A swimming pool can increase the aesthetic value and appeal of your home and garden. This article is concerned with the range of pools available and highlights those which are of the best value.

Types of Pools

There are two types of pools, above ground and in ground.

Above-Ground Pools

These are pools that can be moved when necessary. They are the less expensive option and are available in a number of shapes and sizes.

Above ground pools are easily installed and relatively cheap, but they do not really add to the appeal of a landscape without a great deal of planning and installation of a deck. These pools are really for those people who are not ready for the permanency of an in-ground pool.

In-Ground Pools

This type of pool is a permanent fixture in your landscape. Within this category are three types - concrete, fiberglass and vinyl-liner in-ground.

* Concrete Pools: These are made “to order” by the company that you choose. They are very popular as they can be customized to fit in with the needs of the landscape design and they are cheaper than other ready-made in-ground pools. The major setback with concrete pools is the time it takes to construct.

* Fiberglass Pools: These are already formed pools and look like oversized bathtubs. They are easy to install after excavation as they come in one piece. They take a relatively short time to install, but they are more expensive and do not have the flexibility of design that a concrete pool may have. If you want an almost “instant” pool with less fuss, this is your option.

* Vinyl Liner Pool: These use a strong vinyl lining that is used to cover the excavation with panelled walls for support. It is fixed by using vinyl “ribs” that are attached to the top of the panel walls. This type of pool can be installed from between one to three weeks and they are a cheaper alternative for those on a tight budget.

Fencing your pool

A pool enclosure must be secure to prevent children, pets and non-swimmers from entering the pool, thereby averting a tragedy. A properly designed fence that does not allow “footholds” is a legal requirement in some communities and is a wise choice for anyone with a pool.

It is possible to build the fence yourself using either properly treated wood or metal that has been treated to prevent corrosion. Some people choose fence panels that are already made. These have uprights that are spaced at 3-4 inch intervals.

Planting Around the Pool

Surrounding your new pool with plantings is a good idea for two reasons: one is that it adds to the beauty of the design and the other is that it gives you a degree of privacy. Plants are also great as camouflage for pipes and pool equipment and will give the area some insulation.

The choice of plants for around your pool is crucial. Ideally, you should select plants that do not drop their leaves to minimize the cleaning of the pool. Plants with thorns should also be avoided for obvious reasons.

Lighting around the Pool

Carefully planned lighting around the pool area can transform it to a great evening entertainment area. Underwater lighting can serve a duel purpose: it increases the safety aspect of the pool and creates a wonderful atmosphere to any inground landscaping with its illumination. Your pool becomes an even more attractive area to entertain friends and family, extending its usefulness well into the dark hours of the warmer months of the year.

Well the fact that you are reading this article means that you probably have a lawn that’s covered with trees that has a lawn full of mud and dead grasses that are unable to grow. Well, unfortunately for you there is no such thing as a grass that can grow with zero sunlight.

Even one of the best bio-genetically altered variety of grasses, the Sir Walter, requires a minimum of three hours in the sun. So the best choice for you if you stubbornly want grass would be to perhaps trim those branches and allow for some sunlight to pierce through onto the grass.

As an alternative you could get some attractive looking rocks and tanbark to fill in the place of your grass and never have to worry about sun problems again. There are also a couple other varieties of grass that require minimal sun–Fescue are known for being shade tolerant, staying green all year, and having very good drought resistance. Fine Fescues are colder and more shade tolerant than Tall Fescue, but both are used though-out much of the Central to Northern USA states.

The Kentucky Bluegrass also does great with minimal sunlight but if no sunlight is given to it, it will die out. It also requires a lot of water, so if that is unavailable, the grass will die out. The best grass that is available at the moment that can tolerate both high heat and no heat is named the Thermal Blue. Thermal Blue combines the heat tolerance of turf-type tall Fescue with the exceptional turf qualities of Kentucky Bluegrass. Not only does Thermal Blue stand up to heat extremely well, it shows outstanding shade hardiness, particularly in the South. Thermal Blue is resistant to brown patches and other diseases, and its aggressive rhizome development gives it remarkable wear tolerance. With a fine leave texture and four-season color in the southern regions, the grass produces a beautiful appearance as good as or better than any other warm-season variety.

Well, those grasses are the most popular grass varieties that can survive in close to no sun weather. These grasses have been tested for their resistance and are one of the best grasses out there. You can probably find some of them at your local home and garden center or nursery. If that doesn’t work, you might try some online suppliers. Online suppliers require shipping, but often you can get some great price comparisons.

