Category — Landscaping & Gardening
How to Add Decorative Concrete to Your Landscape
If you want to make the landscaping of your property stand out, one sure way to do so is to add some color or design pattern to the concrete. Whether it’s the walkway or driveway or both, adding some texture and color to these areas of concrete can really enhance the look and feel of your property. A lot of people don’t realize it, but decorative concrete can be done by anyone willing to put in the work.
Before taking on a project such as adding decorative concrete to your landscaping, make sure you have the proper tools and have picked out the appropriate colors and designs for the project. In general, the project would begin with the pouring of newly mixed concrete into the project area. Make sure to have enough helpers on hand if the project is of any significant size, as it is hard to correct mistakes when you’re dealing with concrete. In addition to help from people, make sure you get cooperation from the weather.
After the concrete is poured, you or your helpers will need to get the surface leveled with a bull float and a Fresno. There are also additional floats that can be used to smooth out the surfaces of corners. Once you get the surface level, you will want to apply the stamps to add texture. Before doing so, however, you will need to make sure that the surface has hardened adequately. At this time you can also apply color to the concrete by evenly spreading color pigments throughout the project area.
Although it can be tricky to judge whether or not the concrete has dried enough for you to stamp, a good rule of thumb is to simple look at the surface. If you notice that it still has a wet and shiny look on the surface, then that indicates that it’s too early to stamp. To make sure you get an even and symmetric stamp throughout your project, you will need to use two or more stamp mats. Starting at one end of the project, place the mats next to each other with their edges flush together. As you work your way towards the other side of your project area, make sure to check and see if you are using adequate force on the stamps so that the textures show up properly.
Decorative concrete projects are among some of the most involved projects in landscaping. If done right, however, having color and textured concrete will undoubtedly add beauty to your property. Just remember to have all the necessary tools at hand in addition to the appropriate number of helpers who are ready to give you a hand.
If you’re a Sacramento homeowner who would rather have a professional enhance your landscaping with decorative concrete visit our T And D Landscaping website to get more information on this and many other landscaping services.
July 1, 2010 No Comments
Cast Iron Gutters – Spanning the Generations
It is always a good sign for a product if they can be shown to have stood the test of time and this is certainly something that can be applied to cast iron gutters. This form of rainwater system has been around for generations and can be traced back many years – something which is testament to the highly impressive performance of these type of gutters.
This type of guttering stretches as far back as the Roman Empire and something which is capable of showcasing an admirable level of performance for this length of time goes a long way to explaining why these rainwater systems have remained so popular for so long. More and more homeowners are falling under the spell of cast iron guttering and are bewitched by its incredible visual appeal. No matter what sort of property you have, specialists in rainwater systems are likely to find a way to make cast iron gutters look the part on your home.
Enhancing Visual Appeal
For anyone who has ever seen a grandiose property with eye-catching cast iron gutters on its exterior, they will doubtless have been impressed with the visual impact that this form of guttering invariably boasts. One of the principal visual appeals of these rainwater systems is the fact that it can at once look both understated but also highly striking such is the way in which it is crafted. They are often one of the first considerations for any homeowner who is looking to significantly enhance the visual appeal of their property exterior.
Not only are cast iron gutters a highly impressive visual addition to the home, their level of performance is also second to none. In terms of adapting to weather conditions such as levels of rainfall and temperature fluctuations, few rainwater systems offer the same level of efficiency. This form of gutter really does provide an exceptional performance and this is a big reason why it has remained popular since the Roman Empire thousands of years ago.
Cast Iron Gutters – Pivotal Performance
It goes without saying that performance is the primary element to consider for any homeowner on the lookout for rainwater systems. Cast iron gutters positively excel from a performance standpoint and they are both highly durable and aesthetically pleasing at the same time. Obviously, there are a multitude of other rainwater systems to choose from, such as copper, aluminum or zinc gutters but it is the tangible benefits of the cast iron variety which invariably helps them to stand out from the crowd.
Leo Davie is a writer from Leeds, UK. He focuses on issues of home improvement and rainwater systems. He explores why so many homeowners opt for cast iron gutters for their home and the sorts of benefits that this guttering can offer.
May 9, 2010 No Comments
The Benefits of Installing Artificial Grass
For families, fewer things promote togetherness more than an afternoon spent playing in the backyard. From baseball tosses to playful football games, the lawn around a house is often the setting for many childhood memories. Unfortunately, maintaining grass can sometimes be a daunting task, not to mention awfully expensive.
