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Commercial Calgary Landscaping Companies Winter Tree Care

October 11, 2017

The winter weather in Calgary is a challenge for any landscape. Trees and shrubs can sustain damage due to the variable weather. It is important to take care of trees throughout the winter to keep them healthy for next spring’s thaw.

Calgary Landscaping: The Challenges of Winter Weather

Calgary’s unique position in southern Alberta places it right in the path of the warm chinook winds coming off the eastern slopes of the Rockies. The winds pick up speed and strength going through the Bow Valley. This warm wind can cause extreme temperature fluctuations. Add dry air to the mix and you may see tree damage everywhere.

Tip Kill

As the air warms up, but remains dry, the tips of tree branches start to dry out. Since the roots are frozen, they are unable to bring water into the tips to replenish the supply. This leaves the tips starved of moisture, which causes them to die. This condition is known as “tip kill” or “die back”. Common signs are dry twigs and discolored evergreen needles. The damage done can be extensive enough to kill smaller plants. Creating wind breaks or covering plants with mulch are effective options for preventing this kind of damage.

False Spring

Calgary landscaping professionals dread false spring. When the warm Chinook winds stay around longer than normal, it begins to warm the ground. The warm ground can bring trees out of dormancy too early. The sap flows and the tree begins spring growth. When the winter winds return, the freezing temperatures can cause severe damage to the new growth that won’t go away with the approach of real spring.

Another cause of false spring is sun scald. Snow is on the ground and the sun is bright in the sky. As the sun’s rays reflect off the snow, it can cause tree tissues on the south side to start thawing. Then, when the sun goes down, the thawed tissues refreeze. This continual freeze/thaw/freeze/thaw cycle can cause the tree’s bark to split. This can damage inner tissues and even kill the tree. If you notice a split limb or trunk, wrap it to prevent further damage.

Animal Damage

Non-hibernating animals like deer and rabbits are another challenge for Calgary landscaping professionals. They will eat tree bark during winter, plus pillage your perennials and shrubs. This can cause exposure of the tender inner tissues of the tree. Placing wire fencing around the base of the tree is an effective option for preventing this kind of damage.

De-Icing Agents

Plants along sidewalks and near parking areas are vulnerable to any DE-icing agents you put down. Use those DE-icing materials sparingly and only where necessary. Excess use can cause damage and even kill smaller trees and plants.

If you need help with your winter tree care or want a four-season land maintenance company, call us here at Mirage Landscaping. We have been proudly serving the Calgary area for three generations with landscape services and snow removal.

Landscaping

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Have You Started Your Winter Landscaping Yet

October 5, 2017

Even
though it’s almost winter, your landscaping work isn’t over yet. Your
plants, patios and ponds still need care, and it’s best to get to them
before the cold sets in. Hiring a licensed NJ landscape architect
service takes away all of the pressure of winterizing your yard, and may
even save you a few bucks when spring comes back around next year.

When
it comes to winter landscaping protection, you’re looking at a two-fold
process. You’ll need to take care of the plants, flowers and trees in
the back yard, and you’ll have to protect your outdoor patios and decks
from the weather. Proper and thorough landscaping preparation is key to
keeping your yard safe and beautiful all year long.

Hiring a NJ Landscape Architect Can Help

It
doesn’t matter whether you created your own designs or hired a
professional contractor: a NJ landscape architect is still a smart
choice for protecting your outdoor space. Some of the services they
provide may include

Lawn care. Resist the urge
to simply let your lawn “die off” during the colder months. Ask a
professional to take soil samples to ensure that the PH is balanced.
Your winter landscaping service should also include thatching, removing
dead leaves and killing off whatever weeds are making their way up from
the ground.

Plants. If you keep plants on your
outdoor patios and decks, you can take them inside to protect them from
cold snaps at night. If you have flower beds planted in your back or
front yard, speak to your NJ landscape architect about using mulch. Too
much can hurt the plants, and too little is useless, so it’s best to
have your service apply it for you.

Trees.
It might seem silly to water your trees, but in the later fall months
it’s a smart decision. Trees can become easily damaged in the winter
because they’re unable to draw water from the snow or ice. A good drink
of water will help them stay healthy during the winter. You may also
want to ask your NJ landscape architect to remove any low hanging or
dying branches and limbs.

Natural materials.
Most people have outdoor patios and decks made of natural materials like
stone or wood. Both can become damaged by harsh weather conditions,
like snow or excessive winds. It’s best to have a professional service
seal your outdoor patios and decks to help them avoid cracking,
splintering and discoloration.

Furniture. This
one you may be able to do on your own, depending on how heavy your
outdoor furniture is. Make sure to take in as much of your furniture as
you can – especially your cushions.

When it comes to landscaping
preparation for winter, it’s really about starting in the fall. You
could potentially damage your yard and its accoutrements if you wait
until the actual winter for landscaping issues. By obtaining the
services of a licensed NJ landscape architect you’re better preparing
your outdoor living spaces to make it through the winter. That means
less money and time spent in the spring fixing anything that may have
broken, discolored or died. So when it comes to winter landscaping
preparation, there’s not time like the present to get things going.

Landscaping

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Use Ogden Landscaping Services To Design The Best Country Home For Yourself

September 30, 2017

Living in a beautiful countryside home can be a truly marvellous experience as there is seldom anything better than living in the midst of nature. In order to construct a countryside home you need to hire the services of a landscaping company which can help you out with the designing and building of this home in a smooth and hassle free manner. The Ogden landscaping services can prove to be highly useful in this regard and are definitely worth making use of on the part of the average house builder.

