When it comes to selecting the best materials for an outdoor fire pit, there is a lot to consider. From the durability and safety of the materials to the aesthetics of your Western North Carolina outdoor fire pit, the options can seem overwhelming. In this blog post, we will go over the advantages and disadvantages of the various materials used for building an outdoor fire pit, so you can make the best decision for your needs.
As soon to be summer heat starts settling in later this month, many lawns may inevitably get a bit dry. Our western North Carolina climate has its fair share of thunderstorms durning the summer, but we do occasionally experience a dry spell or drought. Many people worry about their lawns or landscaping not getting enough water and chalking up the poor health of their plants and lawns to underwatering, so as they try and correct the problem that may have nothing to do with under watering at all, they may overcompensate by watering too much.
Watering too frequently comes at a price, not only to your pocketbook, but also as a hit to the condition of your yard. Some of the issues that can crop up in your yard are due to overwatering are: fungus, mold, and bacteria growth, plant viruses and higher populations of pests such as grubs.
In addition to the nasty things that can happen due to over watering, you can accidentally drown your lawn’s roots and kill your grass or speed up the erosion of the lawn you’re trying so hard to maintain. That’s why it’s important to be mindful of best practices for watering your lawn, which we’re here to help you with! Read on for three of the best practices to be aware of and take a step in the right direction to keeping your lawn beautiful.
When it comes to pruning, the general rule is to do so in late winter or early spring. While that holds true for many trees and shrubs, there are several types that need to be pruned throughout the summer. Here are some examples:
Thoughtfully designed landscape lighting can completely transform the look of your yard. By placing lights in specific areas, you can emphasize the unique shapes, colors, and textures of your plants and flowers, allowing them to stand out in the evening hours. Soft lighting along garden beds or near ornamental trees can bring a sense of depth and dimension, while subtle accents can make outdoor features appear more striking. Lighting can also be used to create focal points, drawing the eye toward decorative elements like sculptures or fountains. By using varying intensities and angles, you can achieve a visually dynamic and layered effect that elevates the charm of your outdoor space after sunset.
As we approach summer, we get into grub season. Before you start to notice the signs of these pesky creatures, its time for preventative treatments.
The Secret to Luscious Lawns: The Benefits of Fall Fertilization in WNC
Fall fertilization is a proven method to improve the health of your lawn in Western North Carolina. Fertilizing helps replenish the essential nutrients in your soil, creating a healthier and more productive soil that is better suited to growing plants and crops.
Hardscape projects are an excellent way to add value to your home while also creating a beautiful outdoor living space. Not only do they add aesthetic appeal, but they can also improve the functionality of the topography, and increase your property value and return on investment (ROI).
Have you ever thought about how your lawn is like your body? Probably not, but just like you create energy by fueling your body with food and nutrients, your lawn is a living system that needs feeding as well!
The first step to help your lawn grow healthy with energy-dense roots and reserve fuel for repair, is to aerate it. What’s aeration? It’s the process of loosening the soil with perforations so that air, water and nutrients penetrate the deep soil allowing more efficient absorption. Soil needs a good “fluffing” every now and then to air it out and refresh it.
Imagine strolling through a well-designed garden at twilight in your Biltmore Forest backyard— the soft glow of strategically placed lights casting enchanting shadows on your path. Lighting has the power to transform your landscape into a breathtaking wonderland, accentuating its beauty and creating an elegant ambiance that not only looks beautiful but is functional as well. Lighting design is truly an art form that requires a professional Landscape Designer and Builder such as TPS Landscaping.
Is your lawn starting to develop brown patches or water is forming puddles instead of being absorbed by the soil? You may want to consider aerating your lawn. Keep reading to find out when, how, and why you should aerate your lawn!
You want to aerate the lawn when your grass is in its peak growing period so it can recover quickly, so early spring or fall for cool-season grasses and late spring through early summer for warm-season grasses. If you have high-traffic areas, you are going to want to aerate annually.
