Spiral Herb Garden Design avi

Spiral Herb Garden Design.avi

Dean Chichelli from The Nature Learning Center shows how to build a Spiral Herb Garden. For detailed instructions on how to build a Spiral Herb ...

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Which Fire Pits Are Right for Your Home

When you type in "fire pits" into Google, you are returned thousands of results. From WalMart, to Home Depot, to Amazon, to Lowes and so on. But how do you know which fire pit is right for your outdoor living room? The majority of the fire pits you will see on search engines are e-direct purchases that are portable, cast from stainless steel or iron and are inexpensive.



Now I dont mean to be a fire pit snob, but when I see these fire pits for sale in mass quantities, a few things come to mind. A) They are and look cheap, and I dont mean "inexpensive cheap," I mean cheap as in they arent built to last. B) The majority of these portable fire pits are wood burning, so you will be emitting smoke and ash into the environment which is bad. C) Because of the fact these pits burn wood, they are a mess to clean up, embers and ash fly all over the place and you and your guests are inhaling noxious fumes. D) Because these are run-of-the-mill mass produced fire pits, there is nothing unique and special about them that make them a PART of YOUR home and natural landscape design.

So then, what is the purpose of this blog you wonder? Well, I am merely going to present to you a few options that will help make your decision on which fire pit or burning system to install in your backyard? The following are some things to consider:

1) How much space do you have to work with? If you have a large spacious backyard, then why not landscape to create "sections" or mini functioning areas which are designated specific purposes? A kitchen and food prep area next to a grill makes perfect sense along with a bar to sit and rest your drink on while food is being prepared.



2) Create an area for dining and relaxing. Nothing brings people together like sitting around a custom fire pit with room for food, drink and afterwards, kick your feet up and engage in conversation. Fire pits are a natural gathering spot and add ambiance to your evening entertainment.

3) Natural Gas and propane burning systems, versus wood burning, are better for the environment, easier to start and stop and controlling the flame has never been easier. With wood burning pits, you must constantly must monitor the flame, during lighting, while burning and when attempting to extinguish the flame. In fact, embers from wood burning fire pits can burn for hours after you think that the main fire has been put out. The advantage to gas and propane fire pits are that you can turn them on and off with the flip of a switch or turn of a key valve and you have confidence that the fire is either on or off. Finally, you can control the height and output of the flame to achieve the exact amount of heat and flame that you are going for.



4) Warming Trends Crossfire Burner System out performs all other conventional fire ring systems on the market. By mixing a precise air to gas ratio, the Crossfire Burner achieves TWICE the height of the flame while burning only HALF the fuel. This saves you money in the long term. Also, utilizing gas or propane means you do not have to store wood, keep it dry and avoid spiders and snakes when you go to grab wood to toss in your fire pit.



5) If you feel that your backyard or patio is not large enough to to install a custom fire pit, or that your budget doesnt meet the requirements to do so, another idea is to install tiki torches to add accent lighting to your outdoor entertainment space. Tiki torches are a fantastic alternative to fire pits as you can place them in several locations to show off garden plants, trees and shrubs with the natural ambient light that tiki torches put off.

If you are in the works to enhance your backyard or patio, then please contact us adn well be happy to help you with all of your home improvement needs.

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landscape design drawings

Architecture is really a famous organization sector today. It requires powerful means to supply decent constructing architectural results. Architectural style drawings tend to be widely used within Architecture niche for various factors. They are the 1st choice of virtually any professional that is certainly related with Constructing Architecture.

Executive design paintings are specially created for understanding different building design and style specifications. Theyre technical paintings of any constructing structure and so are prepared according to International Suggestions of Building Buildings. Architectural layout drawings are of help to designers and constructors for different reasons such as my partner and i) to prepare developing design the second) to convey style ideas and also technical aspects iii) to only explain what you look for to design.

