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Source: https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/feed/

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<title>Choosing A Lawn Care Company For Your HOA or Townhome Association.</title>
<link>https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/choosing-a-lawn-care-company-for-your-hoa-or-townhome-association/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[perfection]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Nov 2020 08:40:50 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Landscaping]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Landscape Maintenance]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://landscaping.sites4contractors.com/?p=2911</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Home Owner Associations want to see their property well taken care of. Healthy looking grass, neat and tidy flower beds, meticulously trimmed hedges, thriving trees and bushes, and well-maintained accessories such as water features are essential elements for establishing curb appeal. The overall aesthetic of the landscape influences sales, property value, and the satisfaction of...]]></description>
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Home Owner Associations want to see their property well taken care of. Healthy looking grass, neat and tidy flower beds, meticulously trimmed hedges, thriving trees and bushes, and well-maintained accessories such as water features are essential elements for establishing curb appeal.
The overall aesthetic of the landscape influences sales, property value, and the satisfaction of homeowners. 
A lot of work goes into creating and maintaining even the most simple landscapes, let alone the more complicated vistas HOAs tend to be faced with. It’s no surprise then that just like they hire an interior maintenance team, they’d also use specialists for their exterior. 
As a property manager, you should take your time when hiring a landscaping vendor. Thoughtful planning and careful research can make all the difference in finding a company with a reputation for excellent results, great value, and exceptional customer service.
Not sure where to start? Check out our top 10 questions to ask a landscaper below. We even threw in a few bonus tips for good measure.
10 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK
<ol><li>Are they licensed/insured? When a company takes the time to build a reliable team of employees and put adequate assurances in place through insurance and licensing, it reduces the likelihood of subpar work being done and ensures you won’t be stuck covering the costs of any damages. </li><li>How long have they been in business?  There is something to be said for longevity. Not that you should completely rule out a young company, but if a business has been able to ride the waves of time, it’s probably because they do good work. </li><li>What is their hiring process? Do they do background checks and drug testing?  Comprehensive hiring measures typically result in higher employee retention, which means more consistent work on your yard and more personable relationships for you and the crew. </li><li>Do they use subcontractors? The answer to this question is not as important as why. A company may choose to use other professionals to maintain their service standards in all areas of business, especially those that aren’t their strength. Find out which services are done in-house and which ones are contracted out. To get a complete picture of their relationship with outside subcontractors, ask how long they’ve been working together? Who is the point of contact when they are on your property? Did those same subcontractors also work on the jobs given as references? </li><li>Do they have references? Is it possible to speak to past customers?  Testimonials are a great way to determine if the company delivered on their promises, maintained quality work, handled issues in a professional and timely manner, and were easy to work with. </li><li>What types and sizes of projects do they have experience managing? And for how long? Experience is key. Don’t just ask how long the company has been in business; ask about their longest-standing client. Long-term relationships mean the landscaper not only gets to know your specific needs and challenges but your goals too. If they want to take their service to the next level, they’ll make recommendations based on this information. </li><li>Are there any hidden cancellation fees upon termination of service?  How much time is required to give proper notice that you wish to end your contract?  </li><li>What are other contractual obligations written in the fine print?  Read the contract thoroughly, but don’t shy away from asking about specific terms straight up. The more upfront you are, the less chance for ambiguity and confusion down the road. </li><li>How do they determine the frequency of their visits? Do they come on a set schedule, or do they adjust the workload to the season and weather conditions? A more customizable option means that they are looking to provide you with what you need rather than trying to fit all their clients into a one-size-fits-all situation. </li><li>Will they go the extra mile for you? You want a landscaper that takes some initiative to improve the services they offer you. For example, if they notice one of your bushes isn’t going to survive, will they approach you, or will they wait until you bring it up? If a storm hits the area, will they check in with you to see if you need additional cleanup, or will they leave it up to you to reach out?</li></ol>
Now that you know what to ask, let’s dive into what to look for. We all know the saying, “hindsight is 20/20,” but if you know a few tricks of the trade, you can eliminate that “I should have known” feeling altogether. Below, we’re sharing a few less-obvious signs to watch for that may save you time, money, and a lot of stress down the road.   
INSIDER TIPS & HIDDEN CLUES YOU MAY BE OVERLOOKING
Do the employees wear uniforms? While not a definitive indicator of the caliber of work the company does, uniforms give an air of professionalism. If the company pays attention to smaller details, like uniforms, they’ll likely do the same in their work. What do the unsolicited reviews online say? Yes, you should still ask the company for references, and yes, you have to take online reviews with a grain of salt, but that doesn’t mean you should dismiss them altogether. Customer reviews can bring potential issues to light that you hadn’t thought of. Take what you learn from the review and allow the landscaper to explain how they rectified the situation or if they’ve made any changes to their business as a result. Do the invoices/quotes contain minimal information. When a landscaper doesn’t provide the details of everything included in the service, it leaves a lot of wiggle room for expectations versus deliverables. If you don’t feel they are clear about what is included, ask. How do their tools and vehicles look? When a company takes the time to maintain their assets, it’s a good indication of their overall work ethic. If you see shoddy looking equipment, workers treating tools unnecessarily rough, or oil spots under the company vehicles, you may want to reconsider working with them. Will they read your HOA guidelines? Just like you ask your homeowners to stick to the rules, you want a landscaper that will too. Nothing’s worse than an HOA breaking their own bylaws by way of an uninformed contractor. Are they willing to attend an occasional HOA board meeting? Inviting the landscape company to be a part of the planning will allow residents to ask questions and stay informed. Don’t expect the company to be at every meeting or accept last minute invites. Look at your yearly plans and the changing of seasons to arrange some dates ahead of time.
Beautiful landscaping is a significant investment, but HOAs know that it’s key to increasing the property’s value and attracting buyers. 
The company you hire and the people they bring onto your property tells current owners and potential buyers what to expect from your HOA. The more professional they come across, the more professional you come across.
At Perfection Outdoor Solutions, we take a team approach to working with our HOA clients. Your goals are our goals. Whether you need specialized services for certain landscape elements or a complete landscape package, we deliver our best. Everytime. 
If you have would like an estimate for landscaping maintenance at your HOA, townhome, or apartment complex please call (918) 984-7336 or fill out our online form and we’ll get right back to you.
]]></content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Backyard landscaping Ideas Without Grass</title>
<link>https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/backyard-landscaping-ideas-without-grass/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[perfection]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2020 16:22:54 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Landscaping]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[landscaping ideas]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://landscaping.sites4contractors.com/?p=2770</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Backyard landscaping Ideas Without Grass Maintaining your backyard nice and neat can sometimes be challenging. Successfully growing healthy, lush, green, grass can sometimes be a challenge, especially in areas lacking an irrigation system.  It’s also a challenge to constantly mow and maintain. Luckily, there are many other options for landscaping, without including grass or other high...]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Backyard landscaping Ideas Without Grass
Maintaining your backyard nice and neat can sometimes be challenging. Successfully growing healthy, lush, green, grass can sometimes be a challenge, especially in areas lacking an irrigation system.  It’s also a challenge to constantly mow and maintain.
Luckily, there are many other options for landscaping, without including grass or other high maintenance plants. These beautiful, clever and sustainable options, can make your backyard a true oasis of relaxation, and you won’t even notice that the grass isn’t there.  Following these landscaping ideas can bring you a unique and amazing looking backyard that you won’t have to spend a ton of time maintaining.
1. Building A Patio 
One of the best options to skip grass in your backyard would be <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/paver-patio-construction/">building a patio</a>. Patios can be used in a number of ways and enjoyed no matter the time of the year.
Whether, you just need an area to relax or invite people over to entertain, building a patio gives you a good opportunity to include your own outdoor kitchen, with a grill, fireplace, meat smoking station or whatever your ideas might be. There aren’t many backyard landscaping options, that will allow you to include outdoor cooking areas, but Patios are perfect for that.
Patios can be highly customized, with different patterns of stamped concrete and a variety of different paving bricks or even natural stone. A beautifully done patio can increase the value of your home. They are also easy to clean, and maintain and when installed properly will last a very long time.
Having a patio doesn’t mean, you still can’t create your own beautiful gardens.  You can use potted trees, plants, and blooming flowers, and surround your patio with beautiful color and interest. You can choose evergreen bushes or potted trees, that are suitable for our climate (ZONE), to be surrounded by greenery all year round.
The last thing to consider when building a patio is outdoor furniture. Beautiful and modern outdoor furniture, will complement your patio, and turn it into a luxurious place of relaxation. The options are endless.  Websites like Pinterest or Houzz are great places to get ideas for your backyard patio furniture.
2. River Rock Or Boulder Gardens
Rock gardens can be a beautiful alternative to a grass backyard. You can design your entire backyard with rock gardens, or include them just in specific areas. When building a rock garden, the possibilities are truly endless. You can use different sizes, colors, and shapes of rocks, to create a truly unique outdoor area.  Rock gardens can be combined with low maintenance plants and bushes. You can also choose not to include any plants in the rock garden itself for a very low-maintenance option.
A rock installation like that, (with low maintenance or no plants) is drought tolerant and you don’t have to worry about the plants drying up, decreasing the appeal of your backyard. This backyard option can increase the appeal of your home when tastefully designed and constructed, and as mentioned it requires almost no maintenance.  You don’t have to worry about drought or freezing temperatures ruining your landscape when you use lots of rock.
