Landscaping a deck is not as straightforward as building a new landscape design in front of your home. You have to think how the deck will influence the architectural characteristics of the entire building. Therefore, to get it right, you must concentrate first on the characteristics of your house.

For example, if your house has long, sloping roofs, getting a redwood deck with a typical Californian style will best suit the design. On the other hand, if the house comes with simple yet chunky accent with roof overhangs, clean lines, shingle siding, and large beams, it would be best to incorporate a deck with a straightforward design with nothing extra on the ornamentation details.

Although there can generally be more do’s and don’ts when venturing into this type of landscaping, it is more of a simple venture if you know what use the deck will be for. As mentioned earlier, decks are raised platforms, so the gap is there. The question is: are you utilizing or converting this gap into a practical space?

Depending on the size, you can tuck underneath your deck some structures, like your car, some equipment etc. Another question you should bear in mind is: will the landscape complement the atmosphere of the house? The design plan should be more of an improvement to the entire house building. You cannot build a new deck landscaping as a stand-alone detail of the house. It can mess up the overall impression of the house structure.

Taking care of the above mentioned concerns, deck landscaping shouldn’t be more of an intimidating thought to get involved in. You only need to consider what use a newly-designed deck is for, how the space shall fit your need, and will the atmosphere jive with the rest of the details of your home.

If you have answered all these concerns, then you can begin to plan your deck landscaping venture.

Technological advances in the landscape design software available today make it possible for you to import photograph of your home’s exterior and surrounding area. This gives you a realistic look at how the different elements that you add using the program. Instead of getting a general idea of how the design will look, you get a very specific image of your own property.

Don’t forget the details, too. I started a project in my yard that wound up leaving me in tears. I didn’t use a landscape design software program to help me make some very important decision. One of the decisions included choosing plants that grow well in my region. I chose the wrong plants and found that they didn’t last very long.

Good landscape design software will provide helpful information about which plants to choose for your region. This can save you a lot of money in the long run, as I can attest. Plants can be pretty costly, especially when they need to be replaced within a month or so.

You’ll also save money by using a landscape design software program because there is no trial-and-error that goes any further than your computer. It used to be that a misplaced bush would either have to be removed and replanted or it would have to just rest in its awkward spot. You don’t have to do any physical work in order to get an image of what your landscaping project will look like.

One of my favorite tools offered in some of these programs allows you to see your landscaping project in the future. You can look ahead to see how the trees and plants will grow. Consider looking at your yard’s growth over a five or ten year period. This is a wonderful option that is quite fun to use in landscape design software.

If you’re really serious about starting a landscaping project, you can save yourself a lot of time and money by planning well in advance. Landscape design software is the best tool to use for putting your ideas into action.

How do solar fountains for the garden work?

Usually  garden fountains with solar pumps   are very easy to install. Just like many other home appliences that are solar powered they use solar panels with Photovoltaic (PV) cells to collect energy of the sun. Since a fountain pump doesn’t require a great deal of energy, the panels are usually quite small.

There are two main types. First are fountains where solar panels are incorporated in the design of the fountain itself. This type is the easiest to install, but you have to make sure that you place your new fountain in a sunny spot otherwise it isn’t going to operate properly.

Another major type of solar garden fountain has remote solar panels, which can be positioned several meters away from the fountain. If you chose this type, it doesn’t matter whether your fountain is in a sunny or shady spot as long as the panels are exposed to the sun. Most solar fountains with remote panels come with easy to set up mounting system for the panels. In most cases you can mount them on the wall, use grass stakes to position them on the loan or use a tall wooden stake to put your panel high up above all the plants.

Advantages and disadvantages of solar fountains

There are many benefits!advantages of buying a solar fountain for the garden rather than the electric one. The most obvious advantage is that the energy is free. An electric pump won’t add much to your energy bill in a day, but if you want your fountain to work all summer, you can save a lot by using sun energy instead of electricity or batteries.

Another advantage is that you are not limited by proximity to a power source when selecting a place for your fountain. This is particularly important for people with large gardens. You can place your fountain in the farthest corner from the house, as long as the solar panels are on a sunny spot.

Also solar fountains don’t requare much installation work. The ones with panels built into a body of the fountain don’t require any special installation at all. This type is perfect as a solar pond fountain that sprays water from your pond. Since there is no cord the fountain can just float on the surface.

The main downside of a solar powered garden fountain is its reliance on the sun for energy. Most pumps will still work on a slightly cloudy day, but if it is really overcast the flow of water will be much less. And, of course, your fountain won’t work at night.

