An arbor on its own is considered by most to be an elegant decorative feature, but they look so much better when they are cloaked in flowers or plants. However, not all run-of-the-mill flowers are designated as proper plants to grow on an arbor. You need to find plants that will grow up and onto your arbor.

Many different flowers and plants fit this criteria, so deciding which plants to grow on an arbor boils down to your personal preference. Still, here are some popular choices.

Climbing roses: These are arguably the most popular plants to grow on an arbor. For starts, roses are timeless, classic-looking flowers. They create a stunning effect when they grow up and around an arbor in a garden or yard. A wide variety of roses are able to grow with arbors as a support.

Clematis: These are vines that flower, creating a wonderful effect around your arbor. The fact that they grow as vines make them the perfect match for an arbor. They will use the structure as a support and continue to overgrow around it. They also come in a wide variety of colors, so you can find the best match for your landscape.

General ivy or vines: Maybe you just want to give your arbor an old, rustic feel and don’t necessarily want the color that comes with flowers. You could opt for vines and ivy that just bloom with normal green leaves. These types of plants grow well vertically (often attaching to walls or other structures) and will thrive on your arbor.

When choosing plants to grow on an arbor, remember that perennial flowers will come back every year, so once you plant them, they are good to go.

Need Help? Use Talk Local!

It can be tough to find a landscaper who is equipped to handle your specific job. It could take you weeks to find one — but not anymore. With TalkLocal, we collect information about your needs and then instantly find service professionals in your area that can help. You will be talking with someone on the phone in roughly a minute. Now, that’s speedy service!

If you are having a hard time choosing between an attached deck versus gazebo, you are not alone. A lot of homeowners and landscapers have the same problem. Both are appealing and can add value to your home or land. It does not come down to which one is the better choice, just which one is the better choice for you. Here is a comparison of both structures that will help you decide which one you might want in your yard.

Attached Deck

– Attached decks are convenient because you can just walk out your door and step onto them.

– They can be built from a variety of different materials.

– Attached decks can be made to fit any home and come in a variety of different shapes and sizes.

– Some attached decks are built at different levels so you can use each section for something different.

– Attached decks are well suited for most types of patio furniture.

– They can have a roof built on top of them or left open.

Gazebo

– Gazebos have a unique design that is eye-catching and creates a certain look in your yard.

– They can be built anywhere on your property and do not have to be close to your home.

– Gazebos are typically made out of wood, and can be stained or painted as desired.

– Gazebos offer shade and can keep you cool on hot days.

– Although they can be expensive, gazebos are very detailed, and can even be custom made to fit your wants and needs.

The attached deck versus gazebo choice can be a tough one, and if you are like most people, it can be hard to make a final decision. Consider the size of your yard, your budget, style, and the needs of your family, and choose the one that is best designed for your yard.

Find Help For Your Project

When it comes time to build either a deck or a gazebo, you will most likely want the help of a qualified professional. Finding one is ultra-easy with TalkLocal. We do all the work so you can get help quicker. You’ll be speaking with a professional in minutes.

If you want to create a sidewalk, patio, or concrete walkway, you may want to add a decorative touch. You can do this by painting it or even stamping the concrete.

Many people wonder: Can I stamp concrete myself? The answer is yes, you can as long as you have the right supplies and the proper technique. Stamping concrete yourself will allow you to save money and feel a sense of accomplishment.

How To Stamp Your Own Concrete

1. Pour the concrete as you normally would. Make sure you do not let it dry completely.

2. Add a powder release agent to the top of your newly poured concrete. The release agent will prevent the stamps from sticking to the concrete after it has dried.

3. Place the stamping mat on top of the concrete and leave it in place until the concrete is dry. Tamp it gently to ensure the stamp is deep enough to create indentations. Make sure you place the stamp exactly how you want it, and ensure that all of the lines and edges are matched up properly.

