Blog

How to Increase Your Curb Appeal Affordably – Five Expert Tips

Adding curb appeal to your home doesn’t have to break the bank, and there are several small things you can do to spruce up the look of your home. We want your property to look its best year-round. This is why we rounded up the most affordable ways you can achieve this.

1. Paint the Front Door
You can try to glam up your front door by painting it a pretty color that coordinates well with your home’s color scheme. You want to have some contrast between the door and your home to draw the eye to it. If your home is white or grey and you have black shutters, make the door pop with a bright splash of red. Whatever you do, just make sure you take your time to make it look fabulous.

2. Wash Your Home
Over the years, things like dust, cobwebs, and grime can accumulate on your home and cause it to look dingy, faded, and worn. You can turn your hose on the strongest setting it has and spray your home’s exterior, roof, porch, garage, and sidewalk. If it’s not strong enough, you can rent a power sprayer too. Just make sure that you keep the power sprayer away from your doorways and windows because it can damage it.

3. Update Your Exterior Lighting
Old lighting can age your entire home, especially in the harsh light of day. You could go with a classic and timeless design, so they don’t go in and out of style. If you don’t want to buy all new light fixtures for your exterior, you could add a coat of spray paint to your current ones. This can help refresh them, and you can even make them look like they’re new.

4. Manicure Your Lawn
No one likes a neglected or overgrown lawn. It can make your entire home look messy and unkempt. Get out your lawnmower and go over it every other week to keep it short and groomed. If you have weeks, tackle them and remove them. For patchy grass, you may have to fertilize and spread grass seed to get that green, lush, and full lawn that you see other people having. Also, pick up your grass clippings when you mow.

5. Refresh Your Driveway
If your garbage cans or recycling bins are out in your driveway in plain view, this can create an eyesore for anyone who sees it. You can store them in the garage or in specially made containers. Next, reseal any small cracks or holes in your driveway, or you can patch them. You can do this yourself or call a company to come in and do it for you.

Bottom Line

Boosting your home’s curb appeal doesn’t have to take a lot of time or break your bank. These five quick tips can help you make your front yard the envy of the neighborhood, and it’s an excellent way to show off your pride in your home.

Contact us today to talk about improving your curb appeal.

What to Consider when Choosing Grass for Your Yard

You can’t just go to your local home improvement store and tell the clerk you need some grass seed.  Sorry, but the process is much more involved than that!

How will you know which grass seed you need?  Here are just a few varieties.  How would you make the choice?

• Fescue
• Bahia
• Bluegrass
• Bermuda
• Zoysia
• Bent Grass
• Centipede
• St. Augustine

And that’s just a few of the varieties out there.  Would you know which one you’d want to adorn your yard?  Well, certainly not without a little information!

As we said before, there are literally hundreds of different varieties out there.  How do you know which one is right for you?  Well, we can’t choose your grass seed, but we can tell you the attributes of different varieties, and then you can choose for yourself!

First, though, consider what you’re looking for when it comes to your lawn and how to care for it.  Are you wondering which grass is best for you?  Here are a few considerations:

• Maintenance required: some grass species require more care than other, high maintenance grasses.
• Climate conditions: most grasses have a preference for specific climates such as humid, coastal, dry, and cool.
• Temperature tolerance: each grass performs better or worse depending on the average temperature range during the growing season.
• Drought resistance: some grass species are better suited quickly recover after going dormant during extended drought conditions.
• Shade adaptation: grass species are classified by how much or how little sunlight they need to maintain their health and vigor.
• Wear resistance: this is a measurement of how well a grass species can recover from foot traffic.

Not every grass is good for every climate. Some species are good for shade, others are good for cold climates and still others perform better in extremely hot areas. The following is a list of the best readily available grasses for specific adaptations.

Best for shady areas

Fine-leaf Fescue:  (cool season) does not tolerate traffic, drought resistant, shade tolerant. Some varieties are more disease resistant.

Tall Fescue: (transition zone) low maintenance that offers good drought resistance and better tolerates light traffic.

Bahia Grass: (warm season) is low-growing, requiring less maintenance, has a coarse texture, makes a thick turf that fends off weeds.

