by blankadm | May 15, 2022 | Blog
Are you someone who idolizes nature and who likes to interpret the world symbolically? You’re probably a good candidate for a Zen garden then! But lovers of low-maintenance landscaping should think twice before installing such a design. Zen gardens may look simple, but they can be a lot of work. Here’s what you should know before you begin:
What Is a Zen Garden?
Developed by Buddhist monks in ancient Japan (with some Chinese influence), Zen gardens are often dubbed “miniature landscapes” because their components symbolize aspects of nature.
Most notably, the expanse of white gravel raked to have ripples represents ocean waves, and the tall, narrow boulders jutting out vertically represent mountains. Short, green plants may be grown on or around the “islands” to represent island vegetation, and architectural plants can serve as accents.
Tools and Supplies
- White gravel
- Rocks in a variety of sizes and shapes
- Steel garden rake
- Wooden Zen rake
- Shovel
- Hoe
- Tape measure
- String, string level, and stakes
- Tamper
- Landscape fabric
- Edging stones
How to Make a Zen Garden
- Clear the selected space completely of anything sticking up out of the ground like plants, weeds, and stones. Also remove the top layer of the existing soil.
- Check for level by pounding stakes into the ground end-to-end (both lengthwise and widthwise within your rectangle), stringing between them, and utilizing your string level.
- Rake out uneven spots, tamp down the soil, and run stone edging around the space. This edging will retain the white gravel.
- Dig holes for the rocks you’ll be using to represent mountains and/or islands. Arrangement is subjective, but try not to use symmetrical patterns, circles, straight lines Also, dig holes for any shrubs you’ll be planting.
- Install the rocks and plants in their holes. A significant portion of those tall, thin rocks (which represent mountains) should be hidden. They will appear more natural if you insert them like this at the end of the iceberg.
- Lay landscape fabric over the soil, making cuts to accommodate rocks and plants.
- Apply a thin layer of white gravel. With the hoe, spread it out. Using the wooden Zen rake, shape ripples or circles in it. After the elements have scrambled these patterns, maintain them by raking them back into the gravel with a Zen-garden rake.
Maintaining your home’s landscaping can be an arduous task, but Elite Development Group makes it easy with upscale monthly maintenance services for your home and garden. Contact us today and let the professionals keep your garden looking fresh.
by blankadm | Apr 15, 2022 | Blog
Fertilizing in mid to late spring is ideal, and will ensure healthy growth and discourage weeds all season long. When you’re ready to apply fertilizer this season, here are some pointers to help you use fertilizer safely and other things you can do to stimulate grass growth.
Handle Fertilizer with Care
All fertilizers should be handled with care and caution, especially since some of them contain pesticides. It’s vital to handle all fertilizers in a safe and responsible manner. Read the label carefully before beginning to ensure that you understand and follow the directions exactly as they are written.
Fertilizer can be dangerous, even for pet owners. Keep pets and children out of the way while applying it, as well as any other measures required. It’s also a good idea to wear gloves and safety glasses while working with fertilizer since many types do include chemicals that can irritate the skin and eyes.
Grass Clippings
While you may be tempted to just toss them in the garbage, you might think about putting them to better use! Grass clippings are an excellent natural fertilizer, promoting your grass to grow robust and green.
Add Compost to Your Lawn
Adding compost to the soil improves grass growth and appearance, making it a good option for individuals who are looking for a natural approach to improving their lawn’s health. Compost is decayed organic material that plants require to thrive. The addition of compost to a lawn or garden might aid in the improvement of the soil by breaking up compacted areas and stimulating the development of helpful microorganisms.
Overseed
Have you considered overseeding your patchy lawn? Overseeding is a technique to improve the health and look of a grass without having to completely remove it and start over. It may assist with issues such as brown or bare patches, as well as the ability to transition between warm and cool season grasses for a green lawn all year.
At Elite Development Group, our team of lawn maintenance pros can test your soil, recommend the right fertilizer for your type of grass, and apply it for you when the time is right. Contact us to learn more about it and the other quality services we offer.
by blankadm | Feb 15, 2022 | Blog
Ready to take your yard to the next level? Landscape edging is the perfect opportunity to give your gardens and pathways a beautiful decorative border and keep the grass at bay. Edging comes in a wide range of materials, styles, and is a great way to refresh your yard. Here’s how:
Landscape edging benefits
Installing landscape edging is great for creating a little definition and a clean visual line. It also helps to accentuate plant beds and keep the grass and mulch where they belong. Whether you opt for straight lines or curved ones, you can unify and coordinate your landscaping with the rest of your home’s style.
