Are you trying to create the unique touch of a country garden in your own garden space? Do you want your backyard to emanate that country landscaping touch? You can absolutely have exactly what you are looking for in a country garden, and no, it does not require you to hire an expensive landscaper in the process. All it takes is some basic do it yourself landscaping tips and you can create the landscape or garden space that you have always been dreaming about.

First and foremost, when you are planning out your garden space with a country theme, you are going to want to consider natural elements. The best way to add a perfect country touch to your landscape or garden is to add in natural elements as often as you possibly can. For example, you should consider adding rocks, pebbles and boulders, stone walls, waterfalls and other water elements and other natural elements that allow you to bring the beauty of the world into your small garden space. Using these items is really easy, and they add character to the backyard that you are trying to plan. You can make your small backyard look like a huge expansive country garden just by adding the right touches and the right features. Create a flowerbed with pebbles mixed into the mulch or add flat rocks to create a walking path that winds through your garden space.

Something else that you may want to consider adding in order to bring more natural elements into your country garden landscaping space is to add climbing vines. This is a great country landscaping touch that you can bring into your own personal garden space. Climbing vines can easily be acquired in a number of different colors depending on the type of plant. Choose perennial vines so that you have flowers returning constantly and beautiful vines growing throughout the year rather than during only certain months. Some of the best types of perennial vines are glory vine, bittersweet and clematis for example. You may also try passion flower and Japanese creeper. Make sure that you have a support system set up for your climbing vines so that they can flourish. You can use arbors, trellises and wires for example.

Another good DIY landscaping tip is to avoid wood frames for your vines if they have aerial roots because the vines can cause wood rot, destroying the beautiful look of your garden.

Want to add some beauty to your beautiful country garden landscape? Attract butterflies using bright flowers capable of producing nectar such as butterfly bush, purple coneflower, cornflower, alyssum, heliotrope, salvia, larkspur, zinnia and sunflower. Butterflies will add to the beauty of your garden, making it your own personal space. Attracting them is easy when you have the right flowers in your country garden space, and they add a lot of life and beauty to the space around you.

Photo Credits: aussiegall

Originally posted 2009-08-05 05:12:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

It is the tools that make the garden in many cases. Having the right tools for your country garden landscape is vitally important if you want to get the most out of your plants. Some of these tools simply cannot be lived without when it comes to gardening on your own. Here is a guide to the gardening tools that you must have in your arsenal in order to create a good garden space no matter how large or how small your garden space actually is.

- * Spade: This is a hand tool that is used for the purpose of digging up soil and loosening soil. The average spade has a flat blade and its bottom edge is sharp.

- * Pruning Shears: These typically have straight blades for cutting, and they are capable of varying in size. When choosing a pair of pruning shears, keep in mind what types of plants you will be pruning and buy accordingly.

- * Trowel: This is an absolute must have when you need to dig small holes. It is shaped like a scoop and has a handle as well as a blade that is pointed and metal. Trowels also happen to be quite handy when it comes to weeding.

- * Hose: You are going to need a high quality garden hose and should also have an adjustable nozzle for it. You should keep the hose handy at all times so that you are not dragging it all over with you as you go. Keep in mind that a nozzle that is adjustable is also food for plants that only like light mists of water.

- * Spading Fork: A spading form is like a regular fork, but the tines are flat and they are wide. The purpose of this tool is to help you turn your dirt over for good aeration.

- * Plant Stakes: These will help to make sure that your garden is growing tall.

- * Garden Labels: These will help to make sure that you know where each plant is being planted. If you do not want to label each plant, draw a sketch so that you can keep track.

- * Rake: An ordinary, common garden rake can be extremely useful for removing top debris including weeds and dead leaves in order to keep your garden looking great.

- * Cultivator: This is a very handy tool that will allow you to stir nutrients into your soil while aerating your soil.

There are a wide variety of other tools that you can add into your arsenal to keep things growing as your garden grows. Keep these tools in mind when you begin to build your tool arsenal, making sure that your country garden landscape is growing beautifully all throughout the year as well as for many, many years to come.