St. Augustine Grass: (warm season) tough, vigorous, thick, weed-blocking. Tolerates some shade, but requires frequent watering, mowing and fertilizing. Standout varieties include Better Blue, Delmar, Raleigh, and Seville.

Best in hot climates

Bahia Grass: (warm season) is low-growing, requiring less maintenance, has a coarse texture, makes a thick turf that fends off weeds.

Bermuda Grass: (warm season) fine texture that tolerates traffic. Vigorous and tolerates drought and salt. Does not do well in shade and tends to build up thatch. Standout varieties include: Cheyenne, Patriot, Tifgreen, and Tifway II.

Seashore Paspalum: (warm season) tolerates sandy soil, salt, and wet conditions. Holds up to drought and tolerates traffic.

St. Augustine Grass: (warm season) tough, vigorous, thick, weed-blocking. Tolerates some shade, but requires frequent watering, mowing and fertilizing. Standout varieties include Better Blue, Delmar, Raleigh, and Seville.

Zoysiagrass: (warm season/transition zone) slow-growing, dense grass, drought tolerant. Does better with frequent watering. Builds up thatch. Standout varieties include: El Toro, Emerald, and Meyer.

Best for drought resistance

Tall Fescue: (transition zone) low maintenance that offers good drought resistance and better tolerates light traffic. Standout varieties include Arid and Jaguar 3.

Bahia Grass: (warm season) is low-growing, requiring less maintenance, has a coarse texture, makes a thick turf that fends off weeds.

Bermuda Grass: (warm season) fine texture that tolerates traffic. Vigorous and tolerates drought and salt. Does not do well in shade and tends to build up thatch. Standout varieties include: Cheyenne, Patriot, Tifgreen, and Tifway II.

Buffalograss: (warm season) one of the few native North American grasses, is drought tolerant but doesn’t hold up to traffic. Turns brown when it gets hot and when it gets cold. Grows slowly.

Seashore Paspalum: (warm season) tolerates sandy soil, salt, and wet conditions. Holds up to drought and tolerates traffic.

Zoysiagrass: (warm season/transition zone) slow-growing, dense grass, drought tolerant. Does better with frequent watering. Builds up thatch. Standout varieties include: El Toro, Emerald, and Meyer.

Best in high-use/traffic areas

Perennial Ryegrass: (cool season and over-seeding in warm season areas) medium texture, handles traffic, handles drought conditions without a lot of additional watering or fertilizer. This grass does not do well in shade. It does mix well with other grass types.

Kentucky Bluegrass: (cool season) most common cool season grass and the hardiest for cold weather. Fine texture, fills in bare spots quickly, requires more mowing, does not do well in shady areas and does not tolerate salt. Standout varieties include Adelphi, Award, Baron, Midnight, Nu Destiny and Touchdown.

Bermuda Grass: (warm season) fine texture that tolerates traffic. Vigorous and tolerates drought and salt. Does not do well in shade and tends to build up thatch. Standout varieties include: Cheyenne, Patriot, Tifgreen, and Tifway II.

Zoysiagrass: (warm season/transition zone) slow-growing, dense grass, drought tolerant. This grass does better with frequent watering, and builds up thatch. Standout varieties include: El Toro, Emerald, and Meyer.

Best for low-maintenance requirements

Fine-leaf Fescue: (cool season) does not tolerate traffic, drought resistant, shade tolerant. Some varieties are more disease resistant (Aurora)

Tall Fescue: (transition zone) low maintenance that offers good drought resistance and better tolerates light traffic. Standout varieties include Arid and Jaguar 3.

Bahia Grass: (warm season) is low-growing, requiring less maintenance, has a coarse texture, makes a thick turf that fends off weeds.

Buffalograss: (warm season) one of the few native North American grasses, is drought tolerant, but doesn’t hold up to traffic. Turns brown when it gets hot and when it gets cold. Grows slowly.

Centipedegrass: (warm season) coarse, fast-spreading, low growing and requires little fertilizer. Is not drought resistant and may turn brown in high heat. Outstanding varieties include Centennial, Oaklawn, and Tifblair.