Due to these setbacks, many homeowners have recently begun installing artificial grass around their homes. Although some people will deny the worth of synthetic lawns, artificial grass has a wide array of benefits, making it a valuable alternative to grass. These advantages include:
• Lower maintenance costs. Artificial grass, also known as Astroturf, requires no watering, mowing, or seeding. While it may be a large short-term expense to install a manmade lawn, the project will pay for itself after only a few years. After that, you will only need to open your wallet sparingly to rent equipment for brushing and vacuuming.
• Artificial grass is extremely environmentally friendly. Not only will you save thousands of gallons of water each year by not having to turn on sprinklers, but you will also not be exposed to dangerous fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. In addition, manmade lawns are generally made of recycled materials, such as used tires. It’s estimated that the average artificial football field uses 45,000 recycled tires!
• Astroturf can be used all day, every day, throughout the entire year. You won’t have to worry about mud after a big rainstorm or brown grass during cold weather months. And as for that itchy grass feeling you get after playing in your backyard? No longer will you be scratching away your pain.
• Recent studies have shown that newer synthetic surfaces are having a lower injury rate than those of natural grass surfaces. When artificial grass was first used as a sports playing surface, it led to a high number of injuries. Yet, as technology has continued to become more advanced, artificial grass has been altered to be a safer playing surface compared to natural grass.
All in all, artificial grass can be tremendously beneficial to both residential and commercial properties. Be sure to contact a synthetic lawn expert to learn more about this unique alternative to natural grass.
The author of this article is Kyle Sims, a freelance writer.
April 20, 2010 No Comments
Guide to Building Brick Steps
Anyone can make wooden steps but having a set of brick steps is important. It will be more inspiring when people will admire that a person actually know how to build brick steps. This task consumes time but the results are satisfying and are far away from disappointment.
The foundation is very important feature of the steps. It has to be remembered that steps bear a lot of pressure and weight daily. Foundation made from solid cement is very important for the durability of the steps. The area has to be excavated so the earth is exposed, a spirit level can be used for ensuring that the surface is perfectly level. The soil can be compacted if needed; a record of the dimensions of the steps should also be prepared such as width and height. This is because it will give an idea that how many bricks are needed for completing the project.
First, a framing box has to be constructed from 2? x 6? lumber before pouring in the cement. The cement has to be mixed according to the given instructions and then poured in a box to a depth of 6 inches. The rebar is supposed to be laid in a zigzag pattern into the cement as it dries and provides more strength and stability.
It is recommended that the bricks should be completely wet up to a day before using them. This can be done a lot of hours before starting the work of building brick steps so that the dry bricks will not absorb moisture from the unsettled mortar.
The bricks that form the frame or interior of the steps are unseen when the task is complete, hence they can consist of larger and more cheap bricks. The first row of bricks must be laid with mortar of an inch between each bricks. It is essential that the first row or course should be level before the succeeding ones are added. Each step must have a height of 6 inches and a tread of 21.5 inches for an easy fit. Space allowances should be made for the width of the exterior or facing bricks.
The exterior or facing bricks should be applied when the interior brick frame has been completed. It is essential to use Portland cement for the face bricks because it is more resistant to harsh weathers and water erosions, builders’ cement should be avoided. Including a light pitch in the tread of up to an inch when building the brick steps will allow water to flow off from the steps preventing puddles and ice patches that can result in accidents and slippage. Even riser heights can be attained by laying the bricks on their sides when they are being built. The work area and the brick steps have to be cleaned after finishing the project so that it is neat and clear of brick splinters and spilled cement.
You might also be interested in learning how to build a brick steps and how to build a brick wall.
March 25, 2010 No Comments
Landscaping – Making The Best Of Your Pool
Designing Around Your Swimming Pool
If you are lucky enough to have a swimming pool in your own garden you can use it as the main focal point of your garden design project. With a few creative ideas you can come up with ways to make your pool the center of your very own luxurious spa, right on your doorstep. Even adding simple pool lights could help transform the whole area.
Dress Up The Surroundings
You can use a whole host of materials and ideas to add a bit of interest to the area around your pool. Planting will add color and structure, and by adding mulch around the plants you will give the whole area a neat and manicured look that will prevent weeds, too. It’s also very easy to select rocks and stones for their decorative effect, and you can place these amongst the planting. You can really go to town setting up the scene as you would decorating inside your home: this might be a wise investment if you enjoy spending a lot of time outdoors.
