A paver is concrete formed in a mold to become a modulated block at least 2 3/8 inches thick.  Pavers can be molded into different shapes, colors and sizes.  Some pavers, like tile, can have color throughout or just stamped on the face of the paver.  With its high compressive strength of at least 8000 psi, pavers are more durable and can handle more weight than standard concrete or asphalt.

Most big box stores carry just mini-blocks of concrete that do not meet the criteria of a paver.  While these concrete blocks may look like pavers, they will not have the durability of an actual paver and should not be used in the place of pavers.

Paver installation is best completed by a certified professional paver installer.  ICPI, (www.icpi.org), is the official certifying organization for paver installers.  Installers have to take courses and have a minimum level of experience working with pavers to qualify for certification.

If you would like to try to tackle the project yourself or would like to make sure the contractor you choose is installing the pavers properly, there is a minimum standard that should be followed for every paver installation.

First, excavate down to the hard sub soil.   For patio and walkway installation, this should be 8-10” inches deep.  For driveways, allow at least 12”.  Once you have excavated down to the proper depth, level and grade and install geo-mat.

Once the geo-mat is installed, add ABC stone in 2-inch lifts to proper proctor (2000 psi) until the screening level (about 3.5 inches from desired finished grade).  The ABC stone should be compacted using a vibrating tamp.

After tamping the ABC stone, install screenings 1-1.5 inches thick and compact.  Lay pavers on top of screenings using an edge restraint.  If you need to cut pavers for your layout and design, be sure to use a diamond blade wet saw (tile saw) for all cuts.

When all pavers are installed, brush in polymetric sand into paver joints and re-tamp.  Then brush in polymetric sand in again into the joints and wet pavers to activate the polymers in the polymetric sand for better adhesion to the paver.

When it comes to developing a budget for pavers, view pavers like granite for your kitchen.  Pavers, like granite, range in prices according to manufacturer, color, style and installation pattern.  The industry standard for a basic paver in a standard color installed in a basic pattern is around $11 per square foot.   However, typically most paver installations run $13-18 per square foot due to upgrades to paver style and installation pattern.

There are four “must haves” for any great autumn landscape – fire pit/outdoor fireplace, paver or stone patio, play area, and fall plantings. Let’s tackle each one.

Fire Pit/Outdoor Fireplace
This is, hands down, the best staple for any great fall backyard landscape. Fire pits are the number one requested design feature for outdoor living areas in America today, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects. And why shouldn’t they be? They create a wonderful ambiance for a crisp, cool fall evening, and are also great for roasting marshmallows! Plus, fire pits are becoming much more affordable than in years past.

There are all types of fire pits/outdoor fireplaces from which to choose, so how do you know which type is best for your space and your needs? Let’s take a look at a few.

– The fire pit bowl. This type of fire pit is simply a metal bowl with a top. You can opt for one with a wire mesh covering or one with a metal top and side doors. This type of fire pit is ideal for smaller patios or courtyards.

– The chiminea. This type of fire pit rose into popularity back in the 1980s and is still one of the most requested types of fire pits today. The chiminea doesn’t give off a lot of heat, but the smell of burning wood adds a certain pizzazz to your backyard landscape during this time of year.

– The freestanding fireplace. Freestanding fireplaces are generally constructed of concrete block with a mortar and stone veneer finish, or you can buy a pre-fabricated fireplace that is put together on-site. These fireplaces serve as the focal point of any landscape since they truly make your backyard feel like another room in your home.

Patio
If fire pits/outdoor fireplaces are the most requested feature for an outdoor living area, the patio would be a close second. Studies have shown that hardscape features such as patios can increase the value of your home by over 10%. Pavers and stone come in many shapes and styles, so you are virtually guaranteed to find a style and color that will not only match your existing home, but one that matches your decorating taste as well. What a perfect new spot to place that wonderful new fire pit!

Play Area
A play area doesn’t have to be just for children. How about creating a play area that is both kid and adult friendly? Create a horseshoe throwing area or a custom corn-hole station. You can even make a mini putting green for those golf enthusiasts.

Looking for something a little more dramatic? How about building a backyard retreat cottage? Use this cottage as a children’s playhouse, art studio, or therapeutic escape from all the day’s hustle and bustle.

Fall Plantings
Spring and fall are definitely the best times to plant. There are five plants we suggest that offer a little something special for the cooler autumn months.

– Camellia Sasanqua. This camellia blooms in the fall and comes in single or double white, pink, or red flowers. Camellia Sasanqua can grow up to 6′-10′ tall and 5′-7′ wide, so be sure to allow plenty of growth room. Camellia Sasanqua can grow in both sunny and partial shade.

