Saturday, September 28, 2013

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Landscaping Tips - Listen to the Wind to Tell If Your Landscape Watering Method Needs Adjusting

If you happen to be like the great majority of homeowners, and have succumbed to the easier routine of setting your landscape watering system to irrigate your plants at regular intervals, yet soon enough find yourself looking at very dry soil and foliage, you need to read on.
There is little doubt in the minds of most homeowners that it is in fact easier to just set the timer on your sprinklers to take care of your landscape watering needs. The foolproof, never fails, irrigation system, right? For the most part, you are perfectly fine by relying on your automated irrigation system, except under the following three conditions.
Excess rain: Often times your landscaping will get a bit of extra help in the form of a deluge of rain water from Mother Nature. If you expect rain in the forecast, your best bet in saving money on your water bill as well as conserving under any drought conditions that may exist, is to turn off your automated irrigation system until the storm passes. Water has become very precious in many parts of the country, and it always helps to due your part. Not only that, too much watering from a rainstorm on top of the landscape irrigation system will not give the soil enough time to drain properly.
Dry weather conditions: The second condition that a homeowner should pay attention to is unusually dry weather conditions compared to normal as a result of not enough rain. Perhaps you are experiencing a drought in your part of the country. Again, every homeowner needs to evaluate their individual landscape watering needs, but should only water as much as is absolutely necessary. Many homeowners unknowingly water way more than their landscaping requires. It could be that they have forgotten what the little information tag said at the nursery regarding the plant they decided to purchase, and have ended up watering that little Rosemary plant several times a week, when it actually requires very little watering at all once established.
Strong wind conditions: Finally, raise an eyebrow to any excessive winds that blow your way, for they too can put an unusual strain on your plants, flowers, and especially the soil they grow in. In the same way that windy conditions can dry out our own skin, they too will suck a lot of the moisture out of your soil. It never hurts to take the reliable three inch soil test, especially during conditions of high winds. Just stick your finger in the soil about three inches, and if the soil is dry, it probably means that plant needs some watering. There are exceptions to the rule though, such as in the case of that little Rosemary plant that is very drought tolerant and in fact, thrives under drier conditions.
Your best bet is to do a little research about the various irrigation requirements of your landscaping, find someone who can do it for you, or buy a more costly moisture sensitive irrigation system that will take your worries away. In any event, just pay attention to the three weather conditions mentioned above for your landscape watering needs, and you will be doing your plants a favor.
Happy watering!



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2269702

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Landscape Drainage Planning

Drainage is basically where the water will go and how it will go there. In most situations rain water falls from the eves of the home or building directly onto the ground. This is alright if the ground around the structure slopes away from the building. That would keep water away from the foundation. After that the water will run to the lowest point it can. In a common suburban setting it will run to the front gutter, because city codes insist on a home being higher than the street, and all of the concrete flat work sloping to and connecting with the city street gutter. After the water enters the street gutter it just runs away, because of the slope of the gutter. What were concerned with is getting that rainwater from your roof to the street gutter without causing damage or inconvenience along the way.
Most homes have rain gutters which channel water to certain areas and then deliver the water via down spouts to the ground. This enables us to only have to deal with a few particular spots around the home or building that will have a large amount of water that needs to be dealt with. For the best results a subsurface drains system would be installed and connected directly to the down spouts to catch the rain water and carry it to the designated location for absorption. Surface drain inlets can also be added to drain pipe system to drain low spots in the landscape that would otherwise collect rain water. Sometimes the underground pipes run to a dry well or sump where the water collects and then is disbursed either by absorbing into the ground or by the pumping of the water via pipe to a better location such as the street gutter.
If the water doesn't go directly from the rain gutter into a drain pipe it will flow on the surface of the ground. The ground around the home should slope 6 inches slope away from the structure for the first 10 feet, after that, the ground can slope in a different direction that eventually will get the run off water to the street or a catch basin, away from the building. Next time you see a concrete driveway or sidewalk connecting to a building try to notice how it slopes. If it has been installed by a pro, you will be able to see that it always slopes away from the building to the street. In urban settings it should slope away from the building for at least the first 10-20 feet and after that it should be high in the center or at least slope to one side to prevent standing water on the concrete. The grade of the ground should follow similar grades to provide good drainage away from a building of home.
Once you consider you situation and budget, it's time to call in the professionals. First get a professional rain gutter installation company out to your home. Show them where you think the down spouts should be and then let them tell you what they think would be a good plan for doing that. They may suggest different locations based on the rainwater load that different sections of roof have. Remember that the professional knows best.
Next get the landscape contractor or plumber out to your place and discuss what you have learned from the rain gutter guy. Show them the locations that the downspouts will unload the roof and discuss the drainage from the landscape surface. Let the professional give you a plan and a bid and then get another opinion or two just to get different perspectives. You know every body does it different.
After making the decisions on how to control the landscape drainage and after the installation is complete the only thing to do now is test it out. A garden hose will probably do the trick for this. Now you will be able to rest easy knowing that all the rainwater is under control when it starts to rain really hard.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1961239

