Monthly Archives: August 2012

Visit the Annual Flower Trial Garden for Landscape Ideas

Posted on by
Reply

Are you familiar with the Flower Trial that take place every year here in Colorado? If so, did you also know that it helps determine what flowers the rest of the country will enjoy in their landscapes? The reason being is because if a flower can withstand Colorado’s hail, harsh winds, scorching sun, and dry climate then it can thrive nearly anywhere.

While voting for this year’s trial has already taken place, we think the Annual Flower Trial Garden is a great place to visit to gain inspiration and ideas for your landscape. Full of perennials, annuals and pansies, the garden provides you with the chance to not only view a wide variety of flowers, but note their growing conditions and habits, tolerances and visual characteristics. It’s as if you get to try them out before adding them to your landscape.

Annual Flower Trial Garden

If you would like to take a trip up to CSU to get a glimpse of the Trial Garden visit www.flowertrials.colostate.edu for directions and additional information. When you are ready to discuss the details of your landscape design with a professional landscaper in Denver call Phase One Landscapes at 303-750-6060.

Source: CSU

Thornton’s Mandatory Water Restrictions Begin Sept. 1

Posted on by
Reply

water restrictions

If you are a resident of Thornton and you haven’t heard the latest news, the city has declared a Stage 2 Drought Warning in an effort to reduce water demand by 30 percent. The new warning level will activate mandatory water restrictions for all water customers beginning September 1, 2012. To ensure that you are doing your part in helping preserve the community’s water it’s important to be in compliance with the restrictions. A few of them that will take effect include:

  • Turf watering limited to 2 days a week.
  • No turn watering between the hours of 10 am and 6 pm.
  • No turf watering between the months of November 1, 2012 and April 15, 2013.
  • Turf sod/seed irrigation permits are required.
  • No installation or irrigation of new turf sod/seed in July and August, 2013.
  • Water waste is prohibited by City Code.
  • Fines for violations of the rules are $200 for the 1st Violation, $500 for the 2nd, and $1,000 for the 3rd.

If you would like more information and additional details on Thornton’s water restrictions visit Thornton Water.

 

 

 

 

Top Ways Hardscaping Can Help Your Landscape

Posted on by
Reply

When the majority of people begin thinking about hiring a landscaper, they often envision the addition of colorful flower beds strategically placed throughout their yard, but that’s not all they do. Landscapers are also skilled at designing hardscapes that will work with and for your home to maximize its functionality and curb appeal. If you’ve never given them much thought, when it comes to your landscape, hardscaping can:

  • Expand your outdoor living space, including your outdoor kitchen or barbecue area.
  • Direct traffic to and from your home, as well as through your garden.
  • Add texture and color to your design.
  • Define and add structure to an area.
  • Create privacy and screen the view.
  • Correct a grade.
Hardscape created by Phase One Landscapes in Denver

Drylaid moss flagstone creates a rustic feel for this planting wall.

For more information on exactly how hardscaping can help your landscape contact Phase One Landscapes at 303-750-6060 if you reside in the Denver area.

Source: HGTV

6 Strategies to Help Your Landscape Survive the Drought

Posted on by
Reply

With temperatures still extremely high, Colorado remains in a state of drought. And even though we shared a few tips on how to deal with it, your yard may still be suffering from the terminal heat. To help your landscape survive the drought, take heed of these six strategies from the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC):drought

  1. Don’t water just because “it’s my day.” Soil moisture is the best indicator of when it really is time to water. An easy way to test for soil moisture is to probe your lawn with a screwdriver.  If it goes into the soil easily, that indicates sufficient moisture but if the screwdriver can’t probe the soil, apply water to that area.
  2. Take advantage of new technologies.  If your sprinkler has a smart timing device use it to cut water costs.
  3. Get back to the basics with your sprinkler system.  Review your system to check for faulty parts or sprinkler heads that are watering streets and sidewalks instead of grass.
  4. Don’t cut the lawn short during a heat wave.  Instead, raise the cutting height of the mower to 3 inches so that after mowing, there is grass long enough to shade the soil and keep moisture in the soil.
  5. Check moisture levels around trees and other plants. Insert a deep-root watering into the soil about 12 inches deep at several locations within the drip line of the tree.
  6. Make informed decisions if you are installing or renovating a landscape this year. Good decisions about soil improvements, the plants you select and where they are placed, the type of hardscape materials (rock, flagstone, etc.) and drainage options will maximize your ability to end up with a healthy and water-wise landscape you can enjoy for years to come.
If you think your landscape needs professional help to survive the drought, contact Phase One Landscapes at 303-750-6060.

