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5 Biggest Mistakes in Landscape Design

So, you've done all you can to make the interior of your home a wonderful oasis for you and your family. You have your favorite place to read, your favorite spot to relax after a long day at work, the nice kitchen you've always wanted to share a meal with friends and family. But now you've turned your sights outward and have decided to bring the exterior of your home to the same level of sophistication as the inside, right? That's a great move. Many find the way your home looks from the outside to be just as important as how it appears on the inside. But before you go too crazy on making your landscaping fantasies into realities, let's take a quick look at some of the biggest mistakes those looking to do it themselves often make in their landscaping designs.

1. UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF SITE PLANNING

A big step many overlook is the overall planning stage. All the elements in landscape in a landscape need to flow together cohesively, so it is important to know how they will integrate. It's important to undertake thorough site planning so you know how the pieces of the puzzle will fit together. Stock up on the tools your job requires so they're available just as you need them. This will help avoid any procrastination on your part and keep your job on track.

2. Plant Selection and Soil Preparation

Selecting the right plants and trees for your yard, geographical location and soil type is important. Some trees may end up being too large for the location you planted them in. For example planting a Redwood tree under powerlines can lead to heavy pruning. “Right plant right place” is a saying we often refer to. Some plants will not do well in poorly drained soil and some plants thrive in wet conditions. In some cases, we may even have locations in our yard that the water drains to and selecting the right plant for each section of the yard is important.

Depending on your soil type you may need to perform some soil preparation. This includes adding organic soil amendment and fertilizers to the soil to help balance PH and provide the plants with an ideal growing medium. Overlooking the soil preparation can be a costly mistake and lead to plant replacement. By choosing the right plants for your location and coupling that with proper soil preparation you will increase your success rate.

3. Make Sure You Know how to Irrigate

This is where redoing your landscape design gets extremely technical. Irrigation can be tricky, especially if you try to do it yourself. This is important to ensure that the new plants you want in your yard get water even while you're away. You're there to plant them, but you might not always be around to water them. This is even more important for those of you who like to travel. You don't want to come back to a yard full of dead plants because you didn't have a way to water them.

If your yard already has a built-in sprinkler system, great, you're all set. But a lot of times this is an additional step in landscaping that you're going to have to think about. Irrigation systems can not only save you time and money, but they can also help you save water. This will be an increasingly important issue in the near future. Irrigation systems run more efficiently nowadays, some even being able to sense when your lawn requires watering and only watering during those times. Landscaping has gotten technical!

4. Don't Evade the thought of Erosion

Many people who find their yards to be less than appealing visually might think that because they have a yard that is prone to erosion. Maybe you live in an area prone to heavy rain, which makes it hard to retain your soil. Or maybe you live in a hilly neighborhood and find it difficult to plant things because you don't have a flat surface to do so? These issues can all be solved and avoided by building a retaining wall before planting begins.

Retaining walls themselves can become an important aesthetic element to your yard, which is why they're important to get right. Don't just settle for any design. Instead, find one that works with the rest of your home and complements it. Consider the material and the manner of construction you'll use. You'll also need to form a solid base first to avoid the wall itself from falling victim to the erosion we just discussed.

5. Make Sure You Account for Wildlife

If you live in an area that is known for having very active wildlife, make sure that you know what you might be getting yourself into when redoing your landscape. It's important to not plant too many things that will attract animals. Otherwise they'll show up every night looking for a snack and you'll only be left with more work to do the next day. Deer resistant plantings are of the utmost importance in many areas of Santa Cruz county and Monterey county. Many landscaping companies have proven expertise in these areas, so you should plan on doing adequate research if you're going to take a project like this on yourself.

Take this as an opportunity to plant things that will repel these animals rather than draw them in.

If all of this seems too daunting, as IT DOES FOR MANY PEOPLE, don't be afraid to seek help in your landscaping endeavors. Contact K & D Landscaping for your Landscape design needs; we make it our business to ensure these mistakes are avoided.

K & D Landscaping
Design – Install – Maintain
831-539-0619

by cmgroup

Increase the Value of Your Outdoor Kitchen with Pergolas, Trellises & Arbors

Because of the near perfect climate here, outdoor kitchens stay open year-round. Further encourage their use by adding more beauty nearby from pergolas, trellises, and arbors. It makes sense to upgrade outdoor rooms, adding more comfort and direction to encourage easy access and use.

