A beautifully landscaped yard can make a home more attractive and comfortable. Dream landscape designs can become a reality with suitable materials and the help of a great landscape supply store.
Consider your design goals and preferences when selecting pavers, garden accessories, furniture, and lighting.
Retaining Walls
Whether hosting cookouts, enjoying a good book in the garden, or simply relaxing on a lounge chair, hardscaping with retaining walls creates dedicated spaces for all your outdoor activities. They also help to prevent erosion and add a rustic, English-garden look to your landscaping.
Building your retaining wall is fun and rewarding, but it takes proper planning and materials to keep it tall. It would help if you started by laying perfectly level courses and staggered at the joints to ensure stability. You should also include weep holes and French drains to ensure water doesn’t build up behind the wall and deteriorate over time. Sourcing supplies from a reputable landscape supply store is essential for optimal results.
Many retaining walls are available, including concrete, stone, wood, and gabion. For an elegant, durable solution, choose a concrete retaining wall.
Pavers
While flower beds and shrubs love to steal the spotlight, hardscape elements like patios, walkways, driveways, and pool decks make a massive difference in how an upgraded landscape looks. Pavers are the literal building blocks of these paved features, and they come in an extensive list of customizable options.
If you’re going for a more rustic look, clay brick pavers are an excellent option. They are both solid and attractive and a great choice for those who want to add a touch of history to their home. If you prefer a modern, sleek appearance, consider concrete pavers. If you’re unsure what type of look you want, consult your local landscape supply store for help deciding on the best pavers for your project.
Fire Pits
A fire pit brings a fun and cozy feeling to any backyard. It also offers an excellent outdoor dining spot for entertaining friends and family.
Before building a fire pit, it is essential to check with local ordinances to ensure they allow them. Next, pick a secure spot and excavate a hole big enough to fit the metal ring that serves as the fire pit’s base.
Add two layers to the hole: one of sand and one of gravel. This will help preserve the pavers or bricks in the patio below. Add a layer of river rock around the perimeter of the pit. This helps with drainage and prevents weed growth. Depending on the style of your fire pit, you may need to use cement or brick adhesive, or you can dry stack them. Dry stacked stone is easy to move, replace, and repair.
Sand & Pea Gravel
When building your dream landscape, suitable materials are essential. Choosing the right aggregate is crucial, as it can contribute to a project’s success. For example, pea gravel and sand are two popular options that are often considered. However, they are somewhat different and offer unique characteristics that can enhance outdoor spaces.
Before you begin any landscaping project, make sure that you choose high-quality sand and pea gravel. This will ensure that your landscape is stable and well-maintained over time. When working with sand, lay it out evenly once it’s piled up to about three inches, wet the surface, and rake to even the texture. Once the sand is in place, add the pea gravel. The sand will help stabilize the pea gravel and prevent it from shifting or rutting over time.
Plants
A beautiful, lush landscape can transform a home into a relaxing oasis for family and friends. Crafting this magical haven doesn’t occur by accident, though – thoughtful planning is critical to achieving the landscape of your dreams.
If you need help bringing your dream landscape designs to life, consider hiring a professional designer. An experienced designer will know which plants and materials best suit your area’s climate and soil type.