Setting The Furniture
How you place furniture and decorative items around your pool has a huge impact on the overall look and feel of the area. Each piece should therefore be positioned with care. You can accessorize with sculptures, planting, lighting and even soft furnishings to make the pool area even more enticing.
Add An Awning
You may want to consider adding a canopy over the main patio area: this will give you more flexibility to entertain even on days where the weather attempts to ruin your plans.
A Safe Perimeter
If you have young kids you will be particularly safety conscious: adding a locked fence around the pool can give you piece of mind and prevent accidents. There are many options open to you, depending on the style, colors and materials you feel would work best with your personality and the rest of your décor.
A Bit Of Privacy
Fences are also very useful to add a bit of privacy if the area is overlooked. This will help you relax while enjoying the pool area with your family.
A Place For Everything
As a pool owner you already know that the joys of enjoying a pool come with having to house quite a bit of kit for maintenance purposes. You also need somewhere to store your deck chairs in the off season. Don’t feel like you have to settle for unsightly plastic bins: there are plenty of options to choose from that can also be quite decorative.
Andrew Caxton is a journalist who has written more articles and newsletters on this subject for http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com. A website with tips on landscaping.
January 8, 2010 No Comments
Home Landscape Lighting
Have you ever been downtown at night, maybe attending a concert or sporting event and were impressed with the lighting along a park walk or on a fancy office building? Most of us, at one time or another, have experienced awe, comfort, serenity or relaxation at the sight of well-designed landscape lighting. Sometimes lights pointing up at the side of a tall building or low profile lights under plants along a downtown walkway can have a very powerful effect on you. Beautiful lighting can completely changing your mood and experience of events around you.
As far as our homes are concerned we tend to think about outdoor lighting in strictly practical terms. We have a light outside at the front and back doors and maybe a motion detector triggered light above the garage door. They are attached to the house or garage and are there just so you can safely see where you are going when outdoors at night.
But your homes outdoor lighting can be so much more than that. It doesn’t need to be just for seeing things at night. Properly done outdoor lighting can have a beauty and charm all its own and at the same time provide nighttime safety for your walkways and garden.
For many years savvy homeowners have tried to duplicate this beauty with landscape lighting in the yard around their homes and in their gardens. For the most part it has not worked out very well for the average homeowner. In the past most dependable landscape lighting systems were powered by standard household electricity (120 volt). It had to meet a strict electrical code and you had to have an electrician do all the installation and hookup. The connectors, fittings and bulbs all had to be heavy duty, waterproof and weatherproof. It was too expensive and outside the budget for the average homeowner. Those homeowners that followed through with all of that often ended up with a system that didn’t look right. A common mistake is to use too many lights, or put them in the wrong place. You don’t want your sidewalk or garden path to look like an airport runway. So doing it properly often meant hiring a landscape architect or a contractor who specialized in landscape lighting. Of course, that pushed the price up even further; and usually outside the reach of all but the wealthy.
Low voltage landscape lighting (12 to 18 volt), however, has several distinct advantages. Electrical codes are much less strict and because it is low voltage you don’t need an electrician to install it. You can buy an inexpensive kit and often install it over the weekend. Because it is easy to install and setup you can spend more time working on the light locations and lighting design and not worry so much about hiring a landscape architect to do all that for you. If you don’t like the light locations, you can change it yourself without too much trouble. You don’t need an electrician or designer to move it. One common problem with low voltage systems 20 or 30 years ago was the durability of the components. Back then low voltage outdoor lighting systems were often little more than toys. But today all of that has changed. The do it yourself low voltage lighting system you buy at your local hardware store is usually not only affordable, but durable as well.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Lighting
January 7, 2010 1 Comment
The Perfect Type Of Grass For Your Landscaping Project
Choosing The Right Type Of Grass
Most American homes feature a lawn: whether it covers the whole backyard with a couple of flowerbeds or a much smaller area to leave room for a terrace, there usually always is a lawn to some degree. Before you start your landscaping plans in earnest you need to select a type of grass that will not only work well with the local soil and weather conditions, but also suits you in terms of how much care it needs to look its best.
