Interior Design

Many people think that Spring is the best time to start
landscaping their garden. This is a myth, as most soon find out. There are many
aspects of landscaping that need to be planned and can actually be done before
planting season.

Garden Designs can take a long time to do. There are many
factors that need to be considered during the design. A common problem occurs
in that people visit the nursery and see something they like. They immediately
desire to have it in their gardens. Most people are quite impulsive, especially
when it comes to plants and nurseries.

The trick is to plan your garden properly before you go
to the nursery. Having a good idea about the size and layout of your garden and
what you would like it to become, will help you buy the right things at the
right time. However, if you have a professional garden design, all the
guesswork will be taken out of purchasing items for your garden. You will not
have to think about where to put things, whether they will fit into the space, or
into the style and flow of your garden.

It is best to time your garden design well in advance of
spring. This provides you with enough time to finalize the garden design and to
accomplish any hard landscaping.

Most nurseries and garden suppliers realise that people
generally tend to spend less time and effort on their garden during autumn and
winter months. As a result of this, they provide many special offers and price
cuts on their stock. This is very good news for someone who has taken the time
and the opportunity to time their garden landscaping.

Any good garden design would have some form of hard
landscaping. Hard landscaping includes items such as walls, pathways, gazebos,
greenhouses, water features and fountains. They are essential elements of your
garden. Installation of hard landscaping could be the most labour intensive
activity involved in landscaping your garden. In many cases hard landscaping
also has a negative effect on existing plant life surrounding the item during
installation. Pretty plants can easily be damaged during installation.

It is quite obvious that to get maximum enjoyment from
your garden during spring and summer, all hard landscaping should be done
before spring. Some hard landscaping items can take a considerable amount of
time to install, especially so if you are doing it yourself. Don’t waste the
precious spring and summer months installing things that can be done in autumn
and winter.

If you live in a severe winter climate, it is best to do
your hard landscaping during fall.

Any garden takes years to mature. There is no such thing
as an instant fix for a mature garden. The plants and trees need time to
establish themselves and reach their full splendour. Garden Designs can be done
at any time. However, as with many things, sooner is much better than later..

Copyright Southern Inspirations Garden Design.
Southern Inspirations was established in 1997 and provide professional garden plans including free
downloads. Southern Inspirations also owns Design-Gardens.com.

Landscape maintenance equipment can be large and take up a lot of space in your garden shed or garage. We have listed below some of the most commonly used equipment and may be the only ones you need to keep your garden well maintained.

The home gardener really only needs one good spade, a square shovel, a large and small rake, a hoe and a large and small trowel.  Of course if you have a lawn you will also need a good lawnmower and a weed-eater.

First the shovel, it is necessary for turning the soil, digging holes for new plantings or any other garden job that involves creating large or small holes.  Secondly are the rakes.

Both shovels and rakes come in different sizes.  A small rake is needed for maintaining neat flower beds by raking dead leaves from around delicate flowers and small bushes.  A large rake will be needed for the huge job of clearing the multitude of leaves from the lawn that descend in the fall.

Thirdly are trowels.  Trowels are available with long or short handles. A hand trowel will have a short handle suitable for planting small flowers or vegetables plants.  A larger trowel with a long handle is great for creating beds.

Landscape maintenance equipment used for pruning is also very necessary and should be readily available.  Shears are great for shaping a hedge and keeping it looking neat and tidy.

A back saving tool to add to your landscape maintenance equipment collection is the wheelbarrow or a garden wagon.  The wheelbarrow can be used to mix cement, haul fertilizer or mulch, and transport large bushes or trees from area to another.

A garden wagon or wheelbarrow is great for moving trees, bushes, sod, large landscape rocks or fertilizer from area to another.  You can mix a small amount of cement in a wheelbarrow for those small repair jobs around the patio or yard.  These are available in various sizes also.  This tool has saved my back on more than one occasion.

Finally, the lawnmower, this is a basic piece of landscape maintenance equipment that every home has and is used for maintaining a beautiful lawn.  Again, the lawnmower comes in a variety of sizes depending on the size of your lot.  We own a ride-on lawnmower because we have over an acre of green area to maintain.  Most lawnmowers come with different attachments that can be used to cut lawn, pick up leaves, and mulching jobs.

Get the current information on outdoor landscaping visit Outdoor Landscaping Ideas  as well as Landscape Maintenance Equipment

A pretty backyard can only go so far. Many experts have proven that energy efficient landscaping that takes into consideration energy needs, may well save a family more then 30% of their usual heat or cooling costs - either in the winter or summer. These savings could tangibly translate to almost $250 worth of savings in a year.

