Sunday, January 20, 2013

All Your Concrete Needs!


Dixon Landscape now offers a Do It Yourself (DIY) solution for your concrete needs. We have a fleet of small "portable cement mixers" that tow behind a vehicle and hold 1-yard of concrete that continues to mix during transit so that it is an effective pour when it arrives at the destination. 

It is a very inexpensive way to do a smaller job compared to buying concrete in a bigger truck. It is also more convenient and useful than mixing it yourself onsite - and a good deal less work as well.

We load all the ingredients onsite (concrete gravel, cement and water) into the "mixer trailer" while it is spinning here at Dixon Landscape...the mixer trailer is then ready to haul away to the job destination.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Steep Slope Front Yard Landscaping | Hillside Landscaping



Landscaping ideas for a steep slope or hillside. Front yard landscaping is created for a circular driveway on a slope or hill. Landscape planting ideas for xeriscaping front yards.

Monday, January 14, 2013

Introducing RumbleStone Building Blocks



With Pavestone's new RumbleStone building blocks, you can easily create grill enclosures, mailboxes, benches, fire pits and just about any outdoor structure you can imagine. RumbleStone combines a rough, rustic look with the unmatched durability of Pavestone manufactured stone.

Friday, January 11, 2013

5 Steps to No Drainage Problems!


1. The best time to check on your drainage issues is to wait until it is pouring down rain and go outside with your umbrella to watch the water movement around the house and property.
Make sure to check out the water draining from the roof. Determine if all of the water is draining through the down spouts. Look for water running over the gutter like a giant waterfall.
Many times on large two story homes, the large roof area from the upper roof maybe draining down to a very short piece of gutters. This is a great place for a waterfall.
Are there low spots in the lawn where water is remaining for long periods of time? Make sure to look at the water drainage from the driveway. A large volume may need to be piped into the backyard corner or drainage ditch. In order to count this a problem a large catch basin may need to be installed at the back end of the driveway.
2. You must keep the water away from the house foundation so it will not cause a problem in the crawl space or basement.
Excess water entering the house may cause mildew and mold to form on the walls and floor.
3. Now the hard part is how to solve the problems! Make sure that the gutter can handle the water volume. If the answer is no, larger gutter may be needed or additional down spouts may need to be installed.
After the gutter issues has been taken care of, pipe out the down spouts by installing at least a 4 inch solid drain pipe to the street or the back corner of the backyard. If you are connecting more than one down spout to a drain pipe, a large pipe may be needed.
Low areas in the yard can sometimes be solved by adding topsoil to correct the problem.
4. French drains which include a drain pipe with slits in it and I prefer that the pipe has a mesh sock on the outside. Install this pipe with gravel around it in poor drained areas.
Remember, drainage pipe must be sloping down hill to drain. Check the slope of the pipe with a 4 ft. level all the way through before back fill with gravel.
5. Shrub planting areas may require French drains for proper plant growth. Ground covers and grass can help slow down the water flow across your property.
A retaining wall may be needed to prevent drainage from adjacent properties. After the wall is installed install gravel and a drain pipe to carry the water away to the street or stream.
Solving your drainage problems will cut down on your exterior maintenance problems for the future and provide a peace of mind.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2010165

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Classic Landscaping 725 - Permeable pavers



SF-RIMA permeable pavers... A quick introduction to permeable pavers and how they can be utilized in functional, environmentally sustainable water mangement applications for paths, roadways, etc.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Starburst Fountain



The low design of this fountain makes it perfect for your patio or backyard! Quiet enough to sit around, the soft sound of trickling water makes the Starburst Fountain a wonderful centerpiece for your next landscaping project!

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Landscape Maintenance: In The Winter


With winter fast approaching you have to start thinking about how to care for your landscaping during the cold months. It is almost as important to care for your lawn, yard and landscaping during the winter as it is during the summer.
Landscape maintenance companies will tell you that one of the most important things you can do for your garden or lawn during the winter is snow removal. Removing snow is a vital part of keeping you landscaping looking its best.
Excessive snow pile-up on your lawn can upset the overall look of your lawn and landscaping. Perhaps, more frustrating, though, is the damage done to the plants and specialty work you paid to have done to your yard or garden. Watching the snowfall on your uncovered plants and trees can feel like watching your wallet hemorrhage.
There are ways to keep your wallet intact this winter. Through a few simple steps you can keep you garden looking good and not have too many fix-ups waiting for spring. Landscape maintenance for you lawn or garden this winter will be the best gift you can giver yourself.
So, first you need to put a good snow removal system in place. Whether that means purchasing a special shovel, snowplow or snow blower, it is necessary for you to move at least some of the excess snow. If you have planted winter friendly vegetation like evergreens, then this first tip may not be as necessary.
Removing heavy snow will help the more fragile plants maintain their structure. The key here is to only bother removing snow when it is icy or particularly heavy. Some landscaping experts suggest that when snowfall is heavy the limbs of smaller trees and plants are easily broken from the weight.
Be careful when you remove snow. You a gentle touch when removing snow from plants and shrubs. Find a broom and lightly sweep or shake the snow off. There is a possibility of doing more damage by removing the snow with too much force.
The flip side of heavy precipitation and moisture accumulation is not enough moisture. Probably the second most important thing you can do for you garden or landscaping is to water it. Or, let the snow do it for you. If there is a light blanket or dusting of snow around your plant beds and trees, let it melt. Your plants basically need the same amount of water during the winter as the summer.
You may also want to consider trimming back perennials and other plants during the late summer or fall. There are varying opinions on this topic. Some landscape maintenance experts say this is a matter of taste and not totally necessary to the health of the plant. It can help you save time and effort in the spring.
There are so many ways to winterize your garden, yard. If you do some research, you will find the best ways of going about your landscape maintenance this winter.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5465488