Solutions for Landscaping

Landscaping stones are truly magnificent accessories for your garden that definitely enhance your landscape. However, they are also ideal to deal with the draining issues in your landscape. You can make retaining walls, walkways, borders and more with these stones. Here are some ways you can make your landscaping stones into drainage designs in order to eliminate those pooling water that damage your garden.

Water Pooling Damages your Garden

It is definitely a headache if you see pooling of water in your garden after a heavy rain. It can really destroy your garden and can become a breeding home for insects such as mosquitoes.

So in order to channel away the water and retain the beauty of your landscape, landscaping stones are ideal options. They are also aesthetically beautiful and they look natural on your garden.

Types of Landscaping Stones

Retaining wall is the one of the effective water drainage system for your landscape. It is really a must-have for your property in order to drainthe accumulated water in your garden and prevent erosion.

It is essential to consider the factors such as wall design and type of stone to ensure your garden is safe. Also these structures should be durable enough to handle great amount of water.

• Creek rock – This rock has a smooth finish and you can usually find them in the bottom of rivers, lakes and creeks. It is usually round in shape and 6-12 inches in diameter, providing a strong base for your garden wall. Water just flows over these rocks without getting into crannies and nooks, so they are effective for water drainage.
• Fieldstones–This type of stone can be broken and shaped according to your needs. They are used in order to create a strong wall that can hold moisture and water. They are naturally water-resistant. Garden walls using fieldstones are usually constructed with mortar to provide a stone water-proof barrier. You can effectively eliminate water in your garden using these stones.
• Assorted rubble–Rubble means different kinds of rocks and stones that come in varying sizes and shapes. You can typically gather them from around your property and are best for short and small walls. They are perfect for flower and vegetable gardens to keep the water from pooling around them.
• Flagstone – They come in irregular shapes and are usually placed in retaining walls with small spaces. These gaps prevent the stones from erosion because of water and soil pressure. Gravel and sand filler can also increase the water drainage.

Other Uses

Stone pathway is also a great drainage system for your landscape and also perfect for aesthetic purposes. They make their way through your gardens or trees that create a movement around your landscape.

Stones placed in strategic points in your garden prevent weeds and other plants to grow. Also they look natural with the plants.

Contact a Good Supplier

It is essential that you have a good supplier for your landscaping needs. They have wide varieties of stones you need in order to build a strong garden wall to drain water.

They are equipped with knowledge on what stones are perfect for your project. You can order and have them delivered in your home in order to start your retaining wall project.

Stones come in shapes and colors that you can use in numerous ways. They can simply be accessories to enhance your landscape or can be functional asdrainage walls.

This landscaping stone project must not only serve as garden walls but also should complement the exterior look of your home. Be creative and make use of the available stones to keep your garden healthy and your landscape beautiful.

Trees add appeal to your garden and provide the necessary shade for your home and your plants. However, the stump that is left behind after cutting down the tree seems to destroy the look of the landscape.

Removing it might be ideal but it is really essential that you get it out of the yard. Trees such as oaks have deep roots so it might be difficult to deal with rather than trees with shallow roots such as silver maples. So here are some helpful tips on how to get those tree stumps away and restore the beauty of your landscape:

Make Use of a Machine

Digging up the tree stump might be ideal but it might have a structural damage to your home. This is why you need the help of a stump grinder. This machine has a snipping blade that has tipped teeth that chew those stumps away.

However, they can only reach a depth of 10-12 inches. If you don’t have this machine at home, then find a company that offers this kind of service for an affordable price. Let them do the work for you.

Make sure that when using the machine, no people, especially children, is nearby. Also have protection on when you are doing the task since the spinning blade will make debris fly all over the place that might hurt you or nearby people.

Dig it with Your Hands

If your tree has shallow roots, then you might consider digging it by the hand. Make use of digging tools such as hoe, shovel, axe, root saw and winch. Dig around the stump until you expose the roots and make use of the root saw or axe in order to cut them.

Then use the winch in order to pull the stump out of the ground. Make sure you know how to use a winch; it can be a dangerous tool if not properly used.

Make use of Chemicals

If you do not have time for some physical work, then chemicals can help you solve your problem. These chemicals will decompose the stump which might take some time. These chemicals have potassium nitrate that will make your stump rot.

To get started, drill holes directly on the stump 8-10 inches deep and then place the chemicals in the holes. Make sure to add water so the chemicals can make its way through the very deep part of the stump. Then, make sure to cover up the stump so your children and pets will not get in contact with the toxic chemical.

Burning

Burning is another method to get rid of tree stump. In the process, make use of chemicals to create hole on the stump to make it easier to burn. Make sure to check around if there are flammable or light materials that can be easily ignited with fire. A piece of advice, make sure to use makeshift stove before you start the fire.

Removing tree stumps is an easy but tedious task. You can make use of either of these methods to help you get rid of the eyesore and restore the beauty of your landscape. Make sure the chemicals and the tools you use are kept away from children’s reach.

However, you can also incorporate tree stumps in your garden if you think they look beautiful for your landscape. Polishing it and making it as a natural chair or table on the spot will do the trick.

You can also have flower gardens around it and place an appealing structure on the stump. There are creative ways in order to make a tree stump an additional structure to improve landscape.

The choice is yours as a homeowner whether to get rid of a tree stump or not. Just take the necessary precautions for the safety of you and your family.

It is definitely too hot to work on your yard this summer. However, your plants require your care for this hot season.

As a gardener, you should pay attention to the needs of your garden to maintain its beauty. Dying plants can be an eyesore, so here are some easy and quick landscaping tips to maintain your garden green, colorful and appealing.

Cool and Bright Colors

Bright colors such as yellow and red flowers are perfect for your summer garden. However, you should start planting them early spring. However, if you haven’t, then you can just buy fully-grown plants in a garden store and replant it in your garden.

If you live in an area where it is super hot, then choose cooler colors like white flowers. If you have multi-color flowers, don’t remove them. Just add white flowers to balance the cool and warm feel of the yard. You can have white alyssum to do this job,also it can endure extreme heat.

Keep it Green

Green is the color of all landscapes and you should keep it that way. Green is a cool color, adding more life to your garden and also makes it healthier.

A piece of advice, fill the brown and dry areas with green foliage. You can also add some ferns to your garden to make a tropical feel into your garden.

Bring in More Shades

It is essential that you are protected by bringing more umbrellas to your garden this hot season. You can find them in affordable prices in local supermarket or even in drug stores.

Select the cool colors. Floral umbrellas can be pretty but sometimes they come in warm colors. Place them in big pots or even on the dirt around your yard.

Enhance your Garden More

If you feel like there are a lot of spaces available in your yard then arrange some chairs and tables on a spacious area.

Put a green or white table cloth and add a vase with white flowers. Use cotton as fabric for your cloth, it gives that cool texture.

You can also add some water feature like a customized fountain or a children’s play pool. Water has that relaxing and refreshing feel when you have it in your yard.

These summer landscaping tips will keep your yard attractiveand in good condition even in extreme heat. Guests orfriends might congratulate you with the good job you have done with your garden. If you are a home seller, this is a great way to attract buyers.

These summer landscape tips are just easy to do and won’t take so much of your time. Just use your creativity in improving your garden and landscape.