Have you ever walked along with a neighbourhood and noticed the front of a home with a water feature? Or have you ever been over to a friend’s backyard to see cobbled pathways leading to their garden? If so, most likely, they found a landscape design in Calgary that they liked and brought their vision to life.

Yet, what exactly is the point of landscape design? Get the answers here and see if landscape design might be for you!

Residential backyard with koi pond, waterfall, and stone steps to patio.

What is Landscaping?

Before you understand the purpose of landscape design, you need to know what landscaping is first. For the most part, landscaping involves working towards altering the visible features surrounding a land’s area, which can range from commercial and residential buildings. 

The changes come in various ways. You can add living elements, known as ‘softscaping,’ which refers to plant materials, sod or groundcovers like mulch and decorative rock to give an attractive look through the greenery. Complementing softscaping, you have ‘hardscaping’ that utilises materials such as paving stores, concrete, and decks. Typically, this is where you see most landscape construction and installation. 

When these two landscaping approaches come together, they’re used as the resources and tools for creating your landscape project.  

What is the Point of Landscape Design?

Landscape design is incredibly important since it’s the initial step before working on the project. It’s all about mapping out how you want to execute your landscaping project. In which case, many opt for reaching out to landscape designers in Calgary since they can compile a detailed plan on what your space will look like upon completion. 

After all, the end goal of landscaping your property’s area is to enhance its aesthetic appeal to meet the vision you have in mind. If you want the successful execution of your landscaping project, you must plan and prepare for it effectively. 

What’s Good About Landscape Design?

There are several benefits to landscape design. Beyond being an essential first step in landscaping, it can help you save money and free you of any stress in the long run. 

How so? When you don’t have a plan (essentially a landscape design), you risk making mistakes that can end up being costly. Instead, you and the designer can scope out your space thoroughly through a landscape design before getting to work and prevent any issues from occurring. 

For example, if you’re planning a water feature, it’s good to have a landscape design you’ve run through with a designer since the design will factor in any underground water lines you need to avoid to get the project done. Plus, having a landscape design already gives you an effective timeline of the project’s work and completion deadline. 

You honestly can’t go wrong with having a landscape design. You can guarantee it through your dream landscaping project coming to fruition! 

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.

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].

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.

Winter Landscaping Tips For 2022

When the first snowfall hits Calgary, there are two types of people that reveal themselves – those who love it or hate it. 

For lovers, blankets of snow bring to mind a wonderful winter wonderland. As for haters, the snow seems like an inconvenience that ruins everything it touches. 

Those in Calgary planning on landscaping during this time, they might either find doing so to be either daunting or enticing.

Whether winter is your most hated or loved season, being able to landscape effectively during it shouldn’t be a problem!

If you’re thinking about landscaping this winter, check out our 3 winter landscaping tips for this year below.

Tip #1: Evergreens As A Focal Point

Nothing compliments fresh snow than evergreen trees. It conjures up images of snow lightly dusted over tree branches like powdered sugar. By adding evergreens into your landscaping, it accents the predominantly white backdrop of snow.

Also, did you know evergreens aren’t always green?  

If you’re not a fan of green or just looking to bring something unique, you can go with evergreens that can come in either yellow, blue, and any other colours that might catch your fancy.

Evergreens are easy to spot here in Calgary, so finding any to help with landscaping is not an impossible task.

Tip #2: How Hardscaping Can Help 

For those unfamiliar with the term ‘hardscaping,’ it’s where you utilize inanimate elements while landscaping. Some examples would be stone benches, arbours, or even a garden statue.

So, how does hardscaping during the winter help?

Some recommend not doing so because of weather conditions. However, hardscaping can be beneficial during this time.

While landscaping, you can catch missing focal points more prominently during the winter and can rely on a form of hardscape to embellish your landscape.

In addition, choosing to hardscape during the winter can surprisingly be easier on your wallet.

Knowing people in Calgary, people don’t like to face the winter’s harsh elements, so the price of hardscaping does go down a bit.  

Tip #3: Adding The Beauty Of Berries  

When you think of winter, especially here in Calgary, you practically see every plant begin to wither away. It almost seems like no beautiful plant is immune to winter’s frosty grasp.

But did you know there are gorgeous greenery you can use in your landscaping even during winter?

