landscape Archives

Caring For Your Landscape In Winter

Posted on December 10, 2018November 30, 2021 by Hidden Creek Landscaping

Winter landscaping can seem a tad challenging. In fact, you probably haven’t given much thought to your landscaping in the winter months. Taking care of your yard now can set you up for success in the future. Here are some of our top tips for caring for your yard and garden this winter:

Break out the Fertilizer

Fertilizing your lawn before the weather gets too cold is a great way to set it up for success during the springtime. Summer can deplete a lot of the nutrients from your grass, so fertilizing can reverse this damage and help replenish the roots of your plants. Your lawn will be in full bloom when the weather gets warm again if you decide to fertilize.

Aerate Your Yard

Aerating your lawn is the process of breaking up soil and dirt to allow oxygen and water to get into it. Aerating your lawn will keep it healthy and thriving. It helps the roots of your plants to grow deep into the lawn, which leads to healthier grass and foliage. The soil in your yard will naturally get compact over time, making it hard for air and water to seep down into the roots of your plants. Aeration will help break this up and reverse it. This will make sure that your plants are well nourished, even during winter.

Clear it Out

Although this tip may seem like common sense, it is important to keep your yard free in the winter time. If you leave things like furniture and toys on your grass during the cold season, it can lead to dead patches when the weather gets warm again. Make sure that your yard is cleaned up and cleared out, especially before the snowy weather begins.

Do Some Last Minute Raking

If you still have leaves in your yard from the fall, break out the rake and get them cleaned up before the first snowfall. Not only will this help you clear out your yard, as mentioned above, but it will also help open up your root system. This is a good way to prepare your yard for seeding and to help with the aeration efforts of your soil.

Don’t Step on the Grass!

Although you are probably used to strolling through your yard at your leisure, stepping on the grass during the winter can be incredibly damaging. When people tread through the snow, they tend to take the same path each time. As you walk through your yard, the snow will become continuously compacted. While one walk through the yard won’t do too much damage, continuing to tread the same paths can make it hard for grass in that area to grow.

Make Sure Your Lawn is Mowed

Speaking of grass, it is incredibly important to keep up with your mowing schedule all the way up until the first snowfall of the winter. Leaving tall grass for winter weather can have devastating effects on your yard. Longer grass will trap in moisture and will stay wet throughout the season.

Evaluate Your Hardscape

While your yard will not be as visually pleasing in the winter time because of the lack of foliage, you can still up your curb appeal by adding and updating hardscaping features to your space. Benches, gazebos, walkways, and other features will still be visible in the winter months and can give your landscape a welcoming vibe. Winter is the perfect time to take on these projects because you will be putting less maintenance into your grass and garden.

Taking good care of your lawn in winter is half the battle to keeping a successful landscape all year long. Practice these maintenance tips, and contact the experts at Hidden Creek Landscaping for all of your winter landscaping needs. Together, we will make sure that your yard is beautiful and healthy for the new year.

Our Favorite Fall Landscaping Features

Posted on October 19, 2018November 30, 2021 by Hidden Creek Landscaping

Just like many of you, we love fall! The air is crisp, the weather is cool, and the seasons are changing before our eyes. And do you know our absolute favorite part of the season? All of the fall landscaping projects that you can add to your outdoor space! Here are a few of our favorite fall features:

There’s No Place Better to Sit Than a Fire Pit

What’s better than snuggling up by a fire pit while the weather gets cooler? Adding a fire pit to your home will help you spend more time outside and is the perfect way to entertain guests during the fall. What’s better than sharing memories and stories by the light of the fire underneath the stars? If you add a firepit to your home, you are sure to enjoy hours of outdoor entertainment and break up the monotony of staying inside all day due to the cold weather.

Perfect your Patio

A patio is also a great way to entertain in the cool months. If you deck your space out with comfortable seating, lighting, and heating, you will have a brand new area to entertain guests and enjoy your yard. While a patio can be enjoyed all year round, you will absolutely love having this space at your disposal during the autumn months. Grab a bottle of wine and some blankets and enjoy the evening on your patio space.

The More the Merrier

One of the most scenic aspects of this season is the falling and changing leaves and colors. Simply put, the more plants you have the more you get to enjoy the reds, yellows, and oranges that signify fall. Now is the time to add additional foliage to your yard. Adding flowers, trees, and shrubs will make your space beautiful now, and will also help it flourish in the springtime.

Potted Plants

In the spirit of adding more foliage, do not underestimate the power of potted plants. Adding rustic looking pots around the area and filling them with fall-friendly flowers it a great landscaping project. These are easy, DIY projects that can make your space more inviting and can help your colors coordinate properly.