3. Low Maintenance Garden Beds, Potted Plants, And Trees
There are a lot of plants and trees, that require the minimum maintenance and can keep your backyard looking green without having grass to mow and maintain. You can always plant evergreen bushes or trees, accompanied by blooming varieties of plants that require little maintenance, such as different varieties of magnolia trees.  Keep in mind, that the best trees you can choose, are those which grow locally (and successfully).  Trees that are native to the area, or the ones appropriate for our specific climate (growing zone 6a).  The team at Natural Image can help you choose plants that are perfect for our environment.
Low maintenance shrubs that you can pick for your backyard, include berberis and euonymus. Another option especially drought tolerant is lavender.  Lavender smells beautiful and doesn’t require much water or care. You can also harvest it, and use it to decorate your home and provide a nice fragrance.
There are some other plants that require very little care, such as different varieties of tall grasses (carex, miscanthus and pampa’s grass). They only require some “shaping up” once a year.
If you want to cover your ground with green and prevent any weeds from growing, the perfect options are; Bergenias, lily of the valley, lamb’s ear, wooly thyme, periwinkle, geraniums and more. A lot of ground covering plants and flowers will take care of themselves, providing you have decent quality soil.
If you don’t have too much soil or the quality of the soil is bad, you can always use potted plants and trees. Some fairly undemanding trees include; citrus trees, fig-trees, some types of magnolia, Witch hazel and Japanese maple. The trees are not the only greenery you can enjoy in containers, as there are many different other plants to complement your backyard retreat, including;
Asters, Gold dust, Azaleas, Boxwood, Camelia, Escallonia, Forsythia, Fuchsia, Gardenia, Hibiscus, Hydrangea and many more. Just make sure you learn the requirements for each plant, and check if your climate is appropriate for their proper growth. There are truly endless possibilities when planting your own low maintenance garden beds, or caring for potted plants and trees.
4. Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping is a special form of landscaping, that requires very little or no additional water for irrigation.  It’s a trendy term that is quickly catching on with homeowners and even commercial property owners who want a beautiful landscape with minimal maintenance requirements.  It’s best for areas with water restrictions during the summer months.  The plants selected for xeriscaping, are not necessarily local but are the ones who store water and/or use very little of it.
Different types of succulents and other drought-resistant plants are used in planning this kind of landscape, including;
<ul>
<li>Different types of Agave (Desert Love, Desert Diamond, Asperrima, cream spike, glass mountain and many, many more, as Agave, comes in more than 200 varieties)</li>
<li>Agastache flowering plants that come in more than 20 variations, mainly native to some parts of Asia and North America.</li>
</ul>
These plants require very little water and thrive in sunny areas.
When correctly done, xeriscaping can offer you a beautiful oasis, even in the driest of land. The combination of different types of Agave and Agastache plants can give you a beautiful desert and a Mediterranean kind of vibe. Accompanied by a pond or gazebo you can make your backyard look very unique and exotic without having a lawn to mow.
5. Dry Creek & Stream Beds
What is a dry creek? A dry creek is the naturally “carved” path, where water usually runs in times of lots of rain. To prevent water damage, erosion and provide proper drainage paths, you can create dry creek beds.
Dry creek beds are fairly easy to build and can make your backyard look beautiful and inviting. We will roughly explain how to build a dry creek bed in few simple steps.
<ul>
<li>The first step is to route the line of your dry creek, using paint or rope to draw the lines. Try to include sweeping curves to make it look more natural.</li>
<li>The next step is digging a trench. Save the soil that you dug up for later. If you work hard and invite some friends or family to help, you can do this in a single day.  Use the dug up soil to mound both sides of the creek.</li>
<li>Before filling the trench with drainage rock, you should use a landscape or weed fabric and spread it all around the trench. The fabric will prevent weeds from growing in the creek.</li>
<li>The next step is filling the trench with drainage rock completely. You can use pea and sand gravel for a natural creek-like appearance.</li>
<li>After the trench is filled with gravel, place different sized river rock boulders on the sides of the creek, making sure they can’t move. The smooth sides of the boulders should be the ones facing out.</li>
<li>The last step would be to fill your own dry bed creek, with pebbles, stones, and rocks of your own taste. Take your time and enjoy creating it.</li>
</ul>
There are many ways to create your own dry creek beds, as you can create different patterns, add colored glass or even ball-shaped boulders. Here, you can really let your imagination flow wild and create completely unique and beautiful designs. There are no limitations in combining a dry creek bed, with other landscaping solutions in your garden, as these beds can have a practical or solely ornamental use.
<h3>Does Your Backyard Need A Low Maintenance Landscape?</h3>
Perfection Outdoor Solutions is a landscaping contractor based out of Tulsa, OK and serving both Tulsa County and Rogers County.  Whether you want no grass or minimal grass, a beautiful new patio, a rock garden, or just a nice place to sit and relax amidst your garden, we can help you design and build an amazing backyard landscape.
If you’d like to schedule a consultation with us to discuss your backyard landscaping design or installation ideas we’d be happy to meet with you.  Please call (918) 984-7336 or fill out our online form and we’ll get right back to you.
]]></content:encoded>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Fall Is A Great Time To Give Your Lawn Some Attention</title>
<link>https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/the-fall-is-a-great-time-to-give-your-lawn-some-attention/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[perfection]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2020 16:06:20 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Landscaping]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Lawn Care]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://landscaping.sites4contractors.com/?p=2768</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Fall Is A Great Time To Give Your Lawn Some Attention Do you love having a property with a beautiful lawn?  Yes? Then you already know the secret to a beautiful lawn isn’t just luck, it takes time, effort, proper equipment and knowledge of the processes involved with maintaining a beautiful lawn.  Our customers...]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Fall Is A Great Time To Give Your Lawn Some Attention
Do you love having a property with a beautiful lawn?  Yes? Then you already know the secret to a beautiful lawn isn’t just luck, it takes time, effort, proper equipment and knowledge of the processes involved with maintaining a beautiful lawn.  Our customers often ask us when the best time of year to work on their lawn is and our answer is always the early fall!  The hot weather has passed and your grass is getting ready to go through a slower period of growth.  This is the perfect time to catch up with some much needed <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/landscape-maintenance/">lawn maintenance</a> or repair.
Does Your Lawn Really Need Any Maintenance This Fall?
How do you know if your lawn needs fall maintenance?  There are a few quick ways to tell if your lawn would benefit from a fall maintenance package or not.  If the appearance of your lawn isn’t important to you, then none of these tips matter.  If you care about the appearance of your property and a beautiful lawn is important to you, then read on.
<ul>
<li>Does your lawn receive heavy traffic from kids or pets?</li>
<li>Do you have large or small bare spots on your lawn?</li>
<li>Does your lawn have dead or brown patchy areas?</li>
<li>Do you have very dry or compacted soil?</li>
<li>Do you just want to give your lawn the best care possible?</li>
</ul>
If you answered yes to any of those questions then your lawn would probably benefit from some of the fall maintenance services we recommend.
So What Do We Recommend For Fall Lawn Maintenance?
#1.  <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/leaf-removal/">Raking and Removing Leaves.</a> 
#2.  Lawn Detatching. 
#3.  <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/aeration-overseeding/">Lawn Aeration and Overseeding.</a> 
#4.  Lawn Top Dressing.
<h3>3 Reasons Fall Is A Great Time For Lawn Maintenance</h3>
Don’t neglect your lawn until the spring.  It won’t look as good as you’d expect, because it won’t be as healthy as it could have been.  Here are 5 reasons you should consider doing lawn renovation or repair work during the fall.
#1.  The heat of the summer is no longer an issue.  When temperatures and humidity are very high your lawn is under stress.  The results from lawn repair services are usually much better when the work is completed during the fall when air temperatures are cool and soil temperatures are down.
#2.  As we go into the fall your kids and pets will be spend less time outside, on the lawn.  Lower foot traffic is good for the lawn to recover from the repairs and maintenance.
#3.  Your lawn is hungry for nutrients.  As fall draws closer your grass is trying to enhance it’s root system.  Your lawn needs to gather up as much nutrients from the soil as possible to develop a strong root system that will last through the winter.  Detatching, aerating, and overseeding during this critical cycle can really give your grass a leg up in the winter and a head start for spring.
<h3>Raking And Removing Leaves</h3>
<figure id="attachment_2993" class="wp-caption alignright" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2993"></figure>
While a blanket of fall leaves across your lawn can really set the season it’s not really good for your lawn.  As the leaves build-up and decompose they starve your underlying grass of oxygen.  The decaying organic matter can also introduce fungus and mold to your lawn.  These factors can all contribute to a patchy, rough looking lawn.  When the leaves are done falling it’s a good idea to have them removed from your lawn so they can be composted at a proper facility.
<h3>Lawn Detatching</h3>
Over the course of a year (or many) your lawn builds up a layer of “thatch” at the base of the grass.  This thatch is created as the grass blades criss cross and fall over top one another, throw in grass clippings throughout the year and this can really build up.  It can give your lawn a matted appearance in some areas and it also prevents oxygen and nutrients from reaching the root system.  The fall season is the perfect time to detatch your lawn.
<h3>Lawn Aeration & Overseeding</h3>
Another great fall lawn maintenance tip is to <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/aeration-overseeding/">Aerate and overseed</a> your lawn.  This is a key part of any professional lawn care program, especially if you want your look to amazing the following spring.  Aeration is required because over a long period of time (months or years) your grass can grow thick and matted near the soil and become very difficult for oxygen and other nutrients to reach the roots of your grass.
