Tag Archives: Landscaping

Landscaping DIY: Learning the Basics

Landscaping DIY: Learning the Basics

Landscaping DIY style can be successful only if one has learned about the basic principles regarding landscaping in general. Whether you are borrowing a certain landscaping idea that you found in a magazine or on the Internet, knowing about the basic landscaping principles would be able to help you understand what you would be doing later on. Knowing about these principles can even help you improve your own creativity as you try to develop your own landscaping ideas.

One of the basic principles of landscaping is aiming to achieve some form of unity in design. Unity, as a principle, should be considered as one of your main goals in landscaping design. Unity can either be applied in the form of consistency and repetition. Repetition creates unity in landscaping design by repeating similar elements such as plants, plant groups, or other types of decor throughout the landscape.

Consistency creates unity by enabling some or all of the various elements of a planned landscape to fit together and be considered as part of a whole. It can be achieved through the consistency of character of the different elements such as height, size, texture, color schemes, etc.

Another important principle essential for landscape design is balance. Balance is a sense of equality in the overall design. There are basically two types of balance being employed in landscape design. Symmetrical balance is characterized by the equal spacing of the matching elements in the garden design. A garden design strikes up a symmetrical balance when the elements share all or part of the same shape, form, groupings, colors, theme, etc.

Achieving asymmetrical balance in garden design can be a little more complex. While element characteristics such as textures, forms, colors may remain constant to create some unity, some shapes and design may be more random. In achieving this form of balance, it is often essential to makes use of separate or different themes in the landscape design but with each one having an equal yet different type of attraction.

Another principle to consider in landscape design is natural transition. This principle can be used to avoid radical or hasty changes in your landscape design. Transition is basically gradual change. It can best be shown in terms of plant height or color. Natural transition can also be applied to all the other elements in the landscape such as textures, shape and size of the different landscape elements.

The transition can be achieved in the natural means by gradual, ascending or descending, arrangement of different elements. A good example of achieving natural transition would be employing a stair step effect from large trees going to medium trees then to shrubs and then finally to bedding plants.

Simplicity is another basic landscaping principle that can be one of the best guidelines you can follow when just beginning landscaping DIY. The aim to just keep things simple can provide certain advantages to begin with. One is that you can achieve more by doing less. Improvements can be done later.

Picking two or three basic colors to use for the landscape and then repeat them throughout the garden design is a means of keeping things simple. Keeping the use of decor to a minimum and limited to a specific theme is also a means of achieving simplicity in garden design.

What is Landscaping

What is Landscaping?

While a lot of people have already come across the word
landscaping, not a lot of them actually know what the term
stands for. This article is tailored for those who want to
learn about landscaping but don’t know where to begin.

For starters, landscaping is the modification of a
landscape such as a lawn to make it more aesthetically
pleasing or to make it more functional.

A lot of homeowners landscape their homes primarily because
they want to make their surroundings more attractive. But
more than that, a landscaped house usually has a higher
real estate value than one that isn’t.

People who want to have their properties landscaped usually
acquire the services of professionals. Landscaping is a
time and labor-intensive task, so in order to do that in no
time at all, homeowners invest in landscaping services to
turn their vision into reality.

But there are also those who want to take a hands-on
approach to landscaping. Again, this is a task that
requires a lot of time and energy on the part of the
homeowner so the results may not be visible immediately.

A well-landscaped property is one that is well-planned and
the plans should also be well-executed. However, the great
thing about going through all this trouble is that it
brings a great feeling of self-fulfillment to the homeowner
after performing such a difficult task.

Depending on what the homeowner wants, the landscape design
could be simple or complex. Simple ones make for easy
maintenance while complex ones make for a lot of room for
trees and flowers.

Landscaping as a Recreational Activity for Kids

Landscaping as a Recreational Activity for Kids

The patio, the garden and the front yard are usually landscaped to make the house look better and inviting to visitors. Landscaping, aside from being a decoration, can also be an alternative recreational activity for kids.

Here are some suggestions to make landscaping a form of recreational activity for children:

1. Landscaping is a family activity. It may be used to spend time with the family and a way to bond together. The time may be used to motivate kids to learn gardening. Kids will be very productive as they help in removing weeds and watering the plants.

2. An area may also be allotted in the garden as the kids’ play place. They can decorate the place and put their toys in the playground. The playground can add design to the landscaped garden and make the place welcoming to the kids.

3. Landscaping a garden may be a way to communicate with kids the importance of taking care of plants. While gardening, a parent can show how to take care of living things like plants and butterflies. This is one way to educate them and prepare them in becoming responsible individuals.

4. The children may make use of the landscaped garden as their play area. This will benefit parents since they can spend time in the garden and watch their children at the same time. This is an effective way to spend quality time with children rather than doing the gardening by yourself.

5. Parents can also motivate their children to start a garden of their own. They should be encouraged to plant in flowerbeds and small pots. This will also help parents in organizing the garden while the children are enjoying their time.

6. Landscaping may also be a way to discover any skills the children have with plants and their passion for nature. Kids may find out that enjoy the spending time in the garden and may make landscaping their hobby. Landscaping as a hobby for children will prepare them for exploring their talents, passion and love of nature.

Landscaping is not limited to older people. It is also for kids and young teens. Parents should be creative in introducing this new alternative way of spending time and having fun at the same time. Kids will enjoy this new activity as they will be able to discover new things.

