I have never been a natural gardener. For years, I struggled to keep basic houseplants alive, only to kill them at the first opportunity. It was difficult and stressful to buy a home with a yard, but I knew that I might be able to learn what I was doing wrong and correct the problem. To start off, I focused heavily on the lawn, and tried hard to keep it trimmed and well-maintained. Next, I cleaned up the flowerbeds. It was a lot of work, but I knew that it would pay off in the end. When I was done, my front yard was gorgeous, and guess what--it even stayed alive. This blog is all about loving your little landscape.
With the winter months long gone, it may be a good time to start thinking about transforming your outdoor spaces into usable and comfy areas where you can hold parties or call friends for a barbeque. If you live in a summer hot zone, shade is a must if you are to open up your backyard for outdoor living and entertaining.
The sweltering summer heat can make staying outdoors unbearable or even cause young plants to wilt under the strain. Read on for landscaping tricks that can provide instant shade in your home and make it possible to enjoy outdoor life in sunny areas.
Seasonal shade structures
The first truly instant sources of shade are temporary shade structures such as shade sails that can be quickly erected in your backyard by a landscaping designer.
Shade sails can be an affordable and effective way to block out the cumulative heat of the setting sun in your backyard, transforming it into a cool space. These structures are typically made from heavy duty shade cloth that can block out the sun's heat and UV rays.
The sails can be purchased in different colors and installed in multiples for a layered effect that adds to your yard's curb appeal. The cloth design can also be set up to cast geometric forms and patterns on the ground, making for a highly attractive landscaping design that would fit modern style homes.
Talk to your landscaping designer about how the sail shades can be installed to cast shade in desired areas and maybe have side curtains installed to block off light when the sun is low lying in the sky. The structure should also be anchored firmly with steel poles, lag bolts and turnbuckles so it can stand up to rain and high winds.
Specimen tree transplanting
Another innovative way to get instant shade in your yard is to have a large specimen tree transplanted into your home. A licensed landscape architect can help you handpick a specimen that can offer ample shade and survive the local climate. A big tree inserted into your backyard may be a green and sustainable solution for not only shielding your outdoor spaces from the sun but also transforming the whole look and feel of your yard.
Be sure to hire a well-established, reputable, landscaping contractor to supervise all aspects of installation, including the transplanting process and ensuring the tree survives the move. The contractor should also be on the hook for a replacement should the tree tip over or fail to thrive. To learn more, contact a landscaping design company like Design Scapes of Manasota Inc/
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