Here is another video that shows you the steps to take when changing an outdoor light fixture. While this may see to be a difficult task, it can be a quick job if done correctly. Of course like any other project, if this seems too overwhelming or maybe you have a more complicated project, then we do suggest that you contact a professional to handle the job.
Contact Service Magic if you have any further needs to find a qualified contractor to handle this job for you or any job that requires a trained professional.
There are a lot of myths out there on what is needed to maintain a pond, or on why a pond will bring you nothing but problems and headaches. Here are seven specific myths that I would like to officially destroy and hopefully help convince more of you out there to become a pond owner and water gardener.
Raccoons will eat all of your fish - Raccoons do not like to swim and will usually sit on the side to swipe fish with their paws. The fish are aware of a possible threat and will swim to the bottom and stay out of harms way until the threat goes away.
Rocks and gravel make it difficult to clean the pond - The Eco system pond will maintain a natural balance that allows mother nature to do the maintenance work on her own. Beneficial bacteria are able to colonize on the rock and gravel which are able to break down debris and muck that would usually feed algae and help it grow.
Fish cannot survive in cold climate - When temperatures drop the the fish will naturally swim to the bottom and hibernate during the winter, there is no need to bring them inside and protect them from the cold weather.
You must test your pond for PH daily - When working with aquariums and pools of water that use chemicals, you do need to check the PH balance often. But when working with a natural Eco system, there is no need to test
Ponds attract mosquito's - Mosquito's love stagnant water, so if the pond is stagnant then there will be mosquito's near by. The trick is to continuously have the water moving and less mosquito's will come around. Also any larvae on the water surface will be taken in by the skimmer and drowned, or eaten by the fish. A properly built pond can actually reduce the number of mosquito's in the area.
Draining and cleaning the pond must be done on a regular basis - If the pond you have is not working with a natural Eco system, draining and cleaning the pond will be a regular headache. But if you are taking advantage of a naturally balanced pond you may have your pond cleaned once a year max, and some don't require it at all.
The more filtration the better - If you were filtering water for drinking then more filtration is best, but when talking about a naturally balanced pond it is not necessary. Over filtering a pond can cause some maintenance problems that can become costly. if you can see a dime at the bottom of the pond, it is more than clean enough.
Still have more questions? Give California Waterscapes a call and they will be more than happy to answer them for you.
Pergolas are a good choice when looking to add to your outdoor area. But I do get asked often if this is an easy do it yourself project, or should a professional handle this line of work. Depending on ones experience in construction, it can be a DIY job, but I highly recommend you get a professional design done first.
There are some plans that you can purchase online, but who's to say that design which you saw on a computer screen would work perfectly with your home, hire a pro to do it. Once you have a design in hand then decide if this is a job you can take on yourself. This example here included columns, lighting, and electrical lines for a ceiling fan which can be very advanced for the average builder.
When choosing a designer or contractor, remember to always check references and past work. You only want quality work to be done on your house and this is the best way to find out how good they really are. Pacific Outdoor Living are professional landscape designers and builders and would be more than qualified in adding a pergola to you outdoor living room.
Posted by: The Backyard Getaway / Category:
tips,
video
The question that everyone asks, how do I choose the right contractor for the job? It's tough to choose especially when so many homeowners have nothing but horror stories to share. But don't worry there are still professionals out there, you just need to know where, and how to look. The video below features Terry Morrill, owner of Pacific Outdoor Living, as he shares a couple of tips and questions you can ask when looking for a qualified contractor.
Another easy way to see a contractors past record is by using Service Magic and Angie's List. both are websites dedicated to help you find a contractor that is going to do a great job. They do this by monitoring what contractors are being listed and allowing their previous clients to comment and rate them on their performance. We highly suggest you search across either website when choosing a contractor for your next project.
This is a common problem amongst most people when they mow their lawns, cutting it too short. This can cause a lot of problems for your grass and might even lead into replacing the lawn. First watch the video and learn exactly when the lawn should be cut shorter and when it should be allowed to grow a little more.
Most people have the idea that by cutting the lawn very short, they will not have to do it as often. The problem with that theory is when the sun beats down on the grass it will easily burn and kill the grass. The easiest way to put it is like this, Through May to September keep the lawn at about 3 inches, once fall rolls in drop it down to about 2 inches and you will be able to enjoy a lush green lawn all year long.
How would you like to received free trees to add to your landscape? The real question is, who wouldn't? Before I jump into the details on how you can get your free trees lets first tough on the reasons why you should do it and how it should be done.
Keep in mind that these trees that are being given away at zero cost to you, need to serve a certain purpose and are not simply for their beauty. These shade trees need to be used in order for you to be able to reduce your electric bill. How can that be done? By placing them in spots where the sun tends to beat down on your home, or where your air conditioning unit is. With less heat entering your home there will be less need for the air conditioning, and by giving the air condition unit more shade you will pull in more cool air and that leads to less usage.
So how do you get your free shade trees? I went through the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and they supplied me with 3 trees of my choice from an extensive list. They also included everything you need to get that tree to establish itself including steaks, food, and the proper soil. I had to take a quick online class and draw out the plan of where I intended to plant the trees. I received my trees within a month and that was it! The link below will help you get started on the process to receive your free shade trees through the LADWP, but if your not a part of that water district, we suggest that you call your utility provider and see what programs they are offering locally to you.
Posted by: The Backyard Getaway / Category:
ideas,
tips
The ability to upgrade on a tight budget can be tough, but it is possible. Quick inexpensive fixes can be found at your local hardware store, and can make a big difference. Always keep in mind that rather than starting a new project, try to make what you have a little better and improve on it. The video below will get into more details on what you can do with only $200 bucks to work with.
Need some more ideas? Check out HGTV's website as it goes beyond the TV shows with tons of design ideas online.
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.
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 »
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.