Soon you’ll be enjoying a lovely grassed yard under those trees! Now that reminds me…I need to get my yard ready to be planted as well! I’m tired of looking at that awful dirt!

If you’re in the market for some yard equipment, Heather recommends getting a used garden tractor or a used lawn mower

A little creativity can produce beautiful outdoor landscaping ideas to make your home stand out from the rest. You can enlist the help of a professional landscape architect or design it yourself, either way the effort will increase the curb appeal and value of your home.

There is a variety of landscaping software available to allow you experiment with different ideas. It is far better to plan ahead with sizes, shapes and styles of plants and patio materials.

If you prefer not to use landscaping software try searching online. The internet is a good resource to search for outdoor landscaping ideas. Using the internet can give you some insight and perspective on other completed projects to use on your own project .

The vast online resources can help keep the costs down and errors to a minimum. Replacing and repairing mistakes can cut into the budget. Before beginning a project early research is essential. Planting a plant that does not do well in your climate can result in having to replace it later.

What is your Landscape Budget?

Being patient and purchasing smaller trees and shrubs and allowing them to mature over the years can be a huge money saving idea. Try to Cut back on expensive water features, rock and tile. “Less is more” is a great saying and can be a great way to not overspend on unnecessary items.

Call in the local utility companies to locate any possible gas or electric lines that may be running through the are to be excavated. A dangerous accident can be avoided as well as money saved in relocating these lines. It is far cheaper and easier to rethink the project than to redo something after it is already done.

Check on the city zoning restrictions and requirements before starting your landscape makeover. Avoid costly mistakes by doing the research and taking out the proper permits ahead of time.

Step out of the box, so to speak, and research unusual and unique outdoor landscaping ideas. Take advantage of the online resources available. You may discover new and innovative patio materials and plants. This will increase the value and look of your most valuable asset - your home.

Most homes have a few trees in the yard. Since they provide shade when it is too hot outside, it is only right that you landscape around the trees to make part of the beautiful scenery.

So how do you do that? The first thing you have to do is get in touch with arborist, a horticulturist or a forester. This is because planting around trees the wrong way can damaged the roots and kill the tree. Once they have established a protected root zone, you will be able to plant flowers and shrubs without any problems.

Instead of planting these on the ground, you can use planted boxes which does a great job of reducing mower damage. If you do decide to use these, be sure to maintain the soil at the original level and that the installation edging materials do not cut the tree roots.

The water requirement for plants and trees are also different. For instance, grass and plants have to be watered daily or three times a week. While the tree on the other hand only needs one application.

To prevent this from happening, you should also construct an irrigation system that is able to cater to the needs of both. You can make this happen by putting the water lines in one corridor outside the protected root zone.

But if it has to go through, make sure bore a hole only two feet below grade. Again, the improper way of doing this will compromise the tree’s stability and health.

But what if you suspect that something is wrong with tree? For that, you will have to inspect the base of the tree.

All trees have a natural root flare located at the base. If there is no flare and there is an excess fill, this has to be removed in order to save the life of the tree. Some of the work can be done by hand while the rest is done with a machine.

So if you want to landscape around trees, it is best to lay a 2 to 4 inch later of organic mulch at the base of the tree and then extend this outward to the protected root zone. Examples of these include wood chips and shredded bark. They must not be piled up against the tree trunk because this keeps the bark wet that leads to the growth of bacteria and fungi.

You must not also use landscaping fabrics or sheet plastic underneath mulch because they prevent oxygen and water going to the roots of the trees.

It is advised to prone out dead, low and rubbing branches. You must never pull on the healthy ones because this will reduce the tree’s ability to withstand heavy winds.

Irrigation must be done in the absence of precipitation. This should be done regularly during the fall until the ground freezes with periods that allows the soil to dry.

If you follow the tips mentioned, you will soon have a nice yard that surrounds a tree. Of course landscaping around trees is just one way to make your yard look good. But as this case has shown, planting flowers or shrubs into the ground and watering them is not as easy as it looks because you also have to pay attention the needs of the tree so both will be able to live.

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Source: landscaping

In architectural terms, landscaping means the art of modifying land areas through the use of natural, cultivated, or constructed elements in an organized manner and with accordance to a comprehensive yet aesthetic planning. If you are getting interested with this art, it is best to come up with fresh landscaping ideas to set your self apart from the rest.

