Category: Bladerunners Landscape - page 2

Landscaping Tips For The Frugal Landscaper

I am so frugal.  When we started to think about landscaping our newly purchased home I started to panic a bit. We had just dropped our life savings into a deposit on a beautiful home situated on the Huron River.  The last thing I was thinking about was spending more money on professional landscaping. However, to my husband this was an important piece of the puzzle.  A new house needed a unique landscaping design and that was all he could think about.  With that driving me I decided I would meet him half way.  I would look into hiring a landscaper as long as I could pay him for his overall design and plant layout as long as we would proceed with the labor aspect on our own.  This would save us a great deal of money but not sacrifice the look my husband sought in hiring a professional.

We hired a local company that was accustomed to working with plants native to the area.  They had landscaped Michigan lawns for quite some time.  I knew if anyone would lead us into a design we would love with minimal maintenance it would be an expert that was familiar with the plants that grew in our area.  The company we used understood our goal from the start.  They offered many professional ideas and money saving tips.  After everything was said and done the landscaping on our home cost around six thousand dollars, not bad I didn’t think for the results we received.  Below are some tips provided to us by our professional landscaper.  It helps to remember that a bit of sweaty equity will help to save on labor costs which can truly be the expensive part of landscaping.

Landscaping Tips For the Frugal Do It Yourself Landscaper Like Me:

  • The first tip is to reuse freebies from around the area.  An example of this is asking a farmer if after he tills the field you can come in and collect the rocks.  This relieves the burden from the farmer and you are able to use the rocks to create natural landscaping.  Another tip is to talk with friends and neighbors who find themselves thinning their gardens.  They are happy to pass of the extra seedlings and over grown plants.  We were able to score five large Hostas from our neighbor.
  • Buying plants and shrubs that have not yet reached maturity is a terrific way to save money on landscaping.  Purchasing plants that are small, one gallon plants for instance, rather than three gallon plants you can save yourself upwards of twenty dollars depending on the species.
  • Be smart about using the natural resources.  As I mentioned we have a river running through our back yard.  The landscaper recommended using water pulled from the river using a beautiful pump and water plants and shrubs using this method instead of pulling water from our home faucets.  This saves in several ways.  One is the water has not gone through the softening process so there is no salt being added to the landscaping possibly causing issues and it is cheaper to not have the softener running continually.
  • Another area we saved on is fertilizer.  The landscaper recommended we begin composting and using the leftover materials to fertilize and mulch around the root systems of our new landscaping.  Another thing he explained is the ways in which our waste could help rid the area of nuisances such as ants.  By using the grinds from coffee in the landscaping ants were naturally detoured.
  • He also offered a tip on using different plants to ward off bugs.  Mosquitoes, which we have plenty of throughout the summer, are detoured by marigolds, catnip, horsemint, ageratum and lavender.  Many of these plants are native to our area and grow easily in the soil provided by our natural landscape.  That is a bonus for this cheap chick; I did not have to purchase soli for the landscape design!

Various Elements In Michigan Landscaping

The exterior of a home is as equally as important as the inside.  It needs to be cared for, maintained and kept up to date.  Often people are unaware of how to do this or even where to begin.  It is important to realize that the siding, roof and windows of the home are important to the overall appeal of your home as well as the landscaping surrounding the home.  The key is to blend it all together to create harmony and to give the home curb appeal.

Creating an environment on the exterior of a home that is inviting to people is something many homeowners try to do.  With a yard like the one that surrounds my home the key elements of inviting exist naturally with a bit of tweaking from us however this is not the case in all areas.  We are lucky in that a large river flows through the back yard.  It is easy to incorporate landscaping elements that create a sense of being at peace with a natural water source.  This is especially true here in Michigan.

This is not always the case and such is why homeowners have the option to hire landscape designers to create a space like this for them.  The other option is to go out on a limb and try landscaping yourself.  I know this may be a scary thought for many however with a bit of knowledge and a few tips it is a job that can be tackled.

The first thing to think about when doing landscaping around your home’s exterior is to think about the natural environment.  Plants that are indigenous to the area will grow easily and without much added work.  The best plans are those that contain plants of different sizes and bloom in different seasons.  This way your garden will have flare all year round.  Indigenous landscaping also keeps the cost within reason and maintains curb appeal from an ease of maintenance point of view.