Adding such hardscape features works well with many existing designs. Fill an empty space, create an entrance to the outdoor kitchen or provide a space for climbing vines to grow. The addition of a well-conceived, quality structure makes the landscape more complete and often worth more, raising property values.

Adding Hardscapes to the Yard

Consider the landscape surroundings. Does it feel like something is missing there? Envision a slatted pergola with fragrant, flowering vines delicately creeping upward filling the void. Add seating inside the structure, if desired, to offer a hide-a-way and a private place of retreat. Perhaps there is a spot to attach the pergola to the home. If new construction is underway, such a structure fits right into the design plans and can increase the overall value of your home.

Use a pergola to cover an existing patio. The options are numerous, and styles are limited only by the imagination. Attach a matching trellis for the ultimate in vertical growing, giving a unique perspective to the grounds.

Use a Trellis with the Pergola

Trellis structures come in different forms and designs and are used as both functional and decorative elements in the landscape. The trellis, in any form, directs the growth of both ornamental plants and edibles. Adding a trellis to a pergola can afford more privacy inside the pergola. The trellis functions as a wall when located at the end or side of the pergola and serves a variety of purposes that can add to the benefits of your outdoor kitchen.

Perfect Addition to the Outdoor Kitchen

Utilize the trellis inside the pergola as a support for twining vegetables. Not only will this create a lovely display, but you will conveniently have fresh vegetables growing near your outdoor kitchen! Some varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers, and even melons can grow on a trellis; however, it should be constructed with materials that are sturdy enough to support heavy harvests. Use the trellis as a base for a living wall, filled with other vegetables and herbs to harvest right from the comfort of your outdoor kitchen. Trellis can even support grapes and other fruiting vines.

Plant vines that climb on the outdoor structures are a popular way to create a hassle-free decorative display. Annual flowering vines add a special touch to the pergola wall and provide shade for plants growing in the interior. This enables the gardener to grow shade-loving plants that might not otherwise survive the hot summer afternoons here. Dappled or filtered sun inside of the pergola encourages growing many different kinds of flowers and foliage plants, much to the delight of any gardener.

Blooms in the Landscape

Display hanging baskets inside the pergola, or from the top of the trellis. Fill them with fragrant, cascading foliage, such as jasmines or the Moonflower whose blossoms open in the evening. Coordinate flowers and vines with hanging baskets. If you want to add a special touch to you outdoor kitchen, go exotic with tropical plants such as the Plumeria. Commonly called Frangipani, or fragrant flower, this blooming beauty is low-care and tolerant of poor conditions and neglect. This small tree propagates from cuttings and is a fun undertaking for homeowners interested in this type of project. Use the umbrella shape of the Plumeria to provide summer shade near the pergola. This beautiful display is sure to impress your neighbors and wow your guests.

Don't Forget Arbor Entrances

Add coordinating arbors to mark the entrance to the outdoor kitchen. If not yet added, lay a beautiful walkway or scenic garden path to go through the arbor. Pathways can lead to secret spots in the garden, or guide new guests where you want them. Arbors, of course, are a beautiful means of supporting flowers and climbing vines. Use them as exits, as well, or pass-throughs to other outdoor rooms.

If You Don't Want to DIY

Perhaps planting and growing is not an agreeable chore or something for which no time is available. Yet there is a wish for a manicured landscape with flowing beauty in a way that raises property value. Count on the professionals at K&D Landscaping, Inc. for all of your planting and hardscape needs. Years of experience allow familiarity with local soils, temperatures and what grows best where. If an addition to the landscape is desired, count on K&D. If a new landscape needs structures and a master design plan, K&D has expert designers. Whatever the outdoor need, don't neglect to call K&D Landscaping, Inc. Browse our previous work and give us a call to learn more.

K & D Landscaping
Design – Install – Maintain
831-728-4018

by cmgroup

5 Details To Consider Before Building Your Outdoor Kitchen

Feel like there's not enough room in your kitchen to accommodate your family's and your hosting needs? An outdoor kitchen is perfect solution for the homeowner who wants to expand their living space. Adding an outdoor kitchen to your home is a fantastic way to create more room to  cook, eat and entertain. In order to ensure an outdoor kitchen will be as welcoming as it is functional, it's important that you carefully plan a design that's tailored to your family's unique needs. Consider these five crucial factors when planning an outdoor kitchen for you and your family to enjoy:

1. Budget

One of the most important factors you as a homeowner must consider when planning an outdoor kitchen is your family's budget and how much you can afford to set aside for this important project. If you don't stay within the family budget when planning your outdoor kitchen, the overwhelming expense could unfortunately take away from the enjoyment the area is meant to provide. Checking out salvage yards and reuse businesses for like-new cabinets, countertops and waterproof appliances can be easy on the budget. Furthermore, if the pieces are in good condition, it's entirely possible no one will even notice the pieces aren't brand new.

