Hardscaping, the use of landscaping that is more permanent, is a project that needs to be thought out and planned well for success in your landscape

Here are 3 tips to help you get started with any hardscaping plan.

1.  Draw out all hardscape construction plans
If you are planning to include permanent features in your landscape it is imperative to think things through thoroughly. The only way to make any piece of hardscape successful in the landscape is to plan it out carefully. Sketch ideas out on paper or on computer software where you can change your mind and move things around cheaply. Study your property and think on any possible problem or additional work the hardscape could add to your yard. I walk the property and ask family and friends if they see any possible problems with the new hardscape plans. Remember, anything that will be permanent will be very costly to change later. So take you time with your plans.

2.  Check into local laws, regulations and codes.
Most cities require specific codes and inspections for most permanent structures, so check with your township or city before you start a hardscape design. Many cities have a wall height or you may have to abide by a road right or way. You also need to check with a landlord if you rent.

3.  Do any hardscape project the right way the first time.
That means make sure you think of any problems your new hardscape could create. Do proper preparation and select quality materials. Check referrals of any construction companies and make sure whoever does the work is experienced and knowledgeable.

photo credit: GardenFocus

If you are qualified to do the work yourself that’s great but if not, hire help. Keeping costs down is always a plus but make sure quality does not suffer. A poor job will only cost more for maintenance and repairs.

Any building project you want to endure should be done properly and within any town and county regulations. It may be tempting to take short cuts or price the job out to the lowest bidder. I myself prefer to hire local companies that need to do the best job they can for their reputation and future work. Just remember when hiring a company, you usually get what you pay for.

A well-done hardscape, whether it is in the form of a patio, terrace, built-in grill, walkway, wall, driveway or anything else, should increase the value of your property and require minimum maintenance. Make the effort to go slowly and carefully and whatever hardscape you build in your landscape can turn into an asset that you can enjoy for years to come. Hardscape can add value to your home if done professionally and built well.

Technorati Tags: backyard design, hardscape, hardscaping tips, home and garden, landscape

When you start to work on your garden there are a few things you need to be aware of. Garden landscaping is one of them and with a little knowledge on this subject you are sure to be happy with the garden you create.
photo credit: Lentini

To start with, garden landscaping is all about the work you put into making your garden look as beautiful as possible.

It doesn’t really matter whether you are working with the landscaping already in place or you are going to design a garden of your own from scratch, the whole thing about garden landscaping is the way in which the flowers, plants and whatever else you have in your garden look and act.

First of all you have to decide which kind of garden you would like to have.

Do you prefer the wild looking garden affording you the luxury of fewer limitations or would you rather go for a simple flower garden with a separated area of land put to one side for growing vegetables?
photo credit: abbybatchelder

There are several different kinds of garden landscaping that you may consider. Some garden landscaping is very severe and cut and dried. Such gardens are likely to contain plantings far away from each other with either clean soil or a selection of rocks separating them.

These kinds of gardens need a keen eye to ensure plants do not grow where they are not supposed to. However, in less strictly set out gardens plants are often encouraged to run a little wild and stray from their boundaries.

Therefore, the first thing that you want to do when you start with your own garden landscaping is to take a look at your garden area and decide what you want.

If you want to have neat rows of vegetables and flowers, you can easily section out the areas where things grow, and make sure that it happens.

If you want to have a garden that is more wild and exciting, you can do so by planting many perennials and keeping track of where things come up.
photo credit: Martina Rathgens

There are other parts of garden landscaping that you should think about too. The use of rocks and stones will keep the garden looking tidy and fences will contain the things growing and help to maintain the appearance of the garden.

By making sure that everything has its place and using the right tools for the job in hand, a beautiful garden with super landscaping can be achieved and enjoyed with only a little hard work on your part.

Technorati Tags: diy, home, home and garden, landscaping

Spring has arrived, the weather is great and your friends are starting to wonder when you plan to invite them over for your first cookout.
photo credit: mahalie

Maybe you’re like me and it’s those gatherings with the people who really matter in your life that makes spring and summer complete. You aim for perfection, but you know there’s always some nagging little hurdle to overcome.

Having long ago accepted the inevitability of the unexpected problem cropping up, I tend to prepare in advance of any outdoor gathering. Just before the event I ensure the grill has plenty propane available (even purchasing a spare tank if things are questionable) and I test light it and let it burn for 10 or 15 minutes.

I run through a quick check-list to cover available beverages and food (always buying a bit extra for the additional guest who may accompany one of my planned visitors). Finally, I check the fuel in my tiki torches and test light them.

Did he just say he tests his tiki torches? Yes he did. Though you may think that’s a bit unusual, setting a mood is one of those subtle but critical elements to hosting a great party and I’ve been unpleasantly surprised by my lighting choice in the past by torches that wouldn’t light, so they’re part of the check list.

It’s the little things that get you in the end. Though there isn’t much to tiki torches beyond a wick, fuel reservoir and the stick to hold them up, these deceptively simple critters can suffer from performance anxiety for several reasons. The obvious one being lack of fuel, but that’s not the only reason. So, lesson learned, I test them.

But is all really lost just because a few lousy torches wouldn’t light? Of course not, but my goals won’t be met as lighting plays such a critical part in the overall design of my yard.