Architectural- layout drawings can be explained as building paintings that follow group of conventions, such as particular sights (floor strategy, section and many others.), sheet dimensions, units involving measurement as well as scales, annotation and also cross referencing. These kinds of factors are necessary as far as idea of building design and style and dimensions specifications have concerns. According to these kind of, one can quickly develop creating construction technique and can undoubtedly get wanted building construction.

examples landscape design drawings

Architecture design and style - images have their very own area of significance; some of them are usually as adhere to:
-Interior Design Images
-Building architecture paintings
-Architectural drawings penning
-Architectural perspective paintings
-Landscape design : drawings
-Three sizing drawings
-Architectural Computer-aided-design drawings
-Technical sketches design

Relieve in generation and comfort inside implementation : makes these executive design -- drawings greater and potent option throughout Architecture Business. Proper usage of such might be vital in a architecture organization.

landscape design construction drawings

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Stone Masonry perfect fit!

Yes folks, yet another reoccurring theme in my blog posts; excellent stone masonry work! When a true craftsman puts his hands to a stone wall, I cannot help but stare and admire it.

This past summer I was working on a landscape design for a custom home project built by a friend of mine, John Sever of Sever Homes, Custom Design and Build . The interesting thing for me was that I had ventured onto the job site to take pictures of the surrounding property so I could begin my design concept for the landscape plan...

Instead of focusing on the task at hand, my eyes were drawn to the stonework that was happening around the home itself. I snapped these pictures in admiration and decided to post them today to share with you... Once in a while you will see stone masonry projects where your eyes go immediately to mistakes in the stone layout, or forgotten corners of stone pieces that should have been chiseled smooth instead of left razor sharp. Ive even seen cases where mortar is falling out of joints on a 2 year old house that is valued at about 1.5 million!...that to me would be like buying a Ferrari and having the wheel bolts shear off the first time you drive it....

Well, none of that scariness was evident on this project!... The masons took their time and poured their hearts into their craft as they put this exterior together. It was a pleasure to watch them work and always a pleasure to see what details John creates in his new home projects.... John will always demand good quality work from his trades when building a home... I do the same in my landscapes and that is why I like working with him, makes for a perfect fit.

The stone used here is a mixture of Dani stone mixed with Ebel stone... The Masons technique is to mimic the style of stonework you would see on structures in the old parts of Downtown Toronto and in other various parts of Ontario where Credit Valley stone was used about 100 years ago.

The home is near complete and the landscape will be finished this spring... I will be sure to visit once everything is done and photograph it all for a future post update...

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Importance Of Landscape Design

Importance of landscape design

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PROSPECT REFUGE THEORY

Why do we appreciate certain landscape design and shun others?

Prospect-Refuge theory is a concept established by Jay Appleton in his 1975 text - The Experience of Landscape.  (Rather expensive, if you can locate it!)  His idea is that human aesthetic experience of landscape is based on perceptions that are evolved for survival.  The concept is rooted in evolutionary psychology.  On one hand you have places to hide, versus areas which are escape routes, places with a clear view.

Appleton predicts that within a given landscape preferred locations are found at interfaces between prospect-dominant and refuge-dominant areas . These vantage points combine unimpeded visual prospects with a ready opportunity for concealment and/or withdrawal to a safe refuge. Thus a treeless landscape is less visually attractive than a habitat containing isolated trees that can provide opportunities to hide or escape from potential predators.  

Landscapes that enable prospect while providing refuge are considered  desirable when designing the sensory driven landscape.

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Give Your Garden An Expert Touch With A Landscape Designer

Who doesnt desire of seeing a beautifully crafted and delightfully blossoming Garden on opening the windows on early mornings? The sight of fresh leaves & petals, gorgeous colors and sweet scent magnetize all. But the rushing schedules do not allow most to invest hours of hard work and care to craft the Garden of their dreams. Others, though with ample time, find it challenging to design and create something which they can call their dream Garden. This is where a professional Landscape Designer comes into picture. Be it designing, creating or sustaining your outdoor spaces/Gardens, they can do it all. Apart from cutting on your efforts, Expert Designers bring along a number of benefits:

Well versed with fundamental design concepts - Professional Designers know it all. Be it climate, soil texture, variety of plants (endemic & exotic) or color balance - their knowledge encompass every aspect related to Gardens.