Landscape edging materials
Depending on the materials and style you choose, landscape edging can be a decorative feature in its own right! There are many appropriate edging materials you can use to create a border that can withstand the outdoor elements:
- Brick
- Natural Stone
- Poured Concrete
- Gravel
- Pavers
- Wood
- Bamboo
- Metal
- Plastic
- Rubber
Landscape edging is an easy way to make your lawn look crisp, finished and well-taken care of! If you’re aiming to refresh your landscaping, installing the right edging can be the key. At Elite Development Group, we make it easy with upscale monthly maintenance services for your home and garden. Contact us today and let the professionals keep your landscaping looking great all year round!
by blankadm | Jan 15, 2022 | Blog
If you’re like many homeowners, your winter landscaping can look a little dull after the bright colors and textures in the other seasons. But you can still have a beautiful garden and landscape during this quiet season! Here are some of the best winter landscaping tips to help your yard look great this season.
Focus on the bark
If you have interesting ornamental trees with distinctive bark patterns, it can really add to your winter landscaping look. Plus those trees tend to be smaller and easier to find spots for within the landscape. Try using dogwood shrubs and birch trees since both have great winter color and texture.
Use plants with berries
Many trees and shrubs hold onto their berries throughout the fall and winter, which can also provide food for birds overwintering in your area. Crabapples and holly with berries can make a great addition to the winter landscape!
Remember the evergreens
Evergreens are definitely the workhorses in the winter landscape for a number of reasons. They’re perfect for the winter landscape and make good focal points all year-round. Evergreens also come in many different colors including golds and blues!
Rework your summertime containers
Window boxes, hanging baskets, winter-hardy containers: All are indispensable for winter landscaping. If you don’t want to fill your planters with live plants, you can also stuff them with evergreen boughs of different textures and colors.
Maintaining your home’s landscaping can be an arduous task, but Elite Development Group makes it easy with upscale monthly maintenance services for your home and garden. Contact us today and let the professionals keep your garden looking fresh.
by blankadm | Dec 15, 2021 | Blog
As you decorate the inside of your home for holiday festivities, don’t forget about the outside of your house too! Spread the holiday cheer to your neighbors and guests with some of these four décor ideas for your landscaping.
Use string lights around plants & pathways
Many homeowners like to string up Christmas lights along their gutters and siding. You can also get a little more creative with your lights by wrapping them around planters, shrubs, and even along pathways to bring out your home’s unique character.
Fill your planters with winter arrangements
If you have empty outdoor pots or planters, try creating your own custom arrangements with Winter plants like evergreen branches, holly, winterberry, and other seasonal items! It’ll add an extra touch to your curb.
Drape garland over railings and window frames
Garland is an easy winter decoration to handle, and it looks beautiful when twisted around fences and railings. Use it to bring a festive yet polished aesthetic to your porch, deck or doorstep. You can also hang them around window frames to give them some holiday spirit too.
Go for an unexpected color scheme
Red and green are the popular Christmas colors, along with gold and silver. But you can also try using non-traditional color combinations to revamp holiday décor. Shades of royal blue, teal and orange are especially eye-catching!
Are you ready for the holiday season? Elite Development Group makes it easy with upscale monthly maintenance services for your home and garden. Contact us today and let the professionals keep your landscaping looking great all year round!
by blankadm | Oct 15, 2021 | Blog
Now that the temperatures are cooling and the days are getting shorter, it’s time to swap out your summer garden for a fall look! Fall flowers are just as beautiful as ones that bloom in the summer, and are strong enough to survive cooler nights and frosts. Here are some Fall flowers to consider adding to your garden this season:
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums, or Mums for short, come in just about every color and are a very popular Fall flower. These flowers in yellow, red, and orange will give your space a festive look.
Aster
Aster is a step outside of the traditional warm, Fall color palette, but they still make a great addition to your garden. They’re also great for feeding bees and butterflies during the season.
Celosia
These easy to care for flowers make the perfect accent to a container garden. Their interesting shape and texture set them apart from other fall flowers.
Pansy
These flowers are versatile and are heavy blooming, meaning they’re great for covering a lot of land. Plus, if you plant Pansies in the fall, they’ll bloom again in the spring.
Black-Eyed Susan
These golden, daisy-like flowers are another favorite for bees and butterflies! Black-Eyed Susans also pair well with mums and asters when for a rich look.
Maintaining your home’s landscaping can be an arduous task, but Elite Development Group makes it easy with upscale monthly maintenance services for your home and garden. Contact us today and let the professionals keep your garden looking fresh.
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