– Encore Azalea. Encore Azaleas are azaleas that rebloom in spring, summer, and fall. Encore Azaleas currently come in about 25 various colors, so there is both a bloom (double or single) and color to meet just about anyone’s needs. Encore Azaleas are pest resistant, cold hardy, and sun tolerant, making them a great staple to any landscape.

– Kaleidoscope Abelia. This abelia is unique in that its leaves change color throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons. In the spring, the leaves emerge lime green on a red stem. In the summer, the leaves deepen into a golden yellow. Finally, in the fall, the leaves’ color continues to deepen into an orange/fiery red. The Kaleidoscope Abelia is a hardy plant that prefers full sun and looks great in a collection of like plants.

– Pansies. Pansies are the flower staple for the fall and winter months. With the variety of colors and the cool weather adaptability, pansies will add that welcome splash of color to any landscape.

– Coral Bark Japanese Maple. The deeply cut light green leaves turn flame gold during the fall. After the leaves drop, the bark on new twigs turns a bright coral red. The coral bark Japanese Maple likes partial to full sun and will grow to about 15′-20′ tall.

Now that you’re armed with a little know-how for designing the perfect outdoor living space, have fun this season creating a wonderful backyard area that you and your family will enjoy all year long.

It’s almost that time of year again when the weather becomes cooler, the leaves turn brilliant shades of red, gold and orange and outdoor sports become the norm.  This is also the time of year that your landscape can use a bit of a “fresh-up” after a long, hot summer.

Almost everyone has something to tackle in their yard this Fall.  Here is a quick 5-item action list to help you plan for Fall fresh-up.

1)   Over-seed your lawn.  If you have Tall Fescue or any other cool weather grass, the Fall is the absolute best time to over-seed.  Make sure you aerate thoroughly (putting little hole plugs in the ground) by using either a core type aerator or power seeder to get the maximum seeding coverage.  Most lawns should be seeded at a rate of 5 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. of lawn.

2)   Deadhead your perennials and annuals.  Deadheading (removing the flowers that have wilted) extends the flowering and can promote a second flush of flowers.

3)   Weed and mulch your flowerbeds.  Time to clean out all those dead plants and weeds and install a fresh layer of mulch.  Since most flowerbeds already have an existing layer of mulch, chances are you only need to “top dress” your mulch.  Top dressing should be applied at a rate of 1-2 inches of new mulch on top of your existing material.

4)   Plant spring bulbs.  Those flowers may not bloom until Spring, but we need to get those bulbs in the ground in the Fall.  We don’t want to miss out on all those gorgeous flowers!

5)   Install some Fall/Winter friendly pansies to your landscape.  To keep your landscape from feeling drab this winter, put in some pansies.  These beautiful flowers will add a welcomed splash of color to your landscape. You can put pansies just about anywhere in your landscape including in a flowerbeds, hanging baskets or planters.

1. Start planning for the Fall project EARLY.   Start meeting with landscape companies in July (August at the latest) regarding your project.  By August, try to have your project plans finalized (including any landscape plans). Many companies book out 2-3 months in advance for projects, so by getting on the schedule early will help get your project completed on time.
2. Submit your proposal to any HOA by August or September at the latest.  Most neighborhoods will not allow you to complete a landscape project with HOA approval and that could take up to 30 days.  If there are issues with your proposal or the HOA needs more information, your application could take 60-90 days to get approved.
3. Make sure your utilities have been located on your property prior to the start of your project.  Most landscape companies do this for you, but you may want to follow up just in case.
4. Have your financing in place prior to signing a contract.  Most landscape companies require a deposit to secure your spot on the schedule.  If you chose to get a loan, banks and other lending companies need at least 60 days of processing time.

In the Triangle area, the most popular sod types are Bermuda, Zoysia and Tall Fescue.  Others are available but are less common.

Let’s start with Bermuda.  Bermuda is mid-range warm weather turf type.  Bermuda is fairly heat resistant which means less watering and a reduced chance of the turf dying due to heat stress. Bermuda does not like shade, so if you have a shady yard, Bermuda may not be the turf for you (unless you remove those trees).  Typically Bermuda is a shorter blade and appears more like a “Berber Carpet”.  Bermuda also spreads fairly easily. 

Next is Zoysia.  Zoysia is the “king” of warm weather turf types.  Zoysia is commonly known as carpet grass due to its lushness.  Like Bermuda, Zoysia does not like tons of shade, however Zoysia is more shade resistant than Bermuda.  Zoysia likes heat, so being in the South, this is a great turf.  Zoysia is larger blade turf type than Bermuda which is what makes it so plush to walk on.   The biggest drawback to Zoysia is the price.  It is one of the most expensive turf types costing about 30-50% more than Bermuda or Tall Fescue.  Just like Bermuda, Zoysia can spread fairly easily over your turf.

