What to and What not to put in your garden

If you think decorating the interior of your house is tricky, think again. Decorating gardens are also
quite complicated due to many reasons. For starters, the garden is a valuable space that can be used
for various purposes apart from decoration. You can use it for planting vegetables and herbs, build a
swimming pool or a tennis court or to create an outdoor relaxation spot according to your needs. In the end, you have to create the garden to suit your requirements, budget and also, to last a lifetime.

Let's say you wish to make your garden a functional space by growing vegetables. This is a definite plus for just about any garden. Not only will it add a certain rustic charm for those concerned with aesthetics but it will also be a great investment if you enjoy fresh herbs on your food. You will find it very easy to find seeds, plants and fertiliser at an affordable price from your local gardening supplies store. Be sure to contact someone at the store to guide you with what sort of vegetables and herbs to choose for your garden as there will be variations based on soil condition and climate.

Flowering plants are always a lovely vision in any garden. However, if you choose to plant them in your garden, be sure to consult your local gardening store or a landscaping designer to see just how suitable they will be with your lifestyle and available space. The last thing you want to see in your garden are wilted flowers and dying shrubs due to your inability to reserve adequate time for garden care. All in all, flowering plants are high maintenance. Unless you are perfectly sure that you are able to care for them after planting, you should not plant them. A suitable alternative would be evergreen shrubs and plants that  are sturdy and don't require a fussy and expensive maintenance routine.

Water structures such as bird baths, pools, fountains and ponds add a nice touch to almost any garden.
However, before putting one up, be sure to consider the implications. If you are planning to have
bird feeders in the garden, a bird bath would be a complimentary addition. However, if you simply
plan to add it for decor, be prepared for regular visits from neighbourhood cats and other animals
including birds.  As for pools and ponds, once again, you have to be prepared for the after construction maintenance routine and costs. A swimming pool is something very expensive to build.

The last thing you would want is to build one and let it go to waste due to lack of maintenance. Needless to say, a house with a pool in NSW is quite a real estate dream. While a pool can add to the value of a house, an unmaintained, damaged pool can decrease it. Concrete structures such as paving stones and benches are a great addition. If you have a grass bedding, paving stones on your driveway or on a walkway can ensure that your grass does not get trodden on. These are easy enough to put up and maintain. As for concrete benches, placing one under a shady tree is a great way to create a lovely little reading nook or hang out spot for the family. If you intend to place large statues, it is best to consult a landscaping specialist for the best results. If your garden is large and spacious, it can most probably handle a few strategically positioned statues. However, for a small garden with an irregular shape, things can get complicated. Another thing to keep in mind to choose the statue wisely as they can make or break the overall look of the garden.

Supporting structures such as retaining walls are essential for gardens with unstable soil and uneven terrain. These will make sure that the soil does not collapse under weather conditions and of course,
general usage. Retaining walls can be quite expensive. It is strongly advised that you choose a reputed professional consultant and reliable contractor for the project. Since a retaining wall is a structural element, it is important to plan it properly and take all necessary precautions to avoid future disasters. If you live in an area such as Gold Coast, finding the very best contractor of retaining walls Gold Coast has to offer can help you save costs, time and problems in the future.

Creating the Ideal Garden

Most people dream about the perfect house with just the right number of rooms, the perfect wall colourand the most convenient layout. However, the garden is also an equally important part of a house formany reasons. For starters, your garden creates the very first impression to someone who is walking into your house. Is it well kept or does it look like a barren wasteland? Does the garden look pleasing as well as functional? These are all important things to take into account when you set out to create your ideal garden.

For starters, you have to identify the space you have available. You cannot make good use of the space you have without understanding the possibilities and limitations of what's available. Is it a large space with plenty of possibilities or is it a small space that has to be planned carefully? These are all valid questions at the beginning stage of any landscaping project. In addition, this is where you have to come up with your own vision for your garden.

There are various different styles for gardens as well as the possibility of creating something entirely
new. You can start by going through the internet for some great ideas or to visit the gardening magazine section. However, it is very important to understand that you may not be able to create an exact replica of a magazine spread with your available space. This is why it is important to have an idea on what your available space looks like before jotting down your ideas and inspirations.

