The notion that landscaping involves only the incorporation of trees and shrubs into the setting of your front yard or backyard is wrong; landscaping also has to do with the construction of walls and fences that frame and further beautify the house.

Whether you want to layer your garden, re-do your frontyard or have a make over done for your backyard, landscaping is the perfect answer.

Having a home that is the envy of all and sundry is the ultimate goal of any home owner This is why landscaping is becoming so popular because it guarantees a home worthy of pride on the home owner’s part and provokes jealousy on the part of the neigbours.

You need to know that sometimes, it is unimportant how long a company specializing in landscaping has been working because a few, inspite of their prolonged existence are totally unreliable; go for a landscaping company whose record speaks for itself.

Landscaping basically is an art that has to do with the beautification of a person’s home and focuses on either the frontyard or the backyard of the home; it is a plan that make use of plants, flowers, shrubs, fences and even walls to enhance the aura of a person’s home.

Driveways and main walks to the front and other doors are necessary utilities. As such they may not be things of beauty. Therefore, they should be handled so as to attract the least possible amount of attention. To do this, devote as little area to them as you can, and that will also lower the total cost.

Avoid Curves

Remember that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. If a driveway or walk is only 50 or 60 feet long, it is best to keep it straight if possible. One that is unnecessarily curved is not ordinarily successful artistically despite the many illustrations of such curves which we see in advertisements. The only time a short driveway should be curved is when it has to pass around some natural obstacle that cannot be removed, or when the planting around the house is so arranged that it will look natural for the walk or driveway to follow it.

Obviously a person approaching your house should not have to walk beyond a point opposite your front door in order to reach a curved walk that will lead them back across the most direct line of approach. If your planned foot paths are inconvenient, various people ( including members of your own household) are going to take short cuts across lawns unless you take distinct steps to prevent it.

Backyard birding can easily be exceedingly enjoyable as well as soothing. The wildlife in one’s yard can be incredible with many different sorts of birds flying in and out on a consistent basis. A satisfying hobby can be experienced by just about all who are interested in remaining near to home. You may find it helpful to begin watching out for the different sorts of birds that fly into your backyard. Several are far more common compared to others. If you are interested in digital photography, then these wonderful subjects can provide you several chances to record their elegance with a camera or camcorder.

Feeding the birds is a very pleasurable and rewarding entertainment. You will get to watch many varieties as well as become familiarised with some of the surprising routines of the birds which frequent your own back yard. You’ll only need to supply the birds with food, protection and water to get the maximum pleasure out of the year round hobby of backyard birding.

If you happen to be constructing a new dwelling, remodeling a vintage one, or merely upgrading a room, today is a great time for you to take a look at one or two new Low Voltage Outdoor Lighting, energy-saving light fixtures to brighten your home. You could choose one of the many very fashionable fluorescent fixtures which, you’ll be relieved to discover, are no longer exclusively institutional rectangle boxes. Alternately, you could check out the new LED lighting fixtures. The array of styles is not currently as wide as the range you’ll discover with fluorescent fixtures, yet LED lighting includes some advantages which may make up for the present lack of style options.

Fluorescent lights have been being used for over 20 years, and have lately become far more fashionable. Most of us presume all fluorescent lights are large, generic white boxes used to light retail stores or offices. This memory does not create warmth or ambiance. Today, fluorescent fixtures are made as lamps and pendant lights, and because of the many kinds of shades and finishes, you won’t be aware that there is an energy-saving white fluorescent bulb disguised in them. Although fluorescent light fixtures are costlier than the old fashioned incandescent lights, the energy savings could effortlessly offset the price of the bulb and fixture. A typical compact fluorescent bulb may work for nearly 9 years, and they even have a two-year manufacturer’s warranty.

This principle is less ephemeral than unity and more easily defined, and can even be set down in nearly precise mathematical terms. Essentially, the elements or areas of a design have a visual weight; and these weights achieve balance like that of the old-fashioned scale, or seesaw. If the seesaw is unbalanced, the result is distracting or disturbing. The principle of balance is usually mandatory, but the methods of achieving it are not. There are many ways to arrange elements and areas to achieve a balanced design; and here is where originality and personal taste improve the picture.

Two types of balanced composition are generally recognized - formal and informal. Formal balance calls for a focal point or center of interest in the center of the design, with areas and/or elements of equal weight on either side. You can’t go wrong with formal balance. There is no question that the geometric arrangement of classic rose gardens are of good design; or even that Colonial or Victorian settings seem suitable for formally balanced decoration.

