Soil Quality

Depending on where the vacant lot is located, this will determine the quality of the soil. The first step in landscaping is to focus on the quality of the soil. If you know where you plan to build your house on the lot, then avoid focusing on the soil quality in that immediate location. However, where you don’t plan to build and yet where you want to create beautiful landscaping, focus on these areas. Not to mention, where you want the grass to grow heartily, focus there.

Good soil will go a long way to avoiding problems and saving money in the long run. Said negatively, bad soil will create many problems with landscaping. Good soil is the foundation of any good landscaping plan…pun intended. Depending on what the soil quality is like, it may be advisable to bring a layer of topsoil onto the lot. If it isn’t bad, the soil might be able to be conditioned with certain fertilizer depending on the soil type.

Groundcover

Next, you’ll want to think about the groundcover. You won’t be able to landscape the entire vacant lot nor would you want to, so start by thinking of what you would want to cover the ground area inside the lot. Most people may want to get grass started while others won’t mind planting wildflowers to cover the lot.

Regardless, of what you choose, you’ll want something that is desirable, and that will grow heartily in your area and will spread to cover the entire lot.

Property Lines

Since it may be unclear where the house or structure will be built on the vacant lot, it’s best to focus on areas where the house will NOT be. For example, the property lines. The property lines are usually where most of the focus will want to be placed. Very little of the construction will be done on or near the property lines. Property lines are a great location to do landscaping because it’s smart to mark boundaries and always have an understanding where one property ends and the other begins. But it’s also smart because property lines are a great place to put privacy walls/barriers. This could be in the form of fencing and walls or in the form of trees and shrubbery. We have plenty of ideas for privacy barriers. Privacy barriers can also double as a shield from the elements.

Trees, Shrubs, and Ornamental Grasses

The larger plants not located immediately next to the building site are also good to get started on. Obviously, trees and shrubs can take a long time to grow and every year they are in the ground means more shade and enjoyment they can provide you and your family sooner.

In conclusion, don’t hesitate to begin landscaping your vacant lot even if you haven’t started building. Getting a head start on the landscaping process can help the building process be less hectic as its one less thing you’ll have to worry about. Not to mention that the plants will get a head start and be more established down the road.

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If you love spending time outdoors or you enjoy throwing parties in your backyard, that doesn’t mean that you want to spend a ton of time keeping up your landscaping. If that sounds like you, selecting low maintenance landscaping is the perfect compromise. You get to enjoy time in your yard that looks fantastic and you are spared from having to spend numerous hours each week on upkeep and maintenance.

If you are considering a landscaping project, remember this. Everybody’s personal definition of low maintenance can be very different, so it’s really important that you find a landscape designer who listens to you and understands what you consider low maintenance. That’s the only way they will be able to design a landscape that’s right for you and your lifestyle.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that you can’t have some ideas of what you want, or what would work for you prior to meeting with designers. Here are 8 simple ideas that can be used to create a cozy, vibrant outdoor space you and your family will enjoy.

1. Mulch Vs. Stone

Mulch may be the number one choice for plants, but it can be messy. If you have a pool or hot tub, you could find the mulch being dragged or blown into it. A low maintenance solution is to have areas near the pool or hot tub covered using stone, or larger sized decorative gravels, with areas of mulch and plants far behind that barrier. Larger stones have a unique look and will not stick to bather’s feet or easily blow away.

2. Landscape Plants

Choosing the right type of plants is key. You want to select a variety of low maintenance plants, that don’t need lots of looking after or tending to. Look for plants that are not disease or pest prone, are drought tolerant, don’t need trimming, and are generally hardy species. You might want to include some of the following low maintenance plants:

• Ornamental Grasses – Sedge Grass, Fountain Grass
• Ground Cover – Coneflowers, Creeping Juniper, Periwinkle, Pachysandra, Liriope
• Shrubs – Burning Bush, Butterfly Bush, Boxwood, Spirea, Weigela, Siberian Cypress

3. Low Maintenance Structures

A structure, such as a pergola, makes a wonderful, attractive addition to your landscaping, but you should consider your materials carefully. Pressure treated wood may be cheaper than a composite, but lumber needs to be regularly sanded, and stained, which is time-consuming.

Composite needs much maintenance than lumber. Spills can be easily wiped up, and it can be made to look as good as new with the odd pressure washing. It’s also more durable than wood and doesn’t crack or splinter as wood does.

4. Gas Vs Wood Fire

Choosing a fire is a case of personal preference. Real wood fires have a unique smell, and sound, but a gas fire is much easier to use. Gas fires can be turned on or off with a simple button, and you don’t need to wait for the fire to burn out. Gas fires are quick to cool when turned off. There’s no need to store wood or dispose of hot ash, and a gas fire will start instantly.

Having said that, some people find building a fire relaxing and enjoy a wood fire much more than a gas one. This means that choosing a fire is truly a personal choice and should be taken into consideration during the design process.

5. Patio Materials

When it comes to patio materials, you have a few options, and some are more low maintenance than others. Pavers and natural stone are both excellent options. They’re durable and require very little maintenance. Pavers, however, will need sealing every three years.

Concrete is a low-cost option, but it is higher maintenance than the other two. Concrete cracks, especially during the freezing and thawing of winter. Cracks need to be repaired, and these patched areas are impossible to hide.

6. Outdoor Kitchen Appliances

An outdoor kitchen can be one of the best investments you could make for your outdoor living space and to increase the value of your home. It’s definitely worth spending a bit more here for high quality, long lasting appliances. You’ll spend more upfront, but it will save you money long term. Investing in luxury, stainless steel appliances will stand up to all weather elements, be durable and bring your outdoor cooking experience to a whole new level.

7. Water Features

Water features can be a relaxing, and beautiful addition to your outdoor area. If you’re looking for low maintenance, then a fish pond is not for you. Fishponds are actually quite high maintenance, as they need to be weeded, the fish need to be fed, and the filter needs to be checked, and periodically cleaned or replaced.