Photo Credits: Nadya Peek

Originally posted 2009-07-23 05:42:10. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Although the water country gardens depicted in the magazines are generally quite large and complex, there is no reason why you cannot create your own stunning water garden easily and without much effort. The trick to water gardening easily and effectively has to do with properly planning and customizing your water garden to your own tastes, your own abilities, your own budget, your own assistance and the amount of property that you have. Within these specific guidelines, you will be able to effectively build anything you want, beginning with a small and charming container garden and expanding to something as large and complex as a series of small streams with interconnected ponds filled with koi.

Easier, smaller types of water gardens are definitely a good place to get started. The smaller that your little water garden is in general, the less expensive and the less time consuming it is going to be in terms of installation as well as maintenance. You should not feel that your water garden will be looked down upon simply because it is small – Because all that really matters is that you love and cherish your water garden. You can always grow your water garden into something more amazing as time goes on, adding additional water features, fish and plants as you go along. You can even add additional ponds, creating feeder streams that connect them all together.

If you suspect at any point that you do want a larger pond, then you can consider a container water garden to start, slowly adding until you have the space and the water supply that you want. This task is definitely easy to complete, and it does not have to take up much space if you do it correctly. There is no harm in simply slowly growing your water garden as you go. This will make sure that your most important considerations are always kept in mind, including as mentioned before, your own tastes, your own abilities, your own budget, your own assistance and the amount of property that you have.

There are some other considerations that you need to make including the placement of your water garden, the micro climate within your yard and the water garden style that you want to create in your yard. You are going to want to put a lot of time and thought into these three considerations in other to make sure that you get the most out of your water garden. If you do not put enough thought into these things, then you may end up disappointed in the results of your water garden endeavor, which would be a waste of time and money. The more time and effort that you put into these things, the placement of your water garden, the micro climate within your yard and the water garden style that you want to create in your yard, the better your results will be in the end.

Photo Credits: zenera

Originally posted 2009-07-20 05:37:33. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Gazebos are capable of providing the perfect centerpiece for a homes yard, offering up a sanctuary that people can enjoy all year round in the majority of climates. Regardless if you select and open or closed structure, the gazebo is a well recognized property addition. Before selecting the gazebo for your yard, consider the lifestyle you live, your climate, and your location. A backyard gazebo can range from simple styling, to elaborate builds with benches, a spa, or even a swing. Plenty of today’s gazebos can be and are built with prefabricated kits. The kits contain all of the materials necessary and have the instructions as well. Generally installation services are offered for an extra price if you wish.

Depending on what design you decide to select, there are a number of common building materials that are used for the purpose of building a gazebo. Some of the examples that are available to you for building gazebos include cedar wood, red wood, treated pine wood, aluminum metal and durable types of vinyl, which is a man made plastic material. Roofs for most gazebos are commonly either shingled or they are created in a material that matches the material that you selected for the building process. There are numerous choices of floor plans that you can choose from including octagonal gazebos, oval gazebos, rectangle gazebos, extended oval gazebos and many similar selections depending on your unique needs.

In many climates, you will find that three season gazebos are a popular option. They involve enclosed rooms that feature screens to handle the warmer weather, as well as windows that are designed to handle the cooler weather. There is also an option for you to add electrical wiring, and what this does is makes it possible for you to heat or to cool the room so that you can provide your home and your family with an added layer of comfort all throughout the year.

Traditional open style gazebos, also known as garden gazebos, tend to have sides that are opened and feature railing. The There are also a number a optional features which include two tiered roofs, screening, stairs, rails, benches, swings, spindles, bridges and a myriad of other possibilities which are only limited by your own creativity and your willingness to experiment with some of the options that are available to you.

Another option that is available to you is a spa gazebo, which is also known as a hot tub gazebo. These types of gazebos can be built in such a way that they provide you with comfort and privacy. There are a number of features that can offer you open sides or enclosed sides, doors, wood flooring, benches, lattice screens and practically anything else that your heart desires.