Pumpkin Displays

Pumpkins are a trademark sign of Autumn. Invest in some pumpkins to display both in your front and backyards. Choose varying sizes and craft a display that gives your home a cozy and festive feel. You can mix things up by carving a few with the kids and adding different fall elements like hay and corn to your displays. Pumpkins are a super easy way to get the desired look for the season. You can also add to this effect by adding gords of various shapes and sizes.

Time to Mulch

Mulching can be a pain, but getting it out of the way while its cool will save you hours of hard work in the harsh sunlight. Mulching your yard has another benefit too; it will make all of your plant colors pop! Your plants and shrubs will need a little TLC for the harsh winter that is just around the corner. This will give them the nutrition and sturdy base they need to survive frigid temperatures and cold weather. Your yard will surely thank you as it thrives with this new mulch job.

Let There Be Light

Since the days are growing shorter, you are going to need to compensate by adding additional lighting. Add some soft, inviting light to your front and back porches to help with entertaining. Invest in smaller outdoor lights around your plants to show off your landscaping at night time. Adding lighting around walkways and paths is always a great idea for both safety and aesthetic. The days might be shorter and the nights might be darker, but this additional lighting will give your space a cozy, homey feel.

If you haven’t already, it’s time to fall in love with fall! There are so many outdoor projects and touches that you can add to your space to make it warm, welcoming, and ready for Autumn. If you have ideas for a landscaping feature, don’t forget to consult the experts at Hidden Creek. We will have your space up in running in no time at all!

What a Real Landscaping Career Looks Like

Posted on June 22, 2018June 14, 2018 by Hidden Creek Landscaping

Would you like to pursue a career in landscaping? A landscaper is an expert who designs attractive and functional gardens, public parks, residential areas, playgrounds, public spaces and college campuses. These professionals plan locations of walkways, roads, buildings, trees, flowers, and shrubs to enhance these environments. A landscaper designs these areas to be efficient and visually pleasing.

To become a professional landscaper, you will need training at a recognized institution. A master’s or bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture is a good place to start. Ideally look for programs that offer specialized bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture. Courses typically include site design, landscape ecology, urban and regional planning, landscape design & construction as well as surveying. Additional coursework may also include geology, plant & soil science, landscape architecture history, general management and professional practice.

A landscaper’s main objective is to boost the natural beauty of any space. The expert may also plan restoration of natural spaces like wetlands, mined areas, and streams. They can also design home projects which can make your living area more appealing.

Different Types of Landscaping:

This field provides several opportunities which vary depending on your education level. Some common jobs include:

Landscape design-All beautiful public areas were envisioned by a landscape architect. This expert must study, analyze, plan and create the landscape. A master’s degree, bachelor’s degree, and license are all required for this field.

Landscape creation-Those who like working with their hands to change bland scenery into an outstanding setting should explore landscape creation. This field’s main objective is to produce a landscape architects’ plan. Landscapers plant vegetation like sod, bushes, and trees. They install upgrades like sprinkler systems, fountains, and lighting on your property. A high school diploma and short training are required for this job.

The Day-To-Day of a Landscaping Career

A landscaper has a variety of duties and responsibilities depending on the task at hand.

Duties of a landscape architect include:

Seeking new work via marketing activities and presentations
Inspecting the progress of landscape projects
Picking appropriate landscape materials
Preparing graphic presentations using computer software
Preparing site specifications, policies, and cost estimates
Meeting with engineers, clients, and building architects to confirm project requirements
Coordinating arrangement of proposed and existing land structures and features

Landscape workers, on the other hand, have activities such as:

Garden maintenance
Seeding and sodding lawns
Maintaining landscapes of private businesses and clients
Ensuring the soil is kept in excellent condition

How to Find a Credible Landscaper

There are various quick ways of tracking down an experienced and talented landscaper.

Consult the Landscape Architects and Contractors Board

Many states have regulatory agencies tasked with overseeing the bonding, licensing and certification of landscapers. These experts can only obtain licenses after passing vigorous tests including additional training and courses usually offered annually. The best landscaper needs to be active in community organizations or industry groups.

Read Online Reviews

Sites like Yelp and Angie’s list are suitable places for finding reviews posted by customers who have worked with different landscapers or contractors. You can easily learn a lot by scanning the customer reviews, A credible and established landscaper or landscaping company also needs to have a website.

Get Referrals From Friends And Neighbors

If you see a home or an office with an attractive outdoor design, knock on their door and ask more about the expert who maintains their backyard or garden. Also, consider asking homebuilders, friends, and architects among other professionals for referrals. You may also ask some local nurseries about their favorite landscaper clients.

