Landscaping Backpack

Contains about landscaping information

Swimming Pool Landscaping

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You are going to install a swimming pool in your backyard. Have you thought how it will really look, is it just a hole in the ground filled with water, or have you thought about swimming pool landscaping?
A swimming pool only looks good if it has the right setting. A swimming pool is part of your home and without the correct pool landscaping can get tiring to look at after a while.

There are many ways to make your swimming pool look attractive. A wooden deck although these are better used for above ground pools. I have an affinity for swimming pool landscaping to use natural stone tiles as they are close to nature. After all your pool is in your backyard in which I assume you have a garden, so stone goes naturally there.

For swimming pool landscaping, stone tiles used in a formal way or as crazy paving is a natural choice as there are so many varieties to choose from. Sandstone tiles, bluestone tiles, granite tiles or even travertine or marble tiles (if you can afford the expense) look so well as a pool surround.

Some people prefer concrete (Ugh!) others prefer pebblecrete (Ugh! again) or even just grass. If grass is used you would still need to have some sort of pool edging (normally called coping tiles) These can either be square edged or bullnose. Bullnose coping tiles are preferable because they give a soft edge to your swimming pool.

Your swimming pool landscaping should compliment your house, leading from your patio or outdoor room and then surrounding your swimming pool.

Your pool uses a pump to pump water from your pool through a filter and then back into your pool. Why waste this, as pool landscaping feature why not build a wall at one end of the pool and use the water to create a waterfall or similar effect. Falling water can have such a relaxing effect as you lay by the side of your pool.

In all treat your swimming pool landscaping as if you were setting the dcor on the inside of your house after all the house and the outside of your house all comprise your home.

Small Garden Landscaping Tips

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Do you have a small plot of land in front of your house? You can
consider using the small plot as small garden landscape. Small lawn
landscaping is gradually making waves everywhere. They do create a
superior visual interest but dealing with them efficiently is a tricky
chore. However, the challenges of this tricky job can be handled if you
have a proper plan of action as well as the supervision of some
efficient landscaping contractors. Here are a few tips, which are going
to help you get the most out of the landscaping contractor you have
hired.

Choose selected flower plants


Get limited number of plants, shrubs and trees planted in your lawn. Be
selective in your choice. To enhance the curb appeal in your landscape
you can consider options such as Lobelia, Petunia, snap dragon,
Achillea, bell flower or campandula, fumewort, blackberry lily, Primrose
etc.

Give sufficient space between the plants and the path way


You need to create some space between the plants, trees and the
pathway. With proper spacing, you are going to create an elegant look.
In order to separate the plants as well as the pathway, you can make it a
point to border the plants with pebbles.

Create borders around the plants


Bordering the plants is essential in order to maintain an aesthetic
semblance in the garden as well as help the plants getting trampled.
When it comes to bordering your plants, you can consider red bricks as a
standard option. Get these bricks planted by the landscaping pro in a
slanting manner and they should be placed one after the other. It is
going to make the landscape look more organized.

Control weed efficiently


Proper weed control is a must to make it sure that the small garden
landscape of your house enjoys a healthy glow for a long span of time.
You need to get the weeds trimmed by a pro on a regular basis so that
people might enjoy a weed free view in your garden whenever they make a
jaunt in it. Make it sure that you are not going to over use water
sprinklers as they help in weed growth. Use wood chips, saw dust as well
as different varieties of mulches to put off weeds in garden.

Get retaining walls installed


By getting retaining walls installed in your lawn with the help of an
efficient landscaping service,you can make it sure that the small
landscape looks totally revamped. These walls are much better choices
compared to the ordinary straight walls from both visual as well as
functional perspectives.

Garden accessories


You can rev up the appeal of your front yard and give it a fascinating
look if you can flaunt unique as well as magnificent collection of
garden accessories such as statues, gazing balls, decorative fencing,
stones, lighting etc.

Use flower beds as fences


Flower bed is a very effective way to make your garden look tantalizing
in a true sense. You have the leverage of being innovative and let your
imagination run free when you work on the design of a particular flower
bed. When you set up the flower bed you can consider mixing up a
variety of colors. Perennial flowers are good choice for flower beds.
Before you are going to set up the flower beds on your landscape you
need to make it sure that the soil is soft enough. You should avoid
those sections of your garden with heavy clay soil.

You can bet
that with the help of these tips as well as with the assistance of
efficient landscaping contractorsyou are going to make your landscape
look exceedingly beautiful.

Commercial Calgary Landscaping Companies Winter Tree Care

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The winter weather in Calgary is a challenge for any landscape. Trees and shrubs can sustain damage due to the variable weather. It is important to take care of trees throughout the winter to keep them healthy for next spring’s thaw.

Calgary Landscaping: The Challenges of Winter Weather

Calgary’s unique position in southern Alberta places it right in the path of the warm chinook winds coming off the eastern slopes of the Rockies. The winds pick up speed and strength going through the Bow Valley. This warm wind can cause extreme temperature fluctuations. Add dry air to the mix and you may see tree damage everywhere.

Tip Kill

As the air warms up, but remains dry, the tips of tree branches start to dry out. Since the roots are frozen, they are unable to bring water into the tips to replenish the supply. This leaves the tips starved of moisture, which causes them to die. This condition is known as “tip kill” or “die back”. Common signs are dry twigs and discolored evergreen needles. The damage done can be extensive enough to kill smaller plants. Creating wind breaks or covering plants with mulch are effective options for preventing this kind of damage.

False Spring

Calgary landscaping professionals dread false spring. When the warm Chinook winds stay around longer than normal, it begins to warm the ground. The warm ground can bring trees out of dormancy too early. The sap flows and the tree begins spring growth. When the winter winds return, the freezing temperatures can cause severe damage to the new growth that won’t go away with the approach of real spring.

