Top Ways to Brighten Your Yard With a Little Landscaping

You may be amazed to find out that improving your outdoor area does not cost a fortune, nor does it require a complete restructuring. Start small and think bigger when it comes to landscaping. Walk around your yard and think about what needs sprucing up or what can be added or removed. Landscaping can be enjoyable rather than overwhelming and doesn’t need to break the bank.

Making mowing the lawn simpler by having less lawn to mow. Replace grass with solid ground where shrubbery can be planted. Look for decorative touches that are functional such as stepping stones that make walking in the rain easier. A small garden adds beauty to your outdoors and provides a fun, educational activity for children. A smaller lawn is not only simpler to maintain, but can be replaced with other touches that add variety to your outdoor space.

Trees add beauty and long-lasting value to your home, so consider planting a few more outside. Fruit trees grow gorgeous blossoms in the springtime, provide fruit in the summer and the fall, and can hold festive lights in the winter. Planting saplings is a fantastic activity for children, and a tree can grow along with the memories created through years of living in a home.

One basic touch that can produce a dramatic effect is lighting. Look for old-fashioned lamps that can add a classic feel to your back yard. Special lights can also eliminate mosquitoes while providing a mellow glow to make an evening meal on the patio more pleasant. Mount lights on the outside of your garage or a back wall for more illumination.

Sometimes a front or back yard needs something bold and new. When you’ve grown saplings and laid down walking stones, spring for something that can improve your quality of life. A brand new patio, a goldfish pond, a hot tub or a swimming pool does not need to take up a large amount of space. With planning and expert advice, you can transform your yard in permanent ways that will create enjoyment and improve the aesthetics of your outdoor space.

Think about what your family likes to do outside and consider what your space and budget allows. You may be surprised at the kind of landscaping projects you can undertake in a relatively small space and a modest amount of money. To make your outdoor space more attractive, functional and valuable, check out this website for landscaping products in San Jose.

Switch to Sod

 

The changing of the seasons can be a beautiful spectacle to bear witness to. While the switch in overall temperature might be welcomed by you, there are some parts of your home that might suffer. Your yard endures a great deal as the seasons change, but when you take the time to invest in sod for your property you will begin to notice several important differences.

Keep Things Cool

When temperatures start to go way up, it is important to keep cool in any way possible. Sod tends to keep the soil levels of a home much cooler than standard soil does. This cooler atmosphere can provide a sense of relief on a particularly hot summer day.

Help the Planet

Everyone must do what they can to go green and keep the planet strong for future generations. Sod has been shown to significantly reduce the levels of greenhouse gases that are emitted by a home. It is able to achieve this by absorbing large amounts of nearby carbon dioxide. This can prove invaluable to the planet, especially in an age where greenhouse gases are more dangerous than ever before.

A small switch to sod can go a long way for you and your home. When you’re ready to make the decision to invest in sod, visit this website and learn more about sod material in San Jose.

See the Difference With Professional Pavers

 

The outdoor area of your home is an important space to pay attention to. Since the outside of your home is what people will first notice when coming for a visit, you want to be able to provide a space that you can take pride in. A great way to distinguish yourself from other houses in your neighborhood is by hiring professional pavers to reinvent your yard.

Options to Explore

There are plenty of exciting ways that your yard can be transformed into a completely new space. The right stones can make all the difference, and your choice will help to craft an aesthetic that cannot be matched. Professional pavers will be able to work closely with you, explain all of the options available for your property, and help make your vision into a reality.

Experience You Can Trust

 When you trust in a professional team for your property, you do not have to worry about any of the headaches that can come along with taking on a home improvement project yourself. The years of experience pay off, and professionals can use their previous knowledge to cultivate an inspirational space that will blow you away.

A well-maintained yard can boost curb appeal and allow you to feel excited about your home. Visit this website for more information on how professional pavers in San Jose can assist you.