The next step is to choose whether or not to employ a professional landscape designer. Landscape designers are highly trained in creating what you want in the space that is available. Aside from the
latest trends, they are able to make use of anthropometrics and ergonomics to make your garden space
useful and functional as well as aesthetically pleasing. Needless to say, a landscaping designer will cost you. When you set out to redesign or create your perfect garden, be sure to set aside an amount as a consultation fee for a landscaping designer as they will provide valuable information as well as plenty of recommendations for materials and suppliers.

Not all gardens are the same. There are perfectly leveled gardens that span out for acres while there are also those with tricky slopes, and irregular boundaries. In such cases, you will require special assistance.

In the case of tricky slopes, certain structures will have to be constructed to make sure that  unstable ground and slopes will not cause problems in the future. In some cases, retaining walls are essential to make sure that the garden's stability is maintained even when weak soil and uneven terrain is involved.

In certain cases, entire houses' structures depend on retaining walls due to the land being unstable. It
is always advisable to take some time to do a full inspection on the land, soil and available resources before setting out to create a plan. This will save a great deal of time any money from not having to go back and forth with revisions.

The next most important thing to take into consideration is how you are going to manage the
expenditure. Once again, a landscaping specialist will be able to guide you to make the right choices.
If you choose to employ one, they will be able to make sure that your vision is brought to life without
costing you a fortune as well as not having you deal with the minor details. However, if you are planning on taking the task on yourself, be sure to budget the whole process from beginning to end. A useful tip would be to use local suppliers and services providers to save further costs. For instance, if you live in an area like Brisbane, choosing the best builder of retaining walls Brisbane will make sure that you are saving money while receiving the best services. Considering quality over speed and quantity is a good way to ensure long term integrity. Gardens and garden structures take the full blow from nature's forces. Therefore, opting for quality suppliers, professional assistance and sticking to classic, timeless designs is the right way to make sure that your garden looks ideal while also lasting a very long time.

What to Do With an Irregularly Shaped Garden

When we think of gardens, the first thought that slips into mind is of a wide expanse of grass and flat
terrain as far as the eye can see. In reality, we often end up with giant boulder strewn, weed filled
trapezoid spaces with literal ups and downs all over the place. While the rare flat gardens with square
angle corners are ideal for those who wish to create the ideal garden, it is best to understand your
available options should you end up with something that is a bit far away from the ideal. What exactly can we do with a garden that is irregular shaped? While you may think 'not much', there is quite a lot of possibilities available. What you need to keep in mind is that with some work, just about any kind of garden space can be transformed into a beautiful area that you would love to spend time in. There are two major directions that you can plan a garden designing project when there is an odd shaped land involved.

The first is to try and mask the odd shape and try to make it look symmetrical by designing the elements that go in it accordingly. With a few cleverly placed flower beds, shrubbery, fencing and accents, you can distract the eye from noticing the irregularity of the space. However, this is not a task for the novice garden owner. This is something best handled by a professional in the landscaping design trade.

Covering up the corners and placing seating areas to face away from them is a great way to prevent the odd angles from being noticed. Rounding off corners with flower patches and strategically placed lighting can do wonders to make a garden appear symmetrical and if you choose to, even larger. In the case of irregular terrain, you may have to fill up certain areas to level the ground. Once again, choose a professional for the cutting an filling for the best results. Even if you are planning to have an even surface, you may need to construct retaining walls and various other supporting structures if the ground is unstable. 

The next method is to embrace the irregularity of the space and to work with the bends and corners.
This is a great way to create unique gardens that really stand out. This is not always easy as you will
face many inconveniences and obstacles on the way. If you are intent on creating a truly memorable
garden space, then you can get the project started by taking proper measurements. The measurements
may have to be taken with the aid of a professional to assure accuracy as well as to create a proper
vision for the design. For instance, should you have any high slopes or parts that resemble cliffs, the
measurements will have to be accompanies by a soil analysis to get an idea on the stability of the
ground.

When it comes to irregular terrains, the stability of the ground makes a huge impact on the
overall design as well as the longevity of the finished product. For instance, if you wish to put up steps to navigate through the soil, you may have to work with professionals with engineering qualifications as you may need to put up retaining walls and other supporting structures to keep the soil from collapsing due to use and weather. You may think that an expensive structure such as a retaining wall would be an unnecessary expense for a generally sunny location such as The Gold Coast. Although torrential rain and typhoons may not be the norm, you will be on the safer side when you employ a professional who constructs the best retaining wall Gold Coast has to offer to create a stable environment within even the most irregular of gardens.

