Composting:

Posted by Admin on 1. October 2009 21:27

COMPOSTING:

Composting is essentially the equivalent of all the healthy stuff in the soil or (humus) which sustains plant life.  If you want to retain moisture, and nutrients into your soil, composting is a method that will do just that.

It is estimated that a single family will throw away at least 200 pounds of vegetation that could be used in our gardens every year.  Multiply that number by a million families and you certainly can picture the amount of composting that could be occurring daily.

Implementing a compost pile into your Fort Collins landscape project is a great step towards preparing for your garden, plus composting will also help save the planet!

There are many helpful kits and packages in your local areas that you can purchase to help you get started in conserving wasted vegetation and then converting it into compost for your gardens.  There are many options to choose from!  Remember, proper layers added to your compost piles are essential in achieving the best results possible.  Setting up your very own compost will help you to appreciate the environment and its surroundings.  Composting will also help you see the effects and benefits received in your flowerbeds and vegetable gardens when used properly.

"In todays busy world, it is important to try and recycle in every way we can to help preserve energy and the planet natural resources.  Composting is a very good way to begin!  Remember, we can all make a difference if we just try.  If your looking for more information on composting there's a stack of information out there be it literature or on the web about various approaches and equipment."

Check out this video explaining how to compost using your waste vegetation, while making a difference in the world.  It’s a win win situation!

Water Features In Northern Colorado: How To Attract Birds...

Posted by Admin on 17. September 2009 01:40

BIRD ATTRACTION:

Creating a bird sanctuary in your backyard, can be a wonderful way to add a touch of beauty to your landscape, and relieve your daily stress at the same time.  It is a known fact that; water, wildlife, plants and flowers are all excellent sources of food for the soul.

When speaking with your Fort Collins Landscape Designer they will lead you on the right path in your search for the perfect spot to add a bird bath.  It’s a simple, easy and inexpensive way to improve a spot in your yard, without using a large amount of space, or money.

Once the bird bath is installed, add your personal touch with flowers and plants to surround it, and you will find the entire family glancing and peeking about to learn more about the new attractions that are showing up daily in your back yard.  There is very little upkeep with a bird bath, just keeping it clean and fresh is all you have to do.

A bird bath or sanctuary spot in your backyard is an ideal way to nurture your family with aviary trivia and education, in a leisure way, enjoying each others company and spending time together.  Within a day you will hear chirping surround your property, like hearing music to your ears, and marvel at the colors and different varieties of birds now luring you into the backyard with amazing curiosity.

Click Here To See Some Samples Of Our Water-Features

NATURAL FLAGSTONE PATIOS:

Posted by Admin on 3. September 2009 22:27

NATURAL FLAGSTONE PATIOS:

Natural flagstone patios are becoming increasingly popular!

Using natural stone can add beauty and nature to your landscape with wonderful appeal and it can also make your yard a very desirable place for your family to gather and relax.

Your choice of natural stone versus concrete, tile, or brick, will add texture and new colors to your newly designed Fort Collins Landscaped project, leaving those who visit, green with envy.

There are many patterns and designs to choose from, and this is why a natural flagstone patio in your landscape plans is the absolute way to go!   This will also increase the value of your home way beyond the cost itself of the patio installation.  

You will also find yourself adding more plant life and maybe even a water feature to enhance its beauty.  Your Fort Collins Landscape Designer can direct and assist you in making the right choices of stones, colors, textures and décor for your newly added natural flagstone patio.

When your project is completely installed, without a doubt the entire family will spend more time on the patio and entertaining there will become a daily habit for many years to come.

Click Here To Check Out Some Of Our Fire-Features!!!

Landscaping in Fort Collins ROCK RETAINING WALLS:

Posted by Admin on 25. August 2009 01:17

ROCK RETAINING WALLS:

Mother Nature would say that installing a rock retaining wall to your landscaped property would seem to be a very green method and approach to take in adding this feature to your existing yard.

Guaranteeing yourself the wall of a lifetime literally, is what you are essentially doing!  Rock Retaining Walls can last forever and their history and past follows with them through generations of homeowners on the property.

