Spring reveals that it’s time to clean up our lawns and get them ready for the season ahead – yet lawn maintenance can feel like a hassle. However, if you got any landscaping in Calgary done, you don’t want to tarnish its aesthetic appeal by allowing your lawn to transform into a messy jungle.

Avoid doing so by seeing how you can prepare your lawn for spring!

Creating the Perfect Lawn for Landscaping

A pristine, green lawn doesn’t appear overnight. Just like how Calgary landscaping designers put work into their projects, you also need to put work into your lawn to achieve the clean, cut look you desire.

Check out what to do down below:

Add Compost

The most important thing you can do for your lawn is add compost to it. Adding compost is the first thing you should do when spring arrives.

Compost helps your lawn by adding nutrients and organic matter to the soil, nourishing your grass and plants. You can buy a composting product made for your specific type of soil, or you can use an organic fertilizer formed from compost.

Apply Mulch

Mulching your lawn is a great way to keep the soil in your lawn moist and prevent weeds from growing. You can use several types of mulches, such as decomposed leaves, shredded wood, or even paper bags. The key is to pick a mulch that is low in nitrogen and high in carbon.

Watering Consistently

Water your lawn thoroughly once every 10-14 days during the spring. It will help to free up residual soil that may be clinging to the grass, reduce the number of fertilizers you’ll need to apply and keep the weeds at bay.

You can give your lawn one final watering just before you mow it. This watering should be a light mist that lasts only a few seconds.

Use Fertilizer

When it comes to fertilizing your lawn, the best thing to do is test your soil first. You can do this by inserting a soil test strip into the ground where you want to grow your lawn. Once you receive the results, you’ll know exactly what fertilizer to use. If you’re unsure about what to do next, we recommend starting with a low-nitrogen lawn. It will help prevent your grass from becoming too lush, which can cause it to die back and need more frequent mowing.

Weeding Out Weeds

Weeding is another chore, but shouldn’t be put off since it grows vigorously during this time, so you’ll have to weed your lawn more frequently. There are a couple of ways to go about weeding: pulling each weed out by hand or using a special weeding tool designed to remove weeds without damaging the grass.

Transform your home and increase its value and curb appeal while working with the best landscape company in Calgary with Tazscapes. Our award-winning team of landscape contractors and designers is recognized for creating and delivering stunning landscape designs in Calgary that are beautiful, functional and affordable. We offer various services, including landscape design, residential, commercial and acreage landscaping, hardscaping, such as retaining walls and concrete patios, and softscaping, such as sod and artificial grass installation. Our eye for details, meticulous planning and unique landscaping methods and eye-catching results is why we’re a two-time Consumer Choice Award Winner. Contact us today at 587-578-0747 or [email protected].

Landscaping is a great way to spruce up your home’s surrounding area. It transforms it into a visual feast for the eyes and lets you be creative about the land around your home. With so much that can go into it, how much would it all cost for landscaping in Calgary?

If you want to dip your toes into landscaping but are uncertain about the price, read on – check out below how much it can cost and why!

The Cost of Landscaping in Calgary

Many elements make up the overall price of landscaping. Consider these factors before contacting landscaping companies or contractors. It can help you determine how much you should budget for a project and what would be the best avenue to take for it.

The Value in Landscaping

Landscaping can seem like a pricey project to undertake. Yet, so many choose to do so – why is that? For the most part, homeowners choose to do so as an aesthetic extension of their home. Who wouldn’t like to have a lovely-looking property? Speaking of good-looking property, adding some landscaping to a home you intend to sell can significantly increase its value. Therefore, you can expect to price your property at a higher asking price for any potential buyers and receive a big profit from doing so.

Landscaping Cost Factors

There is no real fixed cost for landscaping. Certain factors affect how much you might spend, such as your property size, certain materials, labour costs, and the type of work you would like. Plus, it depends on how landscaping contractors charge you – which can either be an hourly rate or per square foot.

But to give an idea of average costs, you can expect to pay as low as $3,000 to as high as $100,000.

When budgeting for a landscaping project, it’s suggested to pay 10% of your home’s value, so you’re not overspending or low balling the quality of the property since landscape work can add a lot of value to a place.

A Landscaping Quote

At the end of the day, your best bet to understand how much a landscape design in Calgary will be is to reach out to professionals. They can accurately give you a quote by breaking down the costs of what the overall total would come to for your project. To budget better for your landscaping project, compare quotes with other businesses and their portfolio work to see if it’s affordable for you and suits your tastes and if you appreciate the work quality.

When it comes to landscaping design in Calgary, it’s hard to figure out the best time to start landscaping. It makes you wonder if summer is the only good time to do so. However, you might be surprised that might not be the case. You don’t need to wait until summer to get landscaping done if you’re itching to get it done during the winter. If winter might be the only time you can think of landscape, then continue to read on to find out if you’re able to do so!

Winter Landscaping Misconception

Anyone with a garden knows how Calgary’s harsh winters can easily wither flowers and plants at the first sign of frost. You can have greenery involved in your landscaping, but it’s not the only piece of design you can use in landscaping. The cold shouldn’t get in the way of you being able to landscape however you might please. If anything, there are plenty that you can do during the winter for landscaping that can carry over into making spring landscaping a lot easier.

