Lomax Landscape's Blog

3 Simple Landscaping Ideas for your Front Yard

Kim Harvey — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:07:00 GMT

Do you need to revitalize the appearance of your home? These simple landscaping ideas will help you to create a lasting first impression.

When planning your landscaping project and budget, remember that updating your front yard and entry landscaping can increase the value of your home up to 20%. Curb appeal is important!

1. The Grass is Greener

If you are having problems with your lawn, you are not alone. Some common problems are addressed below but if nothing seems to be working, it might just be old age and you might want to invest in reseeding your lawn.

Lawn Problem 1: Brown Spots

If you have sections of your lawn that are turning brown, first ensure that it is getting the proper amount of water. Never mow off more than one inch of grass at once and to make sure you aren't using a dull blade, which both cause brown areas as well.

Lawn Problem 2: High Traffic Zones

If you have an area of lawn that is getting trampled from people walking, you might want to install a material to officially make it a pathway. Installing flagstone, slate, or concrete paving stones are just a few ideas.

Lawn Problem 3: Yellow Lawn

If you have yellow spots, pet urine is most likely to blame. Pet urine contains nitrogen and the concentrated amount is what causes the discoloration. The only solution for this is to designate an area of your lawn in a less visible area for your pets. If you catch them using your front lawn for a bathroom, quickly hose the spot with water.

If you have a problem with overall yellowing in your lawn, this may be caused by fertilizer. The nitrogen that promotes the growth in your lawn can also kill it by burning it if given too much. Make sure to water well immediately after fertilizing to dilute the chemicals and help with the absorption.

2. Add Strength in Flowerbeds

Flowerbeds are very easy to maintain and can brilliantly dress up your front yard. A grouping of perennials and annuals make a beautiful flowerbed, adding color and texture.

Flowerbed Problem 1: Maintenance

If you install flowerbeds that are only accessible from one side, you are going to have more work to do when it comes to maintenance. Either build flowerbeds that are accessible from both sides or install pavers through the garden bed that are evenly spaced, making weeding and other maintenance tasks much easier.

If you don't have defined edges to your flowerbeds, you may be more susceptible to grass and weeds entering. This means you will be spending many more hours tending to your flowerbeds. Installing a defined edge that uses any type of material to prevent grass and weeds from entering will save you tons of time. Example: Rubber tubing!

Flowerbed Problem 2: Remembering Color and Texture

Many people don't pay enough attention to their flowerbeds because they are so easy to maintain compared to other areas of your garden. Putting in a little extra effort can make a huge impact and discourage boring flowerbeds.

Annuals are perfect for adding a splash or two of color during the summer. A bonus is that you don't have to worry about maintaining them during the winter months. Two annuals to consider planting in your flowerbed include begonia and lantana.

You can also add a little variety by planting structural plants, such as ornamental grasses, to switch up the textures, add a little color, and maintain visual interest.

3. Fence it Off

Building a fence around your front yard provides a border between your garden and home. Borders contribute to making your front yard more asthetically pleasing by organizing various features.

Border Problem 1: Heavily-Trafficked Areas

If you don't do your research when it comes to picking plants, you may end up planting delicate plant varieties that will be trampled in your high-traffic areas of your front yard. Make sure to choose strong plant varieties that won't mind all the attention. These can include daylilies, perfect for lining the sidewalk with.

Border Problem 2: More Variety, More Maintenance?

The common thought that the more plant varieties you have, the more maintenance your garden will be, is false. A front yard filled with green grass may seem like much less effort than adding ornamental plantings, but this is a misconception. A lush, planted front yard actually requires less care than lawn... and no lawn mowers!

Containers add pops of color with various flowers and require very little maintenance. If the blooms fade, plants can easily be replaced, unlike grass.

For more information on landscape design, download our FREE guide:

8 Necessary Principles of Landscape Design

Kim Harvey — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 22:26:00 GMT

The basics of landscape design are an essential component to creating your desired outdoor living area. Whether you plan on working with a landscape designer or developing some ideas on your own, an understanding of the basic principles of landscape design will benefit you tremendously. The principles of landscape design are a more clear and defined extension of the elements of landscape design represent more defined examples of what to look for in landscape design While these principles are great to follow, don’t feel as though they are the rules of landscaping. Remember to use your creativity and personal taste!

For a more detailed guide to the 8 main principles of landscape design, download our FREE E-Book now! This useful toolkit contains information on all of the following principles and extra great additions include:

Useful tips to apply each principle
Tons of pictures
Creative ideas to implement brilliant ideas
Examples of various landscape designs

Main Principles to Designing Your Landscape

These key elements will serve as building blocks for learning more concepts of landscape design. Educating yourself on these topics will provide you with a significant advantage while working with your landscape designer to create your perfect garden and landscape.

