SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- California's historic drought is making it hard for many residents to maintain a nice yard.

Now, with new water restrictions in place, Governor Jerry Brown is calling on people to move away from grass and look for more drought-tolerant landscaping.

But that doesn't mean people are stuck living with a yard full of rocks and cacti.

Landscapers say there are a lot of drought-resistant flowers, shrubs and grasses out there, and putting these plants in your yard doesn't just save water -- it can also save homeowners money.

Landscape Designer Shayna Orr tells us just how much homeowner's can expect to save.

"We cut their water bill by $300. It looks like we're using more water and a lot more maintenance, but, in reality, it's about half," Orr says.

On Wednesday, California Governor Jerry Brown imposed mandatory water restrictions for the first time on residents, businesses, and farms.

He ordered cities and towns in the drought-ravaged state to reduce usage by 25-percent. Drought resistant landscaping could save water, money

Excerpt from:
Drought resistant landscaping could save water, money

The Utah House of Representatives votes on and passes SB296 Wednesday, March 11, 2015, anti-discrimination bill.

Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Enlarge photo

Happy Easter! Spring is busting out all over with flowers and tree blossoms. Not to be outdone, the political landscape continues to be colorful.

Indianas religious freedom law created a huge global backlash, while Utah legislation establishing both religious freedom and discrimination prohibitions continues to win national praise. Whats the difference?

Pignanelli: "Every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue, and every prudent act is founded on compromise and barter." Edmund Burke

The revered Utah law is the political equivalent of our beloved "funeral potatoes." This casserole (as with the legislation) is prepared in the nurturing environment of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by conscientious cooks (legislative sponsors) who want to please as many people as possible. This dish correctly balances the basic ingredients of potatoes, butter, milk, cheese and corn flakes (protections for religious organizations, establishment of rights based on sexual orientation, clarifications of standing under the law, etc.) without one overpowering any of the others. Granted, food purists grouch about this carb-loaded fare (as left- and right-wing extremists hate the anti-discrimination bill), yet even a spoonful is creamy and satisfying to the average person. (I hope my wake has generous servings of the victual, along with wine, for mourners.)

The Utah civil and religious rights legislation reflects what is best and greatest about our local culture: simple, frugal, practical, compassionate, visionary and moderate. Unlike in the other states, our leaders consulted the LDS Church, legal experts and LGBT organizations. These individuals proudly celebrated the result with a signing ceremony. Utah succeeded in this important endeavor because we approached it as we do everything from cooking to world-renowned Olympics.

I recommend we share funeral potato recipes with those poor souls in Indiana and Arkansas.

Webb: Indianas Legislature and governor made a serious mistake by not including nondiscrimination provisions in their religious freedom law. Indiana was politically tone-deaf and is now the whipping boy of the political-correctness police. Fair-minded commentators and legal experts say the Indiana law is not a license to discriminate. Its not as nefarious as the gay-rights lobby and other critics claim. It was a good-faith attempt to establish a legal framework for religious freedom something thats needed across the country.

Originally posted here:
Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb: A colorful political landscape is budding this spring

Wilson Landscape Design is a full service Commercial and Residential landscape, lawn care, irrigation and design corporation. We have been serving the Dallas Ft. Worth Metroplex since 1987.

We pride ourselves in providing our customers with excellent workmanship, superior service and quality materials that meet the highest of horticultural standards

New Seasonal Specials...Click for details!

At Wilson Landscape Design, we know your home is one of your most valuable investments and we want to help you make it beautiful and ensure its lasting value. In addition to using only high-quality materials and following strict guidelines for our services, we guarantee our workmanship for 1 full year.

Click Here to Request a FREE, No Obligation Estimate!

A Few of Our Services:

We create custom landscape plans, turf grass installation, trees and shrubs, stone and concrete work, patios, paths, beds, borders, retaining walls, and seasonal color.

Irrigation consultation, design, repair and installation. Drainage (residential to large commercial) including French Drains, Sump Pumps and Backflow inspection and certification.

Our basic maintenance program features regular weekly mowing and edging, pruning of shrubs and trimming ground cover. We apply slow release fertilization throughout the growing season (Winter leaf removal included)

Grilling has been a time honored Texas tradition for decades upon decades. It's always fun to entertain friends and family in your backyard. With a fully functioning outdoor kitchen in your backyard, barbecuing becomes an entirely new experience

Read the original:
Landscape & Design Dallas Ft Worth TX | Full Service Lawn ...

Our landscape designers have over 25 years of experience in the industry, providing eco-friendly and aesthetically valuable landscapes and hardscapes to residents all over the county. As a San Diego landscaping company, we strive to add value to your home, while helping you save time and money each month on watering and maintenance costs.

California Smartscape specializes in low maintenance landscaping, patios and hardscapes, BBQs and outdoor kitchens, fire features, synthetic turf putting greens, entryways and driveways, and walls. Any of these services can be combined to create a comprehensive San Diego landscape design.

