Landscaping Designs pictures

To have a beautiful garden landscape, the pH levels in your soil are key to the success or failure of your garden project. You dont want to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on garden landscape materials, only to fail because the shrubs you planted cant get the proper nutrients. To know where your gardens pH levels need to be, you first have to know where the pH levels currently are. The ideal pH range is between 6.5 to 7.0. When changing the pH of your garden soil, the first thing you need to do is test your soil. You can test the pH of your garden soil at home using a do-it-yourself pH kit or with a portable soil probe/pH meter. Both of these can be bought at your local garden shop. You can also send a pH sample to a lab for a more in-depth analysis. Sending your pH sample to a private lab will give you the most comprehensive analysis of the pH levels, although its more expensive than sending it to your local extension service.

The pH in your garden soil can be balanced fairly quickly if they are not too far out of the ideal pH range of 6.5 to 7.0. Make adjustments by applying soil amendments such as dolomite limestone or gypsum. The best way to adjust pH levels in your garden project is to incorporate compost and mulch. There are dozens of materials that you can compost, and compost can be bought fairly inexpensively at your local landscaping supply. A ton of compost is usually less than $30.00. Adding organic matter to the soil tends to make both acid and alkaline pH levels more neutral, while applying chemical fertilizers makes the pH level of your soil more acidic.

If the pH in your soil is too acidic, you need to add alkaline material which means you must raise the current pH level. to raise the pH level of your soil you must add lime. The most common "liming" material is ground limestone. Ground limestone breaks down slowly, but it does not burn plants like "quick lime" does. Apply it to the garden and lawn in the fall to allow time for it to act on soil pH before the next growing season. A rule of thumb for slightly acid soils is to apply 5 pounds of lime per 100 square feet to raise the pH by one point.

Applying a thin layer of wood ash will also raise soil pH in your garden project. Wood ash contains up to 70 percent calcium carbonate, as well as potassium, phosphorus, and many trace elements. Only a thin layer is needed to raise the pH, because it is powdery, wood ash is a fast-acting liming material. Be careful, a little goes a long way. Limit your application to 2 pounds per 100 square feet and only apply it every other year in a particular area.

If your pH level is to high, you need to add a source of acid. Options include pine needles, shredded leaves, sulfur, sawdust and peat moss. Pine needles are a good source of acid and mulch. Peat moss with a pH of 3.0 is often recommended as a soil additive. Before you use it though, consider the other options, because peat moss is nutrient-poor, expensive, and its a nonrenewable resource.

Get more garden landscape design tips and tricks at Garden Landscape Design. Hundreds of do-it-yourself videos to walk you through step-by-step in creating that beautiful garden landscape design.

Patios and outdoor living spaces are to be enjoyed in the privacy of your home, not in plain view of other factors. You dont need invasive neighbors, views or other intrusive nuisances ruining your private time with family and friends. But rather than erecting an unattractive wall of stone or wood, here are some suggestions to help you create a great escape in your backyard.

1) A Living Wall:

Build a living wall by hanging pocket planters to give yourself a living breathing wall of foliage. Much more attractive than a fence, these living walls will provide you with privacy as well as an aesthetic appeal. Grasses and training plants are a great way to avoid high-maintenance gardening and add texture and variance to the wall of plants. While you are at it, throw in a few herbs like lemon thyme, sage or mint to excite the olfactory senses and add a nice scent to the space.

2) A Simple Pergola

Adding a simple pergola to a deck area can help define the space as well as provide shade and block out views from adjacent second stories of homes and buildings. Below, a Chinese door was added to provide a barrier to the outside. Notice how the door still feels open and free but still acts as an open wall while providing a gateway to and from the outdoor living space.

3) Artificial Exteriors

You can create enclosures with artificial structures such as old windows, curtains, mirrors and sail canopies to create a sense of depth while blocking unwanted views from streets, other homes, structures and so-on. The nice thing about how you arrange or implement these artificial walls, is that you can move them or open them to expose what lies behind.

4) Tree Fences

Bamboo plants, certain arborvitae and trellis with vines or small trees can act as another natural barrier, "living fence," type scenario. Make sure that whatever you decide to plant is gong to receive enough sunlight and moisture exposure and that if you decide on bamboo, that you plant them in pots so that they do not become too invasive.

I hope these ideas inspire you to get out there and upgrade your garden patio and outdoor living space. If you like great landscape design, the please visit us online or contact us today and well be happy to help answer any questions you may have. 1-877-556-5255.