Principle 1: Unity

Unity in your landscape design can be achieved through consistency and repetition.Consistency helps all the various elements of your landscape fit together to create one concept. Repetition ties together the pieces by repeating similar elements, such as plants, decorations, or types of stone or wood.

Principle 2: Simplicity

Simplicity is an often-overlooked factor in landscape design. Remember to keep in mind that adding too many elements to your landscape design can sometimes be overwhelming and can overshadow the main theme and feel to your landscape. If you keep things simple to begin with, you can always add more!

Principle 3: Balance

Balance is a sense of equality in your landscape design and is another important principle to keep in mind. There are two types of balance in landscape design: symmetrical and asymmetrical. More information on these types of balance can be found in our free E-Book.

Principle 4: Color

Color adds the dimension of real life and interest to the landscape.

It is important to use a complementary color scheme throughout the landscape and strategically use colors to direct your attention to specific areas.

Principle 5: Natural Transition

The natural transition principle of landscape design illustrates the concept of gradual change. This is best applied to elements such as plant height or color but it can also be very relevant to any aspect in the landscape, including textures, shapes, and size. To achieve a natural transition in your garden, make sure to consider the gradual arrangement of different elements in your design.

Principle 6: Line

Linear patterns can be used to direct physical movement, eye movement, and attention to central areas of your garden. Line can be created in many different ways: straight lines, curves, arrangements, vertical lines, and within small enclosed spaces. Line is also very important to consider in modern landscape designs.

Principle 7: Proportion

The principle of proportion in landscape design refers to the size of elements in relation to each other. This principle may require a little thought and planning while creating your design and most of the elements are easily capable of being planned in advance to meet these proportions.

Principle 8: Repetition

The principle of repetition is directly related to unity in landscape design. While it is good to have a variety of elements and forms included in your design, repeating these elements will greatly add character.

For more information on landscape design planning and elements, please contact us! You can also view more photos displaying these elements of landscape design in our project portfolio.

To download a complementary copy of the E-Book: 8 Basic Principles of Landscape Design and get started on the way to your dream landscape, click below:

Outdoor Holiday Lighting

Kim Harvey — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 06:41:00 GMT

Holiday Lighting Tips

Whatever style of holiday lighting you choose, here are some basic guidelines to make installing them a breeze:

1. Outdoor Welcoming Lights

Greet your holiday guests with style by adding lights to the front entry of your home. Since outdoor lights can sometimes be difficult to manage, grab this useful tool to ensure that the bulbs are spaced evenly and facing the same direction.

These new styles of clips that attach ot the gutter, inside the doorway, or along the walkway, make your task of taming that strand of lights just that much easier.

Made of a sturdy plastic, the clips snap in place with ease. And the clips come in a styles suitedfor standard or miniature lights. You can find them many different places, including home centers and grocery stores.

2. Outdoor Pathway Lights

Light up the path to your door with a strand of clear holiday lights. To do this, push the plastic stakes into the ground, slip in the lights, and close the plastic hinges to hold the lights in place. Put some moss between the lights to cover the exposed cord.

3. Start Smart

Before you begin your holiday lighting project, here are a couple extra tips to ensure success:

Do the Math. Measure the distance you need to cover and determine in advance how many lights and clips will be needed. Most likely, the length of the strands won't match and you will have to do some adjusting. For a brighter lighting display you can either place the clips closer together or run two alternating strands.
Meaure, Measure, Meaure. If you are using special spacing between lights, cut a piece of cardboard or wood to the exact length desired, using it to measure the space between clips.
Test Your Lights First. Before putting up your lights, be sure to plug in each strand to ensure that each bulb lights up and that the sockets and cords are solid. Replace strands with brittle cords or cracked or loose sockets.
Check the Connections. Check connections between strands to be sure that they are compatible and the extension cord easily reaches the plug. Check the manufacturer's recommendations for the maximum number of strands to connect to each other. You may need an extra extension cord!

4. Hire an Outdoor Lighting Professional

If you are running out of time or aren't quite up to setting up holiday lights yourself, you can always hire a professional to get the job done right. Lomax Landscaping is offering lighting specials and other holiday services throughout the season. For more information, visit our Holiday Decorating Services page, submit a contact form below, or call us at (650) 949-0699.

