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There are many different options when it comes to landscaping your yard. Choices vary from rockeries and fountains to trees, bushes, and more. These waterfall landscaping ideas for your backyard or as a feature point in any other areas of your home can greatly complement each other. Let’s look at some photos and general info of the possibilities available to you. 1. Waterfall Landscaping A waterfall is an attractive landscaping addition to any yard, whether you have a small or large amount of space available. Beautiful rockery siding, accompanied by a trickle of a cascading waterfall, and accented by colorful rocks would be a wonderful decoration that would provide an atmosphere of peaceful tranquility. 2. Landscaping with a Fountain Fountains can provide a very different look compared to waterfalls, and they are usually easy to install and maintain. Here are three choices for water landscaping ideas with fountains: A. Spouting Fountain The spouting fountain is a commonly chosen fountain because it provides a dramatic effect wherever you install it. It can be easily added as the installation process is simple and it only requires a submersible pump. It can be paired with a statue that you favor, or, if you would just like to make things simple, install a spouting statue. The ideas are endless. The fountain also has the option of spraying water in a certain pattern, such as a ring or bubble, which provides even more decorative options. B. Cascading Fountain Unlike the dramatic spouting fountain, the cascading fountain is more subtle. As opposed to using a pipe to spray water, this fountain is designed so that water spills down multiple levels, each one overflowing and pouring into the next. Cascading fountains can be found in a wide range of sizes in order to fit whatever the landscape design your waterfall landscape design requires. These fountains are easy to add because they are usually self-contained (everything needed is inside the unit). C. A Pondless Fountain Pondless fountains take up less space than other water features and may be the option for you. They draw their water from underground, and their base is usually made from non-traditional materials, such as an urn, column, or boulder. The pond or fountain is placed on a bed of gravel or another kind of rock that allows the water to drain to the reservoir underneath it, thus creating a look that differs from other kinds of fountains. Whether you choose to install a waterfall or a fountain in your yard, each will greatly enhance and add to the look of your rocky waterfall landscape. Are you looking for a garden landscape that you only see in photos? It’s a sign! You have come to the right place! If you have questions, require information, or would like to install some sort of rockery with a waterfall or fountain views in your yard, go ahead and sign up and contact us today!

Do you have a small house that requires you to add curb appeal? Perhaps you’re having trouble distinguishing your home from the others on your street. The truth is that if you can’t improve your home’s curb appeal, you can miss out on prospective buyers, tenants, or visitors. First impressions are important, and the exterior of your home is the first thing visitors notice when approaching. The good news is that there are numerous simple home repair options that can improve the curb appeal of any size property that does not necessarily cost a lot of money. So, pay attention to our top tips to improve the look of your sidewalk, walkway, and the outside of your house. In this piece, we’ll look at some of the best ways to make your home a better home for as little money as possible, where possible. From a new mailbox to a new lick of paint or something simply to replace the light fixtures; can drastically improve the value of your house and make you competitive in the buyers’ market, if you are interested in selling your house.   Why Is a Home’s Curb Appeal Important for Small Houses?   Curb appeal is essential since it has a significant effect on a property’s overall impression, value, and as a result, the market asking price of your house. Your real estate agent will tell you the exact same thing. Better homes have lovely gardens. The first step towards creating a welcoming and lovely exterior is to evaluate your home’s curb appeal. When deciding how to improve your home’s curb appeal, consider it from the perspective of potential buyers or a real estate agent. Examine the outside of your home and make a list of any places that require attention. Is it time to re-paint your house, or replace the old roof with a new roof? Does anything require a thorough cleaning? Is there anything about the exterior of your house that should be improved? A splash of paint or something as simple as a new mailbox could make your house look more attractive.   After you’ve evaluated the facade of your home, it’s time to determine its best features. This might be anything from a distinctive architectural design to a lovely tree in the front yard. These additions might help you increase the curb appeal of your home. From pulling weeds to clearing your driveway and upgrading the siding of your house – all these factors will increase buyers’ interest and sale potential.   Door Hardware Can Add a Special Touch to Your Front Door & Front Porch   Consider adding some comfortable outdoor furniture to your gorgeous front porch, for example, to make it more appealing. Better homes are always comfortable. If your property has a specific architectural style, consider adding some ornate hardware to the doorway of your front porch to accentuate its distinguishing elements.   