Advantages of Winter Landscaping

The beauty behind landscaping during the winter is ensuring maintenance. It’s all about preparation and preservation by protecting the hardscape from the colder weather and your lawn. In this way, you will be ready to make spring landscaping more manageable.

In addition, if you employ any landscaping contractors, you can expect to have them all devoted to your landscaping project. When it comes to landscaping, summer has the highest demand for projects. With such a high volume of projects, it can be harder for people to find the right landscaping company. Plus, you can expect potentially avoidable mistakes to occur during the summer since many contractors’ attention is divided between juggling multiple projects and rushing through them.

However, what means of landscaping can you do to achieve this?

Winter Landscaping Projects

You would be surprised by what you can do for landscaping during the winter. If you’re uncertain of what projects you can go for, here are a few ideas that can get you started:

water features
patios
retaining walls
irrigations systems
shrubbery and trees that are winter-friendly
additional hardscaping

A few of these ideas are instrumental in prepping for spring landscaping – which will mean less work to do once spring comes and lower costs if you’re going shopping around for landscaping companies around Calgary.

Winter landscaping might seem intimidating – and there are certain limitations to it. However, winter landscaping can provide various benefits you wouldn’t have anticipated before. So, don’t be afraid to take the lunge and give winter landscaping a chance, and see how you can transform your property for the better!

If you still feel you need some insight on winter landscaping, don’t hesitate to email us directly at [email protected] for uniquely lavish landscaping ideas.

If I had a dollar for every client who told me that they want a “low maintenance yard” or “no maintenance yard,” I wouldn’t be writing this blog.

Let me first clarify something: there is no such thing as “no maintenance landscaping.” Sorry to say, it just doesn’t exist!

Sure, you can choose not to maintain it. However, to think that you don’t need to do any maintenance and it will look flawless until the end of time is foolish.

Now that we’ve gotten over that hump; let’s analyze why people are under the impression that there is such a thing as a no maintenance yard.

Typically, it’s because no one wants to spend their weekend hours gardening in the hot sun. It makes sense, but you can’t expect that magazine photoshoot backyard to be there when you peak outside your window.

So here are my 7 tips to a low maintenance landscape design in Calgary, so you can spend more time enjoying the yard rather than working in the yard. Leave that to one of Calgary’s professional landscaping companies!

Tip #1: Get ready to spend money on a low maintenance yard.

You have to realize that the fewer headaches later, the more money now. Chances are you’re going to have to invest in elements that will be more costly compared to if you went with a lower cost option.

Think about it. If you don’t want to do the work, then you have to pay for the work to be done. Make sense?

Tip #2: Hardscaping: Patio & Decks

You probably want to ensure your landscape design proposal comes with more hardscaping elements, such as a patio or deck, instead of grass or plant materials.

On top of that, you will have to choose Calgary paving stones that are more durable, or Calgary deck construction that will last longer.

They may be more expensive, but it’s a lot less maintenance in the long run.

Tip #3: Softscaping plant materials

Choose shrubs and perennials that are native to our zone here in Calgary so they can withstand the chinook weather. You should also do a sun diagram test to ensure that you are choosing plant materials for the right areas.

Shrubs and perennials need to get the exposure (or lack of exposure) that they need. Otherwise, you will have problems with their growth and overall health.

Don’t choose trees that drop fruits such as crab-apples or other fruit trees. It can get really messy!

Go with native trees that are hardy to our region, and they will grow great when planted correctly and require very little care.

Tip #4: Softscaping groundcover

Mulch groundcover (also known as wood-chips) are better for your plant materials because they absorb water and release necessary nutrients to your plants when they need it. However, they eventually decompose over time and need to be cleaned out and topped up.

During the decomposition process, the mulch actually can give your plant beds a horrible look. It’ll seem like they might even need a complete makeover, but it’s just nature doing its course.

Going with small decorative rocks that have fabric underneath will let you avoid worry about topping up. It’s a done deal!

Decorative rock groundcover also gives planting beds a much cleaner look for longer without having to get in and get your hands dirty.

Tip #5: Softscaping artificial grass & synthetic lawns

Sod is a lot of work. A lot.

Cutting grass regularly, then making sure it doesn’t die from heat stroke in the hot sun. It is watering non-stop only to see it riddled with yellow patches over time. It’s a mess!

After all the maintenance in the world, there is no guarantee it will be lusciously green. Even if the Calgary landscaping company you hired did a great job, sod is one of those products that can be hard to predict.

But, it is much cheaper.

Artificial grass in Calgary is starting to boom because people are willing to pay the extra little bit to have year-round green grass they never have to touch.

The artificial grasses available in today’s market are very realistic, so you never have to worry about that dreaded “fake” look. With options for different colours, textures and patterns, synthetic lawns have developed into a must-have, or at least worth considering.

Tip #6: Irrigation

No one wants to worry about how much water to give their lawns or their plant materials. That applies even more to families that travel a lot.

Today’s irrigation systems allow you to control the watering of your Calgary lawn with the touch of a button on your smartphone from miles and miles away.

It’s very convenient and can leave your landscaping in pristine shape without you having to turn the hose bib on once. Call a reputable Calgary landscaping company to do your blow-outs in the fall time, and have them restart it in the springtime and you’re good to go.

