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An easy-care landscape can take some effort to establish at the onset, but the benefits become obvious as soon as you are done. Install a hardscape; explore low-maintenance plants and grasses; or discover ways to enhance a natural setting to spend less time up keeping your outdoor domain, and more time enjoying it.
Most sprinkler systems are not buried deep enough to protect them from freezing. Since water expands as it freezes, draining the system before cold weather strikes ensures that the pipes won’t burst. Draining a little water may not be enough to prevent pipe rupture. Flush all the water from the system to avoid damaging pipes and fixtures. The method you use for flushing the system depends on they type of drain the installers included when they built your system.
A sewer gas odor at your front entrance can be a sign of a number of potential issues. A leaking sewer line is a major problem; as such, other more-common minor issues should be checked and eliminated first. Drain traps, damp basements and cracked drains are all sources of sewer odor.They also are relatively easily fixed.
Based on ideas of faded classical charm in the gardens of Italy, Greece and Spain, Mediterranean courtyard gardens combine practical paving -- softened by water features -- simple structural lines, understated flowering accents and fruit, ripening in the reflected heat of a hot summer sun. Drought-tolerant plants with silvery-gray leaves and pastel flower colors suit containers in Mediterranean courtyard gardens.
Border edging with flowers is a great way to create a unified look in your yard. Find out about border edging with flowers with help from an experienced gardener in this free video clip.
First impressions count the most, and front yard landscaping is no exception since it often sets the theme for the rest of your yard and garden. Coordinating design elements between your house, yard, entry, paths and outdoor structures creates curb appeal, which, if done correctly, can increase the value of your home as well as your pleasure in your home environment. When choosing outdoor design elements, first consider the space you have to work with, then how the space will be used. Before choosing plants, consider growth habits, maintenance and longevity.
Onions are a hardy crop which makes them a good choice for new gardeners or an easy-to-maintain option for more experienced gardeners. Drip irrigation is a special tubing system that connects to your spigot and releases a slow, steady amount of water to the soil. This irrigation method keeps your onions growing in optimal soil moistness. When soil is too dry onions won't grow very large. But water too much and they become waterlogged and die. Drip irrigation kits moderate water flow and are available online or in the garden section of home improvement stores.
New Jersey’s Pinelands, also known as the Pine Barrens, is a unique ecological zone encompassing over a million acres in the southern part of the state. Pine, oak and cedar uplands combine with marshy low-lying bogs to form a distinctive natural area unlike any other in the mid-Atlantic region. Historically, the region has experienced periodic burns, and many plants found in the Pinelands are adapted to fire. More than 850 species of plants grow here, many at the respective edges of their southern and northern ranges. Some are well known and widely used as landscape plants.
Masonry landscape edging needs to be installed in a very particular way for the absolute best possible results. Install masonry landscape edging with help from a landscape designer in this free video clip.
Hanging solar landscaping lights only requires the right tools and a little bit of know how. Hang solar landscaping lights with help from a landscape designer in this free video clip.
Recycling landscape edging is something you can do by cutting the end pieces. Recycle landscape edging with help from a landscape designer in this free video clip.
Many different landscaping designs are absolutely great for incorporating a waterfall fountain into your home. Find out about landscape designs with waterfall fountains with help from a landscape designer in this free video clip.
Landscaping plants for full-to-partial sun is easy, so long as you're following the right tips and tricks. Landscape plants for full-to-partial sun with help from the owner of Eden Condensed, small space garden design in Los Angeles, California, in this free video clip.
One great way to edge a particular area of your yard is through the careful use of landscape rocks. Edge with landscape rocks with help from the owner of Eden Condensed, small space garden design in Los Angeles, California, in this free video clip.
When landscaping with foundation plants, you will soon find out what a great design opportunity they really are. Landscape with foundation plants with help from a gardening professional in this free video clip.
You can edge your flower beds in a very particular way to allow your lawnmower more room to move around. Learn about flower edging to best allow for a lawnmower with help from an award-winning designer in this free video clip.
Potting Lantana can make a wonderful addition to your overall landscape design. Learn about potting Lantana with help from an award-winning designer in this free video clip.
There are many different varieties of roses that would make great additions to your landscape plans. Use roses in landscape plans with help from a landscaping industry expert in this free video clip.
If you're trying to create a French landscaping theme for your home there are a few key types of plants that you're definitely going to want to use. Learn about plants to use in French landscaping with help from a landscaping industry expert in this free video clip.
Landscape designs for small yards can be overwhelming, but are not impossible. Learn about landscape designs for small yards with help from a landscaping industry expert in this free video clip.
Landscaping maintenance doesn't have to be the most stressful thing you try to accomplish in any given day. Learn about care free landscaping maintenance with help from the owner and head designer of Whimsical Gardens in this free video clip.
