6 Steps to Winterizing Your Patio

winter patio plants

Bring some wintry plants onto the patio to spruce things up

Now that the weather is chilly, it’s time to bring the winter fun out onto the patio.  That’s right; just because it’s cold doesn’t mean we have to bring everything inside and hibernate.  Yes, winterizing your patio can take some time, but here are 6 of the things to put on the to-do list in the colder months:

  • Take down your awnings, clean them and store in a dry place
  • Remove patio umbrellas and bring them to the dry cleaners or wash yourself, then store in a dry area
  • Cover or store the grill unless you would like to use it while it’s cold out, and familiarize yourself with the original instructions and warranty when you want to grill outside
  • Prepare a portable fire pit.  Gather logs together and store them in a dry spot until you need to warm up by the fire.  Stock up on supplies to make s’mores, too!
  • Swap screen doors for storm doors and replace the welcome mat with something more durable, adding another mat inside to wipe your wet and snowy shoes
  • Decorate with cold weather-proof pots and window boxes for winter greens, statues and evergreen trees.

As you can see, not every one of these tips are fun, but they’re pretty necessary when it comes to winterizing your patio.  Make it more fun by gathering friends together to help or listening to music while you work.  For more tips, Phase One Landscapes, Inc. is a great resource.  Click the link here to go to the website.

Photo credit: Rowdy Rider

Keep Maintaining Your Landscape throughout the Winter

December is practically here and in a few short weeks we will officially enter winter. We know you probably want nothing more than to stay inside your home nice and warm, but your landscape will still require upkeep. After all, it is the work you put in now that will produce a gorgeous landscape for you to enjoy in the spring.

Before you wrap up and head out into your yard, know that throughout this month you should…

  • Deep-root water trees when the ground isn’t covered with snow or frozen.
  • Spread mulch on perennial beds, shrubs and trees.
  • Gently remove heavy snowfall from trees and shrubs.
  • Take note of any design changes you want to make.
  • Keep walkways clear of snow and ice.
  • Add winter interest with broadleaf evergreens

Be sure to check back with us for tips and hints on maintaining and designing your landscape as we trek into winter, and remember to give us a call at 303-750-6060 should you need our services!

Indoor Care for Your Outdoor Plants

Now that you’ve brought your outdoor potted plants in to be shielded from the cold weather, have you found yourself at a loss for how to care for them? We understand that you’re only accustomed to watering them when rain is scarce, or moving them to a new location based on their growing needs. Because of this we’d like to share a few tips on how to care for them now that they will be inside for awhile, also so that they don’t endure too much stress from the transition.

  • If you have yet to bring your plants indoors, clean the leaves first and then move them to covered outdoor area for a few days.
  • Bring them inside for a few nights, returning them to the outdoor covered area during the day.
  • Choose a bright and sunny place in your house to keep them.
  • Growth may slow down now that are indoors, so water them less frequently.
  • Occasionally spritz leaves with water.

Taking good care for your outdoor plants while they reside inside for the winter will better ensure that they are in good health for spring. If you have any tips on how you care for your outdoor plants once they are inside, share them in the comments section below.

Google Images

Happy Thanksgiving from Phase One Landscapes!

It’s Thanksgiving and the Phase One Landscapes crew would like to take the time to express our thanks to you. We truly appreciate each of you that visit our blog on a weekly basis to find out what’s going on in the landscape design industry, what we’re up to and for inspiring ideas for your landscape. We also appreciate each of you that share our work and information on our services to your friends, family and colleagues that are looking for a Denver landscaper. With that being said we wish you a happy Thanksgiving, we hope you enjoy your time off and we look forward to bringing you more on landscape design after the holiday!

If you plan to do any work in your landscape over the weekend, be sure to check out our latest posts full of fall landscaping tips!

Landscape Designs of Denver’s Most Expensive Homes

Everyone knows that curb appeal is huge part of the aesthetics of your home’s exterior, and the reason being is because it is one of the very first things people notice. Think about it; if you’ve ever driven past a home and immediately fell in love without stepping a foot in the front door or knowing its cost, part of the reason was the design of the home and the other its landscape. If you’d like to fall in love with your every time you pull in and out of your driveway, we suggest you invest in a new landscape design. To help get your creative juices flowing on the possibilities of your landscape’s design, we are going to share a few pictures of the designs from some of Denver’s most expensive homes.

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What are your thoughts on the landscape designs of Denver’s most expensive homes? To get the look for your landscape, call Phase One Landscapes at 303-750-6060.

Images: Huff Post Denver Real Estate

Landscape Design Trend: Sunken and Raised Areas

Have you grown tired of the one dimensional look of your landscape’s design? If you are we can help you change it with one of the latest landscape designs trends of raised and sunken areas. The addition of multiple sunken or raised areas to your landscape can add energy and excitement to your garden and flower beds that were once completely level throughout.