Which climate is best for growing what plants, which soil type will suit a particular plant type, how to regenerate the nutrient content of dying soil, which plant varieties look good together, which plants need special care and when, how to grow and space flowering & non-flowering plants so as to get perfect color balance in the Garden - all this and more is known to these professionals. So, when they are around you need not worry about anything. Imagine how relaxing that can be!

Creativity at its best - All that you can think of, a Landscape Designer can create. With numerous ideas, he/she can even give shape & fill colors to your imagination in designing Garden of your desire.

Whether you want your Garden to be a place to relax or as a recreational area; whether
you just want a huge Designer lawn with few exotic flowers or a rich collection of variety of flowering & decorative species; whether you are looking forward to topiaries or pergola designs - a professional Designer can do it for you, all with an immense flavor of creativity. With a blend of living and non-living elements he/she can transform your Garden to be an element of desire & envy among the neighbors.

Guidance not just in beginning, but till the end - Creating a dream Garden is not difficult, maintaining it is! But with Expert help, even maintenance does not pose problems. Professional Designers do not restrict their services to designing, but extends them to building and sustaining of Gardens as well. They offer a range of services which, if taken as a package, can ensure a zero-anxiety Garden for you.

Enhanced property value - Who wouldnt be ready to pay extra for a professionally crafted land? A quality Landscape design augments your property value as it adds curb appeal and a larger living space. Moreover, a professional Landscape Designer knows how to make use of your existing space to create not only a gorgeous but also a functional area that can be enjoyed & desired by all.

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Home Landscape Design

Home landscape design

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Peltophorum

Peltophorum
A genus of 8 species of stately trees native to tropical regions around the world.
They prefer full sun on moist, well drained soil. Protect trees from wind during the first few years. Propagation from seed is easy if the seeds are soaked in water before sowing.

Peltophorum africanum
A fast growing, spreading, drought deciduous, medium-sized tree, that is native from tropical to southern Africa. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 5+ feet; 2 years - 8 feet; 4 years - 15 feet; 12 years - 19 feet; largest on record - 50 x 50 feet with a trunk diameter of 4 feet. It makes for an excelletn shade tree in Los Angeles, California.
The bipinnate leaves, up to 18 inches in length, are composed of oblong leaflets, up to 0.3 inches in length. The foliage is green.
The leafstalks and rachis are red-brown and hairy.
The bright yellow flowers are borne on axilliary clusters during summer.
They are followed by dark brown, leathery, flat pods, up to 4 inches in length, ripening during fall and persisting into winter.
The timber is valuable for carving.
Hardy zones 9b to 12. Drought tolerant.
The lower limbs often need to be removed to get a tree you can walk under.

Peltophorum dubium
A very stately large evergreen tree, that is native to the Brazilian rainforests.
Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 4 feet with a trunk diameter increase of 0.6 inches; 2 months - 3 feet; 5 years - 13 x 8 feet; 2 years - 20 feet; 10 years - 25 feet; largest on record - 82 x 82 feet with a trunk diameter of 6 feet.
The pinnate leaves, up to 18 inches in length, are composed of oblong leaflets, up to 0.5 inches in size. The foliage is glossy mid-green.
The yellowish-orange flowers are borne on large terminal panicles, up to 24 inches in length, during summer or the rainy season.
They are followed by flat, hairy brown pods that contain 2 to 3 seeds.
Hardy zones 9b to 12. Very drought tolerant.



