Why you may want to Invest in a Patio over a Deck

There are a multitude of different options when it comes to making ones outdoor space more functional but by far the most popular options are either a patio or a deck. Without a doubt, both patios and decks are wonderful choices if you are looking to create more space in your home for entertaining guests or simply relaxing with the family. Many professionals, however, recommend patios over deck to their clients. Find out why they recommend patios over decks. 

1. Patios are more budget friendly

Patio’s on average cost about $15 for every square foot, while a basic deck using only treated wood will cost on average $30 for every square foot. If however you decide you’d like to use cedar, or mahogany any other high end wood as the basis for you deck the price is about triple the price of the basic deck. 

2. Patios are easier to maintain

Patios are much easier to maintain. Sealing your pavers or deck is vital to protect your investment because both are susceptible to the elements meaning they both require regular maintenance. The difference between pavers and decks is their maintenance schedule, decks need to be resealed every year, while patios need to be resealed every 3 years.  

3. Patios last longer

Pavers are more durable than decks because patios are made from pavers, while decks are made from wood or composites. Pavers are more resistant to the elements unlike wood which is much more susceptible to temperature extremes. Furthermore, patios have an average lifespan of 25 years meaning you will definitely enjoy your patio for a long time with minimal maintenance 

Whether you are in the market for a patio, a deck or are still debating between the two speak to one of our professionals about your project get your dream outdoor entertainment space fill out our FREE Estimate to get started!

5 TIPS for Watering YOUR Plants like an Expert

Watering Plants is not as easy as people may think. To properly Water Plants requires nuance. Your yard can be taken to the next level by following a few of our tips. 

1. Every Plant needs a different amount of Water

Depending on what kind of plant it is - whether the plant is a tree, shrub, or flower bush - the plant will require different amounts of water in order to thrive. How much water a plant needs usually is directly proportional to the size of their roots. A small annual plant is going to require less water than a 42-year-old Oak Tree. Make sure you do your homework on how much water your plants need.

2. Water your Plants on a Consistent Schedule 

Making sure you water your plants on a consistent schedule is a great way to make sure that your plants prosper. You can water your plants manually at the same time every day but the easiest way is to set up your sprinkler system to water the plants at a specific time. Keep in mind that during the hotter months, you might want to water your plants in the early morning before the suns comes up, because the morning sun can cause the water to evaporate too quickly, causing plants to wilt and die because of a lack of water. 

3. Water your Plants at the Right Time of Day

The seasons should dictate your watering schedule. For example, if you water your plants in the middle of the day during the summer, the water may evaporate too quickly, leaving your plants susceptible to drying out and dying. Your best bet is to water your plants in the early morning before the sun rises. Depending on where you live, what kind of plant you have and the time of year are things to consider when setting up your watering schedule. 

4. Water your Plants using Drip Irrigation

Drip Irrigation is the most efficient way to water your plants, thus you’re not only saving money on your water bill but you’re also saving the earth’s water. Drip Irrigation uses hoses with punctured holes along the hose. The hose is then laid throughout your garden where it will deliver water straight to the root of the plants, hence you are using water more efficiently and wisely. 

5. As Plants Mature you need to their Adjust Water Amount

As plants mature, their watering needs will change over time. As the plant matures and gets bigger so will their roots thus the plant will need more water as it gets older. Hence, as your plants mature you will need to spend more time watering your plants or you will need to adjust the water levels of your sprinkler system. Be sure to be aware of your plants health and needs as they mature.

5 MOST Common Mistakes New Homeowner Makes In Their Yard

Choosing the wrong set of plants

One of the most common mistakes that people make is not choosing the right set of plants. This ranks as the most common mistake made by first time landscapers. Things to consider when selecting the plants for your yard are the size of your yard and the size of the plants, if your plant is natural to where you live, and the over-all aesthetic that you want your landscape to convey.

Mismatched Elements

An important thing to keep in mind when designing your yard is to make sure the elements that comprise your landscape match and that your yard is symmetric. If not done properly from the beginning this issue will not become apparent until after the project is done. 

Not having a plan for your plants

A vital thing to have is a plan for your plants. Having a plan for your plants allows you to figure out how much water they need, their watering schedule, when you will need to hire a gardening service to prune your plants all of this will allow your plants the best opportunity to flourish.

Inappropriate use of aesthetic

The misuse of aesthetics may cause problems. You need to choose what kind of Landscape design you’d like whether that’s formal garden design (symmetry, tight structure and orderliness) or informal garden design (wild riot color and a disdain for obvious organization). Once you have chosen which aesthetic you’d like make sure you stick with it to best accentuate the aesthetic of your landscape 

Forget about fall and winter

Most people don’t take the fall and winter months into consideration when planning their landscape design meaning they tend to be disappointed with the aesthetic of their garden because the lack of vegetation

The Different Type of Fences

Fences come in so many different styles; find out which one is best for you!