Form a Landscapers’ List

After narrowing down your search to fewer candidates, request them for a bid. They should also indicate names of their current clients and the past project references. You can follow up to check if the professional came on time, their budget and how well they do their duties if they still work for that client. Finally, ensure the landscaper meets all local and state certifications or licensing requirements for different specialty areas in the profession.

What Makes a Landscape Company Credible/Successful?

A credible and successful company should be recognized locally if not nationally. They should have some years of experience and enough landscapers to help them meet their clients’ needs. Their quotes should also be reasonable and tailored to offer quality services. By providing quality services, it’ll be easy to retain consumers and be successful.

What You Don’t Know About This Profession

Landscaping is not an easy career field and requires a large variety of skills such as:

Communication skills – landscapers are required to share their ideas both in writing and orally with customers, workers, and fellow landscapers. Effective communication helps ensure everything is completed as per the client’s needs.

Analytical skills – It is important to understand design contents in this field. They must have an understanding of the interactions between buildings and the surrounding environment.

Creativity – Landscapers need to be creative to design unique and beautiful designs.

If you are looking to remodel, trust the experts at Hidden Creek as your landscaping experts. Our team of trusted professionals will work with you to build the perfect yard for you and your family. Give us a call today!

Origins of the Term “Landscaping”

Posted on January 25, 2018October 27, 2021 by Hidden Creek Landscaping

What is a Landscape?

A landscape is essentially the visible features of a land area, its landforms, and the manner in which they integrate with man-made or natural features. A landscape includes the physical elements of geophysical landforms like hills, mountains, and bodies of water like sea, lakes, rivers, and ponds. It also includes living elements of land such as indigenous vegetation. The human elements include different types of land use, structures, buildings, and transitory elements like weather conditions and lighting.

Combining the cultural overlap of human presence and their physical origins, landscapes are a reflection of a living synthesis of individuals and place that is instrumental to national and local identity. A landscape’s character assists in defining the self-image of the inhabitants and providing a sense of home. It is basically the vibrant backdrop to the lives of individuals.

A landscape is also viewed in terms of aesthetic appeal or as a pictorial depiction of an area of countryside, especially within the category of landscape painting. In addition, when the visual appearance of an area of land is deliberately enhanced by changing vegetation and contours, it is looked at as having been landscaped.

History of the Word “Landscaping”

The word “landscape” was initially printed in English in 1603. It has origins in Middle Dutch with the word “landscap,” which means region. The word also has origins in Old Norse (landskap) and German (landschaft). Landskip is the previous formation of the word in English. It should be noted that the suffix ‘ship’ has close ties to schaft, which means constitution, shape or condition.

The emergence of the term “landscape” came around the turn of the 16th Century to represent a painting with the primary subject matter being a natural scenery. Land, which has its origin in Germany, may be viewed in the sense of a place to which individuals belong. For example, Ireland is the land of the Irish. “Scape” as a suffix corresponds with “ship,” the more commonly used English suffix. The roots of “ship” are linked etymologically to sceppan or scyppan in Old English, which means to shape. ‘Schaft’ as a suffix is associated with the verb schaffen. Therefore, “shape” and “ship” are etymologically linked as well.

The contemporary form of the word has connotations of scenery and, as was previously mentioned, it emerged late in the 16th Century. This was when the word ‘landschap’ was made known by Dutch painters who used it in reference to paintings of inland rural or natural scenery. In 1598, the word ‘landscape’ was first recorded.

The definition of landscape reflected in dictionaries conveys both a general and a particular meaning: being a part of the Earth’s surface.

Types of Landscaping Over the Years

Below are some of the common landscaping styles:

• Japanese Garden Style

The Eastern philosophy and way of designing gardens has become increasingly popular in the Western world. Therefore, to enjoy the elegance and order of this garden style, a lot of individuals devote their backyard to it.

• Mediterranean Style

Similar to other designs, this style gets much of its atmosphere from the plants with which it is created. As new varieties of Mediterranean plants like palm trees adapt to different climates, the Mediterranean style is among the most popular designs used in different parts of the world.

• Southwest Landscape Design

This is a tremendously popular design that is created through the type of plants and garden décor. This style is mainly used in arid regions like New Mexico and Arizona. However, it is becoming more and more popular in different parts of the world. Again, since much of the atmosphere can be fashioned with hardscapes and décor, it is becoming more popular in areas which are typically unable to sustain the kind of arid plants used for this style.

• Cottage Gardens

This style was originally created to raise crops for family sustenance. Today, many individuals who use this landscape style still make provisions for herbs and vegetables to be used in the kitchen. However, these gardens have taken on a slightly new use and appearance. Initially, there was a small number of flowers, but now we are seeing more and more cottage gardens overgrown with beautiful arrays of flowers.

