Columbus Landscape Design

Residential Landscape Ideas

Posted on by Hidden Creek Landscaping

Maybe you’ve spent the cooler months surfing for residential landscape ideas, maybe you know how you want to use your outdoor space, but don’t know how to get started. Maybe you know exactly how you want it to look, and just need to fill in the details.

No matter where you are in your quest for the ultimate backyard space, chances are good you’ve looked out the window and can imagine all the possibilities. The winter months are a great time to start turning your vision into a reality, the perfect time to create a master landscaping plan and design that will fulfill your vision and meet your goals.

We’re here to help! The design experts at Hidden Creek Landscaping know exactly how to take your vision and turn it into a reality.

What are some ideas and trends that can help guide my design ideas?

The best thing to do when thinking through your residential landscape design is to start by writing down a list of all the different ways you’d like to use your yard. For instance, are you looking more for personal relaxation, or a space to entertain? Do you need to include areas for the kids to play, or perhaps take into consideration the needs of your pets?

The ways you want to use your yard will drive the residential landscape ideas that you should consider. We’ll get into some of the trends in residential landscaping below.

Create the perfect outdoor entertainment space
Maybe you already have a great outdoor gathering or seating area, but want to expand your patio or include an outdoor kitchen. Expanding your outdoor entertaining footprint so that you can accommodate more friends, family, and guests is always a great idea.

You can create new patio spaces by connecting different parts of your yard to the main walkway, giving your guests different areas and conversation spaces. When blended in with your home’s architecture and surroundings, discrete patio areas can create a seamless outdoor entertaining space.

Add a pool or spa
One of the best parts of going on vacation is enjoying the pool or spa at your destination. Why not bring that experience to your backyard!? Enjoy a vacation-like experience without having to get on a plane.

No need to go big with the kind of massive pool and spa complex you’d see at a resort. Small pools fit perfectly in small backyards, and when part of a comprehensive landscape design, can leave plenty of room for outdoor entertainment. A current trend is to thoughtfully integrate the spa and pool into the environment in your backyard, creating a seamless look as if it has always been there.

Finish your outdoor room with a pergola
Pergolas are a great way to complete the feel of your outdoor space by giving it the perfect structure and finishing touch. Pergolas make a strong statement as an architectural feature and help define the living spaces in your landscape design.

Depending on the design, pergolas can also provide some protection from the elements, extending the amount of time you can spend outdoors. Plus, pergolas are very good at creating a sense of intimacy and comfort that will make you feel like your outdoor space is an extension of your living room.

Extend your time outdoors with enhanced landscape lighting
You may have some of the more typical landscape lighting already in place, maybe lighting your walkways, entrances, or driveway. A great landscape design will think bigger, and landscape lighting technology has come a long way to the rescue.

New fixtures that feature color-changing lights allow you to create scenes that celebrate holidays, events, or even the big game. New architectural accent lighting systems are perfect for providing definition and dimension to your home at night, highlighting structure and texture. Giving your trees discrete uplighting can make them glow and serve as illuminated focal points at night.

Landscape lighting not only provides enhanced visibility, but also enhances play, entertainment, and cooking spaces, maximizing the amount of time you can enjoy your yard.

Create a space that makes the best use of your property
Not every yard is the same, so it’s important to create a design that takes the best advantage of your property’s features. If you have a great view, design a yard that complements it. A pool with a view, or a spa that is set in a private garden setting. A patio seating area that is built perfectly into a hillside.

By taking advantage of your property’s best features, you can create a backyard oasis that seems like it has been part of the landscape forever!

How do I get started building the perfect residential landscape?

Give us a call at Hidden Creek Landscaping! Our design experts are the best in the region when it comes to working with homeowners to build the perfect residential landscape that suits their needs and fits their budget.

We look forward to helping you create your perfect backyard!

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Everything You Need to Know About Greenscaping

Posted on by Hidden Creek Landscaping

You’re probably familiar with landscaping but do you know what greenscaping is? Greenscaping deals with all kinds of landscaping practices that protect and preserve the environment’s natural resources while improving the look and appearance of your garden or personal space. Simply put, greenscaping is a form of ‘environmentally-friendly’ landscaping.