Privacy Wooden Fences:

Privacy Wooden Fences consist of long boards that are placed side by side. These fences offer maximum privacy and are the most secure of the wooden fences because there are no visible gaps between them. These fences are the most common type of backyard fence. 

Wooden Picket Fences:

Wooden Picket Fences are the most iconic type of fence. The Fence consists of thin, pointy boards, placed approximately 2 inches apart, which are connected at the top and bottom by horizontal boards. Picket Fences do not offer a lot of privacy or protection because of the spaces in-between the boards but also because the fence usually only stands between three to five feet tall. It’s important to note that a picket fence will contain small pets and children. 

 Wooden Ranch Fences: 

Wooden Ranch Fences also called rail fences are mainly seen on ranches and farms. They consist of two vertical posts placed about eight feet apart, connected by two or three wooden rails. Ranch Fences are predominantly used to corral large livestock, so you wouldn’t really see these kinds of fences in residential areas. 

Iron Fences

Iron Fences are generally built for decorative purposes. They are often placed across driveways or around the front yard. Iron fences are similar to picket fences in their structure, however iron fence posts are placed in a concrete foundation to keep them in place. This makes iron fences extremely durable. Iron fences require relatively little maintenance. 

Vinyl Fences:

Vinyl Fences are made from plastic (Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC) and other special ingrediates that make it so that vinyl fences are sturdy, durable, and weather resistant. Vinyl fences require some of the least amount of maintenance when compared to other styles of fencing. For instance, vinyl fences will not rot, warp blister or split, unlike wooden fences. Vinyl Fences are non-toxic because vinyl fences do not need to be treated with chemicals to protect the fence against the elements. The average vinyl fence lasts double the time of a typical wooden fence or about 20 to 30 years. 

Brick or Stone Wall:

Brick or Stone Walls are by far the most durable and longest lasting of all the fences. A Brick or Stone Wall is an incredibly durable structure that will stand the test of time. Although Brick Walls are more expensive to initially install, Brick walls however, are far more durable and require much less maintenance than wooden fences. These brick walls are expected to last at least 100 years.

Whether need help understanding which fence option would be the best fit for you or need help installing the fence, fill out our contact form to speak to one of our experienced designers and for a FREE estimate.

TOP 2020 Sustainable Landscape Design Trends

Interest in sustainable design and being eco-conscious are both on the rise especially in places where droughts are common like Los Angeles. So we’ve created a list of the top trends in sustainable design for 2020.

Proper Drainage

Proper Drainage is one of the most important factors to keep in mind if you want your outdoor space to be more environmentally friendly. We suggest installing gutters and gutter guards onto your roof top edges this will divert a good deal of the rainwater from your patio and backyard helping prevent rain water from flooding your yard and creating unnecessary runoff. We suggest adding a slotted system for your patio to properly drain the water from your patio. A slotted system is a essentially a long drain that is installed next to your patio to collect the water and properly dispose of it, preventing the water from running off and  polluting public water with debris and toxic pollutants. 

Plants that soak up excess water:

Planting plants such as Boxwoods and Maple trees will help curtail the amount of excess water that your yard gets when it rains. The shrubs and the grass that borders your garden will protect your garden while the roots of the tree will absorb the water. Hence not only are you protecting your softscaping investment but also recycles the water by having the trees soak up the excess water. 

Outdoor flooring and Patios:

If thinking about adding a deck or flooring we suggest using Thermally Modified Wood as the choice of wood for your deck. Thermally Modified Wood decays slower than normal wood because the process of Thermal modification. Through heating the wood to over 185 to 215 degrees fahrenheit the heat removes organic compounds from the wood cells, so it will not absorb water, expand, contract, or provide nourishment for insects or fungi.

The most environmentally friendly option for your Patio is permeable pavers. Permeable Pavers allow for the rainwater to flow through its joints passing through a gravel base that filters out pollutants before the water is able to reach the ground. Meaning your drains will not overflow thus no runoff which carries debris and toxic pollutants to public sewers and public bodies of water.

Sustainable landscape is the all the rage especially here in Los Angeles if you follow a few of these tips your yard will be exponentially more environmentally friendly. If you feel like you would like or need assistance in this endeavor do not fret, simply fill out our FREE Estimate to speak to one of our professionals who will gladly go over with you what the best options for you and your outdoor space and we are a full service Landscape Contracting company so we can take you from design to your dream environmentally friendly backyard.