While dethatching will break up all the matted grass and debris, that’s all it does.  As the aeration machine passes over your lawn it punches small holes into the lawn simultaneously removing a small amount of grass and soil, that we call “plugs”.  These holes make it much easier for oxygen and nutrients to be delivered to the root system of your lawn.  It’s common practice on golf courses and sports fields where the quality of the turf is crucial.  For the homeowner, it’s a great way to have a lawn with that professionally maintained appearance.
<h3>Lawn Overseeding</h3>
When you’re already detatching and aerating your lawn it’s a great time to overseed your lawn too.  Overseeding can encourage grass growth in areas that are patchy or brown or in areas that don’t look as lush after a long summer.  Detatching, aeration, and overseeding is like a combo punch for your lawn and they can really help bring back a lawn from looking poorly cared for, to lush and healthy again.
<h3>Top Dressing Your Lawn</h3>
Top dressing your lawn is applying a 50/50 compost to soil mix in a very thin layer on top of your existing lawn or in any bare spots.  This helps improve the appearance of your lawn in multiple ways.  It can smooth out the surface of your lawn and fill in small dips and any small humps or lumps.  It also provides the optimal conditions for new grass seed.  Top dressing is a great addition to any <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/aeration-overseeding/">lawn aeration or overseeding</a> project as well.
<h3>Call Perfection Outdoor Solutions For Fall Lawn Maintenance</h3>
Perfection Outdoor Solutions is a landscaping and lawn care company based out of Tulsa, OK and serving both Tulsa County and Rogers County.  We specialize in professional lawn care services which can include removing leaves, detatching, aerating, lawn overseeding, and top dressing.  We can put together a fall lawn maintenance package that will have your lawn in great shape.
If you’d like to schedule your fall lawn maintenance we’d be happy to accommodate you.  Please call (918) 984-7336 or fill out our online form and we’ll get right back to you.
]]></content:encoded>
</item>
<item>
<title>Landscaping Tips To Help Sell Your Tulsa, OK Home</title>
<link>https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/landscaping-tips-to-help-sell-your-home/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[perfection]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2020 16:01:27 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Landscaping]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Landscape Maintenance]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://landscaping.sites4contractors.com/?p=2766</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Landscaping Tips To Help Sell Your Tulsa, OK Home When prospective buyers show up to your Tulsa, OK home the first thing their going to notice is your lawn and landscaping, or lack thereof. The look and feel of your property can immediately impress buyers and make them more interested in your home or turn them away entirely...]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Landscaping Tips To Help Sell Your Tulsa, OK Home
When prospective buyers show up to your Tulsa, OK home the first thing their going to notice is your lawn and landscaping, or lack thereof. The look and feel of your property can immediately impress buyers and make them more interested in your home or turn them away entirely in search of another property.
Once you’ve decided on selling your home the last thing you usually want to do is spend more money on the property but a small investment in some key areas of your landscaping can yield very good returns and you won’t be spending a fortune either, for projects that can dramatic visual differences in your property.
Here are a few of our recommendations for lawn and landscaping tips to help sell your Tulsa, OK home.
#1. Weed The Lawn and Garden
Depending on the size of your property weeding the lawn and garden could take an hour or several. Gardens in Tulsa, OK can quickly get overrun with weeds like Dandelion, Thistle, Knapweed and more if they aren’t properly cared for or they are neglected. If you’re selling your home you don’t want the lawn and gardens to look neglected and by having all of the weeds removed your property will have a much better appearance and for little investment other than the labor.
If your lawn area is overrun with weeds then short of a whole corrective program to address your lawns health sometimes it’s faster and easier to start-over. In these cases we can remove the existing lawn using a sod cutter or another machine to expose the top layer of soil. We can then make any soil condition corrections and <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/new-lawn-installation/">install a new lawn using seed or sod</a> or even hydroseeding.
#2. Fresh Application Of Mulch In your Gardens
A fresh application of bark <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/mulch-installation/">mulch</a> will restore a nice uniform look to your gardens surface and will offer a very attractive contrast between the foliage in your garden and the fresh mulch. Mulch is quite cheap, the biggest expense isn’t the mulch it’s usually the delivery and subsequent spreading of it in your gardens and around your property. For a few hundred dollars in material and delivery charges and possibly a few hundred more for labor it’s a small investment that will make your property look much cleaner and well cared for.
Mulch Tip: Don’t forget to rake and then blow out the garden beds to remove all of the leaves and organic debris so you’re mulch goes down easy and is much easier to spread out. It will have a more uniform and level appearance this way too.
#3. Trim and Prune Overgrown Shrubs and Trees
If the trees, hedges or shrubs on the property have not been trimmed in a while then you’ll want to have all the dead branches removed and the trees trimmed into an attractive shape, rather than a mess of branches. Any trees or shrubs that come up against your home should also be trimmed so that no branches are touching your home. This can prevent pests like rodents from entering the home, it can enhance security by removing hiding places, and it can prevent any damage to your home.
In the case of <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/hedge-and-bush-trimming/">privacy hedges</a> or large cedar hedges they should also be trimmed up, nice and clean into a uniform shape. Mature trees and hedges add value to your property so it’s important to maintain them and keep them looking their best.
Depending on the size of your trees or hedges this project could take a qualified landscaper a few hours to an entire day but the end result will be a small investment for a much sharper looking property.
Tree and Shrub Trimming Tip: To reduce the amount of waste in your garden beds and in your lawn tarps or plastic can be used to place under the area you are trimming. Catching all the trimmings and debris on a tarp makes clean up much faster and cleaner too.
#4. Clean Up Ponds, Pools and Water Features
If you have a pond, pool or <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/water-features/">water feature</a> on your property you’ll want to make sure it’s clean and not overgrown with algae and full of dead leaves and other organic matter. These should be cleaned by a professional with a power washer so that the water in your pond, pool or water feature is clear, or close to it, which is not always possible with a small pond. The bottom line is that you don’t want your water features to appear unattractive or neglected, this will turn buyers off immediately. If you have filters that need to be changed, or pumps that need to be serviced this should be completed and documentation provided to your listing realtor for prospective buyers. This shows you are being pro-active with your home maintenance and gives home buyers warm fuzzy feelings about your property.
#5. Power Washing Decks, Patios and Driveways
Anything on your property or exterior of your home made out of wood or concrete will attract the growth of organic matter such as algae, moss, mildew and mold. Wood decks become algae laden and slippery when wet, driveways can appear very dingy and overgrown and patios are not immune to this either. Nothing is more unattractive when buying a home then a property that isn’t clean and well kept. It’s amazing what a difference a good power washing can make and it’s a very affordable project that can usually be completed in just a few hours for most properties.
#6. Clean Your Gutters Inside and Out
Keeping your gutters clean is just regular home maintenance we all need to do, but we see many homes with algae and dirt stained gutter faces (outer portion of the gutter), this doesn’t look very good. If your gutters haven’t been cleaned out in a while and have “tiger stripe” stains along their face, they should be cleaned both inside and out using a pressure washer and special attachments. Clean gutters really improve the appearance of your homes exterior and it will only take a maintenance professional a few hours to clean them for you.
#7. Give The Entire Yard a Good Clean Up
Your entire yard should be given a good “once over” cleaning. Leaves, branches and other organic debris should be raked up and removed. Remove any junk or garbage on the property, the lawn should be mowed and the grass collected to be dumped into a compost or hauled away. You want your property to look maintained, you just don’t want to spend a fortune doing it and a good clean up takes nothing but man power and a dump trailer. Most large yards can be cleaned up in a day with a good team of hard workers, the difference it will make in your property is hard to put into words.
Who Should You Call To Get Your Landscaping Ready To Sell Your Home?
Perfection Outdoor Solutions is a landscaping contractor based out of Tulsa, OK and serving both Tulsa County and Rogers County. We specialize in working with property managers, realtors and homeowners to get lawns and landscaping ready for the real estate market. <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/yard-clean-up/">Property cleanups</a>, <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/hedge-and-bush-trimming/">tree trimming</a>, lawn restorations, and more.
If you have a home or property that is about to go on the real estate market and it’s need to be cleaned up or landscaped, please call (918) 984-7336 or fill out our online form and we’ll get right back to you.
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<title>Give Your Lawn a Good Spring Cleanup</title>
<link>https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/give-your-lawn-a-good-spring-cleanup/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[perfection]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2020 15:53:51 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Landscaping]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Landscape Maintenance]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://landscaping.sites4contractors.com/?p=2764</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Give Your Lawn a Good Spring Cleanup The first thing most of us want to do when we hear that the warmer weather is coming is to give our homes the spring cleaning they so deserve. The winter can wreak havoc on the inside of your home with all the grime that’s getting tracked in...]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Give Your Lawn a Good Spring Cleanup
The first thing most of us want to do when we hear that the warmer weather is coming is to give our homes the spring cleaning they so deserve. The winter can wreak havoc on the inside of your home with all the grime that’s getting tracked in and often causes a buildup of stuff you may have been hoarding without knowing because the weather makes you feel unmotivated to throw anything out. But your lawn? Well, it suffers a similar fate in the winter.
By springtime, most homeowners are left with a yard full of dying plants, dried up grass, or garbage that was buried by the snow or blown in, and disturbed earth everywhere. Whether or not you want to tidy up for yourself or because you’re trying to sell your home, your yard needs some landscape maintenance. Here are just a few ways to get down, dirty, and give your yard a good spring cleanup.
Get Started On Garbage
First things first—tackle the stuff that’s cluttering your lawn. Whether we like it or not, winter and fall bring with them inclement weather that likes to leave our lawns scattered with an assortment of leaves and trash that has blown in or been buried by the snow. Even though you may want to clean this stuff up as soon as you can see it, it’s important to wait until your grass is dry. If you choose to power ahead and rake over wet grass, you can expect that it’ll be uprooted, damaged, and in the end, will cost you to replace with seed.
