Landscape and architectural lighting can be used to give an upscale appearance to your home's exterior. It's also a great double-duty safety and security feature, permitting safer footing on walkways, and rendering entries less inviting to unwanted visitors. There are many ways to light your yard, either using accent lights to feature certain small points of interest or by using ambient lighting to illuminate wider areas. The information below is to help you start to develop your plans to install…

Your lawn or garden shouldn't remind you of the wetlands. If you have standing water, you might have a drainage problem. Luckily, drainage can often be solved with the right equipment and a little do-it-yourself elbow grease. Try these 3 easy fixes to solve your drainage problem. 1. Divert Excess Water Analyze your yard to determine where the excess water is coming from. If it is trickling in from a particular location, such as a downspout or driveway, you may…

Water is vital to the health of plants, and watering your garden regularly is a must. However, watering by hand can quickly become a hassle. An irrigation system takes all of the pain out of keeping your plants nourished. If you are considering installing an irrigation system in your garden, it is important to determine which system will best suit your needs. Soak Irrigation Systems Soak irrigation systems get to the root of the problem - literally. Soaker hoses can…

Algae overgrowth in fountains is not only unattractive but will also erode fountain components and clog pumps. These seven great tips can help keep your water fountain operating smoothly by eliminating algae growth: 1. Minimize Sunlight -- If possible, choose a shady area for your water fountain. Sunlight activates nutrients in water which promotes algae growth. 2. Use Algaecide -- Algae preventatives (algaecides) can help prevent algae growth in water fountains that do not contain plants or fish. However, it…

Whether you recently installed a pond or have been enjoying your tranquil backyard getaway for years, learning the proper techniques for pond maintenance is key to keeping your pond clean and healthy. However, cleaning your pond is not always straightforward and can be prone to error. Here are the three most common pond care mistakes and what you can do to avoid them. Cleaning Your Pond Too Often The cleaner, the better? Not for ponds. Cleaning too regularly can impede…

Along with choosing the right grass seed for your climate and your "microclimate" the secrets to the ideal emerald green lawn aren't terribly mysterious. Select Seed Carefully For best results, choose a grass species that suits the region in which you live. You'll also have to keep in mind your yard's soil, in terms of pH level and texture (sandy, normal or clay-like it is), as well as how much sun or shade the area gets. We carry a range…

How updated is the irrigation system for your lawn or garden? Modern technology is more customizable, less expensive, and more efficient than past versions. Drip Irrigation Systems Drip irrigation systems are great for gardens since they tend to be much more efficient than hose watering or even sprinklers. A few upgrades to consider are: Drip control zones: Provide filtration and precise control over water pressure, crucial components for drip irrigation. Standalone filters and pressure regulators: For additional customization, use standalone…

Why add water features to your yard? Depending on the feature, you'll be creating instant drama, or enhancing the soothing nature of the great outdoors. Turn a drab ceramic urn into an enchanting fountain with a simple device, or create a small pond using just a liner and little digging. Whatever you're looking to create, we have the devices and materials to add the perfect water feature to your landscaping. Create a Waterfall You don't need a massive ravine and…

A pond beautifies your property in many ways. It draws beneficial wildlife and provides a place to grow attractive aquatic plants, such as water lilies. You can use several different techniques to enhance it: 1. Pump Fountain pumps aerate water while creating pleasant white noise. This improves a pond's appearance and smell by preventing stagnation. The circulation benefits small animals even as it repels mosquitoes and discourages them from laying eggs. Helps fish Reduces algae Deters pests 2. Lights Electric…

Having a properly functioning irrigation system for your yard will help you avoid a wide variety of such as wasting water and making sure your foundation is receiving just enough water to help keep from cracking. Proper irrigation is a balancing act and one that you need to educate yourself on if you want to avoid having to shell out the big bucks to repair issues caused by an irrigation system that's not functioning as it should. And the best…

To take good care of your lawn this summer, you will want to be prepared to combat turfgrass diseases. Listed below are three of the most common types of turfgrass disease and how to prevent them. Preventing Anthracnose Foliar Blight Anthracnose foliar blight shows up as irregularly shaped patches of grass that have turned a diseased yellowish or bronze color. The best way to prevent anthracnose foliar blight is with proper fertilization, though fungicides can also be used to treat…

You don't have to be a landscaping professional to know that having the proper drainage for your home, lawn, and garden are critical to preserving their integrity. And really, the one and only goal of proper drainage is to manage the quality and quantity of water effectively. That means you need to learn the most common drainage problems and what you can do to avoid or correct them. 1. Standing Water Around Your Home's Foundation Problem: If you have standing…