Indeed, landscape design is one of those terms that can be quite overwhelming especially for neophytes. But, this doesn’t have to sound so intimidating because the underlying principles in it can be translated in simple terms or layman’s terms, so to speak. Once translated into less complicated terms, landscaping would be easily understood and more people can do it on their own.

Aiding the ideas of creation

If you new into landscaping, you need to landscaping ideas to help you create you own one. But, before going gaga over numerous landscaping ideas out there, you need to familiarize yourself first with the basics of the art. These include knowing the basic elements of landscape design such use of colors and its combination as well as the various color theories. The standards of forms, lines, scales, and textures should also be pondered upon.

To help you come up with your own landscaping project, here are some helpful landscaping ideas that you can use in order to enhance the beauty of your home or make your own personal space pleasing to the eye.

1. Always assimilate the hardscape into the initial and final landscape design. “Hardscape” refers to elements and features including fences and other decorations used in the garden as well as patios and decks because these will give a wonderful transition coming from your indoors to the outdoors of your garden. Always make sure that the elements used in hardscape will complement other elements such as plants.

2. Try building a dependable but fashionable set of fences. People might not notice it but fences—if placed and designed properly—can create a huge difference in the overall look of the house. When doing your own landscape, make sure that you invest on great-looking fence because it will be standard in the garden. To be more creative, try to use plants as a fence aside from using the traditional wood ones. Here, you have a unique and reliable fence that will speak of your distinct taste and preference. But, if you plan to use plants as fence, make sure that they are composed of shrubs so they will be easier to manage.

3. Consider using foliages and drought-tolerant plants to use. If you are not sure if you can take care of the plants in your garden regularly, make sure that you use plants that don’t need constant watering and taming.

4. Combine colors of plant foliages and flowers. To create an eye-catching landscaping, always think of the characteristics of the foliage. Make sure that the foliage of plants has various textures and colors to create easy patterns that are pleasing to eye.

5. Be experimental in choosing materials. One of the most refreshing landscaping ideas out there is the use of substitutes in place of the traditional ones. This is because in enables the designer to explore more possibilities and lets him or her to be more creative.

One good example is the use of wood chippers especially for those who constantly redesign their space. These are a good option especially for people who want to trim their growing plants often.

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Source: landscaping

There are three things to think about when you are planning pool landscaping. It has to offer privacy and safety for those who are there as well as beautify the surroundings.

This can be done by putting plants around the swimming pool because it helps make the pool blend in with the environment. If the plants are tall enough, these are able to block “peeping Toms” from watching whoever is at the pool.

When choosing plants, it is best to select those that require low maintenance so that you don’t have to fish the leaves or petals that are blown into the water. One good option is to use a broadleaf evergreen such as a holly.

Since you want people to relax when they are by the pool, you can also use tropical looking plants like the aspidistra, aucuba, banana tree, caladiums, elephant ears, cyperus, Fatsia japonica and palms.

You must never make the mistake of putting plants with thorns near the pool. It could also injure someone or tear off the fabric of their clothes, swimsuits or towels.

Instead of planting flowers in the grass, you can also do so by putting them in containers. The advantage of doing is that you can move these indoors when it is too cold especially during the winter and then bring them back the following spring.

You should avoid planting fruit trees by the pool because they could dirty the surrounding area and also attract bees. Surely, you do not want any of your guests to get stung. Another reason is that their roots will soon damage the tiles o f your swimming pool.

Homeowners should also avoid evergreens like oaks and pines because they don’t only drop leaves but also acorns, leaves and needles.

But don’t all trees shed their leaves? They all do but there are those that drop their leaves for a short period of time like the forsythia and maples.

Safety for those in the pool can be done by putting up a fence. If the metal bars are an eye sore, grow vines around them. If you have guests that will be swimming in the evening, make sure there are lights around the perimeter and in the water.

Another safety that you can be around the pool is a patio because it has a non-slip surface for which people can walk on even if they have just come out of the pool. You can also create the same effect by using bricks as long as the surface is rough.

So guests do not enter the house with their feet still wet, it will be a good idea to have a closed gazebo nearby so they can change and at the same time relax in the shade. Those who want to sunbathe can sit on a lounge chair or on an Adirondack chair.

Reading about this should already teach you a few do’s and don’ts with regards to pool landscaping. For those who want more information, it is best to read some books, do some research online, talk to someone at the local nursery and get advice from a professional.

All of this input will ensure that your swimming pool will look good all year round so your guests may drop by anytime and take a plunge.

