Lighting is an important part of your landscape. The right lighting can improve the appearance and usability of your yard, while poor lighting can leave it dark and unsafe. Get all the enjoyment out of your landscape possible with the right lighting.
Functions Of Outdoor Lighting
There are many functions outdoor lighting serves. Here are the most important ones.
Safety
Outdoor lighting is necessary to keep your guests from stumbling into your water features or tripping over other parts of your landscape. In addition, landscapes and houses that are well-lit at night are generally shunned by thieves. They go where the lighting is poor and they can hide in the shadows.
Usability Of Your Landscape
Without lighting, much of your landscape becomes unusable in the dark. A well-designed lighting system makes the landscape usable all night long. This gives you hours of extra time to enjoy the landscape and entertain friends and family.
Beauty
A well-designed lighting system can point out features such as stonework, trees, water features, paths, seating areas, and more. Lighting allows you to show off your landscape at night as well as during the day.
The Right Lighting
We use only low voltage lights in our landscape lighting systems. High voltage systems can have more risk. These risks include chances of shock, fires, and other problems. Here are some other advantages of low voltage lights.
Easier To Install
The wires for low voltage lights do not have to be buried as deeply and do not require a conduit or a ground wire. This saves you money and causes less damage to the landscape during installation.
LED Fixtures
Older incandescent bulbs use between 10-50 watts. Newer LEDs use from 2-15 watts. In addition to saving energy, LEDs last much longer than incandescent bulbs.
Color Temperature
You are not stuck with a single white light to spotlight your landscape. You can change the warmth of a light, too. Warmth is expressed on the Kelvin scale. The Kelvin scale runs from 1,000 – 10,000. It was designed to tell what color a piece of metal got at a certain temperature. Lightbulbs are designed to look like the colors the metal goes through as it heats. Some lights can be dimmed and can even change colors. You can use Bluetooth technology to change the way the lights look throughout the day or for a special occasion. Here is an example of how lights look at different points on the Kelvin scale.
Types Of Lights
There are different types of lights that are used in landscape lighting to accomplish different goals. Here are the most important.
Spotlights
These shine upward to light up trees, sculptures, houses, and signs. These are usually placed in front of the object. Sometimes they intentionally cast a silhouette onto a wall or other large object behind the object being featured.
Down Lights
The best way to light up a path or sitting area with minimal lights is to place the lights in trees or on the house. If lighting a sitting area, the lights need to be soft and subtle.
Path Lights
Lighting up paths for safety, these lights are on posts beside the path. Over time, kids, pets, and weather can cause them to lean. Regular maintenance can take care of that and keep the path lit safely and attractively.
Underwater Lights
These make water features glow from within. They also make sure someone doesn’t step wrong and fall in the pool or other water feature.
Under Cap Lights
These are the small lights that fit on seating walls, steps, and other hardscape features that highlight the steps and stone. They help make steps and other potentially dangerous areas safe at night.
Get Long-lasting, Attractive Lights
As with all things, there are various price points in LED lights. Many are inexpensive at first but quickly become more expensive as they do not last long. Instead of cheap aluminum, using bronze lights with heavy-duty construction costs a little more upfront. However, they last much longer and look much nicer. These lights come with a wide range of finishes and color options.
Trust The Experts
Landscape lighting helps the landscape look nice during the day or night. Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping can work with you to design and install lighting that highlights the landscape and keeps you and your guests safe. We have expert electricians and installation experts on our Blue Crew. Contact Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping to schedule your lighting consultation today.
When planning your landscape, it is important to plan for stormwater management. Stormwater is the rain that does not sink into the ground. The wrong landscaping feature could direct stormwater right into your house. Or worse, in your neighbor’s house. The basic principles of stormwater management are slow it down, spread it out, soak it in. There are several ways to accomplish this that preserve your landscaping without ruining anyone else’s.
Grading
The easiest way to direct stormwater is by using berms and swales. Swales are shallow valleys for the water to flow. In some cases, they slow down the water to drop contaminants and let the water slowly sink into the soil or evaporate. Berms are mounds that block the water from flowing a certain way and aim it toward the swales. Berms are often made from the dirt taken out of the swale since they work together. In landscape architecture, this is a strategy known as balancing the cut & fill on a site.
Rain Garden (Collection Boxes)
Rain gardens are cultivated areas in the swale that increase the ability of the swale to slow stormwater. They are planted with native and adapted plants that can handle being waterlogged, then dry. These gardens hold the water and let it soak in and recharge the groundwater. They also help filter out contaminants in the rainwater. In fact, rain gardens can soak in 30% more water than regular areas, filter out up to 90% of the nutrients, and up to 80% of sediments. Finally, they look nice.
