Posted By in Landscaping
Everyone has different landscaping dreams. Some people want that sprawling lawn and cottage garden. In contrast, others desire a peaceful and relaxing space with water features and cobblestone paths. Then some want somewhere they can hang out with friends and family, a place of fun and excitement. Landscaping for entertainment can take a lot of planning, and even an expert with an eye for detail. But one thing’s for sure; there is a lot you can do under the name of entertaining. Read on to learn how you can turn your backyard into a party paradise. Create a Focal Point Nothing in your landscape design should ever be random. There needs to be a point of focus, so what will it be? Some people like to install a spa or swimming pool, as this tends to be the significant drawcard for a gathering of friends. Swimming pools and spas can also be a pleasant way to unwind after a hard week at work or a way to cool down or warm up. Let There Be Light Entertaining can be a daytime event or a night-time one, but day can soon turn into night. Cater for both. You can install both temporary and permanent forms of lighting into your softscape and hardscape elements. For example, a landscape expert may recommend inbuilt lighting in any steps, or angled lighting in your plants. Something as simple as solar lighting can have a striking effect....
sustainable mulch

Posted By in Landscaping
Think about how much time you dedicate to gardening when you could be doing something much more fun. The truth is, even with some of the most incredible landscaping designs, you will always have to spend at least some time tending to your garden. However, there’s one thing that can certainly help reduce the maintenance aspect, and that’s mulch. Read on to learn why it’s time to manage your mulching. Suppresses Weed Growth Mulch is an organic or non-organic material that you can put over the top of the soil in your garden. Not only can it offer a more uniform look, but it can also suppress weed growth. The mulch stops light from reaching the dirt, thus restricting the number of weeds that grow. Over time, they may still find a way through, but not nearly as quickly as if you didn’t have any mulch at all. Retains Soil Moisture In hot Australian summers, it’s not easy keeping your soil moist. Sun has the annoying ability to be able to dry everything out. However, mulch can certainly be of assistance. By putting a layer of mulch on your soil, you can reduce the amount of water it loses. Therefore, it helps to maintain your soil moisture. Controls Your Soil Temperature Some plants can be quite finicky with soil temperatures. If they aren’t perfect, the plants won’t thrive and may even die. So, have you thought about the benefits of mulch for this task, too? Mulch allows your soil to remain warm on cold nights, but relatively cool on hot days. Such temperatures can prevent your plants from being subjected to temperature extremes....

Posted By in Landscape Design, Landscaping
Have you often wondered how your neighbour’s landscaping attracts dozens of birds, while your own sits empty? You might think it’s a coincidence, but it can all be down to what goodies your neighbour has, and you don’t have. Read on to find out how to attract native birds to your garden. Invest in Nectar-Rich Flowers There are more than 700 native bird species in Australia, so why not try and attract some of your favourites with nectar-rich flowers? Your local landscaping team can recommend some of the best plants for nectar production, such as bottlebrushes and banksias. The native species of bottlebrush, known as Callistemon, have beautiful nectar-filled flowers that attract a variety of birds and insects. With enough bottlebrushes, you may be treated to visitors such as honeyeaters, lorikeets, and rosellas. Banksias, on the other hand, are a shelter-offering plant that is also jam-packed full of nectar. They provide ample sustenance for birds like cockatoos. Non-native plants have their place, as well. Camellias can bloom at various times of the year, depending on the type. For at least three quarters of the year, birds can benefit from plenty of nectar. The best part is, Camellias thrive in the shade, whereas many native plants don’t. Plant Grasses Grasses are a favourite plant type for a number of reasons. Homeowners enjoy the low maintenance aspect, but they also attract birds, as well. Finches and wrens love grasses for both shelter and seeds. They can also feast on garden pests hidden underneath them. Talk to your local landscaping company about the best grasses for your soil type....

Posted By in Landscaping
You won’t find too many people thrilled about the idea of weeding their gardens. In fact, many people go to their local landscaping company to ask for garden ideas that won’t require them to give up their free time to the task. The reality of any garden, though, is that weeds will appear. Still, some plants give the pesky weeds their marching orders better than others. If you would prefer to leave your free time to things you enjoy, then read on. Here are some of the many groundcover plants you can find in Australia that can save you hours on weeding. Creeping Boobialla – Myoporum Parvifolium Creeping boobialla would have to be one of the most versatile groundcover plants in Australia. As a result, it tends to be one of the most popular for weed suppression. If you plant it in a tropical-style garden that might see a lot of rainfall, it grows as a beautiful green blanket over your ground. You will have very few weeds to contend with as a result. However, if you live somewhere drier and sunnier, it remains low and thick, while producing beautiful white flowers. Essentially, no matter the soil type or conditions, you can expect this lovely form of groundcover to thrive....

Posted By in Landscaping
Garden design for a small space can be challenging. If not carefully planned, the space can end up cluttered, uninteresting and a poor use of space. The best place to start is to compile a list of your requirements. What do you want featured within the space? How do you plan to use the space? Which materials and colour palette do you like?  Your list might include a barbecue or outdoor kitchen, a dining table or somewhere to sit and relax, a water feature, some greenery and garden lighting. After you have established your wish list, the fun part starts - design! For small spaces, the key is not to 'over design'. Over-designed spaces can look cluttered and make an already small space look even smaller, they can also clash or compete with your home. Start by positioning cooking facilities ideally near or beneath the alfresco to enable close proximity to your kitchen and dining area. This may mean the incorporation of an extractor fan to service your barbecue. The exception are pizza ovens which are best positioned further from the house for smoke reasons. By doing this, they also create a hub to gather around during the cooler nights- a perfect gathering for cooking not only pizzas but a roast or even toasting marshmallows with the kids. Just ensure the oven is positioned so that smoke doesn't affect your neighbours! Storage for cooking facilities is also important- even a simple cupboard or drawer setup can create storage for cooking utensils and keep benches or tables uncluttered....