How you adorn your yard is a statement of how well you care for your property. Of course, there are endless design schemes you can incorporate that make your landscape the envy of the neighborhood. Lawn water features are one way of decorating your yard. This will surely create a stunning outdoor setting that will turn heads. You can make the exterior section of your property the focal point by following these water-centric design tips.

1. Select Your Feature

Water feature designs are boundless. It’s important to first select a primary feature. Ideas include a pond, waterfall, or fountain to list a few. From here, additional and secondary features become much easier to select. The main feature can also be a combination of more than one element, such as a waterfall with the water flowing into a pond.

2. Add Plants and Stones

While water features alone are awesome, add variety with an assortment of plants and stone decorative elements. This adds flare and style to an already eye-catching feature. Various foliage and stone types go well with the scene of running or still water. Continue Reading →

Are you setting up holiday decorations for your lawn? It’s a good idea to use this occasion to perform winter lawn care for your Issaquah home. Some yard work is best performed during this season. Learn which lawn maintenance projects are ideal and will really help your landscape stand out and be the envy of the neighborhood.

Thatch and Aerate Your Lawn

Fall is a good time to aerate your yard. It’s best to do this job when the grass is in the midst of growing. Summer isn’t a good time as the heat makes the grass less active; summer aerating may lead to lawn damage.

Dethatching involves debris removal from all the mowing done over the summer. This enables the grass to breathe, so to speak. By removing grass clippings and boring holes into the soil, it becomes significantly easier for the lawn to absorb water and nutrients. Compact soil inhibits nutrient and moisture intake, leading to brown and decaying grass. Continue Reading →

Landscaping is an all-encompassing term that actually describes two elements of lawn care: softscaping and hardscaping. The former refers to vegetation, including the grass, trees, etc. Hardscaping, on the other hand, refers to “hard” features. This includes masonry, decks, gazebos, and more. If you’re in the midst of remodeling the outdoor portion of your property, then incorporating hardscaping features is an investment that can really contribute to your home’s curb appeal for many years to come. Here are some common forms of hardscaping prevalent around Lynnwood.

1. Retaining Walls

Retaining walls are a terrific means of adding function and charm to your lawn, particularly if your house is situated on a hill or sloped landscape. These walls are constructed from stone or brick and hold back soil and water.

2. Patios

A patio is a great way to add an outdoor living space with a solid form of flooring. Consider a patio with a concrete, brick, or flagstone floor. You can further enhance the space with outdoor furniture, a fire pit, or even a fully functioning outdoor kitchen. Continue Reading →

Is your house perched on a slope? If it is, you may want to consider the installation of retaining walls. This is a  landscaping element that has advantages beyond cosmetic value. Learn of the retaining wall benefits and how the feature can be a worthwhile investment that pays itself off in the long term.

1. Provides Lawn Functionality

Retaining walls can prevent water and soil intrusion. This makes the walls a beneficial feature for properties located on a hill or sloped landscape. The presence of retaining walls also makes a nice addition to spaces allotted for gardening.

2. Require Little Maintenance

Upon installation from a professional landscaper, the retaining walls require little maintenance. They are also quite sturdy and only need repairs once in a blue moon. This means a highly functional and visually charming landscape element that doesn’t demand your time and attention. Along with artificial grass, these are features that make your lawn far less cumbersome to tend to.

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Fall is here. This is the season to really be mindful of lawn maintenance to get the landscape ready for the upcoming winter. One way the homeowner can care for the yard is by raking and removing the leaves. People think raking the leaves is for purely aesthetic purposes, but it has a functional purpose as well. Learn the basics of fall lawn care and why it warrants homeowner attention.

Why Leaf Removal Is Important

When there are excess leaves on the floor, the leaves become a barrier that blocks the sunlight and deprives the growing seeds of much-needed light. In addition, when it rains, the leaves become soggy, paving the way for mold and mildew growth. On top of that, should it snow, the snow becomes a second barrier on top of the leaves that block even more essential light. Continue Reading →

Is your house situated on a hill or sloping property? If so, it can be a nuisance to move around the exterior of your home. It may be time to contemplate collaborating with a landscaping company about installing landscape steps or stairs for your Kirkland home. Consider these factors when making this renovation.