Downspout Management
At one time, downspouts were used to direct water from the roof directly to storm sewers or hard surfaces like a driveway. These practices are now illegal in most places because they send nutrient-rich or contaminated water into storm sewers and straight into ponds or creeks. Now, downspouts are generally buried to send the water away from the foundation and back into the soil, where it is absorbed, or at least filtered before it runs off. The drain spout is disconnected, and a new underground pipe turns the output toward the direction the water should flow. You can use corrugated ADS or PVC pipe to send the water into the vegetation at least five feet from the foundation, or into a rain barrel or rain garden. This pipe can be buried so that the area looks nicer. Sump pumps can also be directed through this system, if the pipe is buried deeply enough the pipe doesn’t freeze. Sump pumps also need an emergency override, just to be safe.
French Drain
French Drains
French drains are usually constructed to slow stormwater on a slope or collect groundwater in soggy areas. They consist of a trench filled with gravel. A pipe with holes in it accepts the water from the slope, then spreads it into the gravel, which helps the water flow where you direct it. There is a piece of filter fabric over the pipe to keep out sediment that would stop the drain from working as intended. A French drain should not be installed lower than the water table or it will not work well. Properly installed, a French drain will help keep swampy areas from forming in your yard. It is important not to run heavy equipment over the drain, so you do not crush the pipe or compact the soil.
Dry Wells
A dry well is a small pit lined with filter fabric cloth. It is then filled with gravel. When a storm comes, the well fills up with water. Over no more than 48 hours, all the water in the dry well will percolate into the soil. These dry wells work best with water that is relatively sediment-free, such as the water off the roof of buildings. Many times, downspouts are routed to a dry well. These should be built at least ten feet from the foundation and 75 feet from septic systems, water wells, surface water bodies.
Dry Creek Bed
Dry Creek Beds
These are areas where large amounts of water flow during storms. The gully or stream bed is lined with stones. Riparian plants usually line the sides of a dry creek bed. The stones prevent erosion while channeling water. They can also be constructed so they are a nice-looking part of the landscape even when dry.
Retaining Wall
Retaining Walls And Terracing
Retaining walls and terraces have been used for thousands of years to slow the flow of rainwater down a slope. The terrace is a flat area of soil held in by a retaining wall. The water can pond on the terrace, so it slows down. This makes the water more likely to sink in than to rush off the slope. Most terraces in home landscapes are landscaped into beds holding trees, shrubs, and perennials. The vegetation absorbs some of the ponded water and so helps keep it in the landscape, not running down the slopes.
In practice, most landscapes require more than one technique to manage stormwater. It is important to make sure all the stormwater management techniques work together, or they can make the ability to manage stormwater more difficult. As a practical matter, you usually need a landscape architect to design the management system and a general contractor to put the system in. Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping has both. Our Blue Crew will install your stormwater management system after our landscape architect develops the plan. Now is an excellent time to get your stormwater management system installed before the winter storms. Contact Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping today to address your stormwater management problems.
Fall is fast approaching. That means it is time to do your fall planting. Planting in the fall gives your plants a head start in the spring for perennials and gives the flower beds a burst of color from fall annuals.
Fall Vegetables
Planting in the fall is a race between the vegetables and the onset of winter. It is a little late to plant most things, but if you use transplants, you will probably make a crop before the first freeze. You may even get a crop of root vegetables, depending on when the first killing freeze comes. The Missouri Extension Service has a good map with planting dates and cultivars on their website. Here are some you can still plant.
Beans There are lots of different types of beans and many of them can be planted in the fall.
Beets You can harvest both the roots, or beets, and the tops.
Broccoli This member of the Cole family can be harvested smaller than usual before a freeze.
Cabbage These can survive a mild frost.
Cauliflower The new “rice” can be harvested as long as it is no longer green.
Kohlrabi Plant the Eder cultivar for earlier harvest.
Mustard Greens often taste better after a slight frost.
Lettuce Both loose leaf and butterhead lettuce will work.
Radishes These fast growing roots will produce before the first hard freeze. The greens are edible, too, and add some bite to salads.
Spinach Another green that does well in the fall.
Turnips Both the leaves and roots work well in the fall.
For specific tips on how to plant each vegetable, go here.
Fall Ornamentals
Ornamental plants brighten the landscape. The time is right to plant the following plants.
