When people come to visit your house, the front yard is the first impression made about you and your family. Realtors call this “curb appeal”, meaning that as a person drives up or walks by, your front yard sets an expectation of what’s to come.

Much like going on a job interview, your initial presentation sticks in the mind of the viewer long after the interview is over. Likewise, if your front yard is overgrown and landscaped in a haphazard way, your visitor receives an uninviting impression of not only your home, but you and your family, which is clearly undesirable. If you are trying to sell your home, your front yard landscape can kill the deal before they ever set foot in your house.

So you can see that your front yard landscape is important. Maybe you do not see yourself as an artistic landscaper and feel at a loss as to how to proceed. If you can afford it, the easiest solution is to contact a reputable landscaper to help you out. Depending on the size of your front yard and the amount of work required, a professional front yard landscape design can prove quite expensive. However, even if you do not feel up to the entire task, there are a number of aspects you can define and tasks easily accomplished before consulting a professional.

For example, if you have overgrown areas which you obviously want to get rid of, get out the weed whacker and spend the morning clearing that area. Just like cleaning up a cluttered room, you will immediately have a better idea of both space and what you have to work with. If you have got toys, bikes or a bunch of pots from summer garden work cluttering the area, clean that up as well. Simple tasks like these can inspire you with ideas of what you might like to see in their place.

The now cleared area you have serviced with the weed whacker may be larger than you would have thought and in your mind’s eye, your new front yard landscape should have an eye-filling burst of springtime color, with tulips and daffodils dotting the area. Maybe a climbing rose would look nice making its way along the porch supports. Look through garden magazines and books,which are full of front yard landscape ideas. How about a natural stone pathway or brick retaining wall?

Everyone knows what they would like to see in their front yard landscape, even though they may not know exactly how to execute their plan. Get out a tape measure and make a scale drawing of the portion of the house facing front as well as the dimensions of the front yard. Mark tress and fences and other garden elements you wish to retain.

Roughly sketch in areas in which you would like certain color schemes and features in your front yard landscape plan. Now you are ready to call a professional. You will make their job easier, get a front yard landscape just to your taste and save money too!

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Adding charm to your landscaping always adds value to your home. My husband’s company has moved us around the country 3 times in the last 10 years not to mention I am a Marine Corps kid and know a few things about how to move. I’ve watched my parents have to sell a house in a hurry and my husband and I have been under that same pressure. The goal of course, is to sell for as much money as possible and as quickly as possible. One guaranteed way to do that is to have a blue ribbon house starting with your curb appeal. Here are some cheap and unbeatable ways to add charm and value.

1) Edge your flower beds with real stone. We have done this in every house usually for free. Find a new construction site in your area and during the day when there is someone working in the on-site management trailer, ask them nicely if you could load up the back of a pick-up-truck (or minivan) with one or two loads of loose football sized stones. Let them know this is for your home garden. If they turn you down because of safety issues, ask if you could come by on a Sunday afternoon (when all the “digger” trucks are parked). This has worked for us more than once. Make sure you beds have curved lines as opposed to straight edges. This looks better. Trust me.

2) Add an arch. Either over a gate or a bench. I bought one at a major craft store chain at the end of summer (when it was on clearance) for $17. It was green metal and I had to put it together myself. I also spray painted it with a dark oiled bronze paint. We also cemented it in about a foot deep using a level. This guarantees it won’t blow over into your neighbor’s yard and that it will look level and professional. I grew an evergreen blooming vine up one side called Carolina Jesamine which grows rapidly and blooms yellow in early Spring. On the other side of the arch, I grew a climbing rose so that I would have blooms from March – Oct and because the Jesamine is an evergreen, there would be some thing green and climbing all year round.

3) Create an outside seating area. Find a shaded corner of your yard and add a bench. I have done this in two houses. The first house I found two picnic benches for free at the end of a yard sale. Apparently someone else bought only the picnic table. The seller had painted the benches pink. Go figure, nobody wanted to buy two pink picnic benches… except me. I was happy to take them off her hands for FREE. I of course painted them dark green and sanded the edges for a shabby garden look. They fit perfectly against the fence around my patio. I placed large oversized potted plants on either side and they added not only charm but functionality to my landscaping. I have also purchased a concrete bench at a flee market for under $20 and placed it under a tree next to a birdbath. Benches are a great way to add charm and functionality.

4) Add a bird bath. Bird baths are not that expensive. You can usually pick one up from a garden supply center for under $100 during the peak season and on discount at the end of the summer. I once made one out of a concrete pedestal that I bought at a craft store (with a coupon) that I used as the base. I then bought a large planter saucer base to set on top as the dish part.. I always use my bird baths as an excuse to plant gobs of cottage like perennials around the base. I usually encircle my bird baths with bulbs, iris, lambs ear, and or hostas.