Over the years more companies, organizations, and factories have chosen to convert their landscapes into greenscapes in hopes of making their practices holistic and nature-friendly. The practices used for landscaping often have a detrimental effect on the planet’s ecosystem not to forget that these practices can cost a lot of money in the long run.

Importance of Greenscaping:

Have you ever wondered about land usage in the United States? Think of all the malls, retail centers, recreational facilities, resorts, golf courses, amusement parks, public parks, the roads, and the highways in our country. All these places use a ton of resources; concrete, trees, lumber, asphalt, etc. Think about the millions of gallons of water used, the pesticides and chemicals that are exposed in the environment through popular and unsafe landscaping methods. The processes and materials used are both economically and environmentally costly. Greenscaping can eliminate these redundant costs to create beautiful outdoor spaces.

The Four R’s of Greenscaping:

To make the most of greenscaping it is necessary to understand the four R’s of greenscaping. By setting short and long-term goals gradually you can make your practices environment-friendly. Even the tiniest of improvement can have a huge impact. All you need to do is to focus on the four R’s: reduce, reuse, rebuy, recycle.

Reduce:

The first step for greenscaping is to reduce the composition of natural resources. This can be done through a couple of holistic practices that include:

  • Substituting the plant lumber for recovered plastic lumber. By doing so, you are helping conserve plants and trees and natural ecosystems. In addition to this recovered plastic material has a longer life than wood, plastic does not require routine upkeep. This reduces the maintenance and replacement costs.
  • Conserving water through the process of ‘Xeriscaping’. Using native plants that are indigenous to the region’s climate and soil require fewer pesticides and chemicals. Adding compost to the soil improves water absorption, which reduces water requirement.
  • Reducing pesticides by “spot treating”, aka only using them on specific affected areas instead of an entire patch of land. This reduces the number of chemicals released into the environment. Consider using organic and bio-based fertilizers and pesticides.

Using compost as the top layer of the soil can improve water absorption and decrease the use of fertilizers by up to 50%.

Using mulch over the plant’s root zone can reduce moisture evaporation and conserve water. Mulch also prevents the growth of weed.

Reuse:

You would be surprised to know that just how much of the materials can be reused. You can effectively use many items which would otherwise go to waste. Consider the following tips for reusing materials:

  • Create your own mulch through tree clippings and wood chips. This will give you the benefits of mulch and save you the disposal cost.
  • If you plan to remove plant or shrubs from your property then donate those to a local community or shelter.
  • Reclaimed water, gray water, and collected rainwater can all be used as alternative sources of irrigation. This saves water resources and money.

Rebuy:

Rebuying requires making purchases that are more mindful. It means looking for products that fit your needs but also help to protect the environment. A simple change in habits can fix this problem. When purchasing an item look for materials that have been recycled or buy biodegradable materials. Recycled products are more durable than virgin materials and cost much less. Buying recycled material also helps sustain the ecosystem, as less waste is disposed into the ecosystem. There are plenty of environment-friendly brands out there that sell products that are not harmful to the planet. Consider the following tips when you make your next purchase:

  • Compost, when used in the form of blankets and berms, minimizes the risk of soil erosion, and mitigates pollution. Due to its organic natural compost, make an excellent air filter media for volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
  • Purchase plastic lumber instead of wood for benches, signs, and other outdoor structures. Plastic lumber is durable and has a low maintenance cost.

Recycle:

The most beneficial habit you can adopt is recycling. By recycling already used materials, you can save resources and money and in certain cases even generate revenue. Consider the following ways to recycle:

  • Trade the leaves, clippings, and trimmings found on your site to a compost manufacturing facility for fresh compost.
  • Recycle old tires from your vehicles and equipment.
  • Use biodiesel and organic lubricants for your working equipment.
  • Use recycled glass for filter media and golf course bunker.

Greenscaping is an effective and sustainable process to upgrade your property. Not only does it benefit the ecosystem but also keeps your finances in check. If you are interested in learning more about ecoscaping or exploring your ecoscape options give us a call today. Your expert landscapers at Hidden Creek can help you make your space eco-friendly in no time at all.

 

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Landscape Water Features

Posted on by Hidden Creek Landscaping

Landscape water features give you a natural sanctuary providing a respite from the stresses of the day right inside your own backyard. There is a richness and diversity that water features produce as both people and nature respond to the refreshing and soothing qualities of moving water.

