Creating the Perfect Outdoor Living Space
For those who have a little extra room outside, you might be considering creating an outdoor living space and this would be a good move. In the summer, you would be allowed more room for gatherings and it allows you to make more of your home. Furthermore, it will add charm and value to your home. In truth, it opens up many doors for you and your family/friends.
Of course, the amount that you can do with your outdoor living space will completely depend on what space you have available. Whilst some might be confined to a small, flat area, others may have the luxury of spreading the living room over many different levels. For example, a deck could lead from the house which then leads to a patio area. When many people consider an outdoor living space, they soon put the idea to bed because they restrict themselves in their imagination.
Ultimately, the space belongs to you so you can do whatever you wish with it. If you allow yourself to get really involved, this can be a fun and creative process as you turn an old, unused space into a gathering area for events. Whether you wish to install a fireplace with some comfortable furniture or maybe even a second kitchen with an opportunity to cook with the grill and make space for a fridge, the opportunity is available.
Nowadays, there are many options for weather-resistant furniture including easy chairs, sofas, and lounge chairs. As well as this, you could even install seat walls and benches to provide an attractive element in addition to the functionality of the item. If you are clever, you could even use the furniture to provide more storage.
Once you have this base, you can start to introduce various amenities such as a TV, radio, reading chair, mini-fridge, lamp, laptop, etc. For the slightly colder months, why not consider an outdoor fireplace as we suggested a little earlier? Often, there is a misconception that comes with these types of fireplaces that they have to run on gas but you can also find wood-burning models too. If you don’t have room for a full fireplace, you could also look into tabletop fireplaces or fire pits.
Regardless of what accessories you choose, always pay attention to what’s beneath you because the decking can often make or break an outdoor living room. When looking at flooring, be sure to consider whether your space will be covered or uncovered as this will greatly affect your decision. After this, you can assess your budget, style, quality, and the maintenance required to find the right flooring. Before jumping into a decision, consider ceramic, red cedar, vinyl, composite, plastic, and wood. When you dig a little deeper, you will find a whole host of styles, sizes, and colours to meet your needs and create an outdoor living space you can be proud of!
- Published in Landscape Design, Outdoor Living
Landscape Design Company – 5 Reasons to Hire One
No matter what time of year it is, you want your yard to look excellent. And if you can do the task yourself, that’s fantastic. But if you want it done and done right, then a landscape design company is who you must call. Check out 5 advantages of doing so.
Add Color
If you wish to help your yard stand apart, it’s a good idea to consider flowers. Even if you do not have a green thumb, you can still delight in the look of a wonderful and colorful yard. That’s due to the fact that a landscape design company can suggest the perfect flowers for you along with program of ways to upkeep them. And if you do not wish to do that, plenty of landscapers will carry out upkeep concerns for you so that your yard stays looking fantastic all year round.
Save Time
Unless you’re just a huge fan of backyard work, you will not want to go out in the heat and work on the yard. Although you want your place to look excellent, there’s never a great time to do the task. Luckily, you don’t have to stress over such information if you decide to have a professional service look after it. These specialists will come out, assess your property and talk with you on a variety of ideas that can be brought to life outside your home. The work will be done and you can concentrate on taking pleasure in the view.
Plant Trees
Flowers are a big part of a good-looking yard. Yet, nice, lush trees can likewise include a striking look for your yard. Your landscape design company can help you position trees in the right place so that you can get the shade along with beauty you want. There are different trees to choose from and a professional can assist you make the very best choice for you needs. Whether you want smaller trees planted in certain places or you are imagining something bigger, a pro can aid you.
Do Away with Bugs
In addition to enhancing your yard, many landscape design companies likewise can help in helping eliminate bugs on your property. If you’re sick of pesky mosquitoes and other irritating insects, call a pro so that you can start taking pleasure in going outside once more. This way, you won’t need to fret about bug spray or hanging up mosquito netting. Having the ideal system set up will permit you to stop seeming like a prisoner in your own home. Plus, these systems are safe for pets along with your family.
