Japanese rock gardens – or Zen gardens – are meant to be oases of tranquility. They recreate nature in miniature, and often have elements of sand, stone, water, or plants. Rock gardens are meant to be representative of the ocean speckled with islands. Zen gardens are a wonderful project for the home gardener because they’re inexpensive and fairly easy to put together. Here’s how to create your own unique Japanese rock garden. Frame it Your first step is to figure out what space you will dedicate to your rock garden. Fairly flat ground works best, with a mix of sun […]
Using sand, gravel, and rocks is a great way to create themes in your garden. One theme that you might consider is a beach retreat. A lot of us love going to the beach – the feeling of sand beneath our feet especially. You can recreate this feeling at home by making your very own seaside resort in your backyard. It’s also a great project for a home gardener because it’s inexpensive and fairly easy to create. Here are the steps to creating your very own beach retreat in your backyard. Plan Decide which area will be your seaside retreat. You […]
Hardscaping and the Best Uses for Pea Gravel Pea gravel is so named for its similarity to peas in both size and smooth, round appearance. It makes for a wonderful hardscaping addition to a variety of residential, commercial, industrial, and even public settings. This versatile material can be used for both utilitarian purposes and as a tool for beautification. Here are just a few of the best uses for pea gravel. Patios and Pathways What makes pea gravel perfect for patios and pathways? The loose stone is great for patios, in particular, because lounge furniture can settle into it. How […]
Different Crushed Rock Pathway Ideas for Your Yard Many elements make up a complete yard space, from lush landscaping, to task-oriented and ambient lighting, to patios or decks for placing lounge furniture. You might even include extras like a fire pit or water feature for added use value. First, however, you have to make sure your yard is functional, and this means adding walkways to conveniently traverse the space without trampling the lawn. When it comes to installing crushed rock pathways, there are several directions you could go. Here are just a few ideas to get you started. Lined Paths […]
Using rocks for drainage to keep water away from your foundation and home Keeping water away from your home is always a wise idea. If you have a basement, for example, proper drainage surrounding your home can help keep water from leaking into your basement and damaging your belongings. One way to ensure that water drains away from your home is by landscaping in a strategic manner. By utilizing rocks for drainage, you can keep water away from your foundation and your home. Practical and Aesthetically-Pleasing One of the benefits of using rocks for yard drainage is that they not […]
Advantages of buying gravel in bulk Purchasing materials for landscaping purposes can feel like a lofty endeavor. In order to create a truly mesmerizing landscape, careful thought needs to be put into what kinds of materials are needed and how much of those materials are needed. In regard to gravel, unless you are outfitting a small area of a garden and only need one small bag of the material, there are numerous advantages to buying gravel in bulk. Buying in Bulk Is Cheaper A universally-known concept is that buying in bulk will save a purchaser money in the long run if they […]
Gravel: Perfect for Paths and Ponds Some people look at a barren yard and see the possibilities. They see shady trees, privacy shrubs, colorful and fragrant blooms, swaths of grass broken up by pathways, and patios, pavilions, water features, and lighting that turn your backyard into an exotic and enticing haven, the perfect place for lounging with family and entertaining friends. Then there are us mere mortals who look at a dusty, blank canvas and think, “Huh, I guess I should install some sod.” The good news is, you don’t have to rely on your own imagination to create your […]
How to Make an Elegant Pea Gravel Path In terms of naming a product, pea gravel leaves no room for faulty interpretation. Pea gravel consists of pea-sized stones that are notorious for that satisfying *crunch* that one hears and feels when he or she walks across a pea-gravel path. It is a fantastic option for driveways and pathways and for use as an overall space-filler. Given its natural appearance, pea-gravel is a great option if you are looking to create an elegant pathway to, from, or around your home or place of business. Why Is Pea-Gravel Elegant? When creating a […]
How Long Will Your Asphalt Driveway Last? One of the first questions that many people ask when looking to transition to an asphalt driveway is how long an asphalt driveway will last. It is a reasonable question given the overall investment. This typically results in confusion, however, due to the complicated nature of the answer. While it would be ideal if they were able to receive an accurate number, many factors go into the overall lifespan of an asphalt driveway. The Lifespan of an Asphalt Driveway First, making the decision to install an asphalt driveway is a great choice. If it […]
Pea Gravel Patios: What You Need to Know Nobody likes spending all their time inside. If you’re a homeowner, odds are you want your outdoor abode to be just as functional as the interior of your home. Considering that the patio is where you will likely be spending most of your leisure time, it makes sense that you would want to invest some time and money into a little home improvement. Enter the pea gravel patio, a loose-fill patio that’s easy to install and beautiful to look at. If that seems like a viable route then read on. Here are […]
