surface elevations should not vary more than +3/8 in, under a run of 10 ft. The top of the pavers should be 1/8 to 1/4 in above the adjacent catch basins, drains and utility covers. The top of the pavers may be 1/8 to1/4 in above the final elevations to compensate for possible minor settling.

3. There is positive pitch for drainage to all drains and channels.

4. All joints are completely filled with sand.

5. All extra materials are removed from the job site ( i.E. Gravel, sand, garbage, pavers and pallets )

6. Schedule a final walk through with the client to ensure complete customer satisfaction.

7. Repair any punch list items they may address.

It is best to develop a project check list. A project check list can help minimize any future call backs from the client. It is best to go over the check list with the client and have them sign off on it when the project is complete.

Final statement: this study guide was developed to provide you with the knowledge required to obtain the highest of standards in the industry. By following and applying the principles in this study guide, you can significantly increase the success of your every project.

For additional Design Ideas for your project. Click Here!

About the Author

Kurt Glave has over 28 years of professional experience in the Landscape / Hardscape Industry. He also started the original Hardscape Expo & Conference Tradeshow and is now a Regional Sales Manager for RCP and is also a Landscape Designer.

For additional Ideas and Plans for your next Landscaping or Hardscaping project. Click Here!

Landscaping edging is the perfect answer if you want your backyard garden or front lawn to stand out from the rest of the neighborhood. It maintains a picture of order and boundary, it doesn’t serve as a decoration around the flowers and plants, it is simply the finishing touch to the garden.

Edging in landscaping has many uses, but the main purpose is to keep a sense of boundary between what is part of the garden landscape and what is not. It keeps away weeds from invading a flower bed, keeps grasses from the overlapping and they define the spaces in the garden.

There are only two things which are in great use during edging; it is the elbow and the spade. By just using the old school spade, you can dig yourself a trench along the boundary line you made for your plantings. This method is inexpensive and it will only cost you time and effort. Proper digging skill may be required in the tasks for improper digging with the spade may result to an uneven trench. This process must be repeated each year to maintain the boundary and the depth of the trench.

If you want to level up the edging but still maintain a tight budget, the use of wood is a good idea. You may want to choose long and narrow wooden sticks and form them into rail road ties. You may also form wooden bricks. The use of wood as landscape edging has a very natural effect. The wood blends with any plants you surround it with. The wood material for the edging may no be that durable and is advice to be replaced every year.

Plastic edging materials are also available; if you want something more durable than wood then this is the answer. It is available and very inexpensive. Its pliable characteristic and ability to be easily flexed around curves makes it ideal to be used around round flower or tree beds.

If you want something more sturdy than plastic or wood, metal materials can also be used, it is highly recommended by landscape artist but its rusting add to its disadvantage.

By far the most used and hard wearing are edging that are made from bricks, Stone or concrete. The price may be hefty but it is worth every penny. It is available in every shape and size making them great for ornamental or functional purposes.

Having a landscaping edging provides additional beauty to a landscape garden, may it be made from wood, plastic, metal or stone its uses, providing clear boundary and space between flower beds, gives the yard a clean and proficient picture.

About the Author

More about landscape edging at the Clearance Paving website. For further details on materials that you can use, please visit the website.

Lobelia cardinalis is the scientific name of the Cardinal Flower, which is a species that originated from the Americas and is native to south eastern Canada, south western United States, Central America, Mexico and northern Columbia. It is a short lived, herbaceous, perennial plant that is often found growing in wet places such as swamps and stream banks.
Appearance
Cardinal flower plants can grow up to heights of one and a half meters. The leaves of these plants are oval to lanceolate in shape and have a toothed margin. The leaves are often a bright green colour that gives a nice contrast with the flower blooms and looks very attractive. Some varieties have burgundy or purple coloured leaves. The stem of this plant grows strongly vertically and the foliage is close to the ground due to the shallow rooted clumps, and the taller flower stalks are lifted high above the foliage.
Flowers and fruits
The flowers of this plant are a vibrant red in colour and have five deep lobes. They are produced as erect racemes and bloom from summer into fall. They are produced on tall stalks and sometime can be found to bloom a bit later. All the blooms are quite long lasting. There are some varieties that have pink, blue and white flowers as well.
Cultivation
This plant grows well in moist soil that is very rich even though most other perennials would rot in such soil. It can put up with dry soil but only with frequent watering. It prefers partial sun or light shade.
You can propagate this plant easily by dividing the young plants that form around the more mature plants every year and spreading them out. The plant is considered perennial but usually lone plants tend to live for up to seven to ten years before they die. To make sure that your entire collection of these plants do not die at the same time you need to make sure you propagate new plants using seeds at least once every four years.
Care Tips
These plants should be grown in rich soil that has lots of moisture in it. Depending on where they are grown, they need different amounts of sunlight. If you live in the southern regions then they will prefer plenty of shade, but if you live in a location where the summers tend to be cool, then they will want more sun. They are capable of surviving dry periods and may need some protection against slugs as they are planted in moist soils. There are no specific diseases or pests that affect these plants.
Popularity
These plants are quite popular because of their long lived blooming period. The flowers look delicate but are very boldly coloured and are often placed near water features or planted in masses to bring out their brilliant colour effect. They combine well with ferns and are popular in many gardens because of the true red colour they exhibit. They thrive where other perennials would not and therefore many gardeners and homeowners make use of these plants to brighten up the shady parts of their gardens where the soil is moist.

