Home Improvement

Landscape contractors can fit into a few different molds. A landscape architect, for example, is an individual that designs your landscape and has extensive knowledge of plant life, land surveying, lawn drainage, and a fantastic eye for landscape design and aesthetics in general. Many professional landscaping companies have at least one landscape architect on staff, in addition to an army of landscape workers. These all-inclusive landscaping companies are also known as design/build firms.

Meanwhile, you can also find more low-key landscapers who can help less mobile home owner’s plant trees, shrubs, and flowers and/or go mulch, stones, brick to some basic landscaping features. Indeed, many lawn service companies will overlap their services with projects usually considered under the umbrella of landscape contractors.
landscape renovation for Improved Home Security while most people reckon of landscaping projects as focusing primarily on things like water distribution, drainage, grading, plant selection, wall or fence construction, and making paths and walkways, the fact is some companies that offer landscaping services are also able to enhance your home security. Landscape Contractors are specialized in home security will examine your property and give you a list of areas where the addition or removal of certain features will dissuade intruders. Adding fencing may, of course, be a part of the process; trimming large trees (that might offer access to upper windows or roofing), removing and replanting shrubs that are near the house (that could be a potential hiding spot for intruders), adding outdoor lighting or motion sensors, and rearranging other landscape features that could obscure views from the road are other likely steps in making landscaping that is not only gorgeous, but security conscious.

To start, a Keystone Gardens PA designs can be many different things, from planting new trees to resodding. In other words, each landscaping project is different to some degree, so to relay what to expect is a hard chore. But, most landscaping projects have a few items that are similar; the best rule to follow with any landscaping project is to talk with your landscapers. He or she can tell you exactly what to expect, the excellent and the terrible, and can more fully clarify what is coming, when, and why. So don’t be shy about asking. There is a check list of landscape solutions for which every one do it before any landscape designs these are :-
Mark Utility, Cable, and Water Lines A few days before your landscaping project is set to start, you need to have some of the underground lines and wires identified. These companies include: cable, gas, electrical, water, and sewer.

Trees, Sod, and Plants If you are having trees planted or resodding your yard or installing a bunch of hedges, then you need to be considerate of the distance your landscapers will have to park from your yard. And Remove Clutter from the Yardthis is a huge one. If you are having sod laid or some other large task, this is nearly a no-brainer, but you would be surprised to learn how many people have toys and tool all over their yard even on the day the landscapers arrive.

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Landscaping 4 Home by Christina Peterson might just be the answer to all your landscaping desires. It is the most comprehensive guide on landscaping that you can find online today. With this guide at your disposal, learning the simplest ways to come up with your very own landscaping designs will be possible in just a few clicks of a button.

Having this guide will certainly take you by the hand on how to landscape your very own home without having to spend so much on someone else to get the work done properly and very well accordingly to your liking. Why bother paying some expert if you could only have much cheaper yet still effective means of getting some clear fact information on how to make landscaping designs.

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Regardless of how you know so much about landscaping, having this guide will still be effective. Grab a copy of Landscaping 4 Home today. Visit its website and see how easy it is to learn in no time. Learn how you can easily get your landscaping ambitions into reality without costing you a fortune.

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An effective landscape lighting plot requires harmonizing your indoor and outdoor lighting systems to make a sense of uniformity and style between the two. Your yard and landscape are very much a part of your home, and should be treated as an extension of the living experience you delight in inside the walls of your house. Covered patios, screen porches, pergolas and other outdoor entertaining spaces may require indoor lighting techniques. Recessed down lights and ceiling fans now come into play, as do special lights for illuminating the grill. By using wall box dimmer controls, one can adjust light levels to adapt to the event this shows off the structure and illuminates the structure. If up lights are used adjacent to house, elegant shadows are made which dance on the facade of the house on windy evenings. Setting the tone between the threshold of your home and your yard in this fashion establishes the conceptual and emotional foundation of your outdoor garden lighting design that will then extend outward into the green and open spaces beyond.

