Garden Fence – for everything in your garden

Lots of people are making fountains part of their outdoor décor. And why not? Fountains add a touch of class and when chosen carefully, really compliment your landscaping. The sound of the running water alone adds an extra dimension to your garden. Even if you don’t have a water pond in your backyard, you can still enjoy the beauty and tranquility of a fountain.

The most basic fountain that you can use without a pond is what I call the birdbath style. It looks just like a birdbath, but has a little fountain built into the center. The unit is completely self contained, and easy to set up. If you have a birdbath in your yard now, have a look at it. You might be able to add a small fountain to it. The bowl will act as the fountain’s reservoir. But be forewarned, the birds may not like visiting your birdbath anymore.

If you want to go all out, you’ll find bunches of larger freestanding fountains. If you’re looking for something that can be the focal point of your garden, these are the fountains to look at. They come in a couple of different flavors. Some are multi tired. You see these in a lot of city parks. Basically, they are a series of birdbath fountains placed on top of each other. The top bowl has a larger fountain pumping water into the air. The water collects in the top bowl until it spills onto the next. It does this through two or tree bowls until collecting in the reservoir. These are really nice fountains, but tend to be pretty big.

The waterfall is another type of large fountain for your backyard. Like the name implies, these fountains simulate a waterfall. Instead of shooting water into the air, water is allowed to gently fill the top “pond” until it spills over. On some the water is allowed to gently glide down a slope. On others it spills over like Niagara Falls. You can find these with multiple stages or a single stage.

If you want something larger than a birdbath fountain, but don’t want it to dominate your garden, a wall fountain may be for you. Have you seen the fountains in old European cities? The ones mounted on the walls. It’s usually a lion or angel with water flowing from its mouth into a basin. That’s a wall fountain. They can be placed against your home’s exterior wall or if you get creative and can secure it, against a trellis. These also come with their own little reservoir.

There you have it. Fountains for your yard, even if you don’t have a pond. Of course, if you have a pond, you’ll have lots of other choices. But for those of us who don’t want to dig a pond or don’t have a large enough backyard, these free standing fountains are a great alternative. And you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty and tranquility a fountain offers for years to come.

Copyright 2006 Marge Snow

Marge Snow
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/enjoy-your-own-fountain-50347.html

When it comes to landscaping you have a very wide choice of materials to get inspiration from. From tools to plants, choosing the right piece for your plot will get you the results you want.

What You Will Need For Landscaping

With a little bit of creative flair and a few pieces of equipment you can improve your garden dramatically. It becomes even easier as the weather gets better as most stores tend to stock an even larger range of tools and materials to help you make your landscaping project become reality.

The Right Tool For The Right Job
When it comes to gardening, you need not spend a lot of money but it will help you getting the job done more efficiently if you have access to a few basic tools. Take a stroll around your local garden or home equipment store for the few key items that will make your life easier when landscaping: a good shovel, a rake, a spade and a wheelbarrow will be very handy to move materials around the garden.

Selecting Materials
There are plenty of materials available to help you achieve the look you’re after, whether you’re going for a complete makeover of just giving your backyard a good spring clean. You can find all manners of stones, gravel or mulch to add texture or connect areas in need of a helping hand.

One of the obvious materials to consider as part of your landscaping project is plants: whether potted or planted in full ground, used as a colored accent or vibrant feature in its own right there are plenty of options. Plants can be a great source of inspiration and if you’re a bit short on creative landscaping ideas they may be all you need to create a fresh look in your garden. Just remember to make your life easier for the rest of the season by using landscaping fabric or thick plastic when planting a new flowerbed as this will help keep weeds at bay.

Making The Most Of Walls And Borders
You can either spruce up existing retaining walls and borders or build new ones using a variety of stones or bricks. Your local store or building merchant will usually carry a good selection so you should be able to find something that matches your taste and your budget.

Keeping Things Looking Good In The Long Run
Once your masterpiece is done you need to make sure that you are adequately equipped to keep it looking neat and tidy. You will probably have to invest in a lawnmower to keep the grass trimmed, and a pair of hedge clippers to keep your shrubs looking their best year-round.

Don’t Forget Watering
Lastly you will most likely need to invest in a watering device of sorts to keep your plants watered: this may be a watering can if you only need to take care of a few potted plants, or you may have to get a garden hose to take care of a bigger plot.

Mr.Andrew Caxton
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/what-equipment-do-you-need-to-maintain-your-landscape-135334.html

Live Like Royalty

Backyard ponds are not only for the filthy rich individuals. Nowadays, even the simplest homeowner can make their own backyard pond as luxurious as the wealthy estates.