Chrysanthemum (Mums) start flowering in late summer and last until the first frost. They can be put in pots or in the ground.
Pansies are always in bloom somewhere. They bloom in September in Missouri, so grab a flat of them and add a little color to the fall flower bed.
Bulbs planted this month will grow good roots before the winter puts them into dormancy. The cold fulfills the ‘chilling’ requirements, so they bloom in late winter or early spring.
Kale comes in ornamental versions that are prettier than the ones most people grow for food. They are still edible, but can be a bit tougher than vegetable kale cultivars.
Lawn Renovations
Mid-August to mid-September is a good time to renovate your lawn. The following will make your lawn lush and thick in the spring.
Apply a post-emergent to your lawn to kill the weeds.
Dethatch your lawn.
Top dress your lawn with an inch of compost.
Use a rake to smooth the compost into a seed bed anywhere the lawn is not doing well.
Spread the grass seeds on the seed bed.
Keep moist for 14-21 days until it germinates.
Keep moist for 21-30 days before mowing for the first time. Let the ground dry out a little before mowing or you will leave ruts in the new grass.
Need some help getting ready for Fall? Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping can remove fading annuals and replace them with fall colors. If you want a few vegetables but don’t want a vegetable bed, we can plant them in a corner of your flower bed. While we do not offer lawn renovations as a stand-alone service, we can refer you to a trusted partner we know does good work. Of course, if we manage your whole landscape, we can do the lawn renovations, too. Contact Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping today to get on our schedule.
Having a deck can improve the enjoyment of your outdoor living space. It can become a treasured area to spend time with friends or watch the stars. Here are a few things to consider when building a deck.
Plan Your Space
The first step is deciding what you want the deck to do. Is this going to be an intimate area outside your bedroom door or a large place to party? Here are some questions to answer to clarify your vision.
How many people will be using the deck at a time? A deck for two is very different from a place to entertain friends, family, or even potential clients.
What room or rooms will have doors onto the deck? Decks coming off living rooms or dens are more likely to be used by more people than a deck coming off a bedroom or garage area.
What furniture will be on the deck? A few chairs and a grill have a different footprint and vibe than a large table and chairs for dining.
How do you entertain? This helps determine how large the deck needs to be.
Do you need steps or a ramp from the deck to the rest of the yard? If you need a ramp, it needs to slope no more than one inch a foot, or it will be too steep for wheelchair access. Stairs need to be 7 ¾” rise or less to be to code and be easily accessible.
Do you need railings on the steps, ramp, or sides of the deck? Having a railing will enclose the space more than a deck with no railings. Decks above 30” require a railing, but if it is lower you can avoid railings all together. If a railing is required and you want a more open look, there are cable rails and even glass rails that can open up the views to the backyard, lake, or swimming pool.
How much privacy do you want when you are enjoying your deck? Decks can be less private when they are high than when they are ground level with trees around. Privacy screens can also be added to screen between your neighbors.
Do you want the whole deck to be one level, or do you want different levels for different functions? There could be an intimate deck off the bedroom with a lower deck that is expansive and ready for a party. If there are different levels you can also have more shade and possibly waterproof below.
Laying Out Your Design
Now that you have some idea of the size and shape of the deck, it is time to work out a design. The easiest way to do this is to get some graph paper and draw your deck out to scale. It is best to use graph paper as it is big enough to see what you are drawing. Make each square a foot and draw what you want. For smaller projects, 10 squares per inch may work, but for larger decks, with more detail, you may need 4 squares per inch.
To make sure the design will accomplish your goals, draw furniture to scale on another page and cut it out. Lay the furniture on the draft of the deck until you are satisfied you have enough room for it. We recommend a minimum width of 14 feet if you are going to have a dining table for six or more people. Sixteen feet is even better. Make sure you leave pathways that are at least 36 inches wide to get around all the furniture and people.
Materials For Your Deck
Next, decide what materials you want to use to build the deck. There are several choices here, each with some tradeoffs.
Wood is the classic deck material. It comes as pressure-treated or rot-resistant, such as cedar. Right now, lumber is expensive and can be hard to obtain. Wood needs a lot of maintenance to stay nice. It will have to be sanded down once every few years and stained for a dark-colored appearance. If wood is left to weather it will turn a grey color like tree bark.
Composite decking is more expensive than wood but requires less maintenance. It is not as strong as wood. Some composites can weaken and warp, mold can grow on it in shady areas, the color can fade in the sun, and if it is scratched it cannot be easily fixed. Of course, these things can happen with wood also.