1. What Purpose Do the Steps or Stairs Serve?

What’s the purpose of having steps or stairs for a sloping lawn or yard? Do having them make it easier to traverse the property? Does it prevent your grass from getting tromped on? Do they provide a direct path to an area like the patio or deck area? What’s the value in terms of aesthetic appeal?

2. Is Accessibility an Issue?

Accessibility is certainly a factor to think about. If the slope is quite long and steep, the design should utilize bigger slabs or periodic landings. Your professional landscaper can make recommendations after evaluating your outdoor surroundings.

3. Do I Need Additional Lighting?

You may need extra lighting fixtures depending on the location of the steps/stairs. Lighting plays a huge role in both safety and cosmetic design, especially if you plan on using the lawn a lot during nighttime.  Continue Reading →

As a property owner, maintaining your yard can feel like a full-time job. Instead of sacrificing your weekend or putting the work on the back-burner, perhaps it’s time to hire a professional landscaper. If you’re skeptical about outside help, here are a few reasons why outsourcing to a landscaping company may prove to be beneficial.

1. Landscapers Know Landscaping

As implied in the job title, landscapers are good at landscaping. They have the knowledge and hands-on experience to handle all lawn types, from maintenance to a complete renovation.

2. Professionals Have the Right Equipment

Even if you’re quite knowledgeable yourself about lawn care, you may not have the tools needed for the job. Not all required equipment can be obtained at your local garden store. Contractors have the commercial equipment to perform the task far more accurately and in a fraction of the time.

3. Certified Landscapers Can Follow Code

Even though it’s your property, you may not be able to renovate the lawn however you wish. If your home is part of a homeowner’s association, you may have to abide by a community code or guidelines. Contractors can perform all renovation and maintenance work according to the rules, so you don’t end up getting penalized and hit with a hefty fine. Continue Reading →

Summer is the ideal time of year to renovate your yard or patio. Break out the grill for a barbecue or prep the deck for an evening luau. Before making any plans, consult with your landscaper for some summer landscaping ideas. Use this season to make the outdoor portion of your property stand out from the rest of the neighborhood.

1. Plant a Variety of Flowers and Plants

The first thing you’ll want to do is discuss the types of plants and flowers you wish to grace your yard. Your local landscaping company can make recommendations. You’ll learn which plant and flower variety are ideal in terms of aesthetics and ease of maintenance.

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Have you decided that you want to spend more time outdoors? A fire pit installation will make the time spent outside far cozier and more welcoming. A fire pit is available in many styles and variations. To get the installation going, there are many facets to consider before speaking to a local landscaper. Here are four variables to think about.

1. Cost of Materials and Installation

The cost of a fire pit installation varies depending on factors like materials and size. Also, if you install a fire pit, then you may also want to consider other additions as well, such as extra seating and an outdoor kitchen. Think about how these will be factored into your budget and plan accordingly.

2. Fire Pit Location

Where you choose to install the fire pit is a big decision. It’s important that it’s not too close to any flammable materials. Generally, it’s best to position a fire pit in an open space. This is especially the case in regions like Issaquah that are prone to high winds. Continue Reading →

Since your yard is visible to neighbors, it’s not a part of your property you want to ignore. Curb appeal and landscaping are just as important as your home interior. However, lawn maintenance requires frequent upkeep, not to mention it can also be time-consuming and labor-intensive. One way to drastically cut down on manual care is to install an irrigation system. Here are a few reasons a sprinkler system is a smart investment.

1. Increases Home Value

Irrigation systems definitely add value to your property. Even if you have no plans at the moment to put your home on the market, it’s always a good idea to make renovations that increase property value. Home buyers will be impressed by newly installed irrigation systems, no doubt.

2. Less Time Commitment

A huge advantage of irrigation systems is that they’re automated. This saves hours of work from having to manually water the lawn using a hose or watering can. Automated sprinklers perform the entire watering work. Continue Reading →