Once you get your back yard pond set up, it would provide both fun and enjoyment. It also provides a dwelling place for the fish, wildlife, aquatic plants and flowers. It is a relaxing hobby that not only provides relaxation but appreciation to Mother Nature as well.

Plan Ahead

Building your own backyard pond may not be extremely hard to built but thorough planning should be placed in constructing one. The hardest part in building one is digging the pond. It all depends on what type of soil your region has. This determines how easy or how strenuous the digging part would be.

The size and shape of the pond depends on your preferences. It can be a small, preformed pond or one that needs a pond liner that can hold up to seven thousand gallons of water.

Location

Consider the location of your pond. Where would it be best seen? Picture yourself sitting outside. What location grabs your eye the most? Consider these important elements. Is the water source situated justnearby? Is your pond’s location a flat area? Is electrical supply available? Keep in mind that these are just some questions you need to be answered.

Equipment

Building a pond of any size requires a complete set of tools. Now, take hold of these important equipment. In building and constructing a pond, one must need a water pump, a UV filter, a pond filter, and some pond plants among many. Other must haves are the following: a pond liner of appropriate size, an air diffuser, pond lightings, a skimmer, the aquatic animals, and fish food.

Cost

Another thing to consider in pond building is the cost. Initially, constructing and maintaining the pond could be quite expensive, that is with no doubt. But there are now cheaper do it yourself kits available in the market. Once it is finished, the enjoyment it brings is worth it.

Another plus for the backyard pond is that it turns an oh-so-boring piece of land into a thing of beauty. It works best if you have the proper landscape to go with your pond. Make your pond the centerpiece of your back yard.

However, because of too many do-it-yourself homeowners, they usually make mistakes. Following these guidelines may help you avoid the pitfalls of do it yourself backyard pond disasters.

Initially, it is important to incorporate your pond to the current landscape of your backyard. This works best for amateur landscapers who just wanted to get right down to work. Do not let your pond detract the beauty of your yard. Make it fit and not out of place.

To Sum It Up

Integrate your pond’s design to your landscape. Do not make it lavish if you have a very simple backyard. Take time to choose the design that may flatter the overall landscaping.

Secondly, think of the essential requirements of a pond. Do not place your pond in complete shade since this will hamper the amount of sunlight to your pond. Aquatic animals and plants need ample amount of the warmth of the sun.

Finally, size does matter. Plant the size of your pond. Do not place too much fish on a small pond. Experiment on a variety of aquatic plants.

Provide luster and relaxation to your yard as well as increase your property’s value. Make your backyard more attractive and enjoyable by adding a backyard pond.

Nicholas Tan

Choosing from the wide variety of types and styles of swimming pool filters is not as easy as it may seem. What may work best for one swimming pool in one environment may not be the best choice for the same pool in another environment. So understanding how they work is imperative for making a correct decision.

Heavy Debris

For instance, so much is often made about the fineness of the particles that one or more types of swimming pool filters are capable of removing. However; one has to bear in mind that in general, the finer the particles that swimming pool filter will remove the easier and faster it will be come clogged with heavy debris.

Check Your Landscaping

What this means is that you have to take a look around at your landscaping before you buy your swimming pool filter. If you have heavy leafy shrubs that will be shedding into your pool on a regular basis then you would be well advised to avoid a cartridge filter and go with a sand filter system

Automatic Pool Cleaners

Don’t worry that you are going to be left without crystal clear pool water though. This is because you can purchase an automatic pool cleaner to deal with the task of removing the very fine particles that will have to be removed.

You Can’t Fight Mother Nature

Working with what you have in this way is so important. Trying to fight mother nature can result in either you having to spend an inordinate amount of time cleaning cartridges or with a clogged system that will inevitably lead to breakdowns and repairs.

Talk to an Expert

This is why if you have any level of shrubbery in your backyard you would be well advised to talk to an expert and allow him or her to weigh in on the decision making process. There is no need to take a drive though to find an expert on swimming pool filters because there are plenty of them available online.

Alejandra Gibson
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/understanding-and-choosing-swimming-pool-filters-671340.html

Mosaic tile is a wonderful element to add to your outside landscaping. If you have a patio or pool area, using mosaic tile in these places can create a unique look that you won’t find with any other material. Take a look at some of the unique ways that you can use mosaic tile in your outdoor landscaping.

Typically we think of mosaic tile and its use in swimming pools and similar areas. These uses can be quite stunning when they are used to create an outdoor mural in your swimming pool. Many people have created an image in the bottom of their swimming pool with the use of mosaic tile. The designs that can be created by the artisans that work with this material is incredible and will liven up your pool area in a way that no other material can.