Photo Credits: Forestedpaths

Originally posted 2009-11-12 03:33:57. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

What You Need to Know

What exactly does do it yourself landscaping and design consist of? Granted, both landscape, and design are words very common and used every day, certainly not words that would send you running for the dictionary. However, asking yourself precisely what do it yourself landscape and design evokes for you is a less futile exercise: by thoroughly exploring the various nooks and crannies, we could uncover an aspect in this diverse scope that we have been missing the entire time. You could call it Do It Yourself landscaping and design 101.

How about we start by answering this question with a simple definition that gives consideration to both conservation of energy, and to aesthetics? Even more, let us consider this a specific definition of Do It Yourself landscaping and design, so that we keep the discussion discrete from the concerns of professionals.

Defining DIY Landscaping Design

DIY landscape design is the art of modifying or arranging the features of the landscape, or the area around a home in order to improve the property for numerous reasons including practicality, function and for aesthetic value as well. This concept is somewhat subjective, because arranging or designing a landscape for functionality or aesthetic value will depend on who you are attempting to benefit. While you may have your own very distinct tastes, there are also some basic guidelines that you should be following in order to create a landscape design that is universally valuable in all of these ways.

Even if you are only doing your own landscaping so that you can suit your own tastes in terms of landscape aesthetics, you should still be aware of the fact that there are certain guidelines that should be followed in general. For example, you should be trying to conserve energy when you are designing your landscape, especially with how you use the land and how you position certain plants, such as trees for example.

You are also going to want to consider how your yard is being used. If you have children, then you will want to provide ample space for them to play. If you do not have children, then how will you utilize your yard? Make sure that you are creating a landscaping space that accommodates how the space is actually going to be used. Creating a visually appealing landscape that cannot be used or utilized in any way is not really doing you any favors after all. Make sure that you find the right combination between function and form when designing a landscape. Once you have a basic idea of what you are trying to achieve with your landscape, the next step is simply to put your plan into action – Make it happen!

Photo Credits: falawadhi

Originally posted 2009-11-09 03:31:08. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The purpose of a country garden is to create tranquil enjoyment of the aromatic beauty that nature has to offer, but this does not mean that your garden should not be functional. There are a number of ways that you can turn a beautiful and luscious garden into a functional space as well. Consider, for example, installing winding pathways and intimate patio spaces. You can line these spaces with your favorite colorful plants. Implementing different textures is another way to add key elements to the unique country landscape that you are attempting to create. The paths and the terraces that you construct should make use of materials that are simple and natural, and they should be allowed to complement your home and the other elements in your garden.

Some of the paving materials that are recommended for the creation of a country garden landscape include:

- * Cobblestone - Walkways as well as patios that are made from cobblestone are quite typical for a variety of different types of European landscape and garden designs. They are capable of adding a truly elegant touch to any garden, which is often capable of suiting a wide variety of modern homes.

- * Flagstone - This is another truly sophisticated option when it comes to paving your walkways and your patio spaces.

- * Weathered Brick - This is an excellent flooring choice when you are trying to create an atmosphere that is charming and romantic.

- * Gravel – Gravel can be an inexpensive and rustic choice when you are looking for a material for your country garden landscape paths.

You should be attempting to integrate sharp angles as well as straight lines any time that you are designing a walkway or patio for your country garden landscape space. This is a great way to create a formal appearance. If you are looking for a more informal style, then you should integrate sweeping edges and soft curves for the best results. You should keep expanses of grass down to a minimum if you are attempting to create an authentic looking country garden landscape design, though it is suggested that you integrate small lawns for children as well as pets when possible.

The most popular of all landscape designs tend to incorporate elements reflecting a relaxed elegance and rustic charm of nature, Europe and the Mediterranean. You should choose design elements, materials and accessories that are capable of complementing whatever overall theme you are attempting to create without taking away from the modern style design of your home.

Some design elements worth considering include flower beds, picket fences, iron fences, gazebos, well designed pathways, decorative ponds, wooden footbridges, bright and vivid colors, fresh flower arrangements, dried flower arrangements and anything else that makes you enjoy the space even more than before.

