Kristen Hampshire - Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Landscape Projects

Natural Landscape Design Eco-friendly Water Features Hardscaping Landscape Plantings

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
www.creativepub.com

Copyright 2010, 2011
Creative Publishing international, Inc.
400 First Avenue North, Suite 300
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401
1-800-328-0590
www.creativepub.com
All rights reserved

Printed in China

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Digital edition: 978-1-61059-009-9
Softcover edition: 978-1-58923-564-9

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

The complete guide to landscape projects.
p. cm.

At head of title: Black & Decker.
Includes index.
ISBN-13: 978-1-58923-564-9 (soft cover)
ISBN-10: 1-58923-564-9 (soft cover)
1. Landscape construction. I. Black & Decker Corporation (Towson, Md.) II. Title.

TH4961.C6542 2010
712--dc22

2010030580

The Complete Guide to Landscape Projects
Created by: The Editors of Creative Publishing international, Inc., in cooperation with Black & Decker.
Black & Decker is a trademark of The Black & Decker Corporation and is used under license.

President/CEO: Ken Fund

Home Improvement Group

Publisher: Bryan Trandem
Managing Editor: Tracy Stanley
Senior Editor: Mark Johanson

Creative Director: Michele Lanci-Altomare
Art Direction/Design: Jon Simpson, Brad Springer, James Kegley

Lead Photographer: Joel Schnell
Set Builder: James Parmeter
Production Managers: Laura Hokkanen, Linda Halls

Edition Editor: Kristen Hampshire
Page Layout Artist: Danielle Smith
Copy Editor: Chris Marshall
Shop Help: Charles Boldt

NOTICE TO READERS

For safety, use caution, care, and good judgment when following the procedures described in this book. The publisher and Black & Decker cannot assume responsibility for any damage to property or injury to persons as a result of misuse of the information provided.

The techniques shown in this book are general techniques for various applications. In some instances, additional techniques not shown in this book may be required. Always follow manufacturers instructions included with products, since deviating from the directions may void warranties. The projects in this book vary widely as to skill levels required: some may not be appropriate for all do-it-yourselfers, and some may require professional help.

Consult your local building department for information on building permits, codes, and other laws as they apply to your project.

The Complete Guide to Landscape Projects

Were spending more time at home these days, investing in our properties to convert our outdoor spaces from basic back yards into elaborate living rooms with areas for dining, lounging, gardening, playing, and perhaps even swimming. Rather than planning vacations, many of us are plotting our next, big outdoor adventureand were talking about landscape projects. Theres great satisfaction that can be gained from completing a pond, building an arbor, laying a flagstone pathway, or planting a colorful landscape bed. And were recognizing that the more of this we do ourselves, the larger our budget is to do even more!

The Complete Guide to Landscape Projects will teach you how to create an outdoor living space with features both luxurious and practical. Well walk you through the process from beginning to end, starting with providing detailed tools and materials lists for each project. We give you tutorials for basic building techniques, and inspiration for interesting finishes and treatments that will customize projects to suit the character of your property and your personal preferences. For instance, our outdoor fireplace project shows you how to finish the exterior in stone, brick, or stucco. We give you options, and we outline careful guidelines along the way. Think of this book as your instructor as you take on important projects that will enhance your yard.

Whether youre creating a landscape from scratch or renovating a mature property, we have ideas for you. And better yet, each project provides step-by-step instructions with color photography. We think showing you how projects come together is just as important as telling you with our field-tested directions.

There are projects in this book suitable for big back yards, quaint courtyards, small gardens, city landscapes, suburban yards, and country estates. You can depend on this book for a variety of do-able landscape projects that will stand the test of time.

Now, lets get started! Its time to get your hands dirty and begin building the landscape of your dreams. Who needs a vacation when you can escape every day in your own back yard?

A successful landscaping project requires a firm foundation. Essentially, this comes down to dirt and turf. Regardless of what you are building, your yard must have good drainage and healthy soil. This may require that you re-grade your yard, improve drainage, create water runoff paths, or build retaining walls or other landscape features to create level areas and control erosion. In addition to its visual appeal, the turf in your yard plays an important role in the infrastructure by retaining topsoil and preventing erosion. Promoting turf health through proper mowing practices, adequate watering, lawn nutrition, and regular maintenance will help preserve your landscape for years to come.

In this chapter:

Lawncare Basics

Regular lawn maintenance is an important element of a successful landscape, but it does require dedication. Keeping up with duties such as mowing, watering, and turf nutrition will prevent disease and keep weeds from formingand youll use fewer control products if you simply mow and water regularly and sensibly. Addressing and correcting occasional problems is another requirement of homeownership.

As we pay closer attention to the chemicals we pour on to our lawns and the way we manage lawn problems in an effort to be more mindful of the world around usyou hear about this as going green or being sustainablethese lawn basics (cultural practices) become even more essential. By following some core cultural practices, you can reach the goal of a lush, healthy lawn without all the additives.