Managing an oddly shaped garden project may require an additional expense in comparison to
the average square garden, the final result will definitely be a plus for your house's value and your
enjoyment. Whether it's a complicated polygon or an average right angled garden, you can always
expect a quality landscape design to create a space that will truly be a valuable asset for many years to come.

The Right Building Professionals for the Right Job

Phoenix Boulder Walls

Constructing a house is no easy task. There are various complications involved from the inception
stage all the way to the finishing touches.  Since not all house owners are always well versed on the
specifics of construction projects, it is not always easy to understand what needs to be done and how.
This is where professionals step in. Without the guidance of  a professional or a few professionals, the
construction of a house can end in disaster and major loss.

The planning stage is the most important part of any construction project. This calls for an architect.
Choosing the right one will not be very difficult as there are plenty of architects and building design
companies that you can choose all over New South Wales. The right way to start your meetings with an architect or a few of them, would be to have a design brief prepared by yourself. This will help you to communicate your ideas more clearly to the designer.

Once you have your designer and you are well aware of what you need, you need to find the right
contractors for the  job. Oftentimes, an architect will direct you to a trusted contractor. However, if you are only choosing the architect to draw up a plan, you may need to find your own contractors. Choosing a quality construction company that provides all associated services can be a good way to go. However, there are plenty of smaller companies that provide individual services such as earthworks, wood work and landscaping work.

Since most construction projects start with earthworks, a company like Phoenix Boulder Walls would be an ideal choice to ensure a quality job at an affordable price. The company specialises on earthworks, driveway construction, retaining walls and a range of landscaping and structural work that require proven professional qualifications and the skills honed over the course of many active years in the construction industry. Aside from their professional skills, Phoenix Boulder Walls will also provide the right materials for the job. With many years of experience and various successfully completed projects behind them, Phoenix Boulder Walls will also make sure that they provide top quality materials to make sure that the task is completed with regard to the highest of industrial standards.

Choosing a company for walls, roofs, floors and finishing work will require some thought. Would you be comfortable with separate companies handling each aspect or would you find it to be more comfortable to handle it to a single contractor? A search on the internet or the yellow pages and even at the local building materials supply store will tell you what you need to know about local construction contractors who provide a good job at a good price. Be sure to check your options before you settle on one. There are contractors who purchase their own materials and then there are also those who will require you to provide the materials. The best option would be to opt for a company that supplies their own materials to save time for you.

Whether or not to hire an interior designer is entirely up to you. If you are building a house, an interior designer may feel like a frivolous expense but they are highly trained in the art of making sure that your available space is utilised with extreme care to create something beautiful and functional at the same time. If you are not equipped with furniture, an interior designer will also be able to help you find good furniture manufacturers and should you have your own pieces, give you the guidance on how best to use them.

As for the garden, once again, Phoenix Boulder Walls can be your chosen contractor to create the
perfect driveway, a rock wall around the perimeter or even to lay pad stones and even to level uneven
ground as per your requirements. What you need to keep in mind when you construct a house with the aid of professionals is to aim for quality over quantity. It is not uncommon for home owners to regret their choice of materials supplier and contractor due to sub-standard work and poor quality materials that create problems after a while. Using the right professionals will ensure a construction project to flow smoothly, not exceed the budget and making sure that the work lasts a lifetime.

Supporting Structures and Your Garden

Many home owners dream of creating the perfect garden to compliment their house. There are various complications involved in the process and the need for professional assistance is always present from the inception stage until completion. Needless to say, not all gardens are the same. Some are spacious with compact soil that is easy to manage while others are small and oddly shaped. It is not entirely unlikely that a resident in Gold Coast may end up with a garden that requires supporting structures to maintain integrity and safety as well as the desired external appearance.
When it comes to dealing with odd shaped gardens and non-compact soil conditions, there are various complications involved. If you decide to employ a professional landscaping designer, they will be able to identify the problem areas of your gardens and then to design suitable solutions. The very first thing you need to keep in mind is that landscaping projects tend to be quite costly when there are various complications involved. Uneven topsoil conditions, high water content and weather patterns can all cause various obstacles to creating the perfect garden you have in mind. 