Photo Credits: backpackphotography

Originally posted 2009-10-23 03:07:51. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Everyone can benefit from the beauty and serenity that a country garden offers, but people who live in big cities may have difficulty finding the space that they need to create a country garden landscaping endeavor. Living in a big city like New York City does not mean that you cannot enjoy the stunning and relaxing atmosphere that a country garden can provide you. Whether you are looking to create a deck garden in Manhattan or an enclosed small backyard in Brooklyn, there is something special about the peaceful and enjoyable atmosphere of a country garden that you simply cannot deny. Creating such a country garden is also a unique way to create a space for entertaining guests that visit your home. There is really nothing that is more relaxing than having a conversation and a nice glass of wine in a stunning country garden following a breezy sunset.

There are a wide variety of different contractors that can be found in large metropolitan cities that will be able to assist you with this project. They will have the knowledge and capabilities to help you design a space that will suit your needs as well as to help you bring your ideas into fruition. Before you create a custom country garden in your small space in the big city, you are going to need to think about building codes and zoning, and this is another thing that a contractor will be able to help you with. There are a wide variety of different ways that you can create a small country garden space even with limited space in the big city, including a rustic garden, a country garden, a French garden theme or so many more – And you can choose any materials or landscaping elements that you like to bring your own unique idea to fruition.

The biggest step in the process is to choose your greenery. Bring your country garden to life using greenery with plenty of live and luscious plants. Accent your planting with bright colors, flowers, small trees and climbing bushes. This will allow you to bring some nature to your modern city home by bringing a taste of the country home. You can enhance a small deck or patio using small potted plants, flowering herbs, climbing plants and other landscaping elements, and none of these ideas require that you have a ton of space in order to make them work. If your garden has a roof, you can even hang plants in baskets for a more natural and inviting feel. Many fruit and vegetable plants are suitable for hanging baskets, so you can even grow something edible in your comfortable country garden if you want your garden to serve function as well as form.

The sky is the limit and no idea is too big when it comes to bringing a little bit of country garden into your small modern home in the big city.

Photo Credits: Lanterna

Originally posted 2009-06-18 14:34:55. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The quaint types of garden that we once knew have been the origin for a wide variety of today’s more elegant designs for country garden landscaping. All throughout time, gardening has proven itself to be a truly vital part of our existence. During the seventeenth century, cultivation and gardening had evolved into a great deal more than simply sources for medicinal and food ingredients. People began to put together lush landscapes that were completely full of fragrant and colorful blooms, and they were used in order to surround many homes as well as cottages, and this provided a truly relaxing and gorgeous space that served as an outdoor extension to an indoor living space.

European country gardens first began to appear around charming style English cottage homes, especially in the 1600s during the Tudor period. Blooms that were flourishing began to brighten all of the pathways that would wind around beds of herbs and vegetables and truly romantic flowers draped over arbors, providing a space that was enjoyable and relaxing, allowing people to take advantage of the lush garden spaces around them.

French country landscaping designs have often featured a similar natural essence, featuring bountiful vegetables and herbs among a number of overflowing beds of flowers in all colors. French gardens also added a truly Mediterranean flair to the country style landscape design concept.

Your typical French garden would definitely incorporate the romantic flair of lavender plants as well as luscious Mediterranean foliage combined with the traditional pastel flora and soft curves associated with traditional English gardens. These combinations of elements are capable of creating a flair that creates an outdoor space that is refined as well as elegant without sacrificing function or simplicity.

For many centuries now, fountains have served as a truly essential element in creating the Provencal lifestyle. These served as charming monuments that served as the only available supply of water for many small villages throughout the region and so throughout the years, these water elements have come to represent the soothing and simple lifestyle of living in the Provence.

By the time the 19th century rolled around, leading landscaping architects all throughout the world had begun to combine the simplistic and yet incredible beauty of English cottage gardens with the sophistication naturally associated with French style country gardens in order to create a completely new style of landscape design, commonly referred to as the American country garden landscape design.

The country landscape designs of today are quite heavily influenced by traditional styles of gardens, and so they are ideal for a number of different modern residences, especially those that still feature Victorian or Renaissance elements or style.

