The Benefits Of Landscaping

It is horrible to stay in a well-designed home and leave your backyard looking all bushy and messed up. Most homeowners would love to have a yard that they can enjoy with when they have guests over or want to relax and enjoy the weekend breeze. For your lawn to remain healthy and good-looking, you need to maintain it. Some of the simple maintenance tasks can be done over the weekend, but you may have to call over a professional after some time. Read below and find out some of the benefits of landscaping;

 

Landscaping Benefits

 

Boost’s Property

Good landscaping improves the value of any property in many ways. First, it involves keeping the lawn, flower bed and trees in good health and when you want to sell such a home, you can use that as bargaining power and ask for a higher price. Well, it is valid to do so since it will appeal to a prospective buyer and they will like the property even before they get to the actual building. A buyer knows that buying a home with a well-kept lawn means that they won’t need to invest more money in a landscaper but just take over the maintenance.

Environmental Benefits

You might not be aware of this, but landscaping has a significant impact on the environment. Industrialization has led to much pollution, and you can see this from the way industrialized areas struggle to grow any plants. Such effects can be fixed by landscaping and nourishing the soil and then planting after cleaning up the area. Landscaping also helps to reduce stormwater runoff by reducing local flooding in the area. Another benefit is that it reduces soil erosion that may affect your property and keeps the soil nourished. If you have a well-landscaped yard, you will definitely be enjoying your stay there as the air will be fresh and your little ecosystem will be perfectly balanced. This will make your home healthier as it will be free from pollutants and you won’t have to worry about anything when your children step out to play in the yard.

Cost Effective

If you buy a home with a yard that is run down, you can look at the price being charged by your professional landscaper and think that it is not worth it. Well, landscaping from the word go can help you to save some money later on. It has been mentioned that a beautiful yard should be well maintained, but this is usually done after a professional has leveled the ground level and planted strategically in the garden. After this, you won’t be required to spend any money on landscaping and could maintain the yard by yourself. You will manage to keep your garden looking nice without having to pay a lot.

Some benefits of landscaping have been highlighted, and you should consider hiring a professional landscaper to tune your garden if it has been neglected. Keep in mind that one can not transform their garden overnight and it will take some time before the lawn grows and other plants. However, the critical part is keeping up with the instructions given by the professional and not forgetting to execute your duties such as watering and trimming the plants regularly.

from Peninsula Pavers https://peninsulapavers.com/blog/the-benefits-of-landscaping/

Traverse City Michigan Tourism Options To Consider

If you have ever been to the state of Michigan before, you should consider visiting an area called Traverse City. It is close to the shores of Lake Michigan, toward the northern tip of Michigan adjacent to Traverse Bay. There are many activities that a tourist can participate in while they are there. Whether you are looking for tours that you can go on, restaurants, or boat and water sports that you can do, all of this is available. If you are traveling during the spring and summer, you will have access to some of the best activities in the state of Michigan in this city.

Tourism In Traverse City Michigan

Tourism in this area is quite extensive. It attracts a wide range of people. For some, it is about merely experiencing life in a city where you are close to large bodies of water. You can do fishing out in Traverse Bay, or head over to they can Michigan to do the same. There are also many places that you can taste wine and beer, tours that you can take which you will always remember.

Tours That You Can Go On

One of the best tours that you can go on is going to be Traverse City Tours LLC. They are going to take you to multiple vineyards throughout the area, similar to many of the other companies that offer related services. All of them have excellent reviews. Not only will you get to sample wine but also taste some of the best beer in the industry. If you would prefer seeing this region from a boat, you can go on either Tall Ship Manitou – Day Tours or one of the many others that will take you out into the water. This particular boat tours is beautiful because there are sails, giving you a taste of how the early explorers must’ve felt coming into this area. Finally, you can try out the adrenaline and extreme tours like Flyboard TC which allows you to hover over the water on a jet of water that puts you several feet in the air.

Charters And Boating Excursions

This particular area is well-known for bass fishing. If this is something you have always wanted to do, many companies can take you out on the water to help you capture first one. Some of the best ones include Daydreamer Fishing Charter Services, and Big Kahuna Charters, both of which are going to be well worth your time and money. If you have never gone on a fishing boat before, you will be surprised at how easy this is to get used to. As long as you don’t get seasick, you are going to have a fantastic time with these skilled fishermen and professional boats that will have all of the equipment that you can use.

These are just a few ideas to consider when you get to Traverse City if you are a tourist. It is a place that attracts people that enjoy wine, beer, and fishing. As long as you are traveling during the spring and summer months, you will have plenty of time to experience all of this. It’s one of the most beautiful locations in the state of Michigan.