A Landscape Design Company Can Create a Better Outdoor Experience
When you have a gorgeous yard to look at, it can be tough not to wish to get out and have a few individuals over. That’s why getting landscape design is such a smart idea. You can imagine a certain feel and look you desire, and then have a professional make it a fact for you. Best of all, you can be a part of the procedure and feel confident that you’ll get the results you’re wishing for. Family and friends won’t have the ability to get enough of visiting your home.
- Published in Landscape Design
Creating a Natural Landscape Design
Natural landscape design for your outdoors is a means to plan, manipulate and construct natural surroundings for year round pleasure. With natural paths, shading, and native plants that keep your outdoor space beautiful and are the essential elements of natural aspect of the landscape design.
Hire Professionals for Natural Landscape Design
Imaginative issue solving and thoughtful application are exactly what make natural landscape design excellent. The business or group of professionals that you decide to work with your space most likely concentrated on either industrial or domestic “curb appeal”. Their backgrounds allow them the understanding to recover, deal with, and keep the quality of soil, turf, plants, and trees that add lovely foliage to your exterior. These experts combine their knowledge of what each living plant needs and their understanding of your vision for your space. Whether you are looking for a low upkeep or abundant blossoming garden that is both inviting and visually attractive, they can create the landscape design of your dreams with the critical elements of soil, light, and watering.
Before your landscape designer can complete the first drawing or computer mock up of your future outside beautification task, they have to understand exactly what you have to work with. First, the quality of soil that you have in your backyard is a huge determining consideration whether or not anything will sprout or flourish there. You may have sand, silt (mud), or clay. When that has been identified, native plants can be chosen to accommodate your local soil quality. Second, the level of your yard space is vital. You might have a small or considerable slope, or several levels that receive various quantities of light and water throughout day. The levels in your yard will likewise influence the quality of soil in one location over another. The soil at the end of the slope will be richer than higher elevation areas that have experienced significant runoff. You may have noticed these problems in your lawn(s) throughout the years but natural landscape design specialists will rescue any lawn by compensating for exactly what it is lacking.
There is a method to accomplish your perfect yard with astute planning and layout that makes improvements to your natural space while making it sustainable. The specialists get all types of request for certain colors, structures, and levels of foliage display, and they are all possible as long as the three thriving elements (sun, water, food) exist. Landscape design build specialists may need to bring in healthier soil or cut down a few of your trees in order to expose more natural light. You might take pleasure in the half day of shade every day, so your landscape design can involve lawn and plants that grow in the shade too. All of the approaches utilized to supply you with the backyard space that you need are a part of the procedure of landscape design that keeps each plant healthy year round whether it is inactive or in full bloom.
- Published in Landscape Design
Residential Landscape Design
A residential landscape is not just about having a well-tended lawn. A residential landscape is about making a statement and letting your personality shine through for the world to see in a single glance. It is scenery that can make your garden, lawn and yard look sensational and can help it to stand out from the crowd.
Some people have a knack for creating and designing their own landscapes while others need help in this area. If you are one of the latter then you need to hire landscape contractors that can beautify your surroundings and can give your property the appearance that you want it to have.
Landscape designs can be on a large scale or a small scale. It also depends on how much land you have, the ideas you have for it and how elaborate or simple you want it to be. It also has to do with the budget you have for your residential landscape. Regardless of which you choose, it is important that you make some plans before you call the contractors. Have a vision for your landscape and then communicate it to the landscape experts when you schedule a consultation with them.
Talk to a Landscape Designer Before Starting Residential Landscape Design
Mistakes can occur as a result of faulty planning and that is not what you want. If you are new to the world of residential landscapes then you need to do some studying up on the topic. Speak with a local landscape designer about your plans and get some advice from someone who has been in the business for quite some time.