Modern Landscape Design | Contemporary Garden Design

Kim Harvey — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:45:00 GMT

Modern Landscape Design

Modern landscape design blends functionality with a chic, sophisticated landscaping style to create an outdoor environment that emphasizes minimalism and pure shape and form. It is very important to create the right relationship between the soft landscape elements and the hardscape features in your modern outdoor area.

This intriguing type of landscape design typically requires very little maintenance, making it very appealing to modern families. The rushed, fast-paced lifestyle of present day society combined with diminishing yard space have made modern garden designs rise in popularity. The innovative use of unusual materials and eye-catching textures, along with distinct patterns and vivid colors create truly stunning visual landscape elements.

Many modern landscapes incorporate extensive hardscape designs to minimize upkeep while creating a functional outdoor living area and plant life is integrated in several different ways, including trendy potted gardens for small outdoor spaces.

A very important landscape design element in modern gardens are to create clean lines that draw attention to the primary features of your landscape and also complement the architectural style of your home. Asian rock gardens and water features are also common aspects of modern gardens.

Contemporary Landscaping Materials

Hardscape designs play a major part in modern landscapes, creating the crisp lines and angles of contemporary landscaping while reducing the need for frequent maintenance as well. Some recommended materials for this landscaping style include:

Basic concrete - For structural elements such as fire pits, water features, patios, pathways; also used for walls to create a vertical aspect of the landscape
Elegant pavers or colored tiles - Good for patios and pathways
Wood - Simple wooden beams can accent landscaping features and complement the outside of your home
Natural gravel - Useful for pathways, patios, and to combine with vegetation
Pebbles in various shades - Perfect to combine with vegetation to create a balance of softscape and hardscape elements

Contemporary Landscaping Accessories

Modern outdoor spaces can inspire creativity and push the limits of traditional outdoor decorating. Some accessories that create a modern outdoor environment include:

Geometric planters and pillars with clean lines and neutral colors
Stainless steel outdoor kitchens
Water features such as stainless steel fountains and minimalist pools
Colorful or stainless steel furnishings and decorations
Decor that integrates plastic or canvas
Contemporary outdoor lighting features

Contemporary Plants and Vegetation

In modern landscape design, planting and vegetation is not the main element. Some modern garden designs limit plants and flowers, filling the area with hardscape elements, and others incorporate more greenery with green walls of shrubs and large planting areas. Look for colorful and textured plants that are easy to care for. Some recommendations include:

Ornamental grasses that provide a break between hardscape elements
Lush bamboo and evergreens to create screens and barriers
Topiaries and boxwoods with intriguing shapes and patterns
Container gardens with vibrant colors

Building a sustainable landscape design is also good to keep in mind for those going green with their modern landscape design, as it is very common with this style.

Our team of professional landscape designers, contractors, and project managers can help you plan a modern landscape design that suits you and your lifestyle. Click below to contact us with any questions:

Outdoor Entertainment Ideas - Firepits

Kim Harvey — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:19:00 GMT

A landscape design for backyard entertainment makes your outdoor living space an enjoyable and functional part of your home. With the right landscaping, you can create an outdoor haven that promises year-round fun and relaxation for your family and guests. One increasingly popular way to set the mood for elegant outdoor entertaining is with a custom fireplace or fire pit.

The "Fire Pit Frenzy"

I have recently learned from clients that there are three breeds of people emerging in the Bay Area Peninsula: those who have a fire pit and won't stop talking about it, those who are slowly taking money out of their children's educational funds because they just can't live without it, and those who are completely oblivious to the whole revolution. My research has shown that the third type is becoming quite an endangered species. At recent client consultations, approximately 80% of prospective clients very enthusiastically tell us that they will definitely want a firepit in their landscape design... we can't help but laugh anymore as their faces light up.

But in all seriousness, fireplaces and fire pits create an ideal living room environment and create a warm conversational area for your family and friends. They provide warmth, light, a cooking source, and ambiance, making them a natural gathering spot for socializing, entertaining, and relaxation. A fire pit can also function beautifully as an important focal point in your outdoor landscape design. As we are approaching the winter months, fireplaces and fire pits will greatly increase in demand as they tend to be one of the most popular landscape features during cool California nights.

Fire Pit

Fire pits can range from 3' wide to 6' or greater and usually at a height of 12", custom built to the client's specifications. The fire pit can be wood burning or set up for natural gas or propane. With a gas fire ring, lava rock is the most common flame distribution method and other popular materials are silica sand, glass beads, or a ceramic log set. One of our favorite materials touse in fire pits is cut crystal glass, shown below.

You can choose from a variety of finishing materials including concrete, stone, and brick, and they come in a wide array of shapes and sizes.