5) Label your flower beds. This is a trick I learned from a house that my husband and I LOVED when we were house hunting during one of our many corporate moves. This owner had purchased little copper plant labels and hand written the common names on them and spiked them down into her flower beds. You don’t need to be a very knowledgeable gardener to do this. You can also find some inexpensive plant labels on-line from either a garden source or possibly from e-bay. You can just use common flower names. Save the original potted plant labels to cheat if you can’t remember the names of the plants. This tip adds loads of charm to your landscaping as well as providing a gift for the next owner.

Kathy Kline Danner
Wife of Nissan Man.
Mother of two elementary schoolers, a dog, and two fish.

Dedicated to helping moms fight the joy thieves of motherhood and Re-Claim the JOY to become Joy @ Home Moms Providing free tips and tools for moms at http://www.PbandJAHM.com

© 2007
Kathy Kline Danner
Fight the Joy thieves of motherhood.
Re-Claim the JOY and become a Joy @ Home Mom
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Free tips and Tools for moms

There are many beautiful ways to add some finishing touches to your landscaping and gardening projects, and putting in landscape edging is just one way to give your yard a finished, polished, and professional look. So let’s review some great landscape edging ideas that are simple and easy to put into place almost anywhere.

1. Wood Landscape Edging Ideas - There are a variety of wooden landscape edgings that can be purchased at any home and garden store, hardware store, or regular discount stores such as Walmart or Kmart too. You can buy standard two by four or six by four wood pieces and cut them to size, or buy small round pieces of wood which look like miniature tree trunks.

When using wood landscape edging, make it decorative by varying the heights and sizes of wood pieces. If for instance, you’re using the round wood pieces, put a 6 inch one in place, then a 4 inch high piece next to that, then a 2 inch high piece, then another 4 inch piece, then another 6 inch piece. Repeat this pattern around the edge of your landscaped areas.

Railroad ties are another excellent way to create wooden landscaping edges, and sometimes these can be picked up at no cost from a variety of job sites in your local area.

One of my favorite ideas for wooden landscape edging, is to use long and unusual looking branches from trees or bushes. Sometimes you’ll find fallen tree branches that have unusual shapes and textures, and these can make wonderful borders and edges for your landscaping projects.

2. Stone Landscape Edging Ideas - Using stone to create your landscape edges gives you a lot of variety, style, and freedom for creativity. You could go for a hike for instance, and collect stones in a variety of sizes to take home with you. Check to be sure this is legal where you live first though. Or you could go to a local nursery or home and garden center, and select a variety of stone sizes.

Set the stones up side by side in an attractive pattern, or place them several inches to several feet apart. Alternatively, put large stones a few feet apart, with smaller ones side by side between them.

Many decorative pathway style stones can also be bought almost anywhere. These are designed to be laid flat to create walkways with, but they make beautiful landscape edges and borders too. Simply turn them on their side, and bury them into the ground about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way so they’re standing upright. This is even prettier when you plant some annual colorful flowers, such as pansies or vincas in front of each stone.

Concrete and brick are similar but alternative options to using actual stone. Using these also gives you a wide variety of decorative patterns that will make your landscape edging stand out from the crowd.

3. Plastic Landscape Edging Ideas - There are many different styles of inexpensive landscape edging materials made from plastic, and available at almost any store. Some of these are designed to look like small picket fences, while others are meant to look like cobblestone, brick, or wood borders themselves.

All it takes is a little bit of thought and creativity, plus a trip or two to browse some of the materials available at your local garden center, and you’ll soon be bursting with your own unique landscape edging ideas!

For more Landscape edging ideas please visit http://www.landscaping.gardenbot.com/

A budding gardener or landscaper starts out with simple tools such as rakes, spades, hoes and water cans. However, if he is devoted to serious landscaping, he will want to acquire powered landscaping and gardening tools to allow him to work faster and more efficiently.

Unfortunately, powered equipment is quite expensive for the landscaper. Therefore, the first advanced tools that he can acquire would probably be used landscaping equipment.

Used landscaping equipment are usually cheaper than brand new ones. Therefore, for the budget conscious landscaper, they are a relief and an opportunity. Most used landscaping equipment can still perform quite well.

Since used landscaping equipment are usually older models, they are generally quite easy to operate. Most of these models do not have readouts and systems which make its operation somewhat complex.

And since they are older models, they are also tried, tested and proven.

