Feel the Southern California Sunshine
28 Apr 2020
Container Gardening: A Creative Way to Bring Plants to Any Space
Container gardening has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. It’s a great way to add greenery and life to any space, no matter how small or limited. Whether you live in an apartment with a balcony, a townhouse with a small courtyard, or a house with a backyard, container gardening can provide a creative and flexible solution for bringing plants to your environment.
The possibilities of container gardening are virtually endless. You can use pots, hanging baskets, window boxes, or any other type of container to plant a variety of plants, such as flowers, herbs, vegetables, or even small trees. With the right combination of plants and containers, you can create a unique and eye-catching display that reflects your personal style and taste.
One of the benefits of container gardening is its convenience. Unlike traditional gardening, you don’t have to worry about soil quality, drainage, or pests. With container gardening, you can control the environment in which your plants grow, ensuring that they receive the right amount of sunlight, water, and nutrients. Container gardening is also a great way to experiment with different plant combinations and arrangements, as you can easily move containers around to create different looks and effects.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, container gardening can be a fun and rewarding activity. With the help of a professional landscaper or garden designer, you can select the right containers and plants for your space, and receive guidance on how to care for your plants throughout the year. So why not try your hand at container gardening and add some greenery and life to your space today?
Preparing Your Yard for a Cold Winter
Whether you are a DIY enthusiast, who takes care of landscaping and designing, or a professional landscape expert, preparing the yard for a cold winter is a must when we talk about good landscaping. It can give anyone a nightmare if not planned and executed properly. People usually spend thousands of dollars to make their dream home look exceptional.
It is the standards of landscaping and designing that matters the most to the homeowners and why not? They spend enormous amount of money, time and efforts to make it elegant and beautiful. So what is that we do to safeguard our yard and to make it winter proof. Let us have a look at the best practices that you must follow if you are a homeowner or a landscaping contractor. Here they are:
Mow it right.
Right before the winter strikes, you need to prepare for it. Scale down your grass to the least so that would make it easier for you to manage in winters. The recommended size of grass may vary as it depends on region, type of landscaping and quality of grass used. Bottom line is that the shorter the grass, the better it is to manage in winters. It would be protected from fungal growth and heavy snows.
Make it winter proof.
Use the right kind of plants, shrubs and trees for all your landscaping work. Blend it with aesthetics if appropriately. Drought landscaping can help as long as it is done properly. Choosing plants and trees that are low maintenance and that can withstand excessive snow or lack of irrigation are the best for winters. If you are a homeowner who manages the yard on its own then you might have to find professionals how can help you with drought tolerant landscaping in Los Angeles or anywhere you are.
Fertilize it well.
You should use natural fertilizers which will help ensure recover and regrow green and lush lawn when it is required. Now it completely depends on the region and also the quality of soil so you will have to test your soil to determine the kind of fertilizer required and the amount which will best serve the requirements.
Quality of Grass
Watch the quality of grease you use as the type of grass you have will determine the rest such as the type of fertilizer needed, the amount of irrigation needed, its growth and resistance during various seasons. There are cold season grasses and warm season grasses that react differently to different seasons. So the first step is knowing your grass and then taking measures accordingly.
There are a variety of warm season grasses such as centipede, Zoysia, Bermuda and St Augustine whereas the cold season grass includes Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Perennial Ryegrass. You must understand the limitations and exceptions of both these for better results for yourself if you manage it yourself or for your clients (if you are an expert). Understand the climate and the region to use appropriate quality of grass. When in doubt you can look for Landscape companies in Los Angeles or your region.
Check Irrigation
Keep a check on the amount of irrigation required for your landscaping needs during various seasons, particularly winters. Take some measures to maintain good health of grass and the overall landscaping. Irrigation plays an important role.
There are various companies who offer landscaping services in Los Angeles but we, at Garden Designs and landscapes are one of the most trusted in the region. We have expertise in all types of landscaping and designing. Get in touch today if you are looking for landscape contractors in Los Angeles or any type of landscape design tips and trends. We understand our customers’ needs and offer the best landscaping solutions to our clients at reasonable prices.
7 Mistakes Every New Homeowner Makes in Their Yard
Let’s get it clear first of all; landscaping is not as easy as it may look. It takes a lot of efforts, hours of thinking and a creative bent of mind to pull it off. At times, it can give you a tough time thinking how should the design is? What type of landscaping would suit? What color pattern should you use? We all understand the challenges behind it. Don’t we? Moreover it is only when you finish the project that you realize the mistakes you have made.
If you are a homeowner who has just made their yard and you are also a DIY enthusiast, and hours of sweat you put in the project and yet some of the mistakes surface when you finish it. Don’t worry! You are not alone. We all make mistakes and that’s ok. The key question here is what those common mistakes that every new homeowner makes are.
Let us have a look at some of these common mistakes and perhaps learn from them so that we do not end up making the same mistakes.
Here are the 7 mistakes:
Not choosing the right set of plants – This is one of the most common mistakes that we make. It ranks on top of landscaping mistakes made by majority of first timers. There are a lot of factors that has to be kept in mind while selecting the right set of plants both natural and aesthetic. It is also the size that is important because the ill-assorted may outgrow the rest and cause nothing but trouble for you.