Also, it is best to disconnect your fountain in winter. It would work fine on a sunny day without snow, but snow and frost can damage your pump.

One of the more popular landscaping ideas today is to create a walk through garden. Carefully select the perfect flowers to lend color and charm to your outdoor space. A mix of annuals and perennials is ideal because it reduces your labor and cost while still allowing for the more colorful show that annuals provide. Investigate various kinds of shrubs and trees to provide contrast and balance. And place some stepping stones throughout the garden to encourage easy enjoyment of the surroundings.

Another great landscaping idea is to create different sections in your yard, each with a distinct feature, then unify the entire space by repeating certain aspects of each section in other parts of the yard. You don’t have to have a large yard to pull this off, either.

If children will be making use of your yard, designate a section of it as a play area for them to enjoy. A wooden play set will look more natural and blend in with the surrounding landscaping features. Adding a tree house lends even more interest to your outdoor space.

A lawn is frequently a big part of any landscaping effort. Choose a variety of grass that’s appropriate for your soil conditions and climate so you’ll have a luxurious expanse of green to set off your other natural features. Surrounded by trees, shrubs and flowers, a lawn can be an attractive showpiece.

Many people like to include a water feature in their yard. Ponds and waterfalls add a dramatic touch to your outdoor decor, and the sound of water is considered very soothing by many people. There’s a huge variety of designs and products from which you can choose. Your only limits are your budget and available space.

A rock garden is a perfect solution for problem areas of your yard where it’s difficult for many plants to thrive. Maybe it’s a spot that’s too dry or the soil conditions won’t support plant growth. Or perhaps it’s an area that doesn’t drain well and is always wet and soggy. Putting in a rock garden that includes a few exceptionally hardy plants can be ideal for these problem areas. But it’s also an attractive and low maintenance feature for any area of your yard.

There’s no doubt that landscaping can provide you with great enjoyment, both in the process and the final result. Do your research, get some professional advice if necessary, make a plan, and get going! That’s all it takes to turn your landscaping ideas into reality.

Make your pond deep

Depth of your garden koi pond is important for the health of your fish. The minimum recommended depth is 4 feet, however it is is a good idea to provide for your fish six or even 8 feet deep pond. This will ensure that your koi are safe from raccoons, household cats and other animals dangerous to fish. Deeper fish pond also helps to maintain water temperature in the middle of summer

Larger pond - happier fish

Small ponds are not appropriate for koi. Remember, with time koi can grow quite large and they will need some space. Also there are so many color variations of koi, that as time goes you will probably want to add more fish to your pond. So it is better to create a large pond from the start than rebuild it later. About ten thousand gallons is suitable for a koi pond , bigger would be even better.

Provide some heating in winter

Unlike tropical fish, koi are resistant to the cold; however you should never let your pond freeze to the bottom. Installing a proper heater for backyard ponds will always keep an opening in the ice. Also keep in mind, that koi fish only grow when the water is warm, so with a heater your fish will grow faster.

Plan some shade for your koi

When selecting where to place your pond, make sure it is out of direct sun. Also keeping water plants like water lilies in your pond are a good idea - not only they add beauty to the overall look of your pond, but they also provide shade for the fish. However, you should avoid building your koi pond in aria with many trees. Cleaning a fish pond of fallen leaves is can become a hard work.

There are many birds of prey that would eat your koi. Don’t give them the opportunity; plan your pond location so it is possible to cover it with a net for garden ponds. When planning your pond keep in mind that you should not use any insecticides or herbicides near the water. Even a small amount of common garden poison can kill your beautiful fish.

Several accessories are required for a healthy koi pond. Ideally you should get a water pump, filtration system, pond water aerator and an ultraviolet sterilizer. If the water in your pond is not moving, your koi might feel unwell. Koi pond filtration systems are pricey, so to save you can make your own homemade filters.

One of the best investments you can make in your home is adding a few attractive outdoor landscaping ideas.  This can be done by hiring someone or using your own imagination.

Landscape design software is available for those who have a computer. This type of program will help you as you figure out what exactly you want to do and what will suit your home and yard the best. Many of these types of programs will offer different layouts and options that will help you visualize the design and narrow down your choices.

If you prefer not to use landscaping software try searching online. The internet is a good resource to search for outdoor landscaping ideas. Using the internet can give you some insight and perspective on other completed projects to use on your own project.