Finally, Tall Fescue.  Tall Fescue is cool weather sod meaning it actually prefers cooler weather.  While the color and richness of Tall Fescue is very nice, Tall Fescue does require more work to maintain as it needs more water to keep it from dying especially in the South.  Tall Fescue is a tall blade type that is pretty wide in nature making the grass very soft and thick to walk on.  Tall Fescue and Bermuda are very similar in price, but Zoysia and Tall Fescue are more similar in texture.  Tall Fescue isn’t consider a “spreading” grass, so you will need to re-seed annually (during the Fall) to cover any bare spots that arise.

• Install hardscapes.  Animals don’t tend to “go” on hard surfaces outdoors so add a patio, walkway or outdoor living space that will enhance your backyard.
• Install dense but hardy shrubbery.  If plantings are fairly dense, dogs don’t tend to dig and disturb plantings.  When choosing plantings, select those plantings that are fairly hardy and can tolerate rougher conditions.  Also, avoid spiny and prickly plantings – we don’t want to harm our beloved pets.
• Install plantings in a raised bed and possibly use a border.  Plant in raised beds starting with the smallest plants first.  Then use a temporary fencing around the beds so the animals get used to not running through the plant beds.  When you remove the border, add decorate rock or stone to outline the bed to remind the animals that this area is still off limits.
• Make sure you have a potty spot for your animals.  Select a section of your yard that will be the “potty spot” and train your animals to only use this area of the yard when they have to go.  Use cedar chips, or pea gravel to mark this territory.  If you have a male dog, you might want to have a marking post so he can “mark his territory”
• Dogs need exercise, so if they don’t already have an exercise path, create one.  If you have a fence, create a path that borders the fence.   This will allow your dog to not only exercise, but also serve a “border patrol” to keep out unwanted intruders.
• Have a rest spot.  Dogs need shade too, so make sure there is a place for them to relax.  Pergolas, arbors and covered porches are great for both pets and their owners to enjoy.

Surface Drip Systems though short-lived, are cheapest and easiest to install. They’re most useful for shrub beds, vegetables and flower borders.

•  The easiest is a soaker hose, which is just that, a hose that leaks on purpose all along its length. You turn it on, and when you think it’s enough, you turn it off.. Problems are that it’s hard to calibrate and it becomes brittle after cold weather. 

Underground Sprinklers are what most people are familiar with, especially for the lawn. 

•  Yearly maintenance costs include re-adjusting the sprinkler heads, and trouble-shooting. In cold climates, the system has to be blown out with compressed air so the pipes will not freeze and burst, and then turned on again in spring.  Water is an additional cost. Water costs can be much higher if a sewer charge, based on water use, is added, so many towns allow sprinkler systems to have a separate meter.  Some people drill wells which produce water of adequate quality for plants but not for human use.

Problems are that all sprinklers have to be blown out with compressed air before winter in cold climates, and breaks have to be mended (with connectors) as needed.

Ask Lots Of Questions - There are some things to check out before you sign on the dotted line. Most important is the design. It involves an analysis of your water pressure, picking the right components, keeping beds and lawn zones separate, and providing zone to zone coverage but without wasting water.  Experienced installers can do it quickly, but ask to have it explained to you.

Check The Quality Of The Parts - Make sure that quality irrigation parts are used in the irrigation system installation.  You can check the rating of various irrigation system manufactur online.  Also, how long is the guarantee period? Cold winters are hard on sprinklers.

Ask About The Controller - A good one should be able to set different zones for different schedules per week. There must be a manual override so you can turn parts off and on when you wish. And there should be a rain sensor to turn it off when it rains and so conserve water.

How Much Water, How Often, And On What? - Don’t let your sprinkler company set your timer by their mantra universal setting. Short, frequent waterings encourage shallow rooting, diseases and low tolerance to stress, like drought and heat.

Here are some basic irrigation amount guidelines:

• Grass: About 20 minutes per zone, three times a week (This should be about l” of water. To check, put out a glass and measure the depth. The soil should be wet about 6 to 8 inches down. Use this also for newly planted trees and shrubs. 
• Flower beds: 20 minutes every other day.
• Old shrubs and trees: only need water when it doesn’t rain.

How Can You Tell When The Grass Needs Water? - When walked on, the footprints remain visible for several minutes. When the grass blades don’t spring back, it means wilting is imminent so manually turn on the water long enough to supply a full inch.

