Have you thought about what design would you want for your Calgary Landscape
It is nice to come home to a sanctuary you can call your own, after a good days work. A Your Calgary Landscape is the perfect place for that.
Calgary is an interesting place to plan a landscape as we are subject to erratic weather. I think everyone in Calgary has gone outside after a good night's sleep and seen a blanket of snow over their Backyard Landscape in May, June and sometimes even July & August.
Nevertheless, creating your own backyard paradise is totally worth it, despite the short season.
Think of the echo of streaming water while sitting on your patio enjoying a warm Calgary Morning, with your family there by your side making the most of your amazing landscape.
When planning your Calgary Landscape the first thing to do is decide on your budget and then fit your needs to your budget. Good Landscapers can be hard to come by in Calgary and the price of a good landscaper can certainly be reflected in the quality of their work. Just ask to take a tour of their Calgary Landscapes.
It can be tempting to hire the cheapest landscaper in Calgary, I can assure you that you are asking for trouble if you choose this route when hiring a landscaper.
Calgary has seen a major boom over the last couple years. Trades alike (especially landscapers) have exploded, it seems that anyone with a shovel has started to call them self a landscaper.
A while ago I went to a landscaping quote in Calgary and a couple needed a landscape retaining wall. They ended up getting a few landscapers to quote and the quotes came in with a spread of about $16,000.00. For a Calgary homeowner looking to do a landscape project, this is absurd.
Also, to add insult to injury, the lack of machinery made it impossible to dig down far enough to get to a proper sub base. Most Landscapers in Calgary at least have a skidsteer, a backhoe would be recommended for this project. Any Landscaper in Calgary knows that you have to get to the clay in order for a landscaper retaining wall to be stable.
Anyways, back to the couple in Calgary and the two landscapers with shovels. The Landscaper retaining wall was built without taking drainage into account and a short time after the landscaper wall was built a rain storm hit Calgary and caused the landscape wall to split apart.
The Calgary Couple took pride in their Landscaping, the Landscapers did not. What a familiar story. In the end, the Calgary homeowners re did the landscape wall. They had to pay for someone to take the landscaping apart and then pay for some one to rebuild the landscape wall.
Total cost: they ended up paying more for their Calgary Landscaping than if they had just done it right (with the high bidder) in the first place.
Consequently the Calgary couple picked the cheap landscaping quote. They ended up getting a couple of kids who called themselves landscapers. The Landscaping project ended up taking way longer than it should have and the Calgary Couple spent most of that summer in a Landscaping Construction mess.
Moral of the story, hire a Calgary landscaper who has references, a solid portfolio and low and behold, DO NOT hire a landscaper that comes in at half the bid price of the rest of the contractors, especially in Calgary.
I wish you all the best in your new landscaping project. Make sure you enjoy those warm Calgary Summers to it's fullest!
For more details: http://waterstones.ca
Monday, January 11, 2010
Calgary Landsacpe Design Tips
Well, spring in Calgary has hit again, the sun is in the sky and you look at your yard that needs something to be done with it for the longest time
You breath in the fresh air and try to come up with a landscape design that would work for you and your family .and the climate.
A couple questions to ask when deciding on what do with your Calgary landscape design.
Firstly, How do I go about designing a Calgary Landscape that will look visually pleasing yet take into account functional characteristics such as plant spacing and proper stable building techniques?
You could start with taking a look at yourself. Are you fit for the job? Landscaping is a job which takes a lot of work, even if designed by a professional designer.
Secondly, where is the best place in Calgary to find a Landscape designer that can take the raw canvass of your yard and turn it into a beautiful work of art that will suite your budget?
After you have picked your designer you need to take into account aesthetics and functionality, when creating a design for your Calgary landscape.
From an aesthetic point of view, a successful landscape design will incorporate the smooth curves of nature into the rigid lines of your house in Calgary.
As professional Calgary Designers we call this a smooth transition from house to home. It is established in Calgary backyard landscapes by designing smooth, curving gardens and hardscapes (such as patios and walls and water features) that follow the smooth lines of nature in such a way that your eye doesn't stop at any one particular spot.
Other functional considerations when designing landscapes in Calgary.
Doing things more that once is not good. That is why we get designs in the first place. This is detrimental to your success in Calgary.