Instead, choose a water feature that gives you the sound of water, without the work. You could have a pondless waterfall, fountain, or a bubbling urn.

If you would prefer a pool instead of a water feature but don’t want the expense, hassle and maintenance of an in-ground swimming pool, an above ground model will do the trick. Today, there are plenty of durable above ground pools that feature modern designs and will look fantastic incorporated into your landscaping. Simply place on your lawn, fill up and enjoy.

8. Lighting

LED lighting is a really popular choice for outdoor lighting. It’s energy efficient, which will save you money on your utility bills. It also lets you add some interesting features, such as pre-programmed holiday lighting, or color-theme programmes. Your lighting system should suit the needs of your property and your lifestyle and not have to frequently be changed to upgraded.

Low Maintenance Landscaping for Higher Enjoyability

If enjoying your outdoor living area, and not needing to worry about maintaining it is your priority, then some of these ideas will help you get your project rolling. You’ll also need to work with a landscaping or backyard living specialist that understands your needs, and your expectations of how much maintenance you want to perform.

What if a low maintenance backyard is still too much? It may be that you have the backyard of your dreams, but absolutely no time for maintaining it. You may feel busy and a little overwhelmed with your schedule as it is, that all you want is to relax in your outdoor area, and not spend time looking after it. If this is the case, you may want to consider looking into professional maintenance. You can think of it as ‘property management’ for your backyard. A professional will take care of all your maintenance needs, and all you have to do is relax, unwind, and enjoy your backyard!

About the Author

Scott Bland has been in the leisure industry for nearly 20 years. As a sales manager in the leisure industry, he knows hot tubs inside and out. Right now, he works sales while writing about consumer goods on the side. If you want to contact him, you can do so at his LinkedIn.

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5 Affordable Patio Designs

Ample Seating Area

Placing a couple of chairs and a table on the patio is a good place to start, but when you have a big family or want to hold parties in the garden, it’s not that easy anymore. Why not design a seating area with ample room for all your loved ones? Putting out a sofa is the obvious solution here, but a new piece of furniture of this type can be quite expensive.

Fortunately, if you have an old one lying around, this is the perfect time to reupholster it. If the item is high-quality, with good structure and sentimental value, restoring it is a given. Of course, you will have to compare the cost of this operation to that of purchasing a sofa, but more often than not DIY projects amount to considerably less.

Reupholstering an old sofa is not a difficult process. All you need is a lot of patience, as well as the proper tools for the job. Start by carefully cutting away the old fabric on the cushions, then follow with an accurate measurement of how much textile material you will need. Attach it to the bones of the couch with a staple gun, keeping it smooth, and that’s about it.

Fire Bowl for Chilly Nights

Just because the weather in your area tends to get chilly at night doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a pleasant evening out on the patio with your friends and family. When warm socks and sweaters just don’t cut it anymore and a fire pit seems too campy for your taste, it’s time to get creative and make your own fire bowl for the garden.

The project requires concrete and two bowls of varying dimensions depending on the desired size in its initial phase. Mix the cement formula, then take the larger bowl and oil it for easier release. Pour the concrete in, then create the inner dent using the smaller bowl which has been previously oiled on the exterior.

Let everything dry for as long as it is specified, then fill with the fuel of your choice. It can be wood, gel, coal, or whatever else you might fancy. The concrete will do a great job of containing the flames and distributing warmth to the surrounding area.

Outdoors Bar & BBQ

While we’re on the topic of get-togethers held in the backyard, how amazing would it be to have a bar and barbeque station out there? It might sound like quite the extravagant venture, but all you need really is a shelf unit and a counter of sorts. For the former, an old and repainted bookcase will do the trick, while the latter is an inexpensive find.

Adding an affordable ice maker to it is an elegant touch, and it won’t add to the costs of the project too much either. Finally, if you want to take care of the food as well, not just the drinks, a portable barbecue can be yours for under 100 dollars. The main advantage of it is that you can subsequently take it with you on camping trips as well, so you’ll surely get your money’s worth.

Lit-Up Garden Relaxation

Fairly lights are the easiest way to bring a little magic into your backyard on your budget. If you have potted plants or vines growing on a trellis, they are the ideal decoration that will make evenings and nights spent on the patio all the more special. Of course, for those blessed to have trees in the garden as well, you can always wrap them around the trunk too.

Invest in bigger and more powerful fairy lights and create a net over the entire backyard for that lit-up look. In this way, you will keep the area bright 24/7, and it will look downright celestial in the process too. Once Christmas rolls around, you can always switch the classic model up with red and green garlands to stay in tune with the season.

Enchanted Forest

Speaking of the trees in your garden, why not make the most of them? Fairy lights are just the beginning. Place small DIY decorations such as bird feeders, wind chimes, lanterns, or artificial flower garlands on their branches and transform your patio into an enhanced forest in the blink of an eye. However, be careful not to overdo it.

Besides tree, you can also organize the plants in the backyard to your advantage to create that dreamy aesthetic. Designing an entirely new patio on a budget is all about working with what you already have at your disposal, so what’s stopping you from getting creative? Nothing looks better on a summer evening that a blooming flower bed.

The Bottom Line

Designing a functional patio that is both entertaining and hospitable doesn’t have to break the bank. By cleverly using items that you’ve already got on hand and giving them a makeover, you will turn your backyard into the preferred hangout spot for the entirety of your friends and family. All you need is some imagination and a lot of determination to get the job done.

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To Rent or to Buy, This is the Question

In the case of hand tools, which we will discuss in a few moments, things are simple: you should buy them either for business or DIY landscape projects. When it comes to power tools, you need to consider the following aspects:

• If you are building a start-up, you should consider renting the essential power tools you will use more frequently on your or your clients’ properties (until you start making profits in your business).