Overall, assessing your home’s curb appeal, recognizing its best aspects, and establishing a budget and timeframe are all critical elements in improving the curb appeal of your tiny house. You can build a welcoming and appealing home that will appeal to potential home buyers and add value to your property by taking a critical look at your home’s exterior and making smart improvements in its appearance. Improving your home’s curb appeal can make a huge impact on its overall appearance and value. A poorly kept or unsightly exterior, on the other hand, might detract from a property’s value and even discourage potential purchasers. Investing in curb appeal can therefore be a worthwhile and rewarding activity for homeowners.   The Advantages of Increasing Curb Appeal to Create Better Homes   Aside from enhancing the value of your home and attracting possible buyers, improving the curb appeal can also increase your pleasure of your property. A lovely facade can instill pride and happiness in homeowners while also improving the overall beauty of the area. Curb appeal can also make your home more desirable to guests, and it can even improve your social life by providing a welcoming area for outside meetings and events. By improving your home’s curb appeal, you can increase its financial value as well as its personal and social value. It is a worthwhile investment with both short and long-term rewards.   Attracts Prospective Buyers   A property with strong curb appeal looks good at first glance and set the tone for the rest of the home tour. It can give purchasers confidence in the property’s upkeep and maintenance, which can lead to a faster sale at a better price. Investing in curb appeal is a wise move for any homeowner trying to sell their home, and it can also create a sense of pride and delight in the appearance of your home for those who intend to stay for the long term.   Boosts Neighborhood & Street Aesthetics   Long-term advantages of selling your home include improving the attractiveness of the community. When your neighbors take pride in their homes and invest in curb appeal, the community as a whole becomes more desirable. This may result in increased demand for homes in the neighborhood and higher sale prices in the coming years.   Enhances Home & Street Security   Improving your home’s security is another significant advantage of improving curb appeal. You may dissuade criminals and make your property seem safer by investing in external light fixtures, cutting hedges and trees, and keeping the outside of your home clean and maintained. Finally, boosting the curb appeal of your home can simply make you happier and more content with it. A lovely façade can boost your sense of ownership and make you more eager to spend time outside. So, whether you intend to sell your property soon or simply want to enjoy it more, investing in curb appeal is a wise decision. How to Improve the Curb Appeal of a Small House   Start With a Plan   Assessing the curb appeal of the

The English garden style is known for its rambling, old-world charm. Stony nooks and crannies are filled to bursting with foliage, and the requisite ramshackle grace allows mother nature to prosper.   English gardens make strong use of shale walls, gravel, and stone pathways, rose arbors, and pots of herbs clustered around doorways. These gardens feature extensive use of rocks or stones along pathways and surrounding groups of plants within the garden.   English Landscape Gardens The Origin of the English Rock Formal Gardens The traditional English country garden originates from the design of gardens around cottages in the 1800s. Just before the gardening reign of William Robertson. These gardens were required to be useful, they are not simply beautiful gardens. Because of this, English rock gardens are usually designed with a combination of ornamental and edible plants. Lush plantings from spring bulbs to fruit trees, and the various summer lush plantings and combinations for English gardens are absolutely endless. In fact, traditionally every plant grown in English country gardens was used either medicinally or for food. Quaint Space & Versatility The English rock garden depends on providing a sense of grace and charm, rather than impressing with a grand formal structure. Instead of properly trimmed bushes and precisely planted patterns of flowers, the rock garden will utilize vines such as ivy, runner beans, potato vines, or climbing roses that tumble over the shale old stone walls.   These walls usually appear to be loose stone and function as retaining walls as well as accent pieces in English gardens. Stones Help To Manage Natural Growth English rock gardens tend to be small and dense, using informal design and traditional materials. Their size makes them a viable option for even the smallest of backyards. The stones helped to reduce the natural spread of growth, as well as reducing the necessity for extensive weeding. Stone pathways of coarse gravel or flat flagstones were used as they required little care and have a pretty appearance. These pathways were kept clear of weeds primarily by the consistent passing of feet. Various stones can be used in English gardens. Lush Plantings of Herbs Herbs are frequently placed in clay pots or in small garden patches right around the doorways, closely surrounded by heavy stones. Kitchen cooks may easily step outside and snip off a few leaves to use while cooking.   Herbs that are also delicate are more likely to survive harsh winters as the warmth from the home will prevent them from dying of frost. The stones and clay pots also help to keep the herbs warm, allowing them to grow sooner in spring and last longer through the autumnal months. Traditional Plants: Herbs and flowering veggies, such as onions, sweet peas, and squashes from English Gardens Other traditional favorites include hollyhocks, yarrow, columbine, foxglove, crocus, climbing hydrangea, iris, dead and stinging nettles, lavender, poppy, sage, thyme, quince shrubs, tulips, bachelors buttons, bee balm, and peony.   Easy Tending: The English cottage garden depends upon not require much maintenance. The densely planted surface area leaves little room for weeds, and the separations between them are protected by stones.   