Tip #7: Introduce a rock garden

I’m still puzzled as to why more landscaping companies in Calgary don’t propose this in their low maintenance front yard landscaping ideas.

I’ve proposed it a few times, and I often get a little push back from my clients. I know that happens because they haven’t seen it anywhere before.

I often refer them to Japanese zen gardens. They’re a highly popular concept in other countries and require very low maintenance, but look stunning. Do a bit of research on it and give it a chance!

Hopefully, this gives you some low maintenance landscaping ideas for your yard here in Calgary. Feel free to give us a call for any landscaping Calgary needs so we can propose a low maintenance landscape design for your Calgary home!

I’ve been fortunate enough to work on some major acreage landscaping designs. I’ve been put in positions by other landscaping companies and some high-end clientele, including Home Builders, to foster creative acreage landscaping ideas.

I’m not going to lie – it’s not easy.

Coming up with acreage landscaping ideas can be a real challenge primarily because of the abundance of space that is available for me to work with.

One mistake many landscape designers in Calgary make is that they think that you have to “fill up” space.

But having worked on hundreds of landscape designs myself, I’ve come to realize that the famous architect Mies Van Der Rohe was definitely on to something.

Over the past several years, I’ve learned a lot when trying to create beautiful acreage landscaping designs. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you’ll be able to see your property in a new light.

Acreage Landscaping

Calgary is a prairie-dominated region resting in the southern part of the province of Alberta, where the Elbow and Bow Rivers meet.

Located on the foothills of the Grasslands and Parkland Natural Regions, Calgary is home to several acreage properties.

Owning a property with 5-gallon acres of land may sound impressive to homeowners. When it comes to landscaping, however, Calgary is one of those regions where proper planning is absolutely essential.

Vastness of Space

A rural landscape is very different from an urban or suburban landscape. While small yards with a limited variety of trees and shrubs are sufficient for the suburban market, rural acreage landscaping requires extra consideration. This is primarily due to its vastness of space, the open air and the exciting views.

“Space” is a big restraining factor in the suburban and city landscape. That’s why urban landscaping design requires meticulous planning with a focus on utilizing even the smallest of space in a useful way.

However, in rural landscaping, there is often ample “space” which causes some owners to feel perplexed while designing their acreage landscaping projects.

It’s crucial that you can distinguish actual usable space in your yard. It is often the case that with large acreages, there are a lot of existing trees and even natural un-usable areas.

So in turn, the 3-acre landscape you thought you had to design really isn’t that much – because once you take into account your house, your driveway and the natural surrounding (trees / un-usable space), you’re left with very little around your home for landscaping.

Assess the Existing Landscape

In rural landscaping, the idea is to create consistency along your existing landscape, not chaos. Make sure that your newly-proposed design is based on the existing characteristics of the site.

Careful planning will help you build a secure yet beautiful landscape for your acreage property. You need to take into consideration how much space is to be allotted for outbuildings, gardens and windbreaks among other elements.

Creating acreage landscaping ideas that will be functional as well as aesthetically appealing can pose to be a daunting task for many. So, let’s dive into learning more about exciting acreage landscaping ideas that you can implement in your Calgary property.

Fundamentals of Acreage Landscaping Ideas

The crucial point is to ensure an overall sense of familiarity and intimacy across the acres of your plot. This can make you feel like the yard is simply an extension of the house, no matter what its size is.

Taking the project as a performing art will help you view it as a creative endeavour and not a dreadful chore.

Here are a few ideas that you can use for your acreage landscaping project:

Land Division: You might love owning a vast property, but sometimes it can be overwhelming.

However, if you divide the land and create individual ‘pockets’, you can create a more intimate space.

There are endless possibilities if you decide to divide your property. You can use screens like fencing and hedges and build physical barriers.

Solidify Destination Zones: Close to your house, you should create a space dedicated to “landscape engagement.” This is where you aim to spend most of your time.

This “Destination Zone” can fall under three different categories: cooking, dining, lounging and sometimes, play.

Play can be for kids or adults, even putting greens are a great feature on an acreage.

It is best to keep these spaces close to the house as it can give you a feeling of intimacy rather than the exposure you might currently have.

Curvilinear or Rectilinear Forms:

It’s wise to use the existing terrain to establish a conceptual form to your landscape.

Lines and sharp angles in the design will tend to make a landscape with sloping terrain appear odd and strange. It’s better to use curves rather than straight, hard lines to make the landscape design appear more natural.

For example, the paths need to be curved instead of pin straight for them to correlate with the landscape contours. Retaining walls should look smooth as it rolls with the terrain.

Designing rounded borders and beds rather than straight edges in the garden will also allow you to integrate curves in the overall landscape. The result can flow quite beautifully.

Outdoor Water Features

These can be interesting and exciting methods to a better acreage landscape.

If you want to add purpose and beauty to your Calgary acreage, consider excavating for natural water bodies in your land.

Ponds can retain water that can help you with waterfowl rearing and plant irrigation. Lands with clay soils can prove quite beneficial for ponds.

If your area is covered with rocky or sandy soil, you will need thick liners for retaining water in the ponds.

You can also improve the look of a pond by adding alluring vegetation like reed grasses and willows along the rim.

A flagstone path extending from the house right up to the pond will also enhance the aesthetic value of the landscape.