However, there are also problems when purchasing used landscaping equipment. Because of their second hand nature, they sometimes have unpleasant or annoying quirks in their operation. For example, a used lawn mower’s engine can suddenly stop if it cuts through thick grass. That means the gardener will have to restart it again.

Used landscaping equipment which involves blades have their own problems. Most of the time, the blades are dull. This results to uneven pruning. Sometimes, the blades snag into thicker branches, forcing the owner to manually cut the branches or getting them free off the machine’s blade. The best way to prevent this is to buy fresh blades.

Generally, used landscaping equipment consume more fuel than usual. There are several causes for this problem. Their fuel and oil lines may be dirty or the machinery inside may be worn out. These factors force the machine to work harder than it should, which affects their fuel efficiency.

A more serious danger in purchasing and using second hand equipment is safety. Old equipment sometimes have parts that are loose. When the machinery moves, there is a chance that these parts might fly off, hurtling in any direction. This can cause the breakage of the machine and injury for the user. Therefore, when using powered landscaping equipment, safety should be given emphasis.

With all these precautions, does it mean that one should avoid used landscaping equipment? Not at all. They are a good investment. However, it is important to have them checked out first for any problems. By doing this, the owner will get his money’s worth and a long time of enjoyable gardening and landscaping.

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Landscaping and Gardening and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Landscaping web site. For more articles and resources on landscaping designs, landscape ideas, garden landscaping and much more visit his site at:

=>http://landscaping.need-to-know.net/

Swimming pool landscaping has become a very popular way to add appeal and beauty to your home. This type of landscaping has a lot of unique and beautiful options. To obtain the best result in swimming pool landscaping, you have to consider four things – is it beautiful? Is it safe? Is it easy to maintain? Does it offer some privacy?

Beauty:

The main objective of swimming pool landscaping is to make the area around your pool beautiful. You can simply put flowers with vibrant colors around it so that it will put life to the landscape and soften the look of hard concrete surface. You can also paint the concrete surfaces with colors that complement the area. Some paint drawings on the wall such as animals and other nature-themed image. You can also add rustic appeal to your pool by creating natural rock features using different sizes and shapes of boulders and stones.

Safety:

Another very important thing to consider in swimming pool landscaping is safety. The swimming pool can be a very dangerous place especially for children. Careful planning and consideration in your swimming pool landscaping can prevent accidents. You can place slippery-proof surfaces surrounding the pool and other safety structures such as pool fences. To keep decks and patios safe, you can use slippery-resistant pavers like bricks, stone pavers and concrete blocks.

Privacy:

Privacy is another thing to consider in your swimming pool landscaping. You or your guests may not be able to have fun or relax if your entire pool area is exposed for your neighbors or passersby to see. To ensure you have privacy in your swimming pool, you can plant trees around the pool. You want to avoid fruit trees or trees that shed a lot of leaves because you do not want to keep cleaning debris out of your pool.

Maintenance Level:

Maintaining a pool and its surrounding can be very hard so you need to plan your swimming pool landscaping carefully so that every feature from the trees to the structures that you build around the pool would be easy to maintain. Your swimming pool landscaping can be very beautiful but difficult to maintain or it can be very easy to maintain but the appearance can be very plain. You have to strike a balance between the two.

These four factors are very important elements in any swimming pool landscaping. A professional landscape designer or landscape architect will be able to help you achieve them but should you decide to do your own swimming pool landscaping, the above pointers will serve as a good guide to your project.

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Landscaping and Gardening and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Landscaping web site. For more articles and resources on landscaping designs, landscape ideas, garden landscaping and much more visit his site at:

=>http://landscaping.need-to-know.net/

The use of stone landscaping products has become very popular in landscaping designs due to their attractiveness, versatility and the fact that they are available almost everywhere. Stone landscaping products are used in many areas in a landscape design including patios, lawn pathways, decks in pools, frames, columns, foundations for cottages, gazebos, porches and other concrete structures.

The use of stone landscaping products brings life to a garden. There are hundreds of options in designing a landscape using stone products. Stones come in different shapes, sizes and colors to add a wonderful accent to a yard or a lawn. However, the overall effect of using stones will depend on the creativity of the landscape designer.

You can use them to make stepping stones along the pathway, create small mountain-like structures and you can even use them to decorate walls along the garden. It all depends on your imagination how you can creatively incorporate stones in your landscape.

Since the variety of stone landscaping products is wide, it is not difficult to pick a stone that will suit your specific needs in designing your garden. You will surely find one or more pieces that will match the style and theme of your landscape design. All that is needed is careful study of the design and the area that will be landscaped.

You need to clearly identify what structures included in the landscape can be enhanced by stone landscaping products. Then, you need to choose the stones with the right features. For instance, stones with dark colors may not be the best choice in shaded or dark areas but, instead, brightly colored ones that can brighten the area.