This dense planting method may take some years to cultivate, especially if many annuals must be planted each spring.   Primarily, however, perennials and seed heads that reseed themselves are used in such gardens to limit the necessity of heavy spring tending.   Aged Beauty: The charm of the English garden is the feel of age that they have. Rose arbors and old stone walls, covered in ivy obviously will take some time to grow. You can contribute to the seeming age of the garden by introducing moss onto the rocks that border the paths, as well as training quick-growing vines over the retaining walls until the rose vines or ivy have grown larger.   You can also help to create an illusion of an old garden by interspersing among each other. Perennials naturally try to take over the areas possessed by their neighboring plant species, eventually blending together into a seamless beautiful bed.   As you’re planting, allow some bulbs or cuttings to spill over the borders into neighboring plant territories. (Do NOT do this with aggressive plants, or they will take over your garden!) Garden Stones English rock gardens will usually incorporate shale, limestone, and sandstone. The retaining walls are usually a range of grey stones from charcoal to light cream grey. Explore the enchanted world of the English garden with us as we enter a world of ageless and rustic elegance. This design captures the attention of viewers by using beautiful scenery, winding pathways, and rich vegetation that evokes elegance, charm, and inspiration.   The charm of the English garden rests in its capacity to take us back in time, where organic rules and nature’s whimsy prevails.   English Gardens To Fill Small Spaces English Gardens That Feel Like a Fantasy The English Garden is versatile and adaptable so it can be made to fit any area. You may create an outdoor haven bursting with old-world charm, whether you have a large yard or a small space. To change even the smallest outdoor spaces around, choose plant mixes, add focus points, and let your creativity go wild. A New Dawn For English Gardens Come along as we explore the mysteries of the English garden and show you how to make your own personal paradise. We’ll look at the components that make up this classic design, from rambling roses to brilliant bulbs, meandering paths, and fairytale landscapes. Allow the splendor of the English garden to spark your creativity. Many Gardeners Replicated Surrounding Landscapes The idea of a rock garden originated in the 18th century when English gardeners attempted to replicate the natural landscapes they had seen while traveling. They started using rocks and stone walls in their garden designs after being inspired by the rough topography of the Swiss Alps and the lovely backdrop of the Mediterranean. Plant Combinations Create A Useful

Pavers are an excellent choice if you want to create a beautiful driveway, walkway, patio, or pool deck. However, you will need to know how to lay pavers properly to achieve the desired results. Laying pavers is not difficult, but it requires patience and accuracy to ensure the best outcome. Here’s a quick guide on how to install pavers and how to lay a paver patio. How to Lay Pavers You can easily install pavers by following these steps: Prepare the Patio Area The paver installation process starts with measuring the area you want to pave to ensure you buy the correct amount of material. If the place to be paved touches your house, ensure that it slopes away from the home to promote proper rainwater drainage. Clear Out Grass and Soil Eliminate grass, soil, and other debris to ensure the ground is suitable for installing pavers. Consider tamping down the soil with a plate compactor to create a firm and level surface. Add Paver Base and Level with Sand Once the site preparation is complete, it’s time to lay the base material. You should apply the paver base to a thickness suitable for the intended use. Before laying the pavers, place a layer of bedding sand over the compacted base material to ensure a level surface for pavers installation. Place the Paver Stones Starting from the corner of your patio area, lay your paver stones while ensuring each piece lies flush with the others with a 2-4 mm gap. After laying an area of about a square meter, you need to level the top of the paver stones with a rubber mallet and a long timber board. If you need to cut some of the paver stones, you can use a masonry saw or angle grinder. You can rent any of this equipment if you do not have it. Add Paver Edging One of the most critical steps for laying pavers is adding edge restraints. These restraints lock the sub-base, base, and paver stones into place, preventing your pavers from shifting and separating. While wood and metal are the most commonly used as edge restraints in paver patio installation, you can also use concrete or plastic. Seal Pavers Sealing your pavers ensures they last longer, resist stains, and uphold their beauty. Failure to seal your pavers may expose them to mold buildup, erosion, weed growth, and discoloration. FAQ About Pavers Installation Now that you know how to install patio pavers and how to lay pavers in general, you may need answers to these common questions: Why should I consider Natural Stone Pavers? Natural stone pavers are more durable, aesthetically pleasing, and cost-effective than most paver materials. Where can I install Stone Pavers? You can install stone pavers on your patio, driveway, walkway, pool deck, or other exterior surfaces in your home. How long will my Natural Stone Pavers last? Natural stone pavers can last for more than 100 years if installed correctly. Conclusion If you find the task challenging even after learning how to lay patio pavers, the experts at New Life Rockeries can help. Contact us today at (206) 489-3734 for more information on how to lay pavers and get a free quote.