A drip irrigation system provides a slow stream of water to your plants, allowing the moisture to seep into the soil steadily but slowly enough so the soil can thoroughly absorb the moisture. A DIY system costs less than a drip irrigation kit and can be constructed to fit your specific growing needs. Building a gravity-fed system requires no special tools and is a suitable project for the novice. The system does require periodic refilling and must be turned on manually.
Bleeding, or "winterizing" your home’s sprinkler system is one way to protect your sprinkler system from freezing during winter. An easy way to do this is by draining the pipes and then blowing it out to dry with an air compressor. Compressed air blowing through your sprinkler system will prevent pipes from cracking and exploding. Here’s an easy step-by-step process you can follow for bleeding your sprinkler system.
Underground sprinkler systems save you money while keeping your lawn and gardens green. A sprinkler system comes in two parts: the water pipes and the sprinkler heads. Pipes get pulled underground with a pipe puller. However, the sprinkler heads require you to dig a hole, or well, and plumb them to the pipes. Before you begin this project, create a map of your yard that shows spray patterns. Plan the sprinkler heads' positions so that your entire yard gets coverage.
Aerobic septic systems use a secondary tank, in addition to the primary septic tank, to help further break down sewage and make it safe for disposal. Many aerobic systems come equipped with sprinklers to distribute the effluent, or treated sewage, over the surrounding area. A clogged aerobic septic system may be inconvenient, but is by no means a disaster. As a DIYer, there are a number of things to try to get your septic system running again.
Sprinklers that aren't near a municipal water supply often rely on well water. Well water can also supplement municipal water on farms or other large properties where tapping wells can save money on water bills. Well-water sprinkler systems are similar to those tied to municipal systems, but they involve the added steps of connecting pipes to the well pump and a pressurized storage tank. Piping your sprinkler well system requires a general knowledge of irrigation systems.
Pea gravel around the foundation of your mobile home is both decorative and functional. The small pieces of gravel, also known as pea stone, provides a decorative flooring surface while allowing moisture from rain and snow to drain easily. Since most mobile homes don't come with a large yard, landscaping options can be limited. A pea gravel floor around the foundation of your home can give your outdoor space an attractive, finished appearance.
If your sprinkler system isn't working up to par, residual pressure could be part of the problem. Residual pressure is measured in psi and is a result of a drop in pressure when the sprinkler is operational. If you want to measure residual pressure in your sprinkler system, a pressure gauge -- an instrument that measures psi -- can give you the information you need to troubleshoot your sprinkler system.
The sprinkler system provides much needed nutrition and water to the grass and plants in the yard. One sprinkler is never enough to reach every inch of the lawn or all of the plants at the same time; however, having more than one sprinkler spraying the plants will drown them. For a properly watered lawn that grows green and strong all year, a planned and measured sprinkler system with timers coordinating the spray is the key to success.
Having a healthy lawn requires a lot of attention to detail, from fertilizer to pest suppression to weed control. One of the most crucial aspects of getting the lawn just the way you want it is to ensure that it has the water it needs in the right amounts at the right times. A reliable sprinkler system with a timer makes providing water to your lawn simple. However, there are times when your sprinkler lines might develop a leak. Your first indication of such a leak might be a skyrocketing water bill. To fix the leak, you first have to…
The "mso-page-orientation" CSS style lets you set up an Excel spreadsheet's page orientation in a ColdFusion app. The default style for a page you generate in ColdFusion is portrait, but you can change this layout using CSS styles. The ColdFusion code creates the spreadsheet, then the CSS style is applied before the user sees the spreadsheet in the browser.
An in-ground sprinkler system works by connecting a series of sprinkler heads to underground ductwork that carries the water to the sprinkler heads. If you need to remove the sprinkler system you also need to remove the hidden ductwork a few inches under your lawn surface. Do not attempt to remove or modify your sprinkler system if you have little to no experience. One wrong move can impede the sprinkler's function and cause water flow issues.
Some septic systems use sprinklers in the yard to disperse treated wastewater. These are called aerobic treatment systems. The wastewater from showers, sinks and toilets in the house flows through the disinfection system. Once it reaches the pump tank, the septic system distributes it to the sprinklers. As with any other septic system, aerobic treatment systems require periodic maintenance. Homeowners should regularly clean the septic system and inspect it for signs of damage.
While many people devote a lot of time and effort to landscaping their front and backyards, they often ignore the smaller sections of grass located on either side of the house. When you have an entrance that leads into a side yard, however, you can create an attractive, welcoming look by landscaping that space as well. A small space takes less time and effort to landscape, and your work will add visual appeal to your home.