In the case of unstable soil in a garden, supporting structures are often requires. In most cases, a soil
analysis is carried out before any construction takes place in a plot of land. This results in a soil report
that is taken into consideration by architects and engineers when it comes to creating the house plan.
If you are dealing with an unstable soil situation, you may want to consult your soil report or consider
getting one done again. Learning about the real situation beneath your feet is the best way to avoid
unnecessary surprises and to make way to save a great deal of money in the long run. In most unstable soil situations, putting up retaining walls is a most common solution.

If you find that your plot of land being located close to water bodies and natural cliffs or slopes, then
you may have to consider retaining walls even if your land's soil is strong enough. Unstable land is
dangerous and unsuitable for construction. Therefore, the consultation of an engineer will be needed to figure out what sort of supporting structures you will need, how they are constructed and also, the cost.

Retaining walls are always effective at their intended purpose. However, they are also quite costly.
The types also range, depending on the specific places that you are going to add them. Once again,
an engineer is needed to determine the right type of retaining wall as well as the construction details.
Needless to say, a supporting structure such as a retaining wall needs to be constructed with high
quality materials to ensure strength and durability. It is best to hire a professional in Gold Coast
retaining walls  to construct the structure as well. Choose a company with plenty of experience on the
particular type of retaining wall to expect the best results. A local business will ensure better insight into the local conditions as well as an affordable price.

Apart from the structural stability, you also have to think about the visuals. For instance, a blank
concrete retaining wall will not necessarily be the most attractive addition to a perfectly manicured
garden unless it is properly designed and decorated. Making sure that the appearance of your garden is not spoiled while you are able to be assured on the safety of the structure is not always easy. However, there are many ways to conceal supporting structures within your garden. For instance, placing plants, statues or simply painting it can make a considerable difference. In some cases, it is actually possible to construct them using various types of rocks that will look great with the rest of your garden. It is always best to consider all options before you decide on the type of structure you wish to construct.

In the end, a supporting structure has to provide more than just stability to your garden. It will also
become an integral part of your garden's design. Therefore, making sure that your support structures
don't interfere with the garden's overall design while still serving their intended purpose is the right way to proceed when it comes to landscaping with supporting structures.

Problems Encountered During Landscaping Projects

Having a lovely garden is not only a benefit to the aesthetic appearance of a house but also to its overall value as well as the good health of its residents. However, not all houses come with perfect gardens.
If you have a newly constructed house or have moved into a new house, you may find the need to change the garden to suit your specific needs and preferences. There are various problems that are
encountered when one ventures into complicated projects such as landscaping.

The majority of landscaping problems occur due to improper planning, not employing proper
professionals and of course, budget related issues. Starting off with a good plan for your project is
the best way to make sure that you don't hit any roadblocks on the way. For starters, you should
not venture into projects that cost you a considerable sum of money without going through your
finances beforehand. The very first step of any landscaping project should be to contact a professional
landscaping designer to get an idea of all the major details.

 Just like any other construction project, a landscaping project needs to be handled with care and with
the aid of qualified professionals. In order to make sure that you are able to spend your money wisely
and obtain the intended results, you have to start by assessing the situation at hand. What sort of a
land are you dealing with? Just how much are you comfortable to spend? What sort of a design do you have in mind? These are all valid questions that need to be addressed to, in the inception stage. Failing to employ the right kind of professional at this stage can cause you various problems. For starters, you may not be able to identify any problems with the land unless they are immediately obvious. A soil analysis is often requested in the starting stages. This analysis will provide information on the type of soil, the water table, any instabilities as well as all other factors that may cause problems later on. Let's not forget about any soil treatments needed to treat the soil for plant growth or pest control. This is especially important if the land is going through its first landscaping project.

The initial analysis and soil report will be able to tell you a great deal about your land. Your landscaping designer will be able to come up with suitable solutions for any problems that the land may have. For instance, if your land has generally weak soil and uneven terrain, then you will be able to put up retaining walls or other suitable support structures to prevent landslides in the future. Communicating your vision to the designer is also important unless you are letting them take the reins. If you have any ideas on what you may like, be sure to let your designer know at your earliest to make sure that their task is easier while saving time for you. In addition, this will also ensure that you are well aware of the possibility and practicality of your ideas at an early stage.