If you’re tired of watching grass grow from the ground, learning how to lay some sod is your most time and cost-efficient solution to creating a bed of greens instantaneously. At New Life Rockeries, questions about sod installation and peculiar requests for sod laying tips comprise a good chunk of our customer service calls. Landscapers and architects also call sod grass and turf. Sod is a grass that professionals harvest with its roots intact in a slim layer of topsoil that they then apply to front and back lawns. In this explainer, our professionals will detail how to plant sod grass the right way and which steps of the residential sod installation process would benefit from professional help. Measure Your Lawn Area Most sod vendors will require a measurement of your yard area in square feet before completing your order. Measure the width and length of your yard and determine how many sod rolls you need. Most sod rolls are 24 inches in length and 81 inches in height, and they’ll cover 13.5 square feet of yard space. Prepare The Soil Soil prep is a vital part of sod laying. Here’s how you do it. Clear your lawn of rocks, weeds, and debris Remove dead or old grass before rotor tilling Level your yard and establish a stable grade Put down mulch or compost at a rate of 29 square feet per thousand Rotor till the compost into the soil about six feet deep Lay Your SOD, Fill in Gaps Slightly wet the soil with a hose or sprinkler and erase your footprints with a rake. Unroll your sod and ensure that its topsoil layer makes complete contact with your yard. Start at the longest edge of your yard, laying down sod in a brick-wall arrangement without lapping the edges. Roll Out Your Lawn After laying sod, use a lightweight lawn roller to eliminate air pockets and ground the roots into the soil. Continue rolling until your feet no longer sink into the sod when walking over it. Give SOD a Good Soaking Irrigate your sod by immersing it about three inches deep in water, which will saturate the soil and keep your sod moist even in high temperatures. Advantages of Sod Sod offers more reliable growing success than seeds. Sod may be more expensive than seeds, but it has many times the growth and germination rates of fresh grass. Relatively weed-free establishment. If you remove all weeds from your lawn before laying sod, your grass can live weed-free lives for years without herbicide. Sod gives you an instantly green lawn. Learning how to lay a sod patch gives you the strategic advantage of transforming your lawn from a dirt-brown wasteland to a lush green paradise in one day. FAQs About Installing Sod Can I install sod over my pre-existing grass? No. New sod requires direct contact with the topsoil on your lawn to form new root systems. How much does a lawn roller cost? Lightweight poly lawn rollers cost $140 to $249. How long does it take for the sod to take root? Fresh sod takes at least 14 days to root. Setting your lawnmower to a higher-than-usual cutting height is the last step to laying sod. You don’t want to cut too close to its fledgling root systems. Contact Us Today and Learn How to Lay Sod the Right Way Planting sod requires careful planning and preparation to avoid wasting your investment on dead rolls of grass. In an age where people can move across states and sell their previous homes in a month, learning how to install sod grass can help thousands of people improve their curb appeal without spending a fortune on remodeling costs. Learn how to lay sod the right way by contacting New Life Rockeries today.