The trick to creating a good country garden is to combine function with form. You can have a beautiful garden surrounding your home, but if it is not also functional, then you have not created a true country garden.

Photo Credits: vieux bandit

Originally posted 2009-10-20 03:03:20. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Are you thinking about adding a birdhouse to your country garden landscape design? This is a good thing! Birdhouses are especially important because they offer wild birds shelter as well as protection while they are nesting. Birdhouses also give us a unique opportunity to be able to watch these birds and to listen to them while they are caring for and tending to their little ones.

Whether you are creating your own birdhouse or buying a birdhouse, there are definitely a number of things that you are going to want to consider before you end up with a finished product that is ready to be hung. You are going to want to think about the location of the birdhouse, the materials that the birdhouse is made out of and the maintenance of the birdhouse. Here is a brief run down on these factors and what to do with them:

Location

When you are considering the location of your new birdhouse, you are going to want to think about where the birdhouse is going to go. You can attach it to a tree, but you want to make sure that it is protected from predators such as cats and other larger animals. For this reason, it may be best to hang it from a post or a pole, and at least five feet above the ground to keep animals from bothering the birds inside.

The area surrounding the birdhouse should be open so that the birds can easily come in and out at whim. They will be delivering food to their young, so giving them plenty of flying space is going to be important. Do not let the open face the wind, though, because this could drive cold and rain into your birdhouse, disrupting your birds.

Materials

Many birdhouses are made from wood, and for good reason too. Plastic and metal birdhouses tend to retain more heat, and birds are susceptible to harm from too much heat. Choosing wood for your birdhouse is going to mean choosing a natural material that the birds will be drawn to. Make sure that you are choosing a type of wood that has not been treated or stained using chemicals as these products can be harmful and deadly to many species of birds.

Make sure that there are also some drainage holes present at the bottom of the birdhouse so that water, when present, can drain away. Excessive water can rot or mold the nesting materials, preventing the birds from remaining in the birdhouse. The birdhouse also needs to have ventilation holes because plenty of fresh air is important for birds and their young.

Photo Credits: the1pony

Originally posted 2009-10-16 03:56:36. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

We all have enjoyed a nice landscaping design, perhaps in somebody else’s yard, or on television or in a magazine. Why aren’t we trying harder to have such a landscape design for our own selves as well? If you are brand new to the field of landscaping and you are serious about learning more about it, then you should be aware of the fact that there is a lot of information out there, especially online. So you are interested in jumping headlong into the world of landscaping? Keep reading to find out what you need to know about the basics of landscaping design.

There are several different places where it would be feasible for you to become educated on the ins and the outs of landscaping design. For example, you can visit a local gardening store where you will be able to ask for advice from the experts. They should be able to offer information, tips and even books and guides for novices in the art. Another place that you may want to consider checking out is the local library as you will be able to obtain books on general landscaping design and how you can care for plants, trees, flowers and shrubs.

The best source, however, is definitely going to be the internet. The amount of information that you will find online on the subject of landscaping design is really overwhelming. Going through all of those websites and articles could potentially seem like an impossibility. The first thing that you are going to want to do is to figure out what you actually want to know when it comes to landscaping design. Do you want to start a landscaping business or just redo your own yard? Are you just interested in the basics, or a complete overhaul of your landscape design?

What these questions are going to do is to point you in the proper direction regarding your landscape design course of action. If there is something specific that you are hoping to achieve, knowing what it is will be the best possible way for you to achieve it. These pointers are going to guide you to know where you can get more information rather than absorbing every single piece of information that you can find which may not actually get you anywhere in this endeavor. The advantage of doing your searching and learning on the internet is that it is quick and accurate and will give you the information that you need as you request it.

If you are serious about learning landscaping design, there is plenty of information resources to choose from online. You simply have to know where you want to go and how you want to get there, and you can achieve your dreams of knowing more about landscaping design.

Photo Credits: Left Coast Bound

Originally posted 2009-10-09 03:42:19. Republished by Blog Post Promoter