When you move into a new home, or want to update the one you have, planning a garden is a great way to personalize it to fit your style. Where do you start? If you search on a site such as Pinterest, you’re bound to get overwhelmed with all the great ideas and want to implement too many at once. However, there are rules when it comes to landscape design that every person should keep in mind when thinking about starting a garden.

 

When thinking about what a garden is, you might think of rows of neatly planted vegetables or perhaps a haphazard mix of wildflowers. In reality, almost any type of outdoor enclosed space could be considered a garden. Of course, this is not helpful when you are trying to decide among the hundreds of landscape design possibilities you have in your head. However, if you want your garden to be a place to feel safe and relaxed, away from the stresses of the world, this can be a helpful guideline. [Read more…]

When landscaping your yard, you may decide to plant some shrubs. A shrub is defined as any plant that is too short to be called a tree. The height of a shrub generally falls under 20 feet. If you are preparing to plant a shrub or a group of shrubs, also known as a hedge, you should know some basic information about these plants and available tree service.

 

Shrubs can be dense and close to the ground, which is commonly referred to as a bush, or stand tall and look more similar to trees. Either type of shrub can grow independently or with a group to form a hedge. There are benefits to each. [Read more…]

Hiring a professional landscape designer or landscape architect—depending on your needs and the scope of your project—could be one of the best and most beautiful investment decisions you’ll ever make. And it can be an investment indeed. One rule of thumb for planning a budget for major landscaping is to allocate 5 to 10 percent of your home’s value. To put that guideline in context, research from Virginia Tech shows that landscaping can represent 15 percent of your home’s overall worth—plus the plants, trees and shrubs of a landscaping design literally grow in value over time as seedlings become mature plantings. That’s the closest you’ll ever get to a true money tree! [Read more…]

Deciding on the right trees for your yard can be a daunting task. Understanding the best time for planting trees, picking the best fruit trees for your region, and establishing proper tree care can help you grow strong trees that will help enhance your landscape. [Read more…]

There is a lot of room to be creative when it comes to lighting in your front and backyard. Outdoor lighting trends today allow you to incorporate modern aesthetics and a decorative touch, while also keeping the environment in mind. [Read more…]

Stone walls are a beautiful addition to outdoor landscaping. From enhancing your curb appeal to improving your backyard entertainment area, stone wall design ideas are easy to find and include in your design plan. Some things to consider when adding a stone feature include the types of walls that are popular in your residential area, the best places on your property to build them, and finally how to seamlessly incorporate them into the landscape.

[Read more…]

Natural stone landscape elements can give your yard a unique look that is both casual and refined. When stone walkways or stairs are originally installed, they look beautiful. However, after a few years the materials may begin to deteriorate and you can be left with pile of rubble. Whether you have a custom patio or statuary in your garden, here are some simple steps you can take to protect them.

[Read more…]

Here at Creative Contour, I love to find unique ways to reuse and upcycle. Luckily there are plenty of ways to reuse old items around your house right in your garden. Anything that can hold soil can act as a plant container, but here’s a list of some of my favorite containers:

[Read more…]

Like us, the birds and the bees love a healthy garden. Birds, in particular, will flock to gardens plum full of native plants and bushes. However, if your garden is missing out on the bird action, there are some ways you can easily start to attract some feathered friends. My newest garden accessory obsession this year are nesting helpers.They are easy to make, they look fabulous and they’re effective! Birds make about four to five nests per year so it’s likely there are plenty of birds in your neck of the woods that are on the hunt for nesting materials. To get started here’s what you need:

[Read more…]