So how does one accomplish energy efficient landscaping? There are various things that can be considered in both existing and soon-to-be-developed landscapes.

Making Use of or Protection from the Sun’s Rays

Where and how you can include energy efficient landscaping would greatly depend on the part of the country in which you live.  Your home may be hit on three sides by the sun each day making the cooling system work extra hard during the hotest part of the season.  Others may have a home that is situated on their property so that it faces morth-east with lots of shady trees on the south-west side making it very cold in the cooler months.

You can protect your home from the sun’s hot rays by planting large shade trees on the south and west side of your home.  Of course on the flip side, if you want your home to be warmer in the long winter months you would want to do just the opposite, creating large open areas so that the sun can naturally warm the home.

You will also want the warm rays of the sun to heat the hardscape surrounding your home this will also increase the heat levels inside the home.

Adding Protection from the Wind

Wind chill can also cause your home to be cooler.  A cold winter wind blowing through your home can quickly drop the inside temperature by as much as 10%.

Plants that serve as effective windbreaks include evergreens or trees in general. In fact, even fences placed in strategic locations can serve as windbreaks.

Comfortable Home Temperatures

One way you can help save energy by making sure the warm or cool air does not escape from your home by adding insulation in the ceilings, gaskets around the doors, vents and windows, and having double pain windows.

Another way is with the energy efficient landscaping that includes thick shrubbery planted close to the home, but leaving a pocket of dead air creating a natural thermal space.  Again, make use of your local nursery expert as to which type of shrubs would be the best and the proper amount of dead air space between the home and shrubs.

A properly maintained and landscaped home cannot only be attractive but practical.  You will saving hundreds of dollars each year by making energy efficient landscaping a priority.

Find the latest information on outdoor landscaping visit  Outdoor Landscaping Ideas  as well as Energy Efficient Landscaping

Transplanting Plants Takes Care

For the most optimum growth, transplanting plants can often be necessary.  If you have a potted plant, there may not be any soil left in the container, only roots.  Some plants become too crowded in the garden and may need to thinned out.

When it comes to transplanting plants, the best time of year is during the spring, while the plants, trees, or shrubs are still dormant.  If the plant has already come out of winter hibernation, trying to transplant them can work but it puts a tremendous stress on the plants, which is why they will usually die if moved too late in the year.

Entry Plants and Backyard Patio Plants

The differences in your front and backyard plants can be essential.  If your front yard faces the South and your backyard faces the North they will receive differing amounts of sun.  If you are transplanting a plant that has done well in your North facing backyard to the South facing front, it may not do as well.

First, find the perfect location for your transplanted plant, then prepare the area.  Have the hole ready and fresh soil on hand to gently pack your front or backyard plants into place.  Be sure to keep the root ball intact with a small amount of soil while moving it to its new home.

With transplanting plants, a good rule to follow is that for every one inch of stem caliper, you need about 12 inches of root ball.  While some people worry about cutting some of the roots, it will not hurt.  Just be sure the roots are not cut shorter than the one inch of stem caliper to 12 inches of root ball guideline.  If you do this, you will rejuvenate the plant with what is called pruning of the roots.

Once you have dug up the plant or separated it, shake some dirt from it and prune a tiny bit of the roots, this will aid in root growth.  The freshly cut root ends would then be able to absorb nutrients from the fresh, nutrient rich soil and promote expansion of the root system.

Transplanting Rock Plants

Now, if you want to consider rock plants for transplanting, you may find that you have to move the rocks to get enough of the root so the existing and cut plant to move is not damaged.  Sometimes, rock plants will wrap the root around the rock or deep underneath so you will need to make sure you can gain proper access to get enough of the root or consider some other types of front or backyard plants to transplant.

To find more information on landscaping go to Outdoor Landscaping Ideas

Japanese Landscape Design

For a Japanese landscape design, you will find a list of specific items to consider.  Now, some Japanese gardens are simplistic while others include everything that would be found in a traditional Japanese landscape design.  Therefore, the first thing you would need to do before shopping for the various types of Japanese garden supplies and materials is to determine the completed look you want.

Try making a drawing laying out exactly what you would like to have in your Japanese garden.  Draw in a strolling rock path leading past interestingly trimmed foliage, flowers and a stream. Consider a spot for a Japanese stone bench possibly near a small koi pond.

Japanese Garden Bridge

With a Japanese garden bridge, you would actually walk over the water features or simply stand or sit on the bridge to soak up the gorgeous view.  After all, a Japanese garden design also features tons of greenery in the form of plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees, bamboo fences, waterfalls, statues, lanterns, lily pads, pebble walkways, and so on.  In fact, for the larger gardens, some will also feature a teahouse, which is authentic.

