2009 June | Backyard Oasis

Top Ten Landscape Trends for 2009. Part one

Jun 222009

Landscaping designs and ideas change along with our societies needs and the economy. By reading and looking at magazines you can see the current trends and decide if they fit your home and family needs.

Ten current landscaping trends

* Kitchen gardens are very popular this year with the economy being as unstable as it is. There is also a growing trend to buy more local produce.
photo credit: themissiah

By growing your own produce you know what chemicals are on the food and you know the fruits and vegetables are fresh. A 600 square foot kitchen garden will save a family $500 on grocery bills.

Another positive point is that home grown produce always has more flavor than store bought produce.

* Many families are improving their outdoor living space. With planning any backyard can become a personal oasis for relaxing, entertaining and family events. The addition of a patio, pool, children’s play area or entertainment area will add to any backyard. And with planning these improvement can be made on a budget.

An area as simple as a tent under trees, racquetball area or a picnic table nestled in a backyard corner will add to any home and will be used by the entire family. Any of these ideas can be done in a few hours and are easy on the wallet.

Additional plans such as a patio, pool area, or outdoor building will cost more and take more time for planning and installing.

* Landscaping will increase the value of your property and if selling your home is in your future plans this is an area you may want to look into. Landscaping will also make your backyard a more inviting area and your landscaping ideas will fit the home activities to meet your family’s needs.

A landscaped yard will add 5.7 to 10.8 percent to the homes value (this average will vary according to the area you live), according to a home sale study in the Journal of Environmental Horticulture. Research from the University of Minnesota shows that every $1 spent on landscaping will return $1.35 when you sell your home. The addition of trees, a patio area and an overall inviting look to your home can be a big plus in selling your home in the future.

* Sustainable landscapes can be the most efficient landscape design and are becoming a must for the homeowner. They are planned around available resources – light, water, climate, and plant combinations stressing the use of native plants and using local products.

Landscaping ideas include green gardening and environmentally friendly ideas with the theme of reduce/reuse/recycle. These methods encourage a compost pile for the vegetables and fruits and recycling hardscape materials like rocks, boulders or flagstone into the landscape design. Landscape designs are also using mulch in garden beds and around shrubs and trees beds to cut water use.

By designing your yard and home you will add more comfort and value to the property. Part two of the top ten landscape trends will follow soon.

Choosing the Perfect Hot Tub

guest writer 1 Response »

Jun 212009

by Penny Lane

Regardless of whether you plan your Jacuzzi purchase because of the scientific reviews and health benefits, or for the simple luxurious pleasures of having your own in-home water fun palace, Jacuzzis are great. You can have all the healthy luxuriousness of bubble-jet and warm water that Jacuzzis can offer you. Are you wondering where to begin?
photo credit: Toprural

For Whom?

Taking into consideration your plans of long-term uses and your schedule presently, also consider the various sizes and shapes of Jacuzzi designs. If you need something special, many manufacturers will permit you a customized design. For example, entertaining many guests requires tubs that provide ample amount in seating choices.

When you desire rest and relaxation after dinner and dancing, perhaps a two-seater Jacuzzi is exactly what you need. Alternately, specialized tubs with specific options and functions for adjusting water action and heat levels are successful as Jacuzzis for disabled and elderly hydrotherapy programs.

What kinds of Details are best for You?

Now that you understand the purpose behind you purchase, check for the details to go along with it. A Jacuzzi can be a fully customizable affair. Is a simple water heater enough, and will you be fine with the whirlpool action adjustable to only high or low? How many bubble jets do you want, and in what parts of the tub?
photo credit: Jean & Nathalie

Remember that the placing of a bubble jet can dramatically affect the entire Jacuzzi experience. You do not want it so close to the carved seats that you’ll be sitting directly over it, while you don’t want it too far and few in between that you might as well start using your arms to circulate the water. Another important consideration is the material.

The primary materials available today by various manufacturers include plastic, ceramic and wood for the tub. Plastic is waterproof and dependable. Yet, wood Jacuzzis add style and elegance to your surroundings. Check to be sure that wood tubs are pretreated to hold up under water and heat.

Safety First

In order to eliminate bacteria and algae from your tub, you will need to treat the water. There are various chemicals available to help you. Your manufacturer is happy to offer you advice concerning their products. Other safety items to consider are covers to keep kids and pets out, slip-resistant floors and side handlebars.

If you keep these things in mind while shopping for Jacuzzis you will be able to find one that satisfies all your needs.

About the Author:

If your thinking about owning a Hot Tub then be sure to visit our Jacuzzi and hotub advice centre. You will find many articles to help and advice you on your selection of a jacuzzi.

Make Your Grass Look Pleasant a A Day Or Two before Your Guests Arrive

guest writer 1 Response »

Jun 202009

by Billy Jones

You can truly get a lawn that is absolutely beautiful by being devoted to your lawn care , but it isn’t always easy to find the time to do it.It is because of this reason, that many people invest the money in getting help from professional lawn care specialists.
photo credit: ToddBlm

You can still have a nice lawn though, even if you just have a few hours to devote to it. The guide below will provide you with some shortcuts to lawn care help and proper maintenance.

Weed Control, Fertilizer, and Mowing Your Lawn

Doing the above, of course is the best thing that she can do if you want a great looking lawn. However, that brings us right back to our first problem – time.

If you can manage to spend a few hours after work, on weekends, pulling leaves, fertilizing, and managing your lawn then you are way ahead of the rest of us.

If you can’t find the time however, and you would really like to enjoy a decent looking lawn in a relatively quick timeframe, then you need to follow the tips that we have located below.

Water Your Lawn

Like all things, grass needs water to grow. Make sure that you give your lawn a good deep watering a minimum of at least a couple times a week. This is an essential part of good lawn help and maintenance that should not be forsaken.