Colorado Homes & Lifestyles Q&A with Phase One Landscape’s Dave Graham

Posted on by
Reply

Phase One Landscape’s principal and co-founder Dave Graham sat down with the folks over at Colorado Homes & Lifestyles magazine for their Expert Advice feature.  To find out more about what makes this pillar of Denver Landscape Architecture tick, head on over to Colorado Homes & Lifestyles’ website.

Dave Graham Denver Landscape Architect

Phase One Landscape's Principal Landscape Architect Dave Graham

 

What questions would you ask an expert in Landscape Design & Construction?

4 Brick Patterns to Consider for Your Patio

Posted on by
Reply

Are you considering adding a patio to your home for your friends and family to enjoy? If so and you are interested in a look that will never go out of style and blend with nearly every setting, we suggest you consider brick. Brick is a great material choice because not only is it extremely durable, but it will also supply your outdoor with a classic look. If you do happen to choose to create your patio from brick, the next big decision you will make will be choosing the pattern to lay it in. Four of the most popular patterns to consider include:

  1. Basket weave- pairs of bricks laid horizontally and verticallybasket weave brick pattern
  2. Herringbone- diagonal rows of bricks  in alternating directionsherringbone brick pattern
  3. Running bond-  multiple rows or bricks where the ends of the bricks in one row align with the centers of the bricks above and below themrunning bond brick pattern
  4. Stacked bond or Jack-on-Jack- bricks are placed in even rows and columns to create a symmetrical grid pattern stacked bond or jack on jack brick pattern

If you think a brick patio design is right choice for your landscape call Phase One Landscapes at 303-750-6060.

Images: houzz

Garden Chores to Complete in August

Posted on by
Reply

Does Colorado’s unbearable heat have you running for shade every chance you get? We know you want to stay cool, but there are a few chores your need to take care of in your yard garden this August, such as:

  • Composting: As you may have noticed summer’s heat breaks compost down fast, so start building a new pile for fall now. Set any compost that is currently cooking to the side to continue composting since it’s too hot to place around plants.
  • Lawn care: Allow your grass to grow higher to provide share to your plants’ roots and to cool the soil. Also remember to raise your mower height so the sun doesn’t scorch your grass soon after cutting.
  • Tend to houseplants: If you moved any indoor plants outside for the summer remember that they will need fertilizer every 10 to 14 days.

If you would prefer to leave your garden chores in the hands of landscape professionals call Phase One Landscapes at 303-750-6060.

Image: idealhomegarden

8 Easy Ways to Add Beauty to Your Yard

Posted on by
Reply

phase-one-landscapesIf you are looking for ways to spruce up your landscape, you may be surprised at the number of ways you can add beauty to your yard. Here’s a list of eight different things you can do to easily add beauty to your yard.

  1.  Re-mulch your garden bed. It makes a big difference when done right.
  2. Add new types of flowerbeds. Flowers are the eye-candy of landscape. The right fit can set the entire theme.
  3. Coordinate your shrubs and bushes to mesh well with the rest of your landscape.
  4. Consider adding hedges. They can vary in style depending on your preferences.
  5. Add landscape architecture. The right architecture in the right place can transform your landscape.
  6. Eliminate eyesores caused by weeds by effectively removing them.
  7. Incorporate hardscapes to add texture.
  8. Illuminate and highlight areas of your landscape by including outdoor lighting.
Would you prefer that a professional do it? If so, call Phase One Landscapes today at 303-750-6060.

 

Common Gardening Mistakes to Avoid in Your Landscape

Posted on by
Reply

If you’ve ever taken on a do-it-yourself project that turned out horribly then you know how costly and time consuming mistakes can be. So before you head out into your yard to begin digging and planting take a look at a few of the common gardening mistakes you should avoid at all costs to save yourself time and money in the long run.woman gardening

  • Making too many changes too soon. If you’ve recently moved live with your landscape for a year and observe how many hours of sunlight each part receives, test the pH of your soil, and note when your lawn greens up in spring and becomes dormant in late summer.
  • Planting with no plan. Hire a landscape designer to create a complete plan for your landscape that includes what you want now and things you may want later.
  • Neglecting the roots. Water new bushes, trees, and plants at the base for 20-30 minutes two times a week.
  • Not considering the sun. Don’t pick plants solely based on looks; observe where you want to place the plant to ensure that it features the right amount of sunlight.
  • Over-watering. Only water two to three times a week for 30-40 minutes to discourage disease, root rot, and premature plant death.
  • Forgetting to budget. If you are building a new home allocate 10% to 20% of your construction budget to the landscape and if you can’t, make plans to design your landscape in stages.

To avoid making any of these garden mistakes allow our team at Phase One Landscapes to maintain garden and landscape by calling 303-750-6060.

Source: houselogic