Depending on your taste or what fits into your garden you can choose from a stone or wood Japanese garden bridge. Your Japanese garden can have a real stream running through connecting one pond to another if you have the space.  Some gardens use small smooth stones to create the illusion of a stream.

Dry Japanese gardens consist of stone arrangements and gravel symbolizing the ocean and islands. It may also include sand that has been carefully raked.  Traditionally five large stones will represent the five basic elements…sky, earth, wind, water, and fire. It is very traditional to have stone figures of Buddah or various animals representing longevity, happiness, or peace, etc.

Where to Find Japanese Garden Supplies

Once you have carfeully planned and drawn out the design of your garden you will need a shopping list of all the components you would like to include in your garden.  You can look online and order items or find them locally at a garden supply shop.

You can be as creative as you like with your design.  True to Japanese tradition, it must be simple but at the same time include many features such as the dry garden with the sand base and stones, a pond or other water feature with a waterfall and a Japanese bridge.  Japanese Lanterns lining the paths would also be a nice addition.

Get more information on landscaping visit Outdoor Landscaping Ideas

One of the best investments you can make in your home is adding a few attractive outdoor landscaping ideas. This can be done by hiring someone or using your own imagination.

Landscaping design software is available for those who have a computer. This type of program will help you as you figure out what exactly you want to do and what will suit your home and yard the best. Many of these types of programs will offer different layouts and options that will help you visualize the design and narrow down your choices.

If you prefer not to use landscaping design 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 .

There are likely thousands of different landscaping ideas that you will find to be useful for your yard and well within your budget and there are a lot of sites that focus specifically on home landscaping. These sites will also give you some great ideas as well as practical information. It is important to do extensive research before you begin your project to minimize the mistakes so that the job will not have to be done over again.

For Any Budget

Knowing how much you have to spend helps in the decision making process. Larger, more developed plants can cost more. Is a swimming pool or large waterfall in the budget? Knowing ahead of time, within a few dollars, what the landscaping project will ultimately cost is also important.

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.

If hiring a professional they have to check on local city ordinances to see what exactly is allowed. If your are doing it yourself you will have to check on zoning laws before beginning your project. A lot of heartache and inconvenience can be avoided by doing a little research ahead of time with the proper authorities.

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.

For those of us who are lucky enough to have an outdoor area of our
very own, properly landscaping this area can create a living
environment that can be enjoyed and rewarding for years to come.
Whether you have a large yard or even just a small piece of yard off a
backyard patio, the options for landscaping are endless. But before you
head out to the local home and garden market for shrubbery and lawn
enhancements, you should examine exactly what type of landscaping you
wish to have and the maintenance factor that will come with your new
yard.

There are many places to search for outdoor landscaping ideas if you
are new to this type of development. Local home and garden centers are
a great place to start if you prefer to implement it yourself rather
than hire a professional landscaping service. The Internet has a huge
online resource of information for anyone that is a beginner or for
someone who is knowledgeable in landscaping but just needs a few new
and creative ideas for their home.

Take into account the amount of spare time you will need. You will
need to allocate time in order to design, set up and take care of your
new outdoor project. Some backyard landscaping will take quite a bit of
time to design and set up, but will be worth it in the end since there
will be relatively no maintenance from week to week. Some simple
designs for outdoor landscaping can be implemented with practically no
extra time, but require quite a bit of maintenance in order to keep it
looking as it did when you first set it in place.

Make sure that you are aware of the amount of work your landscaping
entails. For those who do not enjoy mowing a lawn or if there is a lack
of natural rain having a lawn can be a tedious and sometimes difficult
task to maintain. Items such as rock gardens or flowerbeds are just as
visually enticing as having a lush, dark green space in your back yard.
There are some families that enjoy having decorative artifacts such as
a birdbath, fountain or even statues while others prefer to stick with
an arrangement of complementary flowers or stone designs.

Your local climate will have a tremendous impact on the type of
landscaping that you should have in place. Flowering plants that
require a great deal of humidity will not thrive in a dry climate.
While there are some plants that will need direct sunlight, there are
others that prefer a shaded area in order to grow. If you are not
proficient in the different types of flowers and plants that are best
for your area, be sure to utilize local resources in order to check out
the best selections for your planning purposes.

Do not feel overwhelmed when it comes to outdoor landscaping.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned gardener, there are many
different ideas to suit any skill level. Using the internet as a
resource will aid you in the landscaping process for each step of the
way and help prevent any misconceptions you may have regarding plants,
specific designs, or even landscaping a hill side area.

We need more idea landscaping to kick start our home landscaping. After we get the idea what we want to do with our landscaping. We can start thinking of our idea landscaping.

This is new blog which can give some information on idea landscaping.