Landscaping services have to be booked in advance as constructing a home particularly a countryside home can end up taking quite a bit of time and the plan of the home has to be drawn up at least six months before the actual construction is a ready to begin. Thus one should make every effort to get in touch with the landscaping authorities and architects as soon as possible and let them know of what has in mind. Several plans will be drawn up before one particular plan is approved. It is important to remember that any changes to the final plan cannot be made when the construction begins.

When using the Ogden landscaping services, it would be vital to let the architects know about the budget that one is ready to dispense with for the construction activities. It is entirely on the basis of this that the plan for construction will be drawn up. The money for construction can be paid in instalments and the work will progress as and when the money is paid for the purchase of raw materials needed for construction. If one does not want to waste more than one and a half to two years in building the house, then the entire money for construction should be paid at one go. The best way to do this would be through the use of an electronic clearing system. Once the money has been credited into the account of the construction experts, the work shall instantly begin.

The money that is charged by the landscaping authorities are those that are inclusive of taxes, raw material and labour and nothing has to be paid for on an additional basis at all.

Landscaping

Water-conscious Landscaping

September 22, 2017

By Savitha Hira Photography: Courtesy Ar. Kakoli Sikder

The Water Habitat Retreat at Jodhpur is a laudable exercise in traditional rainwater harvesting, and landscaping this heritage property has effectively brought it into the limelight-

Socially responsible architecture is quietly being practiced by many an architect in various pockets of the globe. Thanks to socially responsive patrons, who make an unwavering commitment in tandem with the architects. Ar. Kakoli Sikder is a landscape architect from Delhi, who has creditably been a significant team member of the Bijolai Palace conservation at Jodhpur.

Water Habitat Retreat was once the famous Bijolai Palace at Jodhpur. It was conserved and restored to house a boutique hospitality venture under the aegis of the Jal Bhagirathi Foundation. It is said that the scenic, sprawling summer palace built in the early 19th century is nestled between the Aravalli Hills surrounded by lakes as an oasis in the desert. With the civil work being completed as far back as 2008, Ar. Kakoli Sikder stepped in to make her valuable contribution to the expansive landscape.

Beginning from the entrance paths – there were two distinct ones – both over a culvert; one towards private quarters and the other towards the admin and hospitality facilities; Kakoli worked on a well-manicured garden, arched jharokhas to frame panoramic views, square paved plazas, lush green palms, circular planters with shade-giving trees and diligently selected native species of -Jaal Peelu’ , -Rohina’ and -Babool’ as the focal planting among other things. Largely, there are three courtyards within the living quarters, which have been designed tastefully as trellised spaces for outdoor seating and occasional dining. As in any landscaping project, the material palette and the selection of flora and fauna have been methodically determined. With the project tabling water as an exemplary rainwater oasis, where it is not only supposed to be entirely self-sufficient of its water needs, but is also said to use 100% recycled rainwater and provide water for the drinking-water needs of severely water-distressed local communities, care has been taken to use plants that require less water, absorbent soil, and loosely laid Jodhpur stone pavers that together aid in recharging the natural water table. The walls, toe walls, retaining walls, etc. are all made of locally available Jodhpur dark stone in random masonry. The paths are made of loose stone chips. The planter coping, plazas, steps, amphitheatre seats and stage are made of polished Jodhpur stone. And as far as the lighting is concerned – wall lights, tree up-lighters and bollards have been strategically used to enhance the mood of this place.

As Kakoli sums up, -The challenge lay in accomplishing heightened aesthetics within a contextual vocabulary, staying grounded in terms of giving back to the project and doing all of this within the limitations of cost-effectiveness.-

to view images click on inditerrain.indiaartndesign.com

Landscaping

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Garden Landscaping Ideas Convert Unused Space Into Something Unique

September 15, 2017

The normal practices for most gardeners who have to work with a lawn is to select a patch of land that is open and then sow some plants and wait for the garden to fill up. However, there are other and better ways of gardening and a garden can in fact be placed almost anywhere one wants. It pays to work on a few simple garden landscaping ideas which will help to transform your home from an ordinary piece of property into one that stands out in the locality.

Backyard Swimming Pool

In case there is a backyard swimming pool that is lying disused on your property, why not make use of simple garden landscaping ideas which can help to make better use of any unused apace and convert it into an excellent sunken patio that could also have lovely vegetation in its immediate vicinity to further improve the overall look of the patio.

To take this garden landscaping idea one step further, why not also consider creating different levels, which helps enhance small pieces of land by making even small spaces look larger than they really are. And, with some more imagination, you can easily develop your garden landscaping ideas even more by also using the steps of your pool as a guide to create different levels for the patio.

Other than levels, you can also try out different garden landscaping ideas with regard to the floor of the new patio which may even be made from red colored bricks and you can also use flagstones (vertical) to create barriers with which to keep the garden soil intact. To cap this brilliant garden landscaping idea, you can even use a fireplace (outdoor) in the pool which will be most appreciated whenever you plan on having a picnic at night and in the outdoors.

Even Japanese garden landscaping lends it well to garden landscaping ideas, especially if you have a fascination for everything Japanese. In fact, you can really go wild with garden landscaping ideas for a Japanese style garden because there is a lot of scope for you to play with colors as well as because the ideas can be made very flexible as well as unique.

But, there is even more to the type of garden landscaping idea that you can think up because there is in fact, even another theme worth developing and that is of making your garden attractive to visiting birds. In fact, if you come across birds that visit your home and which show an attraction to fruits you could even think of planting an entire fruit tree which would draw these birds in big numbers, and in addition you will also get to enjoy the scents given off by most fruit trees. Also, you could embellish such garden landscapes by also considering adding bird swings on the tree and even installing a birdbath in your garden that are some other good examples of imaginative garden landscaping ideas.

Landscaping