Whether it is a water fountain nestled among your flowers, a pool waterfall with underwater lighting as a focal point, a pond stocked with exotic fish, a stone waterfall, or spillways that feed into a meandering stream, we have ideas and tips for creating, planning and installing water features that cater to your specific desires.

 

Water has a Healing Effect

Landscape Water Features

Why install a water feature? Well, listening to the sounds of flowing or trickling water, studies have shown, ranks among the same beneficial effects we glean from sleep or massage for their restorative, stress-relieving powers. Water features help relax mind, body and spirit. There are all manners of stone and pool waterfalls, stream designs, koi ponds, fountains and more from which to select your own personal landscape water features.

 

Our Recommendations

The options for backyard water features in Ohio are endless whether you are dealing with limited space or have a large spread of land. We specialize in scaling landscaping projects to add beautiful tranquility to your outdoor living space. Not sure what type of water feature you are looking for to enhance your lawn and garden? Here is our comparison of a few common types to give you a better understanding of will work for you in your garden:

Pools

For one of the most classic water features, it is hard to beat the allure of a pool. This will take a substantial initial investment, but will be a great source of entertainment and beauty for years to come. You can even spice them up with fountains or waterfalls for a natural, relaxing feature. 

Pros:

  • Great source of entertainment for all ages
  • Flexibility – the pool can be whatever size/shape/style you need it to be
  • Increases the value of your home
  • Able to be heated to use for longer time period during the year
  • Great way to exercise

Cons:

  • Requires maintenance to keep the water clean and free of the accumulation of sticks, dirt, algae, etc.
  • Initial excavation may require substantial digging and investment
  • Not able to use all throughout the year
  • May increase your insurance costs

 

Container Ponds

If your available space is limited, a container pond is an impermanent and convenient alternative to an in-ground pool. You can convert just about any container into a container pond from glazed pots to a half-cut wine barrel to concrete bowls, all of which can be of any size. Whether the diameter is the same from top to bottom or the bowl is tapered, they typically have a wide opening, but even a 3-foot diameter allows enough space inside to add fish, aquatic grass, water lilies or other suitable plants for the perfect aesthetic touch. You can use a convenient plant support ring, which is a simple wire rack with openings that hold the plants in their containers just beneath the water’s surface. Now you are dealing with the equivalent of a fish tank to which you can add pumps and filters to keep the water clean and circulating.

Pros:

Landscape Water Features

  • No need for digging or excavation
  • Excellent choice for small spaces
  • Container ponds are available as kits
  • An inexpensive way to “get your feet wet” in the world of landscaping water features. Start with something small and graduate to bigger projects

Cons:

  • You may need to seal your container to prevent leakage
  • The deeper the container, the more difficult it can be to keep clean
  • You need to be cautious of the drowning risk posed when small children present

 

Wall Fountain

Wall fountains provide another alternative when space is an issue. These vertical water features offer the unexpected treat of a water aesthetic within the confines of compact spaces. They typically have a basin to catch and circulate the water with some wall fountains spilling directly into a container pond. Wall fountains use a pump requiring tubing or pipes that are invisibly set behind the fountain.

Pros:

  • Prime for small spaces
  • Can be uniquely designed and installed
  • Available as easy-to-assemble kits that are simple plug-in units
  • Different sizes and shapes available

Cons:

  • Fountain flow is not adjustable without an adjustable valve
  • Cost comparison between a kit and designing your own wall fountain is negligible
  • Can increase humidity in the air

 

Streams

For your larger property, man-made streams present a way to incorporate natural pools and waterfalls while offering a feature that may sidle up to a walkway, providing a tranquil path for all who traverse the landscape.

Pros:

  • Lends to a more natural, informal design
  • Adapts well to existing water features or to expand upon what you may already have in place
  • Conducive to decorative plants, grasses and river rocks for a natural aesthetic

Cons:

  • Streams require a pump system and plumbing to route the flow of water from the pond or pool destination back to the start of the stream
  • Longer streams just look better, which can involve a significant amount of digging
  • The initial build can be costly
  • Requires significant maintenance for the size and organic matter that can accumulate

 

Whatever landscape water features that you select, you should always install a pump to keep the water circulating. This helps detract still-water insects such as mosquitoes and wasps. If you do add fish and plants, make sure your pumps, filters and cleaners are up to the task. Anytime you install an outdoor landscape water feature that includes fish, expect to see other interested creatures appear on the scene such as frogs, raccoons and herons.

