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.
Phase One Landscape's Principal Landscape Architect Dave Graham
What questions would you ask an expert in Landscape Design & Construction?
Have you slowly begun to take on a more sustainable lifestyle? If so, chances are that you’re looking for ideas on how to do so in multiple aspects of your life, including your landscape. There are many ways to go green with your lawn and garden; one of them being through the use of organic fertilizer. If you are unfamiliar with organic fertilizer check out this quick rundown…
For help choosing the best organic practices for your landscape call Phase One Landscapes at 307-750-6060 if you reside in the Denver area.
Image from Go Organic Gardening
Are you looking to get a head start on learning about green landscape maintenance so that you’re ready to use the practices when spring rolls around? One of the first ways you can go green with your landscape is by saving water. Ten ways you can conserve water in your landscape include…
- Water your landscape according to its needs. If you can easily insert a 6-inch screwdriver into the soil it doesn’t need watering.
- Water early in the morning when the wind is low and evaporation is less likely. Watering in the morning also helps to ward off turf disease.
- Skip watering on days following 1/2 inch or more of rain and on cool, cloudy days plants use less water and there is less evaporation.
- Update your sprinkler system. Consider upgrading or installing drip irrigation or underground watering systems to limit evaporation and to apply water to plants’ roots more efficiently. You can also redesign your yard to include separate watering zones for trees, flowerbeds, gardens and lawns.
- Check your sprinkler system to see how long each zone is scheduled to run and adjust the timer. A shade zone will require less water than a hot, sunny area and be sure to check sprinkler heads frequently to make sure that they are functioning properly.
- Plant native plants that are accustomed to the area’s normal rainfall, soil, and climate.
- Aerate. Aerate to relieve soil compaction and allow for better water, air and fertilizer penetration.
- Mow efficiently. Set your mower at the highest level possible and make sure the blade is sharp so it will cut blades of grass properly. Leave clippings on the lawn to recycle nutrients back into the soil.
- Fertilize to replenish the nutrients in the soil
- Mulch. Apply mulch to reduce evaporation, retain moisture in the soil and control weed. (CNGA)
If you would like to discuss how your landscape can be redesigned to better conserve water give us a call here at Phase One Landscapes at 303-750-6060.
Did the recent snowfall following the 60 degree weather have you scrambling to clear the walkways and driveway of your home? While it is important to clear your walkways for you safety as well as that of your family, you must consider the effect of salt on your landscape. It can wreak extreme damage on your vegetation, which is why you should consider using other non-harmful options.
A few green alternatives for de-icing your walkways includes:
The day has come in which family and friends across the country will join together in celebrating all that they are thankful for as will we. The entire Phase One Landscapes staff has much to be thankful for and one of those things is you, our readers. We appreciate you visiting our blog for the latest in industry trends, tips and hints on caring for your landscape, ideas on how to go green and everything else landscape related. With that being said we wish you a happy Thanksgiving and we look forward to bringing you more on landscape design after the holiday!
Have you have been dreaming about warm weather since the very first day Denver experienced frigid temperatures? If so make your dreams of carefree lounging in the comforts of your backyard a reality and begin planning your outdoor room this winter. Winter is the best time to begin preparing for your outdoor room because it can be complete or nearly complete by the time the warm weather kicks back in. Now is also a good time because not as many people are seeking landscape architects, which means even more focus will go towards your project.
If you want to be able to enjoy the first nice day of spring in your very own outdoor room begin planning it now keeping these things in mind:
If you are ready to begin planning your outdoor room this fall call Phase One Landscapes at 303-750-6060
While there are many different ways to keep your garden looking fresh and kept throughout the colder months of autumn and winter, few ways prove to be as continuously beneficial in the spring and summer as rock landscaping will. Rock landscaping, also known as “rockscaping” is a method of interspersing rocks of varying sizes, shapes and types into an existing landscape bed in order to add depth, contrasts and inanimate elements that don’t need to be tended to like their living, breathing green counterparts. When arranged correctly, rockscaping provides a tasteful, low-maintenance landscape option that still looks aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.