Leasing equipment in the first stages of your project comes with both advantages and disadvantages, and you should consider them with care. However, you can get outstanding deals from tools and equipment renting firms, such as EquipmentRental.org, that can satisfy your needs, provide you with personalized offers and discounts, and be available in your work area for all your requirements.

The logic of renting equipment for seasonal work on your property or scheduled work for your clients is this: you do not pay for anything up-front, you always have predictable expenses, and you will be able to have access to state-of-the-art equipment to be ahead of your competitors.

If you want to make sure you decide correctly, then you should use business plan templates and start-up costs simulators. They will help you understand better what costs to avoid altogether, what charges to diminish, strong points to invest in, and other hidden, recurrent, or unexpected payments to consider.

Now that you have a bigger and clear picture of how to distribute your budget, we should see what tools you need for a landscaping business or a landscaping project.

Landscaping Essential Vehicles

• It is better to start a landscaping business with a truck you already have; if you do not own a proper vehicle for your landscaping start-up, you should introduce the costs of a heavy-duty flatbed truck with locking toolbox and a dumping mechanism. It may push your budget to around $30,000.
• If you need tools only for your property, you can skip the costs of the vehicle on your budget simulator.

Landscaping Essential Security Tools and Equipment

You should consider such tools no matter what – either for business or DIY projects; safety is mandatory. Here are your main items to consider:

• When you check out the reports offered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, you learn that even limited exposure to sound levels in the 85-to-90-dB range can cause hearing problems and loss; lawn equipment and tools operate at up to 95 dB, so hearing protectors and earmuffs are mandatory;
• Safety glasses will protect your eyes from vegetal debris, damage, and many accidents;
• Steel-toed work boots are necessary as well;
• Foam knee pads – for comfortable planting and safety;
• Invest in high-quality work gloves to give you a better grip on the tools and prevent power or hand tools from slipping when your hands sweat in warm weather.

Landscape Essential Power Tools

If you are a beginner in the landscaping business or personal projects, you need to consider a few tips before you pick your equipment – whether you rent it or buy it:

• Get high-quality equipment that does not feature extra add-ons and accessories; it will be cheaper and easier to use in the beginning;
• Rent or buy power tools from established companies and national networks – maintenance and service, together with spare parts will also cost cheaper and be more available and fast;
• Get your power tools to adapt to both large and small landscaping projects – you do not want to buy/rent specific equipment for specific jobs, as your budget will skyrocket.

Here are the landscaping power tools you need to start a business or a personal project:

• Lawnmower – get a ride-on mower powered by petrol, with at least 30” cutting width to adapt to all mowing projects;
• Grass trimmer – an excellent tool to tackle overgrown areas where the lawn mower proves inefficient;
• Tiller – renting a tiller to create new flower beds and dig over existing flower beds with ease and in a matter of minutes will save you time, money, and a reputation among your clients; we said rent specifically, as you may not need it as frequently as other tools;
• Lawn aerator – lawn aeration is a mandatory task for best lawn and landscaping projects, as it de-compacts the soil, allows warmth and light reach deep to the roots, allows the flow of nutrients, water, and oxygen. You could buy a hand aerator, but a power one will speed up the process. You can get an aerator as an accessory for the tiller instead of buying/renting two power tools separately;
• Lawn edger – to deliver the promise of “neat and picture-perfect” lawns and borders you advertise;
• A chainsaw – get one you can use with ease;
• Pole pruner – if you intend to turn trees into works of art and examples of good practices, get a pole pruner that saves you the risks and the fails of pruning trees while balancing on a ladder;
• Hedge trimmer – essential if you want to build a base of satisfied customers;
• Garden shredder – if you intend to waste nothing and walk the path of organic landscaping, a garden shredder helps you turn vegetal debris into reusable mulch, saving everybody’s time and money;
• Leaf blower – if you do not want to spend (futile) days in a row raking falling autumn leaves, invest in a leaf blower (a seasonal type of equipment you may rent);
• Snow thrower – in case your start-up revolves around yearlong services, a snow thrower will keep you ahead of the competition in wintertime, as not many offer such maintenance services; if you live in a cold area and you need to remove tons of snow from your property all winter long, this is also an excellent investment to consider.

Depending on the size of the property, its needs, the vegetation growing on it, its threats and opportunities, you can cross off the list some of these tools or add a few more. If you want to build a business, consider the tools that will help you achieve a fast, clean, efficient, and beautiful job with no fuss.

Landscaping Essential Hand Tools

They are many – and we mean a lot. It is easier to pick them if you want to care for your property – they mostly depend on what you need to do there regarding lawns, flowers, trees, watering, weed control, pest control, and more. However, if you want to start a business, you need to have all tools (or almost all of them), as it would be a pity to refuse a client just because you do not have the means to provide the service. Here are the main tools needed in gardening or professional landscaping:

• Long handled tools – pick high-quality models with resilient handles (“D” shaped, tubular-steel or fiberglass handles last for a lifetime): shovels, rakes, forks, lawn shears, pruners, Dutch hoes, transplant spades, etc.
• Short handled tools – make sure they are high quality with handles that make an excellent grip, are sturdy and do not rust easily: trowels, secateurs, hand rake, hori-hori (Japanese gardening knife), and hand cultivator.
• Accessories – they are equally important, and you have to include them in your costs simulator: buckets, ladders, wheelbarrow, hose, retractable safety knives, twine, push brooms, watering can, extension cords and batteries for different power tools, spreaders, sprayers, etc.

Final Thoughts

Besides tools and equipment, you should also invest in yourself. Landscaping is a science more than it is an art and you will soon realize you need to know plenty about soil pH, endemic weeds and pests, fertilization, lawn diseases and treatments, types of vegetation and plants, organic landscaping, and more. Landscaping as a business may also need collaboration with other companies in the field, as you may have to perform soil tests and even landscape architecture designs.

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As homeowners continue to view their outdoor living space as an extension of their home, more of them are taking what is commonly found indoors outside, including showers.

