You are here: Home / Archives for garden design

Create the ultimate BBQ area in 5 steps

by · Leave a Comment

Create the ultimate BBQ area in 5 steps 1Family, friends and BBQ Dinner in the garden – nice! Photo Courtesy: Taz

 

A well designed, aesthetically attractive barbeque area is one that can transform the garden into an extra living space that can be frequented throughout the warmer parts of the year. A get together of family or friends in such an area is always an occasion to look forward to.

So, with that in mind, here are some tips on how to make it the best possible living space it can be.

 

Initial Considerations

 

Create the ultimate BBQ area in 5 steps 2

Make sure the BBQ area is close to the kitchen. Photo Courtesy: Herry Lawford

One of the most important considerations when creating the barbeque area is to ensure that it is located within close proximity of the kitchen. It’s quite simple; nobody wants to have to trek around the house or garden to get to and from the fridge. Aside from the time element, food is more likely to spill, it’s less likely to stay warm and it’s just not practical.

 

Flooring

 

Create the ultimate BBQ area in 5 steps 3

Make sure to have flooring that is easy to clean after you finish your BBQ cooking.
Photo courtesy: Taz

The flooring is also very important and this is especially the case in the area you are cooking in. Barbeques may be extremely tasty, but they can also be quite messy affairs and so you may need to have a material on the ground that can be easily cleaned or will absorb the oils and greases.

 

The Barbeque

 

Create the ultimate BBQ area in 5 steps 4

A nice and brand new portable BBQ. Image Courtesy: Lars Plougmann

So, what sort of barbeque do you want – the all-important question. If you’re using a cheaper, portable barbeque, you will have a number of advantages, simply because it’s more portable, lower in cost and there is no worry about permanence. However, these smaller barbeques don’t offer the cooking options larger ones do, are not nearly as impressive and don’t create a focal point. A larger, permanent barbeque does this and can work wonderfully with the overall landscape of the area. However, take time to consider what you want as it will be permanent and will need to work well with the rest of the outdoor area and barbeque.

If you are completely revamping the area and are choosing a gas barbeque, then you may want to place in a stub gas line and have it capped. This will mean no need to lift up the area in the future. . If the barbeque is too far from the house, you may need to use cylinders. Lighting can be mains generated or from a bought generator or a generator hire option – essentially it depends on where the area is located in relation to the mains.

 

Design

 

Create the ultimate BBQ area in 5 steps 5BBQ with a Sea View – Photo Courtesy: Andrew Karigan

Of course, general themes in design are extremely important and choosing the right colour, theme and views can make all the difference here. Textures are also very important with an outdoor area and can make all the difference to the look. You want the area to look attractive and also to be comfortable – you may even want to add a bar.

 

Extras

 

You should also take into account the extras you want in the area. Some people like to have a sink, roof and vents in the area, whereas others like a more simplistic approach. It comes down to you after all; however, try to make it as practical as possible – it will make for greater enjoyment and ease of use.

 

Cormac ReynoldsCormac Reynolds is a lover of alfresco cooking and also cooking indoors. He would love to have a large open BBQ area. He is also a tech geek and lover of autos.

Share
Filed Under: Backyard and Outdoors, Garden Decor Tagged With: ,

Build Your Own Garden Dream Stream

by · Leave a Comment

Build Your Own Garden Dream Stream 1Photo Courtesy: F Delventhal

If you’re searching for something new and exciting to spice up your garden try building your very own dream stream. Your stream will be faultless as it grabs the attention of anyone nearby with its waterfalls and rapids transforming your garden into a haven of tranquility.

 

Tools and Digging

 

You can achieve all of this even if it is your first attempt at a water feature. Few gardening tools are needed as it is mainly heavy work; in fact the only special tool you will need is a wheelbarrow for moving around heavy materials.