Hard to believe, but there are some and they’re just as lovely as plants during the spring and summer. 

When winter landscaping, you can find trees or shrubs that have berries in them that bring a subtle pop of colour.

Holly berries in particular are a great staple to include to your landscape. It pairs nicely with evergreens as well if you’re thinking of including them into your winter landscaping revamp.

Landscaping during any season in Calgary can have its challenges. However, we do hope with some of the tips listed that it brought your mind to ease when considering what to do for winter landscaping.

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.

Ensure Proper Landscape Maintenance

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.

Calgary Landscape Maintenance Hardscaping

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.

Calgary concrete services

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.

Concrete or Stone Retaining Wall in Calgary

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.

Softscaping is what is going to give your yard a vibrant glow

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:

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

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 used for creating stair pathwaysBoulders 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

Natural boulders are ideal for constructing retaining wallsThere 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?

Retaining Wall made with boulders are exceedingly strong and are frost-resistant.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 

Acreage Landscaping construction with natural boulder rocksIt 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.

Site Preparation - check the local laws about retaining walls constructions

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.

Hiring Landscapers - and making sure that drainage is looked after

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.

Photo Showing Artificial Turf - Synthetic Lawn

Artificial turf, artificial grasssynthetic lawn– call it what you want, but fake grass landscaping is starting to take over Calgary!

People are tired of mowing their lawns on a regular basis only to see dull,  yellow-patched grass that makes their whole yard look awful. Let’s face it, not everyone has the time or the passion for regular lawn care maintenance.

Enter artificial grass in Calgary. Not only is it zero maintenance, but it keeps your yard looking beautiful and lusciously green year-round. If you have children or pets, this is a great option. But as with anything that makes your life easier, it can be expensive.

Nonetheless, it’s a great investment for your property. Besides the aesthetic value it can give your home, people appreciate not having to water or mow their lawns.

Within the artificial turf realm, you have loads of options. There are many textures and grades that you can choose from depending on your personal needs.

Let’s take a deeper look.

History

The concept of fake grass originally came from a textile company, but the product was meant to be used for carpeting.

Today, new products have been tested and chemically treated so they are resistant to ultraviolet rays of the sun. This makes them wear-and-tear resilient against pet and children foot traffic, and fully applicable for residential Calgary landscaping.

Materiality

There are fibers in the synthetic turf, called blades, which essentially make up the “grass”.

Made from elements like nylon or polypropylene, these are manufactured in different ways for different applications to mimic fake grass.

Installation

When proposing artificial turf to Calgary residents, my clients often wonder why it’s so expensive. In their mind, we’re simply “rolling out carpet”, similar to sod.

The difference that many fail to realize is that unlike sod, proper Calgary landscaping practices require a solid 6”-8” aggregate base. This is more like the process involved in paving stones or concrete curbing. Excavation and grading to ensure proper drainage also allows it to become synthetic perfect turf. 

Applications

I often recommend artificial turf in Calgary yards where home-owners who want luscious green lawn without worrying about maintenance.

In addition, clients who have pets that tend to make a mess benefit significantly from fake grass– even if it’s for a small area like a dog-run.

The most popular reason clients select fake grass is for putting greens.

A Calgary Backyard Photo Showing Putting Green Installation

Putting greens in Calgary have become a great landscape feature. Home-owners can finally have a place to ‘play’ as they entertain their guests. Golfers also now have the ability to practice their game in the convenience of their own backyard.

I will really try to push the fake grass concept to clients in my landscape design proposal if I feel that their lawn area is small or needs grass installed. Think about it, do you really want to bring out a lawn mower or hose for an 80, or even 150 square foot area?

If so, what are the chances it will be as green and appear as healthy as the synthetic form I propose?

However, there is also something about natural grass that some clients prefer: the “connection to earth”, if you will.

I honestly can’t say if playing in natural grass or mud – as doctors tell us – built my immune system at an early age.

The choice is yours nonetheless. The benefits are there!

If you’re looking to keep your lawn a maintenance-free one and aesthetically superior, I would highly recommend it. On the other hand, if budget is a concern and/or if you enjoy the natural look and feel of the outdoors, stick to regular sod.

At Tazscapes, we have expertly installed loads of artificial turf in Calgary, and can help you with yours.

Feel free to give us a call today for your new maintenance-free lawn!