About the Author

http://www.tnnursery.net
TN Nursery is a state certified tree nursery specializing in native plants and trees, shrubs, fern, and perennials as well as pond plants and wetland mitigation species.

When it comes to discovering fresh ways to improve your home, there is nothing way more helpful compared to the set up of a concrete swimming pool. A concrete swimming pool is a great investment into your residence and provides advantages to the investor whether you are just buying a home, looking to make alterations in your present house or looking to sell your house. For the new house owner it is generally difficult to move into a home that was formerly lived in. Luckily for them the installation of a concrete swimming pool offers them the chance to make the home their own by customizing an area specifically towards their interests.

If you have lived in your home for a long time and are desperate for a modification, nothing is more successful than putting in a concrete swimming pool. With a concrete swimming pool you can absolutely alter an area of your home that may well be of no use or is in serious requirement of redesigning. Ultimately, for the person looking to sell their house there is no wiser remodeling investment than a concrete swimming pool. With the installation of a concrete swimming pool you add a marvelous aspect to the property that appeals to many potential buyers. You also have the opportunity to increase the value of your home and have a greater possibility of selling your house before your housing market competition.

One of the biggest holdups that exist with home owners investing in concrete swimming pools is discovered with their generated belief that their property cannot support a concrete swimming pool. When you make the decision to utilize the specialists, you open up the door to fresh ideas you may have not considered in the past such as the notion of retaining wall design. With retaining wall design you have the chance to reshape your property and customize it to match your needs. Even if you choose that a pool is not for you with retaining wall design you can alter the shape of your landscape creating a new environment for you to live in.

With the usage of retaining wall design you open the door to having a professional organization install your concrete swimming pool. Most house owners are surprised at the impact a new concrete swimming pool can have on the look of a property when you combine it with retaining wall design. Never make the presumption that your property will not allow you the pleasures of a concrete swimming pool until you talk to the experts of the field.

About the Author

Know the entire process of building and owning concrete swimming pool? From design to construction, experts at Prestige Pools help you to make your dream pool come true. To learn more visit their website at http://www.prestigepools.com.au

I saw an ad for a book entitled 197 Ways to Have More Curb Appeal. I don’t know all of them, and I don’t want to. Here are the 15 or 20 ways I think will give you the most bang for your buck and make the most difference to the appearance of your home.
They are in no particular order of importance. It’s up to you to decide what you think is appropriate for your home, and what will do the most to enhance curb appeal. Here they are:
Install outdoor lighting
Landscape lighting makes a huge impact on your home’s appearance, while also providing safety and security. Fixtures can add accent lighting to trees or the house or can illuminate a walking path. If you aren’t able to use lights that require wiring, install solar fixtures (but understand that their light levels are not as bright or as reliable).
Replace old hardware
House numbers, the entry door lockset, a wall-mounted mailbox, and an overhead light fixture are all elements that can add style and interest to your home’s exterior. These elements add the most curb appeal when they function collectively. Oiled-bronze finishes suit traditional homes, while brushed nickel suits more contemporary ones.
Renew planter beds
Get garden beds into shape by pruning, pulling weeds, planting flowers, and adding new mulch. If your border is old or tired-looking, try upgrading to stone or a decorative cast-concrete edging system.
Create symmetry
Symmetry is not only pleasing to the eye, it’s also the simplest to arrange. Symmetrical compositions of light fixtures and front-door accents create welcoming entries. When a door is flanked by two sidelights, or two planters, it makes a difference.
Dress up the front door
Your front door is the focal point of your home’s curb appeal. Make a statement by giving your front door a blast of color or by installing a custom wood door. Clean any dirty spots around the knob, and polish the door hardware. Your entry should also reflect the interior, so choose a wreath that reflects your personal style.

