Preserving the Last Bit of Color

It happens every year as the summer starts to wind down and the last flowers in the yard begin to bloom. It would be a shame to have these flowers bloom and die too quickly because they are the last of the color for the year. There are some things that can be done, however, to prolong the life of these flowers’ bloom. Depending on your climate, it might help to water the plants regularly. As the hot summer months linger on, lack of rain can cause some flowers to wilt and die. Mulching around the flowers will also help retain some water. Weeding flower gardens will keep undesirable plants from choking out the flowers. Using fertilizer for healthy flowers will also help keep those colors going longer.

Another way to help flowers grow well is to create some sort of structured bed around them. This could be a raised bed, using cap rock or wood planks to elevate it, or simply a bed that is separated from the rest of the landscape by cap rock or other retaining wall. By using cap rock, you not only put a physical barrier around the base of the flowers to help protect them, but the cap rock is aesthetically pleasing to most landscapes. Cap rock can be used in a number of landscaping projects and is easy to coordinate with other types of materials.

Privacy in Your Backyard

Everyone likes to have their own quiet space sometimes, and what better place to enjoy it than your own backyard?  While some people may be lucky enough to live in a secluded area far from others, most of us have neighbors somewhat nearby. If your yard is a little too open or your neighbors too close, there are ways to increase the privacy of your own yard.

First, and maybe most obviously, a fence can add privacy. With many types to choose from; wood, iron, rail, chain link, there is a fence for any landscape type. You could even build a privacy wall out of coral rocks.
Secondly, a row of hedges or trees provides much seclusion. They can be planted while seedlings and fast-growing varieties can start providing shelter in a matter of months or years.

Thirdly, landscaping helps with privacy. Flowerbeds, bordered by coral rocks or pavers can put a barrier between you and the neighbors. A coral rock fireplace or a statue can also be a great way to create a quiet space. A patio can have lattice work or trellises around it to block the view from the neighbors or the street. All it takes is a little imagination and planning, and a backyard can be a place of solitude. 

A Patio; the Symbol of an American Backyard

The patio is such a common feature to many homes that many of us take it for granted. We eat on it, we play on it, and we keep our lawn furniture on it. Those that live in warm climates may use their patio every day. Those that have to endure cold winters with snow will often spend their whole summer out on the patio, when the weather permits.

Patios can vary so much in size and design that they really speak volumes about their individual creator. A patio can be made of travertine pavers, bricks, coral rocks, or a variety of other materials. It can be full of furniture, or full of plants, or hardly filled at all.

A new trend is for patios to incorporate a fireplace. Sometimes it will be a moveable fire pit, other times people build the fireplace right into the patio out of coral rocks or cap rock. Tiki torches and lanterns are commonplace on patios, as are solar lights.  

Whatever the style, a patio can really improve a landscape. It is a common part of many yards, and the place where homeowners like to gather and relax.

Landscaping Increases the Value of a Home

These days many people are working to improve their home, especially if they are thinking of selling it in the near future. With home values plummeting and the real estate market at a standstill, most people are willing to do whatever they can to increase the value of their home.

One way to increase the value of a home and its curb appeal for potential buyers is to focus on the landscape. A good landscape includes well-maintained flower beds, lush lawn, and clean patio and walkways. But there is another feature that home buyers seem to always be looking for these days: a pool. While not everyone in America may want a pool in their backyard, it is often the selling point of a property. Pools can add so much beauty to a landscape if they are taken care of, and especially if flowers and plants are incorporated around them. By using natural materials to hardscape around the pool, such as travertine pavers, the area will be improved even more. Travertine pavers are made up of a classic stone that withstands the test of time and is perfect for pool areas. Travertine pavers are skid resistant and stay cool underfoot.

With a pool in place and a little work done around it, a landscape can improve the value of a home.