Plot your landscape lighting to use shadows to your advantage.

It is a common misconception among homeowners that shadows are a terrible thing, and that the purpose of light is to brightly illuminate everything to the extent that no dark spots appear. The opposite is really right. Houston landscape lighting works best as a blend between light and shadow, so use a balance of darkness and light when plotting your landscape lighting system. Depending on the degree to which you vary this contrast, you can make all sorts of luminary effects and varying states of mind. Bathing exceptionally dark areas of your yard in soft ambient light from tree lights mimics the effects of moonlight and is highly romantic. Up lighting statuary, bird baths, and other ornaments makes an elevated sense of emotion ideal for garden parties. Hiding light fixtures within shrubs and flower beds makes a mystical effect where objects appear to glow with a light of their own. How you plot your landscaping lighting layout and landscape lighting maintenance program is really a matter of how you plot to feel when you look outside your window or spend warm summer nights on the patio. Start by evaluating plant materials, shrubs, trees, and gardens. These are forms that make shadow, and serve as guidelines to follow that are literally already growing right behind your home.

Plot your landscaping lighting with multiple layers of light in mind.

To achieve the type of depth and dimension we are talking about it, is necessary to use more than one layer of light. ILD landscaping pros typically plot a design around four distinctive layers of illumination, some of which distinctly overlap one another; others of which blend and synthesize together. Every landscape lighting design is different and must be plotted around the unique dimensions of a yard and the contents within it. Fountains, sculptures, rock formations, bridges, and ornamental structures all provide accent or feature lighting opportunities. Trees provide moonlighting opportunities with concealed mercury vapor lights. Depending on the overall emotional tone you plot to make, any number of light fixture types can be used to illuminate these objects. You may want to install fixtures that are completely hidden so as to only illuminate objects of interest, or you may go the other route and use highly visible, decorative fixtures that add an additional aesthetic to your yard. If you are uncertain as to what type of fixtures to use, call one of our professionals and question about specialty commercial grade fixtures that are made for specific types of landscapes and particular mood-setting lighting effects.

Be safe and practical when plotting a landscape lighting system.

We recommend that the DYI homeowner stick with low-voltage landscape lighting equipment exclusively. 12-volt lights are generally all that you need to illuminate an outdoor area, and represent much less of a shock hazard to children and pets. They are also much safer to install. Do not forget to pay attention to the smaller practicalities of landscape lighting, either. Trip hazards such as steps, sidewalks, and driveways are excellent candidates for outdoor path lighting. Uplighting around trees can provide a visual aid that helps family and guests navigate in uncharted territory. Since these aspects of lighting involve safety as well as aesthetics, we recommend you consult with a professional firm for a free evaluation of your landscape lighting plot. This will help ensure that that you have thought of all the necessary contingencies, and will eliminate surprises, mishaps, and needless additional expense in the future.

Plot on contacting a landscape lighting professional.

Our landscape lighting crews are some of the best in the business. They know how light works and where the light should go to maximize your visual nighttime enjoyment. No tree is too high for our professional tree climbers! We are experienced in all forms of outdoor landscape lighting from simple low voltage systems to more complicated high voltage mercury vapor lighting systems. We stock a full range of landscape lighting materials such as fixtures, lamps and replacement parts. We not only service what we sell, but we can help you with repairs or maintenance to existing outdoor landscape lighting systems installed by our competitors. All of our technicians are experienced licensed professionals and we subcontract no work to outside vendors. The results will be spectacular!

These companies offer a full range of landscape services including consultation, design, installation and maintenance. A landscape business will usually specialize in one or more areas and subcontract related installation elements such as outdoor kitchens, swimming pools, water fountains, outdoor fireplaces, and landscape lighting.

