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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.

Low Maintenance Landscaping Ideas [Infographic]

It isn’t easy to find time to spend gardening. It is much more fun to relax and enjoy your yard than to spend time fixing it up.

These low maintenance landscaping ideas are just the thing to make your yard look great with minimal effort.

Outdoor living space

By creating an outdoor living space, you can turn a part of the yard into a warm, inviting area. It not only extends the home, but there is less area of the yard to maintain.

Mulch beds

Mulch flower beds give the yard an organic feeling. They also prevent weed issues more than soil flower beds. Mulch beds around outdoor spaces also prevent you from trimming up close to the patio or home.

Crushed stone

Crushed stone is an alternative to mulch. It depends on the vibe you want in your yard or garden.

Avoid climbers

You should be selective of the plants your put in your outdoor space. One to avoid is climbers like ivy that cling to walls and fences. Climbers provide a large workload and may need continually tying up or cutting back.

Trade flowers for shrubs

Shrubs and hedges are perfect borders to put around your back or front yard. Flowers are seasonal and need continued care. Shrubs and hedges can be left all year long and look great.

If you need more assistance with your landscape design, contact Evergreen Landscaping.

New Year, New Landscape: Great landscape ideas for 2019

New Year, New Landscape: Great landscape ideas for 2019

Creating a new landscape for your yard can completely transform your property. The outdoor space is often the first thing visitors see when they visit. A beautifully landscaped home can leave a lasting impression on guests while being an extension of your home’s interior. The natural outdoor spaces accent the home and offers an inviting place for visitors. A new landscape is exciting and a great way to make your home even more relaxing. Whether it is a place for your children to run around or a spot to entertain guests, you can turn your yard into a special place this year.

Build a wine country garden

Anyone who has been to California wine country will have seen the gorgeous, lush gardens around the area’s homes and cottages. Building a wine country garden in your backyard isn’t difficult if you have the right elements. Plant lavender, rosemary, and irises in flower beds in your outdoor space. Not only will these look amazing, but they will smell great too. Next, you will need to add some small fruit trees. The combination of flowers and fruit trees offer a great contrast of colors, sizes and smells.

Sitting area

There is no better place to sit and relax than in your yard. You can create a pleasant sitting area to relax, meditate, or eat at in your outdoor space. After you select the area you want for your sitting area, place gravel on the ground to carve out the space. Surround the gravel with planets, bushes, and other green items. Add chairs and a table to the garden space to finish off your all-new sitting area. It is the perfect spot to start the day with a cup of coffee or sit after a day of work with a glass of wine.

Paved areas

Adding paved areas or stones to the yard can add a color contrast to your outdoor space. The paved areas provide a great spot to BBQ or host guests for parties. Paved areas don’t just provide a great area for parties, but they keep yard work at a minimum. Stones and paved spaces eliminate grass and other plants from the garden. By cutting down the grass space, you will lessen the amount of mowing you must do. You will also spend less time taking care of flowers and other plants.

Raised beds

Raised flower beds are a modern way to create a lush backyard. Raised flower beds not only make an outdoor space look great, but you won’t punish your back and knees gardening. They are simple, yet extremely effective ideas. Moreover, by sectioning off your plants into raised flower beds, you keep them from getting out of control. Plants stay in one place and are easy to maintain.

Artificial grass

Former Major League Baseball player Dick Allen once said about artificial grass, “If a cow can’t eat it, I don’t want to play on it”. In the 45-plus years since Allen’s famous quote, artificial grass has evolved greatly. Today, many homeowners use artificial grass in their backyards. It is perfect for small areas, yards that get little sunlight, or for homeowners short on time to maintain real grass. Artificial grass is also great for older people unable to mow their yards due to health issues. It is also great for people with small children to play on all year round.

Loose gravel and stone

If you have a yard that has difficulty growing grass or you want to lessen the amount of work you must do, then adding gravel and stone can transform your outdoor space. Whether it is your front or backyard, gravel and stone is perfect for a minimalist feel. Gravel and stone are both inexpensive and the color contrasts will make everything in your garden stick out in a good way.