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Garden Block Overstock Sale - Take Advantage!


We have found ourselves overstocked in Garden Blocks. So, we are having an Overstock Clearance Sale to move them out.

Regular price per block is $2.29, and
 
Sale Price is now only
 
$1.19 each
 
That is almost 50% off!
 
Buy one block, or a pallet
 
Plus,
 
Buy multiple pallets
and receive and additional
 
$14.40 per pallet
(144 blocks per pallet)
 
Available in Latte and Café colors.
 
While supplies last!

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Garden Rock Wall



We check out the simple rock wall at Out in the Garden Nursery and get some tips for building one ourselves!

Monday, September 16, 2013

Landscaping Tips For Sod Grass and Gardens

Landscape Like A Pro!
Does your home look worn and tired? If your answer is yes, some landscaping may be helpful. A small amount of landscaping can turn an older home into a visually appealing residence. For landscaping tips that can help you, keep reading this article.
Find out about the climate and hardiness zones of the plants you choose. Also think about whether annuals or perennials will work best for you. Be conscious of how the seasons will affect your landscaping. Consider every way that nature will impact a landscaping project before you start.
Remember to aerate your soil. If you loosen or puncture the soil, it will increase air permeability and water penetration. Aerating can be as simple as turning the soil over with a trowel, or in the case of lawns, making small holes in the grass. This can be done with an aerating machine, a garden fork, or even by walking on the grass wearing a pair of spiked golf shoes. This brings oxygen into the roots and promotes healthy new growth.
Use granite for the surfaces in the outdoor kitchen you are installing. There are many cheaper materials available, but they can be damaged by water, temperature fluctuations or having hot items placed upon them.
Don't tackle too large of a landscaping project at one time. It is best to break up an endeavor this large into smaller individual projects that are easier to budget and execute. It can also assist you in changing your design while carrying out in the process of landscaping.
Use fertilizers that are free for the taking. Using chemical free grass clippings or human urine for a nutrient rich and free fertilizer. Twenty parts water with one part urine is an excellent fertilizer for seedlings, or steep the grass clippings in water to make a tea for watering and fertilizing the plants. So don't spend a lot on the garden when the fertilizers can be had for free.
Pick out products that are made well and avoid cheap ones. Home improvement stores may sell inexpensive products, but if their quality is low, you aren't getting a good value. A niche retailer will offer you great advice and high quality products at a reasonable price. Do not fret about spending money on products, because you need quality products to create a quality yard.
By properly timing what you purchase, you could save yourself a bit of money. For instance, winter is the best time to purchase lumber, while shrubs, mulch, and tress should be bought later on in the season. When new plants become available, wait several years before purchasing them so that the price is not so high.
Consider growing wheat grass or cat grass near the plants your cat enjoys eating. Additionally, use your cat's keen sense of smell to your advantage. Citrus fruit peels and mothballs both smell horrible to cats, so put them on the soil near the plants your cat likes to eat.
Include many different plant species when you plan the look of your yard or garden. This will give you greater protection in the case of disease or damaging insects. If you plant the same plants, chances are they'll all be lost. Plant health can often depend on diversity when you are planning your yard.
It can be a wise investment to consult with an experienced landscaper before you embark on any major landscaping project. An experienced landscaper will be able to give you advice and feedback that is priceless because it may save you time and money. It may cost you $75 or so for a one hour consultation, but it may be well worthwhile.
Don't cut your freshly laid sod grass down by the soil when you run the mower. If you leave a bit more height, the sod grass roots will get deeper, making your lawn stronger. The shorter the grass, the shallower the roots, which makes the lawn more likely to develop brown patches.
When you mow your lawn, it is a great idea to leave some of the glass clippings where they fell. This will supply some good nutrients to your lawn as the grass decomposes, and you will not have to add fertilizer to your lawn as much as you would have otherwise.
For some items, you can use a cheaper product. Things such as containers, mulch, and regular perennials are things you want to buy cheaper, as the costly versions are the same. It is crucial you carefully watch over the plants. Many discount big box stores may not have workers who provide the optimum care to their plants.
To keep your lawn looking great when there's a water shortage, set the blades of your lawnmower to their highest height. Doing this will allow your grass to go dormant, keeping it looking fresh with minimal water. Be sure to change your blades back to their normal setting when you're able to water your grass normally.
It can be hard to grow flowers around a large tree you may have in your yard for shade. You may want to consider using ground cover instead. Not only will this make your yard more beautiful, it's simple to keep up with. Consider hosta and sweet woodruff as ground cover.
You home doesn't have to look drab and uninteresting. Use a few tips you have learned here. It can be as beautiful as the homes you see in films. Just apply all that you learned and change the landscape of your property once and for all.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7874713