Growing In Shady Areas

What do you do if you have a shady area that needs grass?  Well, don’t fret!  There are some types of grasses that are specifically designed to thrive in shaded portions of your lawn.  Try a fescue in this case.  However, you can still use general grass seeds as well in those shady areas, but you have to care for it properly.

Here are some suggestions:

• Mow at the proper height and frequency for the type of grass.
• Water the grass deeply.
• Prune or thin nearby trees to permit more sunlight to the grass.
• Consider mulch or shade-tolerant ground covers for densely shaded areas.
• If you have heavily shaded areas in your lawn where the grass is thin, consult your lawn care specialist for recommendations on improving the lawn.

To find out which of the above best-of-breed grasses will work for you contact Evergreen Landscaping today for a free quote. Contact us at 805-773-5395 or fill out the form here.

5 Ways to Make Your Landscaping Stand Out

5 Ways to Make Your Landscaping Stand Out

Creating a great looking lawn isn’t difficult thanks to the myriad of gardening products and do it yourself videos available on YouTube. Having a landscape that stands out amid the dozen in your neighborhood isn’t quite so easy to create, however.

A lush, green lawn is a great start to a landscape that truly stands out. Regardless if you have just a small space or a larger area to landscape, you can create something unique that looks like no other property.

Not only will your new landscape stand out, but it can improve the value of your property. So, creating a one of a kind landscape around your home is worth much more than just improving the opinions of visitors.

Trees add so much

A tree can break up a large patch of grass that sits in front or behind your home. A well-manicured tree not only offers shade from the sun and can block the wind in winter, but it provides a beautiful look no matter how large your lawn is.

You can plant a small sapling and grow it into a full-size tree or transplant a larger tree if you would prefer something more full grown. Larger lawns can take on several trees and if they are well spaced, can provide a tremendous border to the property. Even smaller properties with little outdoor space can take on one or two trees.

Trees are great to use as borders around a property or to line a long or medium sized driveway.

Keep length with your lawn

One of the biggest mistakes home owners and DIY landscapers make is cutting their lawn too short. It is often believed that cutting grass short looks better, but it isn’t always the case. Grass is at its greenest when it is slightly longer which allows photosynthesis to take place at a normal rate. If grass is cut too short, the process won’t work in the same way as photosynthesis goes into overtime to regrow. This causes brown patches to appear and DIY landscapers assume they must water the lawn more. In the end, they overwater the grass.

You should keep your grass two to three inches long. This will allow it to shade the roots. In addition, mow your lawn a different direction each time.

Add rock

A lawn that is pure grass may look clean and tidy, but it also looks boring. Adding rock to a garden can improve it and make the lawn look natural when landscape properly.

Rocks can be arranged in a variety of ways. You can use them to build a planter or to line a path. You can also hide eyesores in your yard by using rocks to build over or around the problem.

Plan accordingly

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is attempting to do too much at one time. Your yard is an extension of your home, so biting off more than you can chew can cause lasting headaches that damage the appearance of your lawn.

You should plan and research the project you intend to complete before ever purchasing and beginning work. You want the project to fit into the lawn and home that already exists on the property.

Also, the project should work with your family. If you have small children, you may want to rethink adding rocks that could hurt them when they play. Think about the project long before you start it and the end product will come out just like you imagined.

Add a water feature

A water feature can add a whole new look and element to your lawn and garden. It doesn’t even have to be a large or complex water feature. A simple birdbath can add a different look to your property. However, you may choose to add a larger feature that blends into the surroundings.

A small pond or waterfall can be built by adding rocks to make an extremely peaceful setting for a late afternoon cup of tea or coffee. The sound of flowing water is soothing and provides relaxation. You can add fish to ponds to create a natural setting and to bring color to the area. Meanwhile, the addition of a birdbath offers you the chance to bird watch.

The type of water feature you choose can be blended into your overall lawn or garden to make your landscape stand out. A simple addition to your property can make your landscape shine and be the envy of the neighborhood.

 Ready for a beautiful landscape without all of the hassle? Contact us today!