Railroad tie steps and planters

Railroad ties (also known as railway sleepers) are extremely versatile when it comes to landscaping. One of the most popular ways to use railroad ties is to create flowerbeds with them. You can create a variety of sizes and shapes using railroad ties around the yard. One of the more interesting ideas for 2019 is to create a walkway using railroad ties as steps. Cutting long ties in half provides a great size for the steps. Place the railroad ties into the ground about six inches apart and fill in the space in between with gravel. You will have a great walkway to stroll in your garden.

By adding one or two new landscaping ideas for 2019, you can completely change your outdoor space. A new design can make your home feel as good as new. Want more ideas? Contact us today to help transform your yard into something you will enjoy year round.

Irrigation Troubleshooting [Infographic]

An irrigation system is a complex structure of wires, pipes, and valves running underground. Problems can occur, but you can troubleshoot these issues and have water flowing again in no time.

Valve Leaks

Leaks around the valve can be caused by a variety of issues. Inspect the valve to find the leak’s location. Once you find the source, you can decide whether to repair or replace the valve.

Water Pressure

Water pressure issues could be the result of a bad valve, the main sprinkler shut off, or the pressure vacuum breaker. To test the valve, make sure it is turned on all the way. Then, compare it to other valves. Are the other the valves working properly? If so, then repairing or replace the low-flow valve will correct the issue. A lack of pressure in all the valves means there is a problem with the main sprinkler shut off or the pressure vacuum breaker.

Timing Issues

Irrigation systems not turning on with the timer means there is a valve issue or a wiring problem. Turning on the valve manually can isolate the electrical problem. If the valve works, check the wires for cuts or breaks. The issue could also be a bad solenoid.

If your irrigation system is underperforming or needs updating, contact Evergreen Landscaping today.

What is the Best Kind of Christmas Tree For Your Home?

The local market suddenly has its cut trees standing tall for your holiday purchase, but there are so many varieties. Knowing which kind of Christmas tree to choose for your home can be a challenge. Consider a few suggestions from our landscaping specialists as you maneuver through a forest of options. There are several species that fit neatly into the home while providing holiday cheer.

The Classic Douglas

When you think of a Christmas tree, the Douglas fir often comes to mind. People seem to be attracted to it because it has nearly perfect, green needles, reports The Spruce. 

Ideally, look for a Douglas that has a loose cut, which equates to some space between the branches. You don't want a tree that has a dense shape. Adding decorations to it will be a chore otherwise. Add water to the tree's stand whenever it gets low. Douglas trees drink quite a bit after being cut. 

Container Varieties

You may have limited home decor options, such as a small apartment or cats tempted by a large tree. Think about a container tree as an alternative. These living trees are about three-feet tall, which makes them compact yet functional for decorating. 

Many varieties of cypress and pine work well as small trees. Your local, landscaping professionals will often have contacts in the industry if you're in the market for a particular tree.

Other Fir Species

Your Christmas decoration choices used to be limited by the tree species growing natively in Central California. However, many growers have varieties that are normally found thousands of miles away. Think about adding another type of fir to your home, such as these species:
• Balsam 
• Fraser 
• Noble 

Each species seems to have its own personality with needles that hold fast to the branch. The Balsam, in particular, has an aroma that's unlike any other tree, reports HGTV. 

Monterey Pine 

When you want a bushier tree for your home decor, the Monterey Pine is a perfect addition. Each needle is about four-inches long. Because of this feature, the tree has a more relaxed shape in comparison to the firs. The tree is aptly named for its origination point in Monterey, California. You can find it up and down the coastline now. 

Many of these trees grow to seven feet or taller, so be sure to measure your household space before taking a tree home. 

Contact the experts at Evergreen Landscaping today. We can help with your Christmas decoration queries and suggest ideas for the landscape. Our team supports Pismo Beach, California, throughout the holidays and beyond.