What can you do to create a landscape that is eye catching, well-planned out and simply lovely to behold? Diversity is important. You want to have a landscape that looks great all 12 months of the year. To do this you need to choose an array of plants and flowers that will complement your landscape. Different plants bloom at different times throughout the year and that is why you should carefully choose a variety and spread them out in various areas of your front, back and side lawns. Using only one kind of plant is uniform but also one-dimensional and can be downright boring.
Do you know anyone whose yard is overflowing with ornaments such as ceramic frogs, gnomes and other types of decorating items? There is nothing wrong with having a few of these positioned strategically about your yard, but too many can ruin your residential landscape design because they crowd out other things, such as plants, flowers, and shrubs. Ornamentation is fine, but do it with a light touch. Instead of having a number of small ornaments you might want to choose one or two larger ones.
If you like statues then select modern looking ones as opposed to Greek or Roman ones. White sculptures can work in some yards, but do not blend well in others. Depending upon the colors in your yard a bronze colored statue or sculpture could be a nice touch.
When selecting plants do not just think of the color of them. Consider the environment and select ones that will thrive on your property. Think about the type of soil you have, what areas of the lawn receive the most sun and the ones that receive the most shade, as well as the kind of weather that the region you live in is prone to. From there choose your plants.
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- Published in Landscape Design
Garden Design and Landscape Construction
San Diego Landcare Systems is a Design Build landscape construction firm. We work with you to design and create a landscape that meets and exceeds your expectations.
As a Design Build landscaping company in San Diego we are able to take your project from idea to completion. We do this with our own landscape designers, installers and contractors. This way, you the client are only working with one company throughout the process. For example you may wish to do an entire landscape renovation. You have decided to add a swimming pool, a new patio with a patio cover, an outdoor kitchen and a new look to your garden area. We can do it all! You don’t need to hire a swimming pool builder, stone mason, landscape installer, landscape contractor, patio builder etc.
There are some great advantages to working with one company for design and landscape construction.
- There is continuity from design to completion.
- Scheduling is easier. Your project will be on time.
- Costs are easier to control, saving you money.
- Communication with one project manager is much better than communicating with several.
So What is Landscape Construction?
Landscape construction involves two major categories: Hardscapes and Softscapes.
Hardscapes:
Hardscapes are any man-made or non-living fixtures in your landscape. These include retaining walls, decks, stone pavers, outdoor kitchens, outdoor structures (pergolas, gazebos, cabanas, patio covers), water features (fountains, dry stream beds, waterfalls, swimming pools), fireplaces, outdoor rooms, sitting areas and fencing.
Softscapes:
Softscapes are the live elements of a landscape. These include shrubs, flowers, lawns, plants and trees. Softscapes can also include other organic elements such as soil and compost.
Landscape Design lays out a plan for how the landscape project will be built. It shows location of the various elements and how each is to be arranged. Landscape designers use form, texture, line, scale, balance and color in order to create a functional. pleasing outdoor space.
Landscape Construction is the actual building and landscaping installation of the project. Landscaping projects can be a single item like a fire pit or sitting area to a complete yard makeover. Construction includes the building of pathways, flower beds, walls, restructuring the topography, and all structural design from outdoor kitchens to garden ponds, patios, swimming pools, decks and more.
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- Published in Hardscapes, Landscape Design, Landscaping, Softscapes
Hardscaping San Diego CA
Hardscaping stands for non-living or hard elements, which includes walkways, decks or even ornamental features.
Hardscaping in Garden Design
Hardscapes could be informal or formal, according the preference, style of one’s home and landscape’s surroundings. In hardscaping, textural options should be considered carefully and is given a lot of importance. However, using a single texture can dull the area and make it lifeless. Even so, cluttering with textures can leave it unattractive and crowded.
So how to work out a balance? It is a good idea to go with no more than 2 – 3 textures or hardscape materials. The ones you choose must be appealing to the eyes and compliment and complete the exteriors of your home. Also, consider the drainage system in place, when you are deciding on hardscape elements.
When you plan well, hardscape gardening improves the appeal of your home, not reduce or impair it.