Take Care Of Any Patchy Grass
Once you’ve cleaned up the garbage and leaves from your yard, you may notice that your grass looks brown and patchy.  An essential part of your <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/yard-clean-up/">landscape cleanup</a> is making sure that the foundation of your lawn, your grass, looks as good as its other elements.
Consider booking a lawn aeration service, use grass seed in areas where the grass has completely withered (this is called over seeding), and look into your irrigation system if you have one to make sure everything is working.  Even though all of these may make your yard look like a Franken-grass, they’re important processes to get started on early in the spring season. If you perform this <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/landscape-maintenance/">landscape maintenance</a> early, you can bet that come summertime everything will be beautiful, grown in, and boasting major curb appeal.
Don’t Be A Prude To Pruning
Pruning is one of the biggest advantages you can give your trees and shrubs in your <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/yard-clean-up/">yard cleanup</a>. Even though it seems counterproductive to snip away at growth, doing so will actually help your greenery grow fuller, more evenly, and healthier.
Investigate the areas where your trees and shrubbery have been damaged by the snow, rain, wind, and frost. Next, make sure you prune them until you can see the “live” stems, which are usually green-ish. You don’t want to use an electric pruner if you don’t know what you are doing, since it can often be hard to make precise and targeted cuts with one of those—and pruning is all about doing just that.
The last thing that you want to do is over-prune in some areas while under pruning in others, which often happens with electric shapers (quickly) since your shrubbery will take at least a year to grow back consistent.  You need to know how and where to cut so don’t make a mess of your tree, shrub or hedge.
Take Notice Of Preferred Pruning Heights
Every element of your yard has different needs when it comes to landscape cleanup, especially when pruning is involved. The last thing you want to do is approach every element of your yard with the same mindset and cut everything to the same height.
Ornamental grasses should be cut to roughly 2 inches tall, which can be easily cut by tying the tops of the grasses then snipping. Semi-woody perennials should be cut to about 4 inches tall, and flowering trees like roses should be rid of their damaged and dead stems before they bloom in the summer.
If you have an intricate landscape with many different plant elements it can be confusing and time consuming trying to care for it all.  Perfection Outdoor Solutions provides complete landscape clean up and landscape maintenance services for our clients in the Newark OH area.
Get Started On The Garden Bed
Your garden beds are arguably one the main focal points of your landscaping, so you should spend a lot of careful time and consideration to make sure that your gardens spring cleanup yields the results you want.  And that is a fantastic looking, healthy, and vibrant garden!
Start by removing any dead annuals or perennials that have run their course.  Next, prune or trim any shrubs or bushes that are touching your home or building. If you’re thinking about moving around any plants into a different arrangement, now’s the time to enact your plan.  Finish up your garden bed cleanup by raking up any leaves or other organic waste that’s clogging the remaining live plants.
After your beds are clean and you’re happy with where your plants are, you can add a fresh layer of topsoil and then <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/mulch-installation/">mulch the beds</a> for a nice uniform appearance. Once you’ve done all that, your beds will look sharp and have undeniable curb appeal.
Give Your Stones and Patio Some TLC
Stones, patios, and hardscaping areas need just as much of a revamp as greenery does in the springtime landscape maintenance. Consider using a power washer to clean away built-up stains and grime that may have collected on your concrete, pavers, or wood areas. Another good idea is to paint any wood that’s exposed to the outdoors (and needs repainting) like decks, fences, and railings to prevent rotting or aging the wood before its time.
Sweep in any loose gravel that’s escaped from the gaps between your patio stones and buy replacement if needed.  Another method you can take to fill in any potential tripping hazards or gaps is to fill in these areas with polymeric sand, then you lightly water the gaps with a hose, let it set, and the sand will harden.  This will prevent weeds from growing in between the stones and insects from making burrows.
Your spring cleanup doesn’t have to feel like a chore, rather it should feel like an investment you’re taking in your yard to increase your curb appeal for the summer.  Perfection Outdoor Solutions can take the burden off of your shoulders and we can tailor our landscape clean up services to your specific property.  You make a phone call, we do all the work, you happily pay when you see how fantastic your yard looks.
If your property is looking worse for wear after winter, give us a call at (918) 984-7336 or fill out our contact form and we’ll provide you with an estimate to whip your property back into a manageable state so it looks fantastic this summer.
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<title>Should You Install Your New Lawn Using Seed Or Sod?</title>
<link>https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/should-you-install-your-new-lawn-using-seed-or-sod/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[perfection]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2020 15:50:13 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Landscaping]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[landscaping ideas]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://landscaping.sites4contractors.com/?p=2762</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Should You Install Your New Lawn Using Seed Or Sod? Maintaining a lush, green lawn is probably important to you, whether you are a new homeowner or have had your property for a significant length of time.  You may have noticed that certain sections of your grass are not as healthy looking as others or...]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Should You Install Your New Lawn Using Seed Or Sod?
Maintaining a lush, green lawn is probably important to you, whether you are a new homeowner or have had your property for a significant length of time.  You may have noticed that certain sections of your grass are not as healthy looking as others or that brown patches have appeared in some places.  You may also be planning to add grass to a new property or want to renovate your existing lawn to improve its appearance.
Regardless of the project you have in mind, you may quickly find yourself confused as to whether you should use grass seed or ready-to-go sod for your new lawn. Fortunately, the tips outlined below will help you make the best choice for your property:
<h3>The Difference Between Seed and Sod</h3>
Before you can make a decision or understand the pros and cons of the two options, you must familiarize yourself with the difference between sod and seed. Sod is mature turf that has been professionally maintained. It is then transplanted to the area of your choice.  This type of project is typically completed by a <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/">landscaping contractor</a>, particularly if you are renovating a large area of your lawn. The first week, sod must be watered rather heavily, so it is important to remember this if sod is what you ultimately choose.
The other option is to plant seed. As its name implies, this simply means you are growing grass from seed, which you can easily plant yourself if your property has been properly graded. If you want to plant seed in an expansive area, however, you may wish to consider hiring a professional as opposed to completing the task as a DIY project, it’s a lot more work then most people think.
<h3>Cost</h3>
Cost is obviously a major factor when you are deciding between seed or sod. The most expensive option is sod, as it has been maintained and cared for by someone else for a specific length of time, and usually requires professional installation. If money is no object, and you just want a nice lawn as quickly as possible then sod is a very good choice.
Grass seed is an appealing option with regard to cost, as the price of even the highest quality seed mix is still much less than the price of any type of sod. Therefore, if your project is budget driven, and you don’t need a new lawn quickly, seed may be the best choice.
<h3>Time Frame</h3>
Another major factor in the decision-making process is the amount of effort and the length of time associated with growing and maintaining a lawn. As you might already suspect, sod is certainly the best option if you want a beautiful lawn in a very short length of time. This is because sod is virtually an “instant lawn,” and allows you to go from plain dirt to lush grass in a day or so depending on the size of the area.  For example, if you are planning an outdoor party or event where it is critical to have a nice property in a very short length of time, sod is a great choice.
The time of year sod is planted is also an aspect to which thought must be given. This is because the speed of rooting varies with each season, and rooting is crucial to the sod’s health and longevity. Spring and fall are ideal times to lay sod, although if water is available it can be installed at any time. Nevertheless, even with adequate water, it may not root as well during extreme temperatures as it would during autumn or spring.
Obviously, growing a lush, dense lawn takes a bit longer if you use seed, as the latter must have time to grow. If you have ample time to take care of the lawn and can wait until the optimum growing season, which is early fall, seed is worth considering. However, growing your own grass requires a significant amount of time and attention, as well as continuous watering, and you must keep people and pets off the growing grass. If time is not much of a factor, seed is not a bad choice.
<h3>Weeds</h3>
Weeds are always an issue with any lawn, but sod is virtually a weed free option.  It has been professionally cultivated to be weed-free.  If you don’t like the look of weeds growing throughout your lawn then sod has a leg up in this department.  This isn’t to say that sod will never get weeds, it eventually will without a proper care program in place but when you initially lay the sod down, it will be weed free.  Grass seed is a little more unpredictable with regards to weeds growing.
<h3>Variety</h3>
If you are planning to place new grass in an erosion-prone or sloped area, sod is the best choice, as these are areas where seed might have to struggle to survive. However, there is more variety with seed, as only certain kinds of grass are grown on sod farms. Therefore, if you must tailor your yard or property to a particular environment, seeding with a specific type of grass might be your best option if you want a particular variety of grass that isn’t available from local sod farms.
<h3>Quality</h3>
Some <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/lawn-care/">lawn care experts</a> are of the opinion that sod creates the best lawn, while others believe that seed is the optimum way to establish a dense, green lawn, even though it is the slower option.
Not surprisingly, a strong root system at the beginning of your project increases your chances of having a healthier lawn as time goes on, and seed may edge out sod in this regard. This is because sod is transplanted, and therefore must take root again in a new environment, when installed properly, it’s a not an issue.  If the sod is installed poorly or without proper care then you likely won’t be happy with the outcome. Nevertheless, seeding has its frustrations as well. For example, re-seeding may be necessary if germination does not occur in certain spots or the seed is washed away by rain, eaten by birds, or other elements.
<h3>A Word About Soil</h3>
Finally, it is important to understand that soil is a vital component of a thriving lawn, whether you choose seed or sod. This is because a strong root system is essential to the development of a healthy, robust lawn. For this reason, investing in a high quality soil and devoting some time and effort to soil preparation almost always increases your odds of success. 