PVC decking is all plastic, although it can be made to mimic wood. It does not grow mold, weather, mildew, and resists moisture. It is more expensive than composite decking. PVC decks can shrink and swell with extreme temperature changes.
Pavers are very durable and look very nice when made into a deck. The effect is partly because they are an un-common deck material. We can custom build a paver deck and it will outlast wood and most other materials.
Wooden frames are often used, regardless of the decking material. They are cheaper than steel, but even pressure-treated wood eventually fails. Wood also fades and can look bad without frequent maintenance. Wooden frames are also vulnerable to termites.
Steel frames are more resistant to weather damage than wooden frames are. They are sleek and modern-looking. They are stronger than wood frames. They also keep wood out of contact with the dirt, which makes it less likely to get termites. Of course, they are also more expensive, but they are usually worth it.
Railings come in steel, cable, and wood. Wood railings look good with wooden or composite decking. However, they fade, are negatively affected by the weather, and have to be replaced more often than cable and steal. Cable railings look sleek and modern, however, if the cables run horizontally they can sag over time if users put their feet on them constantly. Steel lasts the longest and can be a good choice for a deck with a steel frame. Glass can also be used to keep open views to the surrounding landscape.
Roofs or Pagodas Both roofs and pagodas provide shade in the summer. A roof can also be used to keep the deck and the stuff on the deck dry. This means you can have some nice extras installed on your deck.
Neat Extras For Your Deck
If you have a roof, you can have things that will ruin in the rain. These include:
Fire features can be nice to sit around at night. They can be used to grill food and marshmallows, to keep warm with, or just to watch.
Built-in heaters can also keep you warm and toasty during the winter. They can extend the seasons for your deck into late fall. Electric infra-red heaters are pretty common in our area.
Television A large screen television can be installed into a covered deck. Think sports-watching parties during the season.
Fans With fans you can be outside and cool at the same time. You can get fans to fit any decorating scheme.
Kitchens Homes in the South used to have summer kitchens in the back of the house so that the heat of the oven and stove would not heat the whole house. You can do the cooking on the deck and keep the house cool.
Lights can keep the party going after dark or start it early in the morning. There are lots of styles to fit a variety of decorating styles.
Electrical outlets Electricity and rain do not mix. A deck with a roof makes it possible to have outlets in a variety of locations. Everyone can charge their devices while enjoying the day on the deck.
Screens A screened-in deck can keep the bugs out of your hair while you enjoy being outdoors. With all the mosquitoes it will be nice to watch the sunset without getting bitten.
Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping has lots of experience working with property owners to help them envision the deck of their dreams. We can walk you through the choices at each stage and, when you are ready, we can have our Blue Crew install it for you. Schedule a consultation with Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping today to get things started.
A true landscape professional can help you design and install the landscape of your dreams. Hiring the wrong person can leave you with an undesirable result that could be designed and constructed poorly, which will ultimately cost you much more than expected. Do your due diligence before you hire any landscaping company. Here are some things to look for.
Who Is Whom?
There are a lot of different titles that landscapers go by. Here are some of the most important ones.
Landscape Architects design attractive and functional public parks, gardens, playgrounds, residential areas, college campuses, and public spaces. They also plan the locations of buildings, roads, walkways, flowers, shrubs, and trees within these environments. To become a registered landscape architect requires a degree in landscape architecture as well as passing state exams and continuing education. Most commercial projects require a registered landscape architect to stamp drawing documents.
Landscape Designers are not registered as landscape architects but do share some of the same responsibilities such as conceptual design, design development, material selection, and specification. Landscape designers often tend to work more on residential projects where a license is not required or as an apprentice of a registered landscape architect assisting in larger more complex projects.
Landscape Contractors install the landscape. They can have many different specialties from hardscapes and softscapes to irrigation, water features, and outdoor lighting. Some landscape contractors act as the General Contractor for all outdoor construction and organize a team of specialized subcontractors that install the total scope of the design.
Landscape Account Managers typically maintain the landscape. They manage the services of mowing, fertilizing, maintaining sprinklers and lighting systems as well as snow removal services. They are in charge of taking care of properties all year round.
Horticulturalists have a degree in horticultural science. They are the plant experts. If a plant is sick or looking scruffy, the horticulturalists can diagnose the problem and recommend a course of action. Horticulturalists are also a good resource for landscape design as they tend to know what plants work best in varying conditions.