If you have a fountain in your Backyard Landscaping, the use of mosaic tile can add to the beauty of this addition to your yard. When a fountain is placed in a garden area surrounded by flowers, the look is incredible. Add mosaic tile to the area around the fountain and you will have a look like no other. It will create a serene beauty that will give you hours of peaceful beauty when you are in your garden.

The walkways and paths that are in your backyard or even front yard landscaping are a great opportunity to use mosaic tile for a fabulous look. Create a design that suits your own taste and style for the areas of the backyard that are often neglected.

Your outdoor furniture can benefit from the look of mosaic tile as well. Creating a designer look on top of your garden tables with mosaic tile is a way to create outdoor furniture that is like nothing you will find on the market. When you use mosaic tile, you will be able to choose the tiles and create a look that is exactly what you want, not what you are able to find in the stores.

There are many landscaping ideas that you can use in your yard that can be enhanced with the look of mosaic tile. Imagine the walkways that meander through your garden gleaming with the look of these colorful designs. You can top the benches in the garden as well with a lovely design that you create on your own. The ideas are endless if you consider all of the surfaces in your outdoor landscaping that would benefit from the colorful and unique look of mosaic tile.

When you are choosing the tile for your mosaic design, it is very important that you choose very high quality materials. The piece that you create will last much longer if you start off with the best materials. You should look for a dealer that will be able to provide you with the highest grade mosaic tile available in the market. You should use a professional to install the tile in some of the more difficult areas. But it is possible to top your furniture on your own and transform a dull and lifeless piece of outdoor furniture into something colorful and stunning for your yard.

Peter Geisheker

Mosaic tile is a wonderful element to add to your outside landscaping. If you have a patio or pool area, using mosaic tile in these places can create a unique look that you won’t find with any other material. Take a look at some of the unique ways that you can use mosaic tile in your outdoor landscaping.

Typically we think of mosaic tile and its use in swimming pools and similar areas. These uses can be quite stunning when they are used to create an outdoor mural in your swimming pool. Many people have created an image in the bottom of their swimming pool with the use of mosaic tile. The designs that can be created by the artisans that work with this material is incredible and will liven up your pool area in a way that no other material can.

If you have a fountain in your Backyard Landscaping, the use of mosaic tile can add to the beauty of this addition to your yard. When a fountain is placed in a garden area surrounded by flowers, the look is incredible. Add mosaic tile to the area around the fountain and you will have a look like no other. It will create a serene beauty that will give you hours of peaceful beauty when you are in your garden.

The walkways and paths that are in your backyard or even front yard landscaping are a great opportunity to use mosaic tile for a fabulous look. Create a design that suits your own taste and style for the areas of the backyard that are often neglected.

Your outdoor furniture can benefit from the look of mosaic tile as well. Creating a designer look on top of your garden tables with mosaic tile is a way to create outdoor furniture that is like nothing you will find on the market. When you use mosaic tile, you will be able to choose the tiles and create a look that is exactly what you want, not what you are able to find in the stores.

There are many landscaping ideas that you can use in your yard that can be enhanced with the look of mosaic tile. Imagine the walkways that meander through your garden gleaming with the look of these colorful designs. You can top the benches in the garden as well with a lovely design that you create on your own. The ideas are endless if you consider all of the surfaces in your outdoor landscaping that would benefit from the colorful and unique look of mosaic tile.

When you are choosing the tile for your mosaic design, it is very important that you choose very high quality materials. The piece that you create will last much longer if you start off with the best materials. You should look for a dealer that will be able to provide you with the highest grade mosaic tile available in the market. You should use a professional to install the tile in some of the more difficult areas. But it is possible to top your furniture on your own and transform a dull and lifeless piece of outdoor furniture into something colorful and stunning for your yard.

Peter Geisheker

The answer to this question is an emphatic yes, many plants can sicken or even kill your pets. I sincerely feel that stores and nurseries that sell plants should abide by some kind of national label system to identify potentially poisonous plants. For example, deer ate and killed one of my landscaping plants last year and we replaced the plant with a beautiful rhododendron this spring, purchased from a very reputable and knowledgeable nursery. We made sure that we planted our rhododendron where it has the proper amount of light and shade, we used a whole bag of the correct acid fertilized soil and we have been making sure it is properly watered. The plant is doing great. Now that we have a new puppy that chews on everything including tasting all landscaping plants, I come to find out that this plant is very toxic to dogs. What the heck, I feel that we should have been warned.