As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages associated with each option, and your decision is ultimately a matter of personal preference and budget. Fortunately, however, whether you use grass seed or sod for your new lawn, if you dedicate the appropriate amount of time and effort to the task, a lush, beautiful landscape can be yours.
<h3>Ready To Install A New Lawn On Your Tulsa, OK Property?</h3>
Perfection Outdoor Solutions is a landscaping contractor serving Tulsa, OK.  We specialize in <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/property-grading/">final grading of your property</a> and then <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/new-lawn-installation/">installing a new lawn</a> using seed or sod.  We can properly grade your property, install drainage, install irrigation if needed, and then we can install your new lawn.
If you’d like to schedule an estimate for your new lawn please call (918) 984-7336 or fill out the contact form to arrange your estimate.
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<title>Hiring A Landscape Maintenance Company In Tulsa, OK</title>
<link>https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/hiring-a-landscape-maintenance-company/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[perfection]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2020 15:46:13 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Landscaping]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Landscape Maintenance]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://landscaping.sites4contractors.com/?p=2760</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Hiring A Landscape Maintenance Company In Tulsa, OK Are you looking to hire a landscaping company to take care of your residential or commercial property care needs? There are many things to consider when choosing the right company and if you’re looking for the highest level of service and attention to detail you don’t want...]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Hiring A Landscape Maintenance Company In Tulsa, OK
Are you looking to hire a landscaping company to take care of your residential or commercial property care needs? There are many things to consider when choosing the right company and if you’re looking for the highest level of service and attention to detail you don’t want to choose the cheapest estimate you can find. Your property will stand out for all of the wrong reasons if you choose a company that doesn’t truly care.
Here are a few things to consider before you choose a landscaping company to maintain your properties landscape.
<h3>Why Are You Looking For A Landscaping Company?</h3>
It’s obvious you need someone to care for your property but what is the specific reason you’re on our website looking today?
<ul>
<li>Are you unhappy with your existing landscape company?</li>
<li>Is your existing maintenance contract up and you want a change?</li>
<li>Have you just installed a new landscape and want it to look great?</li>
<li>Do you have a property that has been neglected for some time and needs restoring?</li>
<li>Are you looking to list and sell your property in the near future?</li>
</ul>
Determining “why” you need a <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/landscape-maintenance/">landscape maintenance company</a> can help guide your decision as to which service provider might be best for you. Your property is unique and whether you have an intricate landscape or something fairly basic you need a company that can come up with an effective plan to always keep your property looking it’s best.
<h3>Make Sure They Have Proper Insurance</h3>
There are literally hundreds of “landscapers” that are driving around in a pickup truck with a few tools who are willing to “care” for your property. This doesn’t make them a professional and it certainly doesn’t protect your property (or your residents) if the landscaper is uninsured. Always ask for proof of insurance from your landscape maintenance contractor and you’ll also want to make sure the policy has adequate coverage for your specific type of property.
<ul>
<li>What if they back up a trailer into your building or another car?</li>
<li>What if their trimmer sends a rock through one of your windows?</li>
<li>What if they have an accident that hurts someone on-site?</li>
</ul>
It’s just not worth the risk to have an insured landscaper caring for your property.
<h3>Professional Equipment</h3>
If you want a nice looking landscape it’s going to take professional grade equipment and knowledgeable, experienced, people to operate it. Commercial grade lawn mowers, trimmers, and blowers are designed for the rigorous use of professional landscape maintenance crews. If your landscaper is using homeowner grade equipment not only will the end product look less professional but they have a greater chance of having equipment break down. When equipment breaks down it can lead to gaps in service and your properties appearance suffers.
Professional grade maintenance equipment is also usually much more efficient so your landscape maintenance company ends up spending less time (for a better looking job) then those who are using home owner grade equipment.
What type of equipment should your landscaper have?
<ul>
<li>Commercial grade lawn mowers (either ride-on or push).</li>
<li>Commercial grade lawn trimmers.</li>
<li>Blowers to blow debris off hard surfaces and out of mulch beds.</li>
<li>Commercial grade hedge trimmers to keep trees and hedges nicely shaped.</li>
<li>A dumping trailer so they can handle lots of organic debris in single trips.</li>
<li>Enclosed trailers that house all of their equipment so they have everything they need on-site.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Detailed Monthly Service Plan</h3>
Your property care requirements aren’t the same each and every month, they can change with the seasons, and also due to the weather. If you have a large property with an intricate landscape it’s important that your <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/landscape-maintenance/">landscape maintenance company</a> provide a detailed monthly plan for the work they feel your property is going to need on a monthly basis.
<ul>
<li>What is included during the spring season?</li>
<li>What is included during the summer?</li>
<li>What is included during the winter months?</li>
</ul>
<h3>Tree, Hedge & Shrub Care</h3>
Trees, hedges, and shrubs are often an integral part of any large landscape and if not maintained properly they can become unhealthy and are generally just an eye-sore for the property. Having unkept bushes and shrubs right next to your building also reduce security as they provide places for trespassers or other nefarious individuals to hide.
Different species of trees, hedges, and shrubs require different levels of care. A large privacy hedge might need to be trimmed once or twice per year, while faster growing small shrubs and decorative bushes might need to be reshaped every month depending on how vigorously they are growing.
Look for tree care in your landscape proposal and make sure the services being provided will be adequate for your property.
<ul>
<li>How often are they trimmed?</li>
<li>Do they provide shaping services?</li>
<li>Do they remove/handle all the trimmings?</li>
</ul>
<h3>Mulch Bed Care</h3>
Your mulch beds will require regular care if you want them always looking their best. This could include establishing the edges, weeding (either using chemicals or hand-pulling), dead heading blooms, annual replanting of perennials, transplanting plants, soil spreading, and mulch installation to give the beds a nice uniform appearance. You may wish to change their seasonal appearance too with different seasonal plantings. Great looking and well-cared for mulch beds really improve your curb appeal and the well being of all your residents.
<h3>Lawn Care & Lawn Mowing</h3>
Most HOA’s and condo or townhome properties have extensive lawn areas. <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/lawn-care/">Lawn care</a> encompasses much more than just regular mowing. While your lawn needs to be mowed regularly (preferably weekly) in order to maintain it’s healthy appearance, it also needs to be fertilized, aerated, and to have the weeds removed. While every properties lawn requirements are going to be different, look for your landscape company to provide a detailed monthly plan on how they’re going to care for your lawn.
<ul>
<li>Do they provide seasonal fertilizing?</li>
<li>Do they aerate the lawn at least once per year?</li>
<li>Do they maintain the irrigation or sprinkler system?</li>
<li>Do they mow with professional equipment?</li>
<li>Do they include trimming and blowing off of hard surfaces?</li>
<li>What is their policy when it rains?</li>
</ul>
These are all good questions to ask your landscape maintenance contractor so you can be sure you’re getting the right care that your lawn needs to stay healthy, vibrant, and looking great.
<h3>Landscape Restoration</h3>
If your property has been neglected or was receiving sub-par care over a long period of time there might be some restoration work that is required to get your property back into it’s best state. Restoration services could include lawn remediation, grading of soil, establishing new edges around garden beds or tree wells, repairing or maintaining irrigation and sprinkler systems, <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/mulch-installation/">installing new soil or mulch</a> into garden beds, and more.
<h3>What Happens After A Storm?</h3>
Wind storms can make a real mess of a beautiful landscape and without a plan in place your property might look like a disaster for several days if not weeks after a big storm rolls through. Ask your landscaping contractor what their standard protocol is for dealing with storm debris.
<ul>
<li>Do they come out right away?</li>
<li>Do they have so many customers it might take days before they get to you?</li>
<li>Do they have the manpower to get your property taken care of quickly?</li>
<li>Do they anticipate a few of these events in your pricing or will it be additional billed time?</li>
</ul>
<h3>Winter Services Like Snow & Ice Control</h3>
During the winter your landscaping is dormant but that doesn’t mean your property doesn’t still need maintenance. In our area many landscaping companies shift to winter services which can include <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/snow-plowing/">snow plowing</a>, snow removal, and ice control services.
If your landscape maintenance includes the need for snow and ice control here are a few questions you should ask.
<ul>
<li>What type of equipment do you they use?</li>
<li>Are they insured for snow removal?</li>
<li>What is their accumulation trigger? Do they come out when it’s 1 inch deep? 2 inches deep? Or when the snow has stopped falling?</li>
<li>Do they shovel sidewalks and entrance ways?</li>
</ul>
<h3>Perfection Outdoor Solutions Provides Professional Landscape Maintenance Throughout The Tulsa, OK</h3>
Perfection Outdoor Solutions is a full service landscape maintenance company serving properties within the Tulsa, OK. We provide our landscape maintenance services for residential properties, residential estates, HOA’s, condos, townhomes, and commercial properties. We provide detailed seasonal maintenance plans that are custom tailored to our clients individual properties to keep them looking their best.
If you’d like to request an on-site consultation for your landscape maintenance please give us a call (918) 984-7336 or fill out our online form and we’ll get right back to you.
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</item>
<item>
<title>Popular Softscape Landscaping Ideas</title>
<link>https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/popular-softscape-landscaping-ideas/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[perfection]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2020 15:40:33 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Landscaping]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[landscaping ideas]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://landscaping.sites4contractors.com/?p=2758</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Popular Softscape Landscaping Ideas Landscape design has two basic components known as softscape and hardscape. When used together, these fundamental parts create a front yard or backyard that is functional, comfortable and aesthetically appealing for your family members and guests to enjoy. Therefore, it’s particularly important to understand the difference between softscape and hardscape in...]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Popular Softscape Landscaping Ideas
Landscape design has two basic components known as softscape and hardscape. When used together, these fundamental parts create a front yard or backyard that is functional, comfortable and aesthetically appealing for your family members and guests to enjoy. Therefore, it’s particularly important to understand the difference between softscape and hardscape in order to blend them thoughtfully and lay a foundation for a harmonious landscape.