Importance of Windbreakers

In Calgary, wind can pose to be a huge problem, especially with the warm Chinook winds blowing all across southern Alberta.

In fact, Chinook winds can be as powerful as a hurricane, with a case of Chinook gusting (171 km/h or 106 mph) the Lethbridge in November 1962. These winds can derail trains and blow snow across the roadways in winter. It can even increase the temperature in the summertime.

Chinooks are common in Calgary, a natural wind tunnelling city.

Consider berms with large Colorado spruce trees to give you wind protection all year round. I’ve been on acreage properties both south of the city (Priddis) or north of the city (Bearspaw). They have winds so strong that they end up killing off most newly-planted shrubs.

Mass tree plantation can also prevent damages due to water erosion in low-lying areas. Aspens and spruces are among the quick-growing tree varieties that can protect you from windbreaks. They are very hardy for our climate and will give you sustained protection throughout the year.

Calgary Planting for Acreage Properties

The crucial thing to consider is that acreage landscapes provide excellent scope for planting trees, shrubs and perennials or grasses.

You may consider starting your own vineyard or apple orchard in a part of your property, or even a complete vegetable garden. However, plants and lawns require proper maintenance.

Native plants don’t require much weeding or additional water for maintenance. Moreover, they offer a more natural look to the landscape, thus welcoming wildlife to the property.

Top Tips for Planting on Acreages:

Tree sizes

For the most part, you’ll want the most mature trees. Choose high caliper trees (over 80 mm minimum) on deciduous trees. For coniferous trees over three meters is the minimum.

Anything smaller on acreages looks off the scale. It could take a while before it really stars to grow in and fit in on your land fully.

Shrub Sizes

Most landscapers will try to sell you on 5 gallon shrubs – stick to two gallons.

Yes, I know they’re smaller, but the 5 gallon shrubs are already established and given the harsher climate (more wind) on acreages; it’s best to stick to younger shrubs.

Creativity Within Your Acreage Landscape

Acreages also have the best chance to get creative given the ample amount of space there is to play with.

But think outside the box.

Stop hiring landscaping companies or landscape designers that give you the same boring patio, fire pit and pergola package.

Push the envelope, and I say that with caution because I know everyone has a high budget. However, creativity is not expensive. At least, it doesn’t have to be.

“Out of the Box” Acreage Landscape Design Ideas to Consider

Rooftop Garden:

These are also called green roofs and are planted on an existing or new roof structure with the help of specialized, solid membrane that protects the building.

It has been proven through studies that rooftop gardens can increase the lifespan of any standard roofing system two-fold.

Green roofs are also highly cost-effective in the long run. Having a rooftop garden will increase your property’s value, especially if you invest in an intensive green roof.

Furthermore, let’s face it. The future is landscape sustainability so why not bring something unique and environmentally-friendly to your property?

Outdoor Living Walls:

Living walls are great for growing plants both on the exterior and interior of any house.

Installing a living wall around a retaining wall or gazebo can really give your space a major pop.

Nature-Scape: Be all Natural

Natural landscapes are in vogue these days, and they offer an informal and relaxing look by implementing winding paths and curvy lines rather than harsh geometrically straight lines.

They’re also great if you are having to landscape several acres of land, as the “unmaintained” areas can blend into the overall concept of the design quite easily.

Wildflowers, rustic elements, native plants and natural building materials provide a warm and inviting look to the landscape.

Imperfections like twigs and logs, salvaged wood, bark chippings, natural stone and unfinished surfaces make your acreage property landscaping more charming and eco-friendly.

Natural Stone Retaining Walls:

The use of natural rocks and boulders in acreage landscape design is also quite reasonable. Thus, incorporating natural stone retaining walls for your acreage property will not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the land but is also highly beneficial from a functional standpoint. This is especially the case if you have many large slopes on your acreage property.

Moving large, natural boulders to create terraces (levels) in sloped yards will cause the soil to cut back and create a flat surface, or ledge.

The natural boulders settle in the terraces to hold the soil back, creating retaining walls along your landscape.

Moreover, you can dry set, nestle, and stack the natural boulders together without having to worry about it looking “perfect”. This adds to a rustic, natural theme.

Natural Water Features and Ponds:

Yes, this may be expensive but it really can bring your whole yard to life.

Water is something that really strikes people as it plays on the human senses of sight and sound. By incorporating large water features and ponds, you can create tranquil scenes in your yard.

The natural boulders are a great compliment to the lot, especially if it is in sync with the natural retaining walls.

You can also do creative things with water features such as wrapping the stream around your patio to give an island feel or have waterfalls cascading from different elevations.

Conclusion

Finally, it is important to remember that designing a landscape in Calgary or any other province, requires patience, especially if it is your first time.

Trying to come up with landscaping ideas for acreages isn’t easy and different landscapers, and landscaping companies will steer you towards the direction they want you to go.

But if you’re well informed and understand the underlying concept of what you’re trying to achieve in your yard, it’s just a matter of finding the right landscape designer to turn that vision into a reality.

Call Tazscapes Landscaping at (587) 578-0747 today if you are looking for an experienced and creative landscape designer for your acreage properties!

Your Calgary yard is your personal sanctuary, but how do you even begin to think of backyard landscaping ideas that will optimize your space?

Here’s a quote you have probably already seen elsewhere on our website, but I’ll write it again:

“What is it about the landscape that awakens the deepest response in us?