Best Practices for Starting Your Own Herb Garden

Best Practices for Starting Your Own Herb Garden

Do you want to grow your own food but lack the time to start a full-blown vegetable garden? Why not start an herb garden and grow plants that will accent your cooking? You don’t need much space to start an herb garden as a windowsill planter plant pot is just enough space to do the job.

Here are some great tips on starting your own herb garden.

Succulents vs. Non-succulents

It is important to know exactly what kind of herbs you want to plant in your garden. The variety you plant depends on the amount of water and sunlight they need. Many non-succulent herbs love sunlight; therefore, they need plenty of water or they will wither. In contrast, some succulent herbs originate from harsh environments so they don’t need quite as much.

How much space do you need?

Space shouldn’t be an issue when growing an herb garden. You can grow the plants in a larger garden, a windowsill planter, or pot. Many gardeners will simple use leaves or parts of the herb plant throughout the year for cooking. So, you may only grow a small batch in a pot.

Summer means more water

The summer sunlight means you need to water your herb plants more often than at other times of the year. Summer also means the plants will grow more quickly. So, you will need to cut them back more often. Always cut and trim the plants at a 45-degree angle.

If you need assistance with your garden or landscaping ideas, we’re here to help. Just give us a call.

Hillside Landscaping: Improve Your Hard to Maintain Outdoor Space

A slope or hilly yard can be difficult to maintain. You may struggle to mow the area due to the steep terrain. Soil erosion can also be an issue as it runs downhill following heavy rainstorms. But hillside landscaping has a lot of advantages that can make maintaining your yard simple and great looking.

Hillside landscaping is not as difficult as it might sound. You don’t even need a steep slope to build a great looking outdoor space. Whether you want to makeover a gradual incline or revitalize a difficult to maintain steep slope, these ideas should help you improve your hard to maintain outdoor space.

Trees and Texture

Due to a lack of plant coverage on a hillside, you may experience soil run off when the weather gets wet. By adding a variety of textures such as grass, trees, shrubs, and flowers, you can make the area better protected. Conical evergreens are a popular feature for a hillside. Adding spiky flowers and shrubs around the evergreens gives the slope variety.

The texture and variety of plant life gives you a great view when peering out from your windows. If you live in the suburbs, it can also give your home privacy and a country feel.

Planting Pockets

Often times, slopes and hillsides become exposed due to soil run off. Rain uncovers stones and roots that make a slope unattractive. You can revitalize the entire area, however, by creating planting pockets.

You can plant low growing flowers and plants that grip to the hillside after placing additional soil in certain areas on the slope. You can add to the hillside by building a rock path with the planting pockets on either side.

Stone Walls

Stone walls are a beautiful addition to hilly backyards. A terraced slope can tame the hillside and give it a dynamic look. Stone walls are a lot of work to put in place if you go the do it yourself route. However, the end results are well worth the work it takes to build them.

Planting areas are created by stone walls. The areas can be made wide or narrow. It truly depends on what flowers or trees you want to plant in the walled off areas. Grass is also a great option for stone wall planting areas. In fact, when a hillside is terraced, it is easier to mow.

Landscape a Hillside in Sections

Some homes are built with a large, steep hillside behind the property. These types of slopes can be extreme and very daunting. Rather than landscaping the entire hillside, it is better to break it up into sections. You may only landscape the lower portion nearest your home.

By adding low-level planting boxes, you create a great base for the slope. The boxes provide a simple garden space that can produce flowers, shrubs, trees, or even fruit and vegetables. You can add steps that lead up the steep higher portions of the slope that allow easy access to the elevated areas. You may leave the areas above the planting boxes untouched allowing grass to grow naturally.

Rocky Hillside

Large rocks and boulders allow you to anchor soil and plants to take hold in the dirt. Water run off can wash soil and plants away before they take hold. Large rocks and boulders prevent water run off giving the plants the chance to thrive. Once the plants blossom and flower, the rocks provide texture and color that brings your outdoor space to life.

Large rocks and boulders add a natural look to your garden. Maintenance is low when it comes to adding large rocks and boulders. Sure, you may have to do some weeding in the first year or two, but soon, the natural look will take over without the need to constantly maintain the area.