Peltochorum pterocarpa ( Yellow Poinciana )
A fast growing, spreading, very large, semi-evergreen to evergreen tree, that is native to Malaysia, Indonesia and far northern Australia.
Some records include; 3 years - 30 feet; largest on record - 170 x 125 feet with a trunk diameter of 6 feet.
The bipinnate leaves, up to 24 inches in length, are composed of many leaflets, up to 1 inch in size. The foliage is green.
The profuse, fragrant, yellow flowers, up to 2 inches across, are borne on racemes, up to 24 inches in length, during summer or the beginning of the rainy season. Flowering often begins as early at the 4th year.
They are followed by leathery, flat, brown pods, up to 4 inches in length, ripening during early autumn or the start of the dry season.
The young stems are covered in rusty red hairs.
Hardy zones 9 to 12 requring deep moist soil. Tolerant of flooding.

* photos taken on Jan 11 2011 @ Deerfield Beach Arboretum, Florida

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How To Transplant An Established Tree

I recently had a client email me asking for advice about how to move a relatively established tree. In moving any plant, there is always a risk that the plant wont survive. So of course, the best advice is to plan ahead, before you plant.

Flowers of the beautiful Halleria lucida tree

Do some research. Find out how big, how wide, how messy, and how deep the roots will grow when fully grown. The ideal is that you would never have to move a tree once its planted...BUT thats not always possible - circumstances change, and its not always possible to predict the future with any kind certainty.

Moving plants is always a matter of minimising risk - there are no foolproof ways of doing it. And every situation, species, and tree are different...sometimes, I think there is even an element of intuition involved.

But there are some things that you can do to reduce the risk of losing a plant that has been transplanted. Here is my reply to her, giving advice about how to move a particularly delicate tree:

1. Dig the root ball out as deep as possible, and then slightly deeper still (basically a trench all around the tree - leaving as much soil around the roots as is possible that you can still physically move),
2. Trim off about a third of the leaves.
3. Leave the plant in place for about 2 weeks to let it get used to having less roots, but all the time giving the roots a little bit of extra water on the root ball as compensation.
4. In about 2 weeks time, get your hole ready, measured and dug,
5. Water the plant and the new location thoroughly.
6. Trim off at least half the remaining leaves,
7. Move the plant as quickly and carefully as possible keeping as much soil around the roots as possible.
8. Try to position it in the same orientation that it was in its previous position.
9. Firm the soil down around the roots and try to wash soil down into any gaps that may have inadvertently formed, (Im not a big fan of using fertilizers when planting unless your soil is terrible, but even then I would rather use copious compost instead)
10. And then leave it for a week or two...it doesnt have much in the way of roots so dont over water.
11. Then wait - it may lose a few more leaves, or even a branch - losing leaves is not a big deal, but keep an eye on the stem. If you notice any rot, then you can trim off the dying branch/trunk and paint the cut section with a tree sealant.
12. Then wait some more...sometimes I have given up hope on plants that look dead for a year or two, and then suddenly they come back...

Generally speaking, the smaller the tree the easier it will be to move. Also, if it was originally planted from a bag as opposed to self seeded, it will transplant easier. Ive also found that trees transplant a lot easier in Autumn.

Weigh up the costs of losing a tree as opposed to keeping it in a place where its not ideal - Is it really worth it?

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JOY Of LOVE Day 11

JOY of LOVE : day 11

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Cheap Landscaping Ideas For Front and Backyard Designs

There are many Cheap Landscaping Ideas that will still create wonderful front and Backyard Designs. Now when I see "Cheap", thats not what I really mean. I should have said inexpensive. There isnt any part of the landscape where you cant reduce the costs creatively.

Patios and Walkways - Some Cheap Landscaping Ideas

If you have looked at the more expensive hardscape materials such as brick, bluestone and other natural stone, you are considering the more expensive paving stones. Yes, they can be very beautiful, but thats not to say you cant still have a beautiful patio or walkway design. Concrete pavers are less expensive than the above choices. Even less costly than pavers is concrete. Consider adding color to the concrete mix for some additional interest.
Retaining Walls

Landscape retaining walls can get very expensive. Costs are estimated by the square foot of one side, but six inches is added on in height for the part of the wall that is built beneath the ground. As an example, if you have a wall that is twenty feet long and two feet high, the square footage would be fifty feet. If you are considering two materials and there is a twenty dollar price difference, thats one thousand dollars.