What needs to be done, so that your landscape will stand up through the years?
Calgary is a great spot for building. This is simply because we have a lot of clay. In most residential areas, one only has to remove about a foot of organics before you can hit clay in Calgary. Anything 'black' is usually organic and will degrade or rot with time. Anything that is a beige color in Calgary is usually clay and can be considered stable for building, provided that the surface is undisturbed.
Once you have decided on the shape of your yard, the next step is to make sure your Calgary landscape is functionally solid.
What spacing requirements does a designer have to account for when creating a Calgary Landscape? This is important to think about when designing living areas such as patios as well as plants.
Learning how to successfully design the best landscape possible for your Calgary home is an art as well as a science.
Although, from my experience some of the most talented Calgary Landscape designers didn't have a formal education. They had a natural talent for designing landscapes and knew the Calgary area very well.
Good luck with finding a Calgary Landscape Designer .
What plants does a designer have to choose from that are native to the Calgary area?
If you do not have any of these things, I recommend getting a landscape designer in the Calgary area.
For more details: http://waterstones.ca
You breath in the fresh air and try to come up with a landscape design that would work for you and your family .and the climate.
A couple questions to ask when deciding on what do with your Calgary landscape design.
Firstly, How do I go about designing a Calgary Landscape that will look visually pleasing yet take into account functional characteristics such as plant spacing and proper stable building techniques?
You could start with taking a look at yourself. Are you fit for the job? Landscaping is a job which takes a lot of work, even if designed by a professional designer.
Secondly, where is the best place in Calgary to find a Landscape designer that can take the raw canvass of your yard and turn it into a beautiful work of art that will suite your budget?
After you have picked your designer you need to take into account aesthetics and functionality, when creating a design for your Calgary landscape.
From an aesthetic point of view, a successful landscape design will incorporate the smooth curves of nature into the rigid lines of your house in Calgary.
As professional Calgary Designers we call this a smooth transition from house to home. It is established in Calgary backyard landscapes by designing smooth, curving gardens and hardscapes (such as patios and walls and water features) that follow the smooth lines of nature in such a way that your eye doesn't stop at any one particular spot.
Other functional considerations when designing landscapes in Calgary.
Doing things more that once is not good. That is why we get designs in the first place. This is detrimental to your success in Calgary.
What needs to be done, so that your landscape will stand up through the years?
Calgary is a great spot for building. This is simply because we have a lot of clay. In most residential areas, one only has to remove about a foot of organics before you can hit clay in Calgary. Anything 'black' is usually organic and will degrade or rot with time. Anything that is a beige color in Calgary is usually clay and can be considered stable for building, provided that the surface is undisturbed.
Once you have decided on the shape of your yard, the next step is to make sure your Calgary landscape is functionally solid.
What spacing requirements does a designer have to account for when creating a Calgary Landscape? This is important to think about when designing living areas such as patios as well as plants.
Learning how to successfully design the best landscape possible for your Calgary home is an art as well as a science.
Although, from my experience some of the most talented Calgary Landscape designers didn't have a formal education. They had a natural talent for designing landscapes and knew the Calgary area very well.
Good luck with finding a Calgary Landscape Designer .
What plants does a designer have to choose from that are native to the Calgary area?
If you do not have any of these things, I recommend getting a landscape designer in the Calgary area.
For more details: http://waterstones.ca
Calgary Ponds
The summers are beautiful in Calgary, especially, with the tricking sound of a pond or waterfall. Ponds and Waterfalls seem to be the biggest trend in Calgary these days. With the Calgary boom as of the last few years, it seems that everyone and their dog want a waterfall or a pond to enjoy for themselves.
This, my fellow friends of Calgary, is a good thing. A pond or waterfall can add huge value to your home.
Most ponds in Calgary require cleaning about once a year. The bigger the pond, the less maintenance as natural processes will be able to do a better job of maintaining things. The clean out of your pond typically takes a couple of hours.
This is a big decision and there are a few things you must take into consideration when going ahead with a pond or waterfall for your home.
The first thing you should think about is your what you want. Personality and lifestyle are two important things. Do you have kids? Pets? This can be important in determining if a pond less waterfall or a pond is right for you in Calgary.
