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.

Coral Rocks Add Texture to Landscape

Coral rocks are made up of ancient rock that is found throughout the world.  This type of building material is oolitic limestone, or “egg stone”, which is known for its texture.  Oolite is a sedimentary rock that consists of many small holes.  This type of rock was formed over time when particles floating in the ocean became coated with calcium carbonate and fell to the ocean floor.  After many years, the area that was once covered with water became land; leaving the coral rock compacted under the soil.

Coral rocks are mined in the southern tip of Florida, using environmentally safe practices.  After the rock is removed, the land is reclaimed and is used for farming.  Once the rocks are mined, they are cut to different sizes for building materials and landscape supplies.

The coral rocks are known for their use in Floridian architecture.  Often called “old Florida” style, many structures can be built with coral rocks including houses, garden walls, patios, and walkways.  The texture in this type of building material makes it very popular among designers.  Each piece is unique, with different pores, colors, and sometimes fossils found in different sections.

Another advantage to using coral rocks is the variety of sizes it comes in.  It can be found in boulders, rocks, and different size flagging and tile.  For any landscape project, coral rock can be the material that adds interest and texture to the construction

Go Green with Glass Mulch

Every year, over 40 billion glass bottles are made and sold.  Most of them get used once and then end up in landfills, taking up valuable space.  Glass can now be broken down, tumbled until the pieces are smooth, and then reused as mulch.  This industry has shown great strides in the recycling of old materials to make new ones, and the idea has really caught on in our country.  Many people today are looking to buy glass mulch for a variety of landscape projects.

Glass mulch comes in many different colors, and can be used to make beautiful walkways, coverings for flowerbeds, and bases for fish ponds or fountains.  It can be mixed into concrete to form garden paths or patio tiles.  Another new way to use glass mulch is to place it in the bottom of a fire pit, and then use natural gas fuel to burn a flame above the glass.  This can be customized to fit the landscape, and can be a great focal point for outdoor living. 

The sky is the limit when it comes to designing with glass mulch.  It can be used also for craft projects such as picture frame borders and to add some color and texture to plastic or glass projects.  Around the house projects include covering the floor of aquariums or terrariums, and filling the base of vases with a combination of mulch colors. 

All it takes is a little imagination to beautify a house and yard with glass mulch.

How to Create a Backyard Pond

There are many backyard projects that homeowners can do on their own.  One of the more challenging do-it-yourself projects is creating a pond with a stream.  Some things are best left for the experts, such as designing and placing cap rock waterfalls, but an ambitious homeowner should be able to create a basic stream and pond by themselves.

The first step to this project is to dig the area for the pond, and the size will vary based on the desired size and shape of the pond.  Once this is done, the plumbing will need to be placed for the filter and pump, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

The next step is to excavate the stream and install the waterfall tank and skimmer, if they are being used.  The pond underlayment and liner can then be positioned.  In order to hide the liner and create a more natural landscape, it is necessary to fill the area around the edges with rock or pebbles.  One good way to do this is to place larger stones first around the edge of the pond and directly on the liner, and then add pebbles to the cracks and around the stones.  This will also hold the liner in place and prevent soil from falling into the pond.  Shallow water plants also work well to fill the area and create a natural look.

The last step is deciding what kinds of water plants and fish will go well in your pond, and then enjoying your finished project.

Landscaping in today’s economy

Homeowners today might be caught in a slight predicament when it comes to tackling new outdoor projects.  Some people have dreams of what they want their property to look like, and all sorts of projects they would like to undertake.  The problem is that many homeowners today are pinched for money and even things like landscape projects are often put on the back burner for a better day.  Many people are wondering what projects they should work on and what can wait until the money is there.

Most would agree that it is important for a house to look well-kept and cared for.  Certainly anything that is in disrepair and an eyesore should be fixed to at least make it look better.  For example, an old cracked or stained walkway can be taken out and replaced by an inexpensive pebble walkway, or even a glass mulch path.  Other things, such as the paint on the house, can be touched up if there isn’t enough money to redo the entire thing.  Flower beds should be kept up and weed-free, and the grass should be maintained at a healthy level.

While it might not be necessary at a time of restricted funds to put in a brand new travertine patio with a cap rock fireplace, those people that take the time to come up with a plan should be able to keep their house looking pleasant, while budgeting and planning for these larger projects in the future.

Landscape Styles

There are many different types of styles that designers can use when planning a landscape.  The type of style that is used may be chosen to match the house or the neighborhood, or just be a reflection of the homeowner’s own style.

Formal and Informal Styles
A formal landscape design may incorporate orderly flowerbeds, straight lines, and well-managed and pruned plants.  A classical garden, travertine patio, caprock fireplace, and hedge for a border may all be features of a formal style landscape.

An informal style, on the other hand, may have more curving edges and random plants.  Often, an informal style will seem cozy to some and cluttered to others, and an abundance of plants and colors may be used.

English Garden
Another style for landscaping a yard is the English garden.  This type of landscape will incorporate features like a picket fence, many perennials and shrubs, and maybe a loose rock or pebble walkway.

Oriental Style
Oriental style will use water, evergreens, and rocks in its design.  Bonsais and miniature, well-pruned plants are often part of oriental style.  Different types of plants in planters, such as bamboo, also create an oriental feel.

Woodland Style
Woodland style is a natural technique that is used in many areas.  It may feature a waterfall or stream, sometimes lined with pebbles or river rock.  Terraced hills, filled with rock beds and natural plants also would fit with a woodland theme.

There are many other styles that can be used today, and sometimes a combination of styles may create a beautiful yard.

Glass Mulch Adds Color to Landscape

Maybe you’ve heard about a great new trend hitting landscaping projects – glass mulch.  Glass mulch is actually recycled pieces of glass (great for those trying to “go green”) that have been tumbled in order to make them smooth.  The glass comes in many different colors and can be a beautiful addition to any yard.

Glass mulch can be used in many different ways, depending on the look the designer is going for.  The versatility of this type of cover material is a big selling point for it.  For example, blue glass mulch can be used to create a dry stream bed, or to place around stepping stones along a path.  Or, this type of mulch can cover the area around drought plants to give some color, or in with a potted plant.

One thing that most people would agree is that when used in the right way, glass mulch can create a bit of whimsy in the landscape of a yard.  Sometimes designers will use glass like this to create pieces of color among the flower beds.  They can be placed in containers and placed at different heights for an attractive design.

Whatever the glass mulch is used for, it has many benefits.  The mulch is environmentally friendly, it won’t decompose and need to be replaced every year, and it doesn’t attract bugs.  With a little bit of enthusiasm and imagination, colored glass mulch can brighten up a yard.