 

source: http://www.peninsulapavers.com/blog/traverse-city-michigan-tourism-options-to-consider/

How To Choose The Right Landscape Rock For Your Project

If there is one thing that all homeowners are interested in, it’s having the best-looking home that they possibly can. Often, it’s more than just a matter of producing curb appeal; it’s a matter of having something you can be proud of and leave a mark on the neighborhood that is positive. Although there are many different ways to accomplish this, it is often the landscaping that makes the primary difference.

Landscaping can take on many different forms, and there is always going to be something different from one property to another. One factor that may need to be considered at some point, however, are the rocks that are used. In fact, choosing the proper landscaping rocks can make a difference in the finished product and can even help to shape the way that the entire project moves forward.

Some factors can be considered when choosing landscape rock that will allow you to be happy with the project. Make the right choice, and you will find that everything seems to blend in with it. Make the wrong decision, and it can stick out like a sore thumb. Here are some of the factors to keep in mind.

Size

Perhaps one of the more important things to consider when choosing a landscape rock is going to be the size of the rock itself. In some cases, you may want to make a bold statement by including a large boulder in the middle of the property. In some parts of the world, this is a rather easy thing to do, and boulders may be readily available. In other parts of the world, however, you may need to have one shipped in if you want something specific.

Having more massive rocks in the landscaping is going to benefit you by having something that stands out. Smaller stones can also be of benefit in landscaping, but typically, they are for pathways, driveways and for around flowerbeds.

Shape

many different shapes can be considered when it comes to landscape rocks. Some of them are going to be tall and vertical, and others may be flat, reclining or perhaps an arch. Each of these is going to make a difference in the way that your property looks when they are put into place. Choose the rock according to where you put it. Giant rocks that are tall or arched are likely going to be a centerpiece while reclining or flat rocks tend to be best for around a bed or water feature.

Geography

One other thing to consider is the possibility of sticking with any geographic options that are available. When you live in an area where a specific type of rock is readily available, it is going to blend in nicely with the environment. You may be able to bring landscape rock from out of the area, but if you include rocks from your local area, they are more likely to blend in and look natural.

 

source: http://www.peninsulapavers.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-landscape-rock-for-your-project/

5 Types Of Wood Mulch: Which Is The Best Option For You?

Mulch refers to organic products that are applied to gardens to conserve water usage, as a soil improvement, and as decorative ground cover. One of the most popular types of mulch is bark mulch and comes in chips of different sizes and shapes. Wood mulch also comes in several other varieties that feed the soil as they decompose, help retain soil moisture, and improve the appearance of your garden.

5 Types of Wood Mulch

Wood mulch is of many different varieties, and it can be hard to decide which variety to lay down over your garden beds. Below are the five most common types and why or why you shouldn’t choose the mulches for your landscaping.

1. Bark Mulch

Bark mulch is the most popular type of mulch since it looks fantastic once you lay it down. It is also a great option regarding water conservation because it provides a substantial barrier against the evaporation of moisture. Unfortunately, it usually comes in large chips that decompose slowly. If you find shredded bark, use it. Shredded bark traps moisture better than large chips and decays faster.

2. Colored Mulch

Colored mulch is another favorite variety of wood mulch. It is typically composed of either shredded wood or wood chips that have been dyed a reddish color. Dyed mulch is an excellent option if you are specific about the appearance of your landscape. It is unmatched when it comes to appearance. Naturally, the good looks come at a price. If you choose this option, you should ensure that your budget can accommodate it.

3. Cedar Mulch

Cedar mulch is one of the best types of wood mulch. Cedar mulch has natural oils in the wood that repel insects, which makes it the ideal choice of wood mulch, particularly in areas where termites are prevalent. It tends to cost slightly more at first, but it is worth the additional cost especially when you consider the fact that it is a pest repellant.

4. Pine Peelings or Shavings

Pine peelings are merely the byproduct of the intricate pine wood milling processes. The shavings are then collected and sold in bulk as wood mulch. Pine peelings might not be head turners as cedar or bark mulch are, but they get the job done. If you are working on a tight budget, but would still like wood mulch for your garden, pine or wood peelings in general from a local wood supplier or lumber yard is a great option.

5. Natural Colored Mulch

Natural colored mulch is the wood-based mulch that’s not colored to improve the aesthetic appeal. It is an excellent option for many homeowners since it is usually cheaper than the colored variety. It provides similar benefits with regards to weed reduction, moisture retention, and composting properties, but doesn’t carry the additional price tag attached to dyed or colored mulch.

The Bottom Line

The types of wood mulch vary significantly as is evident here. There are many different options for different applications and areas. If you are still not sure about which variety to use in your garden, you should talk to a local expert for additional advice.