A good sprinkler system is by far the easiest and best way to give your lawn the water that it needs. If you need your lawn look nice, this is a really great way to get it that way, even if you have a house full of guests that may inspect it.
photo credit: sflovestory

Just water the lawn both the morning before the party and lightly the morning of the party. Take note of the word “lightly” because you want your lawn to have plenty of time to dry before guests arrive. Providing your lawn with these two shots of water, well speed up the greening effect on it.

Mow Your Lawn

Another essential tip of proper lawn care is mowing. Don’t concern yourself with making sure all of the clover is pulled up, or try dealing with all of the crabgrass before you mow it. If your party is tomorrow then you really do not have enough time to take care of the uneven texture of your lawn.

Here’s all that you need to do: on the afternoon of the day before your party, give the lawn a nice mowing, weeds and all. Don’t forget that you need to do it in the afternoon, because you want your lawn to be nice and dry after the morning water.

The thinking behind this tip is that you are trying to make your lawn appear as if it is all green and groomed, and the slight differences in the texture won’t be noticed.

It is always possible of course, the somebody may take a close inspection of your yard and notice some stray clippings, but that’s getting kind of petty. When pressed for time, the end result is worth it. Besides, mowing the lawn the day of the party will leave your yard that great fresh mown smell.

About the Author:

If you don’t have time to take care of your lawn yourself then you might want to look into a lawn care services to assist you.

The Backyard Patio

backyard design 1 Response »

Jun 182009

A perfect addition to any backyard is a patio. A patio can be a simple as an area that the soil has been removed and chips or gravel placed down or more complex in design.
photo credit: castor_girl

If you would like to add a patio there are four decisions to make.

Time

Is your patio design a project that will take a weekend and be quite simple or will you build and design a more permanent patio that will require plans and possibly hiring a construction company.

This decision will be based on what all you plant to do with the patio area. If the idea is a place to relax with a cup of coffee in the morning or evening you may want a very simple patio area. If you plan to entertain you may want to have a patio that can be used year round and will be designed to connect the indoor space with outdoor space.

Location

Will you want the patio attached to the home or in a different area of the backyard?

A patio attached to the home often will make better sue of available space and will act as an extension of indoor/outdoor living. It will also be easier to parties and entertaining if located close to the kitchen area.

Patios placed away from the house act more as entertainment areas or secret retreats. They can jazz up a dull section of the backyard and add to the pool area. Separate patios usually work better in the large backyard.

Space

How much available space do you have for a patio? Even a small area 3 foot by 6 foot can hold a table and chairs a vertical garden and a miniature water fountain. Add a trellis to the side or back for privacy and to add small lights at night for more use of your patio oasis. The ground could be covered in wood chips, indoor/outdoor carpet or stone.

A patio of this design could be easily set up over a weekend and for a very modest price.

And if you have a larger area you may want to consider a cement floor, a roof and more landscaping to blend the home design with your patio.

Price

A simple patio used for relaxing can be set up in a few days and can often be designed with items on hand. While the more elaborate patio will take a few weeks and the price will be determined by if you do the work your self, hire contractors and plan to add a roof, cement flooring or drainage.

If you decide to take on a larger patio project try to plan the work at a time when you won’t be using the backyard as much. You can also do the patio in stages where you can still use part of the patio.

Note: before taking on the larger patio project make sure you have checked into any local building regulations in you area.

With any patio design the idea is to make a relaxing area that is fun and creative. The addition of plants, trees, furniture, water fountains and lighting will enhance any patio.
photo credit: kretyen

The backyard patio can be an extension of your living space and blend the indoor living area with the outdoors. You can easily create a tropical feel or vacation getaway in you backyard. So add a patio area to you backyard or update your patio for a new fresh feel.

Ideas for great patio designs can be found online or at your local library.

Privacy in the Backyard Oasis

backyard oasis 2 Responses »

Jun 162009

Your backyard is a place to relax and enjoy family away from the stress of work and the pressures of life.
photo credit: JAGwired

In order to really enjoy your backyard oasis you need to add that feeling of seclusion and privacy. This is particularly important in towns and cities.

Adding a fence or latticework is one of the fastest ways to add privacy t you backyard. If you add fast-growing vines you will add additional privacy and color to your backyard. Wisteria and roses will provide a pleasant scent while scarlet runner beans and squash or gourds will add vegetables or variety to a fence.

If you rent add temporary fencing or screens to you backyard or work more with the patio or balcony for privacy.

Trees will provide privacy, shade and shelter to you backyard area. Evergreens and aspens are a few of the faster growing trees that you may want to select for your yard.

Renters can add potted trees to their backyard to create more privacy and a larger feel to the area.
photo credit: Ganymedes Costagravas

A gazebo or patio area will add an area to relax and entertain. Use this area to add flowers, bushes, awnings, canopies, or even a screened in area.

Planter boxes placed around the boundaries of your yard filled with vines that you trellis, bamboo or ornamental grass varieties will add a break and more off a secluded feel to your backyard.

Bamboo is a fast-growing plant and certain varieties can be very aggressive in their growing habits. Select a less aggressive variety and make sure to keep the bamboo in the planter so that it will not spread.

A secret garden will also add privacy to your garden. By selecting easy to care for plants, mainly perennials you can create a lush feel, add privacy but not add to the work in your backyard.

A container garden set up in layers will act as a barrier in you yard and add color. A garden such as this can easily be set up on a weekend and can be moved around the yard if need be.

Water fountains and mini ponds will help drown out any noise from the neighborhood and create a restful feel to any yard.
photo credit: freeloosedirt

There are many small and easy projects that will add more comfort and privacy to your backyard oasis. Many are relatively inexpensive and quick to set up.

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