Are you making the most of your small outdoor space?

by admin | Jun 28, 2018 | Uncategorized

Not all yards are created equal. Some outdoor spaces are smaller than others, but having a small yard does not mean it can’t look great. There are things you can do to make a small outdoor space not only look bigger, but have great curb appeal. Some of these include using the space wisely, utilizing space off the ground and implementing dual-purpose features.

Use Space Wisely

A great way to save space and create the appearance of a larger yard is to create zones. Grouping furniture, plants or flowers together can give the space a modular look and make it appear more spacious.
Use lines. Long, straight lines can trick the eye into seeing more space than there is. To take advantage of this, plant rows of shrubbery or flowers and slightly slant them toward a focal point at the end of the yard, such as a fence or even The Dirty1 Bird decorative septic vent cover.
Using a focal point with slightly slanted lines create the illusion that more space exists than there actually is.
Utilize Space Off The Ground.
Floor space is sparse, but there’s plenty of air space to utilize for a great looking outdoor area.
Use hanging plants or vines growing vertically. They will help spruce up the area without taking up the precious ground space. Having more color and plants growing will create the sense of a larger space.

Implement Dual-Purpose Features

Do not feel locked into using a furniture set as a standalone feature. Combining features, such as furniture and potted plants, within a zone is a great way to create a cozy yard.
In larger yards, everything has its own space, but a landscaping tip for small yards is to combine features. Just because there is not room for a furniture area and a gazebo with hanging plants, does not mean you can’t have them.
If a gazebo fits in the yard, put up the hanging plants inside it, then put in a bench in it. Now there are all the features of a larger yard in one intimate space.

Combining features like this, or utilizing things for dual-purposes, such as using lawn furniture as the focal point of the slanted rows of plants, will make any small yard feel larger.

Xeriscaping is the Answer to Gardening

by admin | Jun 19, 2018 | Uncategorized

Everyone wants their home to look nice, but sometimes watering and maintaining a garden proves too difficult or not worth the hassle. If this is what keeps your home from having the curb appeal you desire, then xeriscaping may be for you!

What is Xeriscaping?

Xeriscaping is landscaping and gardening that reduces or eliminates the need for supplemental water from irrigation. It is promoted in regions that do not have easily accessible, plentiful, or reliable supplies of fresh water, and is gaining acceptance in other areas as access to water becomes more limited. Xeriscaping may be an alternative to various types of traditional gardening.

Where does it work best?

While it’s best for arid climates that don’t receive enough rain or are subject to droughts, your lack of interest in watering could be considered drought conditions. Many in large cities may find themselves under water bans in the warm months, subjecting themselves to fines if they water their yards or flower beds. Regardless of your reasoning, xeriscaping is a great way to have the look you want.

What kind of plants are right for Xeriscaping?

The plants that qualify for xeriscaping are drought-resistant and include olive, peppermint, purple sage, and lavender. The Landscaping Network has a full list of drought resistant plants.

How is it done?

Once you’ve chosen the xeriscaping plants for your yard, there are a few things to keep in mind.

While watering regularly isn’t necessary, keeping the plants’ roots moist is a must. Some ways to maintain that moisture include:
- installing a drip irrigation system to water the root directly
- replace soil to accommodate the deep-reaching roots of the plants
- using mulch to keep moisture in the ground
Another thing to keep in mind is that some xeriscaping plants go dormant during some of thesummer months. Because of this, the shrub you planted may not be at its “spring finest” when you host that Fourth of July barbecue. Proper levels of moisture in the soil may prevent the dormant stage, but some plants are more prone to taking a summer nap than others.

Research is important in this area. Each species of plant behaves differently. Check out the list of

xeriscaping species and choose the ones that work best for your needs and watering schedule.

Some birds whistling around The Dirty Bird septic vent cover in the flower bed could be the perfect compliment to your xeriscape plants.

It’s Time You Give Yourself a Flower Garden!

by admin | Jun 11, 2018 | Uncategorized

A Flower Garden is the Perfect Thing!

Now that the weather is warm and being outside just feels right, a flower garden may be the thing to make your yard feel like an extension of your home. A garden creates an inviting space for friends, kids, and even birds and insects.

First things first

You’ll need to create a space for a flower bed. Flowers need…

Good soil
Plenty of water
Sunlight.

Put down a nice bed of soil in a spot that will get the required sunlight, but make sure it’s not in a place that is too tricky to water. A great spot to plant a garden is around your Dirty Bird septic cover.

Now you’re ready for flowers

Although prime planting season is the beginning of spring, there are plenty of options for planting in the summer. You can venture to your local nursery or home improvement store and load up on flowers that are in bloom, or pick up seeds of flowers that will bloom in the fall.

Fall-blooming flowers include pansies, nasturtiums and calendula. If you want something flowering now, grab some annuals or perennials that are in bloom. The downside of the latter is they won’t be in bloom for more than another month or two, but the bright side is they’ll be back next year. Fall flowers will start to grow and bloom later, but your flower garden will appear rather bare while you wait. Perhaps the best option is to fill your flower garden with some of each and enjoy great color throughout most of the year.

The hard work begins

There are a number of needs your flower garden requires, and the chores will keep you plenty busy. Mulching will need to be replenished to help regulate the temperature of the soil. Summer heat can destroy plants if the soil is allowed to boil. Watering may be a daily chore for your flower garden depending on the plants you choose. Some need daily watering while others require a drink less frequently, so buy plants that fit your availability for watering and don’t neglect the plants’ needs. Weeds are also a big chore to keep in check. Whether you pull them or spray them, you’ll want to keep tabs on these leafy pests in order to keep them in check.

Final steps

All your flower garden needs now is someone to enjoy it and maybe a little flower fertilizer to help growth. You’ve put in the work to get the flower garden started and perform the maintenance necessary to keep it looking great, so go outside and enjoy it. Sit on the lawn or porch, read a book and sip some lemonade or tea and enjoy the space that you made more beautiful — well, you and Dirty Bird for hiding that embarrassing septic vent.