Surely it is the very unity of existence.

The sense of the sublime of something far more deeply infused, whose dwelling is the light of the setting suns, and the round ocean, and the living air, and the blue sky, and the mind of man;

a motion and a spirit that impels all thinking things, and objects, and all thoughts, and rolls through all things.

We cannot be anything other than related, for every atom that makes up our constantly changing bodily form comes from the same source as the mountain, lake, bird, and fish.”

– LEATHERS, 1980

One of the things I learned during my landscape design training was the importance of connecting our senses to our natural surroundings.

Designing for residential home-owners is always a challenge. Seeking to evoke primary human senses such as sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste in someone’s Calgary yard isn’t an easy task.

In years of doing this, I’ve come to realize that by letting budgets hold me back, I tend to lack creativity. I become yet another landscaper who installs a 12’ circle patio and fire pit and hopes clients will bite.

How ridiculously boring.

In successfully running my own Calgary landscaping company, I’ve learned that I have to let my creativity run. Instead, I focus on presenting what I call the “Maserati” of designs to the client and let them tell me they’d rather have a Toyota.

Don’t get me wrong; I understand that no one would say no to a Maserati if they could afford it. But at the same time, ask yourself how many times you bought something you really couldn’t afford but just had to have it.

Exactly. Striking a primordial cord into my client’s emotions is critical. I hope to show them what they can have in their own Calgary yard every single day and, why they don’t need to travel miles and miles away on vacation every year.

Instead, they can invest that money into their own personal sanctuary.

I initially got this concept stuck in my psyche when I first moved to Calgary about five years ago. A high-end client told me that she and her husband sold their multi-million dollar business and retired.

Her husband told her she had two choices:

He can buy her a house in Palm Springs, and they can go there for six months out of the year to avoid the cold Calgary winters.
They can develop their 5 acres or 2-acre backyard.

Her response to him was: “I don’t like to travel.”

Here are a few examples of creative, “Maserati” landscape designs we at Tazscapes have proposed to our clients. We wanted to show them that the possibilities are endless if they genuinely wish to make their Calgary yard their own personal island:

Project #1: Decked Out Calgary Yard

Located in Aspen Woods, Calgary, our clients had an existing pressure-treated deck that they used quite often. It was a 12’ x 24’ deck, but it wasn’t big enough to entertain some of their high-end business associates.

They also didn’t have any room for a hot-tub they were hoping to install. So, they contacted us to propose backyard landscaping ideas that would accomplish all of their needs.

I followed my foundational design concept of ideal destination points: cooking, dining and lounging. Having these focal points at different levels, I suspended the beam structure overhead and connected each element. This was the most efficient way to bring coziness to the space.

I also made sure that they would have all their requirements fulfilled. There was an area for an outdoor kitchen, a central space for dining and a grand area for lounging and entertaining.

By bringing in the overhead pergola structure, I not only connected each area but allowed for an experiential transition between each space. I accentuated it by adding a plexiglass bridge that would let visitors walk over a dry creek bed to get to the grand lounging deck.

Project #2: The Garden Bar

Located in Bearspaw, Calgary, the clients of this residence had an existing gazeebo they wanted to be refurbished. During a consultation, I learned that they wanted more than a gazeebo – they hoped to create an outdoor retreat. At the end of our conversation, I suggested that they essentially want a living room outside, and they agreed.

As a Calgary landscaping expert, I always ensure that my game is in tip-top shape so I can impress my clients with a unique and custom landscape design.

I designed a gazebo structure that had everything they would ever need right inside. A central fire pit featuring a built-in chimney to release smoke would give the space a hint of primal nature that would evoke their senses.

We also installed a bar/kitchen top that surrounded them, along with two TVs so they could sit back and enjoy an evening around the fire.

And yes, the client used to work as an executive at Shaw Cable – the salesman in me had to throw that in there!

Project #3: The Subtle Picturesque Garden

This one was one of Tazscapes’ more lucrative projects.

When I met the client, she was extremely frustrated with the space she originally had. It was small and – sorry to say – it was ugly.

She mentioned her inability to come up with decent patio and landscaping ideas for such a small space.

In the past, she had a couple of landscape contractors and “trained” landscape designers in Calgary come into her Calgary yard to give her some ideas. She even paid a landscape designer to draft a detailed drawing for her.

When she showed me the design, I shook my head in disbelief. It just didn’t make any sense.

It consisted of a lot of decking for such a small space, especially since the clients were a young couple looking for a low-maintenance, classic garden feel.

The client wanted a Calgary yard in which she could spend hours enjoying the sun. She also hoped to gain something aesthetically pleasing that she could see from her existing concrete patio, and from her kitchen inside. As a landscape design expert, I heard this as, “I want to be able to simulate my senses after a long day at work.”

I knew there was little to no space for grass. With the square footage being so small, I suggested artificial turf (fake grass landscaping). I also knew we needed a feature piece. She already had a concrete patio, and judging from my consultation, she didn’t need anything elaborate to entertain lots of guests.

Clearly, she wanted a personal oasis. I proposed a water feature bubbler so that the calming sounds can give her the tranquillity she was looking for. With vivid green grass (albeit, synthetic) in conjunction with the surrounding plant material, we were able to fill her small space with life and serenity. It couldn’t have been more of a personal sanctuary.

