Front Yard Edible Landscaping?

posted by Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements

  Of all the different types of landscaping, one of the least understood is edible landscaping. Edible landscaping is something that offers an alternative to conventional landscapes. More specifically, edible landscaping is landscaping that includes trees and shrubs that bear fruit and other food, so that you can really make the most out of your landscaping design.

 
There are quite a few different plants that can be included in edible landscaping designs, but only the most productive and disease resistant varieties should be included in this categorization.

 PLANT VARIETIES

  When it comes to edible landscaping, there are many plants to choose from. Almond, apple, artichoke, bamboo, cherry, burnet, blueberry, blackberry, chokeberry, currant, cherry, chestnut, chives, gooseberry, jostaberry, kiwi, loquat, lovage,medlar, grape, fig, elderberry, dandelion, peach, pistachio, pecan, persimmon, plum, quince, raisin tree, rose hips, sage, rosemary, rhubarb, strawberry, and pineapple guava, these are just a few of the different plants that can be used in edible landscaping.

Although the idea of edible landscaping once sounded far-fetched and unimaginable, today it is alive and well and this is in both warm and cool climates. Not only is this landscaping beautiful and appealing to look at, but resourceful as well because you can eat the food these plants bear. The combinations are truly endless, and uncommon fruit trees can really enhance even the most bland and stubborn landscape.
These plants offer a touch to any landscape that no other plant can. They add a uniqueness and a sort of personality to any landscape and are usually alive year round as well, which is just another benefit offered by this type of landscaping.

TIPS

One of the most important things to remember when creating an edible landscaping design is that you should think outside of the box. Although when most people think of food gardens they think of the basic rectangular garden, there are many variations that can be put on this design. The basic design is not even going to be the most productive or attractive design, so try to take a different approach.

Also remember that urban yards can make up in vertical space what they lack in horizontal space, and they do this by taking on a multi-layered approach. Edible landscaping can be a really great option, as long as you choose the right plants and maintain them properly so that they are healthy and thrive.

House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020. Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada    

 HOUSE SMART HOME IMPROVEMENTS
Phone: 604 945-1904 / Fax: 604 945 1903
Email: info@housesmarthomeimprovements.com
Showroom: #4 120 Glacier St, Coquitlam BC V3K 5Z6

4 Beautiful Landscaping Tips

From www.bmg.com

posted by Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements

 

 Plant in Numbers 

One of the easiest landscape ideas to implement -- and one I always use when designing a garden or landscape -- is to plant big swaths of the same plant for bold interest. Here, for example, I love how the planting bed offers a big, bold burst of chartreuse from a mass of golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea'). It's contrasted (in color and texture) by a planting of blue fescue (Festuca 'Elijah Blue'). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Create Bold Contrasts 

 

One of the easiest and most basic landscaping ideas is to create contrasts. Consider color: When you pair rich burgundy-purple with chartreuse, the gold hues seem to become brighter and the purple tones seem to become richer and darker. Together the are much more effective than when used alone. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Embrace Trees & Shrubs 

 

Trees and shrubs are some of the most important players in gardening ideas, and gardeners often give them the least amount of attention. It's easy to use them to make an impact, especially if you select varieties that have colorful foliage. Go a step further with this landscape idea: Execute some creative pruning. Here, for example, sheared golden false cypress and columnar holly make for a delightful contrast against sheared purple barberry.

 

 

 

 

Add Islands 

 

It's easy to plan all your beds and borders along the perimeter of your property, but adding an island bed that floats in your lawn is a simple landscaping idea for making a good-looking yard. I like to make island beds extra effective by adding height to the middle of the yard. Plus, you need to walk around the planting to see what's behind it, so it adds a bit of mystery. 

House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020. Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada    

 House Smart Home Improvements
Phone: 604 945 1904 / Fax: 604 581 1985
Email: info@housesmarthomeimprovements.com

Showroom: #4 120 Glacier St, Coquitlam BC V3K 5Z6 
604-945-1904 (office hours)  - 604-585-2020 (24-Hour)

4 New Year's Resolutions / Upgrades for Your Home

posted by Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements

We are staying indoors more in winter of course, and things can get gloomy what with the rainy foggy weather. Time to give your home some new year's resolutions! With Christmas gone and all the twinkly lights put away, your spirit may need a little pick-me-up. A well organized home with some fresh paint, or maybe a bigger home improvement. Here are some ideas we have for you today. 

1) Organize organize

One of the best and least expensive ways to feel better about your home is to clear it of clutter.

Each year most of us acquire a mountain of stuff. Without some regular purging, cabinets and drawers get jam-packed and it becomes hard to find the things you use and enjoy the most. This year resolve to go room-by-room periodically clearing anything that you don't use, wear or love and donate it to charity. Clearing away clutter will give you a relaxing feeling at home, and set you up for getting the idea of welcoming company over, enjoying family and friends.

 

2) Paint your kitchen cabinets

 

Do you need to paint or re-stain your kitchen cabinets? This is a great way to make a kitchen upgrade. Oak cabinets can be re-stained to restore their luster, or painted to really brighten up a kitchen. Here are some  painting tips:

Before painting, you should wipe all the surfaces of cabinets that you want to paint by using appropriate cleaner in order to remove any grease and dirt on the cabinets. Let it dry and then do the sanding by using sandpaper to make sure that the paint will stick well on the cabinets’ surface. You can directly apply a primer right after sanding whether multi surface primer or one which is particularly specific to your cabinets’ material. You can simply use a paintbrush or a sprayer by working it from outer edges right to the middle if you want to create a professional look. It is highly recommended to let the primer to totally dry for approximately an hour or more and once it dried, you should sand the surfaces of primer again in order to make them smooth and free of gain. Then do the painting according to your color choice to create a beautiful color on your old cabinets.

3) Fix the front door

Here is an update that will really add a fresh, appealing look to your home. You will gain a lot of upgrade for the amount of money you spend.
If you don’t need to replace your front door, refinish or repaint it. Entry doors take a lot of abuse from the outside elements (including people), and even a new door can start looking weathered rather quick. If you choose to add a fresh coat of paint, use a high-quality paint and a warm, welcoming color that goes well with your home.

 

 

Get your place ready for entertaining

Spend more time with family, friends, and making new friends this year. You may feel more inspired to have company over for an intimate dinner, if you do something to upgrade the look of your entertaining areas.

Try some new plants, they can freshen the air and give your room a dramatic statement. How about some new throw pillows, candles, or pictures on your walls? Sometimes new or different lighting is needed to make a space more inviting. Arrange your furniture so that people are sitting a comfortable distance apart to engage in warm conversation. But remember to just have those folks over. As we all know, it is more about the sharing and connecting that really matters anyway!

House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020. Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada    

 House Smart Home Improvements
Phone: 604 945 1904 / Fax: 604 581 1985
Email: info@housesmarthomeimprovements.com

Showroom: #4 120 Glacier St, Coquitlam BC V3K 5Z6 
604-945-1904 (office hours)  - 604-585-2020 (24-Hour)