We have mentioned the Pacific Outdoor Living Design Center before, and they have an amazing event coming up where you can start to turn your own backyard into a private getaway. They are offer you the chance to bring in photos of your backyard, meet with landscape designers and receive a free design consultation. This will all take place on Saturday, April 10th 2010 from 9am-6pm. Be sure to check it out!
The question that I hear the most when it comes to water gardening is, how do I keep predators from eating the fish in my pond? There are a lot of ways to keep birds, raccoons, and other animals out heres a list of a couple of ways to do it.
When building your pond, remember to add a fish cave in the deepest part of your pond by stacking flagstone and leaving enough space for all of your fish in there. This will give all of your fish a place to swim and hide if a harmful predator is in the area. Most animals like raccoons will put their paws in to grab a fish but almost never fully submerge themselves in the water.
Scarecrow motion activated sprinklers are another way to scare away birds and other animals that have wandered into your backyard for a meal. These are the quickest to install and very popular with pond owners. They work similarly to motion activated flood lights, except they emits a 3 second burst of water to scare the pond predator away. These can easily be found online and in the ground in minutes.
Netting is also available to keep out those pesky predators from munching on your fish. There are lots of different sizes to choose from and can be trimmed down to fit your water feature. Visually this is not the best choice since you will see a black net over your entire pond, but it is effective.
Fountains are an easy way to add the looks of your backyard. Not only do they look great, but also come with the relaxing sound of water that everyone enjoys. The disappearing fountains are a little more unique since they bubble up and flow from the top and give the illusion of the water disappearing into a bed of gravel.
Aquascape have come up with a great product called the Aquabasin, which makes installation for any do-it-yourself builder quick and simple. This project can easily be done within a day and is very affordable.
You can purchase your own Aquabasin kit and your choice of fountain at the Pacific Outdoor Living Pro site. They even offer installation if this project seems a little too overwhelming for you.
Posted by: The Backyard Getaway / Category:
maintenance,
tips
For those of you that have a wooden deck as part of your outdoor living room, we always want you to keep in mind that regular maintenance is a must. The video below will go into more detail on how you can extend the life of your deck and avoid having to replace it.
These are some good tips, and it should be done regularly every year. It's some hard work, but it beats having to spend thousands of dollars because the wood has warped or split and no longer usable. If you need help finding a contractor near you, remember that Service Magic is always a great way to find qualified contractors near you. Read more »
It's about that time of the year again for the 6th annual Parade of Ponds to come back to town!
This years tour will have over 30 of the most magnificent backyard ponds and waterfalls on May 29th and 30th. The parade will start at the Pacific Outdoor Living Design Center in La Crescenta at 9am on both days. Advance tickets are available for $20 at the Design Center or by calling 818-247-9595. Ticket proceeds will benefit Five Acres and The American Red Cross. Also while your there, don't forget to enter for your chance to win a free pond for your home.
Water conservation is a big deal right now, and because there is a need to save water many people want to know, are drip irrigation systems a good way to go? With the laws being enforced on water consumption, you are going to make the most of what you use. With drip irrigation, you will be able to zero in on the areas you need watered and not waste it by spraying everywhere. The video below will get into some more details.
Drip irrigation systems focus the water used to go straight to the roots which causes less waste, this is best for potted plants and raised planters. Also when watering trees this is the best way to go, by adding a couple drip emitters around the tree you can do what is called "deep watering". This will help the roots to grow downward rather than coming up through the surface, and by having more control on the root growth you can save your hardscape from being cracked by large roots.
Rain Bird is a company we trust and have a wide variety of irrigation products including all the parts you need to make your own drip irrigation system. Head over to Rain Bird's website to get started on yours today.
Outdoor kitchens are very popular right now, and is a great way to really take advantage of your outdoor living space.
Outdoor kitchens gets rid of the problem of having to run in and out of the house for separate items, because you would now have everything within hands reach. Also you can easily make a kitchen that fits your specific needs. We have seen everything from refrigerators, pizza ovens, and even sound systems added to their kitchen.
If you can dream up your own ideas, it can pretty much be built. But like the video mentioned, make sure you only go with a certified and qualified installer. It can be difficult to determine who would be the best choice with so many out there. But this is where Service Magic can help you decide. They are the company that made this video, and can be a huge help in finding a qualified contractor. We suggest you go there first when you start your next project. For those of you in the Southern California area, Pacific Outdoor Living are not only highly rated by Service Magic, but can help you design an outdoor kitchen and then build it build it for you.
I came across a company called Woolypocket recently, and their products are a great and easy way to create an instant lush living wall on any vertical surface, indoor and out. This means that you can turn any plain or unused space into a wall mounted hanging garden.
Woolypocket carry various sizes of their Wally units including Wallys with 1, 3, and 5 pockets and since it is a modular system, you can use as many you like to fit any size of space.
Also for all of the Do-it-Yourself readers out there, installation is easy enough for an at home install but is also durable enough for commercial use.
Another plus of Woolypockets products is that they are breathable containers which means it allows soil to aerate naturally, which reduces the need to drain the containers and when the roots sense air they do something called air pruning. This is a natural process of stopping their own growth when they sense they've reached the limits of their space.
Woolypockets are made of recycled plastic bottles that have been industrially felted, and are stitched together by hand with a UV-resistant nylon thread.
If you are interested into starting your very own vertical garden at home, apartment, or business then we suggest heading over to Woolypockets website and start building your own modular system.
One of my favorite nurseries has to be Armstrong Garden Center. With their wide selection of everything from plants to fountains, you will be able to find anything you need for your landscape. I went to my local store yesterday to see whats growing and whats popular with the do it yourself gardeners out there.
