blogger.com No Place Like Home Tips: April 2016

Thursday, 14 April 2016

5 Great Uses for Rocks in Landscaping

Stones looked great in yards before the drought, and now they’re finally catching on. If you’re thinking about doing some landscaping work, here are five ways to incorporate rocks.

1.Line the Walkway

Rockboundarieshave been around since the dawn of time. You don’t need to build a wall, but you can certainly create an indicated pathway that looks nice.

2. Centerpieces

Not all rocks are grey. Some can be the focal point of your yard, such as:

  • Obsidian
  • Rose quartz
  • Agates

These options are striking no matter where you place them.

3. Perimeters

If you do want a more defined border, stacked rocks can make a sturdy wall to section off the yard in a natural way.

4. Rock Gardens

Using pebbles or river stones, you’re able to structure a landscape that looks elegant and purposeful, without any of the maintenance that comes with plants. It’s a water-friendly way to have a manicured yard.

5. Bigger Boulders

By putting a rock big enough to sit on underneath your favorite tree, you can create a serene lounging spot in your backyard.

If you’re worried that you don’t have the horticulture skills to maintain a living garden, stones provide a beautiful, manageable alternative. Visit this website to learn more about what you can do with rocks in Santa Cruz.

Down to the River

River stones are an affordable way to give any outdoor area a classy look. The rocks also limit the amount of watering and maintenance you have to do. 


Why You Need Topsoil

You don’t need to be a botanist to plant and maintain your own garden. You do, however, need to have a general understanding of what techniques will help your plants thrive. If you don’t do the research, you’ll just be wasting money and natural resources. The more you learn about topsoil, the more likely you are to realize its importance.

Rich in Nutrients

The soil you use should have plenty of nutrients, but it’s also important to have a proper balance of those nutrients. These four elements should be present:

  • Magnesium
  • Nitrogen
  • Phosphorus
  • Potassium

Each element is used in different aspects of a plant’s development. Since topsoil is a combination of so many types of earth, it’s really the only way to get the nutrition needed for whatever it is you’re growing.

Helps Prevent Erosion

Quality topsoil is better equipped to hold up to weather because of its composition. In addition, the aforementioned nutrients create strong roots that also reinforce the plants and the surrounding ground. Without good topsoil, lower stems and roots are ill prepared to deal with the weather to which they’re exposed.

As you learn about gardening and landscaping, it becomes clear that plants don’t just grow in any old patch of dirt. To get more info about why you should use topsoil in Scotts Valley, visit this website