4. Move the stamp mats around on the concrete if necessary to cover the entire surface and complete the stamp.

5. Allow the concrete to dry overnight and spray off the release agent.

6. Check that the stamp worked, and add sealant to ensure that the stamp stays and the concrete does not get destroyed as a result of bad weather or daily use.

If you have ever wondered: Can I stamp concrete myself? now you know that you can. It is actually a fairly simple process that only requires a few tools, a couple of hours and a lot of patience.

Once you have finished stamping your own concrete, you can enjoy it as often as desired and show it off to your friends, family members, and guests.

Professionals Can Do The Job, Too

If you want a professional to take on this task for you, start the project off by visiting TalkLocal. We aid you in the search process by connecting you with local specialists who can carry out the job. We give you three options so you can decide which works best for you.

Japanese Maple trees are popular plants that many homeowners choose to grow. They can be pruned and grown in pots or planted to grow larger. Their leaves are bright red, which allows them to add eye-catching beauty to any yard or garden.

Caring For A Japanese Maple

– Plant the tree in soil that is moist to avoid drying out the roots during planting. These trees grow best in soil that is damp but also well-drained.

– Choose a location where the plant will be in partial shade. If you live in a mild climate where the temperature remains cool year-round, your tree may be able to tolerate a little more sunlight than usual.

– Never plant a Japanese Maple if there could be a frost. They are not likely to survive the frost, especially after being planted. Wait until early spring when the frosts are over.

– Fertilize your plant with slow-release plant food. This will help make your tree stronger and more likely to survive future winters. Add the fertilizer in early spring for best results.

– Only prune the tree when it is dormant. When you are caring for a Japanese Maple tree, pruning can be the most difficult thing to learn. Pruning while the tree is dormant will reduce the shock they experience. Be sure to remove any dead leaves and branches. If desired, you can prune the tree into a specific shape or prune it to grow a certain way. This is another reason these trees are so popular.

Need Help Yet?

Properly caring for a Japanese Maple tree is important if you plant to grow them in your yard. If cared for properly, these trees can add beauty and shade to your yard for many years.

You can rely on local landscapers to either plant or prune Japanese Maple trees. Find the right landscaper quickly by using TalkLocal. We instantly narrow your search down to three different companies or professionals and connect you with them, so and you can decide from there.

When the temperatures start to cool down and the seasons change, you can count on trees dropping their leaves. If you have trees in your yard, or even live near trees, you know how hard it can be to remove unsightly leaves from your yard.

If there are a lot of leaves, it can take several hours, and you could walk out your door the next day to find you yard covered in them again. Don’t spend hours fighting a losing battle. Here are some of the fastest ways to clean up leaves in your yard.

Lawn Vacuum

One of the fastest ways to clean up leaves is with a lawn vacuum. These pieces of equipment will suck up all the leaves and keep them in a bag or barrel. The vacuum is used similar to a lawn mower or a home vacuum cleaner and is swept across the lawn until all of the leaves have been removed.

When you are finished removing the leaves from the yard, you can take the collecting bag or barrel of the machine and empty it in the trash.

Mulch Attachments

Mulch attachments can be connected to your lawn mower and will mulch the leaves as you mow your grass. Some of these attachments will also collect the mulch so you can use it for other landscaping projects.

Rolling Leaf Bag

If you prefer to rake your leaves but are having trouble getting them in a trash bag, you may want to try a rolling leaf bag. These convenient and inexpensive bags can help you clean up the leaves much faster than normal because they are less likely to blow away, rip, or close up than traditional garbage bags.

If you want to find the fastest ways to clean up leaves, look no further. Get your yard looking great and keep those leaves at bay with one of the methods above.

Get Someone To Do It

You can always hire professionals to keep your yard leaf-free. To find a professional that offers these services in your local area, use TalkLocal. Our innovative concierge service connects you with local professionals quickly and for free.

If you want to add beauty to your yard and garden, one of the easiest ways to do so is by adding a raised garden. These beds are convenient for many reasons and are a popular choice for gardeners and landscapers. So, why use a raised garden?