When considering the idea, keep these design tips in mind:

  • Make the difference in levels grand and obvious.
  • Make sure the sunken and raised areas are stylish and functional.
  • Use a subtle grade change to create a floating patio.
  • Create the illusion of sunken grass with a border of shrugs that define the space.

To get a better idea of what your landscape could resemble with shrunken and raised areas, take a look at these images we came across…

To begin planning your landscape design with sunken and raised areas be sure to call Phase One Landscapes at 303-750-6060 if you reside in the Denver area.

Remember Denver’s Wood Burning Fire Pit and Chiminea Law

outdoor fireplaceWe know you would love nothing more than to curl up with a blanket and a hot cup of coffee or cocoa in your outdoor living room with the open, wood fire from a fire pit or chiminea warming you? As would we, but outside from decorative purposes their use is outlawed in Denver unless you have a permit. According to the city’s website,

The regulation stems from the years of Denver’s “brown cloud” and the area’s subsequent efforts to maintain clean air standard. If you would like to pursue open burning, you must obtain permits from two different agencies: the Fire Prevention and Investigation Division and the Denver Department of Environmental Health. While they are available, they are rarely issued to individuals and never issued for chimineas.

For more information on Denver’s open fire burning laws visit the City of Denver’s website and give Phase One Landscapes a call at 303-750-6060 to discuss how we can help you redesign your landscape plans.

 Image: houzz

Fall Cleanup Tips to Prepare your Landscape for Spring

As of right now Denver is experiencing temperatures true to autumn, but the end of the week could possibly bring those that are drastically lower, reaching a high of only 41 degrees. If it does get that cold we know the last thing you will want to do is spend time cleaning your landscape, so we suggest you do it now. It’s important to clean up your landscape now because leaves and debris left throughout the winter can harbor disease, fungus and pests which can wreak havoc in the spring.leaves in grass

According to the ALCC, important things to do when cleaning up your landscape to prepare for spring include:

  • Remove all old veggies, vines, leaves and other debris from the garden.  .
  • Remove all weeds.
  • Add most greens, leaves and small plants to your compost pile. Leave out weeds whose seeds can get back to the garden when spreading the compost, as well as, tomato plants and large-stemmed vines.

If you’d prefer to have the professional help of a Denver landscaper contact Phase One Landscapes at 303-750-6060 to learn more about the maintenance services we provide.

Image: Chris&Rhiannon via flickr

Tips on Purchasing the Best Snow Thrower for Your Landscape

man using snow throwerNow that we’ve experienced our first few snow showers it’s time to dig out all your snow clearing gear in preparation for the season, but you may want to make a few changes. If you’ve spent previous years bent over, straining your back to clear the driveway and walkways of your home then you may want to consider investing in a snow thrower.

There are countless options available at various price points, but it’s important that you select one that meets the specific needs of your landscape. For help deciding on the best one to purchase, the ALCC recommends:

  • A small-size, single stage thrower if your home has a 1 or 2-car garage, driveway and minimum walkway areas clear. It operates best from ½ inch to 9 inches of snow and can move about 1,100 lbs. of snow per minute.
  • A medium size, single-stage snow thrower if your home has a 2-car garage, wide driveway and some walkways to clear. It can handle ½ inch to 12 inches of snow and move about 1,800 lbs. of snow per minute
  • A two-stage snow thrower if your home has a 3-car garage, larger driveway and/or large expanses of walkways to clear. It works best at snow depths of 5 inches or more and it can move up to 2,200 lbs. of snow per minute.
Be sure to keep checking back with us for tips and hints on how to clear the snow from the drive and walkways of your landscape!
Image: hubertk via flickr

Create a Getaway Space with a Destination Deck

There is nothing like coming home after a hard day at work and relaxing in your own private oasis. Perhaps you already have nice landscaping, a couple comfortable chairs, possibly some planters or benches; but does it have the panache that you really want? Why not consider turning that space into a destination deck?

  • Maybe your outdoor area is limited by things out of your control like your neighbor’s privacy fence and overhanging shade trees. Construct a large deck, build a wooden frame roof and then use sailcloth to create shade panels and side curtains. This both softens and blends the fencing, while giving a coastal vibe.

 

  • Whether it’s an Olympic sized pool or a small pond with a bubbling fountain, water is always soothing and calming. Construct a small stream with a viewing pond at each end. Install aerators to keep the water flowing and fresh. Decorate with river rock and water plants and build a small arched bridge leading to a cozy private sitting area. So relaxing!

 

 

  • If outside entertaining is a big part of your life, divided seating areas separated by planters, brick tables and decorative lattice are both practical and elegant. Built in benches, sectional seating and fire pits all surrounded by oversized planters full of easy to maintain greenery gives you the option to use a portion or all of the space.

 

Have an idea in mind that you are interested in starting? Give Phase One Landscapes a call today at 303-750-6060 and let them help make that dream a reality.

Images: HGTV