What’s the difference between hardscape and softscape?
Hardscape elements are the “non-plant” parts of your garden such as statues, walls, decks, patios, driveways, walkways, and fountains. On the other hand, softscape materials are the “plant” elements such as the <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/lawn-care/">lawn</a>, trees, shrubs, succulents, and flowering plants. Basically, hardscape refers to the inanimate structures while softscape is a combination of living and organic things.
You also have the option of adding either softscape or hardscape <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/retaining-wall-construction/">retaining walls</a>. People who want total privacy can go with hardscape walls (like a retaining wall) using materials such as wood, natural stones, concrete blocks, or bricks. Otherwise, trees, shrubs, and hedges, make for more natural walls that give your property a more open look while still providing ample privacy by blocking the view from other people and they continue to grow and improve privacy (and property value) over time.
Adding softscape landscaping elements
If you are just starting out, it’s essential to start with the hardscape before adding the plants to ensure that softscape materials aren’t in the way when you’re adding the necessary hardscape elements.
Choosing trees and shrubs
After installing hardscape elements and choosing your desired layout, it’s critical to make a wise choice for the shrubs and trees you wish to plant in your yard.  Always go with trees and shrubs that are a mix of both winter and summer in order to accentuate your yard during both seasons. It’s also essential to ensure that the trees and scrubs you choose are compatible with our climate (ZONE).  Native plants are a great option because they have already adapted to the local environmental conditions.
Types of plants and planting ideas
1. Flowering Perennials
Perennial flowering plants help cover the hardscape and add aesthetic appeal to your yard. Go for plants that don’t require a lot of care and attention to thrive in your region.  The best perennials for Zone 7A gardens include Creeping Phlox, Bergenia, Heuchera, Barrenwort, Lilyturf, Lenten Rose, Dianthus, and Calamintha.
2.  Native Plants and Wildlife-Supporting Plants
Besides requiring little care once they are established, plant species that are native to our region also offer nesting material and food sources to native insects and animals. Although going with all native plants is always a good idea, including a few plants that aren’t native to your region such as wild lilac (ceanothus spp.) can add a natural look to your yard. You can also fill in with various wildlife-supporting plants like penstemons and nectar-rich salvias.  The options are really endless and we can help you make decisions based on what you’re looking to accomplish.
3.  Native and Ornamental Grasses
With their carefree habit and soft forms, native and ornamental grasses can fit in well with natural gardens. You can plant grasses into garden beds to add texture, or simply use them to cover large areas instead of having a traditional lawn.
4. Meadow Gardens
Rather than planting in formal rows, you can plant a single variety of grasses or perennial plants in groups of odd numbers (three or five), or create several large swaths of one plant variety to create a meadow garden that is both beautiful and natural-looking.
5. Vines
Hanging and climbing vines are an easy way to merge hardscaping with softscaping elements. Hanging vines work particularly well with hardscaping structures such as pergolas and gazebos. They create a curtain of greenery that helps counterbalance wood and metal. Climbing vines are also very useful and can be used to give home facades and retaining walls a more natural look. They can also be used to fill in the gaps in traditional fences. Homeowners can also add flowering vines to create a diverse and balanced landscape with lots of color.
You can give your front or back yard a wilder look by planting vines that ramble over retaining walls, pergolas or fences. This is an easy way of hiding human-made elements while giving your yard an untamed feel in a single season (as they can grow quickly). Vines such as five-leaf akebia (akebia quinata), pipevine (aristolochia macrophylia) or grapevines (vitis spp.) can give such structures fast cover.
Planting Trees, Shrubs and Vines
The right placement of trees and shrubs is very important.  Avoid planting trees right in front of your house, and never plant shrubs too close to the driveway or walkway. It’s always a good idea to plant shrubs on either side of the driveway and place them in odd numbered groups of three or five. While planting trees, take into account the size and space that the full-grown tree requires in order to leave ample space around it.  You can plant trees at the edges of your house to help soften pointed edges and other hard lines from your homes architecture.
1. Add Flowering Plants
While adding flowers to your front and back yard, choose a small number of plants (two or three) of contrasting colors. Avoid adding too many accents as this can spoil the look by creating a riot of color. Even with a few flowering plants, your house and landscape can still look good and inviting. For ground cover, you can either plant grass or simply spread shrubs evenly (go for shrubs that have a maximum height of about one foot). If you want a boundary or screen around your house, choose the hedge wisely and plant it around 15 to 20 ft. away from the street.
2. Accentuate Your Driveway With Natural Borders
Regardless of whether they offer sweeping curves or are completely straight, driveways and walkways are all about connecting different elements of the landscape design. Walkways connect different focal points, spaces and features of your yard in order to maximize accessibility and make the space more organized.
Lining your walkways and driveways with plants gives your yard a more balanced and beautiful look. The natural textures and colors help offset the hardness of elements such as stone or concrete. It also opens up a wide range of aesthetic combinations to give your driveway a more exciting appearance.  Planters are a good alternative for achieving this objective and they also give you the option of easily moving them when necessary but planters can also be permanent in the case of a raised bed built using block or stone.
Natural stone walkways provide an organic and perfectly serene look that never fails to impress.  Pavers, meanwhile, are the preferred material for homeowners who want a flexible, versatile option that offers creative freedom and a wide variety of design possibilities. On the other hand, brick walkways usually take us back in time with their weathered and historical appearance.
You can further enhance walkways with beautiful flower beds filled with perennials, trees and shrubs. If there are already trees in the yard, the walkways can curve around them nicely to protect the trees and create paths with an organic flow.
Some hardscape structures in open areas such as pillars and <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/retaining-wall-construction/">natural stone retaining walls</a> already serve as borders.  You can use these design elements to your advantage by creating gardens along such elements, essentially making borders of flowers. This is a good way of adding some color to your yard without using up too much surface area. Homeowners can also plant beds of flowers just behind their natural stone barbecue islands or outdoor stone fireplaces to help them blend in.
Shrubs also work exceptionally well especially if your walkway or driveway cuts through the lawn.  They add a vertical element to offset the flatness of the hardscape. You can also integrate trees into your yard in this manner. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that trees work especially well in large landscape designs.
Deciduous shrubs that are ideal for Zona 7a include;
Shrubs under 3 feet
<ul>
<li>Bearberry</li>
<li>Azalea</li>
<li>Junipers</li>
<li>Bush honeysuckle</li>
<li>Japanese Spirea</li>
</ul>
3 to 5 feet tall shrubs
<ul>
<li>Winterberry</li>
<li>Serviceberry</li>
<li>Flowering quince</li>
<li>Cinquefoil</li>
<li>Japanese barberry</li>
</ul>
Shrubs that are 5 to 9 feet tall
<ul>
<li>Northern Bayberry</li>
<li>Ninebark</li>
<li>Rose of Sharon</li>
<li>Butterfly Bush</li>
<li>Summer sweet</li>
<li>Mock orange</li>
<li>Purple Leaved Sandcherry</li>
</ul>
Tree-like shrubs
<ul>
<li>Arborvitae</li>
<li>Juniper</li>
<li>Yew</li>
<li>Holly</li>
<li>Boxwood</li>
</ul>
3. Decorate Walls With Colorful Vines
Walls are usually meant to ensure privacy in the landscape. For areas that are not ideal for growing lush greenery such as walls made of wood, natural stone or concrete blocks, colorful vines are an ideal way of dressing up the space. They can be used to support vines that will gradually spread out over vertical structures.
4. Garden Ponds
Ponds are an ideal way of combining softscaping and hardscaping into one feature. <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/water-features/">Garden ponds</a> can be bordered with low walls or rocks to give them style and structure. You can also integrate garden fountains and waterfalls into the design. They also open up new dimensions for softscaping, providing an opportunity for the addition of water-based flora and fauna. Ferns and water lilies are popular aquatic plants that can be easily complemented with goldfish and koi. However, it’s important to ensure the proper design and construction of ponds based on the climate.  If you plan to have fish in a pond you’re entering into a whole new world of maintenance so it’s best to do your research before jumping in.
5. Gardens and Terraces
Besides ensuring a safe <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/landscape-design/">landscape design</a> especially for an undulating landscape, terraces are also prime spots for vegetable and flower gardens. Terraces give gardens a prominent spot in your landscape design while also counterbalancing the wide expanse of concrete or stone walls. Walls can also be easily covered with climbing vines to make them blend into the yard more naturally.
You can add more innovative elements to your yard by getting creative with both hardscape and softscape design to come up with unique landscaping ideas. When it comes to adding softscape design elements to your front or back yard, you should not limit yourself to the ground. For instance, you can accessorize your outdoor kitchen by adding potted plants to your barbecue island or use hanging gardens to integrate plants into the hardscape design.  The possibilities are endless.
<h3>Do You Need Help With Your Landscape Design?</h3>
Perfection Outdoor Solutions specializes in the design and installation of softscapes and hardscapes.  Whether you want a beautiful front garden along your driveway and front entrance, a new retaining wall to work with a natural slope, or you just want help choosing all the right plants and shrubs and where to plant them, we can help you design and build an amazing landscape on your property.