Popular Hardscape Features
Besides decks, patios, driveways and even outside structures, hardscaping options are many.
While paths and walkways are the most common elements in the landscape, pavers, bricks, flagstones, woodchips and other hardscape materials are used to design them.
Also, having walls that include concrete blocks, rocks, railroad tiles or the like are often picked as hardscape features.
Finding hardscaping features like stone or wooden steps or other edging materials within the hardscape garden design isn’t uncommon.
Other Hardscaping Ideas
When picking hardscape features for your home, their purpose and how they will compliment your home’s theme should be considered. Every landscape will need hardscape elements that are meant for a purpose – the purpose you need them for.
For example: You can pick shredded tires for play areas, as they’re soft for kids to play and come in different colors. On the other hand, entertainment or dining areas may need a patio or deck that can hold tables and chairs.
You should also consider backdrops and accessories when picking hardscaping features, as they’re very important part of design elements. For example, a cozy bench can lighten a sitting garden and also offer a cozy seating arrangement.
Water features, ornamental or statuary, can also be considered as hardscape elements.
Using backdrops like fences can be added to your hardscaping plans, as can come in handy as gardening aid for climbers.
Bark, pebbles or even mulch are considered hardscape.
Hardscape landscaping is not very difficult. Planning is all it takes and you could compliment and complete any surroundings and improve the appearance of your yard and home.
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- Published in Hardscapes, Landscape Design
Mediterranean Landscape Design San Diego CA
Mediterranean landscape design is best for California’s climate and way of life.
We identify a Mediterranean climate as one with dry moderate temperature in summers and cool, however not freezing, wet winter seasons. It’s a 2 season climate. The Mediterranean climates are near large bodies of water, such as the Mediterranean sea, which is the dictator of land climate. The sea or ocean keeps land temperatures from freezing in the winter and from getting too hot in the summertime.
Elements of Mediterranean Landscape Design
Mediterranean gardens are best understood for their casual elegance. Inspired by the seaside locations of Spain, Italy and France, Mediterranean landscape design combines informal drought-tolerant plants with formal accents and designs. Terra cotta pots, tiered fountains, shade and shelter, ;local stone, statuary, and bocce ball courts are all hallmarks of Mediterranean gardens. The plant palette of a Mediterranean landscape is made of plants that supply texture, color and structure – think, olive trees, herbs, lavender, cypress trees and ornamental yards.
Native plants can also be a water-wise addition to a Mediterranean landscape design. The key is in selecting natives that are well-adapted to your area and can naturalize easily in your garden. California poppy, monkeyflower (Mimulus), and leopard lily (Lilium pardalinum) shine with this garden theme.
A Mediterranean inspired landscape design will deliver you to another world each time you march outside your door. The smell of the fragrant herbs, the gentle sounds of trickling water and the warm color of terra cotta will certainly make you want to sit and enjoy a glass of wine. All that you may be missing is a view of the sparkling blue ocean.
Icons of the Mediterranean Landscape Design
Because of the ideal environment, individuals of the Mediterranean have lead an outdoor living lifestyle. For hundreds of years they have been gardening, interacting socially and dining outdoors. Three icons of Mediterranean landscape design are: bocce ball courts, tiered fountains and herb gardens.
Bocce ball is an Italian game that goes back to the Roman Empire. Much like lawn bowling, the object is to get your ball closest to the jack. The game is played on a long slim court with 2, 4, 6 or 8 players.
Tiered fountains can be found in almost every European yard and plaza. Rome’s Trevi fountain is probably the most famous in the world. Tiered garden fountains might be relatively basic or covered with detailed carvings and statuaries.
Herb gardens are exceptionally popular worldwide. Throughout the middle ages age, monks and nuns living near the Mediterranean became specialists at growing herbs to make use of for both cooking and medical functions. Today this practice has actually ended up being common for individual households. Having an herb garden permits you to quickly add the fresh tastes of French and Italian cooking to your meals. Find out more about food gardens.