If youre looking for landscape design in San Diego, our expert designers and installers can help you create an outdoor getaway while staying in budget and suiting your familys needs. Whether you want a lush, private escape, or a full outdoor kitchen with a fire pit for entertaining, California Smartscape will turn your dream into reality.

California Smartscape designs and installs low maintenance and drought-tolerant planting plans all over San Diego. Whether youre looking for a tropical oasis, Asian-influenced Zen garden or Mediterranean-influenced sanctuary, youre dealing with the right company.

Were committed to providing you with superior design and installation services. We specialize in all forms of hardscapes, including paving stone, natural stone (flagstone), decorative concrete, paver patios, entryways, and driveways.

With 25 years of masonry experience, California Smartscape continues to create amazing outdoor living spaces for people in San Diego, CA.Living here, we have the benefit of amazing weather all year long, and this makes outdoor kitchens, custom BBQs, and fire features a must-have in Southern California.

Our landscape designers will create unique designs and provide top-of-the-line products such as decorative tile, stone veneer, pavers, and flagstone to transform your backyard into an unbelievable summer destination. We build and design gas, wood burning, and dual-purpose outdoor fire features.

California Smartscape has a combined 12 years of experience in installing synthetic turf and has efficiently installed synthetic turf for hundreds of happy San Diego homeowners. Artificial turf, otherwise known as a synthetic grass, is a smart, low maintenance, and cost effective alternative to a traditional live sod lawn.

Entryways are as much fun to design as they are important to your homes value. When your home is appraised, one key element that drives up the values is curb appeal. So deciding on the correct design and materials can make or break your investment.

Walls are important to preserve your property and retain hillsides here in Americas Finest City. Our masons are true professionals with over 25 years of experience. We ensure that the proper drainage is installed behind your retaining walls, and every wall we build is sealed professionally.

Read the original:
San Diego Landscape Design Company, California Smartscape ...

Judy and Byron Lewis home landscape at 3435 Tree Lane in Bear Branch received Kingwood Garden Clubs April Yard of the Month award.

Byron said Judy does 95 percent of the work herself. He does help with fertilizing and provides moral support. He mostly enjoys the beautiful results.

Judy comes from a family of farmers. Its in her genes to work the soil. She believes in preparing the soil to achieve good results using organic matter such as compost, straw, fine wood bark and peat moss.

When they first moved in their home in 1997, Judy spent a great deal of time digging up trees and plants that didnt work and replacing them with trees, shrubs and flowers that she loves.

Some favorites are the Queen Palm, Sago Palm, Mexican Fan Palm, ferns, Chinese Fringe, roses, azaleas, begonias and agapanthus. Her goal is to continue to plant mostly perennials and reserve special areas in her yard for annuals. She strives to plant for four season interest.

Excerpt from:
Kingwood Garden Clubs April Yard of the Month announced

Kate Gubelmann wasnt happy with the long, narrow section of her back yard that ran from the pool deck to the bocce court she installed 10 years ago in the upper portion of her property.

We play bocce on Sundays afternoons after lunch, Gubelmann told me. So we use it frequently.

She hired landscaping wiz Mario Nievera of Nievera Williams Design to liven up the backyard space, which at the time consisted of a straight walkway bordered by turf grass and a few trees. First, he replaced the linear path with a curved one, made from black river rock set in concrete.

Its like a river runs through there, Gubelmann said. He made it look like a much bigger space.

Then Nievera fashioned undulating beds on either side of the path, both of which are heavily layered with a wide variety of plant material.

I like green gardens with just touches of white, she instructed Nievera.

Accordingly, he layered mostly green-foliage plant material underneath the existing carrotwood, ficus and banana trees. But to break up the monochrome palate, he installed swaths of white ground orchids, white hibiscus and Hawaiian ti plants (Cordylinefruticosa tricolor). White orchids also are attached to tree trunks.

In another section, he contrasted burgundy crinum lilies with chartreuse aroids. To create further focal points, he created small niche spaces for Gubelmanns marble Buddha and a tall bronze sculpture she bought at a Taos, N.M., foundry.

Today, Gubelmann has a much more interesting yard to enjoy.

I just look out my window and smile, she said.

Visit link:
Inventive solutions enliven narrow back yard

FAIRMOUNT TWP. It sits in Mike Giambers yard on Goss Road, just off Route 118.

It is an egg-shaped fieldstone sculpture that took Giamber most of a year to build. It cant be seen from the highway you have to drive up Goss Road and get to Giambers house to view the 7-1/2-foot, 4-ton beauty.

I can see it, Giamber said when asked why he built it. Its pleasant to look at.

And when asked what, exactly it is, Giambers answer was: What do you see?

Giamber said some see a cairn which Merriam-Webster defines as a heap of stones piled up as a memorial or as a landmark. Its origin is Scottish.

Others, Giamber said, see an egg-shaped pile of rocks, others a giant Easter egg. An artist may see an ephemeral rock sculpture.

For me, the egg shape represents birth, the beginning of the Appalachian Mountains that acts as our protector, Giamber said. The indigenous fieldstone I used, dating back to the beginning a half billion years ago, represents the passage of time. I call this piece, The Genesis Stone.