 

Build Your Own Garden Dream Stream 2 - Wheelbarrow

Use a wheelbarrow to move heavy stuff around – Photo by Amanda Slater

If your garden has rich soft soil that is easy to dig, then you can excavate the entire project. If digging however proves to be too difficult, it can be built above the ground by using stones for the base. You will need to consider the size of your water feature in order to decide how much water can be held in the top and bottom basins of the stream when the pump is turned off.

 

Using  Slopes for Your Stream

 

The fantastic thing about streams is that they are effective even with the use of a simple slope. The minimum slope needed is a 2 inch drop with every 10 ft of stream. It’s up to you whether or not you want to use a modest slope or go wild with a steep slope. A steep slope allows you to toy with the idea of adding a waterfall to your stream.

 

Build Your Own Garden Dream Stream 3 - Using Slopes

Make use of slopes for your stream – Photo by F Delventhal

Another idea you may want to ponder with is how your stream will sound.  For a calm trickily sound a waterfall height of 2-4in is ideal. However, if you want to drown out street noise, a height of 10in will be sufficient. The more noise you want to create the higher your waterfall needs to be. Remember to base your decision on the space and room you have in your garden. Too steep an incline can look out of place and over the top.

 

Focus of Your Garden

 

Build Your Own Garden Dream Stream 4

Photo Courtesy: Jennifer C.

Your stream should be the focus of your garden and therefore situated some place visible. Contemplate putting your stream near the windows of your home so you can hear the water both inside and outside. The water pump can always be switched off if it becomes a distraction. Make sure that you are aware of where utilities are buried so that you do not block access to them and so they do not interfere with your water feature. The stream will also need to be near an electrical source and have access to a hose should it need water added.

 

Gravel and Stone

 

Build Your Own Garden Dream Stream 5

Photo Courtesy: theloneconspirator

 

 

You also need to decide on the sort of gravel and stone you want your stream to have. You will need gravel to line the bottom of the water feature.  You can choose from vibrant colorful boulders and flat stones to sculpt the stream. Boulders and stones will give your stream character, forming the ripples and falls of your water feature. Make sure you visit a variety of dealers to get exactly what you want for a reasonable price.

 

 

 

 

Streamside Plants

 

Plants are another feature your stream should have to give it those finishing touches. The spaces between your stones form perfect pockets for your streamside plants to grow. You can have a variety of plants including bulbs, shrubs, perennials and annuals that may in time arch over the water like those in the wild. Your stream will also attract birds and other wildlife adding to the ambiance of the stream.

 

Build Your Own Garden Dream Stream 6

Photo Courtesy: F Delventhal

 

Maintaining the Stream

 

Maintaining your stream is fairly straight forward. The rocks and stones form a natural filtering system as well as forming algae and beneficial bacteria that keep the water clean. You will also have the use of a pump to keep the stream clean. Your stream will need topping up once in a while to replace any water that has been evaporated. You can do this with the use of a hose that we talked about earlier. Keep your plants well looked after like you would anywhere else and use gardening tools to trim them back if they become out of control.

Now all there is left to do is enjoy your stream. Watch as the water flows over gravel and stones through twists and turns before it is pumped back to where it started in order to repeat the journey.

 

Emma has a keen interest in home improvement and gardening and regularly writes for similar blogs. She has a particular knowledge in the conservatory and orangery market and also likes to dabble in other areas as part of her SEO work such as the auto tools market and women’s lingerie.

Share
Filed Under: Fountains, Ponds and Streams, Garden Decor Tagged With: , , ,

4 Unique Ideas to Add Character to Your Backyard

by · Leave a Comment

4 Unique Ideas to Add Character to Your Backyard 1

Backyard of Maddes family’s cottage – Photo Courtesy: Chun Kit To

 

Home gardeners strive to create a landscape setting that reflects their own personal style and taste. Accomplishing this goal often requires many hours of careful planning and preparation. However, there are some small things home gardeners can do to create a backyard or garden with unique character and distinctive style.

