Howard Payne Landscaping

Ponds do not have to be large and expensive. We can incorporate small ponds into a landscape design, along with waterfalls or fountains, to provide a relaxing retreat from the world.

Zen landscaping is also called a Japanese rock garden. It comes from the practice of Zen Buddhism and this landscaping was designed to promote meditation and considering the meaning of life.

Tired of your neighbors peeping into your property? Well, privacy screens and other strategically placed plants not only obstruct the neighbors’ views, but also act as wind shields protecting your home from outside elements.

Native plants are naturally adapted to the site conditions and, therefore, should be incorporated into the landscape design wherever possible. They are more sustainable than conventional ornamental plants.

The word landscape originally was, and still is, a painting term. It comes from 1600’s Dutch Renaissance painting, from the Dutch word landscap, meaning condition of a region. Its current meaning was later adapted from the German language meaning of the translated word.

If the amount of maintenance that the new landscape will require is a factor, one idea might be to incorporate more hardscaping into the overall landscape design.

Certificates of occupancy prove to the government agencies that your building, construction, or landscaping project is up to the building or zoning codes and ordinances. These could include requirements such as electrical wiring safety specifications, piping, materials used in construction, and more.

“The landscape affects the human psyche - the soul, the body, and the innermost contemplations - like music. Every time you feel nature deeper you resonate better with her, finding new elements of balance and freedom.” --Nikos Kazantzakis

The term “landscape architecture” was not used until 1828. It actually came from a little-known book called Landscape Architecture of the Great Painters of Italy, which was published by a Scotsman named Gilbert Laing Meason, who first came up with the term.

Do you know that Lancelot “Capability” Brown, who lived during the 18th century, is credited with designing more than 170 gardens in England? In fact, he designed the landscapes for some of England’s most influential people.

Did you know that landscape architecture has been shown to help reduce the symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease? In fact, specially designed architecture has also shown promise in other health-related areas, including the empowering of the immune system and boosting the metabolism!

Want an almost magical garden look? Start with an entrance that entices! The perfect arched entry planted with climbing flowers will set your garden apart!

A topographic survey or map shows the topography, or terrain of a property. This can be required in construction projects and landscaping, especially for architects and engineers who need to know the elevation of the land.

If you’re constantly under a lot of pressure at work, it might help to have a landscaped lawn to come home to. Studies have shown that looking at and/or being around plants and trees will lower your blood pressure and help bleed off any stress that you feel.

Natural stones, pebbles, rocks, bridges, pathways, and pleasant flowers all come together to create a perfect landscape. By combining all these elements together, you can create a beautiful outdoor space that you’ll want to spend time in.

Did you know that landscape architects can turn the most polluted of spaces into safe environments? The multitude of knowledge possessed by landscape architects allows them to make use of both biological and technical elements to achieve this goal.

Early morning is considered the best time to water your lawn with a sprinkler system. This is because water evaporation is less in the morning than the evening. Evening watering is also discouraged because it can lead to lawn diseases.

While a landscape contractor will be purchasing the materials needed for your property’s grounds, this doesn’t mean you need not look around. In fact, visiting suppliers would be a good idea as it gives you a chance to find things that you’d like the contractor to use.

Bridges in landscaping are made from wood, bamboo, stone, or even earth and clay. They can be designed to be arched, rounded, angular, or zig-zagged and are a place to take in the beauty of the space.

While simplicity is an important consideration in landscape design, a designer will also need to factor in variety to keep things interesting. Shape, sizes, and forms, in particular, should be given proper attention to prevent the look of the finished project from becoming flat and monotonous.

Concrete is exceptionally adaptable in landscape designs. It can be stamped and colored to look like stone, brick, or other curbing materials to create an inviting trompe l’oeile effect around your home or building.

Liberty Hyde Bailey has rightly said, “A garden requires patient labor and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them.”

Does your home have curb appeal? The first impression your home gives is what could ultimately lock-in a buyer. With great landscaping, features, and updates, a home’s design could pull in that potential buyer. It's the reason they'll want to walk through the front door.

To avoid an “unfinished” look when using gravel to create paths or bedding, have them bordered with rocks to provide definition, hold the gravel in place and limit grass "creep".

One good reason to hire a professional landscaper is that they will have the tools that you don’t. This means that the job gets done without you having to invest in specialized gear that may end up costing more than what a pro will charge.

Native plants are ones that grow well in that particular geographic area. As a result, they are naturally acclimatized and can provide food, cover and shelter to wildlife. They also require less watering than non-native plants.

Landscaping can be a very messy undertaking so it’s important for the contractor to manage waste effectively. Improper or inadequate control of trash and other refuse is never acceptable as it can cause them to pile up and hinder the work being done.

"We are the children of our landscape; it dictates behavior and even thought in the measure to which we are responsive to it." - Lawrence Durrell

Subdivision construction requires survey maps to be submitted to various governmental agencies, such as the Town Hall, Health Department, and other local or state agencies.

Water features add tranquility and beauty to your landscape, not to mention being a source of beneficial water for the wildlife in your area.