Project #4: Backyard Beach Resort

Clients in Priddis, Calgary came to me when they acquired this new home. With a lake backing their yard, they asked how they can create a personal retreat. They mentioned that they wanted to take advantage of the water by incorporating a beach for their kids. The clients also said that they had many people push acreage landscaping ideas that they weren’t particularly happy about.

As a reputable company, we take pride in ensuring that each client gets the most thought-out landscape design proposal possible. We went right to work on this project to come up with truly custom and unique landscaping ideas.

I proposed to create a beach resort in their backyard that was so serene; it would lead them to believe that they could enjoy an all-inclusive vacation anytime they wanted. I also strived to make sure they had everything they would need – from dining with the family to entertaining a large group of friends – all while taking advantage of the lakeside view.

Since the family had a passion for fishing, I designed a custom dock that gave them ample space for various activities. The final result imitated the amenities of an all-inclusive resort.

Having a vision for spaces is critical when designing. It doesn’t need to be highly complex or extravagantly expensive. Rather, it needs to serve a function for your everyday life.

Landscaping companies in Calgary often conform to the same things over and over again. Thus, it’s critical for anyone willing to invest their hard-earned dollars to demand a detailed and creative landscape design proposal from their landscaping contractor.

Contact Tazscapes Inc today and find out how we can make your Calgary yard your own personal island!

Water is as natural as it gets. There is something about the sound and look of a beautiful water feature that captivates many Calgary home-owners.

Installing an outdoor water feature for your Calgary residential landscaping can be as simple as a ‘rock bubbling water fountain,’ or as intricate as a grand waterfall spilling into a rushing stream. Don’t forget the live fish!

Yep, it’s all possible in a backyard water feature.

There are many options to choose from, and each has their weight in gold.

Maintenance and budget are usually the top concerns when it comes to considering an outdoor water feature.

These may be mitigated depending on what kind of outdoor water feature ideas your landscape designer proposes. Nonetheless, it’s imperative that your detailed landscape design can implement it well with the overall concept of your backyard.

I encourage outdoor water feature ideas, especially in bigger backyards. However, I always make sure that the type and style of ideas I propose make sense. This is not only so I can comply with what client desires, but also so it fits in with the overall scale and elements of the property.

Outdoor Waterfalls

A waterfall is a fantastic focal point that can bring a sense of tranquillity to your yard. The sound enhances the yard’s overall serenity and can add value to the backyard escape.

By altering the layout of the stones, you can set up multiple levels of falls giving it a cascading effect. Thus, you enhance the visual aspect of the feature in your landscape.

Ponds

Ponds add value to your property and tend to give you an escape from the everyday rat-race. They do require regular maintenance to thrive, but don’t worry! The service is often be provided by the Calgary landscaping company for a recurring fee.

They can be a real undertaking, but when done correctly, ponds can create a great visual masterpiece in your backyard.

Pondless

There’s an option for those still aiming for a waterfall but not interested in having to deal with regular maintenance of a full-sized pond. Many of our Calgary residents tend to choose a pondless water feature.

Essentially, in a pondless outdoor water feature, you have a reservoir in which the water spills. It’s then redirected (or pumped) to cycle back up to the top so it can fall again and recycle water.

Rock Bubblers or Fountains

A rock bubbling fountain is something I often recommend to clients who aren’t big on water features because I know it would enhance the look and feel of their yard. These are also great for small backyards or small gardens.

Sometimes, during the landscape design process, I like to put statement features in certain areas. One great feature is water – but when I get pushback from my clients, it’s mainly because of maintenance and budget. Then, I lean towards the rock bubbling water fountain.

It’s a simple concept. I am taking a natural rock, drilling a hole, feeding a pump through it and having a small catch basin underneath (similar to a pondless reservoir).

With a push of a button, my clients can increase/decrease the flow, or turn it on and off as they please.

Rock bubblers or natural water fountains are cost-effective, require almost no maintenance and enhance small backyards and gardens immensely.

Outdoor water feature installation

Outdoor water features can be labour-intensive and require precise landscape planning and detailed execution by your Calgary landscaping company. You must ensure you have installed something that will work for years to come – especially given the Calgary weather.

Excavation needs to happen accurately to make sure that a reputable pond builder in Calgary correctly installs the pond liner and pump.

At Tazscapes, we design and install outdoor water features of all sizes and make sure our clients’ needs are fulfilled. Our detailed landscape design proposal and excellent-quality construction are unparalleled in Calgary.

Give us a call today if you are thinking about bringing some sights and sounds of tranquillity to your Calgary backyard!

When proposing backyard landscaping ideas for your Calgary landscape design, you have to first establish what your ideal destination point is.

What will that perfect space help you accomplish? Will you be cooking there, lounging, or using it as a dining area? What about all three?

I spoke about the importance of establishing your destination points in earlier blogs, but it needs to be known from the onset otherwise everything else won’t make sense!

Patio spaces are often built out of manufactured stones and recommended for outdoor residential landscaping. This is because of its multi-use functionality and aesthetic quality that most home-owners appreciate.

We compiled 6 tips to achieve picture-perfect patio and landscaping ideas that you can use to amp up your Calgary yard today!