 

4 Unique Ideas to Add Character to Your Backyard 2 - Garden Path

Garden Path – Photo by Brenda Clarke

1. Create A Garden Path

 

There is nothing more relaxing and enjoyable than walking through a lovely garden path at dusk. Many home gardeners use stone pavers to design a garden path in their own backyard. Place pavers on several inches of compacted sand and keep them 3 to 4 inches apart. Creeping plants such as thyme, are lovely when planted in between the gaps of the stone pavers. This will give the stone steps a fringed look. To add a defined border, plant billowing grasses on each side of the path.

 

 

2. Add A Water Crossing

 

4 Unique Ideas to Add Character to Your Backyard 3 - Garden Water Crossing

Backyard Garden of Mike & Theresa – Photo by Carl Wycoff

 

 

A water garden is a unique idea that many home gardeners enjoy. To add a unique look to an existing water garden, place stone pavers on pillars to serve as steps for crossing. Space pavers approximately four inches apart and add some pebbles to the bottom of the water to add reflection. A water garden is even more interesting when aquatic plants are added for color. Hardy water lilies, tropical water lilies and lotus all thrive when placed in a water garden in pots. Most aquatic plants grow best when water depths are 12 to 18 inches over the top of the flower pot.

 

 

 

3. Southwestern Flair

 

4 Unique Ideas to Add Character to Your Backyard 4 - Cactus Garden

Eze Village Cactus Garden – Photo by exfordyswife

 

Homeowners living in warm, dry climates such as Arizona or Nevada may enjoy creating a garden with a southwestern flair. Plants such as agave, cactus and other succulents all make for a unique garden or can be placed around a pool area to make it more inviting. Succulents are perfect for dry climates because they grow well with less water, thrive in high light and warm temperatures and often produce blooms in a riot of colors. These plants can be used to border outdoor fire pits, as well. Trees such as eucalyptus and acacia are good choices for these types of southwestern gardens. Vines such as pink trumpet vine and yellow morning glory vine can also add a splash of color without a lot of leaf litter.

 

4. Garden Fountains

 

4 Unique Ideas to Add Character to Your Backyard 5 - Garden Fountain

Garden Fountain – Photo by Elliott Brown

Adding a water fountain will make your garden unique. Fountains also attract birds to the area, which many home gardeners enjoy watching. There are a variety of fountains available at garden supply stores that work well for any garden. Handy home gardeners may prefer to create their own fountain, created from do-it-yourself kits. Placing a small recirculating pump in the bottom of the fountain will keep water softly moving which adds motion to the fountain.

A special backyard space or garden can be created by implementing a few of these techniques. These gardens can be created in stages or completed during a weekend project. Just a few special touches can create a landscape setting with a dash of personal style homeowners are sure to enjoy.

 

Pine To Prairie is a Bloomington landscape design company. View our portfolio.

Share
Filed Under: Backyard and Outdoors Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Country Gardens

by · Leave a Comment

Country Gardens 1A Country Garden – Photo Courtesy: Mick / Lumix

 

Make your cottage garden look outstandingly beautiful by making sure you plan it. Draw a sketch of what plants you will put where, and make sure that you are working with the seasons.

 

Backyard Decorating Ideas

 

Country Gardens 2 If you want to come up with an interesting way to decorate your back yard, but can’t afford a landscape designer, simply do your research.

Work out what kind of garden you want to have; do you prefer a romantic wildflower low maintenance garden, a place where your children can play or a well plotted ornamental garden.

Be creative, but realistic. It takes times to tend to a garden and keep it alive. Make sure you know exactly how much time you will have to spend maintaining your garden, and dig in accordingly.

 

Landscaping Your Country Garden

 

Landscaping is a big task, especially if it requires a great deal of digging and moving earth. This is not a job that you can do in a day, and it will need you to work hard to achieve perfection.

Whether you want to put in a wall, get better drainage, install a water feature or some outdoor lights, you will want to figure out where things should go and what tools you will need to complete the job of making your country garden even more elegant.

 

Country Gardens 3 - Path in blooming gardenCountry Garden Flowers

 

There are so many different types of beautiful flowers, so it’s worth heading to your nearest plant nursery to see which ones you like the most.

