10 Things You Must Know About Landscaping!

Layout a Plan

Create a plan. There are a lot of things that go into remodeling your landscape so having a plan laid out will allow you nothing is overlooked and keep things organized.

Budget

Budget out what you are willing to spend and then plan your landscaping project according to your budget because you do not want to end up spending unnecessarily and exceeding your budget. Hiring a landscaping professional will help create and keep your landscaping budget so that project stays within budget. 

Understand the Soil Type

An important thing to know is the type of soil in your yard. Understanding the nature of the soil in your yard allows you to plan your landscape project in a way that best compliments the soil making your landscape more sustainable and easier to manage. Understand the nature of the soil and plan your landscaping in a way that best complements the soil. If you lack the knowledge, you might want to seek professional advice.

Understand the Design

Design is the major component to landscaping that will dictate the overall look and feel of your yard. Understanding the dimensions of your yard is vital so you can optimally design your landscape. Figure out the theme you would like your landscape to have so you can figure out which patterns, colors and style are perfect for you and your space.

Softscape

Softscape is the horticultural element of landscaping, which includes flowers, plants, shrubs, trees, etc. Softscape is meant to complement the overall landscape and design of the backyard. There are various design themes when it comes to softscaping including ones that are sustainable, drought tolerant, luxurious, etc. 

Hardscape

Hardscape is the hard landscape element of landscaping, which includes driveways, paved areas, retaining walls, stairs, walkways and any other additions to the landscape that are made of  wood, stones or concrete. Hardscaping, essentially, structures and establishing the general layout of the yard. Hardscaping fundamentally alters the foundation of the yard meaning that the hardscaping needs to be done before the softscaping can be done. 

Appropriate Texture

It is essential to keep in mind the texture you want your landscape to have. The way you achieve having the perfect texture to you is by having the right combination of soft and hard landscaping coupled with the correct color tones.

Choosing the right color combination

Having the right color palette is one of the most important aspects of landscaping. The color palette is vital to accentuate and compliment the other aspects of the landscape like the softscape and hardscape aspect of the landscape design.

Maintenance plan

Maintaining your yard is a given so having a maintenance plan will give you a leg up when the time does come. Keeping a maintenance plan in place will allow you to better care and track the health of your plants. We highly recommend you consult a landscape professional about the maintenance that your yard will require so you can have a detailed idea of what needs to get done. Different plants require different levels and different kinds of maintenance. 

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.

The 5 Kinds of Landscape Lighting

One of the major trends in Landscaping in 2020 is going to be Outdoor Lighting. There has been a growing demand for both front and backyard lighting.  The explosion of demand for Outdoor Lighting has compelled us to write and discuss the different styles of Outdoor Lighting so that no matter the layout and dimensions of your yard, you will be able to find the right lighting style and form that will be perfect for you. 

1. Step Lights

Do you have stairs in your backyard? If you do, step lights would be an excellent addition to your landscape plan. Step Lights not only offer a great degree when walking up and down your stairs but also elevate the look and feel of your patio or deck.  

2. Path Lights

Path Lights are a staple of Outdoor Lighting. Path Lights are not only very stylish but also create a welcoming and warm environment for guests. Path Lights also add an extra level of safety by reducing the risk of trips and falls in your outdoor space by illuminating any obstacles or elevation changes in your walkway.

3. Water Lights

Water Lights are essential if you have a water feature in your backyard. Water lights are the perfect accessory to help highlight your fountain or pond resulting in a beautiful ambiance which is sure to impress. 

4. LED Lights

LED Lights is currently one of the most desired Outdoor renovation upgrades. LED Lights are a great environmentally friendly alternative to conventional outdoor lighting. LED Lights are very efficeint and have minimal maintenance and come in a variety of different styles and forms. Meaning you will not have to sacrifice style for practicality. 

5. Accent Lights

Accent Lighting is the perfect way to highlight your beautiful backyard. Accent Lighting can be used to give perspective and depth to your backyard by illuminating your trees or shrubs. But it can also be used to highlight specific centerpieces in that need to be spotlighted in your backyard 

Whether you decide you need step lights, path lights, water lights or another other lighting option great options .But if you need help understanding which options would be best for you or need help installing Stamped Concrete or Pavers fill out our contact form for more information and free estimate. 

Hardscape vs Softscape

The two main components in landscape design are Hardscape and Softscape. Hardscape is the hard landscape element of landscaping, which includes driveways, paved areas, retaining walls, stairs, walkways and any other additions to the landscape that are made of  wood, stones or concrete. Softscape is the horticultural element of landscaping, which includes flowers, plants, shrubs, trees, etc. 

Hardscape:

Hard landscaping involves the elements of landscaping that are solid and unchanging. Hardscaping fundamentally alters the foundation of the yard meaning that the hardscaping needs to be done before the softscaping can be done. Hardscaping, essentially, structures and establishing the general layout of the yard. For example, pathways and walls are constructed to establish the boundaries and parameters of the area. Hardscape plays a major role in water absorption. Water absorption is greatly affected by the design and materials elected to be used in the hardscaping of the backyard. For example, if you elect to go with a concrete patio, the concrete prevents water from absorbing into the soil, which increases water runoff. Permeable Pavers, on the other hand, allow for the rainwater to flow through the joints, passing through a gravel base allowing the water to soak into the soil, limiting the amount of runoff. As you can see Hardscaping plays a major role in the structure and functionality of your yard.

Softscape:

Soft Landscaping involves the elements of landscaping that are living and growing. Softscape can be both permanent and temporary. Permanent features of softscaping include trees and shrubs. Temporary features of softscaping include seasonal plants and flowers.  The purpose of Softscaping is to create an ambience or aura to the landscape. Softscape gives the space the character and feel that is desired by the homeowner. Properly planning and arranging both permanent and temporary elements of softscaping are vital to create an aesthetically appealing look and feel.

Now that you know the difference between Hardscape and Softscape, fill out our contact form to speak to one of our experienced designers and for a FREE estimate so that we can get started on your dream backyard