Another thing to really take into consideration is the different heights of plants. It is important for the garden to look full.  One way this is done is to by stacking plants.  Taller plants will live toward the back of the garden and smaller ones will be featured throughout gradually towards the front.

I love the idea of little paths and many yards already have them designed into the yard maybe without even knowing it.  The ways in which the yards are accessed can easily be turned into ornate little walkways using a variety of materials.  You can enhance these features by using small flowers or shrubs.  This turns an ordinary path into a garden walkway.  I love smelling the rose bushes we put in place as I stroll through the backyard to sit around a camp fire in the summer.

The landscape of a yard is constantly changing.  This is an important thing to remember as you start on the journey.  We have lived in our home for four years.  Each year something is added to enhance the natural layout and landscaping that is present.  Last year it was bitty bushes to cover some brick work that was showing on the garage that I did not particularly love.  This year as we replenish the mulch I will be looking into adding some different types of daisies.  They are a fun and free flower and I am tying in New Year’s resolutions to everything the family is a part of so our landscaping shouldn’t be left out, right?

Taking Winter Weather Conditions In Stride

Here in Michigan the snow has yet to really fly for the snow season.  It is sure to come and we will all be in need of snow removal services but as of now we are good.  That is not true around the country.  Many counties have been hit with snow, ice and the wrath of Mother Nature. It is important for people to remember how truly dangerous the conditions can be.  Anything in excess can lead to life threatening injuries whether it is too hot or too cold.

In the winter it is important to remember that the snow is beautiful and it is tempting to stay out and work and play in it farther than individuals should.  Putting a time limit on the outside time in the winter is a good practice.  It might take a few trips inside to warm up and back out to finish the work of shoveling sidewalks but it is necessary.  These chores can take hours and lead to thousands of emergency room visits each year.  Hypothermia, frostbite and torn muscles top the list of related injuries.

One way to avoid the risk is to hire a snow removal service company.  Their professionals are seasoned and trained to work in these conditions. This option is especially smart for individuals you exercise minimally or are older.  The snow is heavy adding ice to this and the weight is unbelievable. Many homeowners turn to snow blowers to help with the snowy conditions Michigan winters bring.

There are many types of snow blowers.  A single stage blower is not a good option for gravel driveways but for most suburban driveways this option is acceptable.  They are light and easy to use.  They handle well on many types of snow, light and fluffy and damp and heavy.  A two stage snow blower is useful for larger driveways, ice and drifts of snow.  These units are manly self propelled, this makes them easier to use.  However should be used with caution as well because you are still doing extra work even if a minor piece of the burden has been alleviated.

Chemicals can be used to remove snow and ice as well.  These options add up and truly by the end of the season using chemicals or the gas and expense of the blower could have bought you the freedom a snow removal services company brings residents struggling with horrible winter conditions. Removing the top layer of snow is sometimes only the beginning to the battle.  It is often required that chemical agents are applied to completely clear the surface and make it safe to travel and walk on.

De-icer is used to penetrate through the snow and into the concrete below helping to loosen the connection after a snow.  Applying an anti-icer when a big snow is expected helps in the removal process.  A reliable snow removal company can often be seen out on nights when a snow is forecasted.  They lay a thin layer of de-icer on the surfaces they are in charge of.  In the morning it is easy to spot the homes that have been treated with anti-icer and the ones that have not.

When you live in a state that experiences the ups and downs of winter weather it is important to recognize the dangers that surround the weather and maintenance due to the conditions.  When in doubt hire a snow removal service company.  It will save time, money and injury.  The job will also be done when you awake or before you arrive home alleviating the stress involved in the snow removal task and allow for more time with the family.

Landscape Maintenance Needs

The weather here in Michigan is changing and with that comes a change in the needs of our landscaping. The four seasons bring with it a mix of snow, rain, heat, humidity and dry spells.  Is it possible to maintain the health of your lawn with all that this brings?  Yes, however it is important to recognize that your lawns care and needs will change throughout each of the seasons.  It is up to you to keep up with these changes or to hire a landscape company to come in and maintain the landscape.

The fall is upon us here in Michigan.  Laws start to go into a semi hibernating state in which they trap the minerals and nutrients to stay alive throughout the chilly, sunless days of winter.  When looking into fall lawn maintenance it is important to think about it in terms of wrapping the year up.