Do you admire water gardens and wonder how to get one in your home? A water landscape isn’t difficult to implement if you know how. In this post, we examine how to landscape with water providing the best water garden design ideas to suit your space and budget. What Is Water Garden Landscaping? Water gardening involves growing plants that thrive in rivers, lakes, and ponds. A water landscape can reach almost any depth or size. Typically, water landscaping includes submerged, floating, and edge plants such as American frogbit, water hyacinth, water lilies, and duckweed. Water Garden Landscaping Ideas Below are some excellent water garden ideas for your home. A Sloping Stream To achieve this most simple of pond decoration ideas, use visually unique plants and materials which gently move the eye downward. Excellent choices include ornamental grasses and weeping willow. Install different-sized boulders for edging the pond and add vibrant water lilies and black-eyed Susans for color and structure. Dressed-Up Fountain This distinctive water landscape includes paved landings and stone steps, lending formality to the central water feature—the fountain. Add ornamental grass, ivy, hydrangea, and other brightly colored plants to make the water garden pop against the stonework, along with bright purple lobelia in urns to create structure. Circle ‘Round This minimalist water feature highlights repetition with multiple circles unifying everything. Install a gravel path leading to a gently bubbling pond. Add plants such as liriope to echo the hardscape’s shape. Focus on the Fountain This garden waterfall design focuses on the fountain. Plant begonias and caladium to highlight the stonework. A topiary myrtle pair adds structural variety. Pond Perfect Place a simple bench or a table and chair overlooking an expansive, colorful lily pond. Add an arched bridge to welcome visitors to the water. Install various boulders around the pond’s edges for structure and visual interest. Japanese Garden Inspiration The Japanese initiated unique ponds landscaping ideas. Install this water landscape with prominent water features, a gurgling fountain, and an inviting bench to create your Asian-inspired getaway. Plant Japanese maple, rhododendron, and clumping bamboo for an authentic Zen feel; use steppingstones for access. Wonderful Waterfall Set shade-loving plants and evergreens around a backyard pond to create this water landscape. Use arborvitae as an evergreen softscape fence, stacked for edging and structure. Add a cascading water feature tumbling into a pond for visual and audio interest. Advantages of Water Garden Landscaping Key advantages of installing a water landscape include: Enhanced curb appeal and property value. Peaceful, relaxing atmosphere. Reduced outside noise, especially in the city. Excellent therapeutic tool: calms anxiety and lowers blood pressure. Increased harmony with nature through water sounds. Call Today to Get Your Free Quote! At New Life Rockeries, we have been helping homeowners in the Pacific Northwest improve their outdoor spaces with high-quality landscaping services for more than 35 years. Contact us to learn more about our landscaping contractor and water garden services. Let us help you implement desired Water Garden Landscaping Designs.

If you want to improve the nighttime curb appeal, add security, and create a magical outdoor space you and your family can enjoy, landscape lighting provides the best way to do it. How to install landscape lighting? Installing light fixtures is easy and doesn’t need any previous experience.  Keep reading to learn more. Types of Outdoor Landscape Lighting  You can easily find the best landscape lighting for your outdoor area because of the various types available. Spotlights: Lights that point in one direction Flood Lights: Used for brightening large areas Down or Up Lights: If you want to upgrade the outdoor design of your property, these lights make a great option. They can beautify your lawn or create patterns on walls. Step Lights: Work well for stairs, pathways or walls Garden Lights:  Ideal to highlight beautiful plants and trees in your garden Bollard Lights: Can shine in various directions String Lights: Perfect if you want a more subtle light Which Is Best for Landscape Lighting Installation—DIY or a Professional Team When starting a home improvement project, a DIY approach may seem enticing, Just as homeowners consider various factors before embarking on landscape lighting installation, ensuring they make the most of their gaming journey.   Functionality Using a professional for outdoor lighting can provide you with a landscape lighting design suitable for your property size and needs. A professional can envision how light will shine in your garden or backyard and the effect it will provide. Maintenance Even the best lighting fixtures require maintenance. Many things may cause your outdoor lighting to fail, which is why regular maintenance becomes necessary to ensure your system stays in tip-top shape. When professionals install traditional or smart landscape lighting, they can provide regular service to the system and fix any malfunctions.  System Options If you install a lighting system yourself, you might go for solar landscape lighting. A solar lighting system is easy to install, but it depends significantly on sunlight, so it might not shine the way you want it. A professional can recommend the best landscape lighting option based on your preferences and budget. Cost and Maintenance of Landscape Lighting The cost and maintenance of landscape lighting depend on the type of lighting and the number of lights you want.  A quality outdoor lighting system requires annual maintenance and costs between $500 and $5,000. Landscape Lighting Ideas Don’t have ideas for your outdoor lighting? No problem. We offer some that will give a new look to your exterior: Bright lights shining from fence edges Solar lanterns by the walkway Christmas lights along the fence Subtle lights hanging from the walls or arbors Small lights set in brick walls Garden lights set in rocks Landscape Lighting Near Me Now that you know “How to install landscape lighting,” are you ready to do it yourself, or do you need a landscape contractor professional help? If you are looking for a professional to help you install your favorite lights, look no further than New Life Rockeries.  Contact us today at (866)512-7963 to get a free quote.