Obviously, it is not crucial to use all these elements in a Mediterranean landscape design, but knowing what they are can help you use age old principles while still being able to customize your outdoor living space.
- Published in Landscape Design
Why Hire a Certified Water Manager in San Diego
Water rates are increasing all over California, due to our state’s rapidly increasing populace putting even more needs on our existing water supplies. Cities and counties are cracking down, issuing new laws and policies like the state’s Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance . This regulation planned to promote outdoor watering effectiveness and reduce runoff. Consumers are beginning to see improved water expenses and are being levied fines for water waste more than ever before. Ron Parks, the owner of San Diego lLandcare Systems, Inc. is a certified water manager and irrigation specialist.
CLCA Certified Water Managers have actually proven they can save water. CLCA Certified Water Managers need to pass a written test to become licensed, finish an irrigation audit and show efficiency at required degrees for one year on real landscape websites, prior to achieving complete credentials condition. There are 2 degrees of CLCA Certified Water Managers, Professional and Basic.
Expert-Level: A CLCA Professional Water Manager have to pass the composed test and manage five properties for one year and remain to manage five properties at or below the water budget developed by the CLCA Water Management Efficiency Program.
Basic-Level: A CLCA Water Manager need to pass the written test and manage a minimum of one property for one year and continue to manage a property at or below the landscape water budget plan developed by the CLCA Water Management Efficiency Program.
Numerous Californians over water their landscapes by more than 50 percent, by utilizing smart choice of vegetation, water conserving irrigation methods, and other water conservation strategies, you can cut down the water use in your home by as much as 60 %! That signifies a big savings on water bills, a clear conscience when it comes to environmental responsibility, and best of all, this type of landscape design means the amount of time you’ll have to squander on maintaining your landscape will be lowered substantially. Efficient water management is not only great for the wallet, it improves landscapes for higher pleasure and adds to greater home values.
Your CLCA Certified Water Manager Can Help:.
- Improve your landscape: over watering result in weeds, vermins, and plant illness.
- Protect your hardscape: fences, concrete, asphalt, etc. erode much faster when subjected to over-spray and runoff.
- Save you cash: Water rates just keep going up.
Saving water saves cash.
Hire a CLCA Certified Water Manager Today!
- Published in Landscaping, Sustainable Landscaping
Call a Sustainable Landscaping Contractor for Your Project
Do you live in the California? Then you must know that how important it is for you to save and conserve water for your future use. Water is a very crucial part of everyone’s life. People need water for various reasons and without it life is, undoubtedly, incomplete. After four years of continuous drought Californians are realizing that their landscaping must change. Landscapes must use less water through use of more sustainable landscape designs.
At San Diego Landcare Systems, Inc. we have the expertise, certification and have spent over thirty years working as a sustainable landscaping contractor. We can turn your yard into a beautiful, useful and relaxing oasis that uses very little water.
How To Save Water with Sustainable Landscapes
There are certain ways by which you can save water. You have to make sure that you are following those methods properly for coping up with the drought. Sustainable landscaping is one of the best ways to save some precious water. It also makes your landscape beautiful as well healthy for your living. Some of the ways are –
- Limit or Eliminate Grass – Grass is one of the biggest sources of wasting water outdoors. The larger the lawn the more time and water is required for upkeep. You may also want to consider synthetic turf or even grasses that require much less water.
- Right Selection of Plants – Selecting the right plant based on their adaptability is very important. That is why drought tolerant plants will always be best for the places like Los Angeles and San Diego. They are resistant to droughts and will not need much water. So, you will need minimal watering for these plants which is a great advantage over the non-native plants. This can result in saving a lot of water.
- Mulch – It is good to use mulch wherever possible as it is extremely good for conserving and saving some water significantly. It actually reduces the evaporation of water or moisture from the soil and also reduces the population of unwanted weeds. It thus reduces soil compaction and keeps the temperature of the soil moderate, thus saving a considerable amount of water.