The very first question you must answer before selecting a type of grass is: where is the lawn going to be? Both the shape of the lawn and its location will have a direct effect on the way the grass absorbs the water, and therefore whether it is likely to thrive or struggle. You need to know the answer to this question before picking a type of grass as you can get kinds that don’t adapt to certain conditions. The shape of the lawn, like whether it’s laid in a large square or narrow band, will also affect how easy it is to mow and care far, which again can mean selecting certain types of grass over others.
When it comes to picking the type of grass you may want to check the condition of your soil, which will tell you what nutrients are naturally presents. Combine with the local weather condition this will help you narrow down what type you should get. You can always add specialist feed to enrich the soil of your plot but you’re more likely to end up with a beautiful lawn if you pick a type of grass naturally adapted to the soil it’s planted in.
Local weather conditions will have a direct impact on what kind of grass is likely to thrive. There are types adapted to hot and humid conditions, hot and dry or temperate. It’s easy to be swayed into picking a grass you like the look of and not realize that it will probably struggle to survive if the region you live in does not offer conditions similar to its native environment. A good example is the very popular Kentucky Blue Grass: this is a great choice if you get enough water, but it will not do well if the weather gets too dry. Choosing a type of grass that is adapted to the local climate also mean that you can do your bit to conserve natural resources, as it may not need as much watering to supplement the rain it receives.
You can then add texture and height to your landscape by adding ornamental grasses: they can be very decorative and are easy to maintain providing you pick kinds suited to the local conditions. Check the size they can grow to so you don’t get over-crowded. Also note that it can looks better to limit how many types of grass you pick and group several specimen of the same type instead for a more imposing result.
There are many types of grass available to either lay to lawn or for ornamental purposes: if you pick a kind that is well adapted to the local condition you should end up with a striking looking garden as a result.
Andrew Caxton is the author of many articles on different web publications, with subjects like lawn care published online for http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com A website with tips on type of grass.
January 6, 2010 No Comments
Your Own Outdoor Fire Pit
Literally adding warmth to your backyard setting, an outdoor fire pit makes a great visual and entertaining feature to your home. On the market, there are many different traditional units to choose from, some with price tags in the $10,000 range. Don’t worry about the cost, you may choose to build your own fire pit, which can be accomplished in two different ways. You could purchase a do-it-yourself fire pit kit or you can make your own fire pit by buying the necessary supplies separately.
Before you build your own fire pit, you need to make sure it is OK that you make your fire pit based on the laws regarding creating structures like this on your property. Once you have the green light to make your fire pit on your residence grounds, the next part is gathering up the necessary supplies. In order to build your own fire pit, you will need to comparison shop and price tools and materials, such as bricks, trowels, cement and shovels.
Built Your Own Fire Pit Directions
When you wish to make a fire pit in your background, there are several ways to accomplish this task. Below you will find one set of step-by-step instructions to approaching this fun and exciting do-it-yourself home improvement project.
1. Identify where you would like to make your fire pit and insert a wooden rod into the center of this location. To the rod, attach a 10 1/2 -inch string with a can of spray paint at the end. While holding the string tight, spray-paint a circle. Next, connect a 22 1/2-inch string to the same spray can and draw another circle. Using these guidelines, dig a trench that measures 10 inches deep and 12 inches wide.
2. Next, place 2 inches of gravel about the trench to create a lining. Tamp the gravel, making it firm to the touch. The gravel will then be covered with concrete that reaches ground level. Using a shovel can eliminate air pockets. Level this area with a piece of 2×4, followed by trowel smoothing. Allow the concrete to harden and then cover it with plastic. This should set for a couple of days with an additional week of open-air curing.
3. Once the concrete has cured, use water to create a mist and smooth out the mortar. Next, press a manhole block measuring 6 inches into the mortar, followed by another piece lying flush against the first. Scrap pieces of 2 x 4 can be used to keep the tops of the blocks in an even pattern. Leaving three equidistant 3/4-inch gaps creates air vents within your fire pit.
4. Continuing to build your own fire pit, you will dry-lay a second layer of 6-inch manhole blocks over the first. Mortar is not used during this step. The blocks should be positioned so that they are flush with one another. Internal edges of this second layer should line up with the bottom layer. A slight lip will begin to form on the outer edge.
Now you can start thinking about your own outdoor fire pit
Outdoor Fire pits will make your summer much nicer, get to know the world of firepits.