The Best Time Of Day To Water is very early morning. Then the grass will be hydrated during the heat of day, and the individual grass blades will have time to dry off and not get fungus diseases.

The Biggest Problem with all underground sprinklers is if they are not installed deep enough, they can be punctured with an edger or a lawn aerator. Also, frost heaves can push pipes to the surface which may trip someone or be damaged by the mower. The recommended depth for irrigation systems is 12 inches.

When looking for an irrigation contractor, please check with the North Carolina Irrigation Contractors’ Licensing Board to search for a licensed irrigation contractor.  As a licensed irrigation contractor, Grantlin Landscape Services, Inc. would be happy to assist you with any irrigation needs.

article courtesy of  www.bobvilla.com

article courtesy of  www.bobvilla.com

Just like construction blueprints, professional landscape designs help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure you get the most appealing results. Here are a few of the benefits of a professional plan:

• Increases your home’s curb appeal and resale value
• Matches your landscape to your ideal level of maintenance
• Minimizes irrigation runoff and factors in rainwater drainage
• Creates a fluid outdoor space without awkward areas
• Carefully chosen plants and features for color and interest year-round
• Every element is customized for your unique landscape

If you’ve ever planted shrubs or spent time putting in a garden, only to watch your plants expire too quickly, you know the importance of lanscape expertise. Getting a landscape contractor to design and build your space gives you peace of mind, saves time and adds value to your home. It’s more than just making a yard pretty – it’s about making an investment that lasts.

To maximize your investment, make sure you choose the right company for the job. Just like plumbers and electricians, landscape contractors are specially trained and must register with a state organization. It can be very risky for homeowners to use unlicensed contractors: currently, there’s a bill in the works to issue a fine to the property owner if an installation (above a certain limit) is not performed by a registered contractor. If you’re wondering whether your landscape contractor is officially registered, contact the NC Contractors’ Registration Board.

So don’t worry about puzzling through plant catalogues or trying to navigate the garden center! A registered landscape contractor can create the perfect design/build plan for you today. To find out more about professional landscape design and what’s possible for your space, visit Grantlin Landscape Services.

“We don’t really have a budget – we just don’t know how much these things cost” are things we hear frequently when talking about landscape budgeting.

It is important to think about your landscape budget BEFORE you talk to a contractor. When you have a budget in mind, your Landscape Contractor gets the information they need to help you make more informed choices about what your landscape project. Try to come up with a ballpark figure that fits into your home improvement budget.

Here are five key things to consider when working out a budget:

• What can you truly afford? Do you have $5,000 saved for this project or $25,000? If you think you might be getting a home improvement loan, go ahead and get prequalified.
• Know the difference between your needs and your “nice-to-haves”
• Research, research, research! Use the web to gain knowledge about products and product costs.
• Plan for the unexpected. Allow a 10% spending cushion for unexpected costs (for example: needing to upgrade your water pump for a new irrigation system)
• Understand that expertise, insurance and skilled labor doesn’t come cheap! Though you might find a plant for a lower price at a garden store, the extra cost is for the professional service.

Whether you do it yourself or use a professional landscape services company, having a good idea of your budget will go a long way in accomplishing your landscape goals.

To find out more about what a landscape contractor can do for you within your landscape budget, visit Grantlin Landscape Services today!

• Outdoor kitchen: Imagine the perfect summer cookout, grilling outside in a full-service kitchen with everything you need (counter space for all those fixins, a sink for washing up, fireplace for toasting marshmallows, etc). This new “outdoor room” can also add serious real-estate value!
• Water Feature: There’s nothing more soothing than the sound of running water. Celebrate natural beauty with a backyard pond filled with beautiful aquatic plants or fish. Enjoy entertaining guests near a flowing fountain. Your water feature can make you feel like you’re lakeside, without ever having to leave the yard!
• Patios: It’s time to invite your neighbors, friends and family to a backyard BBQ that boasts a chic space for wining and dining. Match the materials to complement your home’s exterior and find a seamless flow from your back door into the open. Got a steep, hilly or uneven yard? A patio is a great way to tame that unruly landscape and increase your home’s cosmetic appeal!
• Special gardens: Take time to stop and smell the roses with your very own rose garden! Or find your center with a Japanese-inspired garden of carefully cultivated plants. Pick a theme that fits your style, put in a bench or low wall to sit on and enjoy your backyard escape!

Vacations can be expensive these days, so consider taking the money you’d spend on trips this year and investing it in your home. You’ll end up adding value to your property while creating an environment that can be enjoyed all year long!

For questions about outdoor living spaces, or to get a quote, contact Grantlin Landscape Services today!