There are likely thousands of different landscaping ideas that you will find to be useful for your yard and well within your budget and there are a lot of sites that focus specifically on home landscaping. These sites will also give you some great ideas as well as practical information. It is important to do extensive research before you begin your project to minimize the mistakes so that the job will not have to be done over again.

For Any Budget

Knowing how much you have to spend helps in the decision making process.  Larger, more developed plants can cost more.  Is a swimming pool or large waterfall in the budget?  Knowing ahead of time, within a few dollars, what the landscaping project will ultimately cost is also important.

Always have the utility company survey the area to be renovated. Relocating or repairing utility lines can be expensive and dangerous.

You should also check with the city regarding zoning and setback restrictions. Most cities will give you a set of guidelines to follow. Some cities also have restrictions on tree elevations and fencing so be careful and comply with all the requirements. Do you homework and find out all you can before you start your project and avoid any wasted time and unnecessary costs

Step out of the box, so to speak, and research unusual and unique outdoor landscaping ideas.  Take advantage of the online resources available.  You may discover new and innovative patio materials and plants.  This will increase the value and look of your most valuable asset - your home.

If you would like more landscaping ideas go to Landscape Patio Design.

The folks in the Southwest part of our country get to enjoy the beauty and ease of gardening with desert landscaping plants.  They need little water, are hardy and also easy to transplant. They come in many interesting types, some with beautiful blossoms and others with unique shapes.

In addition to using plants for landscaping, which might include yucca, various types of cacti, and so on, you will also find that desert gardens can be used in vegetable garden plans.  For instance, fruits and vegetables usually grow exceptionally well in dry climates although you would need to make sure they get adequate watering.

While creating a look using desert landscaping plants, you might find that you have some areas of the property or perhaps a side of the home with lots of shade.  Obviously, this would require you to use landscape shade plants, those that will handle the hot and dry climate but also do well growing in shade.  Again, the possibilities are tremendous, giving you great coverage and beautiful blooms during the year.

Listed below are just a few of the hundreds of varieties of desert landscape plants as well as a few landscape shade plants.  The hot and dry climates produce many beautiful and hearty plants to choose from.

Opuntia Varieties, or better known as the prickly pear due to its colorful fruit-shaped flower bud.  The bud blooms into the most beautiful, almost rose like flower.

Opuntia phaecantha variety discata, This is a very hardy plant that can survive in cold weather and will produce a beautiful deep yellow flower in the spring and summer months. It does tend to crawl along the ground and root as it goes. It has very sharp long spines that can be dangerous if planted around children.

The Agave or “century plant,” so named due to the flower stalk that is said to only bloom every one hundred years. In reality, the flower stalk appears at the end of its life, which can be as long as twenty to thirty five years. It has been used for ropes with the fiber, some for tequila, and baked and eaten.

Using Landscape Shade Plants in your Desert Garden

The Astilbe, which is also called “Feather Flower,” grows well in the shade and lots of moisture.  Because of its feather like flower it complements a cactus or desert garden nicely. The flowers can bloom from early spring to late summer and come in white, ivory purple, pink or red.

Hostas are another shade variety that blends in well with desert landscaping plants.  They are perennials that come in several types, some with solid green or variegated leaves.  They produce flowers white, pink or purple flowers and can grow in full or partial shade.

The Liriope Spicata is one more great shade plant that looks like grass and is often times referred to as border grass.  The flowers turn from white to purple when in bloom then in the fall it produces a dark berry.

Often labeled a day lily the Foxglove is extremely versatile and grows equally as well in the sun as it does it the shade.  The flowers produced by this plant are striking and vary in color depending on the species.  It is however a poisonous plant and should not be exposed to children and pets.

Get more ideas on landscaping visit Outdoor Landscaping Ideas

The history of the Bonsai tree is in fact long and steeped in culture. Many of us have just started to notice Bonsai trees. These miniaturized little trees that are oddly shaped suddenly seem to be popping up everywhere. Although they are currently enjoying a sudden burst in popularity the Bonsai tree is hardly a new invention.

The Pun-sai

Although Japan is given most of the credit when it comes to the history of the Bonsai tree, historians believe that the first culture to actually practice growing miniaturized trees were the Chinese. Many historians believe that the appeal of the Bonsai tree to this ancient culture was because the pot grown tree was so gnarled and bare of leaves that the potted tree looked more like a medieval animal than a tree. This gnarled shape would have made a Bonsai garden the perfect place to sit and tell fairytales. When the small potted trees were being cultivated in China they were called Pun-sai.