Moles can cause a lot of damage. Learning how to get rid of moles in the yard fast can come in handy when you discover those small, volcano-shaped mounds of soil in your lawn. If you’ve ever searched for “how to get rid of moles in my yard?” this post is for you. We’ll discuss what moles are, signs you have them in your yard, and how to get moles out of your yard. Let’s start with the basics.   What Are Moles?             Moles are mammals that live underground. They’re efficient diggers and spend a lot of time digging tunnels in their hunt for mostly worms, bugs, and grub. While most of their excavation is below the surface, they push mounds of soil to the surface, creating unsightly holes and weak spots in the lawn. As they tunnel for food, they can disrupt the roots of vegetables and other plants. Sign of Moles in Your Yard Most people confuse mole damage with damage caused by rodents, voles, or mice. Watch out for these signs: Dead grass: Moles can cause damage to grass’s roots when they burrow close to the surface, leaving dead patches of grass in their wake. Mounds that are far apart: Numerous creatures can cause soil mounds in your yard. Gophers, for example, make entrance and exit mounds that are close together. Mole mounds tend to be about six feet apart, and the soil is finer than that of a gopher mound. Volcano-shaped or cone-shaped molehills: When moles dig tunnels, they push the dirt straight up to the surface, creating a tell-tale volcano- or cone-shaped mound. How to Get Rid of Moles in Your Yard Moles spend their entire lives in their tunnels, so they prefer areas with loose soil ideal for feeding, burrowing, and breeding. That said, they’re attracted to places with lots of bugs and worms, cool temperatures, and landscaping elements such as paths, fence rows, and other types of borders. What Is the Fastest Way to Get Rid of Moles in Your Yard? Once you realize you have a mole problem, here are some effective ways of getting rid of moles in the yard. Eliminate their food sources: Using various methods to control or repel insects and worms is the best way to get rid of moles in your yard. Use mole repellents: Mole repellents typically produce certain smells that keep moles away. Castor oil is an effective mole repellent. Mole trapping: Mole traps offer a sure-fire way to deal with an existing mole problem. Other options to consider include:     Digging a trench     Creating an unfriendly environment     Using baits Seattle Landscaping Experts Near You! Now that you know how to get rid of moles in your yard, you can take proactive steps to keep them away. Should you need professional assistance, seek the help of an experienced contractor. At New Life Rockeries, we’re proud to offer an extensive range of landscaping services. Contact our experts today if you need help reducing, controlling, or eliminating moles from your yard. Feel free to dial (206) 489-3734 or fill our online contact form for a free quote.