While to most, showering outdoors may seem awkward or unnerving, these additions have proven to be a luxury that is both useful and relaxing if installed correctly. If you’re curious about offering outdoor showers as a service, here are some of the main factors to keep in mind. 

Popularity

Some sensations will sweep the nation, but others will only be wildly popular in areas that are suitable for them. The success of selling outdoor showers is one of the services that greatly depends on what region you’re working in.

For Strata Landscape Architecture, based in San Francisco, California, almost all of its projects in Hawaii feature an outdoor shower, and the company recently started integrating them into their California gardens after the success in Hawaii.

Photo: Strata Landscape Architecture

“It really depends on the location,” said Dustin Moore, a partner at Strata. “(It’s) definitely popular in Hawaii and Southern California. Most of the outdoor showers in Northern California are related to the pool as a wash off the area and not located in shower gardens like our Hawaiian projects.”

Meanwhile, locations like Virginia are also popular for outdoor showers, as they typically have a good climate for outdoor living during much of the year.

Anna Boeschenstein, a landscape architect and owner of Grounded, LLC based in Esmont, Virginia, says that owners like outdoor showers because they are a luxury item that can be done without significant extra cost. In fact, she is in the midst of building one at her own house, noting it comes in handy for life in the country.

“I think they are becoming more popular,” Boeschenstein said. “As people experience outdoor showers at friends’ houses or vacation rentals, they are hooked and then want one at their own house. Isn’t an outdoor shower at the end of the day one of the best things about beach houses?”

Usage

Depending on how your client plans on utilizing their outdoor shower, certain design aspects can be greatly affected, so be sure to discuss this with them.

Photo: Strata Landscape Architecture

This also may differ by regions, as they are primarily used as showers in Hawaii but are more a wash off station in areas like California and Virginia.

If your client is uncertain how they want to use their shower, inform them that some local codes require showers to drain into a sanitary sewer drain or septic if they plan to use it for bathing, while those that are for pool wash off generally do not have this requirement.

There are other codes that require drains that lead to sanitary or septic to be covered by a roof, and permitting is by locale, so they need to look into local and state regulations to see what limitations or regulations they must follow, depending on the type of shower they’re wanting to install.

If your customer is only wanting the shower for washing off sandy feet or dirty dogs, they can opt for cold water only, keeping things inexpensive and simple. If they do indeed want to take showers outdoors, then you need to determine if they want hot water and what kind of amenities they need nearby including benches, soap holders and towel racks.

Privacy

Probably the paramount element to consider if your client does want to bath outdoors is how you will achieve privacy for them without making them feel like they are basically indoors.

The location of the shower, which we’ll cover shortly, plays a part in how you can go about providing privacy for your customer. It’s important to have it tucked away from prying eyes, but you still want the user to have a view.

Landscape architecture by Anna Boeschenstein/groundedllc.com. Architecture by Formwork Photo: Lincoln Barbour

“It depends upon the site, but planting, screens or walls all make great containment for outdoor showers,” Boeschenstein said. “What I do require, however, is a window or opening at eye level. There’s nothing better than being able to look out at a framed view while you shower outdoors.”

Moore says his company typically uses a series of fences or walls to screen a shower. Some have fences at a lower height, so the individual can look out while their bodies are covered.

“That requires measuring a client like they are getting a suit to ensure the amount of the body is covered with the fence,” Moore said. “The showers that are part of a guest suite are normally walled on all sides with trees strategically placed to block views into the private space.”

Moore says that poolside showers can be a little tricky when it comes to seclusion.

“We have a discussion with our clients about how the shower will be used and how private they want the space,” he said. “Some showers have a fence or screen to block views in from the pool while some directly face the pool. I have to admit that the ones that face the pool do feel a little exposed.”

Location

As for the best location for an outdoor shower, this varies based on the site and privacy needed, as mentioned earlier, as well as other factors.

“I think the best spot is somewhere secluded with a wonderful view,” Boeschenstein said. “The location should be accessible via a paved surface to the interior of the house. You want to be able to walk barefoot without tracking in grass clippings and you’ll use it more frequently and all months of the year if you’re not worried about getting cold en route.”

Photo: Strata Landscape Architecture

Outdoor showers should be located somewhere that gets a lot of direct sun, as this not only makes the activity more enjoyable but keeps the shower walls and floor drier, preventing mold and rot.

Depending on if your client wants a hot faucet may also determine how far the shower can be from the house, as they’ll need to tap into their home’s hot-water supply. Outdoor showers in colder areas should have a water shutoff valve inside and have the pipes blown out to avoid water freezing in the pipes.

Keep drainage in mind as well when selecting the site for your customer’s outdoor shower. Even if they don’t plan to use it for bathing, you need to ensure that the water is running off away from the structure. If the homeowner’s soil is well-draining, you can let it seep into the landscape as long as the shower isn’t too close to the house’s foundation or used too often.

If the ground takes more than five minutes or longer to absorb water poured on it, you may want to suggest installing a French drain or dry well to divert runoff.

“They do not require a pan system like an interior shower,” Moore said. “We recommend using a mortar and grout with a latex additive to help seal the mortar, as the bed can cause effloresce. On our modern gardens, we try to avoid using any metal drains and use a trench or channel drain at the shower.”

Installation

When it comes to the installation, Boeschenstein advises leaving it to the professionals and hiring a licensed plumber.

Typically, there aren’t any common issues with outdoor showers if the shower and water lines are built and insulated properly. However, the showers do need to be rated for outdoor use.

Photo: Strata Landscape Architecture

“We generally use stainless steel, copper or bronze for the material,” Moore said. “We have found that 304 stainless steel will rust in a coastal environment and recommend using a fixture made with 316 stainless steel.  We have also found that shower nozzles with plastic parts tend to degrade rapidly, especially in a coastal area.”

By using high-grade materials, maintenance can be kept to a minimum.

As for the design of the shower, both Moore and Boeschenstein agree that the architecture of the house should dictate the design themes.

