Category: Landscaping Tips
August 17, 2017
Make Your Outdoor Living Space Inviting with Control Lighting
Portland homeowners can add hardscaping, and a patio cover with a fire pit to expand outdoor living space and increase enjoyment during inclement weather. What they may overlook is the importance of landscape lighting. Portland’s winter months bring dark days—many residents feel disheartened at the prospect of leaving for work in darkness and arriving back home in darkness. Landscape lighting can make an outdoor space feel cozy and inviting, even during Portland’s soggy winter season.
(more…)
July 20, 2017
Covered outdoor living areas offer a year-round oasis for relaxing and entertaining. Landscape East & West will work with you to create a unique patio cover, pergola, or other covered structure that’s perfect for your landscape. Because covered patios and decks have become a sought-after element among homebuyers, homes with covered structures tend to earn a higher resale price. A wood pergola or other covered structure adds functional square footage to the home, extending your usable living space. After adding a covered outdoor structure, many homeowners find they enjoy the outdoors more frequently throughout the year. And in our drizzly Pacific Northwest climate, being able to enjoy the outdoors for more of the year is a huge plus.
(more…)
October 26, 2015
Winter is coming, and we want to help Portland-metro and Hillsboro homeowners, who enjoy landscaping and gardening, get ready for the upcoming months. Today, we’re taking a special look at the city of Hillsboro. Like gardeners everywhere, Hillsboro landscapers can benefit from pre-planning for upcoming seasons. In addition to general tips on planning for winter’s rainfall and general moisture, we discuss how different species respond to winter rains.
(more…)
September 16, 2015
What grows well in the shade? That’s a question we commonly field from our Portland landscaping clients. Here in the Portland metro area, different communities see different weather patterns, different soil compositions, and slightly different growing conditions. What does well in a shady Lake Oswego yard may not survive in a shady backyard in Hillsboro. Landscaping depends on multiple inputs, from soil condition to light patterns. Each yard also has its own microclimates influencing growth. As such, there is no simple answer to the shade question. Every yard has its own unique growing conditions, which may or may not support the requirements of specific shady plants. Speaking with a landscaping expert can give you insight into the type of plants that will thrive in your yard.
(more…)
July 02, 2015
Sodden lawns are not uncommon in Portland landscaping.
Portland’s geology features layers of clay and undulating hills—two problematic features for lawn lovers. Clay-laden soil retains water; it creates a dense top layer (a “hardpan”), which is difficult to break through when planting new shrubs and trees. And Portland’s hilly topography naturally creates dells where water gathers. The Portland landscape dooms many lawns to suffer sogginess.
(more…)
December 23, 2014
The exclamation “Location, location, location!” is typically applied to the world of real estate, but it applies equally well to gardening. Landscaping experts the world over appreciate the importance of selecting the correct plants for local climates. In this post we go into detail about location-based landscaping in Portland. We discuss climate zones and hardiness zones, two measuring sticks that green thumbs use to categorize which plants will thrive where. We also touch on which plants thrive in Portland.
(more…)
August 18, 2014
When it comes to Portland landscaping maintenance, it doesn’t make sense to hire three or four services—one for the lawn, one for trimming trees and bushes, another for irrigation system needs, and so forth. Rather, we recommend hiring a full-service landscaping company who can take care of every aspect of your yard’s health as needed. Today we’re talking about the difference between a
full-service residential landscaping firm and the “mow, blow, and go” operations that cut the grass, blow away leaves, and take off. Hiring piecemeal for your landscaping services may seem like a way to save money. But the truth is that only full-service Portland landscaping contractors can care for your yard’s long-term health, in much the same way that a family doctor has the breadth of knowledge to care for your whole body’s health.
(more…)
July 18, 2014
Since ancient times, people have appreciated the healing powers of water. Modern research proves that the sound of flowing water decreases stress levels. The playful gurgling of a stream can lift a person’s spirits, while water’s sparkling movement enchants the eyes. Beyond a yearning for beauty, our Portland landscaping clients cite additional reasons for installing water features, such as achieving a balance of elements (fire, water, metal, air, and so forth). Moving water is also an excellent way to drown out traffic or other unappealing sounds. Water features can attract entrancing wildlife to your yard. Finally, if you’re looking to
create a Zen/meditative garden space where you can escape the cares of the world, a water feature is a key ingredient in your overall design.
(more…)
April 30, 2014
Portland residents love their pets and, with urban farming on the rise, it’s not unusual to see chickens, ducks, rabbits and goats in a neighbor’s yard. We wanted to share some pet-friendly Portland landscaping designs, so that you can see how pets and homeowners can live in harmony.