Your Fort Collins Landscaper will advise you that it takes a lot of muscle, and patience to install this type of wall.  Heavy lifting and delivery of rock is what it’s all about.  You might want a dry stack install, or something using mortar within your rocks on the wall, depending totally on the types of rock you choose for your wall.

Building a rock retaining wall can add borders to your property; they also can be a landscaped area where you add flowers and shrubs, bushes and small trees within the site parallel to the wall, as if nature created them there.

Granite and limestone rock have the longevity of thousands of years in time; making them the most durable types of stone to use on your retaining wall.

Challenging your Fort Collins Landscape Designer to plan and install your rock wall for your property will enhance the view and structure of your home and surrounding properties.  It will add beauty and bring nature to the yard and feel like it belongs there.

After a while you will feel that it was always there from the start fitting just like a glove to your property.

HOME LAP POOLS:

Posted by Admin on 14. August 2009 00:40

HOME LAP POOLS:

When looking to upgrade your home and stay fit at the same time, many folks are adding the home lap pool to their list of choices for installation in their backyards.  With health concerns today at an all time high, the demand for exercise at home has increased 50%.  Home lap pools are easy to install, and take up much less space than the traditional pools of yesterday.

A lap pool not only incorporates a constant motion of resistance training exercise, it also is one of the best swimming alternatives for people on the go, who conserve their time preciously.  Many smart and healthy conscious individual are adding these types of pools to their backyards, and finding them very stimulating for them to keep up with a routine habit of staying fit.

There are several new designs out today to choose from when you begin your search.  Contacting your Fort Collins Real Estate agent and inquiring about homes you are looking to purchase that have the right amount of space needed to install your pool is a good way to begin.  Know what you want before you start the process. 

So many people are finding that the space it takes to install a lap pool is very doable, and they are also discovering that they have plenty of room left in their yards for landscaping gardens and features. 

THE NEWS ON STONE WALKWAYS:

Posted by Admin on 7. July 2009 21:43

THE NEWS ON STONE WALKWAYS:

When considering a stone walkway for your new Fort Collins landscape project, always do your research and homework first and have a plan ahead of time before beginning.  Consider the location where you are hoping to install the walkway, and know what type of stones you are interested in placing at the entrance of your yard.

Depending on what type of walkway you desire, there are different types of materials to choose from.  They are stone walkways and brick walkways.  If you are looking for that homey, country feeling then a stone walkway is for you.  On the other hand if you have a formal atmospheric look to the entry into your Fort Collins landscape, then a brick walkway would be the approach you should take.

Talk to your Landscaper in Fort Collins, and make sure the routes you have chosen are not in a direct path of any of the root systems and trees in your yard.  This could be problematic in the future, beneath the stone walkways after they are installed.  Consider your options from straight across the lawn, while avoiding dips, ruts and trenches that will be difficult to navigate with a lawn mower, or other maintenance equipment.

After routing your path and choosing the type of stone you are interested in, you will have to decide on dry or wet construction for the walkway.  Wet will use mortar and dry will use sand.   Your Fort Collins landscaper can assist you with the pros and cons in making the correct choice in the stone and construction type.  A wet construction stone walkway does not have any movement and the benefits for the homeowner, are decreased time and maintenance in the future caring of the walkway.

However when you decide to install your new walkway, you can be sure the professional beauty of a stone walkway will only enhance the entry way into your beautiful landscaped yard, and home.

LANDSCAPE LIGHTING DÉCOR:

Posted by Admin on 1. July 2009 21:14

LANDSCAPE LIGHTING DÉCOR:

Would you like to add a touch of color to your existing yard and gardens?  Decorating with landscape lighting can pave the way through your yard, while adding security on your patios and walkways throughout your landscaped home.  In addition this décor lighting will also add beauty and style to the design of your property, illuminating your doorways and entryways, in and around your home.