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Source: landscaping

Landscaping design may be compared with landscape architecture because the process is similar as well as the rules. While the latter focuses on the structure and the engineering of the project, the former considers those as well plus the artistic look and feel of the project.

But in determining the factors one might consider in pursuing with a plan, both the design and architecture process should take into account the type of soil in the property, the climate or weather that the place is seeming to have, the drainage system and other factors that constitutes for the plants to grow in the area.

Plotting the Project Everybody, when starting out a landscape project, has an idea in mind. This idea has to be put on paper or on the computer using a designing software. This can only be done after thorough inspection of the place where it is to be implemented. Consider everything first before coming up with the simplest ideas so that minor changes would only be needed as the project push through.

But even if you’re not a professional, designing could be done considering some of the following.

Year-Round Consideration The four seasons is important to be considered when choosing the materials to be placed in a landscape design. During the spring through the summer, it is good to have flowering trees. Shrubs would also be fine during the said seasons. Fall foliage, on the other hand, is what one should think about first during autumn. And you need an excellent structure in the winter.

To achieve the abovementioned, thorough research is needed about the ornaments that you plan to include when implementing the design.

Incorporating Some Hardscapes The design is not limited to plants and ornaments, structures like fences, walls, even decks, arbors and patios provide not only beauty but also serve as framing structures for the project.

Water Features Installing one may look complicated, but with some research or just by asking around, you’ll be surprised to know that this is easy to do. Aside from being pleasing to the eyes, the sounds that will come from such is soothing and will add to a calming effect of your landscape. You may start first with a simple pond and after successfully accomplishing such, you may opt for waterfalls and the likes.

This could even be the highlight of your project. Know the trends regarding water features and choose what best suits your landscape design.

Flower Types Consider the space for the project before choosing the type of flowers that you’d want to see in it. Match such ornaments according to colors and sizes. But first, you have to know well about the lighting conditions of the place and the type of soil in it so that you’ll never go wrong with the purchase that you’ll eventually make regarding the plants, especially the flowers that you’d want to see as part of the landscape.

Low Maintenance One should also look into placing elements in the design that would be easy to maintain. What is a very pretty landscape when the owner would always be tired cleaning it up. It is for your own advantage that you should look into this and decide on the materials according to this idea.

Landscaping design is easy once you are prepared with researched information about the place and equipped with the right materials to initiate the project.

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Source: landscaping

The Basics of Landscape Gardening

Landscape gardening is the process of creating a complete scene through the growing of bushes, trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plants in strategic locations. In essence, you grow an entire yard.

Before you get started on landscape gardening, you need to envision what you want your yard to look like when you are several years into the landscape gardening process. If you’re low on ideas, you can look in a gardening magazine to see the layouts that are most popular with professional landscapers. You don’t have to copy them exactly, but you can at least get some inspiration. The first element of your landscape will be the things that you don’t have to grow. So if you plan to have a rock patch, or an area with mulch, you should take care of that first. After that, you can start looking at the longer term project.

If you can plan long enough in the future to place a tree well, it can add a lot to the overall aesthetic of your yard. You can choose between a single tree, or a small cluster of trees. There are many different options when it comes to the type of tree. You will want to choose a tree with an attractive shape, with bark and leaves and flowers that you won’t mind seeing in your yard indefinitely. If you want to get several things done, you could install a fruit tree that thrives in your local climate. Not only do you get the beautiful tree in your landscape, but you also get some delicious fruits every season.

Shrubs are another important part of your landscape. There is a huge amount of shrub varieties in any given region, so you should definitely do your research so that you can choose the ones that you want the most. Consider the seasons in which they bloom. If you can plan it correctly, you can have the right varieties of shrubs so that at least one group is in bloom almost all year. You can use shrubs to provide focal points across the yard, or you can line them up in a row to create a hedge.

So plan all of your trees, shrubs, and flowers beforehand, and you will gradually grow a beautiful landscape in your yard. Think about the technical aspects, such as what you will use to build your flowerbeds and what you will use as drainage. Incorporate everything into your master plan.

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Source: Landscaping

If you want your garden to look good, you have to do a little landscaping. The same goes when you landscape around a patio so there is always something new to show to your guests.

The materials that you will use for your patio will include both soft and hard materials. The soft ones are namely the plants, the shrubs and the trees. They can be placed on the exterior perimeter of the patio while you use hard materials such as brick, concrete, rock, stone and tiles inside.