 

Source: http://www.peninsulapavers.com/blog/5-types-of-wood-mulch-which-is-the-best-option-for-you/

Stone or Concrete – Pavers Can Add Personality To a Landscape

Every home will have an entryway, a walkway, or even sidewalks. These are areas that need to be adequately covered so that they are easy to use and maintain. Pavers, whether of stone or concrete are the best alternatives for this surfacing. Stone and concrete pavers can make any landscape an aesthetic delight and add a lot of personality to any home.

Paving can be a work of art, and this is primarily helped when you use natural stone pavers. These are natural products made of materials that have been forged out of the earth and come in many different textures and colors. You can get the stone of various dimensions, thicknesses and can always be assured of the durability of the paver. Concrete pavers are made from cement and can be made in different colors, shapes, and thicknesses to suit the work that is expected from them.It is quite common to have pavers that are made of shapes that can interlock and this gives the paved surface greater stability.

Any paving work, whether it uses stone or concrete requires that the surface on which the material is to be used be adequately prepared to receive the pavers. You must first determine the area that you want to pave. You will then need to decide on the pavers you want to use, and their thickness. The space for the pavers will then have to be leveled and cut if the thickness of the pavers will increase the height of the walkway unnecessarily. You must also be sure that the top surface of your pavers after they are laid are higher than surrounding areas so that the sidewalk is always well-drained and will not have water standing on it. Compact whatever area that you have decided for the pavers so that they will have a firm and unyielding base. It is customary to use a layer of sand over this compacted earth as this can help you to improve drainage and also give you ease in placing the pavers on a level.

Both stone and concrete pavers can be laid in patterns, and you will be well advised to decide on this design before you start any work. If it is a regular pattern, you may need to be careful to start from the center as then the walkway or pathway will look uniform. If you have a random design, you can start from the edges. Sand is laid over the pavers and made to get into the joints through the use of water, or by actually pushing it into the spaces. This dirt can prevent the formation and growth of weeds. You can also choose to leave a large gap between pavers and point them or even use them to grow grass. You would be well advised to use a compactor over the pavers once they are laid so that the surface becomes uniform and can withstand the forces on it.

 

Source: http://www.peninsulapavers.com/blog/stone-or-concrete-pavers-can-add-personality-to-a-landscape/

5 Simple Landscaping Ideas For An Inviting Home

Homeowners tend to underestimate how powerful the landscape section of their home can be. So much focus goes into the interior, but in reality, it’s the exterior that sets the mood. If you come home to a yard that is dead and filthy, would you walk into your home in a happy spirit? And nobody is saying you have to make the garden look like something out of a magazine, but a few subtle touches can go a long way. In fact, they can gently enhance your mood when you get home, instead of making you want to run for the hills.

In light of helping you get the exterior of your home in shape and bring another dimension to your property, here are five simple landscaping ideas for an inviting home.

1. Establish Order

Establishing order means getting those hands dirty and giving the yard a good cleaning. Remove all the weeds, leaves and debris, and start planning how you are going to use the space. Also, don’t let an area of the yard go to waste. Those spots you leave to nature because you don’t particularly like them can create an imbalance for the rest of the yard.

So, get everything clean and tidy, then continue to use all the available space.

2. What About The Front Door?

Something as fundamental as the front door can do so much, and sometimes all it takes is a new coat of paint. While it might not be directly connected to the garden, it does make your home more inviting.

3. Install Outdoor Lighting

Few things can bring out the magic of your landscaping like outdoor lighting, and it allows you to showcase it at night time. The options you get, whether it is walkway lights, wall mounted lights, or just lights between some of the plants, the list is endless.

In case you are worried about energy cost, invest in a few solar lights. They will spruce up the landscape and make the home more inviting, without long-term cost.

4. Refinish The Deck Or Fence

If you are the proud owner of a fence or deck, and it hasn’t been touched for the last ten years, why not refinish it? With the right color and approach, refinishing is affordable and very efficient.

5. Think All-Year Round

Lastly, plant some flowers that won’t just last for one season. Instead, opt for a few plants and flowers that can stay strong during the year. Also, get some flowers that don’t need to be planted every year.

This tips ties in nicely with the first one, because when you are planning, decide which areas are going to get all-year flowers, and which is going to be temporary.

A Little Bit Of Maintenance

The best way to maintain the yard without overdoing yourself is to break it down. Take twenty or thirty minutes every day and do something, even if you are just cleaning up.

 

Source: http://www.peninsulapavers.com/blog/5-simple-landscaping-ideas-for-an-inviting-home/