Category Archives: Yard & Outdoors

Tips for an Environment-Friendly Landscaping

December 09, 2022   Matt

Tips for an Environment-Friendly Landscaping

Landscaping can be an enjoyable activity. It requires a person to be innovative to the space that is available. Make sure that the landscaping coordinates with the view of the house and to the size of the space.

1. It is recommended to use the view of the sky or big trees as the background for the scene and to frame the house. These views can add design to the landscape because the tall trees are generally placed in the backyard and the shorter ones in front of the house.

2. An excess use of the foundation can make an unappealing view of the house. It is important that there is an exact measurement of the landscaping. Keep in mind that there should only be few shrubs in front of the house.

3. There should be a vacant space for planting and leave some walking space of about three to four feet from the trees that are planted.

4. Place taller shrubs between the windows and remember that they should be color coordinated leaf textures to make a pretty picture.

5. Do not plant tall growing trees in the parkway near crossroads. Some cities have ordinances that do not allow the planting of tall trees in those places. Most of the time low shrubs may be an option to cover some parts of the lot.

6. Place the vegetable garden where there is sunlight. Recommended spots are areas where the vegetables grow faster is in the rows where the sun goes from north to south.

7. Planting taller trees or small near corners of the area may give a larger view of the house. It will also provide a softer appearance to the vertical lines of the house.

8. Always provide space for the receiving area and the service area, construct some fences to give a clearer view of the space. Vines and small shrubs can be options to cover the extra space.

9. Cover the things that are not pleasing to the eyes, like clotheslines and trashcans. Trellises and fences can be attractive when vines cover them.

10. There are plants that grow faster than others even with changing weather and less attention. Plants that require full attention are not advisable in the garden – especially for beginners.

Landscaping can be enjoyable if the space is large enough for tree plantings and landscape designs. Creativity and passion is needed to make it a masterpiece.

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Wireless Alarms For Your Driveway

December 04, 2022   Matt

Wireless Alarms For Your Driveway

Those of you who want to protect your home from possible annoyances and intrusions, never miss out on a home delivery, or always be aware of someone coming up your driveway – should invest in a wireless driveway alarm. There are a variety of different styles, with each one offering you a truly unique and innovative way to keep up with what’s going on around your property.

You can get either wireless or handheld models, which vary in detection ranges, from the average 1,000 feet for small driveways to the larger driveways which span 2 miles or more. Some models will warn you of visitors with tones, while others use prerecorded messages. The more advanced models on the other hand, well you communicate with visitors through the use of an intercom system, which you install at the end of your driveway.

All types of wireless driveway alarms feature a receiver and a transmitter. Any presence in your driveway is detected by the transmitter, normally through infrared equipment, which notifies you through the receiver. Most models will allow you to speak through the receiver, transmitting your voice through the transmitter. If a solicitor or burglary is trying to visit your home, your voice is normally all it takes to turn them around in the other direction.

Even though the technical name is “wireless driveway alarm”, there are several uses for this technology. You can install the equipment in your yard, out of plain view, or even use the system as an intercom for anyone who pulls up to your gate. You can also install the system on your roof, or just use it strategically around your property. There are several uses for wireless systems, although the intention is to alert you when there is any type of human presence or movement on your property.

When you set up your wireless driveway system, you should always place it somewhere where it isn’t easy to see. You don’t want someone who visits your property to have plain view of your equipment, as it can easily give you away. Instead, you want to make sure that you are alert of any visitors, yet they aren’t aware that you are using any type of alarms.

Depending on how much money you have to spend, the systems that you can choose from will vary. There are simple wireless driveway alarms out there, yet there are also systems that can do just about anything you want. If you live in a suburban area, you may want to go with a standard wireless alarm. Standard alarms are best for this type of neighborhood, as they are easy to install and will immediately alert you whenever there is presence on your property. Another great thing about these types of systems is the fact that you can act immediately without having to physically be in touch with the receiver.

All in all, wireless driveway alarms are a great security measure for anyone who owns a home and wants to protect themselves from unwanted visitors. You can get a slew of features as well, depending on the type of alarm that you select. You can install most alarms yourself, although the more advanced models will require professional installation. The self installation types will come with instructions as well, so you won’t encounter any problems. Even if you’ve never used them before – wireless driveway alarms are a great investment that will alert you anytime someone decides to visit your property.

