How to Use Landscaping Natural Rocks


A landscaped garden is something that you and your family will surely enjoy. You can make it as unique, tranquil, or modern as you wish using all sorts of materials and plants. Hiring a professional landscape designer is surely the easiest way to get the design done but you may find that designing your landscape on your own or with the help of family or friends can be fun.

Aside from plants, trees, flowers, shrubs, and grass, landscaping designs also feature other materials such decorative landscaping natural rocks, stones, bricks and etcetera. These materials can give your landscape design a nice contrast. Of course, in order for you to choose the right landscaping natural rocks you need to understand their uses.

A great idea is to create a stone path in your garden using landscaping natural rocks. The path can lead your guests to the garden and continue throughout the area. Remember, that the stepping stones should have a level and smooth surface to make them easy to walk on.
Choose attractive rocks that will complement the other elements in your garden.

Aside from walkways, there are other uses for landscaping natural rocks. Because these pieces can easily attract the eyes, they are often used as markers or to draw attention to special features in the garden. Large landscaping natural rocks placed strategically can direct the sight of people to a special point of interest. Conversely, you can also use these pieces to hide certain imperfections in the landscape. Arranging the rocks in attractive patterns can divert attention from small landscaping mistakes.

You are probably looking forward to just sitting and relaxing in your garden when it is done. You do not have to spend on fancy outdoor benches and chairs to make your garden stand out. Using landscaping natural rocks, you can create a unique sitting area surrounded by your garden.

The above are just some ideas on how you can use landscaping natural rocks to enhance your landscape design. There are many places where you can purchase these materials from commercial building supply stores to quarries and masonry yards including online vendors.

It is important to remember that not all rocks are the same. You need to match the intended use of the rock with its features. You can do some research online to find out which rocks will match your needs or you can ask for help from your local building supply store or an online store. They would be glad to give you information about their products and help you make a selection.

Ideas for an Outdoor Gazebo


A gazebo is a traditional structure in gardens or orchards which dates back as early as one thousand four hundred years before Christ. Ancient Rome and Pompeii had summertime residences that resembled modern-day gazebos. Persian gazebo-like houses are legendary because they had furnishings made of gold. Since gazebos and other structures found in the garden are relevant and complementary to each other, designing a gazebo involves different materials and architectural styles.

In designing an outdoor gazebo for your garden, first, you have to determine the reason why you are building a gazebo so that you can incorporate landscaping ideas and patio designs. Usually, it is erected to have a place for rest and enjoyment at the garden or orchard. However, you could have it for anything you want to do as you could make it a bathing spot or an outdoor kitchen. Most people put a large table in their gazebos for dining or other table-top activities. Some hang a hammock in it and take some naptime at the garden.

If you plan to use your outdoor gazebo during nighttime, consider some garden lamps that complement the overall garden and patio designs. For the heat of the summer days, you can also add a ceiling fan. If your garden is situated in an environment with varying extreme temperatures, you can put additional heating and air conditioning systems in it. For all these options, always bear in mind that electricity and water are required for all of these to operate the supplementary functions.

Then, with the purpose of the outdoor gazebo in mind, you have to work on the exact dimensions. Locate your spot where you will place your gazebo and compute on the available space in the area. Check the soil structure if there are any concerns regarding erecting a structure on it. Complement your patio designs and landscaping ideas with the surrounding.

In the United States alone, most outdoor gazebos have six sides. However, you could get on top or below it, or even go around it. Depending on you landscaping ideas and patio designs, your structure could have five or eight sides, or even a four-sided gazebo. On these, you have to figure out if your designs complement the garden.

Most outdoor gazebos are made of wood, but some are made of bricks, stones, or concrete. For the walling, you could make use of trellises with vines or flowers crawling on them that match your patio designs. This could really implement you landscaping ideas in your garden.