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September 29th, 2011
Water, unquestionably, evokes responses in all people and ages. Water is a sensory element. It appeals to touch, sight, and hearing to command intrinsic awe and captivation, and often times an overwhelming feeling of calm. Water features mesmerize people. A water feature in your Utah landscaping project would be no small addition. It would create a desirable mood and ambience, and can help you create a rather relaxing atmosphere in any part of your landscape. For all these reasons, no wonder water features are so popular in Utah landscaping.
Your chosen water feature will not only invite oohs and aahs from admiring guests, but may also invite the presence of another kind of special guest: animals! Depending on the kind of water feature in your Utah yard, and the area in which you inhabit, do not be surprised if you receive some feathered guests and furred critters. Your water feature will provide them a place to preen, and bathe, or just to get a quick drink. These small visiting friends may be another added charm to your water feature experience.
Water features can be as simple as a discreet, but attractive, water vase fountain surrounded by simple pebbles; or they can be large, complex, and fancy ecosystems entirely to themselves. When installing a water feature, you must think of the balanced elements you want to achieve. What do you most desire from your water feature, the perfect touch to your own personal sanctuary of peace? Or the hype of a conversation piece at the tip of everyone’s tongue at your dinner party? Once you have decided upon what you want from your water feature, you can begin to fine-tune your list of endless possibilities.
A contemporary theme may feature modernist architectural elements graced by quiet and still pools of water, creating a modern-day landscape of serenity. A pond installation can achieve the same result of serenity with the combined wonders of aquatic plant life, and natural rock designs.
The tumbling rush of water from a high Utah waterfall or the slow and gentle trickle of a waterfall stream may meet your ear and eye’s fancy. Waterfalls, aside from creating delightful sounds, draw attention to the water’s cascading movement.
Water fountains are another great feature that lets you enjoy both the visual and sound effects of water movement. As with waterfalls, they can evoke excitement with stronger water flow and dramatic falls, or evoke a sense of calm with softer water flow that gently slips down surrounding forms. Fountains have the further benefit of coming in a great diversity of structures, many with unique sculptures and statues, elegant engravings or surface graphic designs. For their great diversity, fountains are naturally enthralling and are great to show off.
One exceptionally beautiful type of fountain is the basalt fountain, a fountain shaped from pieces of natural basalt. Basalt is a rock produced by volcanic activity from the sea floor or from lava flows, and has very characteristic traits of dark color and fine-grained texture. Basalt fountains are rather versatile. They come in slabs or sculpted and engraved pieces, with refined and polished surfaces. They may also be worked to leave much of their natural appeal. With their geometrical angles, and naturally compelling stone beauty, basalt fountains are reminiscent of abstract art pieces.
With so many amazing options to grace your home and landscape with the wonder of water, you should acquire design help from one of the best landscaping companies in Utah. All States Landscaping would be thrilled to help you realize your water feature vision!
Tags: ladscaping design, utah water features
Posted in Salt Lake City Landscaping | No Comments »
September 26th, 2011
Any gardener knows that nurturing a garden, even of modest size, is not for the weak-handed. In design, a well-constructed garden requires thought about the symbiosis of the plants, spacing, shade, sunlight, irrigation, germination, soil quality, and plant height and spread. A garden also requires constant attention – pruning, weeding, harvesting, structuring, debugging, disease treatment, reseeding, fertilizing, and transplanting.
Think of your landscape as one very big garden, needing just as much meticulous attention, and more. Landscaping in Utah or landscape maintenance can be exhaustive and labor-intensive work. Hiring a Utah landscaping company can save you tons of energy and time; it can also save you cost, in the end, for damage, or undesirable results resulting from a lack of expertise.
All States Landscaping will be sure to offer you complete peace of mind with any landscaping project. Established in 1985, the company has built a solid reputation in Utah landscaping and an impressive portfolio that displays work of the finest quality. Prepared with professional, expert, and knowledgeable staff; reliable man-labor to get the job done efficiently; and all the tools, supplies and equipment needed for design and construction, All States Landscaping has all the resources you need.
Utah has a unique geography with its arid and semi-arid climate, hot summers, and cold winters. Characteristics such as humidity, elevation, and Utah’s varying naturescapes go into the consideration of landscaping choices for your home or other property. All States knows Utah well, and you can trust that the choices that go into your landscaping project will firmly reflect the climate conditions affecting your Utah yard.