The shape of the stone is also important to consider. For example, stones that will be used in steps should be flat with a coarse surface so it will be easy to walk on but not slippery when wet. Stones that will be placed in sitting and dining areas should also be level and not pointy so that the tables and chairs will not tilt.

Good stone landscaping products can be purchased online but, sometimes, the landscaping stones that you need are already within your garden. Try to check if you have some good stone pieces in your own yard so you can save yourself some money.

On the other hand, if you do need to buy stone landscaping products it will be best to do some research first and check out some designs online. Also, you can learn more about choosing and using these products by asking assistance from a landscaping professional.

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Landscaping and Gardening and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Landscaping web site. For more articles and resources on landscaping designs, landscape ideas, garden landscaping and much more visit his site at:

=>http://landscaping.need-to-know.net/

All gardens have flowers, shrubs and grass of all sorts. Collectively, all the vegetation is called soft landscape. Soft landscaping is a term initiated and used by enthusiasts of landscape architecture and garden design.

Creative soft landscaping can breathe life to a garden and gives the garden its unique ambiance. Because it is the main component in any garden, the collection of plants that will be used in a garden must be selected with care.

The biggest concern in soft landscaping is the nature of the vegetation itself. It is the gardener’s worst nightmare to see that the decorative flowers and herbs he planted a week before has begun to wilt.

To avoid this problem, one should choose the plants carefully. Usually, local fauna rather than exotic or countryside vegetation are best for large scale planting. They also require less maintenance since the plants have already adapted to the soil conditions in the area.

Since flowers are usually the main attraction of a garden, it is important to select a variety of annual flowers. These flowers complete their life cycle within one year. At the end of that year, the flowers die, allowing time to propagate and produce new, fresh flowers during the next season.

After the plants are chosen, garden cover usually comes next. Ground cover effectively utilizes garden space. Usually, ground cover is ornamental grass but some people use moss. Healthy ground cover involves having a strong root system to help prevent soil erosion when it rains and when planting other vegetation. Since ground cover grows and spreads rather quickly, it is a good idea to leave some areas bare where the grass can expand.

Putting in the ornamental vegetation is the most tedious but the most rewarding part of soft landscaping. Although local flora can live and grow in the local soil condition, certain plants are more suited to a certain conditions rather than others. For example, some plants require moist soil while some grow well in dry ones. With this in mind, some areas of the garden should have a different type of soil other than soil in the surrounding area. This is an added burden but the effects are paid off.

Lastly, including specimen trees in the soft landscaping is recommended. Not only do they look beautiful, but they can also help define the community’s urban landscape. One should not overdo planting trees, however, their size and height will dominate the garden.

A garden makes a home a better place to live in. Choosing the right plants is the first step to make it the ideal home.

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Landscaping and Gardening and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Landscaping web site. For more articles and resources on landscaping designs, landscape ideas, garden landscaping and much more visit his site at:

=>http://landscaping.need-to-know.net/

A pool is a great addition to your landscaping project. It can add splendor and appeal to your home or your property. A pool also brings fun and enjoyment to family and friends during the summer season. A landscaped pool also makes a great venue for any special occasion and events like parties and family reunions.

Plenty of pool landscaping ideas can help you achieve the perfect swimming pool for your home or your property. In adding a pool to your landscape, you have to consider three factors, which are physical appeal, maintaining privacy and shade.

Physical appeal simply means the beauty of the landscape. For instance, adding colorful flowers to your pool landscape will certainly bring life to your pool and soften concrete surfaces. To maintain privacy, you can put trees or plants around the pool so that you and your family and can easily relax without having to worry that the whole neighborhood can you see you. Lastly, you need to make sure that you include a shade or a shelter for you and your guests to protect you from the sun when you are out of the water. You can plant trees and put structures like big umbrellas or cottages near the pool. By researching pool landscaping ideas, you will certainly come across many creative ways to enhance your pool area.

Other pool landscaping ideas to consider:

Pool type:

You can build either a concrete or a vinyl pool. Concrete pools are more expensive than a vinyl pool however they are more versatile. You can choose from a wide variety of shapes and sizes to suit your taste. A concrete pool is more luxurious with various color options while vinyl pools while inexpensive have limited designs.

Decks and patios:

These features are also great pool landscaping ideas. You can position them close to the swimming pool so you can just sit and relax by the poolside. You can put patios and decks using different kinds of pavers like bricks and natural stones that will add appeal to your landscaped pool.