So you have an idea what plants to buy later on, it is best to check the condition of the soil since this will determine what type of flowers will survive these conditions.

A general rule when landscaping around a patio is that you have to work on the inside first then work outwards.

When choosing an area for the patio, make sure that this will be done on a flat area of land. Once you have found it, you must first build forms to be able to add height to the patio perimeter. This is important to achieve the foundational support you will need later on. This should be done evenly up to your doorway.

To prevent any incidents of tripping, you should smoothen the edges and make sure that there are no nails sticking out from the sides of the patio.

Once the forms have been completed for the patio, this is the time that you can add curves by using a bender board made from plastic so it can be moved very easily. To keep these in place, you will have to add stakes every 12 to 18 inches.

When it is ready, this is time that you put the stones in. These should be placed one by one so everything will fit nicely into place.

Since the patio is now ready, those of you who want to make it look colorful should add flowers and shrubs along the walkway. You can use one color or mix this with several. The important thing is that it looks good.

Those who don’t want to plant flowers around the patio can still add color by using potted plants. You can buy these pots in different colors and designs from the store. The advantage of using this is that you can move them to different locations and during the winter, they can be placed indoors then brought out again during the spring.

Either way, you can choose plants that bloom during different times of the year so there is always something that stands out all season long. Don’t forget to consider the amount of sun that is required for each of them.

You should also get plants of different heights so there is a smooth transition from the patio all the way up to the house. If there are budget constraints, get the smaller ones since these are cheaper. It will just some time before they mature unlike the older plants that are almost ready to bloom.

Landscaping around the patio is no different than fixing one section of the house. Once you have a plan, it will be very easy to implement. If you are not happy, don’t be afraid to make some changes so it will look better than it did before.

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Source: landscaping

A very important part of the majority of landscape designs is the garden furniture that is to be used in the garden and lawn around the house. Outdoor Furniture included in a plan of landscaping is a way of creating special places in your garden, where the family and their guests can meet comfortably, relax and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. In addition, furniture for the outdoors will make people feel attracted to the special meeting area so that the they will be more willing to make use of the landscaping and appreciate your efforts for landscaping.

Added Living Space

A superior landscape design not only produces beautiful surroundings, but the most advantageous landscaping concepts carve out extra living space that extends the useful square footage of your home. Depending on the size of your own land and landscape design, these outdoor living spaces can on certain occasions double the area people have for social gatherings of family and friends. The seating arrangements make a big difference in how well these spaces are finally used and the manner in which your guests will enjoy all your efforts on entertaining outdoors.

There is a wide range of furniture that is made primarily for use in areas that are outdoors. There are styles ranging from the formal to relaxed and elegant and comfortable. Numerous different types of materials are used in making frames of outdoor pieces of furniture as well as for cushions and covers which are used to make them comfortable and inviting.

Choosing The Right Colors

When making the right selection of garden furniture, some people prefer to select styles, colors and textures that blend and reflect the total design of the landscaping around their house. This type of approach has a tendency to create a harmonious blend that helps the people experiencing it to relax and feel more involved in the garden that surrounds them. Greens, browns and more muted tones of nature are well liked for those who want to create a smooth flow between your garden and furniture design they add.

Other homeowners enjoy furniture for the garden that pop out and end up getting attention. Often, the colors are bright and the designs are very bold and are not intended mix in with the natural background. The pieces normally have an artistic type of feeling are primarily intended to make a statement and on certain occasions reflect the personality of the homeowner. These types of options in outdoor furniture create a lively atmosphere of fun and frivolity.

Flowing Design

Another approach that some individuals take when it comes to their outdoor living spaces is to make you feel as though the garden or patio which they have just stepped into is no more than a continuation of the interior living space. This is accomplished by the selection of styles, fabrics and colors that intimately imitate the furniture inside the house. Numerous individuals like this approach because it can fool the eye and make both the house and garden spaces seem more prominent, as they flow together smoothly.

Once you have selected just the right outdoor furniture that will make your guests more comfortable and will continue with the overall theme and the feel of your living area outdoors, it is a good idea to give attention to the lighting in the area. Good landscape lighting really complete the outdoor spaces and make them feel even more welcoming and warm, particularly if you will be doing nigh time entertaining.

Listen to Corbin Newlyn as he shares his insights as a avid writer in the field of gardening and home. If you would like to learn more go to Indoor Ponds advice and at Homemade Ponds and Waterfalls tips.