Your front porch is a crucial part of your home’s curb appeal. Regardless of your home’s architectural style, you can complement your home’s appearance with proper landscaping. Fortunately, there are plenty of landscaping ideas for the front of a house with a porch. Have you ever asked yourself the question, “How do I make my porch cozy?”  In this post, we’ll outline a few innovative front porch landscaping ideas that can improve your home’s curb and aesthetic appeal. Whether you need front porch garden ideas or front porch flower bed ideas, we’ve got you covered. Most of the tips here can work with large or small front porch landscape ideas. 10 Amazing and Breathtaking Front Porch Landscaping Ideas Flower Beds Make your front yard flower bed stand out. Mix evergreens with colorful plants and consider giving the flower bed a rustic feel by adding accent details. A curved flower bed lends a more natural and welcoming feel than a straight-edged rectangular flower bed. Fencing If you have a tall privacy fence, you can fill the area covered by the fence with built-in planters containing your favorite flowers and plants. Arch There’s something very welcoming about arches or arbors. Find one that complements your front porch and makes it more inviting by surrounding it with beautiful flowers or shrubs. If possible, try to integrate the arch into the design of your fence. Walkway Walkways don’t always have to be straight or boring. Consider interesting and intriguing walkway designs, like a winding brick or flagstone path. With so many materials to choose from, go for options that reflect creativity or personality. Lighting Thoughtful landscape lighting can make your front yard stand out. You can use landscape lighting to create interesting shadows and highlights that accent nearby plants. Pond Don’t shy away from adding ornamental value to your pond with fountains, waterfalls, or other features that make it unique. Use decorative rock and simple shapes to give an illusion of depth. Hanging Baskets Hanging baskets are well-suited to decorating your front porch because they allow you to add color and fragrance. Consider mixing and matching a variety of flowers for maximum impact. Garden Making a garden bed around your mailbox can add color and personality to your front porch. Plant some annual flowers next to your mailbox and make a simple border. Even if you use a different material for the garden bed border, adding stones or rocks can help create a natural accent and break up the profile. Planting When choosing front porch landscaping ideas, think about plant sustainability. Consider perennials for their low maintenance. Moreover, the plants don’t have to be diverse to make an impact; there’s no harm in using repetition and symmetry to add some formality. Front Porch Landscaping Contractor Near You! With the front porch landscaping ideas mentioned above, you can make your front porch the talk of the neighborhood. Are you looking for landscaping contractors you can count on? Contact New Life Rockeries today for a free quote. Feel free to give us a call at (206) 489-3734 or fill our online form to get a free quote. We look forward to helping you with your landscaping project.

There are four basic types of retaining walls, each with a unique appearance, durability level, and lifespan. Whether you’re considering having a retaining wall installed for practical or aesthetic reasons, New Life Rockeries’ team of landscape professionals can help you find the perfect addition for your outdoor space. Continue reading to learn about the different types of retaining walls or contact New Life Rockeries today with your landscaping questions. The 4 Different Types of Retaining Walls The type of retaining wall you choose for your landscape will impact the overall aesthetics, practicality, and feel of your space. This is why understanding the different types of retaining walls will aid you in choosing one that complements your space while also improving outdoor functionality. The four main retaining wall types are detailed in the following sections. Cantilever Retaining Wall A cantilever retaining wall (sometimes referred to as a reinforced retaining wall) has steel bars that run through it that affix it to its foundation (usually a slab foundation buried beneath the soil). Due to its foundation, this type of wall is highly durable and is often used for commercial retaining walls. Gravity Retaining Walls One of the most common types of outdoor walls, gravity retaining walls rely on their own mass to contain soil. Blocks, pavers, and unmortared stone are all used to build gravity retaining walls — ensuring that they are stylistically versatile while also being durable. Anchored Retaining Walls The method of anchoring a retaining wall is done by placing anchors beneath the soil and attaching cables or strips to support the facade of the wall. This method creates a durable, highly-versatile retaining wall that matches any landscaping style.  Anchoring also enables the wall to support more weight — making it perfect for preventing soil erosion. Piled Retaining Walls One of the most basic kinds of retaining walls, piled walls take up minimal space and are ideal for landscapes that need a wall but don’t have room to construct a bulkier type of wall. Piled retaining walls do best in soft soiled landscapes and often need a vertically corrugated structure to provide additional support. Reasons to Have a Retaining Wall Installed Retaining walls are a practical and stylistic addition to any outdoor space. Some of the main benefits of having a retaining wall installed include: They add texture to your space. They divide up your landscape. They prevent soil erosion. They assist in landscape drainage. They are stylistic additions. Choosing a Reliable Retaining Wall Installation Service Near You! If you have additional questions about the different retaining walls available or you would like to receive an estimate for having a wall installed at your residence, get in touch with New Life Rockeries today. Our team of landscaping near me specialists would be happy to help you choose a retaining wall contractors, style, and material to ensure that you get the best possible addition to your landscape.