“This approach maintains continuity between the site and house and otherwise you can wind up with a piece-meal landscape,” Boeschenstein said.

When it comes to the price tag for an outdoor shower, it can be all over the place, and a majority of it depends on what your client wants.

“All you really need is a hot faucet, a cold faucet and a shower head,” Boeschenstein said. “The rest is gravy!”

The article was originally seen at https://www.totallandscapecare.com/business-add-ons/how-to-personal-april-showers-to-enjoy-more-flowers/

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This year’s 42^nd NCLC was held at Alamance Community College in Graham, North Carolina.

In one of the classrooms, tables with blank design boards stood at the ready for students as they quietly trickled in for the exterior landscape design event. Some looked nervous, but they all came prepared, setting out the tools of their trade.

For this event, students had an hour and 50 minutes to follow the program requirements and include all the design elements listed. The designs were judged based off of meeting the program requirements, creativity, usage of space and other categories. Time served as a tie breaker for this event.

Adam Hallauer, design manager for Designs by Sundown, who was one of the industry members helping run this event, said it challenges students to work under pressure while still creating a good design.

“I think this is the starting point of all landscapes,” Hallauer said. “This is the design element that starts everything that I think that comes in our industry. From here, it becomes an installation, so that’s construction, and then from there it becomes maintenance, so this is where it starts. You have to have this piece to sell everything else.”

In other buildings on Alamance’s campus, students participated in various plant ID tests. At the plant problem diagnosis test, students bent their heads over 28 stations, looking over the various plant samples and pictures having to answer four questions per station.

Some of the questions required students to know the life cycle and management of the sample, its common or scientific name and other details.

“When you’re dealing with plants, you have to be able to correctly diagnosis it,” said Meg McConnell, a diagnostic service manager with Bartlett Tree Experts.

McConnell would occasionally call out time for students to switch and move on to the next ailing plant. Throughout the buildings, students were tucked away in corners or hallways studying or chatting about the industry.

Studying was particularly crucial for events like annual and perennial ID, as participants had to know the proper spelling of the scientific and common names of 50 plants out of the 200 possible species listed online.

“Well, we hope that they will understand and just learn and shortly memorize their plants,” John Hoffman, president of Hoffman Nursery, said about the event. “They’ll need to know their plants, depending on what career path they follow. They’ll need to understand and realize what plant material is out there that they can utilize in the design world.”

Meanwhile, outside the day was slowly warming up as the sun climbed in the sky and school teams worked on installing irrigation and operating various compact equipment.

At the skid steer operation, event sponsor Caterpillar changed the course up slightly from past years, no longer using a bucket filled with water to gauge students’ operation skills.

“We really wanted to make it about (the) actual application on a landscaping area or a jobsite, so they have to go through a course (and) weave in tight areas,” said Megan Couch, a trade show director for Caterpillar. “They have to change attachments to test their aptitude there. They have to go over rough and rocky terrain, so we’re really trying to simulate a jobsite and how well they can operate in that environment.”

The skid steer operation is a timed event and safety plays a large portion of the score. Aside from driving home the importance of the various safety tasks one should do every time when operating, Couch says NCLC is an ideal time to expose students to the different brands and equipment available.

First time NCLC attendee Tim Follin, a junior horticulture major from the College of DuPage, said the event was a great learning experience and opportunity to meet people from across the country you wouldn’t normally meet.

A new event to NCLC this year was the introduction of the mini track loader operation.

“This event here is the first time that they’ve had a mini track loader event in a long time,” said Michael Ten Clay, public relations supervisor with Bobcat. “So, we saw the opportunity. Bobcat sees the value in NCLC and NALP in and of itself and this is a good opportunity for us.”

For this event, students performed a general knowledge test and then used the mini track loader to move pallets with various sized balls worth varying amounts of points to different locations across the course.

“This gives them a real-world application,” Ten Clay said. “A lot of these students are going to school to either further their career or to start a career, and stuff like this-what we’re doing, what Cat’s doing, what John Deere’s doing- that just helps them further their careers even quicker and gives them confidence when they go into the workforce.”

Secluded in a quiet shop room, the 10 finalists for small engine repair were briefed on the event before they went to their stations to start working on a Stihl KombiSystem power head.

The finalists were required to conduct a full Stihl engine check safely, look up the parts needed to repair the engine and fix the unit so it would run properly. The engines students work on is changed every year to prevent certain competitors from having an advantage.

David Sease, a technical training coordinator with Stihl, said students can learn a lot from this event due to power equipment being such a large part of the industry.

As the day progressed, university teams gathered around the perimeter of the hardscape installation event, a crowd favorite, cheering on their teammates. Hammers and tampers pounded and saws ground as the teams rushed to install their roughly 8 by 8 patios and fire pits.

“Hardscaping is actually a growing segment of the green industry and so it’s really fun to be able to showcase hardscaping itself as a segment of the industry that works out really well for promoting the overall outdoor living concept,” said Tim Huinker, a construction specialist with Anchor Wall Systems, who competed in the hardscaping event himself 30 years ago.

The event was overseen by 10 judges watching crews work, monitoring their safety. While each team had the same set of plans, each group went about installing their hardscapes with different processes with varying paces. Many crews followed the slow and steady route, but some were unable to finish their projects after spending too much time creating the base.

After time was called, the judges assessed various criteria, including structural soundness and attention to detail.

“I think it’s just fun because there’s so many different events and the networking you can do,” said Pamela Fletcher, a student from the Niagara Parks Commission School of Horticulture. “You can try different events and see if you actually like it and then if you really like it you can get into that career.”

Other events focused more on the lawn care side of the business, including truck and trailer operation and landscape maintenance operation. Both of these tasks required students to navigate obstacle courses and display their ability to complete them safely.

In a parking lot over from the truck and trailer event, chainsaws and drills were powering away under the large tent hosting wood construction as teams worked on building a bench similar to the one made in 2016.