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Learning More About Gardening And Landscaping

November 29, 2022   Matt

Learning More About Gardening And Landscaping

If you are interested in possibly taking up gardening, you may have hesitated to actually dive into gardening because you simply are afraid that you do not have enough knowledge to be successful at gardening. In reality, there are some resources available to you through which you can gain the knowledge necessary to enjoy success in gardening.

In this day and age, in many communities the world over, there are classes and courses being offered regarding organic gardening. For example, many garden centers in the brick and mortar world offer gardening and landscaping classes and courses. These courses and classes can take a number of different forms. Some centers offer these classes and courses over a period of time. In other words, a person involved in such a program will attend a class a week over the course of four weeks or in some instances even more. On the other hand, there are programs that take the form of day long gardening and landscaping seminars. Oftentimes these more intense day long sessions bring together professionals from different communities to share their knowledge with people attending these programs in your local area.

In addition to courses and classes that are offered by gardening centers, many colleges and universities — through community extension programs — now offer gardening and landscaping classes to people who live in the community in which these institutions of higher education are located. These schools offer a variety of different learning opportunities.

Beyond what is offered by garden stores and shops as well as colleges and universities, many county extension offices — or their equivalent — offer gardening and landscaping classes. Extension offices are those local offices in communities in different parts of the world that deal with gardening and related issues. Extension offices can go by different names, of course. However, the principle is the same that these local agencies offer classes and courses to people interested in improving their gardening skills. Oftentimes there is no charge for the classes and programs sponsored by these different agencies in local communities.

By taking advantage of these educational programs, you will be in a far better position to learn more about gardening. In the end, you will be a more skilled gardener by taking the time to undertake these educational programs.

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The Art Of Landscaping Your Garden

November 24, 2022   Matt

The Art Of Landscaping Your Garden

Landscaping is the one gardening endeavor that can consume lots and lots of your time and energy. If you are thinking of tackling it on a grand scale, you will need some major preparation. If you were to consider hiring a professional landscaper, you would most probably find that the costs would be quite horrendous.

Now that’s fine if money is no object, but I personally get great pleasure from my own endeavors, gardening is after all my great passion in life.

I would strongly suggest however, that you have a clear idea in your mind about how you would like your garden to look, rather than simply starting off without a clear plan in mind.

Having said all that, here are simple but indispensable tips to guide you in making your landscaping activities extremely rewarding.

Draw Your Landscape Plan.

However not just any plan. It needs to be a well thought out landscape plan, or you are certainly doomed to lose money as well as time and energy. You really need to take account of the style
and function of your landscape, and a good idea of the plants that you also want to include. Focus on that area where you spend most of your time, because this is where your landscaping labors should all be directed.

Investigate A Free Planning Service.

Hiring an independent designer would probly cost you hundreds of dollars, but you might well discover that many nurseries offer a free planning service, particularly if you are likely to be
spending some money with them.

Take Account Of The Style Of Your Home.

When planning your landscape, the style should complement the design of your house and your personality as well. There are various landscape styles which you can choose for your garden:-

1. Formal – This style uses lots of straight lines and perfect geometrical shapes. Orderly arrangement of plants instead of random positioning is employed, and close arrangement and pruning
is used on many landscaped gardens with this style.

2. Informal – This kind of landscaping goes well with houses which have a cozy look to them. Beds with curved edges instead of straight lines and random placement of plants suit this landscape style.

3. English Garden – This style emphasizes on the harmony between the house’s architecture and the garden.

4. Formal/Informal Garden – This style often comes with a brick walkway that exudes formality. This walkway leads to the rear with a circle of plants. The arrangement of plants resembles the English garden style, but it has no formal borders.

5. Oriental – It is often the kind of garden found in houses with small backyards. It uses rocks, evergreens and water, and a wide variety of plants to create several angles with this style.

6. Woodland – This landscaping suits a house that has a wooded backyard and an inclined terrain.

Keeping those tips in mind will not only make your landscaping a very fruitful activity, but will save you considerable expense as well as time.

Don,t be frightened to use your imagination and flair for color in this project, after all it is primarily to please yourself and your family. I suggest that the satisfaction that you will gain from creating and designing your own personal landscaped garden, will make you feel like a true artist.