The Steps to Getting Your Landscape Started

When you choose to hire a landscape business, you typically start with an initial discovery meeting where you have an opportunity to discuss your overall goals, control elements, design intent and the overall aesthetics. The next meeting may include landscape designs, landscape plans, permitting issues and cost studies. In providing landscape services, a excellent professional should work diligently to help you define the scope of your outdoor project, phasing, scheduling, coordination, selection of all materials and construction methods, and project cost.

Once you have approved the landscape design, the landscape company you selected can start the installation. As mentioned earlier, many landscape businesses act as the general contractor and oversee the entire installation of drainage, irrigation and landscape lighting. The fees for these services vary for each landscape business; but they are normally charged as a percentage of the total cost of the work for the project. .

Installation phase

A landscape business will usually include all plant materials, irrigation, drainage, and landscape lighting in their contract. Once the irrigation and lighting contractors end their work, the planting can be completed by putting in all shrubs, groundcover, and seasonal color. After this step, mulching and cleanup commence. The irrigation and lighting subcontractors then return for final adjustments and the installation is complete.

It is during the installation that the importance of tree preservation must be emphasized. Careful pre-construction activities include protective tree fencing, borer applications on sensitive trees, temporary drainage and elevated walks to protect tree roots. Proper grading and soil preparation around large trees is another delicate issue. The foresight to know the impact of changing grades on mature trees is crucial, so make sure your landscape service company is well versed in this area of expertise.

Some homeowners want to act as general contractors for their landscaping projects in order to save money. This choice can lead to some real problems. Often confusions can arise from the misunderstanding of trade terminology, scheduling and coordination if the different phases of a project. A subcontractor will respond much better to a seasoned general contractor who understands the work to be performed and with whom they have a excellent relationship based on past experience. Many landscape businesses have years of experience to make sure the end results exceed your expectations.

The Art of Communication

There should be excellent understanding, communication and comfort level between you and the firm you hire. Remember, your attention to detail and expectations of the entire process are crucial in determining which landscape company to hire for your outdoor project

Finally, landscape maintenance is one of the most vital ongoing services to insure that your investment develops into a mature and gorgeous outdoor environment. A landscape business will typically include proper trimming of plant material and mowing of all lawn areas. Landscape businesses should have a methodical feeding program that boosts the varying plant health of tropical, acidic and seasonal color plants. The feeding program may also include spring and fall aeration of lawn areas with the application of fall rye grass. Water management through continual inspection of the irrigation controller, heads, and seasonal watering times is the foundation for lawn, shrub and tree health. Continual observation and diagnosis of plant pests and diseases are the last part of a complete and continually proactive maintenance program.

Botanical Traditions – Landcape Architecture (Melbourne, Australia) At Botanical Traditions we strive to capture the imagination with landscape design that enhances the constructed environment. The goal of all our garden design is to maximise the quality of indoor and outdoor living while at the same time providing cost effective sustainable returns for our clients.

Professional Landscape and Horticultural Design Our landscape design team consists of designers, horticulturists and strategic thinkers committed to mixing art with design and technology. We pride ourselves on having a strong partnership with our clients and other related professionals, such as landscapers and paving firms, to make gorgeous, functional landscape and horticultural designs that really are an asset to their surroundings and the garden and lifestyle of their owners.

The Roman Landscape [750 BMA - 400MA]

The Romans carried out landscape design on a scale not seen again until recently. They left a strong imprint on the land. The Romans designed large urban open spaces with perforated edges. These public open spaces were designed to keep the masses entertained – a point highlighted in the movie Gladiator. They combined garden and lifestyle thoughts from the Greeks, Etruscans, Persians and Egyptians. In comparison to their public environments their residential site developments were typically inward looking.

The Greek Landscape [3000BMA - 31BMA]

Stretching over many centuries the Greek design style still has an impact on garden design today. Buildings were generally simple and symmetrical but many exhibited optical corrections. They also made optimum viewing points and used the proportions of the ‘Golden Section’. Typically a house was built around 1 or 2 garden rooms called a ‘peristyle’.