Tip #1: Location

Think about where you want your new patio space. More often than not, you should keep it close to the house. This makes for easy access in case you’re going to be using it for barbequing or outdoor dining.

After all, there’s no need to force yourself to walk long distances to bring dishes or drinks out– especially if you barbeque during the winter.

If your patio will be a lounging area or, for example, you want to build a small fire-pit for parties with friends; it should be further away from the house. Design an exciting transition space for the way there, i.e. create an experiential journey to your destination.

Pay attention to where you are placing this patio because it will speak profoundly to the functionality of your overall backyard landscaping design.

Tip #2: Scale

Think about the size of the patio in conjunction with the scale of your house and property. Then answer the vital question: How many people are going to be using the space at any given time?

Pace it out, stake it out or paint it out. Do what you have to so you can visualize the space and understand the scale of the proposed patio.

The last thing you want is to have the patio constructed and realize it’s too small. This includes considering both its functionality and aesthetic, (i.e. a 10’ diameter patio on a 4-acre lot – don’t laugh, I’ve seen it before).

This is where experienced deck builders in Calgary can help you visualize the patio you don’t just want, but the one your lot needs.

Tip #3: Form

There are mainly two foundational forms (or shapes) you can tailor your backyard patio ideas to: rectilinear or curvilinear.

I always recommend the clients to assess what look they are going for. Take a glance at your house- is it a contemporary or modern home? If so, you should probably stay rectilinear – it’ll match the style a lot better. If it’s traditional, then a curvilinear form would look a lot nicer.

You can also combine the two, though that requires some careful design lines for the blend to look flawless. Yes, lines matter: there is a whole book dedicated to it called, you guessed it, Lines by Tim Ingold.

Tip #4: Transition

How do you establish these destination points (assuming your patio has multiple facets)? Your patio can have levels or elevation changes.

You can surround your patio with softscaping, so it doesn’t feature an abrupt start or end. Adding retaining walls to separate different destination points also works well.

A transition between different focal points will make a big difference in the overall perspective of the space.

Tip #5: Material

Choose your stone, including the colour and the pattern of the stone, with immense thought behind it. Don’t just choose the stone your landscaper tells you to. Chances are they’re thinking about keeping their costs low and time fast, so trust your preferences.

Explore your options and select wisely because attention to detail will set your backyard landscaping apart from others. Go through stone manufacturer websites and catalogues to see ones that stand out at you. Then, visit a landscape supply store near you and look at samples.

Choosing the right stone for your patio will ensure that you paid attention to detail when coming up with your backyard patio idea.

Tip #6: Backyard Landscaping Features

In Calgary, when you select the location of your patio, you have to see how the sun will move around that space. For example, if your backyard landscaping is south facing, you will have the sun most of the day. On some days, however, it may get unbearable to sit in the heat.

Consider feature structures, like a privacy screen or a pergola, when coming up with a backyard patio design. They can give you some shade and add character to the patio. By doing this, you are also enhancing the experience of that space during use as the eye will immediately be drawn to it.

It’s always good to have a professional landscape designer ensure all these points are met when proposing patio design ideas for your Calgary backyard. By integrating these principals, you can rest assured your patio is one that will be not only aesthetically pleasing but functionally enjoyable to use, too.

Call Tazscapes Inc today to start brainstorming patio ideas for your backyard in Calgary!

So you just finished your final walk-through with your Calgary landscape contractors and (hopefully) are happy with everything they accomplished. You handed them their final cheque, shook hands, they hopped in their truck and are on their way to the next job.

On the other end, you turn around and see your yard, remembered what it was and saw what it became. You couldn’t be happier!

Now, the hard part: maintaining your new yard. From hardscape care to everyday lawn maintenance, every dollar you spent should be worthwhile.

Here are some tips on how to ensure your landscape maintenance is up to par for years to come:

Hardscaping Landscape Maintenance

The hardscaping portion of your landscape was probably your most costly, so it’s imperative you don’t let it get damaged.

Paving Stones:

Sweep your patio regularly, especially after a party or gathering.
Power-wash once a month – you can rent one from Home Depot
Ensure regular polymeric sand between joints to keep weeds from growing.
Remove any stains that stick with a store-bought solution from any garden center.
Remove and relay any paving stones that shift – this is normal especially with Calgary chinook weather.

Concrete:

Reseal concrete every second year or so depending on the degree of wear and tear.
Power wash regularly to remove debris.
Remove any oil, grease or other stains right away before they settle in.
Pay attention to expansion joints as water seeps through, and call for a professional to fix it immediately.

Stone Retaining Walls:

Pay attention to any settling within the first year.
Make sure caps stay glued or re-apply PL to secure caps on the wall.
Ensure that the wall isn’t being “pushed out” from water pressure over time and continues to drain properly.
Avoid salt or deicers around the retaining walls.

Softscaping

Softscaping is what is going to give your yard a vibrant glow. Green grass, blooming trees and shrubs are where all your colors and textures are going to come from. It’s important that you take care of these crucial elements on a regular basis to ensure optimal landscaping.

Sod:

Water, water, water. The first two-three weeks you should water your lawn twice a day- early morning and late evening.
Don’t cut new grass for at least three weeks – let it grow into the soil.
Some yellow/brownish patches are normal – it’s just the heat, keep watering!
If the patch remains, either replace the sod or power rake it and throw a high-quality seed mix in, then wait.