(more…)
April 10, 2014
Dogs and lush gardening—many homeowners assume they’re mutually exclusive. You can’t have both, the thinking goes, because a dog will just tear up any landscaping you might add. Well, we’re here to tell you that you CAN have it all—a beautiful garden and a happy pooch! In today’s blog we’re taking a look at the yard from a canine perspective. Read on for our top tips for Portland, Oregon landscaping enthusiasts who also happen to be dog lovers.
(more…)
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Portland homeowners can add hardscaping, and a patio cover with a fire pit to expand outdoor living space and increase enjoyment during inclement weather. What they may overlook is the importance of landscape lighting. Portland’s winter months bring dark days—many residents feel disheartened at the prospect of leaving for work in darkness and arriving back home in darkness. Landscape lighting can make an outdoor space feel cozy and inviting, even during Portland’s soggy winter season.
(more…)
Covered outdoor living areas offer a year-round oasis for relaxing and entertaining. Landscape East & West will work with you to create a unique patio cover, pergola, or other covered structure that’s perfect for your landscape. Because covered patios and decks have become a sought-after element among homebuyers, homes with covered structures tend to earn a higher resale price. A wood pergola or other covered structure adds functional square footage to the home, extending your usable living space. After adding a covered outdoor structure, many homeowners find they enjoy the outdoors more frequently throughout the year. And in our drizzly Pacific Northwest climate, being able to enjoy the outdoors for more of the year is a huge plus.
(more…)
Winter is coming, and we want to help Portland-metro and Hillsboro homeowners, who enjoy landscaping and gardening, get ready for the upcoming months. Today, we’re taking a special look at the city of Hillsboro. Like gardeners everywhere, Hillsboro landscapers can benefit from pre-planning for upcoming seasons. In addition to general tips on planning for winter’s rainfall and general moisture, we discuss how different species respond to winter rains.
(more…)
What grows well in the shade? That’s a question we commonly field from our Portland landscaping clients. Here in the Portland metro area, different communities see different weather patterns, different soil compositions, and slightly different growing conditions. What does well in a shady Lake Oswego yard may not survive in a shady backyard in Hillsboro. Landscaping depends on multiple inputs, from soil condition to light patterns. Each yard also has its own microclimates influencing growth. As such, there is no simple answer to the shade question. Every yard has its own unique growing conditions, which may or may not support the requirements of specific shady plants. Speaking with a landscaping expert can give you insight into the type of plants that will thrive in your yard.
(more…)
Sodden lawns are not uncommon in Portland landscaping. Portland’s geology features layers of clay and undulating hills—two problematic features for lawn lovers. Clay-laden soil retains water; it creates a dense top layer (a “hardpan”), which is difficult to break through when planting new shrubs and trees. And Portland’s hilly topography naturally creates dells where water gathers. The Portland landscape dooms many lawns to suffer sogginess.
(more…)
The exclamation “Location, location, location!” is typically applied to the world of real estate, but it applies equally well to gardening. Landscaping experts the world over appreciate the importance of selecting the correct plants for local climates. In this post we go into detail about location-based landscaping in Portland. We discuss climate zones and hardiness zones, two measuring sticks that green thumbs use to categorize which plants will thrive where. We also touch on which plants thrive in Portland.
(more…)
When it comes to Portland landscaping maintenance, it doesn’t make sense to hire three or four services—one for the lawn, one for trimming trees and bushes, another for irrigation system needs, and so forth. Rather, we recommend hiring a full-service landscaping company who can take care of every aspect of your yard’s health as needed. Today we’re talking about the difference between a full-service residential landscaping firm and the “mow, blow, and go” operations that cut the grass, blow away leaves, and take off. Hiring piecemeal for your landscaping services may seem like a way to save money. But the truth is that only full-service Portland landscaping contractors can care for your yard’s long-term health, in much the same way that a family doctor has the breadth of knowledge to care for your whole body’s health.
(more…)
Since ancient times, people have appreciated the healing powers of water. Modern research proves that the sound of flowing water decreases stress levels. The playful gurgling of a stream can lift a person’s spirits, while water’s sparkling movement enchants the eyes. Beyond a yearning for beauty, our Portland landscaping clients cite additional reasons for installing water features, such as achieving a balance of elements (fire, water, metal, air, and so forth). Moving water is also an excellent way to drown out traffic or other unappealing sounds. Water features can attract entrancing wildlife to your yard. Finally, if you’re looking to create a Zen/meditative garden space where you can escape the cares of the world, a water feature is a key ingredient in your overall design.
(more…)