Arborists care for the health and well-being of the trees. If you have a tree that is damaged or sick, the arborist can diagnose the problem and recommend a fix for it. Reputable arborists belong to the International Society of Arboriculture. Never let someone who knocks on your door touch your trees without verifying that they are a certified arborist.
Questions To Ask
The major way to differentiate a professional from an amateur is to ask lots of questions. A professional will be happy to discuss their credentials, insurance, licenses, and communications preferences. An amateur may try to avoid answering your questions directly, which could signal that they are not the landscaper for you.
How long have they been practicing their craft?
Experience matters. Most landscape professionals work for a company with more experienced professionals for several years before opening their own business. Ask how long the person has been a landscape professional and how old the business is. Everyone has to start somewhere, but you may not want it to be with your project, especially if it is complex and a large investment. There can be a lot of risk in hiring a large project, and it is best to find someone has done several similar projects before and has the knowledge and confidence to get it done right the first time.
What is their specialty?
You should get one of the titles mentioned above in reply. If they tell you they do everything, that should be a red flag. You may have a “Jack of all trades master of none” situation. You really want a landscape company that has at least one of the titles mentioned above, and knows what their specialty is and what sets them apart. The best professionals work as a team to take care of your project and landscape.
Do they have insurance?
A reputable company carries workman’s comp and general liability insurance. With the workman’s comp, if anyone working on the project gets injured, their medical treatment and the time off work are paid for. The general liability insurance will pay if the property is damaged during the project. Without these types of insurance, you are liable for injuries and damages and may have to pay out of pocket to deal with them.
Do they have a license?
In this state, there are certain things only licensed individuals can do. Different people on the team that does the design and maintenance for your landscape must have a license to do these things.
Landscape Architecture license for commercial design
Fertilizer license for chemical applications
Backflow Inspection license for lawn sprinklers
General Contractors license for construction permits
Do they have an online presence?
No serious company is totally offline. At a minimum, they should have a website and a presence on one or two social media sites. The website should look professionally done, not thrown together in a rush. If a company does not care enough to have a professional-looking website, can you trust that they will care enough to create a professional-looking landscape?. The company should also be on different review websites. Everyone gets a few bad reviews, but most of the reviews should be positive. If there are negative reviews, does the company reach out and try to make things right? What is the Better Business Bureau rating for the business?
Do they have a portfolio?
The business should have a portfolio of work they have done. Most companies post it on their website, or at least on their social media pages. Sometimes social media can be a place to see more of their work as it is easier to update than a website. Has the company done work similar to what you want? If you want a waterfall and do not see any waterfalls on any of their pages, you may need to talk to someone else.
Do they have referrals and testimonials from previous customers?
Another page on the website should have testimonials from satisfied customers. Ask if you can contact some of those customers and talk to them about what it is like to work with this company. Would the customer refer people to this business? If people the company sends you to are not enthusiastic about the company, that is a big red flag.
Other Things To Note
Interviewing a company for your landscape project is a two-way street. You should be asking questions to make sure they are the best fit for your needs, and they should be doing the same and trying to make sure that their services and approach to doing business are in sync with your expectations.
Do they communicate and do what they say they will do?
Does the company arrive on schedule, call you back promptly, provide you with the requested materials? If they do not communicate well or do what they say they will do as they are trying to win your business, you can be sure they will be a problem after you sign the contract. Communication should be a priority.
Do they clearly communicate the next steps at the end of meetings?
You do not want to be left hanging, unsure of what happens next. At the end of every meeting with a landscape company’s representative, you should be told what happens next and whose responsibility it is to make it happen. If they need something from you to proceed, you want to know to give it to them. If one of their employees is supposed to make the next move, you need to know that, too.
Do they value their time?
If the company charges for a consultation, don’t be offended. Years of training and experience go into the time and attention you get from them. You are really paying for this invaluable resource, not merely for the time they spend on your consult. People who do not value their time won’t value your time, either.
Do they have a backlog, or can they start tomorrow?
When can they start? Reputable businesses often have a bit of a wait to get your project started. This is because they are good, and their talents are in demand. You may have to wait weeks or even months for them to start if they are good at what they do, but someone who can start tomorrow may not have talents anyone wants. Ask how many projects they have now and how they will fit your project into their schedule.
In Conclusion
While finding a landscape professional can be tedious, you don’t have to look far. Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping ticks all the boxes you want in a landscape design and installation company. We have a wide variety of landscape professionals working on each of our teams. You can be sure your landscape dream will come true with us. Contact Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping and book a consultation to start your landscaping journey.