The pleasurable effects of landscape water features enhance the overall experience of your garden, whether enjoying a backyard party, a barbecue get-together or simply a private break all by yourself. You can make your yard a sanctuary, and the investment not only offers a calming presence at home, but it contributes to your property value as well.

If you are interested in learning more about custom landscape water features or how to winterize your existing features, our expert team of creative landscaping professionals can provide insight and in-depth knowledge of the many types of feature designs as well as the local Ohio terrain and trends. Contact us today to discuss your dream landscape and how we can bring your plans to fruition!

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Pet-Friendly Landscaping

Posted on by Hidden Creek Landscaping

How to Create a Pet-Friendly Yard

 

You love your pets and even consider them as members of your family! But, unfortunately, sometimes it is difficult to maintain a perfect yard with pets roaming around it.

Across central Ohio, you can see countless yards that have all of the familiar signs: big holes in the ground, dead spots in the grass, dog poop everywhere and flowers that have been trampled on. These yards have all of the bare essentials to be a beautiful space, but the owners have seemingly let their animals take them over.

The following are some ideas you may consider if you are looking to create a pet-friendly landscape.

 

Consider Hardscaping

 

Hardscaping may be something you want to consider if you have a puppy who likes to get his paws dirty. This will create a barrier between your dog and your garden. By designing your yard with hardscaping, you will be able to remove some or all of the spaces where your dog can dig. Whether it is stone structures, retaining walls, or paved paths, Hidden Creek can help you design and install these features to protect your space.

 

Pick up the Poo

 

This isn’t so much a design idea as it is a simple suggestion. Many yards and lawns are ruined because there has been so much pet waste accumulated in them over the years. You would be surprised how many families and children don’t like to enjoy their yards simply for this reason. And, guests don’t feel comfortable walking through your yard and enjoying the space unless it’s clean.

You may want to consider regularly cleaning up after your pet in your yard. It will make your yard both more enjoyable and healthier for everyone. Make “pooper scooper the yard” a weekly chore for you or your kids, and protect your beautiful yard!

 

Keep your Herb Garden Safe

Pet-Friendly Landscape

Many homeowners like to grow little herb gardens in their yards. This is a great way to provide your own additions to healthy meals to enhance the flavor.

Unfortunately, though, dogs and cats also seem to love herb gardens. Our little friends like to chew on and eat soft and small plants. Avoid this by creating a barrier around your herb garden. You could consider protecting your herb garden with chicken wire, a stone wall or another hardscaping feature.

 

Steer Clear of Poisonous Plants

 

A well-designed garden will usually feature a number of different plant species. When planning your garden, though, you need to keep your animals in mind when choosing plant species. There are some commonly-used landscape plants that are poisonous to dogs and cats when consumed.

Some of these common species include lilies, azaleas, and tulips. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruetly to Animals (ASPCA) has an extensive list of these plants which you may consult. Take care when choosing plants for your yard, and make sure your landscape professional is aware of this concern.

 

Pick a Hearty Grass Species

 

A beautiful, lush, green lawn is what most homeowners desire. However, dogs can be problematic when considering your lawn maintenance. As mentioned before, dogs can frequently burrow into lawns, which causes damage. Pet waste can also cause dead and yellowing spots in the grass. It can be difficult to balance the needs of your lawn and the needs of your pet.

Despite all of these concerns, if you still want a green lawn, then consider carefully which species of grass you choose. Some species of grass are heartier, and they can take the beating of a dog’s usage a little better. For a species recommendation, schedule a consultation with one of our landscape professionals.

 

Fence in your Dog Yard

Pet-Friendly Landscape

Oftentimes, the best solution to having animals and a beautiful landscape is allocating one part of your yard for them and another part for more intricate gardening or entertaining space. This separation can often best be done with fencing.

One solution would be to have a smaller backyard area where you allow your dogs and cats to roam that’s fenced in, and a separate space for entertaining and gardening. Or, if you don’t have that much space in your backyard, you can have a fenced in area in the back and then place more beautiful and delicate plants that could potentially be harmed by animals in your front yard.