Lawn fertilization is a must during the “closing” of the lawn season.  When you do this you give your lawn the basic nutrients it needs to stay healthy through the winter.  When fertilizing you will want to first make sure debris such as leaves is removed and the grass freshly cut.  Then before you fertilize you will want to aerate the lawn so that the fertilizer is able to seep deep into the lawn.  This provides what the lawn will miss out on through the cold, sunless winter.

The next thing to think about in fall landscape need is pruning. Many flowers and shrubs need to be pruned back to allow for the new growth of the spring.  It is important to note though that not all trees will benefit from this.  Some trees do not need trimming of any kind and will continue to grow. The same is true with many plants.  Fall is also the time for removing bulbs that are damaged in the freeze and plant those that need the winter to develop and grow in the spring.  Burlap should be applied to all shrubs that are especially fragile and that the frost will damage.  Plants, shrubs and trees can also benefit greatly from some extra food in the form of fertilizer.

Raking the leaves that have accumulated on the lawn is often a huge task.  There are two schools of thought in leaves being raked or allowed to live as they lay.  This is up to individual homeowners.  Leaves can act as a great fertilizer in their own right.  From experience leaves allowed to decay within the Lily of the Valley in the yard act as a major growth hormone for them.  Literally the plant uses that acid break down of the leaves to flourish.  Use discretion when allowing leaves to accumulate on grass.  It is not beneficial to allow all of the fall leaves to stay piled on the ground as they will absorb the little bit of sun that will attempt to get to your lawn throughout the winter.

Fall landscape needs are similar to spring landscaping needs.  We do clean-up in the spring to spruce the lawn up and clean-up in the fall to allow for hibernation and re-growth. Landscaping needs also vary depending on the region in which you live.  The plants that survive and grow here in the North are not the same viable plants that exist in Arizona.  Can you imagine a cactus here soaking up the rainfall that we receive here in Michigan?

Landscape Design: Trendy Landscape

Landscaping design trends seem to ebb and flow through cycles where naturalism is in one year and the next year well manicured lawns are all the rage.  Personally I feel landscaping should reflect your personal style and be unique to each homeowner.  The inside of your home should reflect who you are why the outside shouldn’t also is beyond me.  The perfect place to begin exploring landscape ideas is by taking a “Sunday drive” exploring options of other people’s landscape design that you like and don’t like.  Make sure to document with photos and descriptions so that when you are staring at your own home you are able to visually see what you desire.

Money is tight everywhere right now.  Personally my budget for landscaping needs is very small but I still want the space to look and feel like me.  In order to do this I went for a ride in the canoe.  We are fortunate to have a beautiful river in our backyard to help accentuate our landscape design.  I was so inspired by people’s creativity.  The houses were all beautiful and the landscape of each home seemed to directly reflect the home and what I imagine the people inside were like.

There were several trends that I noticed in the homes along the river.  They all seemed to make sense to me.  People were conserving rain water, growing gardens and lit up with natural lightening. The landscapes were simple yet elegant, resourceful yet de-cluttered and beautifully natural.  Here are the things that caught my eye the most.

  • People reduced the amount of grass they needed to cut by placing large “gardens” throughout the lawn.  I saw bird house gardens, rock garden, weed gardens that were full of beautifully colored weeds and one hose which had a tire garden.  It was so neat and resourceful giving definite personality to the lawn.
  • Many gardens were full of Michigan native plants.  Being close to the water I saw many yards with cattails, loosestrife, lilies and other weeds that grow naturally with water. Many new weeping willow trees were spring up and I could tell people weren’t bending over backwards to make their lawns beautiful they just were naturally.
  • I saw several rain water collections going on within the landscape designs.  People had large containers made out of different materials that were linked to the gutters inconspicuously that would trap water for use later in the garden.
  • Many neighbors had large vegetable gardens, tomatoes, beans, squash and melon made their lawns and gardens look fabulous while also being resourceful and help to feed their families.
  • Lightening was also huge.  Solar lights and hanging garden lights illuminated the area without the use of an energy source saving money and the environment.  Often spotlights were used to emphasize trees and larger ornamental grasses.
  • Many landscape designs defiantly served a purpose.  The tire garden that I loved definitely did double work as a play/climbing area.  Hammocks were placed between two shade trees for a nap area and one yard even played double duty for a place to practice yoga. Their yards said something about their personalities.
  • Another thing I really liked is that our neighbors all incorporated the natural critters into their landscape.  Bird house, bat houses, and squirrel feeders were abundant.  Along with hummingbird feeders, butterflies, birdbaths and toad houses scattered through people’s yards.

