http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/landscaping-articles.htm Up to date Landscaping Articles and information from HomeRenovationGuide en-us info@homerenovationguide.com Thu, 15 May 2008 16:24:24 EDT Copyright 2007, HomeRenovationGuide,com http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/wall2wall.htm Like so many design fixtures that are intended to improve your decor, running water fountains once served a practical and necessary function. Fountains reached their pinnacle of utility and splendor in Ancient Rome, when they were the recipients of thousands of liters of water supplied by aqueducts. The fountains were dispersed throughout the city and were used for drinking, bathing, and irrigation. But as practical as they were in that day and age, fountains with fresh running water were also used to improve the aesthetics of a wide variety of locations. With an artis Thu, 01 May 2008 10:04:09 EDT http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/wall2wall.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/springtimeweeds.htm The arrival of springtime means budding flowers, blossoming trees, and green blades of grass. Unfortunately, with this abundance of new growth come sprouting weeds as well. Crabgrass in particular, is a weed that continues to frustrate homeowners year after year. However, by understanding how a weed grows and knowing a few prevention tips, you’ll be on your way to having a healthier, more weed free lawn.What is crabgrass?Crabgrass is a summer annual weed whose seeds germinate during spring and summer. When soil temperatures reach 60°-64°F at a depth of 3”, the seed Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:28:30 EDT http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/springtimeweeds.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/landscapeinvest.htm My landscape is my own personal retreat. In it my husband and I find a great amount of pleasure entertaining, relaxing, and playing with our two dogs. I love the solace it brings when I can get into the dirt to nurture and grow things. In the winter, I admire its snow covered beauty, grateful to have some substance of interest to carry me through the six months indoors. Come April, I can hardly contain my excitement when the first sign of a crocus or snowdrop pokes its head through the snow. By May we find ourselves on our back porch curled up under blankets sipping ou Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:34:06 EST http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/landscapeinvest.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/outdoor-kitchen.htm Outdoor cooking areas are the hottest trend in residential landscape design. They can range from a modest fire pit to a full-blown outdoor kitchen that will rival the most lavish indoor cooking areas, complete with stainless-steel appliances, granite countertops and sinks and a host of appliances, including specialized weather-resistant outdoor refrigerators.If you are willing to put in a little investment, a bit of sweat equity and some free time aside, an outdoor kitchen can be a great do-it-yourself (DIY) project. It can be a bit challenging, but once it’s sitt Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:29:34 EST http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/outdoor-kitchen.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/outdoor-landscapes.htm Many of today’s homeowners are contemplating the use of their yard. The large spans of grass and few trees no longer suffice; however, a bare lot can be very intimidating to many of us. Creative ideas for the use and enjoyment of our yards do not always immediately come to mind. It is at times difficult to constructively consider our lifestyle into a design; our stylistic ideals pertaining to such elements as home decor, architecture, and even personal apparel play an important role in our tastes for landscaping.There truly is a landscape out there for everyone, each Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:13:49 EST http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/outdoor-landscapes.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/landscape-selection.htm There are many beautiful stone products available to the homeowner today. How the stone looks, the design aesthetic, is arguably the most important factor in choosing which of these you will use. However, a number of other factors should also be considered. Among these are how the area being resurfaced will be used, the colour, age and architecture of your home, your project budget, and the level of maintenance that is acceptable to you.Local limestone (in Ontario, examples are Owen Sound or Credit Valley), either in dimensional or flagstone, is the most popular choice Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:08:49 EST http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/landscape-selection.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/rain-gardens.htm Minnesota’s most notable attraction is its ever-famous waterways, including streams, rivers and lakes. The region is truly lucky when it comes to natural richness and beauty. However, with each passing year, it grows closer to losing its north woods heritage. Water pollution threatens the delicate ecological balance of the waterways, while high levels of chemicals, nutrients and sediment harm vegetation, kill wildlife, foul drinking water and destroy pristine recreational areas.Storm Water Runoff Major Source of Water PollutionWhere does all this water pollution come Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:05:04 EST http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/rain-gardens.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/planting.htm Plants in hanging baskets, pots and planters can be hard to keep sufficiently watered. Not only does the soil in containers dry out faster than in beds, but large leaves and blooms often prevent rain from getting to the plant, so you cannot rely on rainfall alone to keep them adequately watered. The choice of container and potting medium and the use of watering devices all play a role in preventing dehydration of container plants.ContainersMost plants will rot if their roots sit in water for any prolonged period of time, so be sure that the bottom of planting container Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:23:31 EST http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/planting.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/patio.htm The patio is one of the most important features of your outdoor living area. So it’s important to plan carefully, choose the right materials, and above all, build a compact and secure base before installing pavers, stone or concrete.Before you build: The PlanThe design and placement of your patio is determined by several factors: how you will use the space, traffic flow, sun patterns, septic systems and grading.Tim Johnson has been designing landscapes for ten years and has earned his specialized certification in patio construction from the Interlocking Concrete Paver Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:22:47 EST http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/patio.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/gardenplanters2.htm When the dull days of winter start to ease, we begin looking for signs of spring, and what better place to look than in our own garden planters full of dazzling blooms. Bulbs should be planted in the fall so that spring will bring a burst of brilliant yellow, deep purple, and pristine white as daffodils, hyacinths, and crocuses reach for the warm rays of the spring sun. Tulips in their multitude of colors announce that summer is on its way when the leaves on trees are just starting to bud.What Planters To Use1. Patio planters –Any size or style of planters or pots can Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:20:09 EST http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/gardenplanters2.htm