The Gardens of Islam [600BMA - 1700]

The Koran states that individuals should try to make paradise on earth and it defines paradise as a garden with shade and water. All Islamic gardens are enclosed and provide privacy. The gardens are typically square in plot and are entered through an impressive gate. There is usually a main axis which is often a body of water which can be crossed by other axis. The gardens never have any depiction of the human form but will use elaborate patterns instead.

The Gardens of China [1700BMA - today]

Chinese gardens typically have a strong natural character in many cases influenced by the natural countryside, painters and poets, mythology, philosophy and social background of the time. Chinese landscape design represents the longest period of continuous development of any garden style.

The Landscape of Japan [650 - 1870]

Japanese gardens are designed for repose. They do not try to copy nature but to idealise and abstract it. Typically they have no geometric order. They is carefull attention given to the transition between the inside and outside areas.

The Landscape of Renaissanc Italy [1400 - 1700]

During this period of time there were two distinct periods – the Mannerist and the Baroque. In Mannerist designs the aim was not to make harmony but to use tricks to make astonishing affects. Baroque design originated in Rome and was chiefly interested in making spectacular displays.

The Renaissance Landscape of France

Many medieval built forms such as moats, corner towers and steep roofs were retained in France long after they had been abandoned in other countries. There were three distinct periods during the French Renaissance. In the early 16th century there was a strong Italian influence, followed by a brief period of transition and experimentation which resulted in a distinctive Baroque French Grand Style.

The Landscape of England

The English landscape has been influenced by the many different groups of people that have inhabited the land. Medieval developments in England were typically centred around the residential environment. During the 17th century thoughts from Italy and France were incorporated into the English landscape on a small scale. It was not until the early 18th century and the emergence of the English Landscape School that landscape design was applied on a large scale. It was also at this time that the artistic thoughts of unity, harmony, contrast, balance and focus started to be explored in landscape design.

The 19th Century English Garden

This period was one of rapid social change with the industrial revolution. The urban areas expanded and the provision of public recreational spaces became vital. Botanical Gardens were established in most major towns and many royal estates were opened to the public. In the 1830’s gardening magazines emerged as did a wider selection of plants. There were many notable designers from this period and they include Joseph Paxton, William Robinson and Gertrude Jekyll. Some designers through this period searched for a local style which used indigenous plants to make a national character rather than relying on the many new introduced plants at the time.

The American Colonial Landscape

The English, French, Dutch and Spanish all had an influence on early American landscape design. There were three distinct phases in colonial site developments. The early colonial period was characterised by a strongly utilitarian style. This was followed by the Jefferson period which was characterised by eclecticism and palladianism such as Monticello. The last period lasted from 1800 – 1860 and was characterised by eclecticism and neo-classicism. Public open space was provided in towns.

The 19th Century American Landscape

This was a period of fantastic change and expansion in the United States. There was a period of fantastic social change and after the civil war there was a greater focus on providing public parks in cities. Two major designers at the time were Andrew Jackson Downing and Frederick Law Olmstead. There was a strong belief that the environment could influence human behaviour and the first state parks were formed during this period.

The 20th Century American Landscape

After WWII there was a change in the type of landscape projects that occurred. There was a large increase in the numbers of houses, schools and universities as well as the large scale adoption of the car. This meant that an increasing amount of work was carried out in the outer suburbs. This also coincided with the establishment of large scale firms with international offices and a turn away from the traditional approach of an individual offering a personal service to clients.

The Landscape Design Revolution

It was not until the 1930’s that there was a significant change in the design philosophies of the previous 100 years. This was the beginning of modernism. Modernism in landscape design was influenced by Modern Art (Cubist Garden, Hyeres, Gabrial Guevrekian), Science and the relationship between natural systems and human needs, Asian design and the technology and teaching of the Bauhaus. Fletcher Steele and Thomas Chruch followed by Garrett Eckbo, James rose and Dan Kiley practiced during this period.