The one thing that is truly noticeable is that people really used the resources available to them and accentuated upon the details.  It was a great site to see.  Many of the landscape designs were low key and maintenance looked routine.  I was glad I took that trip down the river because instead of bringing in land fill and building a break wall I am going to enjoy the natural landscape that surrounds my home and make it my own with the finer details.

Landscape Maintenance: Prepping For Fall

No one likes to think about the end of summer but all things come to an end but it happening rather fast. My daughter is asking about new binders and my son wants new shoes.  With school starting I start to think about fall preparations especially in regards to our landscape maintenance needs.  Without the kids needing attention every five minutes I should be able to attend to the much needed yard work to be done.

I really like doing the fall prep.  Getting ready for the end of the spring season brings me into my favorite time of year.  I am able to prepare the landscape for the coming year and next growing season.  It is the time of year when you can step back look at all the effort that was put into the gardens and lawn and proceed with getting in ready for winter and the following spring season.

Lawn Maintenance Tips For Fall

  • I always take this time to look into deals that home improvement and garden stores are having on their perennials.  Fall is a perfect time to put these discounted assortments into the soil.  Prepare them by adding fresh soil and fertilizer.  This should make them ripe and ready to bloom in full next spring.
  • I divide and conquer on the fall also.  All the perennials that have grown too big for the space allotted for them get divided and transplanted elsewhere.  Maybe a new garden is created or a friend is blessed with my extras.  The weather is perfect to make these changes in plant placement.
  • Potted plants are disposed of in the composter unless they are perennials.  In that case I take the pot and place it plant and all in burlap for hibernation.  The plants survive wonderfully outside as long as they are protected from the burn of winds and snow.
  • Pruning is best done in the fall.  The trees will be perfect shape for the spring season.  The rake will already be out taking care of the leaves so the effort to clean up the hedge trimmings will be minimal.
  • In regards to leaves it is best to rake the lawn and apply thin manure to the top layer of soil.  This will penetrate throughout the fall and winter seasons leaving you with a lush full lawn in the spring. You can use the leafs that you rake up as mulch for gardens.  People have told me that they have used leaves to fertilize lily of the valley only to have it come back in the spring doubled in population.   Leaves also help protect the root systems of perennials making them less susceptible to the harsh winter weather.

If you take time in the fall for landscape maintenance spring will send you a lush lawn with full blooming perennials and gardens ready for annuals.  If you find your fall overwhelmingly busy with work, kids in school, soccer starting and all the joys of fall you might find a good deal through local landscape maintenance professionals.  Landscape professionals are available for any job big or small and will help you with all your fall maintenance needs.

Landscape Services: Getting To Know Your Lawn On A Budget

Sometimes I admit I am envious of those in our neighborhood who can swing landscape services for their home.  How nice would it be to not have to spend the weeknights maintaining a lawn?  I am not only talking about mowing the lawn but the weeds, pruning, upgrades, fertilization and all those fun add-ons summer maintenance gives us.  I am also discovering in my new budget conscience frame of mind not only can I not afford the lawn services but I also can’t spend a fortune on the materials needed for a beautiful lawn.

Being the budget friendly I wanted to know how to get the biggest bang for my buck.  To do this the first thing I did was take my soil in to be tested to make sure it consisted of the mix of minerals for a lawn and plants to flourish.  Thankfully it did otherwise my budget would have been spent purchasing topsoil and fertilizer.

The first thing I did was organize a spring swap amongst the do it yourself neighbors.  It was a great was to go through clean up the existing perennials in the yard and get some new life into mine.  I also went to our neighborhood association and asked for them to purchase a new tree to be planted in everyone’s yard to help create unity amongst the homes.  People loved this idea and were thankful they were able to see what the money they contribute goes towards.