If you’d like to schedule a consultation with us to discuss your landscaping design or installation ideas we’d be happy to meet with you.  Please call (918) 984-7336 or fill out our online form and we’ll get right back to you.
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<title>Backyard Landscaping Ideas For Large Yardsvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv</title>
<link>https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/backyard-landscaping-ideas-for-large-yards/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[perfection]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2020 15:36:07 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Landscaping]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[backyard landscaping]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[landscaping ideas]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://landscaping.sites4contractors.com/?p=2756</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Backyard Landscaping Ideas For Large Yards Many people think that small yards are a challenge when designing their backyard space, however, there can still be some challenges with having a larger yard as well. Sometimes larger yards can feel overwhelming to design and many homeowners worry about the maintenance or cost of taking care of the...]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Backyard Landscaping Ideas For Large Yards
Many people think that small yards are a challenge when designing their backyard space, however, there can still be some challenges with having a larger yard as well. Sometimes larger yards can feel overwhelming to design and many homeowners worry about the maintenance or cost of taking care of the space or maybe they simply just don’t know where to start.
The key to creating a beautifully landscaped backyard is all in the planning. Deciding exactly what you are looking for whether it be a pool, gazebo, firepits, outdoor eating area, or simply a gorgeous flower garden is the first step in designing your backyard. You can create different areas within the yard and have multiple features to utilize as there are so many options with larger yards.
Below will be some amazing backyard landscaping ideas for large yards, with everything from low-maintenance ideas, large gardens, to extravagant patios and pretty much anything in between. Designing your backyard doesn’t have to be hard, let these ideas help inspire you to create a wonderful yard for you and your family to enjoy.
<h3>Build A Patio</h3>
This may be somewhat expensive initially, however, depending on the materials used, patios are low maintenance in the long run and can serve many functions. <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/paver-patio-construction/">Paver patio</a> constructions are ideal as they are sturdy and require little care after installation. Patios are great for entertaining as you can create a dining area covered with a beautiful pergola, place a fire pit in the center, or just have a solid surface for kids to play decorated with beautiful potted plants or shrubs.
<h3>Design with Curves</h3>
With larger yards, curves can add a lot of style and design appeal. Creating curved boundaries throughout the yard give the space a more natural/organic feel. Use brick pavers for curved paths, curve the borders of gardens for a nice flow, or create a circular flower bed. Patios can also be laid in a circular shape which creates flow throughout the yard. This design can also work well with multi-level yards blending the levels naturally and incorporating the different height levels.
<h3>Create Many Outdoor Spaces</h3>
Large yards are great for creating several areas that you and your family can utilize. You can use different materials to create distinct areas that serve different purposes. Use <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/paver-patio-construction/">pavers for a patio</a>, a wooden deck for a zen/meditation zone, artificial turf for a low-maintenance area for kids to play, etc… Another way to separate areas is to use plants and shrubs giving some more natural appeal to the yard.
<h3>Create Layers With Plants</h3>
This is a beautiful way to create appeal and depth to a large yard. Looking best around the boundaries of your yard, use plants of various heights to create a tiered look with different textures and colors. For a more natural feel, use plants that are native to your specific area, this can help keep maintenance low and will blend nicely with the surroundings. You can also use the layered method as a focal area or to border other outdoor spaces you have created.
<h3>Opt For a Gravel Garden</h3>
Gravel gardens are a great idea for easy maintenance with a beautiful aesthetic. Using gravel for your garden is another way to make the yard have a natural feel giving a nice contrast to a green lawn. Place a gravel garden along the boundaries of the yard or create a gravel area to place seating such as a park bench for relaxing. Gravel is also great for creating a zen type area for a peaceful, quiet area to enjoy.
<h3>Use Artificial Grass</h3>
If you are wanting a big beautiful green lawn without all the work to take care of it, then artificial grass is a great idea. An artificial lawn will give you the same feel and look of a natural grass lawn without all of the maintenance which is especially great for larger yards. Both family and pet-friendly, artificial grass is sturdy with the ability to withstand heavy traffic and has the potential to last a long time. Taking care of the artificial lawn is easy and doesn’t require a lot to keep it looking fresh.
<h3>Create Archway Paths</h3>
Another unique idea is to use arches to separate areas of your yard. You can use trellis archways lined with crawling/climbing plants to give a fun whimsical feel to the space. Use archways solely as a fun focal point or entrances to the different areas within the yard.
<h3>Create a Traditional Zen Garden</h3>
Zen gardens are generally created for peace and meditation. They are also beautiful spaces with many unique pieces that if done correctly, can be truly a work of art. Zen garden typically uses “dry” landscape items such as rocks, they also utilize greenery like moss and certain grasses with each representing landforms. The use of water elements such as ponds or fountains is also important for the overall feel of the space. Zen gardens can be a stunning feature for a large backyard but do require some extra maintenance to keep lines crisp and clean.
<h3>Add A Water Feature</h3>
<a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/water-features/">Water features</a> are a great way to add a unique element to your backyard. Incorporate a large fountain as the main feature or a subtle smaller fountain within your garden for soothing background noise. You can also opt for a <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/water-features/">pond</a> to house some koi fish or even water turtles. If you are not wanting the extra work of taking care of fish, ponds are aesthetically pleasing on their own being surrounded by various plants and shrubs.
<h3>Create A Labyrinth</h3>
Labyrinths are yet another unique idea for large backyards. These multi-directional areas are a fun way to create a sense of wonder to your space and you can make them as complex or as simple as you want. Labyrinths have been around for centuries with their main purpose being a place of focus or relaxation. Create different paths, leading to separate areas that can all be connected and intertwined where you can wander around and enjoy the peace.
<h3>Design An European Courtyard</h3>
Give your backyard that European estate vibe with the use of short hedges and topiaries. Create a central focal point using grass with pavers pathways surrounding the area to give a clean manicured look. You can also design a maze with hedges and with added shrubbery, your yard can resemble a castle courtyard giving a very distinguished and royal feel. This method would require some maintenance as plants and shrubs would need to be trimmed regularly.
<h3>Create A Kid-Friendly Paradise</h3>
This is a great idea for families with children as you can design an area specifically for them. Of course, swimming pools are great options but there are also items such as inground trampolines, playground equipment, sandpits, and so much more. You can section off an area just for the kids or utilize the entire yard for entertaining young ones with the options being limitless for fun and unique things to do.
<h3>Build A Backyard Resort</h3>
With this option, you can create a space that gives you the feeling that you are on vacation in your own backyard. A swimming pool could be the main focal point with added features of a spa and an outdoor kitchen. You can then utilize cover with a gorgeous pergola and top it all off with beautiful plants or shrubs. You can tailor the area to your exact tastes whether you want a tropical paradise or a serene modern space, you have the option to make your yard the resort of your dreams.
<h3>Build A Treehouse</h3>
A treehouse doesn’t have to be just for the kids anymore! If your yard is home to many trees, building a treehouse is a great idea to add a fun functional space or just a unique focal point to enjoy. You can make the treehouse as extravagant or as simple as you like but make sure to hire a professional to ensure the safety of the structure.
<h3>Create A Bar Area</h3>
Adding a bar can be an option by itself or added to an already nice feature to your yard. You can create the bar within a gazebo or build a fun tiki hut to entertain your guests. The limitless options for a bar make this another great idea for larger backyards.
<h3>Plant A Food Garden</h3>
If you have a green thumb and love homegrown veggies, then installing a vegetable garden is a top choice. Section off an area in your yard that is as big or small as you like and plant whatever foods your heart desires. Your vegetable garden doesn’t have to be boring, you can utilize the plants foliage or surround the garden with other plants and flowers to make the space visually appealing.
As you can see, with these backyard landscaping ideas for large yards, your project does not have to be overwhelming and you truly have several options to make your yard a perfect space. From easy-going/laidback vibes to a royal estate feeling, the possibilities are endless. Designing your backyard can be easy and when you are done, you will have a space that you truly love for you and your family to make many wonderful memories together.
<h3>Ready To Landscape Your Backyard? Call Perfection Outdoor Solutions!</h3>
Perfection Outdoor Solutions is a landscaping and lawn care company based out of Tulsa, OK and serving both Tulsa County and Rogers County. We specialize in landscaping backyards of all sizes. We can help you design and install a beautiful new backyard landscape that you, your family, and your guests can enjoy for many years.
If you’d like to schedule a consultation for your backyard landscaping we’d be happy to accommodate you. Please call (918) 984-7336 or fill out our online form and we’ll get right back to you.
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<title>Affordable Front Yard Landscaping Projects To Improve Your Curb Appealvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv</title>
<link>https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/affordable-front-yard-landscaping-projects-to-improve-your-curb-appeal/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[perfection]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2020 15:29:03 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Landscaping]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Front Yard]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Landscape Installation]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://landscaping.sites4contractors.com/?p=2753</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Like many things in our lives, the front yard is often overlooked and under prioritized. Finding the time and money for improvements can feel overwhelming. Don’t let the size of your to-do list stop you from getting started. There are many things you can do right now that are quick, affordable, and effective. START SMALL...]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Like many things in our lives, the front yard is often overlooked and under prioritized. Finding the time and money for improvements can feel overwhelming. Don’t let the size of your to-do list stop you from getting started. There are many things you can do right now that are quick, affordable, and effective.
START SMALL
Pick a project that can be finished over the weekend or even in a few hours. These smaller jobs will start to add up and can do wonders for the overall look of your landscaping. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
WORK WITH WHAT YOU HAVE
Invest some time and money to breathe new life into your existing landscape.