Plant Materials:

Give it time to grow.
Again, water, water, water – but don’t drown the plant.
Prune regularly, remove dead branches.

Groundcover:

Spray round-up anytime you see weeds growing.
Top up mulch as it starts to decompose.
Cut out straggly, loose fabric underneath, and replace it with newer fabric stapled to the existing one.
Blow or pick the fruits and cones falling from your trees.

Calgary landscapers should always let their clients know about maintenance protocols for the work that they do. This is the only way to ensure that the yard stays beautiful for more than a season, and all the hard-earned money that was invested can be shown off for years to come!

Natural stone boulder retaining walls are in vogue at the moment.

Retaining walls made of stone boulders have gained popularity among Calgary residents. Why? Not only do they have an enchanting quality, but they’re also amazingly sturdy and robust.

People use them for various purposes. Some clients need them to strengthen sloped terrains. Some opt for them just for decorative purposes. Others use them to mark the boundaries of their plot. The most common function of boulder retaining walls is the prevention of soil erosion.

Take a more in-depth look and find out more about how natural stone boulder retaining walls can benefit your yard.

About Boulders

Boulders are natural stones found in a range of sizes, shapes, and colours. These stones are frequently used to build retaining walls primarily due to their ability to fit into any outdoor space. They can also provide the area with unparalleled natural beauty.

You will find boulders around water features in gardens (like waterfalls, garden ponds and the like), pools, zen gardens, and so on.

Another factor that makes boulders extremely popular as a component used in landscaping is the broad variety of textures and colours in which they are available.

Boulders are shaped naturally by glaciers and water. Thus the textures they feature are always unique. This element of boulders allows landscape designers to create exciting and distinctive visual effects.

Designing Retaining Walls with Boulders

There cannot be a better material than natural boulders when it comes to constructing retaining walls. That’s because no other natural stone can combine appearance with functionality as efficiently as big, naturally-formed boulders.

If the place you are located in boasts a sizeable natural slope, having a sturdy supporting structure becomes extremely important. The structure may play a double role. Ideally, it should make the region more aesthetic, and help in protecting the land against erosion.

You can use these walls also for dividing sloping land areas into visually enhanced, functional horizontal zones. You can also create a personal garden to grow plants and herbs, or keep it a simple green lawn that surrounds your abode.

Why Natural Stone?

You can use various materials to construct a supporting structure in your garden. Examples include wood, brick, cinder blocks, concrete and the like.

There are also various stone types that are used for this purpose. However, none of them come with the qualities that boulders possess.

Retaining walls built using boulders make the most of the aesthetic value of these stones. Besides, boulders are exceedingly strong and are frost-resistant.

Boulders can also withstand aggressive environmental hazards and sudden temperature changes. Retaining walls made up of these textured stones add character and rustic charm to a home’s exterior.

We already mentioned that boulders are found in a range of shapes. Landscaping companies decide which shape would be suitable for a particular project depending on the needs, taste, and preferences of the client.

For instance, tall stones make great additions to rock gardens or gardens featuring waterfalls. You can even use them to form a retaining wall’s base. The low, massive vertical boulders are also great for constructing the base of retaining walls as they are heavy and strong.

Construction

It would be wise to go for natural boulder rocks instead of manmade ones as the former can provide you with aesthetic uniqueness. However, make sure that the boulders you are using score heavily when it comes to both visual appeal and strength.

Large boulders are exceedingly heavy. So, to reduce transportation costs, you should pick a local source to get all the boulders required for building a retaining wall to your garden.

Before placing your order, however, you must find out the number of boulders you will need to complete the job. Consider the desired height and length of the wall you are looking to build.

Ideally, you should buy boulders of various sizes from small to large. This would make shaping the corners much more accessible. Also, your landscape designer should also be able to add more wall variations.

Before initiating the project, it’s important to check the local laws about the construction of retaining walls.

Also, obtain the required permits from your local authorities.

If you have decided to build the wall yourself, get a sketch of your desired retaining wall ready before starting the job. Also, list all the measurements accurately.

We would not encourage you to make this one a do-it-yourself project as such jobs require significant technical knowledge. For instance, only experienced Calgary landscaping companies would be able to tell you whether you need to remove any tree or underground electricity/water lines to build the wall.

The process of construction begins by setting up a solid foundation. Workers would dig up the soil either by using a digging machine or with a shovel. They follow this process by forming a 4-inch layer of gravel, which the Calgary landscape contractors will compact to add solidity to the wall’s base. They would also cover the gravel with a sufficient amount of sand.

Now, it’s time to arrange the boulders. The workers would begin by placing the biggest boulders first. Smaller boulders are typically used at the higher levels of a retaining wall. Thanks to their incredibly heavy weight, you will need to hire extra men for transporting the large boulders.

Construction of a natural boulder retaining wall is unlikely to involve the use of mortar. That’s because the weight and shape of boulders ensure that walls made with them will be strong.

The next factor that plays a vital role in this construction project is drainage.

It’s true that a boulder retaining wall would offer natural drainage. However, the Calgary landscapers that take your project on must still leave enough gaps between boulders so that water gets drained smoothly.

Once all large boulders are appropriately placed, you should fill the gaps between them with smaller boulders. This provides additional support to the retaining wall and makes it stronger.