Landscape lighting can add dramatic effects to your outdoor landscaping design as well as enhance the safety of the area by eliminating dark spaces. As with any lighting design, landscape lights are connected to the main electrical board through a series of wiring. While landscape lighting wires are designed to be subjected to the elements, occasionally you may experience a short in the electrical wiring. You need to determine if you’re experiencing a wire short or a light fixture short.
Self-watering garden planters require less irrigation than a traditional bed. The bottom reservoir in the planter holds water that slowly seeps into the soil only as needed, so there is nearly no water loss. Most self-watering containers are made of plastic, which isn't always an attractive choice. Create your own planter using treated landscape timbers. These boards don't rot like untreated wood, making them suitable for using outdoors. You can place the planter out in your yard or keep it on a patio or deck.
A timber structure has a great amount of character that meshes with the surrounding landscape in a natural way. While it is quite an investment to build a full timber home, a landscape timber shed is an effective way to get some of the same effect.
A lattice consists of pieces of wood that cross over each other forming a geometric pattern as well as a barrier. Whether you construct a lattice yourself or purchase lattice panels at your local home improvement center, a lattice adds a distinct design to various structures in your yard.
Bricks act like trim around the edges of mortared structures, much like baseboard and molding, helping to provide a finished look on interior walls. Bricks provide one of the most basic and common building materials for interior and exterior construction projects. Bricks make suitable edging objects for placing around the perimeters of fireplaces, porches, planters and patios.
Adding light to areas of landscape without producing glare is the effect an outdoor landscape light reflector can produce. Positioning the reflector so that it lights the landscape to the effect you want can create a unique effect. Making your own landscape light reflector also gives you the ability to create the size you need, and the ability to place it at the location you want it to be.
There are many factors when creating a sprinkler system but some require a little math. When figuring out your sprinkler system and how much water flow you will need for your entire yard, you will need to understand how much area will be covered and if gravity will help or harm your efforts.
Sometimes called sculpture in slow motion, topiary is the art of sculpting live vegetation into a desired shape. It brings together techniques of growing plants and trimming them into figures with aesthetic or even amusement value. Dating back as least as far as ancient Rome, topiary is associated with the meticulously tended gardens of European royalty, particularly in France. But many Americans have mustered the patience and artistry required to create their own living topiary. Choosing the most suitable plants and the best techniques for shaping are the basis for successful live topiary.
You only have one first impression. When visitors come to your home, their first impression of your home will likely be based on the front entrance area. Therefore, create a landscape at your front entrance that is appealing and welcoming. There are many ways to create that perfect landscape, so decide which best fits your situation and one that you will enjoy.
Borders provide boundaries around gardens, shrubs, trees, paths and lawns. Landscape borders prevent plants from escaping, define different areas, beautify the landscape and reduce maintenance. Landscape timbers are useful materials to use for borders. Common measurements for landscape timbers are 5 inch by 6 inch or 6 inch by 6 inch by 8 feet. Pressure treated wood prevents rotting and deterioration because of the contact with the ground. This type of landscape timber lasts longer than untreated wood exposed to the weather.
North-facing hillsides can be challenging to plant in certain climates. They tend to have less available light, retain more moisture and be cooler than south-facing hillsides, causing the growing season to be delayed. But this can be a boon if you wish to grow fruits that are negatively impacted by late frosts. The microclimate of a north-facing hillside can sometimes delay blooming long enough to miss frost damage completely. Plants that prefer partial shade and moist conditions will grow best on north-facing hillsides.
A gas lamp positioned in your front yard, whether near the path to your front door or near your driveway, will add a touch of atmosphere and Old World charm to your home. Use your gas lamp properly to ensure that it will last for many years. Clean your lamp periodically to maintain its appearance, and as you clean it, inspect your lamp for wear and tear.
An architect's scale will be your best friend when it comes to successful landscape design. Find out how to draw trees on an architect's scale in landscape design with help from an artist in this free video clip.
Elevation changes need to be drawn into a landscape plan in a very specific way. Draw elevation changes in landscape plans with help from an artist in this free video clip.
Fires often occur in kitchens, so a sprinkler system there could save your life -- but only if it operates correctly when the time comes. Hire a professional sprinkler contractor or inspector to explain what kind of system you have and how to monitor it for problems. For example, missing, disabled, capped or painted sprinkler heads must be repaired or replaced immediately to maintain optimal safety.
Liquid turf builder is a quick method used to revive a lackluster lawn. The brand of fertilizer used and the lawn's condition, as well as its size, determine the optimum amount of water to add to a concentrated liquid turf-builder mix. Following the manufacturer's recommendations usually yields the best results, but knowing your lawn's area and needs are necessary supplements to this information.