Another cause of false spring is sun scald. Snow is on the ground and the sun is bright in the sky. As the sun’s rays reflect off the snow, it can cause tree tissues on the south side to start thawing. Then, when the sun goes down, the thawed tissues refreeze. This continual freeze/thaw/freeze/thaw cycle can cause the tree’s bark to split. This can damage inner tissues and even kill the tree. If you notice a split limb or trunk, wrap it to prevent further damage.

Animal Damage

Non-hibernating animals like deer and rabbits are another challenge for Calgary landscaping professionals. They will eat tree bark during winter, plus pillage your perennials and shrubs. This can cause exposure of the tender inner tissues of the tree. Placing wire fencing around the base of the tree is an effective option for preventing this kind of damage.

De-Icing Agents

Plants along sidewalks and near parking areas are vulnerable to any DE-icing agents you put down. Use those DE-icing materials sparingly and only where necessary. Excess use can cause damage and even kill smaller trees and plants.

If you need help with your winter tree care or want a four-season land maintenance company, call us here at Mirage Landscaping. We have been proudly serving the Calgary area for three generations with landscape services and snow removal.

Easy Landscaping Ideas For Beginners

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Are you a newbie to landscaping? Go ahead and use these easy beginners tips below to help you get started with your landscape project without much hassle!

Make a Map of Your Yard
Before starting with the actual work, you should first make a sketch of your yard. Find out the location of the pipes on the ground so you can work your way around it, decide on the specific area youre going to use, and take note of the sunny and shady areas as well so youll know exactly where to place your trees and shrubs.

Create a Design
Now that youve successfully defined the area you want to landscape, proceed to creating an incredible layout for your yard. Be creative with the design but make sure it matches with the appearance of your home. You could also consult a landscape designer to help you materialize your ideas and come up with a theme that you really want to implement.

Take Care of Your Lawn
Your lawn is one of the most essential elements that directly affect your landscaping, and its important that you take care of its health at all times. A green lawn can really add more beauty to your yard, but if you have an unmaintained turf, then your landscape design will only be useless. So always look after your lawn and your yard will become a lot more appealing.

Add Pathways
Making footpaths not only prevents people from constantly stepping on your turf, but it also adds a special touch to your landscaped yard. Pathways can really make your yard look elegant especially if its created with materials like white stones, sand and wood. Put colorful flowers and shrubs along the sides as well to make the area look more beautiful.

Choose Your Plants Carefully
Finally, purchase plants that are suitable for your yards theme. For example, you should select palm trees and dry shrubs if youre going for a tropical design, or plant bamboos if you want an oriental look. Just make sure the trees and shrubs you buy are all compatible with the weather conditions in your area, otherwise they wont grow properly. You may also add flowers and water features like ponds and fountains to help you achieve the full effect for your landscape project.

Landscaping your yard is very easy when you know the right techniques to follow. So be sure to apply the tips given in this article so you can create a beautiful yard in no time!

Water-conscious Landscaping

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By Savitha Hira Photography: Courtesy Ar. Kakoli Sikder

The Water Habitat Retreat at Jodhpur is a laudable exercise in traditional rainwater harvesting, and landscaping this heritage property has effectively brought it into the limelight-

Socially responsible architecture is quietly being practiced by many an architect in various pockets of the globe. Thanks to socially responsive patrons, who make an unwavering commitment in tandem with the architects. Ar. Kakoli Sikder is a landscape architect from Delhi, who has creditably been a significant team member of the Bijolai Palace conservation at Jodhpur.

Water Habitat Retreat was once the famous Bijolai Palace at Jodhpur. It was conserved and restored to house a boutique hospitality venture under the aegis of the Jal Bhagirathi Foundation. It is said that the scenic, sprawling summer palace built in the early 19th century is nestled between the Aravalli Hills surrounded by lakes as an oasis in the desert. With the civil work being completed as far back as 2008, Ar. Kakoli Sikder stepped in to make her valuable contribution to the expansive landscape.

Beginning from the entrance paths – there were two distinct ones – both over a culvert; one towards private quarters and the other towards the admin and hospitality facilities; Kakoli worked on a well-manicured garden, arched jharokhas to frame panoramic views, square paved plazas, lush green palms, circular planters with shade-giving trees and diligently selected native species of -Jaal Peelu’ , -Rohina’ and -Babool’ as the focal planting among other things. Largely, there are three courtyards within the living quarters, which have been designed tastefully as trellised spaces for outdoor seating and occasional dining. As in any landscaping project, the material palette and the selection of flora and fauna have been methodically determined. With the project tabling water as an exemplary rainwater oasis, where it is not only supposed to be entirely self-sufficient of its water needs, but is also said to use 100% recycled rainwater and provide water for the drinking-water needs of severely water-distressed local communities, care has been taken to use plants that require less water, absorbent soil, and loosely laid Jodhpur stone pavers that together aid in recharging the natural water table. The walls, toe walls, retaining walls, etc. are all made of locally available Jodhpur dark stone in random masonry. The paths are made of loose stone chips. The planter coping, plazas, steps, amphitheatre seats and stage are made of polished Jodhpur stone. And as far as the lighting is concerned – wall lights, tree up-lighters and bollards have been strategically used to enhance the mood of this place.

As Kakoli sums up, -The challenge lay in accomplishing heightened aesthetics within a contextual vocabulary, staying grounded in terms of giving back to the project and doing all of this within the limitations of cost-effectiveness.-

to view images click on inditerrain.indiaartndesign.com

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