September 6th, 2009 -- Posted in backyard landscape, front yard landscaping ideas |
Nice article to kick off the fall season.
Crisp blue skies and coloring sumac spell many things… the heady aroma of evening outdoor fire pit, football around the corner, and glorious less encumbered weekends to putter outdoors. For the Midwest, gardening mostly under a continental climate of hot dry summers, this is above all else lawning season. From August in the north and [...]
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Technorati Tags: autumn lawns, backyard landscape, front yard lanscaping ideas
September 4th, 2009 -- Posted in vegetable garden layout |
For a long time I had not planned to create a home garden in the backyard to my house. Just now I have started a home vegetable garden to produce vegetables that will meet my day to day vegetable needs. I have taken a little time to plan a layout for my home vegetable garden. First I have selected a place for my vegetable garden layout that will absorb sunlight directly. The sunlight is very essential for plants to prepare food for themselves with the help of water and air. I avoided shady areas which are not eligible for planting saplings.
I prepared the soil as per requirements for variety of vegetables. At first I planted the seeds in the open soil, but the yield was not to my expectation. Hence I changed my plan. Then I created raised beds of soil. This helps to hold the moisture for long time. I harvested more vegetables than the open soil method. I have created the raised bed vegetable garden by putting soil in a wooden container which is in a rectangular shape and is 3 feet wide. I created the vegetable garden layout in such a way to go and come easily into the garden.
Next thing is to pick up good seeds to plant. The seeds should be clean and should be disease resistant varieties. I prepared the soil finely to sow the seeds and provide enough sunlight, so that the sapling comes out of the seeds. I have planted different kinds of vegetables to meet my family requirements. I sowed beans, eggplant, tomato, pumpkins, drumstick, chilies, etc… I watered each of the plants as per requirements for each kind. Then I could harvest the vegetables daily from my home garden. The gardening helps me to save a little money and get some light exercise too.
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Technorati Tags: backyard landscape, raised bed garden, raised bed vegetable garden, vegetable garden layout
August 26th, 2009 -- Posted in backyard landscape, swimming pool landscaping |
It’s Hot! It’s Summer Time! It’s a great time to jump into the cool pool in your backyard and relax on your raft a while. Let go of the stress and the day to day routine. There is nothing better than having your own little get a way conveniently located in your own backyard.
Your get a way can be anything you want with all of the new swimming pool landscaping ideas and products available. There is something available for all plans, ideas and budgets. What are you waiting for? Get started on your backyard get a way. The sooner you start, the sooner you enjoy and you’ll be so glad you did it.
To get started, you need a design and a plan. Draw it out and make sure everything blends well. Do you need a play area for children? Do you like to use your backyard for entertaining? Do you have outdoor pets? Will this just be your private get a way? Will you be incorporating a theme? Think about your options and what you really want out of your space and get started on your dream backyard. If your dream is really big, make your swimming pool landscaping plans into different stages. This way, you don’t stress yourself out and you won’t stress your pocket book either.
There are many pool decking materials available. You can choose from beautiful wood materials or a huge selection of stone and brick. If you have concrete around your existing pool, try painting the concrete to give the area a visual lift. Home owners are getting very creative these days.
You should think about adding some big, lush green plants around the pool deck to soften the look and add a little privacy. Every design needs some color and beauty added to the backyard landscape too. You may also want to make sure you have provided a shady spot somewhere in the design. It could be a covered patio, a nice tree, or a patio umbrella.
For your swimming pool, water features are a nice addition. They offer the relaxing sound of falling water and they come in many different designs to choose from. There are lighted ones for the evening and they come in multiple colors. The water dances and changes colors. It’s really pretty in the evening when you are outdoors relaxing, grilling or swimming.
Speaking of lights, don’t forget your landscape lighting. Choose some different types of lighting for your flower beds, walkways, and trees. There are a lot of solar choices with a wide variety of designs. You can easily find something to suite you and solar is easy to install too. You can also add some tiki torches around the backyard. They bring a tropical and romantic feel to the area. It is very relaxing too.
Last, you should pick up a few design elements to place in your design. Choose some things for your garden areas or some decor to go with your theme if you have one. Just add some little touches to bring it all together. For some bigger touches, I’ve noticed several waterfalls, ponds and fountains and more and more people are creating outdoor kitchens, fire places, and living spaces. Swimming pool landscaping is also starting to include more cabanas and pool houses. Some are small, just for changing clothes and others are big enough for entertaining family and friends. It’s all up to you and the design you’ve chosen. Really try to make it what you want and have fun designing your dream backyard get a way.
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