The budget often causes problems. Obtaining a bill of quantities or a quote for the entire project will
allow you to keep an eye on the cash flow. Once again, a professional landscaping designer will be able to guide you on cutting corners and doing certain things at a lower cost. For instance, designers are well known to get discounts from suppliers as well as to know where to find the suppliers in the first place.

A good designer will also be able to help with the selection of good contractor for various parts of the
project as well. For example, if you are a home owner in Brisbane, your landscaping designer will be able to help you find the best builders of Brisbane retaining walls to build the supporting structures in your garden. Not unlike most other construction projects, landscaping projects also have expensive mistakes and problems. The best way to avoid them is to hire quality professionals, select reputed suppliers and to always start with a good plan. There is no better way to enjoy your new garden than to know that you managed to build it without running into any costly problems.

The Perfect Rustic Garden

Rustic gardens create the perfect combination of wilderness and carefully planned landscaping. Rustic gardens are quite a popular trend that allows garden owners to be creative, imaginative and to create a unique space out of just about any type of land. If you are a fan of wrought iron weather vanes, wooden fences and lush greenery that is just slightly overgrown to perfection, a beautiful rustic garden would be a perfect choice for you. Whether you are the owner of a vast expanse of grassy, flat terrain or whether you have a small back yard with angles and odd corners, the rustic style can easily be adapted to any garden within just about any climate without a lot of trouble. Whether you wish to go for something lavish and elegant or whether you are seeking for something simple and easily manageable, the rustic way of garden design is versatile enough to serve both ends of the spectrum.

Let's get started. As per the usual, you have to measure the available space and make sure that you
are well aware of how much of a 'canvas' you have to work with. The amount of available space, it's
dimensions, angles and terrain will help you determine the various elements that go into the garden.
It is recommended by professional garden designers that you take the measurements as early on as
possible to avoid going back and forth due to uncertainties.

Finding a clear vision is not that difficult. Rustic style gardens are very easy to work with due to the
fact that there are very little strict boundaries. The first step is to choose the right kind of accent. For
a large garden, there may be many accents. For instance, a wooden gazebo, a few garden seats, a well
and even the boundary wall can be taken together as accents. The idea is to place them in such a way
that the look almost randomly placed without appearing forced. The result is a very relaxed, laidback
atmosphere. As for a small garden, smaller accents are a better option. Flowering shrubs planted in
wooden boxes or old barrels, climbing vines grown on wrought iron grates or a trellis,  a few bird feeders or (if you can spare the space) even a swinging garden seat can be appropriate accents when space is limited. Finding the right kind of plants is important. This is where certain limitations may arise. While certain types of ivy, wild flower bushes and tall grasses are ideal, they may not grow in all climates. In such cases, you will need to seek the assistance of your local gardening store and improvise accordingly. As mentioned earlier, rustic gardens are incredibly versatile and easy to manage. You can keep things true to the description by selecting plants that have the right appearance but grow very well in your area.

For instance, if you live close to the Gold Coast, the climate allows you to select from a wide range of ferns, grasses and colourful flowering plants to add to your rustic garden.
The next step is to decide how to make the structural elements in the garden, fit in with the rustic
theme. Bare brick walls, wooden fences and natural water structures may fit in perfectly to create the
intended effect. However, when it comes to boundary walls, walk ways and supporting structures such as retaining walls, things may get a little complicated. While it is not advised to let climbing vines grow on structural elements such as retaining walls, you can always paint them, use rustic themed cladding or conceal them with other elements quite easily. If you are building new elements such as a boundary wall or partitions, you can always settle for rock walls, trellis partitions or wooden fences for great effect.

Needless to say, structural integrity ought not be sacrificed by sticking to the theme. This means that
when you are putting up a rustic looking rock wall or retaining wall, the right material suppliers and
builders of boulder walls Gold Coast are the ideal choice for longevity.
Bear in mind that rustic gardens are not always manicured to perfection. It is the slight overgrown
appearance and 'randomly placed' effect that add to the old time charm.