October 7, 2009 No Comments
Front Yard Landscaping Ideas – Tips For Foundation Planting
In my last article on front yard landscaping I discussed laying out driveways and sidewalks as your starting point and how it could possibly help create the entire framework for your front yard design. So assuming that you’re to that point, we’ll move on to a few considerations of a major secondary element. Plants.
When choosing and setting out plants in the front yard or any landscaping for that matter, you need to consider more than just how things will look. You should also consider other factors such as sun or shade, duration of sun or shade, soil type, purpose, the elements, and what specific plants will require or do in the future. There are also a few other considerations such as how close to plant to the home and its foundation.
When setting out plants in the front yard, place small shrubs and bushes 4 to 6 feet away from the home. If set closer than this, they could be deprived of sunlight or rain because of a wide overhang from the roof. They could also get fried from intense heat reflecting off of the wall. Placed away from the home in a wider staggered row rather than a narrow row, they also add a 3d effect to the landscape that makes the home seem more substantial.
Another consideration that most folks don’t think of is the long term effects of planting around the foundation of the home.
Keep in mind the space that plants and their roots will occupy at maturity. Roots are a powerful force that can find their way through rock. They also don’t seem to have much trouble with foundations.
Most plants, of course, require water. Watering, and especially flooding plants and beds around foundations creates a potential for a damaged foundation. This doesn’t always happen but it does happen. If you’re going to have plants close to the home, spot watering individual plants, a drip system, or even a low profile spray is safer than flooding the entire area.
Lime leach from concrete is a problem that I see quite often. It’s such a common problem because it takes a long time to show up. Over time, lime leaches out of the concrete into the soil causing the soil to become alkaline. If the ph of the soil gets too high, plants will start to look sick and yellow. Usually, keeping the beds tilled with a lot of organic matter will buffer and prevent this problem. Adding sulfur and organics to beds that are already affected will help turn the problem around.
The main thing to keep in mind when setting out landscaping plants, along with how they’ll look, is what they will do in the future. Whether it’s front yard landscaping, backyard landscaping, or any other part of your landscape, keeping these main points in mind could possibly save you a lot of frustration and money in the future.
Written by Steve Boulden. Steve is the creator of The Landscape Design Site which offers free landscaping ideas to do it yourselfers. For more landscaping ideas for front yards, visit his site at http://www.the-landscape-design-site.com.
October 6, 2009 No Comments
Advice to Homeowners BEFORE Landscaping
How many times have you gotten excited about a project and rushed into it only to find you forgot something? Landscaping takes considerable time, effort, and money … so you want to do it right the first time. There are a few, crucial steps you need to take before starting your landscaping.
You must first take the time to consider what purpose your front and/or back yard will have in your family’s lives. Do you want to sit on your patio and enjoy the birds and butterflies flitting around your flowers? Do you want to have a place where your children or grandchildren can play? Do you want a serene hideaway where you can read and enjoy the sounds from a water feature? Do you want all these things? Until you know how you will be using your yard, you won’t be able to decide how to landscape it to best suit these purposes.
Next (or throughout that thought process), clip pictures from magazines or the newspaper of outdoor spaces you find attractive, make you smile, or give you a good feeling. While not all these designs may be practical for your own yard, most of them can give you a target for what you’d like to achieve with your landscaping.
Measure your yard and draw it on graph paper. Play with ideas of how much space you would like for the kids to play or your hideaway spot. The graph paper will help you better understand the dimensions of your yard and how much is possible within that space. Allow plenty of space for the bushes or flowerbeds you want to use to separate various aspects of your yard.
Decide if you will be doing your landscaping yourself or hiring out some or all of it. If you will be using a landscaper, now is the time to present your ideas and let them design a realistic plan based on what you have drawn or collected.
If you plan to landscape yourself, collect catalogs from nurseries and visit a few of your local nurseries. You will want to start learning which plants, grasses, bushes, and trees do well in your area. Nurseries are great for seeing the actual plants, but they will usually only carry what is commonly sold in your area. If you would like a few unusual plants or variations, reviewing your catalogs will yield some delightful surprises.
The last step? Decide whether or not to follow these steps or if you will be wishing you had given your landscaping just a little more thought!
C.J. Westrick has a website (http://www.OutdoorDecorAndMore.com) dedicated to articles about garden decor and landscaping and another website (http://www.TheGiftBearer.com) with products for home decor and garden decor.
October 5, 2009 No Comments