Up in the trees, students were demonstrating their knowledge of the proper arboriculture techniques with one tree for ascending and another for testing throwline skills. Michael Dye, the district manager of the Davey Tree’s Minneapolis operation, says these events teach students patience and teamwork, as they have to count on their teammate just as they would with their co-workers in the real world.

“It’s almost like a job interview,” Dye said. “It mimics what we do out there in the field and it gives students a way to distinguish themselves, and I think it could probably lead to really competitive job offers as they place highly. It shows how well their programs do at training their people and I think that that makes us more willing to go there and offer high paying jobs.”

As the day drew to a conclusion, school contingents began to trek toward the final and fan-favorite event, landscape plant installation.

Returning to NCLC for a second time, Diana Vasquez, a junior horticulture major from Kansas State University, was one of the many students competing in the landscape plant installation event.

“NCLC is really important to me because you get to meet a lot of companies and a lot of people,” Vasquez said. “And I know that sometimes because we’re still in school we feel like we’re not really as prepared as we’d like to be to be in the industry, but when you come to NCLC you see that we’re on the right path.”

Despite the sun still shining, the majority of the students had to deal with extremely muddy plots for the installation. Crews raked and shoveled clods of dirt, while others started measuring and spraying the outlines of the design on their plots.

Coming back with a game plan after trying their hand at the event last year was the three-student team from the County College of Morris from New Jersey.

The group acknowledged they didn’t prepare well enough last year and they say they have gone over the plan more than once this year.

“We went over our plan already but (we want) to go over it one more time to really make sure that everyone knows what their job is,” said Doug DeAndrea, a junior landscape management and design major. “We know how to work together but stay out each other’s way so that we can be safe and have the point guy.”

Teammate and fellow junior Marcelo Simone said they would make a point to not throw tools and divide and conquer this year.

“One way or another, we’re just happy we made it here again,” Simone said. “It’s good to be back and we’ll see what happens.”

The team also tried its hand at the hardscaping installation for the first time this year and they are already planning how to improve from the experience.

“I’m sure next year we’ll take away what we learned, come back next year and really make sure to hone in on how to do it better,” DeAndrea said. “Pay more attention to those details and make sure we can just do it better.”

The article was originally seen at https://www.totallandscapecare.com/landscaping/students-in-it-to-win-it-on-nclc-competition-day/

The post Students in it to win it on NCLC competition day appeared first on Kelch Turf & Landscaping.

This statistic is from the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), and if this number sounds alarmingly frequent to you, it is because many are unaware that they need to call 811 before they dig.

April is National Safe Digging Month and while the ground may not even be thawed where you’re located, it’s still a good reminder to know what you need to do before breaking ground on this year’s projects.

There are more than 100 billion feet of underground utilities in the United States, according to data compiled by CGA from various industry groups, so you can’t assume your customer’s property doesn’t have any.

There is no allotted depth before a person needs to call 811. Whether you are just planting small shrubs or installing fences, CGA says any time you are putting a shovel in the ground you need to call due to the fact that many utilities are buried just a few inches below the surface.

Even if a spot has been previously marked, erosion and root system growth can alter the depth or location of buried lines, so it is important to call each time you start a project.

Calling 811 isn’t an optional task either, as every state has a variation of the law requiring individuals to call before digging. While the time period to call 811 before digging varies, you can check out your various state’s guidelines here.

It is a common misconception that calling 811 costs money, but calling is free. The cost is paid by utility companies to protect you, your crews and your customers. The real costs affect your business when you don’t call, hit a utility line and are held responsible for the damage.

Some utility companies charge not only for the cost of sending a crew out to repair or replace the damaged property but also for the loss of service that comes from the lines being out of commission.

Other states have introduced penalties and fines in recent years to help enforce the law. In 2016, Mississippi passed a law that required first time offenders to complete a training course on compliance.

Second time offenders in a five-year period require a training course or a fine of up to $500 per incident. Third time offenses in a five-year period result in up to $2,500 per incident, and malicious acts with intent to damage underground lines result in a training course and fines up to $5,000 per incident.

Below is how the 811 process works and what you can expect:

1. Notify your local one-call center by dialing 811 or making an online request two to three days before digging.
2. The one-call center will notify the affected utility companies. Wait two to three days (this varies by state) for the utility operators to respond to your request. An average of seven to eight operators are notified for each request.
3. Confirm that all the affected operators have responded to your request. State laws vary on the process for confirmation.
4. Dig carefully around the marked areas. The majority of state laws prohibit the use of machines within 18 to 24 inches of a marked utility. If there is a need to dig nearer, hand dig or use vacuum excavation.

Keep in mind that the locate ticket is only valid for a certain period of time depending on the state, and if you wish to continue you must call 811 again for a re-mark.

If one of your employees does end up hitting a pipeline, stop work immediately. Depending on the type of utility line hit, the following steps vary.

For natural gas, propane or petroleum lines, evacuate the site, call 911 and the facility operator. Don’t do anything that could cause a spark and alert everyone of the premises. Rope off the area and keep the public away. Stay up wind from the gas and do not try to fix the pipe yourself.

For electrical lines, warn everyone in the area, including emergency response personnel, that the ground and objects near the point of contact may be energized.

Contact the electrical utility operator or fire department if a radio or phone is at hand. Otherwise, remain on the excavator and signal for someone to call for utility and emergency assistance.

Those near the excavator or point of contact should remain still with both feet together. They should not touch the excavator or material. Only leave the excavator and area after an official of the electric utility has said it is safe to do so. If immediate evacuation is needed due to the threat of fire, explosion or other hazard, jump (don’t step) from the equipment and land with both feet. Hop at least 25 to 30 feet away. Do not take normal, walking steps.

For damaged telecommunication lines, notify the facility owner and do not examine or stare at broken, severed, disconnected fibers. Move a safe distance away and keep the area barricaded to keep others away.

After assessing the situation and seeing that nothing appears damaged, still contact the pipeline operator. Minor nicks or dents could cause serious problems in the future.