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Landscaping Photos, Capturing Every Step

November 19, 2022   Matt

Landscaping Photos, Capturing Every Step

In landscaping design, once you’ve decided to venture into one, even if you are not a professional, you’ll be amazed as to how many the possibilities are about what you can do.

Observing is the Key
It may be true at times that you won’t know how the process was done by simply looking at the outcome. But by keen observation, you would have an idea as to what to do with your own project and by asking around, you would know how they were done. Sometimes you’ll be amazed to know that such complex structures were not that complex to do.

Observing other landscapes is good. But for you to have many other options and ideas, browse through gardening magazines and books. Sometimes, you don’t even have to read thoroughly on the articles about the process, you just have to look at photos to gather more ideas and add up to what you already have.

The Web is the right resource to go to when it comes to landscaping photos. Browse through sites of the professional landscapers to see their ideas. But the blog posts and personal sites of simple people who would just like to share what they made and how they made it with regards landscaping would also be worth seeing.

Through research, you’d have an idea as to what to do and what to avoid if you are planning on making your own.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
This phrase is true for landscape enthusiasts, when presented with different pictures as to how other people have done their project, one could come up with their own ideas, maybe inspired from what they have seen or a combination of two or more styles.

When you look at the photos, you’ll be aware as to what colors of plants look good when they are side by side or what other structures could be built in the space provided. In this case, the research that you have to do would be minimal. Of course, you still have to be knowledgeable about the place conditions, the weather, the kinds of plants that grow in it, the soil properties. These all contribute to the success of the project.

Document it Through Photos
Pictures are really of a great help with people who wants to venture into landscaping or are pondering about what they could do with their land, even the professionals would find a great deal of help with pictures.

This is why when you are already doing your own landscaping, it is important to document each step, especially the outcome, by taking pictures. You never know how these photos could eventually help others who, in the future, may look for such and would find your pictures very useful just like how such pictures were able to help you when you were starting on your own project.

Make it a hobby to keep landscaping photos even though you are not a professional. It may serve others in the long run, but it would also remind you as to how you’ve transformed simplicity into an art form.

And keeping such isn’t only for memorabilia’s sake but also to avoid mistakes in the future regarding such activity and to learn from the process.

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Bringing Architects and Their Partners Together: The Power of a Secure Extranet

November 14, 2022   Matt

Bringing Architects and Their Partners Together: The Power of a Secure Extranet

An extranet is a private network within which document sharing can take place by specific groups of users outside the organization through a network administrator. An organization may allow authorized customers and partner’s access to the system after verifying the usernames and passwords.

The extranet: Enhanced document sharing and collaboration

Architectural firms have increasingly been using extranet to send and receive documents in a secure environment. All the relevant information about a particular project can be made available to all the individuals who are part of the project, be it the clients or other partners in the venture. Construction companies can access the CAD drawings and plans immediately, without much waiting. It also enhances the relationship with the clients who can receive the relevant documents and send their approvals accordingly.

Outsourcing Extranet Services

Some firms have not shown interest in implementation of the extranet because of the complexity involved and the high cost of installation and maintenance. It requires purchase of equipment, the necessary hardware and software for its implementation and training to maintain the system. However, there are hosting companies to whom the implementation and maintenance of the extranet can be outsourced. These hosting companies, also called application service providers (ASPs) not only provide the technical support, they also provide all the security measures required to keep the data secure. An architectural firm need not worry about the purchase and installation of any hardware or software installation or setup. The hosting company also provides maintenance and training to the staff. The firm just requires paying a fee to the application service provider for all the services it renders.

Advantages of an extranet

Extranets allows all the team members working on the project, be it the employees, vendors, suppliers or clients to share the design plans, documents and hence collaborate online. This aids in a better customer service and prevents unnecessary lengthening of project schedules. A lot of money is invested in any architectural venture and all the delays lead to substantial amount of money going down the drain. An extranet gives a platform to the workers to perform multi- site collaborations. Since all the data exchanges take place in real time, there are chances of less rework. With the usage of extranets increasing, special software packages have been developed specifically for the architectural firms. They support project management, e-mail management, accounting and scheduling. An extranet not only enhances the process of decision-making but also improves the relationship among clients and partners.

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