Maintenance is also a big one. There are not many companies that maintain ponds or waterfalls in Calgary, so it is best to figure out what you want to do. Both ponds and pond less waterfalls can be low maintenance if built properly.
Most people in Calgary pump the water out (to a safe spot that won't become too saturated with old pond water) and then pressure wash the pond bottom. Rinse and repeat a few time to get things a clean as possible.
In the winter, most people in Calgary leave their fish in their pond and get a small heater to keep a hole in the ice. It isn't the cold Calgary winters (even though we are blessed with Chinooks) that kill fish, it is the trapped gases underneath the ice. (especially in a small pond)
In regards to pond less waterfall maintenance, it is really easy. Many in Calgary leave their waterfall turned on for the winter, as a waterfall in Calgary in the winter looks amazing iced over. Beware that it doesn't get too cold or your pump could freeze.
Lastly, plant selection is key for you Calgary / Pond waterfall.For ponds, you need to take into account the pond's ecosystem and how different plants will survive in Calgary. Do you want to overwinter your plants or will you just re plant tropical’s every year. With waterfalls in Calgary there is not as much concern with ecosystem issues, but the important thing for anyone in Calgary who owns a waterfall is to plant it so it looks beautiful all year round. For this reason, most people in Calgary plant their waterfall with perennials.
Beneficial bacteria that you buy at the store and add to your pond will work well to help keep things in balance throughout the season once your pond is clean.
If things get too cold for your pond less waterfall make sure that you take your pump in for the winter. All that has to be done is to put your pump is a bucket of water in a frost free location.
Also, one must think about operating costs. A typical Aquascapes pump will cost in the neighborhood of $30 - $50 per month to run. This isn't too bad, but it can add up. Not everyone in Calgary is rich.
Well, these are just a few important things to look at when deciding on purchasing a pond or waterfall, but they are all important.
For more details: http://waterstones.ca
This, my fellow friends of Calgary, is a good thing. A pond or waterfall can add huge value to your home.
Most ponds in Calgary require cleaning about once a year. The bigger the pond, the less maintenance as natural processes will be able to do a better job of maintaining things. The clean out of your pond typically takes a couple of hours.
This is a big decision and there are a few things you must take into consideration when going ahead with a pond or waterfall for your home.
The first thing you should think about is your what you want. Personality and lifestyle are two important things. Do you have kids? Pets? This can be important in determining if a pond less waterfall or a pond is right for you in Calgary.
Maintenance is also a big one. There are not many companies that maintain ponds or waterfalls in Calgary, so it is best to figure out what you want to do. Both ponds and pond less waterfalls can be low maintenance if built properly.
Most people in Calgary pump the water out (to a safe spot that won't become too saturated with old pond water) and then pressure wash the pond bottom. Rinse and repeat a few time to get things a clean as possible.
In the winter, most people in Calgary leave their fish in their pond and get a small heater to keep a hole in the ice. It isn't the cold Calgary winters (even though we are blessed with Chinooks) that kill fish, it is the trapped gases underneath the ice. (especially in a small pond)
In regards to pond less waterfall maintenance, it is really easy. Many in Calgary leave their waterfall turned on for the winter, as a waterfall in Calgary in the winter looks amazing iced over. Beware that it doesn't get too cold or your pump could freeze.
Lastly, plant selection is key for you Calgary / Pond waterfall.For ponds, you need to take into account the pond's ecosystem and how different plants will survive in Calgary. Do you want to overwinter your plants or will you just re plant tropical’s every year. With waterfalls in Calgary there is not as much concern with ecosystem issues, but the important thing for anyone in Calgary who owns a waterfall is to plant it so it looks beautiful all year round. For this reason, most people in Calgary plant their waterfall with perennials.
Beneficial bacteria that you buy at the store and add to your pond will work well to help keep things in balance throughout the season once your pond is clean.
If things get too cold for your pond less waterfall make sure that you take your pump in for the winter. All that has to be done is to put your pump is a bucket of water in a frost free location.
Also, one must think about operating costs. A typical Aquascapes pump will cost in the neighborhood of $30 - $50 per month to run. This isn't too bad, but it can add up. Not everyone in Calgary is rich.
Well, these are just a few important things to look at when deciding on purchasing a pond or waterfall, but they are all important.
