Start by raking the entire yard and removing any debris and leaves.  Then use a dethatcher to scarify and cultivate the existing lawn.  If you want to kill any weeds or grass first, start by spraying a herbicide a week before over seeding.

If needed, add some additional topsoil and rake it flat.

Once you have prepared the soil it is time to add the seed.  Do one pass with the seed then another pass with the fertilizer.

Then place a layer of straw over the entire area to help retain moisture in the soil.

Then it is time to water, water and water.  Keep the seed moist so that it will germinate.  You should look at your own soil conditions, but watering once in the morning and once in the evening should keep it moist.

First, start by digging the post holes at least two feet deep, install posts and concrete.  Cut all the posts to the same height.  Let the posts set up for a day.   We used pressure treated wood, you could use cedar, but make sure the wood is rot resistant.     

Post installed with concrete.

All four posts set and cut to size.

Once your posts are set in concrete, attach your bottom support boards to your posts.  Make sure the boards are level and bolted to the posts.  Bolts should be long enough to go through the entire support board and post.  

Level support boards and attach with screws to hold in place.

Bolt the supports into place.

Then you are ready for your cross beams.  Place the two end cross beams first, then measure the distance between the beams to determine how many center beams to add.  Attach all the cross beams with at least two screws.  We notched out the boards to fit over the support beams and added a decorative cut on the end.  Be as creative as you like with the cross beams.         

Attach two end beams first.

Add center beams. We attached a string line to make certain all beams line up.

Finally, you have a finished pergola!  Now add the television, sound system and fan or outdoor lighting to make it the perfect shady retreat.  Sit back and enjoy!  

The finished pergola!

The Project:  A raised patio with corner fire pit and retaining walls.

Day 1 – Let the digging begin!

Digging out the retaining wall footings.

Day 2 – Building the retaining walls.

Day 3 – Inserting drain pipes, compacting the stone base.

Day 4 – Ready for the sand and the brick!

Day 5 – With the patio down, now it is time for some finishing touches: the polymeric sand, decorative wall and wall caps. Here is the finished project!

We are ready for the marshmallows!

How to Water

• Your landscape requires about 1 inch of water a week. 
• When you water it is important to saturate the first 3 to 4 inches of soil to reach the plants root zone.
• To saturate the soil around your plants it is best to use a soaker hose or a slow trickle out of a water hose.  Don’t just do a quick watering with the hose; you are hurting the plants more than helping them.
• To water potted plants, take a plastic water bottle, fill it with water and leave it turned upside down in the soil.  The water will slowly seep into the soil throughout the day.  This can also work for in ground shrubs and plants. 
• Test to see if you are watering deeply enough, use the screwdriver test.  If you can push a screwdriver into the ground 4 to 6 inches deep, you are reaching the root zone.

What to Water

• Shrubs and trees are on the top of the watering list.  Lawns can easily be brought back in the fall with over seeding and aeration.  If you have to make a choice, always choose to water your plant material.
• When your trees start dropping leaves, they are telling you they need water.  Trees will shed leaves because they cannot support all their growth with the lack of water; this is how they protect themselves.  If you are seeing this behavior in your trees, start watering with a trickle hose.    

When to Water

• It is best to water first thing in the morning before the hard summer sun is bearing down on your plants. 
• It is also good to water after some of the big rains.  Once the soil is moist from the rain, the ground can accept more water deep down.

If you are looking for ways to conserve water this summer, check out our earlier blog on rain barrels.  Learn how to catch your rain water run-off and use it to water plants and lawns!

Now that children are out for the summer, it is the perfect time to teach kids about gardening.  There are so many lessons to be learned in the garden: the science of soil and the many creatures that live in it, how to grow plants from a seed, the plants need for food – nutrients, water and sunlight -, how pollination works, how to make dinner from what you grow, and many more! 

For a great guide on gardening with your children visit Grow Veg.  If you are not that savvy in the garden or don’t have an outdoor space you can call your own, there are many children’s education programs that local botanical gardens host that can be fun family learning experiences.   In Richmond, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden provides many great programs for families and children to learn about gardening.  Or visit Wikipedia for a great comprehensive list of all the botanical gardens across the nation.  Find a program right for you and start growing!

Stone fireplace

great entertaining area, an interesting garden focal point and helps extend the time you can use your outdoor space in the winter. 

Since there is so much interest in this topic, I wanted to direct you to a couple of prior posts that give some good information on outdoor fireplaces.  And as always if you need help, you know who to call, Carville Landscape Co.

• Outdoor Fireplaces - Some good tips if you are thinking about building a fireplace in your backyard.
• Outdoor  Fire Pits - a good review of fire pits and the different types available.
• Looking to Extend your Homes Square Footage - a good review of the different hardscape opportunities for your outdoor entertaining
• Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits - some pictures of our favorite jobs.  

Basic Rain Barrel from Plow and Hearth

Rain barrels range in sizes from 30 to 100 gallons and come in many designs.  A single rain barrel can save most homeowners about 1,300 gallons of water a year.  This is 1,300 gallons of FREE water that you can use for watering plants, gardens and lawns or for even washing cars.  In addition to the cost savings you receive by reducing your public water consumption, you will help the environment by reducing water runoff as you use the stored rain water around your home and garden (water will absorb slowly back into the ground replenishing groundwater supplies, helping to protect our rivers and Bays).    

Decorative Rain Barrel from Plow and Hearth

You can find rain barrels just about anywhere these days, the big box retailers, your local conservation organizations or you can make your own (Home Depot sells a kit).  Most barrels come with a spigot for your hose, a screen to keep debris and insects out and linking kits to link several barrels together.  They range in price anywhere from $70 to over $200, and in design from a basic black plastic barrel to more decorative pots.  I thought Plow and Hearth had a great selection of basic and decorative rain barrels (just a suggestion, not an endorsement).

So on this beautiful, sunny Earth Day, think about how you can do your part to help save the Earth – start catching some rain!

Pool with paver patio

Half of the appointments I have had this last week have been with customers that want to put in pools.  One summer-like day and everyone needs a pool.  So… I thought I would write a quick blog on pools and the new thing everyone is talking about, salt water chlorine generators. 

Everyone wants a pool and nobody wants to clean and maintain it.  I am with you on that one.  Pool maintenance can be a bit of a pain, but with the new salt water system, the maintenance is cut down substantially. 

Pool overlooking the Bay

I would go into all the differences in pool types and chlorine vs. salt, but we often partner with River Pools and Spas on many projects and they have a GREAT blog for everything pool!  I am just going to point you to a few blogs they have posted on the differences in pools, honest costs and maintenance, and then show you a few pictures to get you motivated.  Happy swimming!

Salt Water pools – how it works, benefits, drawbacks  

How much will the pool really cost – honest information regarding the costs of a fiberglass pool

Fiberglass pool vs. concrete pool vs. liner pool – a great link showing the honest differences between the three. 

For more information about the Richmond home and Garden Show, visit www.richmondhomeandgardenshow.com.

One of my personal favorites, a bluestone patio with a circular fire pit. 

Circular Fire Pit topped with Bluestone

 

Another cozy spot, a red brick fireplace with a mortared bluestone patio. 

Brick Outdoor Fireplace

Another favorite of mine, a stone half-circle fire pit overlooking the River! 

Stone Fire Pit

And lastly, another circular fir pit on a paver patio.  

circular paver fire pit

Hopefully some of these pictures inspire you to do something fun in your backyard.  If you need any help installing a fireplace or fire pit in your backyard, give us a call.  Check out our website for more information on outdoor rooms.