Friday, September 13, 2013

Japanese Stone Paths



The Japanese have paths that meet specific purposes in the garden. We show you some of the different designs and why they build different types of paths.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Fire Pit For Fall


The round fire pit on this property is surrounded with a seat wall that has an 18 inch back rest. This is a nice addition to outdoor seating areas. Outdoor cushions can be added to make this a very comfortable fire pit area. Learn how to place a fire pit on your property and how it's properly laid out.


At Dixon Landscape Materials, we think it is interesting in this video how they used flagstone as the seat. We have a huge selections of flagstone in many different colors.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Stone Veneer At Dixon Landscape Materials

Copper Classic

Sage Green

Dixon Landscape Materials is now a distributor for a great full line of Stone Veneer products. The samples above are Stone Veneer Panels that measure 6"x24" and are 1" to 1-1/2" thick. They feature an innovative new process of stone installation. Individually hand selected pieces of natural stone are preassembled and trimmed to size to form a stacked stone panel.

The Stone Veneer Panel's unique modular system is designed to install tightly together to create a virtually seamless fit. It provides a streamlined system of installation that is fast and easy to use--saving labor time and reducing wasted material.

This product comes in the Copper Classic, Sage Green, Desert Haze, Jade Pearl, Smoke Black and Beach Sand color combinations.

To see more about this product, go to http://www.mghomeusa.com/.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Bark Binder™ Landscape Mulch Stabilizer


Bark Binder™
Landscape Mulch Stabilizer


Bark Binder™ is:
  • An easy-t-apply and long-lasting liquid which is applied with standard spraying equipment.
  • EPA-compliant and works naturally to bind with mulch and chipped wood fibers.
  • Creates a durable, yet pliable structure for your landscape and is highly resistant to wind, washouts and erosion.

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Pavestone Edging Installation


Enhance your outdoor living space with Pavestone beautiful, long-lasting edgers.