- Efficient Irrigation – Many people water their landscape more than what is actually needed. With the help of sustainable landscaping one can reduce the excess need of water from irrigation.
Hire a Sustainable Landscaping Contractor
For saving some water you need to call a professional landscape contractor who will help you to get the best out of your landscape while making it fit the climate. Before you hire a professional contractor you have to make sure that you are getting the best. Here are some steps for you to choose a sustainable landscaping contractor –
- Reliable and experienced – A reliable and experienced contractor who has worked with many clients can surely guide you in the best way. You will be able to get the most valuable advice from them as they are experienced and also have enough knowledge regarding these. They can guide you properly how you to do sustainable landscaping and save some significant amount of water.
- Portfolio – Check the portfolio and pictures of the landscape projects they have already done. This will give you a good idea about how are they going to do. If you like their work then it is good for you and you can surely go ahead and hire them for designing your landscape.
- Customer Reviews – Appreciation for the works are often given through feedback from the clients. So, it is must for you to check the reviews and feedback from previous clients. .
- Professional Service – Make sure that the service they are providing is enough for you and covers all your needs. The services include many things like – clearing the land, ensuring adequate drainage, proper irrigation system, speciality gardens, safety measures, promoting environmental health and eliminate excess use of water in the landscaping or gardening.
The best way to cover all your bases is by hiring a design & build landscape contractor who can take your project through the entire process from to deign to construction to completion.. Be sure to choose the best San Diego sustainable landscaping contractor for you that will give you the water efficient yard you desire.
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- Published in Landscape Design, Landscaping, Sustainable Landscaping, water conservation, Xeriscaping
Sustainable Landscaping in San Diego CA
Save Money, Water and Time with Sustainable Landscaping
A sustainable landscape can in fact be less costly and easier to maintain, because it’s designed properly. Far from being a sacrifice, establishing a sustainable landscape can bring you rich rewards and beauty you might not have thought was even possible.
If you reside in a dry and arid environment then your landscaping design is going to take a little more planning than some other parts of the nation. Sustainable landscaping involves utilizing only plants and trees that can endure with much less water than some other plants. There is no point in planting something if it can not sustain itself later on. So spend some time with your landscaping plan and see to it that you have done everything fit to the environment.
Health Benefits of a Sustainable Landscape
Exactly what uses sustainable landscaping friendly plants so great is that not just will these plants succeed even in the hot sun they will likewise have the ability to flourish in poor quality soil. This is a much required quality since places that have a lot sun have the tendency to have bad soil too. So in essence you are eliminating two birds with one stone as they say.
An environmentally friendly backyard, or eco-friendly landscape, needs less chemical treatment and less water. It stands to reason that applying far less fertilizers and chemicals is much more secure for house owners as well as the environment.
The advantages likewise consist of reduced water use and water overflow, and less energy had to cool structures. A study in Arizona discovered that eco-friendly landscapes minimized a/c in homes by 25 percent.
The direct health benefits of a “green” landscape come from cleaner air. Trees, shrubs, and lawn clean the air by sequestering toxins (nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide gas, and dust). These same plants launch oxygen.
One fantastic advantage is time saved. Sustainable native plants require less upkeep, as much as 70 % less time spent on maintaining your garden or backyard.
Combine Native Plants with Hardscapes
Sustainable landscaping frequently focuses much more on hardscapes, like comprehensive stone pathways, gravel flower beds, and mosaic walls, make certain to seek advice from and work with a skilled San Diego area landscaper if you are considering this type of eco-friendly landscape design. At an extreme, you can produce a gorgeous hardscape-based landscape design, which is almost completely comprised of rocks, gravel, and stone, with a few thoroughly placed plants. If your location experiences a lot of drought or water scarcities, this type of landscaping is the very best way to go.
Another great benefit from sustainable landscapes is that they bring in wildlife. Strategy your landscaping utilizing native plantings and you will draw in butterflies and bees, which will certainly then draw in birds and more.
- Published in Landscape Design, Landscaping, water conservation, Xeriscaping
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