Size of the Grass (Scalping) – How tall or short you cut your lawn may or may not be the right size. If you are a beginner, and are under the conception, that you have mown it regularly then let us tell you that’s not right. What looks fine to you may not be actually fine. This is where the expert advice may be needed. Get in touch with Landscape architects in Los Angeles or Luxury landscape in Los Angeles if you are planning to make it look luxurious.
Mismatched elements (Asymmetry) – Only when you are done with the landscaping and designing of your yard, you realize the asymmetry and the fact that it should have been looked at the early stages. When we work on it.
Not having a plan for your plants – Keep a plan for your plants when it comes to watering them, taking care of them and scaling to perfection.
Inappropriate use of aesthetic – Too much or too little use of aesthetics can also be a problem. This is also one of the mistakes that most homeowners make while landscaping. When in doubt you may want to hire Landscape designer in Los Angeles rather than making mistakes and leaving less options for redesigning.
Jumping on the lawn bandwagon – There has to be a set timeline for you to jump on your lawn mower or bandwagon because doing it more or less than what is required can make it look otherwise. The job has to be timely and carefully done while shaping and cutting shrubs, trees, plants and gardens. Usually this is the mistake that most of us do as we are not aware of the best practices.
Forgetting about fall and winter – We have to always keep fall and winter in mind and choose the setting of trees and plants accordingly. It is not just today – how your garden looks but also couple months down the line when the fall or winter comes. Most people do not factor other seasons in and find disappointment during the season change.
If you are looking for Landscape architects in Los Angeles, then we are the right people who can help. With our years of expertise and proven track record of exceptional performance, your expectations would not just be met but exceeded. Get in touch with us today.
4 Sustainable Landscaping Design Trends
4 Sustainable Landscaping Design Trends
All homeowners pursue efficiency as they invest in their landscaping design Los Angeles. The longer investments last, the more money the homeowner will save. There’s an abundance of information in regards to sustaining indoor elements of a home.
But what about sustaining outdoor landscape in Los Angeles? Insects are known for devouring plants and vulnerable materials. As a homeowner, it’s important to select the correct materials and the correct landscape design.
The first step to constructing a sustainable landscape is choosing landscape designs that are resistant to decay, insects, and excessive water. Fortunately for the homeowner, there are several trends out there that can last.
Here are 5 sustainable landscape trends for the upcoming season.
1. Bring the Fire Outdoors
The fall season brings cooler temperatures and cooler nights. Fire tables are excellent additions for those night time get togethers with family and friends. Invest a little more and install a fire pit. Landscape professionals normally install Slate Flagstone walkways around them.
Or you can go traditional and build a fireplace. Exterior stone veneer fire pits and fireplaces are sustainable trends for landscape design because they offer efficient ways to eliminate lawn, garden, and tree waste while providing a comfortable atmosphere for the homeowner. Bringing the fire outside will help ignite the party after dark.
2. Effective and Efficient Drainage
One of the most important factors of maintaining a sustainable landscape is drainage. Fluctuating temperatures means fluctuating weather. To better prepare for rain, start drainage with installing gutters onto rooftop edges. Gutter guards will help prevent leaves, acorns, and sticks from clogging gutters and downspouts. Attach drainage pipes to downspouts and route them away from the home and landscape.
For patio drainage, install a slotted system. Landscape professionals will have the tools and extensive knowledge on drainage. Homeowners who pursue DIY drainage, make measures and cuts to material in which the grate can fit.
3. Plants that Fight Excessive Water
Speaking of drainage, there will be days where the landscape is waterlogged with torrential rain. Homeowners can prepare for those saturated days by installing water absorbing plants like Boxwoods and Maple trees. Border grasses and shrubs protect gardens while tree roots absorb the water.
4. Sustainable Outdoor Flooring
Thermally Modified Wood is the best way to go as a sustainable source of outdoor wood flooring. If you’re thinking about landscape flooring, use modified wood flooring. Why is modified wood flooring much more effective than deck wood for outdoor design projects?
Modified wood for outdoor flooring has three processes which makes it ideal for unique projects:
- Heat – This method (also called thermal modification) heats wood to over 185 to 215 degrees. It all depends on the grade of wood. Thermal modification brightens the wood and exponentially slows the decaying process.
- Polymer Grafting – Single molecules (or monomers) can combine with other single molecules, which is a called polymerization. When this process is used in wood, it increases durability, strength, and resist insects. This is often used in construction.
- Acetylation – Hydroxyls (or free hydroxyls) are present in all wood. Hydroxyl is an element that allows the wood to absorb water during weather and season changes. Acetylation changes the hydroxyl group to an acetyl group. Acetyl groups alter the wood to make it more durable and stable.
Create a Landscape That Will Last
Homeowners should choose a landscaping trend that will sustain their invested Los Angeles landscape over a long period of time. Be cautious of the materials you use. Go with thermally modified wood for outdoor flooring. Choose the right plants for the climate and season. For walkways or garden patios, lean toward slate rock construction. Find a budget that works for you and consult with your landscape contractor Los Angeles for all your landscaping needs.