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I’m sitting in my living room looking out the 3 foot snow drift that is blocking our back door to the patio. It is currently -19C with the winds blowing. Is it too early to think about the spring yard clean up? You might think so but the fact of the matter is that we really don’t know when the snow will be gone. As a life-long Scouter, I’ve always lived by the philosophy of “prepare and plan ahead”. So for me, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about the yard for spring. There are several things to consider now so you are ready to get started in the warmer weather.

Estimating construction time is one of the most difficult tasks a contractor faces. It can take many years of experience and completed projects to say with confidence how long a given task should take to complete. Even then, factors outside of a landscape contractor’s control – the weather, materials suppliers and subcontractors, for example – can throw everything off schedule.

Encouraged by a never ending stream of television shows that feature home renovation, landscape makeovers and other DIY projects, more and more homeowners are tackling backyard projects that, years ago, they likely would have hired a contractor to complete. Successful DIY projects will leave you with a sense of accomplishment, more money in your pocket and, most likely, a few sore muscles. If you are tempted to take on a weekend warrior, home landscape project, you may be wondering how much money you will save.

Starting vegetable or ornamental plants indoors from seed is a great way to neutralize the last of the winter blues. It also provides a greater selection of vegetable or flower varieties than what is available at the local nursery. After germination, the next step is to prepare your seedlings for the outdoors.

Germinating your own garden seeds instead of purchasing seedlings is fun and saves you money to boot. However, seeds are delicate and may require coddling during germination and when transplanting them to their final location. There are two popular home gardener methods for germinating seeds: A germination bed made from moistened paper towel or filter paper and planting seeds directly in a small amount of soil or soil-less starter mix

Before winter ends, get a jump on your next garden by starting seeds or cuttings indoors. Creating an indoor planting station that provides the right amount of light, temperature and humidity ensures your garden gets off to a healthy start. A table about six feet in length is enough to hold a few seed trays and provide a preparation area. If you plan on more than a few trays or you will be making starts throughout the growing season, then prepare a unit with several shelves that is open on all sides.

Here is a common scenario for homeowner: knowing that a pleasant outdoor place is naturally relaxing and restorative, you have decided to add a picnic table, outdoor grill and a couple of lounge chairs to your backyard. Currently, there is no place to put them. Is it better to build a patio or a deck? Here are some things to consider as you decide what type of construction is best for your landscape.

Any landscape construction project can be a significant investment. Though you are increasing the enjoyment you receive from your landscape while increasing the value of your home, you also want to be sure you are getting your money’s worth. In particular, you may wonder how long a particular feature or item will last before it has to be repaired or replaced. As with many things, the answer is: it depends. In the case of a patio, it will depend on the materials used, how the patio was located in the landscape and how well it was constructed.

A patio is one of the best additions you can make to a home landscape. A well designed and built patio becomes an outdoor room: a place to sit and relax, eat dinner with family and friends or gather around a fire pit on a cool evening. Choosing the right materials is one of the most important considerations. There a several material options that meet all of the basic requirements for good landscape construction. Your decision should be based upon the style and character you want for your outdoor space, while keeping in mind how it will fit in with the rest of your landscape and home. Here are some of the best patio materials.

In order to create the garden or backyard of your dreams, you’re going to need more than just a few leafy plants and a solid deck. Making a welcoming space with singular features requires serious attention to the all-important details. These include raised garden beds, pathways, edging and borders. Fortunately, there is an endless selection of attractive and easy to incorporate garden ideas to construct visual appeal in an outdoor space. The edging of your planting beds is a great place to add some personal style. These small details are what take an outdoor space from good to great! Here are a few unique ideas that can make your backyard both impressive and enjoyable, without breaking the bank.

Creating an inviting garden space that’s uniquely beautiful and eco-friendly doesn’t have to be difficult. There are many ways to utilize salvaged materials for a rustic appearance that’s also gentle on the purse strings. In fact, salvaged materials are quickly becoming some of the most popular components for backyard design for enterprising homeowners. Cedar rails and authentic railway ties are two examples of previously used building supplies that homeowners are incorporating into their garden spaces. Collected from defunct rail yards and discontinued lines, railway ties and cedar rails offer a classic Canadian style with a sturdy look that elevates any outdoor area. Though there are dozens of ways to appropriate these materials, here are a few suggestions on how to use these unusual elements to heighten the look of a home.

Weeds are the bane of every garden. However, what many DIY gardeners don’t realize is that there is a connection between their soil and the types of weeds in their gardens. Here we look at 7 things your weeds are telling you about your soil with some effective methods to control weeds.

Outdoor lighting is designed and used outside of buildings or outdoor spaces. Exterior lighting makes it conducive for certain tasks to be carried out during the dark by improving your visual performance. You should give outdoor lighting equal attention to indoor lighting since they both enhance your home’s beauty, safety, and security. Are you wondering how to install the right outdoor lighting system? Here’s a guide from the lighting experts at Van Beek’s Landscape Supply to get you started.

Are you wondering what type of soil is best for growing plants here in southern Ontario? It mostly depends on what plants you’re growing and where. A tomato plant growing in a pot needs different soil than one growing in the ground. The best soil for plant growth is one that provides the right amount and type of nutrients, holds just the right amount of water, and allows for proper oxygen penetration.

If you’ve been wanting to create the ultimate backyard but don’t currently have the budget to have all of the work done professionally, there are many DIY yard projects that will give you the backyard inspiration you need. When you use the DIY approach and follow proven tips, you’ll end up saving a whole lot of money and still have one of the nicest backyards in the neighbourhood. Don’t let your dream backyard ideas go to waste. Try these five DIY tips to help you create your own dream backyard.

Everyone loves the money-saving aspect of DIY projects. Plus, when you step back to look at your final result, you also get the satisfaction of saying, “Yeah, I did that”! Fortunately, when it comes to outdoor landscaping and hardscaping, there are an array of features you can create yourself without the help of professionals.

There is something attractive and satisfying about a properly landscaped yard. It has an air of beauty, care, and interest that it is hard not to appreciate. Perfectly manicured grass, bushes cut into perfect round shapes, and beautiful flowers cascading from flowerbeds are an elegant mix of form and function. However, most homeowners do not know how to landscape their yards properly and prefer to call in professionals. For some, this may not be a matter of money as much as it is time and knowledge. They simply do not have the time or knowledge to do it themselves and must turn to professionals. Luckily, there are several tips you can take to do the landscaping yourself without needing to call in a pro. In this guide, professionals at Van Beek’s Landscape Supply have provided several tips to help you tackle your landscaping projects.

Don’t get overwhelmed with your DIY interlocking project. From adding walkways to the side of your home to building out a whole new patio, most homeowners are perfectly capable of doing their patio project themselves. That said, we think some of the guides online are a little stuffy. It’s always a good idea to get extra pointers from your interlocking supply company because they are usually more than happy to help. In the meantime, read on for some of our essential tips for doing your interlocking project yourself.