If a homeowner has consulted you but plans on going the DIY route, stress to them that 811 isn’t just required for professionals; everyone who plans to dig needs to call this number.

The article was originally seen at https://www.totallandscapecare.com/business-best-practices/before-you-shove-in-a-shovel-call-811-to-avoid-trouble/

The post Before you shove in a shovel, call 811 to avoid trouble appeared first on Kelch Turf & Landscaping.

Darlington, who says the pool is one of the most-challenging his company has installed to-date, describes the job for which his firm was recognized by Hardscape North America for use of a combination of hardscape products in a residential project of more than 4,000 square feet, as one of complexities.

“The more complexities in a project, the more we enjoy it,” he says.

Not that the job is done yet. The pool was the focus of the second phase of a master-planned project that also includes an outdoor kitchen, dining area and fire pit. A large octagonal cabana — which should complete the job — will likely be done this summer.

Darlington was originally referred to the clients by one of their neighbors who was familiar with the company’s work. He says after interviewing several firms, they felt his firm was a good fit.

“They were looking at a really involved project and that’s where our sweet-spot is: multi-faceted projects,” he says.

Darlington describes the jobsite as approximately two acres in a new subdivision. Although there was nothing in the backyard, it did offer about a three-foot grade change from the home to about 40 feet out.

While the pool is the centerpiece of the project, Darlington adds that the clients desired to work from the house out. That and budget dictated that the first phase involved the outdoor kitchen and other amenities.

“We created different use areas that played into the grade nicely,” he says. “We created a fire pit area with seating walls. We created an outdoor kitchen area that has a raised bar and several amenities, including a grill, refrigeration, storage and a side burner. On another level we created an outdoor dining area. The first phase is probably about 1,500 square feet of patio space.”

Integral to the phasing of the project was the correct selection of hardscape products. Darlington says the clients were looking to create some color to contrast with the white exterior of the home. They ended up focusing on earth tones with some gray.

“We used a really neat product from EP Henry that allowed us to create the raised patios that fade into the grade against the house,” he says. ” It’s called EP Henry Chiseled Stone. One important piece in selecting this product was picking something they’d be able to add to the following season and not be concerned about it matching. The two phases came together seamlessly; it really looks like it was done as one phase.”

In much the same way, he says the transformer for the outdoor lighting — which was installed during the initial phase – was sized to handle subsequent phases.

Darlington describes the centerpiece of phase two as, “A really custom pool. It’s about a thousand square feet with a raised spa and a natural rock waterfall with boulders.”

Among the custom features are rock shelves, laminar jets that shoot arches of water into the pool, bubblers that shoot it onto the sun shelf, and a host of lighting to create different colors but also uniform illumination. The spa includes custom jet packs and custom-contoured benches.

On a more practical note, the pool also includes two filtration systems, four different pumps, an electric heat pump for the pool itself, and a gas heater for the spa. The pool equipment is carefully hidden.

“We used the grade to our advantage and hid it behind the water feature,” Darlington says. “The landscape was specifically chosen to conceal it all as the plantings mature. We even went the extra mile to do all the pool equipment in black, so it’s very minimal in terms of what people see.”

Of course, the lights, jets and heaters are all controlled via smartphone.

“It’s definitely one of the nicer ones we’ve done,” says Darlington of the pool, adding that it’s also his favorite feature on this job. “One of the reasons we’ve transitioned into doing pools is that by providing the entire pool in-house we can control the project timeline and the results.”

Although Darlington Designs did some planting in the first phase to soften the space around the patio, the second phase incorporated more softscape including both deciduous and evergreen trees, and a mix of flowering plants and annuals.

“It wasn’t just to create focal points around the pool to soften it,” Darlington says. “It also creates some buffering from the neighbors.”

While lighting for the first phase of the project was mainly incorporated hardscape lighting such as wall lights, step lights and under-counter lights, the second phase centered on the pool, along with adding more hardscape and landscape lighting.

The natural slope of the backyard might seem to make drainage an afterthought, but Darlington says it was one of the things he really focused on early in the planning process, and he feels attention to it helps differentiate his company as professionals. With more than 3,000 square feet of pavers in the pool area, he notes there was quite a bit of water to be moved.

“This project needed an extensive amount of drainage from pool deck surface drains to graded swales around structures,” he says. “The downspouts on the home were put underground and diverted to lower elevations. With a footprint of this size, we have to do a lot of surface drains and channel drains.”

Ultimately, he says the first phase of the job took six-to-eight weeks, while the second phase ran eight-to-ten weeks, with anywhere from three to six crew members onsite at any given time.

Asked what he’s most proud of with this project, Darlington cites both the swimming pool component and the complexities the job offered.

“We like being able to provide solutions in the real world that will — in the long-term — make this project a success,” he says.

Not that it was always easy. Because the pool was so custom, Darlington says his biggest challenge was simply dealing with township building officials who weren’t necessarily up-to-date on what he wanted to do.

“The drains we used, and some of the other details created a challenging getting the township to accept those,” he says. “They wanted additional engineering specification. When we did something they weren’t accustomed to seeing every day, it created more questions and dialogue and took more time.”

That, in turn, taught him he needs to be prepared to do more education of officials when those scenarios arise.

“We really needed to anticipate the questions and work them through what we were trying to do,” Darlington says. “For instance, we had to explain custom drains and how they meet code. It was a process of educating township officials. We needed to be proactive so as not to hinder the permitting process.”

To date, Darlington estimates the clients have spent between $350,000 and $400,000 on the site so far, and he says, “we’re optimistic” the cabana will be this summer’s project.

“This was a fun project, and we were certainly excited and honored to get an award for it,” Darlington concludes. “It was a cool opportunity and it reaffirms that we’re doing something good here.”

The post Story Of A Landscape: Master-Planned Project, Custom Pool Earn Industry Kudos appeared first on Turf.