The Kamakura Period

The Japanese portion of the history of Bonsai started some time during the Kamakura period. The Kamakura portion of Japan’s history was when Buddhism was rapidly gaining appeal throughout Asia. The Kamakura period lasted from 1135-1333.

The Japanese weren’t content to grow a few oddly shaped trees of indeterminate species; they wanted their beautiful and ornamental trees to also be potted. At first the small gnarled trees were only seen in the gardens of Buddhist temples, but as the history of the Bonsai tree evolved the trees gradually appeared in the gardens that were tended by aristocrats and royalty as well. At the end of the Kamakura period the growing of Bonsai trees was a respected Japanese art.

Several centuries after the Kamakura period ended, little had changed in the history of the Bonsai tree. It was still a symbol of Japanese culture. It was commonly found in gardens and some of the aristocrats often brought their small potted trees inside for brief periods of time. Sometime during the 17th or 18th century the Bonsai tree, which until then had been exclusively a luxury that only the very wealthy or religious temples could afford, found its way into the gardens of the lower class.

The next big change in the history of Bonsai trees came in the middle to the 19th century. It was during this time period that Westerners were allowed to enter Japan. For the first time ever travelers were able to appreciate the unusual beauty of the Bonsai tree. Interest in the miniature trees was so great that they were even exhibited in the 1900 World Fair that was held in Paris.

Today Bonsai trees can be found in houses and gardens all over the world. There is nothing quite like a Bonsai, and I for one wouldn’t be without them.

Indoor bonsai plants will need extra care since they do not reap the full benefits of natural sunlight and natural weather conditions. In spite of their hardy appearances, some bonsai plants may be fragile when it comes to light and water.

Watering Your Indoor Bonsai

The bonsai plant that you have brought indoors will need lights to replace sunlight as well as monitoring regarding how often to water it. Your indoor bonsai plant will also benefit if it is placed in a well ventilated area. The type of indoor bonsai you have will dictate how often you need to water it as well as the state of the soil that it has. Some plants or trees need to have damp soil while others thrive well in spite of a drought.

Misting your plant may be necessary to produce a sort of rainforest humidity in which it will thrive. A humidity tray may be used but make sure that the pot is not exposed to the water but is instead on some pebbles or a stand.

Pruning and Cutting

The indoor bonsai tree will still need to be regularly pruned and cut to maintain appearances. Just because bonsai plants look frozen in time does not mean that they do not grow. Indoor bonsai and outdoor bonsai need to be repotted at least once a year up to three years depending on the kind of tree. The branches will also need to be maintained to keep the style that it has been designed to have.

Depending on what species of tree your indoor bonsai is, you will need to cut back on the fertilizer when it is winter time. This is because some tree species hibernate during the season and do not need as much nutrients as in warmer months. Your indoor bonsai might not fully experience the whole round of season because it is inside an artificial environment.

Indoor bonsai trees also need to be checked for pests and other anomalies that may have appeared. The fact that they are indoors may make them a favorite of spiders and other mites who are used to the great outdoors. It is best to gently clean the leaves and branches of your indoor bonsai plant with a damp cloth or a brush.

You need to find out from your local zoning board or authorities if you are permitted to build an above ground koi pond on your property. You may already have a pond on your property and now wish to stock it with koi.

Recommended Koi Habitat

Koi are big. They will not survive in small areas. Ideally, an above ground koi pond should contain about 1000 gallons, which is about 48 square feet. If your pond is a lot smaller than this, then you could consider feeder goldfish instead.

In order to be able to live in the above ground koi pond year round, it needs to be at least three feet deep. Not only will this help them to survive the winter, but will assist their survival in the height of summer. If your pond gets too hot, the koi will die of a fish version of heatstroke, with a deep pond, they can chill out in cooler water.

Water Filtration

All ponds must have a filtration system, not just above ground koi ponds. This keeps the water from turning stagnant and also keeps the chemical composition of your pond water stable. Any massive changes in water chemistry will stress out the koi and they will die. Also, stagnant water encourages algae growth and mosquitoes. You will have to hook the filter to a power source.

Protect From Predators

Koi are considered delicacies to a large number of North American wildlife, including domestic cats. Raccoons are experts at fishing and so are birds of prey which swoop down from above. Some sort of scarecrow is recommended near your above ground koi pond, preferably one that can suddenly blast noise. Very thin netting is also an option, but this will make pond maintenance a bit more labor intensive. An electric fence can scare off many predators, including raccoons.

Also, other predators could be other kinds of fish. Be very careful what fish are introduced into your above ground koi pond and be careful not to overstock the pond; the koi may turn on each other in the competition for resources.