Homeowners who live near open parks, in the foothills, and in the mountains all share the frustration of deer eating their landscape.  A lot of money is invested in plant material just to have it eaten by the deer that reside in the same neighborhood.  Homeowners aren’t the only ones who are frustrated by the deer.  Landscapers and gardeners find it disheartening as well.  Finding deer resistant plants proves to be a daunting task because, while some deer resistant plants tend to be left alone, they are not always deer “proof,” especially at the start of the season when green vegetation is nearly impossible to come by.

While deer tend to enjoy certain plants and avoid others, there is no guarantee of being completely deer “proof.”  Fortunately, there does seem to be some success with a fairly large plant palette in this region.  For example, the deer tend to avoid highly fragrant herbs such as lavender, thorny plants such as barberry, and most ornamental grasses.

Integrating a variety of methods is the best way to prevent deer damage in the garden.  A combination of deer resistant plants and the use of a repellent or fencing will be the best way to combat deer damage.  Don’t give up hope though; beautiful landscapes can flourish even in areas populated with deer

After long, stressful work weeks more and more homeowners are finding satisfaction in being able to relax outdoors in the comfort of their own home.  They are turning to cooking, entertaining, and spending time with family and friends at home instead of going out.  Due to the increase in demand for outdoor living, there have been many advances in products to support this lifestyle.

Preparing an entire meal, dining, and sipping after-dinner drinks exclusively in the backyard is a unique experience that everyone can enjoy.  Outdoor kitchens with built-in barbeques, refrigerators, counter space, and even sinks can make cooking in the backyard easy and fun.  After-dinner drinks can be enjoyed while sitting around an outdoor fireplace or fire pit.

Countless hours are easily spent in the backyard when the right equipment is there to support comfortable outdoor living.  Friends and neighbors will want to be invited over for the unique dining experience that only an outdoor living space can offer. If spending time outdoors is important, there’s no better way to do it than in the comfort of your own home.

Bulbs are a perfect choice for adding bursts of color in an area like Colorado Springs where sunshine is plentiful and spring moisture is almost always guaranteed!  Planning for interest in all four seasons is not especially challenging with the wide variety of plants that are available: Nevertheless, it often gets overlooked.  Each season has its own plant palette that thrives and draws attention to the landscape.  In the early spring, when spring fever is at its peak, bulbs are one of the most effective ways to add an abundance of colors to the landscape.

They can either be planted in mass as a stunning eye catcher, or they can be planted in little pockets here and there, in order to add more subtle splashes of color throughout the landscape.  Bulbs are versatile in that they can be used in a variety of garden styles.  For example, crocuses and hyacinths can be used to enhance a more wild or natural garden, while tulips and irises can be used to enhance a more formal or cottage style garden.

Bulbs perform best in sunny areas so that they can store the food necessary for flowering the following year.  However, a few species do well in the shade.  Make sure that the leaves are not cut back immediately after blooming because this is how they store food.  Instead, wait for the leaves to wither before cutting them.  The best time to plant spring-blooming bulbs is in September.

You want to hire a landscape contractor with a good track record.  Ask for references and check with the Better Business Bureau and ALCC (Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado).  Don’t fall for a smooth talker who doesn’t have the necessary skills or professionalism to follow through on commitments.

Ask to see their portfolio of projects, which can usually be found on their website.  Also ask for a list of project addresses that you can see for yourself.  Be sure to analyze the design of the landscape and the quality of work.  There is a BIG difference in quality among landscape contractors.

Interview the landscape contractor thoroughly until you feel comfortable.  Ask questions about previous projects, construction practices, design ideas, professionalism, warranties, and follow-up after construction.

1.         The bubbling rock water feature is composed of a character moss rock sandstone boulder.  Water is stored in a gravel filled reservoir below the boulder.  A pump is housed behind the rock in the reservoir.  To access the pump remove the top layer of cobble rocks behind the boulder and lift the lid on the pump housing.

2.         The reservoir can be filled with water when the irrigation system is activated in the spring.  Usually middle to late April is an appropriate time to turn on the water feature.  Once the reservoir is filled with water the pump can be plugged into the outdoor electrical outlet.

3.         The bubbling rock should be shut down when the irrigation system is turned off in the fall months.  If the owner chooses to run the bubbling rock after the irrigation system has been winterized the reservoir will need to be manually filled with a hose on a regular basis.  Do not allow ice to build up on the bubbling rock.  To winterize the bubbling rock unplug the pump from the outlet.  It is okay to leave the pump submerged in the reservoir.

4.         The water feature has its own auto-fill connected to the irrigation system.  It is a dedicated zone on the irrigation controller.  It operates off of a float in the reservoir below the bubbling rock so that when the water level gets low the float will open a valve to refill the water feature.  When the irrigation system is turned off the auto-fill will not operate and the reservoir will need to be manually filled with a hose on a regular basis.