I knew I was interested in using some stones and larger rocks within the garden space.  Instead of spending the money to go out and purchase them I stopped and spoke with a local farmer that was preparing his field for the growing season about coming and gathering the ones he tilled up.  He was so grateful that he was not going to have to accomplish that laborious task that he told me if I did the whole lot I could have them free of charge.  You know I jumped on that.  We spent an entire Saturday with the kids out fielding rocks. It was actually a lot of fun and turned into a beautiful border for our landscape design and fire pit.

I started a composter too. This was fun and the kids love helping with this project.  I was fortunate that my parents had an extra compost bin they were no longer using.  We brought it home and created a station behind the work shed for it. I will never be in need of mulch or fertilizer again.  That actually saves a ton of money and I love knowing what is actually in the compost that I am putting in the soil around my home.

We also have an advantage over most people in that we have a natural spring that rolls through our backyard.  This is perfect because we can then pump the water out and use it for watering the gardens and lawn when it needs it saving the family money on the water bill.  Plus the spring naturally regenerates any water that seeps into the soil and is not used by the plants.

Landscape service companies are super nice to have but learning about my yard and cultivating it has its advantages also.  I love the time spent with the family working in the garden and have learned so much about the natural environment that surrounds us and have had fun reaping the benefits of something I have created.

Landscape Installation: Letting Nature Take Over

Landscape installation does not need to be difficult, time consuming or expensive.  I know that is a shocking statement but there are alternatives to the back breaking hours it takes to create a design in your landscaping.  Native landscaping is not a new concept but is catching on as the economy is slowing because people do not have the money to pour into landscape installation and resort to using natural plants and materials.

For years I have spent hundreds of dollars investing in annuals that grace my garden and then occasionally make it through the harsh winter to bloom again.  It is more likely however that the next year I will find myself back at the landscaping supply store buying more the next year.  I know I am not alone in my quest for a beautiful full lawn but this year I decided that I was going to stick with what nature supplies and forgo the rest.  Plants that are beautiful and that truly grow in my back yard will be what grace my landscape design this year and for years to come.

The benefits of this type of landscaping installation are plentiful.  First, these gardens don’t need any regular maintenance.  They are already used to the amount of water and soil type for the area.  The plants will evolve along with the changes in our environment if they are truly native plants to the area.  I love the fact that I will not have to labor over the maintenance of the new landscape installation.

Another major benefit people find with natural landscape installation is that the species that are native to your area will find refuge in your gardens.  Butterflies, birds and smaller creatures will find a place among your landscape instead of your home.  The habitat will be one that is suitable for their needs and they won’t have to create an environment amongst plants that are foreign to them, possibly ruining what you have attempted to create.  A native scheme lets all creatures within the area to live in harmony.

Obviously if you have a yard that is used for children playing a section will have to be turned into a manicured lawn.  We have created a space in the backyard for the kids where they can throw the ball around, swing and play.  The area surrounding however is left natural to allow the landscape to form naturally.

My immediate family gets my quest for a more natural landscape environment.  They have lived through the expense of maintaining a garden that is just not meant for our space.  The native planting has allowed for us to explore the different plants that grow here in Michigan wild.  I loves that with the seasons my landscape changes.  It is amazing to see what comes up from the seeds left by the birds throughout the untamed yard and beautiful, colorful flowers are what we get mixed in with the native grasses.

People in our neighborhood have taken awhile to grow on the idea.  At first they were concerned with an abundance of critters living within the habitat that had been created.  Now though they realize that the critters are living safely in our space and leaving their vegetation alone so it is a win for all of us.  We did not even find ourselves having to spray for mosquitoes this year.  Instead lemongrass, marigolds and catnip are growing throughout the yard.  All of these natural growing plants are right there in my backyard naturally repelling mosquitoes.  That is landscape installation that I can live with.

Creating a Landscaping Design Especially for Your Family

Coming up with a creative landscaping design for your yard is a dilemma for many home owners.  There are several different options when thinking about the design of your space.  The first thing to consider is what the space is going to be used for.  You will need to come up with a budget.  This will help in determine what goes into the space.  It is also wise to think about the existing environment.  Things such as the amount of light that is currently available or if the soil is really dry all play a part in what can be installed in your landscaping design.  This is all a key part in making sure the design coordinates with the space.

