Blog
Year-Round Yard Maintenance – All Seasons Yard Care
Ever walk through your neighborhood and notice how some yards look good no matter the season? Whatever the style, from finely manicured landscapes to less formal gardens, some yards always seem to be well-dressed – even in the dead of winter. Does a master gardener live in each of these homes? Probably not, but one thing they do all have in common: regular, year-round maintenance.
Whether you’re the DIY type or prefer to let someone else do the heavy lifting, following a seasonal schedule of care – and doing the right things at the right time – is the secret sauce to healthy lawns and thriving landscapes. So, here’s our seasonal guide to help you get through the year.
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Transforming an Outdoor Living Space into the Perfect Wedding Venue
Hillsboro Outdoor Wedding Venue Makeover: Form, Function, Elegance - Success
As far as outdoor wedding venues are concerned- the decorations, the reception areas, and of course the perfect place for the ceremony- are the biggest factors in your decision-making process. Landscape East & West took all of these factors into account during a 2018 project in Hillsboro where the clients were preparing to host their grandchild’s wedding. Long before guests were searching for what to wear to an outdoor wedding (cocktail and black tie are the most common for the summer), Landscape East & West was tasked with converting the client’s outdoor space into an elegant and functional venue for the big event. (more…)Planning Your Spring Landscaping Project
If you are looking through your window and the pouring rain at your yard, dreaming of lounging in an Adirondack chair by your fountain under the shining spring sun, now is the time to start planning to have all of those things! A landscaping project is the perfect solution, transforming your yard into an oasis complete with retaining walls, pavers and paved walkways, water features, a covered space for entertaining guests, and so much more.
The most important thing to understand at this very moment is that if you have an idea for a landscaping project, it’s best to start the searching and hiring process now to lock in your landscaper and plan because the project will likely start in the spring. To better understand the process of going from idea to consultation to project and project completion, here are some things to consider. (more…)
Preparing Your Yard for Winter: How to Winterize Irrigation
Sprinkler and irrigation systems can be extremely valuable when you need to water plants and crops over large spaces that would otherwise take hours to tackle with a basic hose and spray nozzle. However, in the Pacific Northwest, winter temperatures frequently drop below freezing, leaving those irrigation pipes and other components vulnerable to freeze damage. Expansion of residual water left in your system can lead to cracks and leaks in the system, including underground pipes, pumps, sprinkler heads, valves, and other parts.
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Landscaping Project Management: What to Expect After Signing on the Dotted Line
Landscape East & West project managers (PMs) are efficient point people, with a deep understanding of how to take a project from concept, to design, to build. After the design phase and consultation with the customer are complete, the salesperson transfers the vision of the project in document form over to a project manager. This doesn’t mean that the customer’s involvement in the project is done, it just means the project is now in the hands of the certified, skilled professional that will be communicating with the customer frequently in the coming days.
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What to Plant in the Fall for Your Best Spring and Summer Garden
September is the perfect time to rejuvenate your landscape with new plants. September may be heralded by the ringing of school bells, but it also marks the beginning of the fall planting season. The days are not too hot, the nights are mild, and the coming rains all add up to a welcoming environment for new plants to take root and get established before winter sets in. And come next spring, these fall plantings will have a head start to looking their best.
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Best Fall Landscape Projects
August just might be our favorite summer month here in the Pacific Northwest. The weather is generally perfect for outdoor recreation and backyard entertaining. The tantalizing smell of backyard barbeques wafts along the summer breeze. Gardens are in full swing bursting with a riot of blooms and colors. And hammocks are especially inviting for lazy afternoon naps.
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How to Start Up Your Sprinkler System
As landscape contractors, we frequently hear from homeowners with questions about when and how to start up their sprinkler systems in the spring—especially if they have recently moved and are unfamiliar with their new home’s irrigation. Here is everything you need to know about starting up your sprinkler system, plus some basic information to help you familiarize yourself with your own system. (more…)
Bright Ideas for Adding Light to Your Landscape
Deciding to add outdoor lighting around your home and yard is both a practical and aesthetic consideration. Lighting up your home’s exterior at night makes your front porch, patio or deck, steps, and walkways safer. The added light is an excellent deterrent to would-be prowlers and increases your home’s security. Outdoor lighting can also enhance your home’s curb appeal and the overall value of your home. (more…)
Spring Checklist for A Beautiful Summer Landscape