Quality results are a combination of professional expertise, service, and customer satisfaction. No matter how exquisite the landscaping project is when complete, a landscaping company has not done its job if the customer is dissatisfied with the results. All States Landscaping knows the importance of approaching each project with ears wide open. All States’ success depends on its representatives’ ability to listen carefully to your priorities and desires. It is of central importance to meet your unique tastes, comforts, as well as the real needs of your property. Added to the assurance that your opinions will take priority, you can also rest assured in the creative abilities and ideas that All States will offer you. Equipped to deal with a diversity of landscaping projects, from a brand new design to renovation or restoration, All States Landscaping can offer you exactly what it is you need.
One of the best Utah landscaping companies, All States is committed to the highest quality output possible. The company maintains several professional affiliations with a variety of associations, like the Utah Aparment Association and the Utah Nursery and Landscape Association, and continues to leave a lasting impression with Utah residents, one property at a time.
Tags: ladscaping design, landscaping maintenance, Utah Landscaping
Posted in Salt Lake City Landscaping | No Comments »
August 25th, 2011
The leaves of trees begin to boast radiant hues of yellows, oranges, browns and reds, announcing the change of the seasons and the coming of a time when everything must go to rest. As the life around your home prepares to go to sleep, you should also prepare, making sure that the return of spring will bring healthy and vibrant surprises. Your lawn is like an organism, not simply some grass covered by snow. The sustenance of a beautiful lawn continues to require attentive care even in the fall and winter months. There are a number of pre-winter activities to busy yourself with in the proper preparation of your lawn for the coming of winter.
First, find out what kind of grass your lawn has. Different types will require different management. There are cool season grasses, like the Kentucky bluegrass, that are tolerant of cool weather but go dormant in very hot months, and there are warm season grasses, like Buffalograss, that love heat, but cannot stand the cold. Warm season grasses need to be properly prepped before winter for the following spring when they emerge from dormancy.
Your lawn will need air and sun all throughout winter. Achieving a good grass height after the grass stops growing will help with this, so continue to mow your lawn in the fall months until the grass has stopped growing and goes into dormancy. Two inches above soil is a good average height. If the grass is too short, it will be made vulnerable to winter breeze and sun. If it is too long, it can get bended over on itself by heavy snow, or winds, causing too much moisture and the possibility of fungus growth. When you have stopped mowing, be sure to get your equipment serviced so that it is ready and in good condition for the return of spring.
It is good to do some pruning and cleaning up of your Utah yard. Pruning should be done after the leaves on plants have turned, announcing dormancy. Pruning your Utah shrubs and plants at this time will encourage good new growth when spring returns. Consult a Utah landscaping professional to find out which plants respond best to pruning. Cleaning up your yard and raking leaves will not only maintain the clean appearance of your lawn but will prevent the leaves from suffocating grass roots and causing too much moisture and rot in the winter. Your typical weed control maintenance should now take winter weeds into consideration. If left alone, winter weeds will return strong at the first sign of spring. Weed your lawn and garden areas as usual just before winter and consider weed control products specific to cold weather weeds. Edging your flowerbeds will also save you weeding time when spring returns.
Fall is also a good time to reseed your grass for spring, especially in areas that are patchy. The seeds will be ready to push out new grass blades in the spring. A soil test is also a good thing to start with, letting you know the exact fertile status of your soil, helping you to determine what mineral nutrients your soil is lacking, and saving you money on fertilization products you may not need.
Fall fertilization is of paramount importance, and is the most important fertilization for the year for warm season grasses. Although the grass ceases to grow in its dormant winter phase, the roots are still growing. Fertilization helps to strengthen the roots throughout the winter so that when spring comes back, the new grass blades produced will be of a vibrant and excellent quality. Employ the services of one of the best Utah landscaping companies to help determine the fertilization needs of your lawn.
Although the lawn is dormant during the winter, it is still alive and along with sun and air will also need a moderate degree of moisture. If there is no rainfall in the winter, you should irrigate the lawn. Doing this just before a hard freeze will help to eliminate “freeze injury” to the grass. When the lawn is moist, its temperature is not as easily affected by cold temperatures.
Fall preparation for winter and the coming spring is one of the most important times to maintain your lawn, so just because winter comes to wrap everything in blankets of snow and chill, and your lawn goes into sleep-full dormancy, don’t just let it go! Call All States Landscaping, one of the highest-quality Utah landscaping companies, and ask about their services. The work you do in these months will be wonderfully rewarded with a lush and lively lawn, worthy of talk next spring!
Tags: Utah Landscaping, Utah landscaping services
Posted in Landscape Maintenance | No Comments »
August 22nd, 2011
Landscaping can affect the appeal, beauty and even property value of a home. There are Utah landscaping designs to meet a variety of tastes, desires and functions, from a cozy, family yard with a playground area for the children to sublime peace in your own Zen Garden. Landscaping professionals can greatly assist in combining the essentials to create harmony in overall design. Almost every element adds or takes away from the total effect of a design. There are so many options and possibilities that if you don’t already have that perfect vision in mind, your choices can seem overwhelming! Here are a few elements to consider that can help transform an entire landscape.