Size

If you have a small area that can be used for a garden, a raised garden can help. Sometimes the space you have for a garden doesn’t allow you to move around in it easily or reach plants and seeds without walking around inside the garden. Raised gardens can be made with small walk areas between them so you can utilize your space but still be able to easily manage and tend to your garden plants.

Versatility

Raised gardens can be used anywhere from large landscape areas to small apartment balconies. They are easy to maintain and all you need to get stared is a wooden box, potting soil, and plants — perhaps eye-catching, exotic flowers. Since all of the plants and soil are contained, the garden is much easier to keep weed-free.

Soil Quality

For many people, the question ‘Why use a raised garden?’ is an easy one. Soil quality can play a big role in how your plants grow. If the soil around your yard or garden is poor, your plants are not likely to be healthy or even grow at all. A raised flower bed can be filled with potting soil or any type of good quality soil that will be sure to help your plants grow healthy.

Why use a raised garden? Why not? There are so many benefits of a raised garden that it is an obvious choice for any avid gardener. Whether you are a professional landscaper or a homeowner who wants to make their yard look nice, raised gardens are the way to go.

Need Help Installing One?

Some local landscapers can help you install a raised garden in your yard. If you want to find a landscaper that you KNOW offers this service, use TalkLocal.

We find only relevant professionals in your area who can lend a hand. We also connect you with them.

To those that don’t know how to use an arbor, this popular landscape structure is simply a standalone decorative piece. However, there are a number of different ways you can implement an arbor in your garden or landscape.

Here are some ideas on how to use an arbor, and how you can best mesh one with your landscape.

Grow Flowers Or Plants On It

Your plants and flowers are only going to get so high off the ground on their own. An arbor is a perfect way to elevate these flowers and plants off the ground and make them visible to everyone.

There are certain plants that will be able to grow and climb up an arbor. This allows you to have a garden with variety.

Use As An Accent Piece For A Deck

An arbor does not have to be placed in a garden or the lawn. Many homeowners use arbors as a decorative accent piece to their decks. Not only does this make your deck look fancier, but you could cover the arbor and it could be a prime destination for some nice, cool shade.

Install An Arbor As The Entryway To Your Garden

You can let people know that they are entering your garden by placing an arbor on the perimeter. This can become the official entrance to your garden. As mentioned before, you can class it up by letting plants or flowers grow on it, making for the perfect entrance to an elegant garden.

You don’t have to know specifically how to use an arbor — you can create your own uses for this versatile piece of art by deciding what works best for you.

Do You Want An Arbor In Your Yard?

Make TalkLocal your first stop when you search for landscapers who can make your vision a reality. With only a little bit of information about you, we’ll connect you with the right professionals in your area. It is fast and free.

If you have a small garden, but still want to grow fruit trees, you need to determine which ones can successfully grow in small or tight spaces. The best fruit trees for small gardens are ones which do not grow extremely large or out of control, or those which produce fruit at a younger age.

Here are some of the best fruit trees for small gardens.

Berry Bushes

Berry bushes are small, but can produce a good amount of berries in a small amount of time. Most berries grow low to the ground, so they do not need a lot of vertical space. They also produce fruit within the first year or two.

Cherry Trees

Cherry trees are small and produce fruit within a short amount of time. You can choose from a variety of types of cherries, including ones that pollinate on their own. These trees are some of the best trees for small gardens because they do not grow tall or wide and are easy to prune and control.

Nut Trees

Nut trees are naturally small, so they do not require a lot of space to grow and produce nuts. Plant at least two nut trees together to encourage pollination, and your trees will be producing delicious and healthy nuts in no time. Some of the most popular nut trees are hazelnut trees because they are hardy, easy to grow, and decorative.

Don’t let a small garden stop you from enjoying fruit trees. If you choose the right type of trees, you can grow them in small spaces and enjoy a variety of fruits and nuts that will be a great reward for all of your hard work.