For more details: http://waterstones.ca
Calgary Gardeners
A Calgary Garden is about the seasons. Gardeners in Calgary should make the most of each season and appreciate what it can do for their Calgary Garden.
Passion is a word that could define a Calgary Gardener.
On the other hand, spring is when Calgary Gardens come alive again.
We only have short season to enjoy our gardens in Calgary. So as a Calgary Gardener, I like to make the most of the short gardening season.
The warm smell of lilacs permeating many Calgary Gardens on a nice spring day is what I look forward to every year. A passing bee loves to stop from flower to flower collecting nectar from a favorite Calgary garden.
The sometimes drawn out but mild Calgary winters are for reflection. Once should pay attentions to ambitions and desires during the off season.
Ecosystems come alive as vibrant colors re-emerge with only a small number of Garden plants.
Your pets suddenly have more energy as you let them outside to play around the garden, on a warm spring day in Calgary.
Oh yes, spring. It is a wonderful thing.
Calgary has a growing season of about four to five months. When winter hits, Calgary and city gardeners are used to a phenomenon called a Chinook.
Chinooks are good in the sense they save the people of Calgary really cold winters, but they are bad for Calgary Gardens. Plants in a typical Calgary Garden will get tricked into thinking that it is summer before being hit by really cold spells. This can be no good for plants in any Calgary Garden.
Cedars are one particular Calgary garden plant that should be wrapped with burlap if you want any hope whatsoever of survival.
A gardener friend of mine once told me that winter was invented so gardeners can decide what they want to do next spring. I believe it.
As well, with all of this, Chinooks cause plants to dry out. The warm blowing air quickly can remove an insulating blanket of snow and dry things out pretty quickly.
After the winter season in Calgary, spring arrives and gardens rejoice with life once again.
As a Calgary Gardener, I have learned like all seasons. This includes winter and the so called dreaded Chinook.
We must all celebrate and enjoy the off season so that we can get back to the basics and have fun designing the Calgary Garden space for the next coming season.
Or maybe if it is winter, get some indoor plants and create an indoor Calgary Garden!
Happy Gardening!
The newly formed plants again have life, completing the cycle of another year.
Every year that goes by seems to go faster than the last!
For more details: http://waterstones.ca
Passion is a word that could define a Calgary Gardener.
On the other hand, spring is when Calgary Gardens come alive again.
We only have short season to enjoy our gardens in Calgary. So as a Calgary Gardener, I like to make the most of the short gardening season.
The warm smell of lilacs permeating many Calgary Gardens on a nice spring day is what I look forward to every year. A passing bee loves to stop from flower to flower collecting nectar from a favorite Calgary garden.
The sometimes drawn out but mild Calgary winters are for reflection. Once should pay attentions to ambitions and desires during the off season.
Ecosystems come alive as vibrant colors re-emerge with only a small number of Garden plants.
Your pets suddenly have more energy as you let them outside to play around the garden, on a warm spring day in Calgary.
Oh yes, spring. It is a wonderful thing.
Calgary has a growing season of about four to five months. When winter hits, Calgary and city gardeners are used to a phenomenon called a Chinook.
Chinooks are good in the sense they save the people of Calgary really cold winters, but they are bad for Calgary Gardens. Plants in a typical Calgary Garden will get tricked into thinking that it is summer before being hit by really cold spells. This can be no good for plants in any Calgary Garden.
Cedars are one particular Calgary garden plant that should be wrapped with burlap if you want any hope whatsoever of survival.
A gardener friend of mine once told me that winter was invented so gardeners can decide what they want to do next spring. I believe it.
As well, with all of this, Chinooks cause plants to dry out. The warm blowing air quickly can remove an insulating blanket of snow and dry things out pretty quickly.
After the winter season in Calgary, spring arrives and gardens rejoice with life once again.
As a Calgary Gardener, I have learned like all seasons. This includes winter and the so called dreaded Chinook.
We must all celebrate and enjoy the off season so that we can get back to the basics and have fun designing the Calgary Garden space for the next coming season.
Or maybe if it is winter, get some indoor plants and create an indoor Calgary Garden!
Happy Gardening!
The newly formed plants again have life, completing the cycle of another year.
Every year that goes by seems to go faster than the last!
For more details: http://waterstones.ca
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