Greetings, fellow gardeners and landscaping enthusiasts! As we embark on our journey toward creating stunning outdoor spaces, it's time to unleash our inner green thumb. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, these expert landscaping and lawncare tips from TPS Landscaping will help you transform your patch of earth into a verdant paradise in the Western North Carolina Mountains and Foothills!
Firepits are a source of comfort and entertainment for many, especially during the summer and fall seasons. To keep your firepit in tip-top shape, it’s important to follow some of the maintenance and safety tips below to ensure your firepit lasts for years to come.
Happy Summer!
Despite the mild spring we had, summer could still surprise us in Western North Carolina. Part of living in the mountains is that the weather can be all over the place. Hot and sunny one day? Check! Cool and rainy the next? Yep! So, taking care of your lawn can help keep it gorgeous throughout the year and make sure it can handle anything the weather throws at it. Read on for some of our summer lawn care tips!
We’ve talked about different ways to protect your lawn and garden from various pests throughout the summer and fall, but what about those annoyances that aren’t preventable? We’re talking about leaves. Fall in Western North Carolina is a time full of vibrant color that has people traveling from afar to get a glimpse. We all enjoy the beauty of the changing leaves, but what about when they fall? Our recent wind and rain has caused some premature falling of leaves, and we’re here to help.
You may have already started your garden back in the spring, but in order to keep it looking beautiful, it’s important to maintain what you’ve got and squeeze the last bit of summer life out of your garden while the weather is hot.
Keep reading for some tips for keeping your summer garden looking great!
There’s no denying that plants love the sun and who can blame them? There’s nothing better than soaking up the warmth in your backyard, but time in the shade is just as essential…for you and your garden!
Finding the perfect balance, like with a lot of things in life, will help keep your plants in pristine condition. There are plenty of benefits associated with working on a shade garden such as:
- Low maintenance: with minimal effort, you can still have a beautiful garden that will flourish!
- Variety on your property: of course, you will need to find plants that are shade tolerant to add this variety. We will talk about what type of plants are best later!
- Comfortable gardening: a garden will only thrive if you are willing to spend the time outside working on it. With a shade garden, you will be able to work outside on it without exposing yourself to the hot sun.
- Fewer weeds: because shade gardens do not receive direct sunlight, there will be fewer of those pesky weeds to worry about and they will be much easier to spot and get rid of in a shade garden.
As the summer is slowly coming to an end, it’s a good idea to start thinking about your fall garden plants, especially if you’re looking to have fresh veggies on your table by the time the cool weather arrives. Both fall and winter crops are typically planted at the same time because your winter garden is an extension of your fall gardening efforts and you’re going to want to start early!
Knowing the average first frost date in your area is important because this will help calculate when to plant these vegetables so they will mature before cold weather damage. Here in Western North Carolina, there a couple of growing zones, but most areas fall within 7a-7b.
The average date to planting seeds is between 6 and 8 weeks before your average first frost date. The easiest way to figure out the frost date is simply googling it, looking through the most current version of the Farmer's Almanac, or asking other gardeners in your area or calling your local agricultural extension agency (if you have one) to help retrieve that date.
Part of planning when to plant your harvest is choosing the type of crops you want to grow. Keep reading to find out what you can plant now for a fall harvest!
Tastefully and artfully done landscape lighting can bring out your home and garden’s best features. Lighting helps to provide a sense of security, and can also affect the mood of the home and enhance feelings of calm for visitors and homeowners alike.
There are several different lighting effects that can be used to brighten your home. Keep reading to learn more!
Being outside is what makes summer, summer. Even though the temps have soared the past week, people still enjoy going outside and having a place to relax when they get home and one of the best places to do that is on a patio!
Keep reading for the benefits of installing a paver patio!
Who doesn’t love a lush, gorgeous lawn? A great lawn adds curb appeal, value and can help prevent erosion from water and wind. To keep your lawn looking lush and healthy, consider overseeding!