 

Place Delicate Plants Away from your Pets

 

Features like flower beds, herb gardens, and succulent plants need to be placed away from where your pets go. As these features tend to be more easily harmed, they should be positioned in an area that will not be frequented by your animals. As mentioned before, this could be accomplished with fencing, or with a water feature or hardscaping.

In areas where your animals will be, you can place sturdier plants and landscaping features. In these spaces, hardscaping or ground covers would be great options, as well as larger shrubs or small trees.

 

Time your Irrigation Appropriately

 

In many cases, irrigation is necessary to maintain a beautiful garden. Plants have different moisture requirements to grow and be healthy. Irrigation allows you to control and create the ideal environment to keep your garden beautiful.

However, many times irrigation systems are set on timers, which can actually be problematic if you have pets. Don’t set your irrigation to run immediately before or during the times your pet will be in that area of the yard. When soil and lawns are wet, they can be more easily damaged by your animals. Not to mention, this could set you up to have muddy paw prints tracked into your home!

Creating a pet-friendly landscape is definitely doable, but does require some extra planning beforehand. Usage by your pet is simply another factor to be taken into account during the landscape design process. Make sure to communicate this need to your landscaping professional when creating your ideal design.

Have questions? Contact Hidden Creek Landscaping and together we can build a yard that is great for you and your furry friends!

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Elements to Consider When Planning Your Landscape Project

Posted on by Hidden Creek Landscaping

Beyond improving the aesthetic appeal of your yard, a proper landscaping design can help propagate local ecosystems, prevent soil erosion and flooding, as well as demarcate areas depending on your family needs or upcoming events. A well-executed landscaping project can add value to your home and provide you with a luxurious escape in your own backyard!

In order to achieve these benefits, you will need to put several elements into consideration. These elements are your city’s zoning and permit laws, your budget, and how you will use your new space.

Research Zoning and Permits

elements to consider when designing a landscapeThe first thing to consider is your city’s zoning and permit requirements and laws. Of course, it helps to work with a landscaping company that is familiar with these regulations, but you should familiarize yourself with before planning the project to determine what is possible.

The City of Columbus says, “The Zoning Code regulates the type of activity that may occur within specific geographic areas of the city.” You should check this code to figure out what you are allowed to build or change and where the zone of your property lies. This also includes finding out where your property line begins and ends, so you don’t go building into your neighbor’s yard.

You should also check your city’s permit regulations to make sure you have the proper paperwork needed for certain projects. This is determined by where you live and the type of project you are planning. For example, the City of Columbus requires a special permit if you hope to build a deck that exceeds a certain size. Permits also differ between commercial and residential properties.

In addition, make sure you are extra careful to check the regulations if you live in a historic area like German Village. These areas adhere to strict guidelines in order to preserve the historical value of the area. The German Village Guidelines say, “Whenever you consider making changes in your building site, carefully weigh whether these changes would follow established historic patterns.” It goes on to explain the types of fencing materials villagers would have used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These are the requirements for fencing materials today.

Keep all of these zoning and permit standards in mind when researching and planning your own landscaping project. Remember to check for specific regulations unique to your city, town, or village.

Create a Budget

Budget is, of course, important to consider when you are planning a landscaping project. Make sure you set aside money for this project prior to planning it and keep this number in mind when fleshing out the details. It’s easy to get ahead of your budget when you’re looking at all of the beautiful and unique features available to you. Be sure to be selective and choose your must-haves before considering smaller details. It may also be a good idea to set aside supplemental funds for additional features you can’t live without.

How Will You Use Your Landscape?

A good way to determine what features you need is to think about how you will use your landscape. Are you known for your dinner parties? Do you have a birthday or graduation celebration to plan? Does your family have kids or pets? Looking at these factors will help you decide how much seating or open space you’ll need.

For example, outdoor cooking and dining are becoming a huge landscaping trend. If you have any upcoming parties and you’d like to entertain outside, a new kitchen and patio would be an excellent idea. If you do have kids, you can plan on putting in a pool for the summer. Think about what you will use your new landscape for most frequently and base critical features off of that.

Focus on Design

Color

Last, but certainly not least, spend some time deciding on the design features of your landscaping project.

Color is one of the most important elements of landscape design because it adds dimension and interest to a landscape, which brings it to life. More specifically, you can use color to draw attention to a focal point, provide seasonal variety, create a mood, and blend your outdoors colors with the colors of your house.