Some signs of animal poisoning are diarrhea, vomiting, abnormal urine, salivation, difficulty breathing, weakness, and dizziness. If you think that your pet has been poisoned contact your veterinarian immediately. If he is unavailable, you might want to contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. The Animal Poison Control Center is a valuable resource for any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, make the call that can make all the difference. (888) 426-4435. A $55 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.
If you can figure out which plant your pet ate, which part of the plant he ate and how much he may have eaten, that will help your veterinarian. If you have the time, take a sample of the plant with you to the veterinarian for identification. This might be very helpful.
I include a list of toxic plants. Not all plants will kill. Some pets will completely ignore plants, others will chew on plants every chance they get. The degree of toxicity of plants also depends up the season, the part of the plant eaten and the size of the pet and quantity eaten. Also different pet species and even different pet breeds may be affected differently. There are a lot of variables. It may be about impossible to fully protect your pet but as you buy new plants and add them to the backyard or house, you should have access to enough knowledge to avoid future potential problems. You may also want to give away some of the more dangerous houseplants to friends without pets.
One thing to keep in mind is that even if a plant if toxic, it is not necessarily fatal. Other symptoms can be much less severe. Some toxic plants can cause rash and irritation, some can make your pets lips and tongue sore, some may produce abdominal pair and diarrhea, some vomiting, and cramps, others hallucinations, tumors, heart and respiratory problems and kidney problems. The following lists are not complete by any means.
*POTENTIALLY TOXIC HOUSEPLANTS
Aloe Vera, Burn Plant
Amaryllis
Flamingo Lily
Angels Wings
Chrysanthemums, Mums
Kaffir Lily
Croton
Cyclamen
Angels Trumpet
Dumb Cane
Crown-Of-Thorns
Poinsettia
English Ivy
Hydrangea
Devils Backbone
Ceriman,
Philodendron
Azalea
Jerusalem Cherry
*POTENTIALLY POISONOUS OUTDOOR PLANTS
Apricot
Azalea
Baneberry
Buchberry
Buckeye
Castor Bean
Choke Cherry
Daffodil
Daphne
Foxflove
Hemlock
Hens-and-Chicks
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Jerusalem Cherry
Jimson Weed
Jonquil
Lily-of-the-Valley
Mandrake
Mistletoe
Morning Glory
Nightshade
Oleander
Poinsetta
Pokeweed
Red Sage
Rhododendron
Rhubara
Sweet Pea
Tulip
Wisteria
Yew

Mitch Endick
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/can-my-houseplants-or-landscaping-poison-my-puppy-or-kitten-71865.html

If you have a postage stamp-sized lawn, you don’t have room to experiment and every element has equal importance. We provide ideas on what to grow in small places.

If you live in a town home, your front and side-gardens are probably maintained by the association, and the only thing you have to call your own is a postage-stamp sized back garden, surrounded by a fence.

It’s easy to landscape large gardens – you have a lot of room to work with and if one element jars its not the end of the world. But in a smaller gardening space any element out of place will stick out like the proverbial sore thumb.

Plan Your Garden
Take a sheet of graph paper and draw a to-scale plan of the area you’ve got to work with. You’re constrained by the fence, and by any dips or extensions from your home. Include all this on your graph paper. Then take sheets of tracing paper, place those over your plan, and experiment with what kinds of flowers and shrubs you’d like to have.

Test The Soil
Soil-testing kits are inexpensive, and they are a vital tool in growing a healthy landscape. Plants grow best in slightly acidic soil – so if your test reveals that the soil is too acidic or alkaline, take corrective measures before beginning your plantings.

What To Plant
Vines and climbers: These maximize growing space in your garden, because they grow upward, rather than growing outward, taking up the scarce square footage. Because these plants grow upward, more leaves are exposed to the sunlight, which usually makes them healthier than smaller plants.

Don’t let these vines or climbers do their thing on the side of your home – it may look pretty but it does tremendous damage to the walls. Your housing association will probably not want you to let those climbers and vines climbing on the fence surrounding your backyard, however this is easily solved by installing trellises right in front of the fence.

Grow ‘Em and Eat ‘Em
You don’t have room to plant apple or pear trees, but that doesn’t mean you can’t grow edible food in your garden. American grapes, apple melons, asparagus beans and other types of vegetables grow best on a trellis.

Other food plants to grow on trellises are blackberries, raspberrys, and chayote, and passionfruit.

Night Lights
Because your garden is right beside your home, you should design it so that you can see as much as possible from your living room windows. Highlight it at night so that you can enjoy it- but don’t light too much. Never highlight or spotlight more than three plants or structures – otherwise it will look too busy.