If you're not completely comfortable with building on your own, consider buying material from stores. Big-box stores carry modular components that can be mixed and matched to suit individual tastes. Discount stores are ideal shopping stops for practical, affordable outdoor furniture and weatherproof accessories. Benches with storage areas can serve multiple purposes. Don't forget to consider stores that sell camping supplies. Most camping materials are designed to be compact and efficient when it comes to washing and serving.

Add to the beauty of the area and set the mood with affordable, local landscaping plants. For example, such greenery as moss, ferns and hostas can attractively complement a peaceful living area. Make sure you reach out to your local landscaping professionals to find out which plants would thrive alongside and enhance your outdoor kitchen the most.

2. Location

As is the case when considering real estate, location is also an important factor in planning an outdoor kitchen. You need to consider both safety and convenience when designing the layout for an outdoor kitchen area. An indoor kitchen can be a dangerous area if everyone's not careful, and an outdoor kitchen is no different. The grill shouldn't be placed near the kids' play area. In addition, the grill should also be away from where a prevailing wind might blow smoke toward the house. To aid in convenience, your outdoor kitchen should be near the entrance of the indoor kitchen. This makes it easier for the cook to transport food and utensils to and from designated cooking areas.

In the world of design, the plan for convenient access throughout the living area is known as flow. Dependent on your family's unique needs, planning for flow is probably the most individualized factor in designing an outdoor kitchen. Make sure you express your overall flow desires to your landscaping team to ensure your vision is accurately brought to life.

3. Landscape

When planning the design of your outdoor kitchen, consider  using the same materials for the outdoor kitchen as those that decorate the home and surrounding buildings. An outdoor kitchen design that doesn't incorporate the same materials as the home will stick out like a sore thumb. It's important to view your outdoor kitchen as an extension of your residence. Try to find ways to link the two together in an aesthetically pleasing way. For example, the same type of flooring that's used in the indoor kitchen can attractively help guests navigate between the indoor and outdoor area of your home. If the outdoor kitchen is not directly adjacent to the home, a charming paved pathway can provide an inviting welcome to the area.

4. Size Matters

The size of the outdoor kitchen should be compatible with the home. An over-sized outdoor living area will make an already small home appear even smaller. A good-sized outdoor kitchen will be a nice complement to a large home. Likewise, a small outdoor kitchen will be a perfect addition to a small residence. The size of the home shouldn't overtake the outdoor kitchen and vice versa. A practical option for a small residence might be a barbecue island, which could incorporate such essentials as a countertop and grill in a compact area.

5. Lighting

Because the kitchen will be outdoors, the you might think it'll receive plenty of light. Unfortunately, this misconception can lead to the failure to plan to include necessary lighting. Outdoor entertaining often takes place after dark, so it's important that both task and ornamental lighting factor into your outdoor kitchen plan.

Night cooking requires plenty of bright task lighting, and with sufficient ambient and ornamental lighting, the dining area can be the inviting place it's meant to be. Halogen lights are especially helpful above the grill, as they emit a natural white light perfect for cooking tasks.

Planning on building an outdoor kitchen with a roof? Consider adding a ceiling fan with handy downlights. Ceiling fans with downlights serve at least two purposes:

1. They effectively illuminate the dining and sitting areas
2. The fans chase away mosquitoes and other unwanted insects

Make sure you talk to your landscaping team about including powerful energy savers like dimmers and speed controls. Not only will these additions help you save on your energy bill, but dimmers are also valuable for all types of outdoor lighting due to their ability to add to the evening's overall mood.

If you find yourself feeling completely overwhelmed while planning the design of your family's outdoor kitchen, don't worry! A lot of homeowners feel the same way when it comes to expanding their living area. Don't be afraid to seek help from a reliable, local landscaping team. If you live in the Watsonville and Santa Cruz area, consider reaching out to K&D Landscaping, Inc. With over 30 years of experience, this award-winning landscape company knows exactly how to bring your outdoor kitchen vision to life. Take the first step towards achieving your family's outdoor kitchen goals by contacting K&D Landscaping, Inc. today.

by cmgroup

Why You Should Be Investing in Your Landscape

by cmgroup

A Brief History of Landscaping

by cmgroup

Landscape Design and Install Trends for 2017

Looking to add more to your boring lawn or outdoor vibe?? Even if you had a previous residential landscaping overhaul, you still have to maintenance it, so why not install a few small additions that can improve its aesthetic? In this guide, we will be taking you through some of the most common high end landscaping trends of 2017 that you can have your local landscape team install in your lawn.