A Terraced Vegetable Garden

A hillside can provide you with a great area to grow vegetables. Plants can receive more direct sunlight than if they are placed lower down or closer to the home. The garden can be terraced in rows with a different set of vegetable plants making up each row. You can add flowers around the vegetable garden to add further texture and colors.

Before deciding on a terraced hillside vegetable garden, you may consider just how difficult it may be to water the plants. You will need to research some ideas on how to get water to plants before installing the garden.

If you need assistance with any of your landscaping, contact us for a free quote.

5 Reasons You should Use Solar Landscaping Lights this Summer [Infographic]

Solar landscaping lights are a great addition to your outside space. The lights are inexpensive, and cost-effect in over time.

Whether you choose solar lights that are pegged into the ground or hang on structures in your garden, you can improve the evening and nighttime feel of your yard.

Here are 5 reasons you should use solar landscaping lights this summer

1. Solar power
   The best reason to install solar landscaping lights is that they are powered by the sun. You won’t see your electricity bills increase after installing the lights and you will help the environment using clean energy.

2. LED lights
   Solar landscaping lights use LED lights which last longer than other lighting options. Some LED lights can last up to 10 years.

3. No wiring needed
   The lights are simple to install and homeowners do not need to be experts in electrical wiring. Solar landscaping lights do not have any wires at all making it quick and easy to get them up and running.

4. Lighting options
   Solar lights give homeowners options because they do not have to be plugged in. You can hang them, peg them into the ground, or place them in other outdoor areas you want to light up.

5. Long lasting
   Solar lights can work for 8 to 10 hours. As long as the lights are placed in an area that receives enough sunlight to power them, they can shine hour after hour.

If you need help with your landscaping light installation, contact us.

Spruce Up Your Sidewalk

A sidewalk garden not only brightens up the pathway to your front door, but it makes a great first impression to visitors.

A great looking sidewalk garden can make your home look more attractive and inviting.

Try these ideas.

Street-side planting

Street-side planting gives your garden an illusion of size.

By planting flowers next to the sidewalk and building a border, a yard can have a natural barrier separating it from concrete and pavement.

Adding a variety of plants, flowers, and colors gives the landscaped area layers.

Add elegance to the “hellstrip”

The small grassy area between the sidewalk in front of your home and the street is called the “hellstrip”.

This unloved area can be transformed with lush plants.

The “hellstrip” not only becomes more attractive, but it is low maintenance.

You can end those weekly mowing sessions of the small greenspace by simply adding ornate fountain grass or blue oat grass.

Layer your front yard

If your front yard slopes toward the driveway or sidewalk, building a landscaped retaining wall can eliminate a difficult to mow area.

A concrete retaining wall can be built with flower beds to dress it up.

The color and texture will provide your yard with a new dimension.

Introduce containers to your path

A garden sidewalk doesn’t have to stay off the pavement.

Plant containers can be placed on the pavement to brighten up the path.

You will need to add a few containers on both sides of the path and line them up.

Containers are not low maintenance, so you will need to water the plants inside them regularly.

Want more landscaping help? We’re just a phone call away. Call us at 805-773-5395, today.

Tumbled Glass Landscaping: Recycling glass into beautiful designs

Glass is an eco-friendly product that is quite versatile. It can be recycled multiple times as one glass bottle is reused for other products. This gives glass the opportunity to take on new life, and rather than sit in a landfill for generations, recycled glass can cut down on the effects of manufacturing new products.

One of the ways in which you can recycle glass bottles is by using them for landscaping mulch. Yes, glass can be used to beautify your property and bring color to your yard. Whether you want to use just a small amount to add a sparkle to your lawn or large quantities for incredible color, tumbled glass provides a great landscaping look.

What is Tumbled Glass Landscaping?

Tumbled glass mulch is created from glass bottles, old windows, and other glass items. Glass doesn’t break down in landfills. It remains in its form for years to come and takes up space. Therefore, one of the chief reasons for turning glass into mulch is to eliminate glass waste.

The tumbled glass can be purchased in various shades. The most common colors are clear, amber, green, and blue. The mulch comes in different sizes allowing you to use it in a variety of spaces and landscaped areas.