Trees
Trees, those often majestic and stalwart structures, of so many diverse species, have the natural ability to command attention and the overall ambience of a landscape. A landscape with hardly any trees will produce a very different effect than a landscape crowded with trees. What kind of trees are you envisioning; tall and vertical or short and spreading? The form of the tree helps create the visual design lines of the landscape. Trees with tiny, delicate, feathery leaves, or gigantic sweeping, umbrella-like leaves will evoke very different feelings. The hardiness of the tree will be important if you live in a zone that has extreme winter weather.
Tropical trees are perfect for year-round warm climate, but will not last through winter weather! Also, you will have to think about spacing; a very large tree in a small space can overwhelm a yard and make it shrink. Functionally speaking, trees can provide shade in hot summer months (making your home more energy efficient), and offer privacy by blocking sight and sound. Trees also have the added benefit of purifying your air, courtesy of Mother Nature. They offer your home protection from winds and will offer treasured memories to your children who will climb, play in and swing from them. There are some additional logistical aspects that may be easily overlooked, two of which are how fast the tree grows and how the roots spread. You will be very disappointed, for example, if you slowly realize that your visions for the oak sapling you have just planted will not manifest until many, many years later. To achieve results that are desired within a relatively short period of time, consider the growth rate of your tree type. Landscapers know what fast-growing trees might be best for your purposes. The Royal Empress, for example, can grow more than 20 feet in less than three years, has beautiful flowers and a good-sized canopy. Root spread is important, because roots can penetrate and weaken foundations and disrupt underground piping. Some trees extend roots vertically, or tend to spread them horizontally. Some have relatively shallow roots; some roots extend to incredible depths. When thinking about planting trees, be sure to consult a Utah landscaping company for some guidance.
Shrubs
Shrubs, like trees, can offer the benefits of privacy. There are fast-growing varieties, like the Leyland Cypress shrub, which can grow three to four feet every growth season and can grow up to 70 feet. You can maintain the size you want with pruning. Shrubs give aesthetics. They are typically deep green in color shade but can add a splash of refreshing color to the yard with the abundance of flowering varieties available. They tend to be very hardy, tolerant of a wide range of planting zones, and low-maintenance, needing little watering.
Rocks and Boulders
Landscaping rocks in Utah have a lot of design potential. They can add structure and definition to a Utah yard. They are simple, easy to get, and do not require maintenance! A lovely design done with rocks reflects the great beauties of the natural environment. Rock has a naturally commanding appeal. Large boulders act like a central focal point and make the space look wider. For a simple, non-fuss person who is looking for a low maintenance yard, rock and boulder designing presents a perfect option. A beautiful rock garden can also be the perfect addition to a lush lawn. Maybe your rocks will complement a pond or other water fixture or help to construct part of a patio or garden wall. Rocks can add color and interest with the harmonious balance of grass, plants and flowers. Consider looking for rocks already on your property, at a construction site or quarry. If you prefer, you can get a variety of rocks from various Utah landscaping companies. All States Landscaping has a diversity of textured and colored rocks to meet your design tastes.
Soil and Bark
The type of ground cover you would like in your yard is a key consideration and also forms the foundation for structure and definition. A primarily concrete cover with stylized brick walkways will produce a very different effect than a yard of green, grassy lawns, or mostly dirt. Maybe you would like a fantastic mixture of all three. There are three main types of soil: loam, clay and sand. Loam is the most sought after kind of soil because it meets the requirements of a diversity of plant life. A mixture of clay, sand, silt and organic matter, it has a consistency that drains water well. Loam is the typical dirt you think of – the regular brown stuff. The darker it is the richer and more fertile it is. Clay, which can come in different colors, does not drain water so well. Its small particles that pack closely together make it difficult for air and water to pass through. Clay keeps water for a long time and bakes in the hot sun. Sand on the other hand, drains water too quickly for many plants. Working with soil is a matter of function. Make sure to understand the needs of the plants you have or want in your yard; that will help you determine what kind of soil you need. Many desert plants, for example, thrive in sandy soil – for obvious reasons – they are desert plants! And there are some plants that actually tolerate clay soil well.
Mulching is often used around plant bases to repress weeds, maintain moisture and insulate plant roots. They can also provide ground cover for special areas like a playground, or a walkway, and add to aesthetics. Bark mulch is a natural, attractive and popular mulching choice. You will have to consider how it combines with the ground beneath it. As decomposition naturally occurs, the bark mulch you use will add to the soil, over time changing the composition. There are hard barks, difficult to break down and thus lasting longer, and there are barks that decompose quickly. You can also get bark in different colors. A designer will be able to help you with some of these choices.