Giambers Genesis Stone is located on his remote property of 74 acres near Ricketts Glen State Park, where post-retirement Giamber has re-invented himself.

The location is uninterrupted, where nature and art can co-exist undisturbed, he said. Each day I look out my window where the light and the elements spontaneously change the stones visual properties color, texture and dimension.

Giamber, 61, retired at age 53 after working in Washington, D.C. for 30 years. His last job was as head of facilities and operations at the National Gallery of Art, home to many masterpieces.

More:
In Focus: Retirees egg-shaped stone sculpture graces landscape near Ricketts Glen

Landscape and design Dubai: Having that much space outdoors and never knowing what to do with it can be one of the most frustrating elements of beautifying your home.

Landscaping and design Dubai: Once you start thinking, the first question you will ask yourself is whether you want to beautify and optimize your outdoor space or merely use it as a storage area?

Fill in your name & email ID in the box on the right to have Sejal call you for landscape and design Dubai

What are the different alternatives available to you?

Interior design differs greatly from exterior design, and offers substantial benefits.

There are many more things to consider when focusing on exterior design

This includes making it compatible to the lifestyle youve chosen, the one you prefer. Working on finding the right design, you can bombard yourself with many possibilities and choices.

But keep in mind the following tips which may be the very thing you need:

Read more:
Landscape and Design Dubai | 6 Tips To Stunning Outdoors

This is the one time of year when my yard might get noticed for a positive reason.

Most of the time the landscape on our property is fairly forgettable. I dont have one of those lush well-manicured lawns with sculptured flowering shrubbery the kind that gets its picture in the newspaper as yard of the month.

My lawn consists of more weeds and bare spots than grass. Although we do have some azaleas and gardenias scattered around, theyre not as abundant and beautiful as those in neighboring yards.

But about this time each year our front yard bursts with beauty due to the blossoms on our two cherry trees. Our neighbors Bradford pear deciding to put forth its blooms at the same time this year just across our driveway adds to the scene.

It looks beautiful, but only for a very short time. Often it only lasts about a week, depending on how the wind blows and the rain falls. Very quickly those blossoms will fade and fall off, revealing the green leaves which will endure until the fall season. By the time you read this, I wouldnt be surprised if my yard will be back to its normal drab condition, along with a plethora of dying cherry blossoms strewn on the ground.

The Bible reminds us that our time here on earth is similar. As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone (Psalm 103:15). While some might consider this a rather somber thought, it can serve as a needed reality check for many of us.

Its helpful for us to remember that life is short. Our time to blossom and flourish comes and goes all too quickly. Without that perspective, we can deceive ourselves into wasting or misusing what we do possess of this precious commodity we call time.

Therefore, there are those who will trumpet the call of carpe diem, or seize the day. Both within and without the context of Christianity, people tell us to make the most of todays opportunities and grab all the gusto you can get.

Theres certainly some truth in those statements. Life is short, so dont procrastinate and dont miss out on all the good you can do and enjoy today. Make that phone call, send that note, carry out that act of kindness, tell that person how much you care about him, share that truth do whatever it is you really need to do while you still have opportunity to do so.

However, lets not mistake this truth as simply inspiration to hurry up and do whatever will bring us pleasure. The shortness of life should remind us that we need to be giving priority to those things which will matter most in the long run, especially those which will make a difference for eternity.

Read more from the original source:
TONY ELDER: Life is short draw closer to Jesus while you can

By Eric Elwell Wednesday March 25, 2015 6:16 PM COLUMBUS, Ohio -

As temperatures begin to rise, the grass will soon be turning green. And soon, we'll be exchanging our snow blowers for lawn mowers.

Tim Morgret of Columbus is checking out the latest lawn care equipment at Anderson's General Store, because he expects to be working in the yard soon. "I think Mother Nature is taking a long time to wake up here for spring, but I think it's going to be a real quick turn, Morgret predicts.

After such a harsh winter, some may be considering hiring a lawn care service so you can spend more time enjoying the nice weather as opposed to working in it.

But, David Smith with Peabody Landscape Group says there are some great benefits to hiring out your lawn and garden care, including saving time. It's one of those things where you can go out and enjoy the landscape rather than work in it, Smith explains.

But having a landscape service isn't always cheap. Smith says mowing can cost anywhere between $30 to several hundred, depending on the size of the lawn.

If you decide to do the yard yourself, lawn mowers can be quite the investment. Electric mowers can cost about $150.

You can also go with the tractor and get your yard done in a short amount of time; just add the bagger and youre good-to-go. But be warned, some models could set you back almost $2,000.

Meanwhile, Smith says fertilizing costs about an average of $50 per treatment.

Next comes the mulch. You can chose from bags, bulk, and all different colors and types. Ron Frost with Ohio Mulch says there are even new specialty mulches that smell like chocolate* when they get wet! "A lot of people like the different types of mulches, like a cocoa shell. It's the cocoa bean that lasts a long time and has a great smell to it.

Link:
How To Get Your Lawn Prepared For The Warm Weather