Natural Stone Steps

Natural stone steps are one of the best ways to add a natural feature to your garden path and deepen your garden’s naturalistic style. Plus, it will also give your visitors more of a reason to take their time walking along your garden. Stone steps landscape installation can also give your garden more complex context that can complement the style of your home. Planting ferns and setting boulders in place along your stone step path can also add to the naturalistic appeal of your landscape.

Bistro Lights

Bistro lights, otherwise known as string lights, are a common trend in landscape lighting design. You can easily swing them around your pool or patio area to help set the mood for backyard parties. At the same time, these lights can create a peaceful atmosphere for anyone to enjoy. You can also get a dimmer switch for your landscape lighting that you can connect your bistro lights to for a more romantic atmosphere.

Outdoor Kitchen

A newly built outdoor kitchen may not be in your price range, but it is a hot new trend of 2017 that can greatly improve your landscape design. Especially, if you’re going for a modern theme, simplistic, outdoor app-controlled appliances can dial up the aesthetic of your backyard space. Though landscape installation of your kitchen may cost a lot, it will be well worth it.

Spiller Plants

If you have a container garden, you should have a least one filler, one thriller, and one spiller plant. However, for your home, one single plant can fit all those positions. This type of landscape design can add personality to your pathways and make your family feel more at-hand with nature.

The Birds and The Bees

Adding heavily pollinated plants can encourage for birds and bees to frequently visit your yard. Not to mention, this is among the largest landscape design trends that have gained popularity this year. You can also add bird feeders to increase the number of birds that appear in your yard as well.

Fun Attractions

Even though you want to adopt beautiful landscape design, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun too! You can easily add a jungle gym or a swing set in your backyard for your kids to enjoy. You can even scatter games around your yard such as horseshoes and ultimate frisbee. This will help make your yard seem more welcoming to your guests and brings a little more thrill to the outdoors.

Seat Wall

The sculpted seat wall as continued to show popularity, especially when made of rusted steel. Or, if you want a more naturalistic design, you can try making a bench out of concrete or stone. However, whichever one you choose, seat wall landscape installation can allow for your family and guests to lounge while they enjoy the beauty of your yard.

Core Drilled Lights

A core drilled light is a type of light that is placed in a hole drilled out of concrete or stone. This is usually done in a driveway to spotlight the home, or in pillars where there is high foot traffic. However, no matter where it’s used, it can be set into place instead of a lower light fixture, to make sure enough landscape lighting covers your walkways.

Central Axis

Most classic and modern high end landscaping styles rely on the design of a number of axes, but you can set your garden in the center axis to show a more balanced look and create an order to your landscape.

Outdoor Living Areas, Walkways, and Driveways

Gravel has become a modern staple in residential landscaping to shape outdoor living areas, walkways, and even driveways. Not only is it low-maintenance, but is much more affordable than other materials. Plus, it’s available in a number of colors and sizes that can be used in an array of projects, big to small.

Water Additions

If you would like to add a relaxing addition to your landscape, you should consider adding a water feature to your lawn. These additions include ponds, waterfalls, fountains, and more. They can not only improve the complexity of your landscape but also add a soothing effect to your home’s environment.

Edible Landscapes

Edible landscaping is much more than adding a heightened aesthetic to your lawn. In fact, many homeowners develop an edible landscape to their yard to help support their local Farmer’s Market. In addition, placing this sort of addition to your lawn can also help you and your family eat healthier, due to the fresh fruit and vegetables you can grow. Besides that, you can even grow plants such as mint and basil and collect their oils to create a number of home remedies.

From stone steps to edible landscapes, there's no limit to residential landscaping. Before autumn arrives, fall into some of most popular high end landscaping trends we mentioned above and turn your backyard into a desired meeting place for your family and guests. K&D Landscaping, Inc services the Monterey County and Santa Cruz County area. They can help make any of the described upgrades a reality. Contact them now for an outdoor paradise that you and your family deserve.

by cmgroup

Water Conservation

Water Conservation

November 8 2016

by Justin White