A dramatically accent-lit yard pulls everything together. Whether its a tropical paradise (what I’m shooting for), or painting with light in a formal setting elegantly lit by professional landscape lighting, you really lose something when it’s missing.

It’s a little like erasing Mona Lisa’s hint of a smile or fixing the foundation under the Leaning Tower of Pisa. What you’re left with is still beautiful and artistic, but diminished for the absence of that special something that makes it memorable. The devil is in the details, folks.

And that’s just the day-of prep. For advanced, dig deeper. This is the opportunity to look beyond the food you’ll be serving and think about atmosphere.

Lighting, particularly in-ground lighting, requires taking the time to plan. Do you want something classy? Perhaps the mysterious or fanciful is more your speed. Whatever setting you’re going for, try to make it an escape from everyday life for both you and your guests.

Evening events depend on lighting both for the safety of your guests but also for the atmosphere the lights create. I use tiki torches because I want to set a tropical feel, but in-ground, low-voltage lighting can amazing results. Invest the time to learn about various lighting techniques such as accent lighting and moonlighting and then build your paradise.

In taking the time to plan and carefully implement your landscaping and outdoor lighting objectives well in advance of entertaining guests, you present an event that becomes supremely memorable.

Rather than just raving about your mastery of the grill, your guests will leave your event feeling they’ve just enjoyed a vacation from their everyday lives. And guess what they’ll be daydreaming about the following Monday at work. Providing, of course, you remembered to test your lighting before they arrived.

Technorati Tags: garden, gardening, home and garden, home improvement, landscape lighting, landscaping

Many people have limited garden space or want their garden as near to the house as possible. The perfect solution is to create a garden porch.
photo credit: hortulus

Your produce will be within walking distance, watering will be easy and you will have the added benefit of creating a garden oasis on your porch that will be enjoyed by family and friends.

The first step to a successful porch garden is to check the sunlight that your plants will receive. For a vegetable garden you will need 6 to 8 hours or sunlight. Flowers and herbs can live with less light but really prefer sunlight.

If sunlight is a problem and you really want the garden you can add fluorescent lighting to help your plants out.

Next it’s time to select containers. A mix of hanging baskets, window boxes, and larger containers for the floor will add a layering of plants which creates a full lush feeling in your garden area. You can choose plastic wood or ceramic containers. For retaining moisture, ceramic and terra cotta are the best.

My porch garden has two upside down hanging tomato plants, two hanging strawberry plants, two window boxes that have been placed on the porch railing, and 4 floor containers for the porch corner that will add height in planting to the garden.

It’s best to keep your plant containers about 16 inches or more in diameter so that the plants will not dry out as fast. It’s also beneficial to have mulch on the soil to keep the soil cool so it will not need as much water.
photo credit: Hotash

A trellis will work well for vining flowers and vegetables. Mixing a flowering vine with a vegetable will add color and interest to your porch garden.

It’s amazing what you can grow in a small space garden area. With proper planning you can grow enough produce on your porch to save $500 to $1000 on your grocery bill.

And by adding herbs and flowers you will also be able to grow you own spices for the kitchen and flower bouquets for the house and garden oasis area.

Technorati Tags: backyard oasis, container gardening, garden design, garden oasis, gardening, home and garden, porch garden, Small Space Garden

Spring rolls around and its time to dip into the pocket book and start getting ready for the summer. There’s planting to be done, and repairs to do. Perhaps there’s a landscaping project on the horizon.
photo credit: A writer afoot

Once the plans are in place and the items are bought its time to get out the tools. Now this is where the real challenge begins. Where did you put them last fall? Probably find some in the basement and then there’s that corner of the garage that has some of the bigger ones. Oh yes don’t forget about the spare room probably tucked some away in there too.

This has all got to tell you something. As if you really need, a garden shed. It’s going to save you time and money in the long run. It’s going to save you time because all of your outdoor tools and equipment can be stored in one place. That means when you are in need of something you can just go and get it because you know where it is. When your garden and outdoor implements are scattered all over the place, it takes a lot of time just remembering where they are and then the search is on.

Money wise they save you a great deal. One of your agreements against the garden shed investment may be you just don’t want to put out that kind of money after all you’ve managed so far.
photo credit: sa_ku_ra

The longer you live in a house the more you accumulate. You may have managed up until now but the time is coming sooner or later you just won’t have enough storage space.

Yes, it’s going to cost you money to buy your garden shed. Think of it this way though how much has you spent on soil weeding products and fertilizer. You use a portion of them then one of two things happen. You let them sit outside where they get destroyed by the elements, or secondly you end up throwing them out because there is no place to put them.

Most of the lawn and garden equipment that you have probably purchased has not been cheap either. When it’s not stored properly, it can become damaged or even ruined. The other thing to consider is some of the equipment is not safe to be laying around especially where there are young children.

Finally, a garden shed really does add to the ambience of the landscaping. It makes it look neat and just shows that someone really cares about their outdoors. If you aren’t sure, what style to get just look around your neighborhood and you will get a good idea. You need to base your choice according to your needs.

If you don’t own a lot of garden supplies and equipment then one of the smaller ones will work nicely. Don’t forget though that those winter items can be conveniently stored here as well so plan your required space accordingly. Once you have got past the fact that you had to lay some money out for your shed you are going to be most glad that you did.

Technorati Tags: backyard oasis, backyard projects, diy, hobbies, home and family, home and garden, home improvement, landscaping, outdoor recreation