The Truth Behind Landscaping and Water Conservation

The Truth Behind Landscaping and Water Conservation

Most people consider landscaping a great factor in water conservation. However, most critics contend that landscaping is the number one consumer of water. Most people believe that the more abundant the garden is, the more water it consumes.

What they do not know is that, in reality, landscaping only consumes 2.9% of the overall water consumption on a national scale. This can even be lowered if people will be sensible enough to take into consideration the limitation of the water supply.

So what accounts for the excesses in water consumption?

According to some experts, the main cause of excessive water consumption in landscaping is actually due to improper usage. This shows that people are the ones who create the problems by themselves.

One of the common mistakes that people do when using water for landscaping is by using the wrong irrigation procedures and noticeably poor landscaping plans.

In fact, most experts assert that the natural resource of water can supply up to 67% of the overall water use in a year. Taking this into perspective, this can become a vast opportunity for water conservation.

However, the fact remains the same: Landscapers or gardeners are humans subject to human frailties brought about by their freedom to choose and decide whatever they want. Even when some experts try to introduce the correct way to consume water in landscaping, they still have the tendency to do otherwise.

How can it be done? Take for example the water sprinkler. It would be better to use an “automatically timed water sprinkler.” This way, full control of the required water use is accomplished.

It would be better to use a water sprinkler that can be set to operate only when the temperature is very low to avoid immediate evaporation. This would mean more water for the plants and less evaporation.

A good landscaper should also keep in mind that a plant’s life is not fully dependent not water alone. It is best to maintain the landscape’s appearance by keeping it healthy and eliminate the growth of pests.

Landscaping and water conservation should go hand in hand. People should keep in mind that maintaining a good landscape should not be fully dependent on using a large amount of water but by using that water efficiently. The conclusion – excess use of water is bad.

Landscaping a Big Garden: The Beauty of the Commonplace

Landscaping a Big Garden: The Beauty of the Commonplace

Nothing focuses the mind on transforming raw material into an object of beauty, utility, and practicality better than landscaping. The land will make you wait when you do not feel like waiting, and nature, a mysterious consequence of every landscaping design, will do everything you do not want it to do.

Landscaping can do wonders for the surroundings. Many people find it very useful. In fact, in the survey conducted by the Gallup Organization, almost 54% of Americans have said that the top benefit of landscaping is the relaxation and enjoyment it brings for people to enjoy.

In beautifying a big garden, employing the principle of landscaping is extremely important. Some people contend that improving the appearance of a big garden can be a daunting task.

So what is a landscaper to do? It would be best to relax and respect the natural rhythms of the elemental materials found in the garden.

A landscaper should learn the value of patience and flexibility. It is with these attributes that a true landscaper can work out the details of the job.

The landscaper must take into consideration the size of the yard. If it is a big garden, it is best to use the proper number of plants and trees so that the area will not appear dull and empty.

When landscaping a big garden, one should keep in mind that employing the principles of landscaping should not just focus on enhancing its features. The way the trees provide shade is a vital factor.

A big garden usually contains some trees and shrubs even before the landscaping process begins. It is best for a landscaper to examine the area before he starts planning the design.

The proper placing of the plants is a necessity. Since it will be a bigger area, it is best to consider the plants that need more sunlight and those that should not be directly exposed to the sun.

In landscaping, what is important is to emphasize the beauty of the nature. This means that if there are natural rock formations in the area, it is best to put emphasis on them if the rocks seem to be worthy of attention.

All of these things boil down to the fact that the size of the area should be the top consideration of the landscaper. The size of the garden will determine if it needs more trees, plants, or other embellishments. Size really does matter.

Reduced upkeep landscaping Chicago

Low upkeep landscaping Chicago

If you stay in the Chicago location and also you are interested in obtaining some landscaping, Chicago native plants are your finest choices. If you choose indigenous plants you will certainly find that your garden or backyard will certainly be a lot less complicated to look after as time endures. At first working in the yard might not appear like a huge offer yet you may get ill of it when the bloom puts on off the rose, no pun meant. This is typical, we start to take our yards for granted and it is not a lot fun to service the landscaping Chicago anymore.

You can even make use of these indigenous plants to solve your drainage problems. Chicago, as an example has lots of issues when it pertains to water drainage. They obtain a whole lot of different weather there and also it influences the yards greater than you may believe. When you are landscaping, Chicago climate requires to be considered in all times. Talk to your landscaping company about what plants will be best for your yard. Don’t cut corners with your landscaping, Chicago citizens will understand you did it which is never trendy. Take your time and also find the perfect plants to fit you as well as your objectives. And state to the landscaper if you notice that you have any kind of water drainage issues and maybe he will be able to suggest some great landscaping Chicago native plants to utilize. Simply make certain that you see a photo of any plant before you concur to use it. That understands what you may obtain otherwise. Everyone’s tastes are different and also your own might be the polar opposite from the landscapers.

When attempting to select the appropriate plants for landscaping Chicago take an appearance around you. What kids of plants do your next-door neighbors have? Which ones do you such as and which do you dislike? Show the landscaper that you choose what you have an interest in seeing if your very own landscaping. Chicago landscaping companies often tend to be very flexible and also open to suggestions. This is your backyard nevertheless as well as you as well as your household are the ones who need to live with it for life.

When exploring landscaping, Chicago perennials may be the way to go. By doing this you will not have to plant new flowers and plants every year. That is a great deal of maintenance and many people with landscaping, Chicago citizens anyhow, do not have the time for this example.

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