Upgrade your mailbox
Mailboxes should complement the home and express the homeowner’s personality. Dress up posted boxes by staining or painting the wooden post to match the house’s trim and woodwork.
Create an instant garden
Container gardens add a welcoming feel and colorful appeal to any home exterior — quickly and affordably. You can buy ready-made containers from garden centers or create your own with your favorite plants. For most landscapes, a staggered, asymmetrical arrangement works best.
Add outdoor art
Give your yard a little spunk by adding weather-resistant artwork. Choose pieces that complement your home’s exterior elements. Birdbaths, metal cutouts, sculptures, and wind chimes are good choices for outdoor art. Water sculptures (fountains) not only function as yard art, but the burbling sounds soothe and make hot days feel cooler. Place fountains on level ground in optimum hearing and sight vantage points. Avoid spots in leaf-dropping areas.
Enhance your entry
Even with a small budget, there are ways to draw attention to your front door. Molding acts like a picture frame when applied around a doorway.
Add shutters or accent trim
Shutters and trim add a layer of beauty to your home’s exterior. Shutters also control light and ventilation, and provide additional security. Exterior shutters can be made of wood, aluminum, vinyl, composite, or fiberglass.
Replace gutters and downspouts
If your home has an older gutter system, odds are it’s also suffering from peeling paint, rust spots, or other problems that can convey a sense of neglect. Replace old systems. Copper systems, while pricier, convey a look of quality.
Renew paint, siding, and trim
An exterior facelift (new paint, siding, or trim details) automatically transforms the look of a home. Any obvious defects, such as cracked or rotting material, can downgrade your curb appeal and diminish the value of your house.

Apply stone veneer
Stone is a great option for dressing up exterior features such as concrete foundations, column footings, and other masonry details. Natural and manufactured stone can be costly options for large areas, but both are affordable and well suited for use as accents.
Dress up the driveway
If your driveway is cracked or stained or has vegetation sprouting from it, you can upgrade it without doing a complete redo. First repair the cracks and stains (and kill the weeds), then dress it up by staining the concrete.
Add arbors or fence panels
Arbors, garden gates, and short sections of decorative fence panels will enhance your curb appeal. These can be found in easy-to-build kits or prefab sections you simply connect together. For best results, paint or stain these items with colors already on your house.
Install window boxes
Window boxes offer a fast, easy way to bring color and charm to your home exterior. Choose boxes made from copper or iron for a traditional look, or painted wood for a cottage feel. Choose flowers and plants to suit your lighting conditions and color scheme.
Build a walkway
Well-designed walkways make your home feel warm and inviting. For a dramatic improvement to a straight concrete path, replace it with a contoured one made of stone or brick. For a less costly upgrade, apply a colored concrete resurface to the old walkway, then edge with brick or stone borders.
Upgrade railings
Porch and stoop railings can deteriorate quickly if not treated properly. If your railings are past their prime, look for good quality components to replace the existing material. Make sure the color, scale, design, details, and material are compatible with the home.

About the Author

Charles Gueli has worked more than 40 years in the construction industry. He invites you to ask questions about curb appeal, and take advantage of the resources on http://www.continuous-home-improvement-help.com, where guidance, information and support are always available.

The most common pergolas that you will find in people’s yards are rectangular, but new pergola designs are becoming more available so that you can have the model you’ve always wanted in order to look both contemporary and unique. You can either hire a contractor to develop a different type of pergola design just for you, or you can find ready-made designs for curved and arced arbors. A pergola will add a focal point of interest in any yard, and it can also be quite functional. Choose your pergola design, and you’ll be ready to get started.

Pergolas come in many different sizes. If you choose a design that has been made into kit form, you will probably be able to do all the work yourself and save some labor costs. However, if you’ve selected a unique design, you may need professional help to create and build your arbor. Pergolas are available in styles that can be attached to your home or as freestanding structures. You can use an attached pergola as a cover for a deck or patio which will provide some shade and protection from the elements. A freestanding model can be used anywhere in your yard, providing that you’ve checked with your local building codes first.

The pergola design that you choose will be limited by a couple of factors. First of all, you need to decide on your budget for the project and then choose a type of arbor that will fit into your financial range. You also need to take a survey of your property to see what type of pergola will fit in with the size and landscape. For example, you’re not going to want to build a huge pergola in a postage-stamp sized yard, because it’s going to overwhelm the space. In the same vein, you aren’t going to want to purchase a tiny arbor and put it into the wide-open spaces of a vast piece of property.

There are countless different designs you can choose from, and you’re certain to find one that will blend with your home and the look you’re hoping to achieve. As mentioned earlier, rectangular shapes are most commonly used, and you will find dozens of variations on the rectangular theme. The roofs are done in many different configurations, from a tight, intricate design of timbers to a very open roof plan. The ends of the roof timbers will vary, too, with some being spirals, curves, blunt ends, and other customizable shapes.

No matter what unique pergola design you choose, it’s sure to make a positive addition to your landscape and provide a wonderful area for conversing, barbecuing, or sitting in a hot tub.

About the Author

For more tips and information on beautiful backyard pergolas designs, visit PergolaDesignReviews.com to discover tips on pergola plans, including asian pergola plans and more.