How Different Soil Affects Plants

 

You might think that you have a green thumb, but a bit of extra know how can go a long way. If you are trying to get some plants to grow, it can be important to understand how different types of soil can affect the growth of plants.

Some Silty Soil

When it comes to retaining water for plants to thrive, silty soil is the way to go. This soil type can hold water for longer than other types, but this also makes it more difficult for a plant to receive the proper nutrients.

Clay’s the Way

Unlike silty soil, clay soil is able to hold nutrients for a longer period of time due to the compacted nature of the soil. While it can be helpful for growing a variety of plants, it can be be difficult to work with in warmer months when the soil becomes hard.

Sandy is Handy

The most common soil type gardeners tend to work with is sandy soil. While not ideal for water retention or nutrient-absorption, sandy soil provides a light and easy kind of soil for beginners to work with. This type of soil will teach a gardener the proper techniques to gardening, as well as what methods will and will not work to get plants to grow.

Knowledge can go a long way with gardening. When you’re ready to find the perfect soil material in Morgan Hill, visit this website.

How to Find the Right Stepping Stones to Match Your Yard

Stepping stones can be an important part of your garden design. They allow people to walk peacefully through the yard without worrying about mud, grass stains or other inconveniences. They can also give extra dimensions to a small garden by offering an attractive path through your plants and flowers. Before you put stepping stones in your yard, try thinking about the possibilities of different shapes, sizes and materials.

Garden stepping stones come in many different dimensions. If your yard is large, you may enjoy using big stepping stones in rustic or irregular shapes. Large stepping stones can match a large yard and really tie it together. If you have room for more than one path in your garden, consider using different kinds of stepping stones to lead in various directions. A path of small, delicate tiles could lead to a hidden area of the garden, while large, friendly stepping stones could lead to a hot tub or small deck at the edge of your property.

Even within the same path, stepping stones can have very different sizes. Try choosing one general color or design, then mixing and matching the sizes of stones to create a unique visual effect. Be sure to leave enough space between stones to offset the visual appeal of the materials, but keep them close enough together so that you and your guests can walk comfortably from one feature of the garden to another. Remember that this should be a leisurely stroll, not a vigorous game of hopscotch.

Rectangular slabs are a classic choice for many gardens. These solid, massive stones can fit into a variety of different garden environments. You can have them cut in the ideal shape and size for your own situation. Many types of stone can be treated so that moss will not grow on them, decreasing the risk of an embarrassing slip. Other kinds of stones are designed to attract moss for a rustic feel.

Stepping stones are also a great idea in garden ponds. You can use them to create a small bridge across a water feature in your yard. In this situation, stones should be flat and stable enough to form an easily crossed path. Flat rock slabs are also a great choice for water-based stepping stones. They are strong enough to hold up to the challenge of year-round weather and being partially submerged in water.

A wide selection of stone features can help you give a unique flair to your yard. To find out more about the possibilities of stepping stones in Gilroy, visit our store today http://www.usaverockerymorganhill.com/stepping-stones

3 Things to Consider Before Laying Pavers

 

Installing pavers can be a great way to add a multi-use outdoor area for your home. Like any home improvement, paver projects should be carefully thought-out for the best possible results. Before any work is started, spend some time planning the project and make sure you consider these three things.

1.    Style

Due to the large range of paver shapes, sizes and materials available, you will likely be able to find the perfect paver for almost any imaginable project. Spend some time researching available paver types to make sure that you can turn the picture in your head into reality. Some available paver shapes you might want to consider are:

• Circular
• Square
• Uneven or natural

2.    Space

It is also smart to consider the space that you plan to work in before starting a paver project. Make sure you know exactly where you want the pavers to go by drawing out a plan. Knowing the space availability will also help you calculate how many pavers you should buy.

3.    Safety

It is always good to check with the local utility company before doing any digging or excavating. This way you can make sure that you or the professional you hire are not digging near any important cables or other utility infrastructure.

With some forethought, your paver project will likely go very smoothly whether you choose to do the work yourself or hire a professional. Visit this website for more information about getting landscaping supplies in San Jose.