And fortunately, Colorado’s sprawling terrain has plenty of stone formations to choose from. But the key to creating a successful rock landscape is to intersperse the correct foliage around strategically. After all, a landscape with no greenery wouldn’t really be much of a landscape at all. Phase One Landscapes suggest that grasses and hearty location-specific annuals be planted in groupings centrally to your front and back yard when aiming for a tailored and sophisticated rock landscape.
For more information on how Phase One Landscapes can help create the perfect “rockscape” for you, contact us today at (303) 750-6060.
Mother in Law's Tongue adds lots of oxygen to the air
Phase One Landscapes knows that just as much as outdoor plants can help accent the exterior of your home, indoor plants have their fair share of benefits too and are nice decorations for homes and offices. If you like taking care of indoor foliage, then here’s a reason to get one more potted plant. Some types of houseplants can improve air quality. If you’re sensitive to dust or mildew, there are a few houseplants that might reduce your sniffles.
During the day, the Areca Palm generates a lot of oxygen. Plant scientists recommend that you buy four shoulder-high plants for each person in your home, but you can still benefit from having just a couple of these trees around the house.
Mother-in-Law’s Tongue generates more oxygen in the evening. Again, plant scientists recommend having six to eight plants per person. However, you can still enjoy the benefits of a good supply of oxygen through the night, even if you don’t own that many of these plants.
If you are interested in removing volatile organic compounds from the air (VOCs), the Money Plant is your foliage of choice. It acts like a filter that can remove VOCs like formaldehyde out of the air, improving air quality.
If you’re looking for something equally as aesthetically pleasing as it is useful, try the English Ivy. It’s easy to care for, and can be trained to climb book cases and be hung from ceiling hooks .
Want more ideas of these useful plants? Check out PersonalDividends.com. Their website has a list of house plants that can leave the air in your home fresher.
Photo Courtesy of PersonalDividends.com
While a lively variety of assorted plants and flowers in your landscape can certainly spice up its look, sometimes it takes a little bit more than that to truly give a landscape some real flavor. Phase One Landscape always suggests homogeneously blending elements that are both organic and inanimate when trying to create a new look—especially here in Denver where there is such a wide variety of species to choose from. For example, adding a Korean grass pond and koi fish are great natural elements to introduce into a yard that also has many stone fountains and LED walkway lights. Even if it’s a man-made pond, harmony can still be achieved.
The same type of blending can take place with planters. Vibrant planters of varying shapes and colors coupled with soft, natural flora are a great way to craft a balanced background of natural and inorganic at the same time.
Take a look at a few other plants tips we came across from Freshome on dressing up your patio with inspiring planters:
- Let your patio furniture inspire your planters
- Coordinate with the architecture of your home
- Innovative ideas for planters
- Understated doesn’t have to be boring
Contact Phase One Landscapes today to learn more about how we can create the perfectly balanced landscape for you.
Photo Credit: Freshome
What better time than the summer to go out and get a little dirty while enhancing your landscape? This is the time of year that you spend the most time outside enjoying your landscape, so why not put your green thumb to work. Not only will the results be aesthetically pleasing, you will also come to find that gardening can be incredibly relaxing and cathartic. To look back and see your handy work, your effort, your sweat in a fully bloomed fernbush is gratifying, to say the least.
Being that it is summer, the amount of sunlight that plants receive is at an all time high. No worries though–Phase One Landscapes has got two great suggestions for Colorado-area plants that will flourish in the summer heat and have your landscape be the talk of the neighborhood. Prepare to have your backyard mistaken for a floral oasis!
Take a look:
1. Fernbush - This plant requires very little water and minimal maintenance. It and produces bunches of small white flowers during the late spring and on through the early summer months.
2. Yarrow – a group of Rocky Mountain perennials that require sparse watering once established. Throughout the summer, flowers will begin to blossom at the tips of the tall stalks of the plant.
If you’d the type that would rather leave it to the professionals, contact Phase One Landscapes today and let us help with your landscaping needs this year!