Landscape designers can help you determine the best fire pit for your needs, providing answers to many common questions:

How to size your firepit
The differences between a fire pit and an outdoor fireplace, helping you evaluate the most suitable choice for your outdoor space
Differences between the various fire pit fuel options, including gas, propane, wood, and ethanol
Determining the best location for your fire pit, considering factors such as convenience, space, and safety
Pricing for various types of fire pits and how to choose the right style that fits your budget
Selecting a material and landscape design style that ties in with your patio, your preferences, and the exterior of your home
Choosing your preferred fire pit fill materials that are both decorative and heat absorbant
How fuel costs will impact the overall cost of operating your firepit

Since there are so many options and important factors to consider when choosing the optimal fire pit for your needs, be sure to consult with a landscape designer for advice, guidance, and guaranteed quality.

Feel free to contact us by clicking the button below to explore ideas on how you can have a fire pit at your home. Also, if you have general landscaping questions or questions regarding fire pits, our team at Lomax Landscaping is more than happy to help.

Elements of Landscape Design

Kim Harvey — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:45:00 GMT

Basics of Landscape Design Planning

The basics of landscape design planning are an essential component to creating your desired outdoor living area. Whether you plan on working with a landscape designer or creating some ideas on your own, you should at the very least have a basic understanding of the principles. These basic principles apply to a large scope of landscaping projects, ranging from a simple project with a small variety of plants and features to a large and elaborate landscape design. To ensure any landscaping project will be successful, common themes in the planning process should be taken into consideration. The foundation of any good landscape design is careful consideration of the home and property, including the size and style.

Understanding the Elements of Landscape Design

Ever wonder about the many secrets underlying the magic, mysterious art of the landscape designer? Landscaping is a combination of art and science. These basics of landscape design are used to create a landscape that is asthetically pleasing with an inviting and attractive appearance. To understand the magic of landscape design you must first learn the basic desigining elements that underlie the discipline. These key elements will serve as building blocks for learning more concepts of landscape design. Educating yourself on these topics will provide you with a significant advantage while working with your landscape designer to create your perfect garden and landscape.

The 5 Elements of Landscape Design

Color

Color adds the dimension of real life and interest to the landscape. For example, bright colors (such as reds, yellows, oranges) can actually make an object seem closer to you. Cool colors (such as greens, blues, and pastels) may make an object seem further away. Neutral colors are best used in the background.

It is important to use a complementary color scheme throughout the landscape and strategically use colors to direct your attention to specific areas.

Line

Linear patterns can be used to direct physical movement, eye movement, and attention to central areas of your garden. Line can be created in many different ways: straight lines, curves, arrangements, vertical lines, and within small enclosed spaces.

Form

Form can be expressed through trees and shrubs of various shapes and sizes which create natural patterns. This element seems obvious but in reality, requires a little more thought and planning.

Trees may have an upright growth form that allows placement near structures. Shrubbery forms are typically defined by the plant's growth pattern. Oval or rounded shrubs are often planted in the front of the property to provide a uniform and symmetrical appearance.

Texture

The look and feel of the plants and materials in your landscape design is highly influential. The key to effective use of texture is made through creating a balance between various plant qualities in your garden. For example, a large amount of smooth, fine materials should be used to balance coarse textured plants and trees.

Scale

For a harmonious and flowing appearance, materials and structures in your landscape design should be relative in size to the buildings and objects around them. Keep in mind to maintain a comfortable environment for people who use the areas as well.

Landscape designs typically use a universally known human scale to determine the appropriate size of plants and buildings.

With the basic elements of landscape design defined, it is now time to put them to practical use that is much easier to apply. To do this, it is necessary to work with other basics of landscape design, specifically the principles of design, which stem directly from these five basic elements. Other basics include landscape planning, the principles of landscape design, and garden history. All are equally important to understand landscape design and should be treated as a whole. Acquiring an understanding of the main factors to consider in landscape design will greatly assist you while working with your landscape designer.
For more information on landscape design planning and elements, please contact us! You can also view more photos displaying these elements of landscape design in our project portfolio.

Fall Landscaping Tips

Kim Harvey — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 02:56:00 GMT

November Landscaping Tips

November is the time to enjoy all the fall colors in your garden. In terms of the tasks for your garden, it's time to start your trimming and pruning. Late in the month, you should become more aware of the risk of freezes and frost damage as well. Below are some landscaping tips to maintain your garden during this time.

1. Watering Needs and Drainage

During this time, rainfall will cover the watering needs for the majority of your plants. Remember to pay attention to molds, mildews, and fungal blights, however. Check on your flower and vegetable gardens, especially if you go a week or two without rain. Double check any new plantings for their water needs. If you have watering basins around plants in clay soil, this is the time to open them to ensure they don't flood out the root systems.