Mr.Andrew Caxton
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/landscaping-tiny-lawns-125153.html

Landscaping is usually a fairly big task, consuming much time and energy. But before you hire that professional, here are some tips that could save both time and money.

1. Spend some time thinking about exactly how you want the final design to be. You need to take account of the style and function of your landscape. Do you want to include an area for entertaining? A barbeque? Is there to be an area for children to play, a fishpond or a swimming pool? An idea of the plants you want to be there will also help. Focus on the area where you spend most of your time. That’s a good place to start.

2. Think twice before hiring a pro. An independent designer might cost you hundreds of dollars when you may be able to access free plans on the internet or at a nursery. But if you have an awkward block such as very steep ground, a pro might give you the expertise to save costly mistakes.

3. The style of your home must be taken into account. If you have a rural cottage, formal gardens surrounding it will look out of place. Think also about your lifestyle. Do you want to spend hours caring for many beds of annuals or pruning beds of roses? If so, go ahead and plant them, but if you’d rather spend your free time at the beach, then go for an easy-care garden and landscape.

Here are the various landscape styles you can choose for your own garden:

a. Formal. This style uses lots of straight lines and perfect geometrical shapes. Orderly arrangement of plants instead of random positioning is employed. Close arrangement and pruning is seen on many landscaped gardens with this style.

b. Informal. This kind of landscaping workds well with cosy cottages. Beds with curved edges instead of straight lines and random placement of plants suit this landscape style.

c. English Garden. This style emphasizes the harmony between the house’s architecture and the garden.

d. Formal/Informal Garden. This style often comes with a brick walkway that exudes formality. This walkway leads to the rear with a circle of plants. The arrangement of plants resembles the English garden style but it has no formal borders.

e. Oriental. It is often the kind of garden found in small backyards. It uses rocks, evergreens and water. A wide variety of plants create several interesting angles with this style.

f. Woodland. This landscaping suits a house that has a wooded backyard and sloping ground.

Nicky Pilkington
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/3-tips-in-landscaping-your-garden-10045.html

Due to the fact, that your front yard is out there for all to see, for most home-owners, this part of your garden tends to have a little more attention to detail afforded it. Actually, more attention to everything about it. Well, what would the neighbors say! Indeed, your front yard is often the yard-stick by which the occupants are judged. Let’s face it, if you see a front yard with 3 to 4 foot high grass emenating strange animal noises, you are going to wonder just what the place must be like inside. There is no denying it, a well kept lawn and garden, gives worth and will add extra value to a property.

The creation of a beautiful front yard to be proud of, doesn’t necessarily require the hiring of a landscaping expert to do the job for you. With a little imagination and creativity, a lot can be done to transform the area. There is no “rule” stating that your front yard must be a square piece of lawn, with wickedly sharp edges.
The internet is a great place to find free ideas for your front-yard landscape design. Steal some of these great ideas and make them your own, make them unique by mixing them up a little. Be a little adventurous. Given time, you will find that “what the neighbors will say”, will be “Gee, I wish I had a garden like that!”

If, for example, you were to bulk plant the area with trees and or shrubs, around the perimeter (not talking Sequoia’s here), this would then afford you the privacy to while away your spare-time reading a good book, having a quiet picnic with family and friends, or, create a “front yard outdoor living area” – as an extension of your indoor living area. More commonly, this idea is utilised for the backyard, so if you incorporate the front yard with your home’s various existing living spaces, indoor and outdoor – you will indeed have a rather unique result.

A display of artwork or statuary in the front yard can also add an element of excitement, provided you don’t overdo it. There is a place nearby my house that has too many interesting things in it, a bit of a sensory overload, really. I think that anyone on serious medication should steer clear of it. Then again, it may well be that the perpetrator of this nightmare – is in fact on serious medication. The general rule here is – less is best. Create interest, not shock.

A bird house or bird bath, possibly a pond or fountain, always adds more than a bit of interest. Not only will this attract birds to your garden, but also, nothing comes close to the soothing sight and sounds of falling water. Flowering plants (annuals, perennials), and shrubs, are a great way to attract butterflies to the garden – giving an animated flowers effect as they flitter on by.

Do keep in mind, that planting trees, shrubs, flowers, etc, as regards landscaping, is a lot easier that installing pergolas decks and patios. Living plants also afford the bonus of constant change, whether this be through the seasons, flowering, or merely the fact that they ARE growing – therefore the shape and size of your plants is a constantly changing experience.
I hope that you have found this article helpful in giving you some useful ideas for landscaping your front yard.
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chris j meagher