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5 Must-Have Supplies To Create a Drought-Tolerant Yard

With the current drought facing many southern states, many people are working on ways to avoid water waste. However, not many people realize that a large portion of water waste goes to watering big lawns with a lot of lush grass.

Some people have recently turned to new landscaping in order to fix the problem of water waste. One way that this is being done is to do away with grass lawns and create soil lawns in order to plant drought-resistant plants later. Here are some tools to help the job go smoother:

The first item you will need to convert your lawn from grass to soil will be cardboard. You want the cardboard to be water permeable and lack holes. The cardboard is used to lay down all over the yard, on top of the grass. Once watered down, the cardboard will not only serve to kill off the grass underneath, but it will also break down over time to become part of the soil.

The next item you will need will be bales of straw. This is to be put generously over your cardboard and watered again. It will also break down into the soil over time.

On top of the straw, you will need compost or chipped wood. This will provide the final layer to your yard and will help contribute to the soil once broken down. However, be careful if using chipped wood, as it may come with weeds that will be difficult to get rid of once they are there.

Explore Your Yard’s Potential

 

When it comes to landscaping your property, there are many exciting paths that can be explored. From the timeless appeal of rock walls to the comfort of your own private gazebo, the luxurious options for transforming your home are endless.

The Best Kind Of Stepping Stone

If you are planning your garden you may be wondering what kind of stones to use for stepping stones. The answer to this question varies greatly on a few factors, including the color scheme of your garden as well as the size. However, natural stones are usually the best bet as they are durable and require little to no maintenance.

Some Common Stones

Coarse limestone is one great option, as it is slip-resistant and naturally beautiful. Quartzite can be an interesting stone as it will shimmer in the sunlight as well as create beautiful colors when wet.

Choose the Right Size

One consideration to make regardless of the type of stone used is the size of the stones. You want to make sure the stones are large enough to walk on, but still small enough not to overpower the pathway. Depending on the size of the area, the stones usually range from 5 inches to 18 inches in length.

You Aren’t Alone

A professional landscaper can help you choose the type of stepping stone that is right for you by looking at the garden in question to help determine color and size, as well as help determine which kind of stone would best suit your needs. Many of these businesses are willing to come to your home in order to best determine your needs. Search now for businesses specializing in stepping stones in Gilroy area.

Create Magic in the Yard

When you add stepping stones to your property, there are some fun alternatives that can be tried. Create a path of leaf stones in your yard and you will feel like you are traveling a magical path into your garden.

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3 Reasons Synthetic Turf Can Be an Eco-Friendly Choice

 

Many people assume that the best way to be eco-friendly is to be as natural as possible. This may not always be true when it comes to outdoor ground cover. Modern synthetic turfs actually have a lot of eco-friendly benefits. Here are three of the reasons you can help the environment by choosing synthetic turf.

1.    Synthetic Turf Uses No Water

Lawns are often over watered, which can be wasteful and harmful to the environment, especially in drought-affected areas. Artificial ground cover does not need to be watered like a real lawn and generally needs very little maintenance.

2.    Synthetic Turf Does Not Need to Be Mowed

Grass clippings can be composted after you mow a real lawn, but the emissions from gas mowers may outweigh the benefits of composting. Gas mowers result in millions of gallons of spilled fuel each year and can pollute the atmosphere with:

• Harmful carcinogens
• Ozone precursors
• Carbon dioxide
• Carbon monoxide

Since artificial grass never grows, there is no need to risk your family’s and the earth’s health with a gas-powered mower.

3.    Synthetic Turf May Include Recycled Components

Depending on the brand you purchase, synthetic turf may be made with recycled plastics. This is another way to be more eco-friendly and reduce your overall environmental footprint.

To reduce water use, cut down on toxic emissions and use more recycled materials, consider covering your lawn with synthetic turf for a surprisingly eco-friendly grass alternative. For more information about turf grass in Morgan Hill, visit this website.