Landscaping Columbus Ohio

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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Spring Landscaping Tips After Winter

Posted on by Hidden Creek Landscaping

After the long months of winter, a number of homeowners recognize the need to perform spring landscaping tasks in their yards. This freshens up the lawn and other parts of the landscape that are in need of extra attention at this particular time of the year. Doing so gets the yard prepared for the growing season. A yard clean up checklist for spring can be separated into 6 categories of related tasks:

  • Major Clean Up
  • Flowerbed Preparation
  • Begin Planting
  • Control Weeds
  • Control Pests
  • Plant Care

Major Clean Up

This aspect of preparing the yard for spring landscaping will require a rake, gloves, and perhaps a few other small tools. Picking up after the snow melts can be quite a messy, yet necessary task. Therefore, you should roll up your sleeves, put on your gloves, and get to work. You can also ask a landscape maintenance specialist for help.spring landscaping preparation

Leaves that have blown around, trees, and perennials can remain in place and mulched over.  If they are in modest quantities, there is no need to remove them. However, there are often matted leaves all over the yard after the winter has passed, so we recommend you do remove most of those.

The cleaning process requires you to remove debris. This includes clearing away dead leaves, grass, pinecones, and whatever other unwanted rubble that may be on the lawn.

Flowerbed Preparation

For flowerbeds that performed optimally the prior year, the best thing to do is put additional compost around the plants for fertilization. Also, you should remove any weeds that have sprouted in the beds. This will prevent them from spreading and growing more as the season goes on.

You have a few options when it comes to opening up new planting beds. They include breaking new ground using a tiller and transforming lawn space into planting beds. There is also the option of building raised beds. You could consider soil solarization in areas that are particularly rough.

If you have broken ground to open up a new planting bed, there is no doubt weeds will find it fast. Therefore, in many situations, it’s a good idea to lay a landscape fabric on top of the ground. This should be followed by adding a layer of mulch.

Begin Planting

Early spring is ideal for the installation of trees and shrubs and the planting of perennial flower borders. However, this is only true if the perennials are hardy.  For tender perennials, annuals, and seed, you should await the passing of the last frost date for your region.

Control Weeds

Sometimes it is much easier to battle weeds prior to their emergence, instead of waiting for them to rear their heads. While landscape fabric can be used to eradicate weeds in flower beds, pre-emergent herbicides may be helpful for your lawn, especially to control crabgrass.  

Control Pests

Precautionary measures can be taken to deal with garden pests. Many gardens require the protection of deer fencing or rabbit-proof fences. In regions where deer could pose a problem and fencing is not an option, installing deer-resistant plants is a wise idea. You could also look into growing rabbit-proof flowers if this is relevant to your situation.

Plant Care

  • Pruning

Trees and shrubs can frequently benefit from spring cleaning as well. The period between the end of winter and early spring is ideal for pruning shrubs that will flower in late June and last through much of the fall.  For example, during this time you can prune shrubs like butterfly bush, abelia, beautyberry, clethra, caryopteris, smooth hydrangea, rose-of-Sharon and panicle hydrangea. It is also prime time to prune crape myrtle, St. Johnswort, vitex and summer-blooming spirea. Spring-blooming shrubs like rhododendron, azalea, lilac, weigela, viburnum, and forsythia should be pruned right after they start to flower.

There is no doubt that dead branches should always be removed.  However, the need to prune off live branches is typically determined by personal taste or one’s need to give the tree or shrub a more visually appealing shape.  The ideal time to prune shrubs to give them a desirable shape differs from shrub to shrub. 

  • Mulching

Any deep coating of mulch that may have been covering your perennials throughout the winter should be monitored to determine when they should be pulled away.  This is necessary for the perennials to emerge unhindered. There is no exact date for when the mulch protection should be removed from your perennials; this has to be played by ear.  

spring flower care

The exact time to remove this mulch will differ based on where you live. However, if a deep layer of mulch has been applied, it will ultimately have to be scraped away from the ground immediately under the perennials to prevent smothering.

A comprehensive spring clean up readies your lawn and other parts of the landscaping for the spring and summer seasons. However, so much more can be achieved through spring cleaning. In many cases, this will save you from frustrations as the season progresses.

Contact us for more tips and to discuss how we can help you clean up after winter and create a beautiful landscape for spring.

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Will Landscaping Increase My Home Value?

Posted on by Hidden Creek Landscaping

Landscaping can increase the visual appeal of your home. It can also increase your home value. Below are some examples of how this can be accomplished.

Replacing or Adding Some Design Basics

A number of individuals overhaul their closets every few years.  The process typically involves revamping their wardrobe by replacing worn-out basics with some new pieces.  The same concept can be applied to your yard with exceptional results.  Giving your landscape a basic makeover can provide the space with a classic, value-boosting foundation on which you can build a work of art.

Some landscape design basics may include:

  • A deciduous tree approximately 15 feet tall
  • Some flowering shrubs
  • A walkway made of winding flagstone
  • Two or more 6 feet by 2 feet stone planters
  • Quality mulch

Essentially, making a few small changes has the capacity to do a lot more than merely making your home more visually appealing. When correctly executed, this type of outdoor renovation project will boost the value of your home.