Landscaping Rocks:

Add a natural and rustic appeal to your pool using boulders and rocks that are of different shapes and sizes. You can create natural looking rock formations near the pool that can be very relaxing.

These are just a few pool landscaping ideas that you can incorporate in your project. It is recommended to ask assistance from a licensed landscape architect or from an experienced landscaping professional.

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Landscaping and Gardening and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Landscaping web site. For more articles and resources on landscaping designs, landscape ideas, garden landscaping and much more visit his site at:

=>http://landscaping.need-to-know.net/

If you are planning on getting a pool you might as well consider some pool area landscaping ideas. Pool area landscaping can turn an ordinary pool into a luxurious and appealing swimming pool. When landscaping a pool you have several things to consider. Aside from making sure the landscape is beautiful, you need to think about safety and privacy concerns as well as the comfort of your guests.

Plants are very vital to achieve beauty in pool area landscaping. They serve as the main decoration around the pool. They soften the concrete surfaces of the pool creating that nature-like feel. Plants also cause the pool to blend with a natural environment that can be very relaxing and calming. However, you should also consider the type of plants to use. Some plants are high maintenance, which needs frequent trimming. Additionally, you can also paint the pool surrounding with vibrant colors to bring life to hard surfaces. A colorful painting of nature and animals on the wall can be a very good example of this.

Safety is also a very important thing to consider and proper pool area landscaping can help you obtain it. Patios and decks do not only provide beauty but also safety in the pool area. When climbing out of the pool, the area can be very slippery. You can create decks and patios using concrete pavers like bricks and stones that are slip-resistant. However, regular cleaning is necessary to remove moss that will make the surface slippery. Adding a pool fence is also another way to ensure safety in your pool area.

When planning your pool area landscaping, you also need to think about privacy so you, your family and your guests can be completely comfortable. To maintain privacy in your pool area, you can add trees or tall plants around it. However, you need to choose the right trees or plants to install. Optionally, you can place oversized umbrellas and cottages around the pool, which also serve as shelter from the sun. Building a tall fence can also give privacy and security.

It is also useful to have a pool side gazebo where you can entertain friends and visitors while they are not swimming. They can also change clothes and relax under the shade of a closed gazebo. Having outdoor furniture is also necessary to make your guests comfortable.

The pool area landscaping ideas mentioned above are just some that you can use to have a swimming pool that your friends and neighbors will envy. For assistance in getting started or in implementing these ideas, it is best that you seek assistance from an professional landscaper.

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Landscaping and Gardening and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Landscaping web site. For more articles and resources on landscaping designs, landscape ideas, garden landscaping and much more visit his site at:

=>http://landscaping.need-to-know.net/

Landscaping your patio is an exciting challenge that promises to transform the look of your home. Whether you are building a new patio or making over an existing one, there are certainly many possibilities in patio landscaping design that you can try.

Begin landscaping your patio with a new brick, stone or concrete foundation. Any of these materials will make a great base for your patio landscaping design. Patio landscaping design includes the use of a wide variety of materials. Soft materials refer to plants while hard materials refer to rocks, stones, bricks, tiles, concrete, timber and the like.

In choosing materials for your patio landscaping design, you should make sure that your choices match the theme you have in mind. In addition, your materials should both be attractive and functional, which will make your patio not only look good but durable and comfortable.

Details are important in your patio landscaping design. Adding finishing touches such as flowers and colorful stones can make your patio more appealing and inviting. You can line them at the edges or put them in pots so you can place them anywhere in the patio.

When planning your patio landscaping design, you should consider first the size of available space that you have in order to determine what features will work best. For example, winding paths may not work well in a small space. If you have a large patio area, you can divide it into sections, for example, a dining area, kid’s play area, and a quiet nook for relaxing or meditation.

A patio landscaping design that features plenty of lush green plants and vibrant colorful flowers breathes life into any space. You can install a mass of perennial plants, which require little maintenance. Spruce up your patio with bright potted annuals.

Water features are also pleasant addition to your patio landscaping design. Consider building a small pond or adding a waterfall if your space will allow it. There are small construction kits for these features available at popular building supply stores.

Accessories are also essential to enhance your patio landscaping design. Objects such as patio furniture, cushions, sun catchers, and many others all work to improve the overall look of your patio so you should also choose them carefully to make sure they will fit your landscape.

There are plenty of resources to get inspiration from for your patio landscaping design. Browse home garden magazines, gardening books and websites and watch home improvement shows to get creative ideas of building a welcoming patio or transforming your old patio from dull to interesting.

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Landscaping and Gardening and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Landscaping web site. For more articles and resources on landscaping designs, landscape ideas, garden landscaping and much more visit his site at:

=>http://landscaping.need-to-know.net/