Dutch Iris are one of the most colorful of all fall-planted bulbs. They have been propagated heavily in Oregon and Washington for the Pacific Coast market. The flower is excellent for cutting and a generous crop may be expected. The colors include white, yellow, lavender, blue and purple. The plants are fairly hardy although they require some protection if planted in a windy spot. Plant in the open sun or semi-shade with the bulbs. 3 inches deep and 3 inches apart. Average garden soil will suffice and the bulbs should not be disturbed until the plants become so thick that the clumps need dividing.

Aftercare of Bulbs - Many - including gladiolus, tigridias and tuberous begonias - should be taken up now and stored for a good rest. Remember, the foliage should be thoroughly ripened before cutting off. Dust the bulbs with an insecticide to take care of any insect eggs present. Also, all bulbs and tubers should be dried off thoroughly before storing in peat. Guard against mice eating tigridias especially.

For quick color - In the mild sections of the West, snapdragons, stocks, annual chrysanthemums, larkspur, Iceland poppies, violas and pansies may still be set out, although the blooms will be later than on those set out last month. For shady spots, try cinerarias and primroses.

When developing the public area, we need only keep in mind three fundamental landscape principles that concern this particular part of a property. They are: (1) soften the architectural lines of the building by placing plants where the strong vertical lines meet the ground; (2) frame the building with trees; and (3) maintain an open lawn area.

We could state the first principle even more simply by saying that the plants should be located at the corners of the building and at either side of the entrances.

Architectural Lines

Height of Plants

In nearly every case the plants to be used at the corners of the building should be of a type that will naturally grow larger than those to be used at either side of the doorway. Generally speaking, the ideal ultimate height of a plant at the corner of a one- or two-story building should be a little less than half the distance from the ground to the eaves.

In deciding what plants to use, we must find out what their ultimate height must be if they are to soften the lines of the house. First, sketch the front of the house to scale (or use a photograph and tracing paper).

Special consideration should be given to the garden potential by anyone buying a new home. This is a factor all too often ignored by purchasers who later regret their lack of foresight. You should, at the very least, be aware of the garden problems your new home will present.

Desirable Features

Whether you intend to move to a rural or to an urban area, there are certain qualities you will want your property to have. You want soil with good drainage, and land contour that can be graded without too great expense. The best type of property in these respects would be one that is gently rolling; it offers little likelihood of poor drainage, yet is not sloped enough to cause erosion. A perfectly flat piece of land can appear to be ideal for a garden, but you should first check the subsoil condition to make sure there is no “hard pan” (that is, a layer of hard-packed soil impervious to the passage of water), or even solid rock, just a few inches below the surface.

In Northern United States and Canada

Now is the time to check out seed catalogs and online along with placing orders. Early in the month sow seeds of Clarkia, Godedia, Larkspur, Stocks and other annuals for Spring bloom in the greenhouse. Toward the end of January sow in the greenhouse Wax Begonias, Lobelias, Vinca roses, Delphiniums and Pansies for Summer bloom outdoors…

Remove pots of bulbs, such as Hyacinths, Daffodils and Tulips, that are to be forced for early bloom, a few at a time, from the cool basement or sand bed outdoors where they have been rooting, and bring them into the greenhouse or house. Shade them for the first few days and give them lots of water at all times. Keep them cool at first; increase the temperature gradually.

As soon as dormant potted Amaryllis bulbs show signs of life, remove a little of the old surface soil, replace with rich new soil, water thoroughly and place the pots in a warm, light location in the greenhouse or house. Pot new Amaryllis bulbs in well-drained pots of fertile sandy soil.

Every good garden is the result of a landscape plan. It is just as important for you to have a plan of your proposed garden on paper before you start to work, as it is for carpenters, plumbers, and electricians to have a blueprint of a house they intend to build. Since few of us have ever come in contact with a landscape plan in our everyday lives, it may be necessary for us to discuss in detail the methods of making and using one.

Making a serviceable landscape plan does not require artistic ability. All you need is the right equipment for measuring and drawing, and the mathematical intelligence to uniformly reduce various-sized objects to a fraction of their size.

Drawing Equipment

The equipment needed to make a good landscape plan includes: drawing board (or flat table), T-square, two triangles (45 and 60 degrees), protractor, compass, tape measure, scale (or ruler), pencil, eraser, scotch tape, and tracing paper.

Landscaping Symbols

Landscape symbols are used in making landscaping plans. They are easy to learn, understand, and interpret. They are used in illustrations throughout many landscape design books. Become completely familiar with this landscape shorthand and you will find that understanding and making landscaping plans is not at all difficult.