The article was originally seen at https://www.turfmagazine.com/landscape-designbuildinstallation/new-jersey-custom-pool-project/

The post Story Of A Landscape: Master-Planned Project, Custom Pool Earn Industry Kudos appeared first on Kelch Turf & Landscaping.

When it comes to organizing plants and designing a landscape your customers will treasure for years to come, it’s true that a lot of thought must go into the planning.

Understanding and implementing techniques such as massing, grouping and repeating patterns can help add depth and dimension to an area, and it can also help bring out certain attributes of the landscape that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.

Take a look at a few tips we’ve compiled to help you better understand why these particular techniques and ones similar to them help bring out the best of a landscape.

Massing/grouping

When choosing the option of massing/grouping for a landscape, it simply means that you will take one type of plant and mass it into one big group or section. Massing has been used for ages to achieve well put together looks in lawns.

When you plant a large group of one plant type tightly together, you are able to achieve a good visual impact, and it also works to balance and proportion out the landscape. If plants aren’t massed together, it can sometimes be difficult to achieve this same aesthetic impact with plants scattered in little groups here and there.

When plants are massed together, it helps create texture, form, larger pops of color and it can reduce maintenance in some situations. Plus, when comparing the landscape to surrounding features like houses, large trees and other buildings, massing the plants together can help them stand out from their competition.

But how many plants do you need in an area to consider it massed? To start off, planting about six should suffice; after that, the choice is really up to your customers. When working with grasses, woody shrubs, sturdier perennials, groundcovers and sometimes annuals, this technique will work well, and you can even consider grouping five or so planted pots together to achieve the same look.

Plants such as hydrangeas, catmint, ferns and black-eyed Susans group very well together and can either provide a dramatic pop of color or a tantalizing patch of green, depending on your customer’s preference.

Repetition and patterns

Repetition is one of the key principles of landscape design. Repetition is sometimes the repeated use of elements or features that create sequences or patterns in the landscape, and it can also be used simply by using repetition with the same color, form or texture throughout the area.

Consider repeating colors, forms, lines and textures throughout the landscape to create a unique rhythm in the area. To do this, first, take time to consider the natural way your eye focusses on objects that are a distance away. Eyes are drawn to areas with symmetry, and when items are grouped in threes, fives and sevens, the eyes tend to be drawn to them more.

Using the same plant over and over again in a landscape is a simple method of repetition, and using the same series of pots, arches and more elements like that throughout can also be considered simple repetition. A third easy method of repetition is using a group of similar features that differ slightly in color, size or texture.

Whether it’s taking advantage of repeating stepping stones, stone structures, baskets, planters and more, don’t be afraid to use the repetition of items and hardscapes to your advantage. The repetitions don’t have to be saved for just the green elements.

When considering what look to go for in your customer’s yard, take note of how some plants naturally form patterns when left to their own devices. They will mix and mingle, grow over each other and spread out naturally, so don’t be afraid to let things become a little wild when it comes to design.

Patterns are most commonly created by using layers and repetition, and layers can occur both vertically with height variation and horizontally with plant masses along the ground.

By taking advantage of repetition, patterns can be created, and when organizing the plants, always remember that the first step is to create the horizontal and vertical layers before the repeating patterns.

Vertical layers take place at the ground level and include turf and lower plants that grow about 6 inches high. These plants cover the soil and can serve as the composition baseline. In the foreground layers, plants will usually be about 6 inches to 2 feet tall. When massed together, these smaller plants can work to form the edge of plant beds to serve as the transition to larger plants. The midground layer is the next and consists of plants from 2 to 5 feet tall. These plants will take up most of the space and can serve several functions, such as creating special definition, creating color and texture and more. The last and tallest layer features the background plants and consists of trees and larger shrubs. These are often used to block views or provide shade.

Horizontal layers are considered the plant masses that interlock and overlap from the plant bed’s front and run to the back of the bed along the ground. Any plant masses here should vary in depth across the front of the bed, just like the height should vary along the top of the plants. Overall, it’s good to stick to two simple rules when it comes to creating horizontal layers: space the individual plants enough so they don’t touch each other once they’ve completely grown and overlap the masses to connect them and make them flow with no space between them. Be sure to keep large gaps and open areas from appearing between the masses, as any voids will attract more attention and distract from the overall look you’re wanting to create.

The article was originally seen at https://www.totallandscapecare.com/landscaping/mass-group-repeat-organizing-plants-to-your-advantage/

The post Mass, group, repeat: Organizing plants to your advantage appeared first on Kelch Turf & Landscaping.

First, it is essential that you familiarize yourself with your particular type of grass and how it’s supposed to look when healthy. If your grass is supposed to have a dark green color to it but has lately been looking more yellow or brown, then you might have a fungal infection to take care of. Fungus also tends to take hold in circular patterns, so rings of discolored grass are another red flag. Get in the habit of checking your lawn weekly, and take note if any discoloration seems to be spreading.

Another way to check for invasive fungus is to look at individual blades and examine how exactly they’re discolored. Dust-like layers of white, yellow, or gray indicate fungal mold, as do brown and black spots and even threads between blades. Fungus can also infect roots, making excessively soft and moist root systems, so it’s important to check your soil as well.

If you notice that your lawn has been infected by an invasive fungus, it can be treated by applying fungicide to the discolored areas. However, the best option for the overall health of your lawn is to take preventative measures. At Borst Landscape & Design, we work to combat fungus before it has a chance to form by adding phosphite and hydrationA to our organic fertilizer applications in late spring and summer. Contact Borst today and bring the color back to your yard.

The post “Is That Fungus On My Lawn?” – How to Recognize and Treat Invasive Fungi appeared first on Borst Landscape & Design.

The article was originally seen at https://www.borstlandscape.com/2018/03/fungus-lawn-recognize-treat-invasive-fungi/

The post “Is That Fungus On My Lawn?” – How to Recognize and Treat Invasive Fungi appeared first on Kelch Turf & Landscaping.