Tuesday, August 4, 2009

ULC Dallas Landscaping Video Is Finally Here



Watch our video to check out some of the Dallas area landscaping projects that we have done so far. Contact us with any inquiries. If you can dream it, we can create it.

Best Ways to Enhance Your Dallas Landscaping With Water Features

Big or small you can make your yard a place of beauty and tranquility with a small pond. By employing a little creativity and some money saving techniques you can have a one of a kind focal point that won't break your bank.

Keeping It Clean

Use an aquarium vacuum that you can pick up at any pet store or pet area of a department store. This simple tool is basically a long hose with a broad based suction head to cover as much area as possible while being comfortable to hold. This should be done once a week during the summer months. You will need to replace the water you remove during cleaning.

Add a waterfall or other water aeration to keep algae down. A waterfall or aerator adds oxygen to the water which is beneficial if you wish to keep fish in your pond as well as to cut algae levels. They also help keep the water circulating and temperature lower to avoid an algae bloom that will make your water green.

Light It Up

Place lights in strategic locations around the edge of your pool in the plants, rocks, or even beneath the surface of the water. Set the timer to turn on a few minutes before sundown, and set it to go off a few minutes after your normal bedtime. Using timers will cut the cost of lighting your pond so that the lights are only on during the times you are most likely to see them.

Save Money on Water Use

Make use of self contained pond and filter elements so that you only have to replace water once a week when cleaning your pond. Buy the best filter you can afford and make sure it is the appropriate size for your pond so that you have to replace dirty water less frequently.

Plant Care

Plants can add visual appeal to your pond as well as help keep the water in good condition. Letting plants grow out of control, however, can have the opposite effect as well as letting them develop mold and mildew. Keep your plants well pruned and check on them often.

Chemicals

If your water gets out of hand on your in spite of your best efforts you can use chemicals to control algae or other contaminants that can cause cloudy water. If you have your pond stocked with fish be sure any chemicals are safe for use with live animals. Most pond supply stores only carry algaecides and enzyme products that are safe to use with fish.

Dallas Landscaping: Top Ten Decorative Aggregate Rock

Decorative aggregate rock is one of the best materials for landscaping, and creative natural design. With all the exciting blends and colors available, it is easy to make yards and gardens come alive with color, texture, and to make the scenery you love to look at a reality, no matter where you live.

Aggregate rocks are used many ways, including in flowerbeds, as ground cover, and for paving walkways. This rock trim can be integrated as a decorative concrete topping, and are a designer's best friend for versatility. It is a green, eco-friendly product that requires little care, and virtually no water or tedious maintenance. Using aggregate rock for landscaping is a cost effective alternative to wood mulching that requires care and replacement. Rock is permanent, and can be used above ground and around ponds with pond safe rock materials. Decorative aggregate rock is purchased in small quantities by the bag, or in bulk for large quantities.

With the many exciting choices of decorative aggregate rock on the market, landscapers can design whatever look they want, from desert to high mountain, valley or riverbed. They can use the colorful materials to enhance natural surroundings, or create a "happy place" that is totally different from the local geography. In some areas that are very arid, green aggregate rock is used instead of hard to grow grass. There is less maintenance, and rocks do not die off in bad or dry weather. A commonly used decorative aggregate rock is the familiar white marble chips that people put next to their homes, along walkways, and in flowerbeds. Red or black lava rocks bring drama to the landscape, and river rock is used for driveways and paths.

Color is important to design, and rocks have all the colors of nature, from pink and gray, to gold and sand colors. Crushed river rock and oversize river rock find their way into yards and gardens in every locality. Sizes of aggregate rock vary from pea gravel to large rocks. The landscaper knows how to install the rock properly, so it will not wash out or become easily displaced.

The top ten decorative aggregate rock selections include: pink and gray slate, white marble, river rock, red and black lava, green, golden, and colored stones, river rock, sand pebble, Spanish tile, limestone chips, and granite. Add color, enhance design, and create a wonderland with affordable decorative aggregate rock.