5.         Maintenance of the bubbling rock includes removal of debris that blows onto the gravel around the boulder.  Periodic checks of the rubber liner edge will also be needed.  If someone steps on the edge of the liner it may push it down and allow water from the reservoir to spill over the top of the liner.  Do not allow children or pets to climb on the boulder or step on the gravel or rock edge surrounding the boulder.  In spring at start up remove any remaining water and debris in the reservoir by pumping it out.  Refill reservoir with clean water.

6.  If the bubbling rock is making a gurgling noise or is flowing noticeably less than normal chances are the reservoir needs to be filled.  Check the auto-fill for proper operation.  If necessary, adjust the irrigation controller to have the auto-fill come on more often or for a longer duration.  If a noticeable area of saturated wet wood mulch is observed next to the water feature check the edge of the liner for leaks.

Fire pits are an excellent amenity to have in your yard so that you can easily and comfortably enjoy the outdoors.  All of the fire pits by Fredell Enterprises are custom-made and can be built in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials.  The fire pit burner comes in a standard size of 24” and puts out 80,000 BTUs.  But if that’s not large enough for you or the group you want to entertain we can build a larger fire pit with a 30” diameter burning at 130,000 BTUs.  The enclosure for the burner is built from heat and flame-resistant materials and can be made into a circular or octagonal shape.  The fire pit veneer can be cultured stone (to match your house), brick, or flagstone, and the top of the fire pit can be one of many types of flagstone to compliment your surroundings.  The burner is hidden under black lava rock and can be dressed up with custom-made oxidized metallic ‘logs’ that also radiate heat.  Our fire pit components are certified, and all of our fire pits are inspected for compliance with regional building codes.  Give us a call and let us design a one-of-a-kind fire pit for your outdoor living space.

Creating a design for a new landscape can prevent a lot of headaches during the construction phase.  A design aids in focusing ideas as well as understanding the details involved in the job that lay ahead.  Before any ideas are actually formulated, a site-analysis should be taken in order to gain a better understanding of the site conditions, which ultimately determine what should go where.

Creating a sense of unity throughout the landscape is much easier when all of the elements are put on paper. After a well thought-out design is created, a bid must be calculated.  Estimating the costs involved in the project will be much more efficient and accurate when it is done off of a clear, scaled drawing.

Spring fever is in full effect with the verdant season just around the corner.  This time of year tends to bring dreams of relaxing and entertaining in lush backyards in the warmth of the summer sun. Unfortunately, reality hits when a peak out of the kitchen window reveals a barren landscape.  It’s time to gear up for barbeque season!

For the lucky ones, who already have lush landscapes, spring is simply the cue to turn the sprinklers back on, call the gardener, and perhaps consider new additions.  For the rest of us, spring is the cue to call the landscape designer to create a beautiful yard that incorporates all the desired amenities from water features to outdoor living spaces where entertainment at its finest takes place.

The first step is to consider what features and amenities are desired.  The next step is to create a design, which can be more complicated than it sounds.  For this step, hiring a landscape designer is recommended.  Now it’s time to install it!  Finding a contractor to do the installation can be tricky.  It’s a good idea to find a company who is in good standing with the Better Business Bureau and a member of ALCC (Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado).  Depending on size and complexity, entertaining and relaxing in a new backyard can be made possible in just as little as a few weeks!

When looking around for landscape designers ask about their credentials.  Do they have a degree in landscape architecture or design?  Are they registered with the state as a landscape architect?  How much experience do they have along the Front Range?  Make sure you Hire a professional and not someone who talks a big game, but doesn’t have the training, experience, or professionalism to provide you with a quality design.

Hire someone who listens.  It’s your yard, so make sure that your needs and desires are met.   When putting together your landscape wish list think about phasing projects, if necessary.

Fall and winter are great times to think about landscaping.  You can work with your designer on the landscape plan during the cold months and be ready for construction in the spring.

A winter landscape can be colorful and interesting if designed with all seasons in mind.  Creative use of plant materials and a variety of hardscape features are the best ways to achieve winter interest.

It’s undeniable that evergreens provide excellent interest during the winter; however, there are many other plants that can be used to achieve a nice winter landscape.  For example, plants that have vibrant colored stems or berries, such as dogwoods and hawthorns, tend to stand out and provide sustenance for wildlife.  Ornamental grasses are great for their upright form and their golden color.

Accent boulders and dry-stream beds are great ways to create a natural looking landscape that reflects our mountainous backdrop.  Permanent features, such as retaining walls, pergolas, decks, benches, water features, and garden art provide a variety of interesting elements to enjoy throughout the winter.  With all of these available options there’s no excuse for having a drab winter landscape!