To introduce color into your landscape design, you can use planters, walls, paving, garden décor pieces and fences. At this point, it is important to note different colors typically create different effects. For instance, similar colors create harmony, whereas different colors create contrast. Additionally, warm colors such as yellow, orange and red create a different effect than cool colors such as purple, green, and blue. On the same note, you can combine warm and cool colors to create stunning effects. When designing your landscape, ensure you extend the presence of color across all seasons.

landscape color and textureTexture

A landscape’s texture includes the surface characteristic of an object, meaning it is both a tactile and visual element. In general, you can describe the texture of an object as either coarse, medium or fine. Plants, wood, bricks, stones, and other landscaping materials all possess different textural attributes. You can use these elements to enrich the visual quality of your landscape design. When using texture, consider how your landscape will appear from multiple vantage points. A landscaping professional can, of course, help you with decisions like these.

If you don’t know where to start for inspiration, you can also check out existing projects on sites like Houzz. Create an account and save your favorite photos to give your landscapers an idea of what you want to accomplish.

When it comes to creating a new landscape for your home, there are many factors to consider. The professionals at Hidden Creek would be happy to discuss these elements with you and decide on the best features. Contact us today or fill out our Dream Builder to get started on your landscaping journey with Hidden Creek.

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Why You Should Start Your Spring Projects in the Fall

Posted on by Hidden Creek Landscaping

pexels-photo-259588A number of homeowners consider spring and summer as the perfect seasons to maintain their garden and lawn. However, landscaping experts have found that proper prepping and other fall projects lead to lusher spring landscaping. Below are some details on fall projects you can do to prepare your landscaping for the spring:

• Apply chemicals to stop the growth of winter weeds in the flower beds. Trim your shrubs and you can also add seasonal color by planting chrysanthemums in the fall.

• If there are perennials in the yard, now is the time to cut them back. Plants like daylilies can also be divided at this time.

• Add some type of organic compost to the landscape. Following this, you can add about 2 inches of mulch or pine straw.

• Fall is also the best time to plant shrubs and trees. At this time of the year, the strongest hydrocarbons are present in the soil and this makes the roots grow to their strongest potential.

• It is very important for your spring bulbs to be planted in the fall. To emerge beautifully in the spring, they require the cold of the winter as the weather change. The colder the season, the better it is for the spring bulbs.

• Mix in compost with the existing soil and allow it to marinate throughout the winter. The fall is the ideal time to ensure the soil has adequate nourishment to make it through the cold months of winter. This nourishment is provided through proper composting.

Any grass growing in your yard should be cleaned up during the fall. Any debris that remains and covers the turf will compact and suffocate the grass and compact the soil. When it starts to warm up, the grass will have difficulty growing in the compacted soil.

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Landscape Master Planning: It’s All About Teamwork

Posted on by Hidden Creek Landscaping

1885_Scioto_Point-8When you have outdoor living space then you need to get creative if you’re going to maximise on its aesthetic value. Many times owners find it difficult to remodel as ideas aren’t always forthcoming. Landscape master planning is the creative and decisive use of the outdoors in order to bring the maximum benefit to the homeowner. The only stumbling block to contend with is finding an experienced landscape architect to convert your tastes and bare intentions into something tangible and worthwhile.

Landscape planning requires detailed planning. Factoring in things like privacy, entertainment, maintenance, drainage, and functionality isn’t easy but, with a plan, nothing is impossible. Ordinarily, it all begins with a site inspection to enable the architect to take note of existing features, most of which include the amount of sunlight, elevation, hardscape (permanent fixtures), the location of utilities as well as the general lay of the land. In most cases, your landscape planner will -on his own accord- proceed to conceptualize the overview and initial layout. However, it is customary to have a sit-down and discuss the client’s vision with the aim of drawing up a feasibility study.

A landscape architect normally employs environmental consultants, developers, engineers, regular architects, public agencies, and lawyers when executing their tasks. This ensures that everything is above board –compliance with municipal regulations- and handled by the best persons for the job.It is crucial to understand that, ideally, landscape planning isn’t a jigsaw puzzle where everything just fits into place miraculously. A huge part of the design process revolves around working with a preliminary design and finding ingenious ways to work with what’s on the ground. It’s about grinding alternatives and working out solutions that best suit the current and future uses of space. But overall, it’s largely about timing.