Pleasure/Relaxation Area: This space usually begins with a deck or patio area.  It is important that the area be kept neat and free of sources that would draw flying bugs.  Mosquitoes will surely ruin any area meant for relaxation.  Landscaping designs that play into ones desire for quiet often include privacy fencing and elements such as hammocks and comfortable outdoor furniture.  Another luxury that could be included in a landscaping design meant for relaxation is an outdoor patio fire pit, hot tub or a pergola.

Recreational Area:  A space to be used for recreation and playtime should start with a good base of grass.  Often recreation landscaping designs include a play space and swings.  My neighbor built a raise space off to the side of his lawn for a tournament style horse shoe pit.  It is not a typical pit.  It is a stylish space that has amenities such as cup holders, horse shoe holders and a score board.  Other forms of recreation spaces that are popular are swimming pools and spaces for volley ball, croquet and bocce ball.  In the ground fire pits are also popular where they are large enough for a group of people to sit and enjoy s’mores.

Special Garden Area: These areas are becoming ever popular for landscape designs specifically for a purpose.  Fairy gardens are popular as well as butterfly/hummingbird landscape designs.  It is also really fun to turn your backyard living space into a sustainable garden. You could include herbs and vegetables that you could then swap with neighbors.  My neighbor has a special space in her yard that is set aside just for her to grow flowers that are able to be cut and placed into vases throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons.  She calls it her cutting garden.  Visitors to her home call it a sanctuary.

Miscellaneous Area: This includes all areas that are built out of randomness and have developed into a landscape design in your backyard environment.  Spaces such as dirt bike paths and spaces your children carve out especially for them.  My daughter built a gnome area and my son has added dirt piles to his paths through the woods.

Your backyard landscaping design is something only you have total control over.  Make your yard somewhere that you enjoy spending time in.  Make it a special “vacation” area that your family and friends can enjoy with you and spend time doing the things that make you happy.  Landscape designs are meant to be something uniquely you.

Landscape Services: Proper Care Required When Installing Weed Barrier

Installing weed control in your home’s gardens is a hassle in landscaping that is already established.  Homeowners may choose to employ landscape service companies to come in and handle the challenges that go along with the installation of weed barrier.  It is not a difficult job however choosing the correct materials, prepping the land and securing the weed control are all areas that are equally important when doing this type of job in your landscaping.

Landscaping services are provided by most companies who also are employed to mow lawns and trim hedges.  You will want to check with them to see if adding weed barrier is part of the services they provide.  If so there are certain things to check before they begin the installation of weed barrier to your landscaping.

Make sure that the company is installing weed barrier for weed control that is made from a thick fabric.  Some companies use plastic sheeting.  This is not appropriate for gardens in which plants will live.  It will not allow the oxygen or water to get through to the plants roots.  It also creates an environment that does not allow for breathing which in turn creates mold and fungus.  You need to look for a fabric that does not easily tear with your bare hands.  Thinner weed fabric barriers will break down sooner allowing weeds to pop up in your landscape design.

The next thing you will want to ensure your landscape services company does is overlap the weed barrier by at least 3 inches of overlap.  This ensures that weeds don’t find their way through these potential portholes of freedom.

Another area of concerns is the outside corners.  It is important for pins to be used to hold the weed protection in place as you work.  Corners are often neglected because the initial cut was made before checking to make sure the weed barrier had not shifted and the corners were still covered.  It is also important to secure the points of intersection to keep them from shifting when applying ground cover.

Once your initial landscape weed barrier is installed it is important that your landscape services company installs a thick groundcover.  Ground covering should be applied thick enough that the groundcover is not peeking through. Sunlight will cause the weed protection to break down over time.  You will want a thick base coat of mulch or rock to be laid down initially and will then want to keep the area fresh by reapplying ground cover each spring to keep the covering thick and the weed barrier covered.

It is important that your landscape services company install the barrier leaving an opening that allows the plants to breath.   The last thing you want is for the weed barrier to choke the plants.  In order to do this correctly the company will use a technique that involves cutting an x pattern in the spot on the weed barrier where the plant will sit.  They will then take the access and fold it back and cover the spot with ground cover.

It is important when dealing with landscaping that you don’t just jump in.  Research the proper way to handle situations in your landscape and then execute.  If you do it the other way around you will tend to throw a lot of money away in plants and materials that are of little use.