Instantly I noticed that the annuals were in full bloom, which is an inexpensive way to quickly beautify your yard and add tons of color at the same time. Also if your just looking to fill in some spots in your garden, these plants would be a good way to do it.
After talking to the staff at Armstrong they let me know that now is the time to plant your vegetable garden, and that it is one of their most popular items right now. Here you can find everything from Tomatoes to herbs such as cilantro and basil.
If your looking to go green and save water in your yard, the Armstrong Garden Center has you covered. They have a large selection of drought tolerant plants like the succulents shown here, and the staff will let you know what you should when planting and caring for these types of plants.
A couple outdoor living displays were also set up by Pacific Outdoor Living and Monrovia which gave me a couple good ideas on what can be done in the backyard. Both displays showed a good examples on how fountains and ponds can really change your yard.
In all, the Armstrong Garden Center really is a one stop shop for your landscaping needs. The knowledgeable staff are always willing to help you, and will go as far as being your personal shopper and where you can use their expertise to help you choose plants. Or if you would rather learn how to care for your yard, they also offer classes to teach you what to do. For info on classes, events, or the address to any of the 33 locations in California head to ArmstrongGarden.com.
Water gardening is a great way to bring tranquility into your backyard getaway. Any homeowner that has built a pond or waterfall in their yard will tell you how much it has changed a dead space into a private oasis. This video we found online from California Waterscapes will give you a better idea of what its like to own a pond.
If the video sparked an interest to get your own private oasis, then we suggest that you take a look at Angies List. There you can find a local qualified installer, and also read reviews from past customers they have serviced. Now if your in the Southern California area, we recommend that you call California Waterscapes, they have an amazing satisfaction rate and are completely qualified to do this type of work.
The debate between using natural and artificial grass is ongoing, but I will be the first to admit that I have grown partial to going artificial. Why? Simply put, the benefits with artificial turf are far greater with the natural stuff.
Look at these two photos and then ask yourself, which one is artificial?
The answer is, the one on the left is not real grass. So other than the turf looking just as natural as, well the natural grass, what other benefits can we name? We asked the folks over at Jack's Turf a couple of questions on why homeowners should tear out their sod and go with their artificial turf.
The first benefit mentioned is water conservation. For those of you in California, then you know that saving the water supply is crucial right now. The average square footage of grass per house is around 750 square feet, and by replacing that space with artificial turf you can save about 56,000 gallons of water per year. Now think about how much money you will save every year by not using that water.
Still not quite convinced? Then think about all the time spent on maintenance. Who really likes getting up on Saturday morning to do chores? Not me, thats for sure. By going with artificial turf you cut out all of the work of mowing, re-seeding, and fertilizing your lawn. Instead you can sleep in and enjoy your weekend again.
If your in the Southern California area, contact Jack's Turf for a free estimate on replacing your yard with artificial turf.
First is this beautiful pondless waterfall that was built by California Waterscapes. This is great for smaller spaces where an entire pond can't fit, or if you would rather have a water feature in the yard for noise rather than fish. If you in the Southern California area there is a link on the left if you want an estimate from California Waterscapes.
I also spotted an outdoor dining set that is very practical and beautiful at the same time that was created by Pacific Outdoor Furniture. The table pictured above is a 4x10 piece that is made of solid redwood. Now for those of you that are worried about the environment, Pacific Outdoor Furniture only use wood that is FSC certified. That means the wood is farmed and no forests are destroyed in the process.
The 2010 Pasadena Showcase House For The Arts is right around the corner again this year, and this years home will be nothing less than breathtaking. This year the Cravens Estate was chosen to be renovated and returned to its original beautiful state.
Designed by renowned San Francisco architect, Lewis P. Hobart the Craven Estate was inspired by the baroque Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte and completed in 1930. The Estate is a refined three story, fifty-room residence with a wealth of architectural features.It originally encompassed 16 acres beginning at Orange Grove Blvd and extending to South Grand Ave. The estimated square footage of the home was 19,970 square feet. The total building cost of over $310,000 made this home one of the most expensive built in Pasadena at that time. The first floor had seven living rooms, a dining room, a kitchen and two pantries.The second floor included eleven bedrooms and six bathrooms.There were two bedrooms on the third floor.There was also a 1,082 square foot completed basement. Heat was provided by a gas furnace and five fireplaces.
Yesterday I made my way to La Crescenta to check out the Pacific Outdoor Living Design Center, and there is no other way to describe it than being completely breathtaking. Especially for someone like me who enjoys taking photos this place is a photographers wonderland.
The multiple ponds, waterfalls, fountains that are on display here make this more than just a store but somewhere that I would like to visit just to relax. The staff were completely knowledgeable on these water features and from over hearing some of the other customers that came in during my visit they were completely satisfied from the installation that Pacific Outdoor Living did for them.
The design center does not only offer the knowledge and installation of the ponds and waterfalls, but they also have all of the products needed for the regular maintenance, and can easily handle any repairs if needed.
Also on display are the paving stones which they also specialize in with a wide arrangement of colors and styles to choose from, and from my past experience are far more superior than any other hardscape available now.
If a full on construction job is not what your looking for, than take a stroll around the store and take notice of all the unique items available and design ideas that can easily be applied at your home.
If you are looking for any ideas on what can beautify your own yard, we highly suggest that you head over to the Pacific Outdoor Living Design Center located at:
Let me the first to introduce you to The Backyard Getaway, and give you a little idea on what we are all about. This site is dedicated to becoming your main source for outdoor design ideas that will help you get a little bit of paradise in your own yard. We will also bring you tips on easy home improvements and let you know about all the latest gadgets and products that are designed to make your life a little easier. So sit tight as we get more information up for you as soon as possible.
If you would like to contact us or submit your own backyard getaway, send us an email at TheBackyardGetaway@gmail.com.