It is crucial to understand that, ideally, landscape planning isn’t a jigsaw puzzle where everything just fits into place miraculously. A huge part of the design process revolves around working with a preliminary design and finding ingenious ways to work with what’s on the ground. It’s about grinding alternatives and working out solutions that best suit the current and future uses of space. But overall, it’s largely about timing.

Contact us for any questions you may have or planning needs!

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Spring Lawn Care Basics

Posted on by Hidden Creek Landscaping

grassOnce the weather finally changes over to warm and dry, you have the chance to get out in your yard and start making it look great for the spring and summer seasons. At Hidden Creek, we know just how important spring lawn care is to have your property in good shape. Here are some helpful tips on the basics of spring lawn care:

Deep Raking

Even though you raked up the majority of the leaves and debris back in the fall, it’s time to do some deep raking to get your lawn looking good again. Deep raking involves more than just cleaning up the surface. You need to tackle lawn thatch, clearing away roots, stems, and leaves. This is also a great way to get rid of that brown, dead grass that’s left behind from the cold winter weather.

Reseeding

Even the nicest lawns are bound to have a few bare patches here and there. Prep the soil, and then spread fresh grass seed down on those bare spots. Make sure to water daily. In a few weeks, you should start to see new grass coming in. Wait until it reaches a few inches in height before going over new grass with the lawn mower. You can also trim small patches with hand clippers to keep things looking neat until you can mow.

Pulling Weeds

In the spring, you can start to prepare your flower beds and vegetable gardens in the yard by pulling out weeds. Locate any weeds or crabgrass growing on your own, and get rid of them right away. You also may find that you have weeds growing along your walkway or driveway. You can either use an herbicide to prevent the growth, or just pull them out by hand as you see them coming in. There are many products for weed prevention that will save you the stress of having to keep up with weed growth, and it will help your lawn to have nice curb appeal, too.

Getting your lawn prepared for the summer season can be pleasant and enjoyable on an early spring day. With a little work, you’ll have your lawn looking lovely in no time at all.

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Transform Your Yard In 2015 With These Exciting Ideas

Posted on by Hidden Creek Landscaping

Is your landscaping part of your New Year’s resolutions?  If so, we are ready to help you enjoy the beauty of the outdoors right at home with a new outdoor space in 2015. Transform your space into something truly incredible by turning your property into a retreat that you can enjoy day after day. Here are 4 exciting ideas to consider:

Cook’s Ultimate Entertaining Area

If you have dreamed about having an outdoor kitchen, 2015 is the time to make it happen. Design the ultimate entertaining area that includes top of the line outdoor kitchen appliances, ample counter seating for guests, and a spacious work area with high end counter tops. Create an outdoor kitchen that allows you to enjoy an open air working space where your friends and family can gather for drinking, dining, and relaxing.

Private Pool Party

Create the ultimate swimming pool experience to rival any luxury hotel. Turn your backyard space into an upscale summer retreat, complete with breezy cabanas, an in ground pool with water features, and a hot tub. You won’t have to leave the comfort of your own home in order to feel like you’ve escaped to a luxury summertime rental. Lounge in a cool cabana at your leisure, no reservations necessary. Take a swim in your swimming pool complete with waterfalls, and relax those muscles in a soothing hot tub.

Grow a Gorgeous Garden

A garden filled with delicious, fresh edibles does not have to be purely utilitarian. Take a growing garden and incorporate it into your landscaping, creating a beautiful look with an artful layout. You can enjoy the benefits of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs, while still having an elegant landscape design. You can designate a specific area for garden beds and work them into the overall landscaping design of the yard. It is an ideal way to make the most of your space without losing out on an elegant look.

Bringing the Indoors Outside

Why stay cooped up inside when you can be enjoying the fresh air? Make a unique outdoor living area that transforms an ordinary patio into the ultimate family room. Features like a stone fireplace, comfortable couches with durable waterproof fabrics, and sturdy tables will allow you to unwind outside without lacking comfort. Don’t settle for a boring, bland patio when you can create a cozy place to kick back with friends and family.

Hidden Creek Landscaping can help you take your idea from a vision to a reality. Start loving your yard by making it a place that you truly want to be.  Contact us today to discuss the many fantastic options available to you.

 

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