Outdoor landscape lighting is a magnificent way to enhance your garden areas, leaving you with many designs and types to choose from.  There are 2 different ways to power your landscape lighting, one is from solar energy, and the other is from the electrical system within your home, all depending on the extent and how much lighting you are adding to the property.

Your Fort Collins Landscape Designer or Specialist can help and assist you in making the perfect choice when you begin your search for your outdoor lighting project.  With many options and features, outdoor landscape lighting will bring a glowing presence to your property, making it easy to navigate through when dusk and dawn are on the horizon.

THINKING ABOUT A FORT COLLINS LANDSCAPE DESIGN?

Posted by Admin on 22. June 2009 22:30

THINKING ABOUT A FORT COLLINS LANDSCAPE DESIGN?

Your basic principles in landscape designing:

A fabulous landscape lies in the eyes of its creator.   A professional can certainly help the process along that’s for sure.  There are ideas and plans, and they should always be accomplished in sections when planning.  Knowing what you want and desire can make the adventure that more meaningful for you.   Also, getting input from an expert designer is an even better way to go.

Fort Collins Landscapers can assist you every step of the way, and the results can be monumental in your new landscape creation.  The main principle for landscaping in Fort Collins is to have UNITY!

Repetition creates unity, by repeating all elements in your landscaping plans.

Some of these include:  Using the same plants and plant groups for the type of theme you have chosen and are trying to achieve throughout the yard.   Unity can be achieved by the heights, sizes, textures, colors, and schemes of many different outdoor elements.

Whether you have a professional or not, a plan and design should be completed long before beginning your landscape.  Using simplicity speaks volumes in beauty if done correctly.  Boulders and water in a spacious or small landscape project can enhance the theme and beauty you’re trying to achieve.

Balance and color will add depth to your plans and a good professional designer can make this happen for you.  Remember repetition is directly related to unity, and your landscape will always look interesting if you follow these guide lines.   Good luck with your new ideas and in creating your new landscape.

Fort Collin Landscape Design: Consider Xeriscaping Concepts:

Posted by Admin on 15. June 2009 20:57

Fort Collin Landscape Design:  Consider Xeriscaping Concepts:

Developed in Denver Colorado, xeriscaping became popular because of water shortages throughout the landscaping communities in and around the state of Colorado.

The word “xeros” is Greek for dry.

Today, Fort Collins landscape design companies have begun implementing xeriscaping on many of their landscaping projects.  The response has been positive and rewarding for many customers, who are considering the environment a top priority!  The exciting thing about xeriscaping is that landscapers are using water more efficiently by designing and installing plants that have low water requirements.  A secondary benefit to installing plants with low water requirements are they frequently adapt well to the alkaline soils characteristic of Colorado and other dry regions within this area

Some people are under the impression that no gardening is necessary when they xeriscape their yards.  Don’t be surprised when you realize you are still required to care for your plants, flowers, shrubs and mulch, by properly dead heading, pruning, feeding, and watering them.  Be sure to ask your landscape designer how to properly care for your newly installed plants.

Remember, the best part about Xeriscaping is that it is a great option if you are thinking about the environment, and want to get involved in saving water for the future.

Fort Collins Landscaping-What Is A Soils Test?

Posted by Admin on 5. June 2009 03:14

A soil test is an analysis of the soil that is used to diagnose soil type, pH, and any nutrient deficiencies that may exist. This testing can be done professionally by commercial soil laboratories or your local cooperative extension. Most local nurseries have do-it-yourself kits available that can determine specific problems within your soil.

Soil fertility fluctuates throughout the growing season each year. Many of the nutrients have been altered by the addition of fertilizers, manure, compost, mulch, and lime or sulfur.

Furthermore, large amounts of minerals and nutrients have been removed from your turf as a result of plant growth and the development of harvesting crops. A soil test will determine the current fertilization status. It also provides the necessary information needed to maintain the best desired fertility year after year.

A soil test takes guesswork out of fertilization and can be very cost effective. It not only eliminates the waste of money spent on unnecessary fertilizers, but also eliminates over-usage of fertilizers, and helps to protect the environment.