Try one of these fruit trees for small gardens, or try several and fill your fruit bowl with healthy snacks every day!

Finding The Right Help

Through TalkLocal, you can consult professionals who know everything about plants and the ideal conditions in which to grow them. Don’t waste time searching for companies which offer the services you need. Let us connect you to the right professional. It only takes a matter of minutes.

Landscaping may not be the first method that comes to mind when considering how to save energy with home improvements. Everyone knows about how increased insulation, low-e windows, and energy-efficient appliances can save you on your energy bill, but people rarely consider the benefits of landscaping.

You may be surprised to learn how much a few trees and shrubs can save you.

Saving With Your Landscaping

Adding trees around your home will shade it during the summer. This will prevent the sun from heating up your home and help to keep it cool. The cooler the trees keep your home, the less energy your air conditioner has to use to cool it down.

In the winter, if the trees are deciduous, they will lose their leaves and the sun can reach the house, helping to keep it warm. Evergreen trees added to the property where the wind generally blows helps create a wind block, too.

These trees, in addition to low-lying shrubs, help prevent drafts in the home from wind and therefore work to keep the home warmer.

Why Worry About It?

If you are concerned about the environment, then you already know how our society’s massive energy use is affecting it. The more energy we use, the more greenhouse gasses are released into the atmosphere.

These contribute to global warming, which is thought to be the cause of the extreme weather conditions that are increasing as the years go by. If none of that concerns you, you may be interested in how to save on your budget. The math is simple: use less energy, spend less money.

Call In The Landscapers

Although landscaping may not be your first answer to how to save energy with home improvements, it should certainly be a consideration. To talk to a professional landscaper, let TalkLocal help. We will connect you with a qualified landscaper in your area fast, and the best part is our service is completely free.

A lush growth of plants on a building can bring a look of quaint, old-world sophistication. Charming cottages appear even more charming when flanked by leaves and vines; even the heralded Ivy League is so named for the impressive vine growth on buildings.

Beneath all that charm and beauty, though, lurks danger. Excessive vine growth can exacerbate cracks in brick or mortar, or damage a home’s paint job. Runaway vines can also facilitate an invasion of bugs, birds, or even small mammals. Vines growing on the outside of a structure can also trap moisture, leading to seepage, wood rot, and other problems. If you are dealing with vines growing on a brick house, there are some things you should know.

English Ivy, the most common form that grows on buildings, is very resilient. These plants are considered invasive, and getting rid of them won’t be as simple as pulling them out. In fact, grabbing a handful and tugging may do more harm than good — especially if the vines growing on a brick house have already found their way into the mortar or wood. Other common plants that grow on brick include:

Clematis: Similar to English Ivy, Clematis is less invasive as it requires support structures to grow.

Sweet Peas and Runner Beans: These are relatively harmless growths that produce pretty flowers and do not damage brick. However, they do attract birds, insects, and everything that feeds on them.

Succulents: There are many types of succulent plants that are just as feisty as vines growing on a brick house. Many succulents thrive there because their needs are so minimal. The good news is, they are easy to remove by hand.

How To Eliminate Vines Growing On A Brick House

1. Spray the ivy with a strong solution of warm water and a grease-cutting dish soap. The one they use to clean oil spills from animals is best.  The dish soap will wash away some of the protective oils on the plants.

2. Use heavy work gloves and spray carefully with a weed killer.  You may need to repeat this process in three days for it to make a noticeable difference. Resist the urge to mix the weed killer more strongly.

3. You’ll know it’s working when the ivy turns less green and shrivels a bit. This means the vine is drying out and dying, so it’s safer to pull it from your building without causing further damage.

4. If you can find them, use garden shears to cut along the walls, separating the ivy from the feeder veins.

Need Help?

Many landscapers can rid your lawn of these pesky plants. To contact a local professional who can help, try using TalkLocal. We take the work out of the search process, connecting you directly with the best professional for your needs!