<a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/hedge-and-bush-trimming/">Trim your trees and shrubs</a>. A landscaper or arborist can help you get a handle on any unruly overgrowth that’s too much for you to handle. Maintenance is so much easier if you invest in the right tools and learn the proper techniques yourself. A freshly shorn hedge can make your entire yard look clean and fresh.
Cleaning up the debris that’s managed to find its way into your garden beds or yard will help keep the focus on the plants and not the garbage. Layer fresh mulch where needed, pull weeds and fill in any gaps with new plants or flowers. Tidy up any edging and repair any bordering being used to define the area.
Pressure wash concrete, reseal your driveway and paint your fence. When things start to look run down, they can quickly become the focal point of your yard, especially when set against something shiny and new.
GO GREEN
Devote a portion of your space and budget to trees, shrubs, and ground covers. These permanent investments increase in value and size and relatively low maintenance.
Trees should be top priorities when designing your front yard. They can frame the view of your home and help create symmetry and continuity throughout your design. They can establish boundaries and mark areas in the vastness of your yard.
USE IT
It used to be that backyards were for play and front yards were for beauty. Now, homeowners are starting to see how impractical and outdated that design rule is. Why would you put all that time and money into something you hardly use?
Make the ground more level and safe for running around and playing. A grassy front yard is great for a game of tag or touch football.
Build a level spot for a bistro set. Having usable space in both your front and back yards means you can enjoy time outside at different times of the day. It’s also a great opportunity to give your neighbors a wave and maybe meet someone new. Unless you want to avoid that — then a privacy wall is all you need.
Put a fire pit in the corner or around a circular patio of pavers. This can double as a morning coffee nook, too.
If you have beautiful mature trees in your front yard, consider hanging a hammock or swing for a little summertime nostalgia. Build wooden benches around the base of trees for a more structural seating option.
Does your family play basketball or hockey in your driveway? Why not expand on the sports theme with benches for spectators or for resting between games? Filling any chips or roots in the cement will make games more fun and demonstrates attention to detail.
LEAD THE WAY
Make it easy for guests to know where to enter your yard and how to get to your front door with a pathway. Mark the start of the pathway with a gate, archway, pillars, flower pots or bushes. With options in materials ranging from wood to stone or metal, matching the style of your home and your budget is easy.
When laying out the path for your walkway, look for natural access patterns that already exist. Chances are children, pets or guests already take a shortcut to your front door. Watch where they are going and use that as a guide.
While it’s tempting to put in a winding path with curves and jogs, it’s much more practical and cost-efficient to stick with the shortest and straightest route. Steps and curves should only be used if necessary. You can add visual appeal by playing with scale and material. Making your walkway wider than the standard 36 inches will make it look more intentional. 42 to 54 inches will allow two people to walk side by side. If you find that you need more curves in your walkway because of the slope of your yard, make them extra wide.
Whether you are starting from scratch with your pathway or already have one, you can take them to the next level with flowers, greenery, mulch, fences, walls, or hedges. When lining your walkway, keep in mind room for movement. <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/retaining-wall-construction/">Walls</a>, fences, and hedges should be less than two feet high to allow people to move their arms and carry packages easily. Creating a buffer zone of about 2 feet between the walk and the taller elements will allow you to add dimension to your design and give more room for movement. This is the perfect place for contrasting rock, mulch, flowers, or ornamental grasses.
There are many, many options to choose from when picking material for your walkway. <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/paver-patio-construction/">Brick pavers</a>, slate, tile, exposed aggregate, concrete blocks … the list goes on and on. That may feel overwhelming at first, but the good news is that it means there’s something for every budget. Just remember, if your walkway is leading people into your home, you’ll want to avoid building the path out of looser materials like woodchips and small gravel because it will inevitably end up in your entryway.
MAKE AN ENTRANCE
If the focal point of the front of your home is the front door, then it makes sense to put some thought into dressing it up.
Ensure it’s well lit and that doorbells are obvious and at an appropriate height. If possible, aim to make your porch large enough for two people to stand while the door swings open.
If the current circumstance is less than appealing, upgrading the physical structure can be done without breaking the bank. Contractors can help you decide whether you should add to what you have or start from scratch. You might be surprised to see what enhancements are possible, it could be anything from newly built front steps to adding a gabled porch roof.
If you have good bones to work with, you might find that swapping out some of the components is all you need to give the illusion of a complete overhaul:
<ul>
<li>Add stone or wood.</li>
<li>Repairing or replacing handrails can update even the oldest of front steps.</li>
<li>Install a bench, or better yet, a porch swing if you have the room.</li>
<li>Put up a trellis for privacy and greenery.</li>
<li>Invest in quality planter pots. A matching set with different heights adds interest and color.</li>
<li>Invest in adding color and interest to your garden beds.</li>
</ul>
Start with one or do any combination. Once you see the difference it makes, you’ll be glad you did.
ADD A FEATURE
Create a focal point in your front landscaping. Much like the rooms inside your home, a highlighted feature draws attention and lends direction to the overall design.
<a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/water-features/">Water features</a> such as garden fountains or <a href="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/water-features/">ponds</a> capture guest’s attention with movement and sound. The wide variety of options available makes it easy to fit any sized area and any budget.
Yard art is another popular option. Like water features, art can be found on many different scales, for many different price ranges, and to meet many different tastes.
Flowers as focal points can turn heads. For maximum results, combine color, plant form, and texture properties. Consult a landscaper well versed in color theory, or do some research on your own, to come with a color scheme that works with your overall plan. The size, look, and bloom time of the flowers should also be considered to maximize the effects throughout the seasons. If all else fails, keep your flower design choices simple. Several plants of similar look and color have more impact than one each of several different types.
MAKE IT PRIVATE
Many people avoid spending time in their front yard because they feel too exposed. Add a sense of privacy with one of these attractive additions.
Plant shrubs and hedges to create a privacy wall and bring more greenery to your yard. From hydrangea bushes to lilac bushes and all kinds of evergreens, there are many fast-growing and attractive options to choose from. Just make sure to look for varieties that work well in your hardiness zone to optimize growth and sustainability.
When done well, a front yard fence can improve your home’s curb appeal in addition to blocking prying eyes. They are a great option for any budget since the design can be kept very simple or be built up with intricate detail. Fencing material also caters to all budgets with options ranging from basic wood to vinyl and wrought iron to everything in between. Remember to check with your local planning department for zoning regulations.
Privacy panels can sometimes be more advantageous than a fence since you can vary the heights and placement selectively. Keep the panels cohesive in material, design, and color to avoid the varying positions and heights making things look haphazard.
A vine-covered trellis is a simple and quick solution to hide an unattractive view or block somebody’s view. You can pick up a basic trellis from any home and garden store or have one custom-built to suit your needs. Choose a hearty, fast-growing vine to grow up and across your trellis for almost instant privacy.
KEEP IT EDGY
Construct neat outlines in your yard by defining the edges of designated areas. If grass meets dirt in your garden, take the time to cut back any overgrown grass to create a sharp contrast. You could also add landscape edging, bricks, metal strips, or more permanent concrete curbs. Borders of flowers, small bushes, and ground cover also work to establish boundaries.
LIGHT IT UP
Many homeowners underestimate the power of lighting to dramatically improve both the functionality and look of their yard.
Lining your driveway with lights will make it easier to navigate in the twilight hours and dramatically improves curb appeal when it’s dark. Similarly, lining your walkway with lights makes it easy for people to find their way, improving visibility and increasing their safety. Path lights come in a range of sizes, materials, and complexities. Solar is the most popular choice since it lends itself to less maintenance and overall longevity. Solar puck lighting can be recessed into your driveway or pathway for a more permanent and long-lasting choice, while individual stake lights are more affordable and can be easily moved or replaced as needed.
Adding string lights to patios, fences, or trees as mood lighting will help you enjoy your yard into the evening. Take inspiration from your favorite patio restaurant to turn your own space into an entertainer’s dream.
If you have a show-stopping element, such as a tree, sculpture, or water feature, shining a spotlight will give it new life. Why let it disappear into the dark?
Replace or add exterior lights to highlight areas of your home. A well-lit front door makes it more visible from the street and keeps it safe for those coming and going. Just like the interior of your home, add different levels of lighting. Install pot-lights in your soffit and put matching wall lights on either side of your door and garage door. If you have a covered porch, add a flush mount light overhead to allow light to fill the space. Post lights are great options for signaling the entrance to a pathway or driveway, but also look wonderful nestled in with greenery near a doorway.
A beautifully lit yard isn’t just for outside, either. The evening view out your front window will become that much more picturesque with a little illumination.
<h2>Ready To Improve Your Front Yard Landscaping?</h2>
<img decoding="async" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-2919" src="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-perfection-outdoor-logo-1-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-perfection-outdoor-logo-1-150x150.png 150w, https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-perfection-outdoor-logo-1-300x300.png 300w, https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-perfection-outdoor-logo-1-270x270.png 270w, https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-perfection-outdoor-logo-1-192x192.png 192w, https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-perfection-outdoor-logo-1-180x180.png 180w, https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-perfection-outdoor-logo-1-32x32.png 32w, https://www.perfectionoutdoor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-perfection-outdoor-logo-1.png 512w" sizes="(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />Perfection Outdoor Solutions is a full service landscaping company in the Tulsa, OK. We specialize in helping homeowners improve their existing front yard landscaping. Whether you’re looking to sell your home and need a quick boost in curb appeal or you’d just like to make some improvements because you want to we’ll be able to help!
If you’d like to schedule a consultation for your front yard landscaping please give us a call (918) 984-7336 or fill out our online estimate request form and we’ll get right back to you.
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