If you are looking to install an inexpensive wall, I would suggest some of the decorative concrete block walls. The plainer they are, the Cheaper they will be. You might want to go one step up and choose one of the "mosaic" styles for a bit of a more natural look.

Plantings

Always go for good quality. Where you can save money is in the size of the plants. Some plants, such as perennials, are so fast growing that it hardly matters. Even those plants that grow more slowly will eventually be their mature size. A shrub that will grow to a maximum of four feet will get there no mater what size it starts out at. Of course, we dont want to be ridiculous here! Start with a size that is smaller than perhaps you would really like but still look attractive.

Outdoor Fencing

Do you have woods on your property? Consider using black chain link fencing in or near the woods as it will just blend into your surroundings. You can also use less expensive fencing anywhere and plant heavily in front of it to camouflage it.

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tropical landscaping ideas florida

Creating a landscaping design for the yard is often rather the venture. When expertise is limited, it is still possible to develop a great search. Whether its a grasp gardener looking for inspiration or possibly a complete beginner, there are some excellent places to consider landscaping ideas.

Before also seeking out landscaping ideas, it is not a bad idea to take into consideration a few things beforehand. These things can greatly effect the types of concepts that can really be brought straight into play:

tropical landscaping ideas florida

 The size of the spot involved. A new front path garden may require a completely different type of landscaping prepare than a whole front yard or perhaps backyard. Modest porch backyards, too, may have very special things to consider.

* How big the budget. Landscaping could possibly get very expensive. Just before aspiring to see different landscaping ideas, it is not a bad idea setting a budget which is reasonable. Explore what types of crops might suit that spending budget, too.

- What type of backyard is wanted. While the far more specific specifics of this will be fleshed by helping cover their the landscaping ideas, developing a rough notion of what kind of backyard is preferred can really help slowly move the way. Rock and roll gardens, by way of example, can be very distinct creations compared to those with waters and exhilarating experiences.

* Physical location. The worlds very best landscaping ideas for a Sarasota climate is not going to likely operate very well pertaining to Alaska. It is vital to ensure that virtually any landscaping ideas sources viewed are distinct for the location in question.

Which has a better notion of what is sought after and how significantly can be invested, its time to take a look at some of the best options for landscaping ideas. Some the top places to change for place specific suggestions include:

 The Internet. Websites are often packed with some fantastic ideas for landscaping in different areas and environments. From what sorts of plants may grow to many wonderful suggestions for design, web sites can offer great advice.

 Nurseries. Seed nurseries are usually staffed along with very well-informed people who are willing to help offer customers tips on landscaping design and more.

1 . Extension services. Local expansion service office buildings provide some very nice, free practical information on learning more about landscape design and also proper plant life for personal climates. They sometimes are even ready to help men and women decide which vegetation is right for which in turn conditions.

1 . Books. Numerous landscaping ideas that work well for many conditions are available in region certain gardening textbooks. Local your local library and garden clubs frequently have these readily available and might actually offer another sources of information, too.

Creating a wonderful landscaping design isnt always effortless. When several proper preparing goes into the amalgamation and the proper plants are picked for the circumstances, it is possible pertaining to virtually one to have a healthy looking yard. While searching for solid landscaping ideas, make sure to look for suggestions that will truly work in the required location. From climate and also soil situations to lighting effects available must come into play.

landscaping ideas florida yards

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Yorkshire Sculpture Park 4

This is the last post featuring photographs of my recent visit to Yorkshire Sculpture Park. The majority of pictures show the parkland at YSP, with a few of Sophie Ryder’s sexy rabbits!

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