A river, or even a small stream, can take a toll on your home. Right now would be a great time to check the grading around your home's foundation to make sure it correctly drains away from the house.

2. Pest Control

If you have fruit or veggie trees as part of your landscape, take a few minutes to remove any debris that you might find under and around them. Look for twigs and leaves, as well as the last remaining fallen fruit, which should be put down into your compost heap for next spring's organic fertilizer.

Insects and diseases can spend the winter month hibernating in the debris and emerge in the spring to come after your fruit trees in full force. Remove these bugs now so that your trees can have a healthier head start next year.

3. Pruning and Trimming Tasks

Now is the beginning of the pruning and sculpting season, and important focus of landscape design. Finish trimming and thinning your evergreens before winter storms kick up with higher winds. If you have any dead or dying tree limbs, contact a reputable landscaping company to assess the situation and make recommendations. It is also the time to look over your fruit trees, determining which branches produced well and which didn't, thinning selectively.

Most of your deciduous trees can also be trimmed and pruned at this time of year. Put shrubs off until December since they remain active longer.

4. Lawn Care and Fertilizing

If you haven't already fertilized your lawn to prepare for the winter months, now is your last chance. Make sure that you get your lawn fertilized ASAP to keep it green and healthy. It is also a good month for re-seeding or re-sodding small patches of the lawn If you have heavy patches of crabgrass, you should also put in a turf-and-feed preventative herbicide in.

5. Transplanting

Shrubs, plants, and trees are entering their dormant cycle right about now. Therefore, if you are considering moving one to a new location, now is the time to do it. First, pick a location and dig a hole big enough to hold the root ball. Carefully dig out the root ball, being sure to retain as much of the root system as possible. Place it in the prepared hole, add some of the remaining soil and some compost, peat moss or manuer. Tall plants might need staking until their roots take hold. Other plants may need professional assistance so please contact us with any questions.

6. November Planting

November is when you should be planting those tulip and hyacinth bulbs. Make sure to putsome super phosphate down beneath the bulb to give them a good start.

If you are looking to add trees to your landscape design, November is a good time to do it, as they will all be showing fall colors. Some of the trees that provide colorful flowers this time of month are sasanqua camellias, koelreuteria paniculata, acer palmatum 'Bloodgood', pistacia chinensis, and liquidambar styraciflua 'Burgundy'.

For a more naturalistic garden, plant wildflower seeds towards the middle of the month. Rake and aerate the soil, press them in, and cover with soil. You can also plant native shrubs, such as manzaninta, toyon, ceanothus, and coffeeberry.

7. Landscape Design

If you are thinking about getting a landscape design and desire installation the upcoming spring, November is the perfect time to meet with one of our Landscape Designers for a professional plan. A quality design is important to give your landscape efforts focus and direction. In addition, contacting us earlier in the season means faster turnaround time and you will be first on our list for spring.

Please contact us with any questions regarding fall landscaping and gardening tips and ideas and for landscape design information:

Landscape Design and Construction: Projects and Budgets

Kim Harvey — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:31:00 GMT

Landscaping Costs

When evaluating a landscaping project, it is important to be educated on your options, their related costs, and how they might fit in to your budget.

A landscaping project can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $500,000, depending the size and value of your home. When deciding on a budget keep in mind that investing in professional landscaping will greatly add to the overall value of your home. A general rule of thumb is to spend approximately 10% of your home's value on landscaping.

Factors that Impact Landscaping Cost

Working with a professional landscaping company can help you to determine what is possible within your budget. Landscape designers can customize your budget by showing you options for various elements at different price points - an affordable prefabricated model, a mid-range kit, and a high-end original design. Being upfront about your budget will enable us to better serve you and provide you with the outdoor environment of your dreams.

Paving is often regarded as the most expensive single line item in a landscape budget. Therefore, it is important to work with your designer to choose your materials wisely. Installing pavers, flagstone, tiles, and other types of stones add elegance to your home entrance or backyard. Some of these products can be applied over the existing entry and some requires complete removal and replacement of the existing entry.

Where should I start?

First recognize your bias: walk down the street and view your front yard from an outside point of view. Does your house blend with those nearby? Is it appealing or distinctive? List all virtues and shortcomings.
Next, view other homes around you and create a list of elements you like and dislike.Take note of the entryways and think of practical issues. With this information, we can work with you to better determine your landscape needs.

For more information on landscaping projects and budgets, please download our information brochure or request a complementary design and estimate to further evaluate your project.