Building or Renovating a Patio or Deck

A patio or deck installment or upgrade can dramatically transform an empty, unattractive backyard into a tremendous outdoor feature. Any of these structures can provide the ideal spot to entertain, relax, and revel in outdoor living at its finest.

The patios and decks that will get the biggest return on investment are those that appear to have been installed since the house was constructed. However, this is not an indication that it should look old or worn out. Instead, it is widely recommended that homeowners add or upgrade a patio or deck in proportion to the structure and property on which the home sits.

The majority of home buyers appreciate being able to use the convenience of their own backyard to escape from the burdens of everyday life, even if only for a while. If you have a limited budget that will not allow you to invest in an elaborate outdoor kitchen, for example, adding a patio or deck is a straightforward upgrade that can boost your home value. 

Constructing or Remodeling an Outdoor Kitchen

The outdoor kitchen is a structure that many landscaping dreams are made of. With a kitchen on the outside, entertaining friends and family will be a breeze. For many home buyers, this added luxury is becoming more and more desirable. Outdoor kitchens can create a fascinating ambiance that enriches your experience in the outdoors.   

renovate patioConstructing or remodeling an outdoor kitchen can be a remarkable idea. For homeowners who live in regions that experience a long winter season, opting for an outdoor kitchen in place of a swimming pool would be a wise choice.  With a waterproof awning or pavilion, you will have the option of using your outdoor kitchen year-round.  

By adding one of these popular outdoor rooms to your home, you could see an average return on investment of between 100 and 200 percent. However, this largely depends on the climate.  Warmer areas and structures built with durable materials typically see a higher return on investment.   

Adding a Rainwater Recycling System

The cost of water is constantly on the rise; therefore, efforts to conserve water have become an important issue in the minds of frugal and environmentally-conscious homeowners. While lush, green lawns have a certain appeal, a number of homeowners have expressed a need to have homes that will not consistently take money from their pockets. In addition to solar panels, a rainwater recycling system can help to create a more sustainable home and reduce your dependence on utility suppliers. This will go a far way in increasing your home value.

Lighting Up Your Outdoor Living Space

Proper lighting will help you to highlight all the improvements that have been made to the functional and aesthetic value of your property, even after the sun sets. Adding strategically placed lighting to your property will boost its function, visual appeal and overall value of the property.

Making Lawn Care a Priority

You can make improvements to your landscaping without much complication. Keeping your lawn looking its best is a great method for improving the curb appeal of your home. This does not mean you need to constantly sit and watch for weeds to pop up. This only requires:

  • Raking

Remove debris like leaves on a regular basis.

  • Aerating

Pierce the lawn to allow nutrients and air to better access the roots of the grass. This assists roots in growing more deeply; creating a strong, lush and healthy lawn.

  • Fertilizing

During the growing season, your lawn should be fed required nutrients every 6 to 8 weeks.

  • Watering

You should water the lawn deeply and infrequently; this encourages greater growth.

  • Mowing

Regularly cut your grass but ensure it is not too short.  Shade cast by taller grass assists in preventing weed development.

  • Edging

Left to its natural progression, grass will find its way into driveways, garden beds and sidewalks; this causes an untidy appearance. For a clean, manicured appearance, trim away the excess at the edge of the turf. curb appeal

It is not necessarily expensive to take care of your lawn, but it does require an investment of your effort and time. If you would rather not invest your energy and time on lawn care, other options are available. You can hire a landscaping company to keep your lawn looking its best.

If your budget does not allow for major home improvement, a number of low-cost options exist for enhancing the exterior of your home to boost its value. Landscaping projects like adding mature plants, planting flowers at the entrance of your home, re-sodding your lawn, sealing your driveway and trimming and weeding all cost under $1000 (often considerably less). The National Association of Landscape Professionals states that “a homeowner can expect a 215% return on investment” for landscaping projects like these.

If executed properly, The Washington Post says experts estimate that landscaping can cause “an increase in value on your home from 5 percent to 20 percent.”

Contact us for more tips, or to discuss how we can help add value to your home through landscaping.

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Origins of the Term “Landscaping”

Posted on 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. what is a landscape?

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. cottage garden

• 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!

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Selecting the Right Greenery for Your Home

Posted on by Hidden Creek Landscaping

Flowerbeds, gardens, lawns, and other landscape features don’t just grow on their own.  Plantscapes must be thought out before you even enter a nursery to buy seeds or small starters. Shade, screening, erosion control, separating, focal points, and many other elements must be considered. A small plant may look pretty in the store, but in ten years it could grow into a huge tree, ruining your house foundation if it isn’t planted far enough away from your home.  It’s important to know everything there is to know about the items you are purchasing. What they will look like, how big they will get, and how they should be cared for. Make sure they are zoned properly and can grow in Columbus, Ohio’s climate. Determine the texture, if they will be smooth or rough. Height, weight, dangers, allergies, and colors are additional things you should think about.

In summary, knowledge and planning are the keys to selecting the right plants and greenery for your home landscaping.  Hidden Creek Landscaping possesses the knowledge and experience to incorporate the beauty of greenery seamlessly into your home landscaping design, with a perfect blend of style and functionality. Contact us today to start transforming your own outdoor environment into one that enhances your lifestyle and home.

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