Water
The soothing, calming, peaceful effect of water can completely transform the energy in a landscape. Whether a quiet, river-rock waterfall tucked away in a secluded area of your flower garden or a central fountain with a prominent statue, water fixtures are fun and powerful ways to transform a landscape. As beautiful as it is, a water fixture that is poorly placed or that does not fit in with the other design elements of a yard can throw things off. Consider carefully the placement of a water fixture in connection to the surrounding environment. Consider whether you want a waterfall that falls silently or if you want to hear splashing. Could a pond be an option? Do you want fish and an aquatic garden? If so, depth, size, temperature, shade and sun are all important factors that can sustain or disrupt a pond’s health and ecosystem.
There are many ways to transform a landscape. With the design of just these few elements, you have literally hundreds and hundreds of options for landscaping in Utah. All States Landscaping offers a diversity of services to meet your needs and will offer valuable guidance in creating a design that will make you happy.
Tags: ladscaping design, Putting Green, Utah Landscaping
Posted in Salt Lake City Landscaping | No Comments »
August 19th, 2011
Get a Landscaping Company to Take Care of All Your Landscaping and Maintenance Needs!
People delight in projects they can do themselves, saving on money and at the same time enjoying the satisfaction of accomplishment. The most successful do-it-yourself projects are completed with the right combination of information, resources and execution. There are some things, however, that are better managed by an expert, no matter how creative or ambitious a person is. Designing and maintaining a landscape is one of those things. Landscaping in Utah requires skill. It involves the appropriate juggling of technical knowledge (artistic design and botany), man power, tools, equipment and tricks of the trade. All those same elements are needed in the maintenance of a Utah yard in order to keep the landscape at its optimal health and in line with its specific design. For such a major investment as your property and such a large working area as an entire yard, it is best to seek the services of a professional Utah landscaping company to take care of your design and maintenance needs.
Yard maintenance, specifically, may be an underestimated factor, and something people do not fully consider going into a new design. Landscape maintenance keeps your yard beautiful and clean; it keeps the landscape functional, for example, in cases of public areas, or for family use, and also protects or increases property value. Your external property and grounds is an actual living thing! Plants grow wild extensions and need pruning; tree leaves fall; grass pops up unevenly; annuals die and need replanting; bugs and insects make their home amongst all your green things, some of which are pesky and very troublesome; and life transforms with the changing seasons. Maintenance entails trimming and pruning trees and shrubs; caring for bedding areas; removing weeds, leaves, debris, and dead or dying plants; mowing; fertilization; pest control; mulching; sprinkler management; and Utah snow removal. All of these activities keep the beauty of your large investment and prevent the build-up of problems that will later on bring on a major headache.
Taking care of a large property is a lot of hard work. You will absolutely need time and energy to do it, not once or twice but consistently throughout the year. Hiring a landscape company to make changes to your property or maintain it can take a lot of this workload off your shoulders and give you more time to do the other important things in your life. The best Utah landscaping companies will maintain your yard with its specific design elements in mind – this will include the type of plant life you have and the kind of care they require to thrive. A professional selectively hired to do the job he does will understand the kinds of pests you have, why you have them and how to best get rid of them. He will have access to the highest quality products in the business and will know how to use potentially dangerous chemicals safely. You will also want someone who understands the quality of your soil and the needs of your plants even for those things that seem simple enough to handle on your own, like fertilization. Not all plants do well with the same kind and amount of fertilization. These are some things a landscaping company will focus on, taking the time to design a unique maintenance plan for your unique yard ecosystem.
Regarding time and labor, if you are simply too busy to get out into the yard often enough to give it the care it needs, you can end up into trouble with things getting overgrown, or pests being allowed to get out of hand. A Utah landscaping company will provide efficient service that will be regularly scheduled according to the needed tasks of your landscape.
Without proper research and knowledge, the list of mistakes you can potentially make is long. Not having access to the right tools and best products will also create a hindrance to proper yard care. Doing it yourself can end up in results you do not like, or having to do damage control. And having a quality company take care of your yard will allow them to diagnose problems that you did not even notice yourself.
Maintaining your yard yourself is not an impossible task, but it will require consistent labor, time, energy, the appropriate tools and products and the expertise about all the aspects of your landscape design. With all of these considerations, a good landscape company will make the best use of your money by producing quality, thorough results, and with the professional mark of efficiency.
Tags: landscaping maintenance, Utah Landscaping, Utah lawn care services
Posted in Landscape Maintenance | No Comments »
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