• Tropical Landscape Design

Based on the type of plants and geographic location, this type of landscaping is typically grouped in the same category as the Mediterranean style. However, the plants usually have considerably larger flowering plants and leaves with intensely vibrant colors. Thick foliage is usually placed towards the back of flower beds to create the look of a dense tropical atmosphere in the garden.

• Formal Landscape Design

The formal landscape style is largely based on geometrical shapes and straight lines. Most of the time, this design is quite symmetrical. Plants are placed in order and pruned continually to preserve the formal effect.

It’s exciting to see how landscaping was conceived and how it has grown over time. At Hidden Creek Landscaping, we take great pride in keeping up with the trends, retaining knowledge of the tried and true landscaping styles, and perhaps most importantly, combining our creativity with customer visions to create new and exciting designs! If you are thinking of starting a landscaping project, contact us today. We can make your backyard dream a reality!

Landscape Master Planning: It’s All About Teamwork

Posted on September 15, 2017September 20, 2017 by Hidden Creek Landscaping

When 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.

How to Plan for Commercial Landscaping

Posted on August 18, 2017 by Hidden Creek Landscaping

Installing landscaping around your commercial property can add value, function and visual appeal. Adding design elements like flowers, trees, pavers and boulders assist in creating an environment that can be relished for decades to come. Below are guidelines on how to plan for commercial landscaping:

Phase One — Establishing a Budget

Preparing your commercial landscaping budget should be done cautiously and should include thorough planning and setting realistic goals. To avoid certain pitfalls, create a solid budget that incorporates everything that is needed now but will also address your long-term objectives.

Phase Two — Meeting with the Landscape Designer

This phase involves meeting with a reputable landscape professional to discuss budget and customize a plan for the project. During the initial consultation, you should learn that commercial landscaping can be carried out in phases. For example, you could start at the front of the property and the sides and back can be added at a later date.

The consultation should also include a discussion about plant selection. This should include color preferences, likes and dislikes and options for screening and shading. Ensure that you clearly highlight what you need to have done and explain how you want the different areas to function.

With a clear understanding of your needs, the lawn care professional will draw up a blueprint plan and present it to you. This gives you another opportunity to interact with the landscape designer. You will be able to add or subtract elements of the design and ensure you are satisfied with the overall plan.

Phase Three — Installation

The phase involves the actual installation. You would have already discussed the time frame for completion of the project. Therefore, you can inform staff and customers about any disruption in regular operations. The installation should be done to the exact design specifications to ensure you will get what was agreed upon.

Winter Landscaping In 5 Easy Steps

Posted on December 16, 2016December 27, 2016 by Hidden Creek Landscaping

Certain things don’t require you to be a rocket scientist to know that something is amiss, somehow. So you’re greeted by a chill in the air the moment you step outside late at night, or early in the morning. It’s getting dark a lot earlier than normal and the flowers, bushes and trees around your yard appear paler, almost morose like. This only means one thing, and one thing only: Winter is here! If you love your garden to death like i do, you should be all over the place like a headless chicken, frantically trying to preserve what’s left of your once vibrant vines, rosebushes and shrubs. Winter landscaping is not a walk in the park like most people would like to believe. Which is why you need professional landscaping company to show you how it’s done.

Step 1: Insulation.

Frost bite is not exclusive to humans, nature experiences is too. Insulating your plants prior to winter is surely a must if some of them are prone to ice or cold damage. One traditional method that springs to mind are containers of water that are placed around plants. Rather than attacking your vegetables and flowers, the cold -ice included- is absorbed by the water, thereby providing much needed insulation. Modern methods have, however evolved over the centuries, and now we have garden fabric which is tied around plants to trap heat and bring about the same effect as the aforementioned method.

Step 2: Mowing And Manuring

Winter may not provide much scenic beauty but it doesn’t hurt to prepare for springtime. Mowing the lawn and fertilizing it with garden or lawn manure ensures that your garden springs back to life with increased effervescence.

Step 3: Trim Bushes and Hedges

Next thing on the menu is the trimming of bushes and hedges. This aids in preserving important nutrients for the arrival of spring.

Step 4: Dress The Part

There is no beating around the bush when it comes to planting seasonal flowers that do well in winter. We will decorate your garden with life defying Acacia’s, vibrant carnations, charming orchids or simple lilies if that tickles your fancy.

Step 5: Professional Landscaping

Last but not least, remember to consult with a professional landscaping company. Landscaping is hard work, but your beautiful surroundings don’t have to suffer because you hardly have enough time, or the spirit to do it yourself.

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