Landscaping – Zawadzki Landscaping

Landscaping | October 31, 2024

British Columbia’s Endangered Forests

Cortes Island old growth appears to be the next in a series of controversial logging disputes to plague the British Columbia (BC) coast in 2012. Most, but not all, of the trouble stems from logging of rare old growth pockets still standing, and/or the unregulated logging of the private forest land created with the two million acre (3,125 sq.mile or 8,094sq.kms) E & N Railway land grant of the 1870s. (See The Great Land Grab in Hul’qumi’num Territory,). All of it is aggravated by the remote foreign ownership of access to most of BC’s forests.

Sierra Club BC’s analysis (Restoring the Balance, January 2011) shows that logging of old-growth rainforest ecosystems has seriously compromised species habitat and carbon storage capacity. More than two million hectares (7,722 sq.mile or 20,000sq.kms) of rainforest ecosystems on BC’s coast, mostly on Vancouver Island and on the South Coast, have less than 30 per cent old growth remaining and are considered to be at high risk of species extinction. Vancouver Island alone has lost more than one million hectares of productive old growth rainforest (3,861 sq.mile or 10,000sq.kms), representing the loss of approximately 100 million tons of carbon storage.

(more…)

Landscaping | February 28, 2024

7 Common Mistakes To Avoid When Installing Artificial Grass

Whenever a homeowner approaches Perth Landscapes to ask them to create a landscape design for their garden, one of the most important topics of discussion will be the lawn. In the vast majority of cases, that lawn will be natural grass, therefore the main decisions to be made regarding the landscape design will be its shape, any changes to its dimensions, and its maintenance thereafter.

However, not all lawns are natural, and many homeowners are now opting for a landscape design with a lawn that is created from artificial grass. The advances in manufacturing technologies mean that the artificial lawns of today are getting closer to the real thing in terms of their aesthetics. One main advantage is the obvious one which is maintenance is reduced due to not having to cut the grass regularly.

One point that has to be addressed is that of installing an artificial lawn. Should you choose to have your landscapers do it for you, then you should be fine. However, if you fancy going down the DIY route and installing your artificial lawn yourself, there are several caveats. Most of them come under the umbrella of ‘common mistakes’ so we thought it would be useful to outline the seven most common artificial grass installation mistakes so that you can avoid them.

Poor Choice Of Artificial Grass Type

The first and most basic error is choosing the wrong type of artificial turf for your landscape design. Just as with natural grass, different types of artificial grass exist that will suit different needs and scenarios. For example, some are suited to heavy wear, whereas others are more delicate, and some are best suited to shaded areas, so choose wisely.

(more…)

Landscape Design | January 25, 2024

Top Landscaping Considerations for Low-Maintenance Gardens

If you’re trying to develop a backyard that requires little maintenance, you need to keep this in mind from the very beginning of your low-maintenance garden plans. Low-maintenance landscaping, say Intreeg Landscapes, is becoming increasingly popular, and there are numerous things you can do to achieve it, such as using mulch and a reticulation system or even artificial grass if you’d prefer.

Because of this, we compiled together a short list of our top considerations for creating a low-maintenance outdoor space.

Plan, Plan and Plan Some More!

One of the essential parts of developing a low-maintenance gen, any other outdoor space, or detailed planning. You consider every aspect of your garden and how much you are willing to need in the future.

Because of this, it’s a good idea to speak with professional landscapers to ensure you’re getting things right. They should know what they’re doing and will be able to help you put together the perfect design blueprint.

Consider Hard Surfaces

Many people who don’t have functional hard surfaces can be low-maintenance landscapers. Paving large areas will effectively reduce the maintenance associated with them to the occasional sweep.

Rather than planting lawns or gardens that need looking after regularly, add more paths and consider large paved areas with something like an outdoor dining suite. You won’t regret it!

Decking is also a great way to add hard surfaces to your landscape. Trex composite decking is low maintenance compared to standard wooden decking. It does not require regular maintenance, such as resurfacing and oiling when the wood gets damaged from the sun or rain. It’s also a great alternative for families with small children as you don’t get splinters.

(more…)

Landscaping | December 20, 2018

Landscaping on a Budget

Your imagination might say “mansion and Olympic swimming pool,” but your budget might say “family home with paddling pool”. If that’s the case, then you need to get smart with landscaping. It’s obvious your budget won’t stretch to a full palace of grandeur, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a beautiful backyard that’s eye-catching and stunning. Here’s how to landscape on a budget.

Ask an Expert

It might seem counter-productive to spend money on expert help, but it will be worth it in the long-run. An expert landscaper can tell you where you can cut costs, where it’s best not to, and how to enhance the overall appeal of your property. If you’re not that experienced when it comes to gardening, then their advice can be invaluable.

Go Vertical

Landscaping a large area can be quite expensive. You have to use more plants, more materials, and more space. If you lack space or money, then planting upward can be an excellent way to solve the problem. Make use of old wooden fences and ladders, create hangers out of paint cans, and buy plants that will cling onto items and grow upward. You’ll have a natural garden paradise, but without all the cost.

(more…)

Landscape Design | June 2, 2018

Landscaping Ideas to Compliment Your New Lawn

If you have a new house, you might be looking at developing your yard area. One of your first considerations will probably be the size and shape of your lawn. Once you have laid some new roll-on turf your yard may still look a bit unfinished, and you might decide to add a few more landscaping ideas.

While the shape and size of your lawn is probably the most important consideration, you should think about what other features you want your yard to have. Things like rock walls or water fountains can be interesting additions to your garden, and you should definitely consider adding some edible plants or fruit trees.

Some great landscaping ideas for a perfect new garden include:

(more…)

Landscaping | February 2, 2017

Landscaping for Dummies – Water Saving

People throughout the world are continually updating their yards and gardens to keep them looking fresh and new. A lot of people use landscape designers to help them get it right, but a lot more choose to do it themselves, as they find the design and putting together of a new garden both rewarding and exciting.

If you are considering redeveloping your yard in Australia, then you need to consider water consumption. As one of the driest countries on the planet, Australian gardeners are often faced with severe water restrictions which can make gardening hard. With this in mind, here are some things that you can do to help make sure that your garden is sustainable when it comes to water use:

Choose drought tolerant plants:

Unfortunately, one of the biggest problems that Australia gardeners make is that they plant things which simply aren’t suited to their climate. Often, European or American garden plants are used. These are adapted to wet, cool climates, and simply won’t do well in Australia unless they are given a lot of water.

To save water, you can choose native plants which are adapted to our dry climate. Small native shrubs are often just as beautiful as foreign garden plants, but simply don’t have the same water requirements. Things like bottlebrushes, eucalyptus, and banksias are all popular.

(more…)