If it’s your first time gardening, then pick some resilient plants that are easy to grow and very hardy. Annual flowers like poppies, sweet peas or cornflowers are very colorful and easy to grow straight from the seed.

Make sure to prepare your soil, and plant at the right time: a real sticking point for any gardening newbie. Seek help with preparation from any friends and family with a nice garden!

Country gardens are not complete without roses, so make sure you think about where you might have some ramblers. But, beware; roses take a lot of hard work!

Share
Filed Under: Country Gardens Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Backyard Decorating Ideas

by · 1 Comment

Backyard Decorating Ideas 1 Backyard Bench – A figurine from Grandma’s backyard. Photo Courtesy: Bring Back Words

If you’re fortunate enough to own some outside space, then you’ll want to make it as useful, pretty and relaxing as possible. Backyard decorating ideas can transform your little plot into your personal Eden – with a few easy to grow flowers and planters.

Even the smallest strip of land could be turned into something productive and beautiful, that you could be proud of. Start by jotting down a few ideas of what you ideally want to use your backyard for – whether that’s growing vegetables, entertaining guests, relaxing in the hot summer months or having a place where your kids can play safely.

It’s important to work out what you would like from it, so that you are focused when choosing options, and so you are realistic about the outcome of the backyard. When deciding on borders for example, it’s imperative that you know whether to plant hardier plants that would withstand a gentle dog trampling, or if you want something entirely pretty to stare out at whilst preparing your dinner. Try to visualize yourself in the finished garden – what will you be doing, what do you want to see?

Small Back Garden Decorating Ideas

 

Backyard Decorating Ideas 2If you’ve got a small area to work with, all you’ll need is a little more imagination to make the space function to suit you. Container gardening to grow your own fruits and vegetables is a very well written subject, and there are plenty of books on the subject – you could start with Patio Produce by Paul Peacock, which is a great guide to getting the most food out of your petite patch. Grow tomatoes, strawberries, green leaves and herbs easily, and try out a few varieties of ‘trickier’ plants, just for fun.

With a small space you might be able to fit in a small pond, barbecue and decking area, leaving your back yard as a purely peaceful area for you to enjoy, and making your front garden or window boxes a great place to grow pretty flowers.

At Christmas time use your back yard to hang up pretty twinkling lights, and colorful banners to celebrate the season. And, if your house is as small as your garden, consider putting a well dressed Christmas tree outdoors too – an unusual but beautiful solution to issues of space.

Landscaping Design for your Back Yard

 

Simplicity is the key to design – just ask the Scandinavian’s – and there’s no place where this is more certain than the garden. Borders, beds, and other portioned spaces create different areas with separate functions that build the character of your home garden. Try to dream of your outdoor space with one central feature – perhaps a pretty fountain, or a central circular patio or deck, where you can sit laze during the hot midday hours and party with your friends during the night.

 

Backyard Decorating Ideas 3 - Backyard Landscaping

A nicely landscaped backyard gives any home owner great pleasure. Photo Courtesy: codewire

With a larger space, you can consider large sculptures and water features. Fancy hedging and permanent gazebo structures, croquet lawn or summer swimming pool, you’re options are wider, but it will be much more tricky to maintain. If you’re considering quite an overhaul, then it would be prudent to get a proper landscape gardener in to help you with the technical aspects of the design that you may not have thought of.

Get a clear picture in your head of how you want the design to run, but do listen to your landscaper’s advice, as it will undoubtedly come from a place of greater experience.

One of the most important parts of your design will undoubtedly be how you care for the land – you’ll have the option to nurture or destroy, and it’s a great idea to know how you’ll tackle that situation when it arises. For more on organic gardening, check out HRH The Prince of Wales book on The Elements of Organic Gardening, which tells all about how his gardens have been developed in a nature friendly way over the years.

Find free photos online, by doing a Google search or looking at online gardening magazines for inspiration.

Share
Filed Under: Backyard and Outdoors Tagged With: , , , , , , ,