You will notice the tumbled glass looks like pebbles. During the tumbling process the broken pieces of glass have had their edges rounded. The pieces are not perfect or identical looking. This gives the tumbled glass landscaping area a natural look.

Where to Use Tumbled Glass Landscaping?

Glass mulch offers sparkle to your lawn or garden. It gives the landscaped area the chance to stand out. One way in which gardeners use glass mulch is to add it to potted plants. You can use a small amount with potted plants to add a new dimension and color.

It isn’t just potted plants gardeners are using glass mulch with. Many gardeners are now using large quantities of tumbled glass to cover sizeable areas of their lawns and gardens. This makes the landscaped area low maintenance and manageable.

Due to the rising popularity of tumbled glass landscaping, gardeners are using it in a variety of ways. It can be used as part of a garden waterfall or around small trees. Regardless of how you use it, tumbled glass offers you a unique look.

Why Use Tumbled Glass Landscaping?

So, why should you use tumbled glass landscaping in your garden or lawn? There are several benefits to using it.

• Creativity – One of the most important reasons is it can be used in multiple ways. This allows you to be creative. You can enhance your property and be artistic at the same time. Your imagination can run wild with tumbled glass, and if you can conceive, you might be able to create it.
• Low maintenance – Tumbled glass landscaping is low maintenance. Once it is in place, you can leave it until you want to alter it. Tumbled glass can be used in flower beds, as a border, in decorative ponds, around small trees and bushes, and in larger sections of a yard.
• Versatile – Glass mulch is versatile. It can be used in any environment and soil – although it is best used in sandy and rocky soils. The mulch itself can be relatively cheap. Some recycling centers give out tumbled glass mulch for free once they break down glass bottles. Of course, you can also go to your favorite lawn and garden center and find it there as well. You may have more color and size options.

What Should You Know Before Using Tumbled Glass Mulch?

While there are some great reasons to use tumbled glass for landscaping, you should consider a few factors.

• Glass cleaning – While the glass mulch can be low maintenance, it still needs to be cleaned to keep its vibrant colors. If you want the glass to sparkle and shine, then you will need to wash it. The good news is you can simply hose down the glass mulch to clean it off.
• Price – Some recycling centers will give glass mulch away for free. However, glass mulch can be expensive. You may want to use it in small areas or sparingly at first before buying a large amount for your garden.
• Plants and glass – Tumbled glass can cause the landscaped area to hold in heat. Not all plants can live in an area using tumbled glass landscaping. You may have to pair certain plants with the glass mulch.

Tumbled glass mulch offers a unique, creative element to your lawn and garden. It can give your home an exciting look that isn’t provided by wood or rubber mulch. Glass mulch allows you to add color and an artistic feel to your property, and it brings a certain curb appeal to your outside space.

Are you ready to explore tumbled glass or other creative ways to brighten up your landscaping?Contact Evergreen Landscaping today!

5 Reasons to Use Crushed Rock Landscaping [Infographic]

More homeowners are eliminating grass lawns and replacing them with crushed rock, gravel, and stone. Crushed rock landscaping can change the way you maintain your yard and improve its look. Here are 5 reasons to add crush rock to your yard or garden today.

Less water

In January 2018, it was reported that Californians used 71 gallons of water per person per day. Much of that went on lawns. Crushed rock landscaping reduces the amount of water you use on your lawn and garden.

Lower maintenance

Crush rock landscaping decreases the amount of time you spend working in the yard. Having less grass to mow and fewer flowers means there is less work to do.

Reduces fossil fuels

Lawn mowers use fossil fuels by way of gasoline. Even electric lawn mowers use fossil fuels if the electricity comes from a coal power plant. By adding crush rock around your house, you reduce fossil fuel consumption.

Cost

Crushed rock landscaping can be cost effective and doesn’t need to be constantly looked after like flowers and grass. You can also DIY and complete the job in no time.

Lowers chemical use

Chemicals and fertilizers are often used to make lawns look gorgeous. Those chemicals can make their way into the water table. Crushed rock ends the need for heavy doses of chemicals being sprayed on your yard. It can have a positive effect on your health and health of others.

If you need assistance with your landscaping rock project, contact us today.