Tuesday 21 July 2015

Use Sand to Create Your Own Backyard Beach

You gently slip off your sandals, and then slowly step on to the soft warm sand, feeling it gently glide between your toes. You instantly feel relaxed and carefree, as images of childhood summers at the beach flood your memory. The soft sound of crashing waves and the warm beating sun has you ready to build sand castles and play Frisbee. Who doesn’t love the beach? But if you live even a matter of 15 – 20 minutes away from the gorgeous coast, you may not have time to enjoy the feel of sand in your toes. If you're a beach lover and want to enjoy it every day, you can get a little creative with your backyard and create your own private beach.

Adding sand to your yard is a simply easy way to create a unique getaway steps from your bed. Sand is easy to purchase from a variety of local stores and can be simply poured wherever you want it. Once you have the sand placed, you only have to adjust it and adapt it with a variety of designs. As an added bonus, you eliminate the annoying on-going maintenance of a grass yard, no more watering or mowing..

There are a variety of ways you can bring the beach to your home. Most easily, you can create dunes of sand to add an authentic feel to the yard. Then add a touch of ocean by painting your fence shades of blue, recreating the beach horizon. These simple small details are the basics of the perfect oasis.

Once you have a basic scape of sand and sea, you can add gorgeous furniture details. By adding some comfortable large cushioned lounge chairs, you will be instantly transported to a Caribbean resort. Just mix up some monitors or maitais and sit back and relax. If you want to turn your entire yard into a beachscape, you can add sleek and sophisticated wooden furniture. Adding a table and chairs will create the perfect space for summer entertainment, and a lounge area with sofa chairs and coffee table can be the perfect addition to any gathering.

Monday 20 July 2015

Understanding the Most Common Types of Sod


 


Sod is a useful tool when needing extra grass after damaging weather exposes soil or when moving into a home with an unhealthy lawn. Before you purchase sod, here is a brief explanation of the most common types.

Adapted Grass

While most sods sold today are not native grasses, they have been adapted to thrive in different climates. For that reason, sod is divided into two categories: cool season and warm season. Cool season sods are best for areas that have cold winters and warm to hot summers. These grasses include:

  • Kentucky Bluegrass
  • Perennial Ryegrass
  • Bent Grass
  • Rough Bluegrass
  • Red Fescue

Warm season grasses are planted in areas that generally are not prone to cold temperatures or winter weather. Sods well suited for this zone include Carpet Grass, Buffalo Grass, Bahia and Bermuda Grass. However, just because these are warmer climates, the grass can be challenging to maintain. Lawn caretakers may need to seed their lawns over the winter months if they want to uphold green grass.

In the Zone

Because not all areas have winter and summer seasons, transitional zone sods have also been developed. These include Tall Fescue, Thermal Blue and Zoysiagrass. These grasses thrive in the states of Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina and the panhandle of Texas.

If you would like more information about the types of sod used in lawn care or where to buy sod in Morgan Hill, please visit this website. You can learn even more about sod grass, how to care for it and what type is best for your yard.

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The Magic of Mulch in Your Garden



 

Are you a home gardener looking for a way to enhance your garden and keep your plants healthy throughout the growing season? If so, you should consider incorporating mulch. With easy application and advantageous features, mulch is a win for gardeners.

1. Understand the Benefits of Mulching

Mulch is highly beneficial to vegetable and flower gardens. When applied, your garden will retain more moisture, meaning you will not have to water as often. Adding mulch to your soil also hinders the growth of those annoying weeds. Finally, any mulch composed of organic materials will slowly break down, making the dirt highly fertile and healthy for future seasons.

2. Choosing Your Mulch

Before you can apply mulch to your garden, you need to choose which type is best for your garden. Today’s market is full of many options including:

  • Straw mulch
  • Wood chips or shredded bark
  • Cocoa hulls
  • Pine bark nuggets

Straw mulch looks lovely in a garden because of its soft, golden hues and breaks down slowly. Wood chips and shredded bark usually absorb nitrogen from the soil, making it less acidic. Cocoa hulls can be more expensive, but their chocolate scent, soft texture and deep colors add elegance to any garden. Pine bark nuggets do not decompose as fast as shredded bark and work well on flat surfaces with flower plots and vegetable gardens.

To learn more about mulch for sale in Morgan Hill, please visit this website. With the proper mulch for your garden you can grow vibrant flowers and healthy vegetables.

Create A Unique Partition



Use interesting large boulders with jagged edges to create an artistic yard enclosure. Rather than simply surrounding your patio or yard with a fence or rail, create a work of art.


Five Ways to Use Gravel to Accentuate Your Backyard


 

While backyard improvements may recall images of towering trees, cascading flowers and stone pathways, have you ever thought of how gravel can add to your landscape? Here are five simple ways to utilize innovative gravel in your own backyard.

1.  In Lieu of Grass

If you live in a drought prone area or are tired of paying too much for your water bills, gravel can be an easy substitute for grass. Raking in pea gravel or even river rock can create a decorative and low maintenance area free of sprinklers and lawn upkeep.

2.  Crushed Granite

A unique type of gravel landscaping is crushed granite. With a reddish-tan coloring this gravel adds a charming, rustic look. These silt like pieces are perfect for garden pathways and patios.

3.  Rock Edges

Gravel and river rock can also be used to create stunning edges along your flowerbeds or vegetable gardens. If you are feeling artistic, you may even consider creating a dry riverbed that meanders through your yard.

4.  Mix in Ornamental Plants

If you do not want gravel in your entire yard, section off a small garden area with a mix of pea gravel and ornamental grasses or orchids. This will create an elegant outdoor space and the gravel will provide excellent drainage for the plants.

5.  Checkerboard

One final and unique way to incorporate gravel into your landscaping is by creating a checkerboard of plants and gravel. This can be done by installing square wooden frames and filling them with gravel and ground cover plants.

If you would like to learn more about utilizing gravel and where to buy gravel in Gilroy, please visit this website.

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Cinder blocks for Sensational Landscaping


 

One of the easiest ways to spruce up your garden or outdoor area is through the use of cinder blocks. While you may think they are just for bordering gardens, they can also be used to create outdoor furniture or even a fireplace. Here are some DIY projects for incorporating cinder blocks into your outdoor space.

1. Make a Table

Yes, you can create a unique outdoor table by stacking cinder blocks and topping it with a wooden top. Drape an outdoor tablecloth over the wood and you have yourself a sturdy and weatherproof table! You can even eliminate the wood and just cover the blocks with your place mats or tablecloth.

2. Outdoor Shelving

Cinder blocks can also be used to build outdoor shelves for flowerpots and decorations. By combining different sizes and styles of blocks, you can create a colorful wall of flowers and garden decor. You can even let your children paint the blocks with their unique artwork while you place potted flowers atop the cinder blocks.


Backyard Sand Pit

Instead of travelling to the beach for a vacation, installing a sand pit in the backyard makes it feel like the beach has come to you. This sand pit is great for a tropical-themed deck.