When it comes to retaining wall materials and how to choose the best one for your landscape aesthetic, you’ll be glad to learn that you have a lot of options. Retaining walls are popular throughout Pacific Northwestern landscapes for a number of reasons. Firstly, they prevent soil erosion — which can alter and deform your landscape significantly. Secondly, they enhance landscape drainage, ensuring that your yard stays dry and firm. Thirdly, retaining walls add texture and dimension to your outdoor aesthetic.  If you’re in search of the best material for retaining walls, continue reading or get in touch with New Life Rockeries today to speak with a landscape professional.  Strongest Retaining Wall Materials Whether you are looking for the strongest or cheapest material to build a retaining wall out of, the following sections contain a brief overview of the various materials that can be used for your wall.  Wood While wood is a more accessible material and is DIY-friendly, there are a number of drawbacks to having a wood retaining wall. Due to the damp environment of the Pacific Northwest, wood retaining walls are likely to rot and decay at a much quicker rate than other materials.  If longevity isn’t a hang-up for you, wood retaining walls make an excellent choice for almost any landscape as they are stylistically diverse and naturally beautiful.   Concrete Block Concrete blocks provide a monotone retaining wall that can stand up to four-feet tall. Blocks can be used to create curved walls and are a popular choice for homeowners who enjoy a mid-century architecture style.  Two downsides to concrete block retaining walls are that they cannot be taller than four feet and that their lack of footings could affect their durability.  Poured Concrete Poured concrete retaining walls are sleek in appearance, complimenting modern landscape designs. Concrete retaining walls are stronger and more durable than concrete block walls but may crack under certain conditions. This type of retaining wall is also not a DIY project and requires a skilled professional to build.  Brick Classic, strong, and aesthetically pleasing, brick retaining walls are among the most popular due to their durability and traditional style. As with many retaining walls, brick walls require lots of skilled labor and are not usually suitable for DIY installations.  Stone Veneer Stone veneer provides a unique, natural-looking retaining wall that is highly customizable. A benefit of stone veneer is that it is relatively durable and any height of retaining wall may be built using it.  How to Choose the Best Retaining Wall Backfill Material The best backfill material for retaining walls depends a lot on how good your landscape’s drainage is, how much rain your yard receives, and other factors.  In general, three of the best retaining wall backfill materials include:  Gravel  Aggregate  Native soil  Ideal base material for retaining walls is crushed rock. Contact a Custom Retaining Wall Installation Service Near You If you are in need of additional tips for choosing a retainer wall material or you would like to get a quote for your retaining wall contractors for your installation needs, get in touch with New Life Rockeries today.  Our landscaping specialists would be happy to discuss retaining wall material options with you to ensure that you get a retaining wall that reflects your character and style. 

Installing a flagstone patio is one of the best improvements you can make for your outdoor space. It adds contrast, texture, and visual design while also contributing many practical benefits.  Read on to learn more about what is the best material to put between flagstones on your patio or get in touch with New Life Rockeries to speak with a professional patio installer about your outdoor needs.     What to Put Between Flagstones on a Patio Whether you’re planning on installing your own flagstone patio or you’re going to hire a professional installer to do it, understanding the best material to have between your flagstones is important.  Not only does the material that you use affect the aesthetics of your patio, it also can affect things such as functionality, pest infestation, and the intervals at which you have to replace it.  What Material to Use Between Flagstones? The type of material that you choose for your flagstone patio will depend greatly on the aesthetic that you’re going for as well as the types of practical benefits you want.  Here are five types of materials to use when filling gaps between flagstones: Sand. Though a very common filler, bear in mind that if you use sand for flagstone patio filler you will need to refill it from time to time as the sand will erode.  Rocks. Small stones, gravel, and crushed gravel are all commonly used as a flagstone filler. They are both a practical and aesthetically pleasing filler solution as they reduce weed growth and bug infestations. The only downside to rocks is that they don’t add any color, leaving the patio mostly monotone.  Mulch. Bark and mulch are also used to fill the gaps between flagstones. The rich, dark color of the mulch serves as a stark contrast to the neutral-toned flagstones — adding yet another creative element to your patio. This type of filler also diminishes the likelihood of weed growth and pest infestation.  Plants. Ground cover plants such as moss or turf make an excellent filler option for flagstone patios, and add a dash of color into the landscape as well. Turf is best suited for flagstone patios with large stones that are spaced far apart.  Polymeric stone dust. Stone dust between flagstones is probably the best filler option, especially for irregularly shaped flagstones. Polymeric stone dust is specially formulated to resist erosion, reduce weed growth, and keep pests away from your patio. Get the Flagstone Patio of Your Dreams Here at New Life Rockeries, our team is passionate about helping homeowners achieve the outdoor aesthetics of their dreams, and we accomplish this through impeccable design skills and unstoppable determination.  When you partner with New Life Rockeries, you ensure that you get the premium outdoor services that your landscape deserves.  Get in touch with us to learn more about our flagstone patio installation services or pricing.