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7 TIPS FOR HARDSCAPING

7/10/2018

19 Comments

 
​The term for using elements not found in nature within your landscape is hardscaping. When you introduce stone or brick walls, concrete patios, gravel paths and wooden decks into either your back or front yard, you’ve developed a hardscape. Conversely, softscaping means adding horticultural or natural items like plants, flowers, trees and shrubs to your landscape. We’ve gathered seven pointers to help you decide on how to proceed with your chosen hardscape design.
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1. Choose a Theme
Focus on any theme you want, but it’s a good idea to have a style in mind that matches the exterior of your home. You also don’t want to include a random mixture of elements that make your yard look like an outdoor museum. A farm design can encompass fish ponds and wooden fences, while a more colonial style uses stone walls, gravel paths and fountains. Maybe a courtyard is more what you have in mind or a modern concept with stepping stones and sculptures.
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2. Look at the Big Picture
Even if you can’t do all the yard work at one time, develop a plan for the entire area. Otherwise, one of your elements might be in the way of a walkway or pond you’ve decided you want later on. You want a completed project that you love and that will last for years.
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​3. Deal with Drainage
Hardscape elements like a wall or patio can alter how water drains. By including permeable components, water still seeps down into the ground. Also, a very flat, level patio can quickly become a small swimming pool when it rains so you should slope the patio a little. Don’t forget to save that runoff in a rain barrel.
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4. Professionals Know Best
When drastically changing your yard, you need to prepare the site correctly. You’ll need a level surface to build upon and you should know where the freeze line is or the depth that frost penetrates the soil. Building codes say footings must be placed below this line. To get this information, talk to an inspector at your local building authority or someone at your state landscaping association.
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​5. Follow Nature’s Curves
All straight lines in a yard make it look unnatural. You want to match your landscaping to the shapes of Mother Nature so not all sidewalks and paths need to be linear. Allow some of your hardscape items to bend, sweep and arc gracefully. Ninety degree angles have no place in nature.
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6.  Save Some Greenery
Frame your hardscape with shrubs and flowerbeds to balance the amount of vegetation to hard surfaces. Even a small patch of lawn can work as it’s a much safer place for kids to play than concrete. By using green rocks or gravel you tone down the transition from the hard elements to your plantings.
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 7.Go from Grass to Gravel
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Those who prefer to conserve water and eliminate chemical use in their yards can opt for gravel and stone instead of a lawn. Once you’ve laid a bed of river rock, crushed granite or pea gravel, you can say goodbye to maintenance and use that time for fun activities.
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19 Comments
Jenna Hunter link
10/15/2019 05:05:27 pm

I liked what you said about choosing a theme. My mom is thinking about getting some hardscaping for her yard. She would really like to get a professional to help her put it into action.

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Kristofer Van Wagner link
12/6/2020 08:30:58 am

I appreciate that this post encouraged us to consider the drainage when we are looking to include hardscapping as it will ensure that our garden will be well-maintained. My wife is planning to spruce up our garden by adding some hardscapping. I will hire a professional to have it done as surely, they are experienced in ensuring the drainage is well-built.

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2/16/2021 05:17:22 am

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Sarah Smith link
4/29/2021 08:11:33 pm

Thanks for the hardscaping tips. I would like to find a contractor in my area. We want to get a patio and walkway put in the backyard.

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Hailey Miller link
7/26/2021 07:44:53 pm

Thanks for pointing out that we can use gravel instead of a lawn if we prefer to conserve water in our yards. My husband and I are planning to reduce our monthly bills to save more for our five kids' college funds. With this, we are hoping to find high-quality and affordable 1" gravel on Monday that we can use to enhance our backyard.

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Tez link
8/25/2021 06:49:53 pm

I like your construction tips. I need a retaining wall built. I'll have to hire a contractor.

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Braden Bills link
9/16/2021 06:37:46 am

I want to make sure that my landscape has a nice hardscape. It makes sense that I would want to get gravel for it. That seems like a good way to not need to water certain parts of my lawn.

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Chance Cook link
10/15/2021 08:29:39 am

I want a nice hardscape design. I think following nature's curves is a great idea. That way the path looks more natural.

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Olivia Smart link
10/27/2021 12:44:44 pm

I liked how you said that switching to rock can help lower maintenance. My husband and I are trying to get some ideas for our backyard landscaping. We'll have to keep this in mind for future projects.

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Rick Jones link
11/30/2021 03:31:08 pm

I'll pick out a theme for my patio. Then I will hire a builder. They need to meet my expectations so I hope they can.

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Tex Hooper link
12/1/2021 05:06:34 pm

I agree that you should frame your house around the shrubs. I need a crew who can fill in concrete sections to our house. I'll have to hire someone who has good online reviews.

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Millie Hue link
12/29/2021 08:10:58 pm

Thanks for pointing out that there are building codes that would require footings to be placed first. With that in mind, it would really be best to hire professionals and the right landscape gravel supplier that we can find. It's to ensure that we don't violate any laws or regulations that could lead to issues when we only wanted to have a nice front yard for our new property.

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Kristofer Van Wagner link
2/10/2022 04:24:34 pm

I am in complete agreement that when looking to decorate our garden with hardscaping, like rocks, it is encouraged that we work with a professional landscaper. In doing so, they can advise us on the most suitable material and placement to give our lawn that wow factor. Since my wife has mentioned she is looking to redecorate our lawn, I will definitely consider having a contractor hired.

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Eli Richardson link
3/31/2022 02:23:45 pm

It's great that you talked about hardscaping designs and how it's important to consider your space's drainage too. Last week, we decided we'd like to invest in our home's curb appeal. My wife and I are interested in learning more about hardscaping and how it comes with eco-friendly benefits, so we'll be sure to look into it. Thanks for the information on designing a house's hardscape.

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Mia Evans link
4/7/2022 12:07:48 am

I like that you talked about following the curves of nature to make them look natural such as for your sidewalks and paths. I will keep that in mind when I hire landscape services this year to work on my backyard. It's to have a garden there, so I would want a pathway made to prevent damaging some plants.

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Tex Hooper link
5/3/2022 04:34:00 pm

I like what you said about patching up concrete patios. I need to get a contractor to fill in the cracks of my driveway. It has a lot of cracks.

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John Carston link
5/6/2022 08:49:19 pm

It's great that you elaborated that you should have a style that you would follow as a theme of your landscape. My cousin told me yesterday that he and his wife were looking for patio rock materials that could enhance the appearance of their patio, and he asked if I had any idea what could be the best option to consider. Thanks to this informative article, I'll be sure to tell him that he can consult a well-known earthwork company as they can provide more information about their products.

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Charlotte Fleet link
5/31/2022 01:43:13 pm

I love how you said that opting for gravel in your yard can help conserve water. My husband and I want to cut back on our water usage. We'll have to invest in quality gravel for our landscape.

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Victoria Addington link
6/12/2022 11:14:19 pm

You made a good point when you discussed that your hardscaping theme must match the exterior of your home. My mother wants to boost the curb appeal of our property by adding a hardscape. I should advise her to hire a contractor that specializes in hardscaping installation.

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