Everyone has a budget. Even if you don't know how much you want to spend on landscaping, you probably know how much you won't spend. If you are a DIY-er then you will need some tricks of the trade to keep your budget in line. Here are 5 good ways to keep the budget in line.
Read MoreWe Collect The Design Fee Up Front- Here's Why
Our design process has been developed over several years, with one goal in mind: provide high quality designs in a way that is enjoyable for our clients and us.
Our landscape design service page lays out the details and process pretty clearly. Of course, even with such a comprehensive page we still get lots of questions. Most often the question has to do with our collection of the design fee in full before starting.
Read MoreThe Complete (Lazy Person's) Guide To Landscape Maintenance
Everyone wants a beautiful front yard. But not everyone wants to spend hours every week caring for one (or lots of $$ paying for it). In fact, 7 out of 10 potential clients I speak to list "low maintenance" as a requirement for their gardens.
But how do you care for an existing landscape, using as little time and effort as possible?
Read MoreRoss NW Watergardens' Landscape Consultations- What To Expect
Like most landscaping companies in Portland, we offer a free consultation to anyone considering a landscape project. When you fill out our contact form or call us, what should you expect?
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Landscaping (Gone To The Dogs)
Landscaping For Your Pets
Landscaping going to the dogs? If you have a pet who spends much time outside, they are definitely leaving their mark (pun intended). Why not design a landscape that your dog can enjoy, but not destroy?
Pet friendly landscaping involves balancing the needs and behaviors of your dog (or other pet) with your family's hopes for your garden. The result is a landscape that looks fantastic to your eyes- and your dog's.
Dog Friendly Landscape Ideas:
- Your dog needs water. Instead of a boring water bowl, let's build a small water feature he can drink from.
- Many dogs like walking fence lines, so we can leave that clear, perhaps even with a path that keeps his paws clean(ish).
- Some common plants (rhododendrons?!) are potentially toxic to pets. Let's leave those out.
- If your dog is known to tear through planted beds while chasing something (his tail, squirrels, butterflies...) then we will pick hardy plants that can take a beating.
- A dog house can be integrated into the landscape, even if your style is modern, minimal, or Japanese.
These are just a few of the ideas we can explore in a dog friendly landscape design. Contact Ross NW Watergardens today to schedule a free consultation. Introduce us to your dog and your landscape. Let's see what we can do!
Dog Friendly Landscape Resources:
- The basics of pet friendly landscape designs from Sunset.
- Eight key elements of a landscape a dog will love via Houzz.
- How about artificial turf for dogs?
- How to make your yard friendly to all wildlife!
Is A Heated Driveway Snow Melt System Right For You?
When we get 3 weeks of snow (like we did last winter) you just might start thinking about alternatives to shoveling snow off your driveway.
Could a snow melting mat system, installed under your driveway, be the solution?
Maybe.
Read MoreLandscape Design Trends 2018
Exciting things are happening in landscapes all over. Maybe you have seen them in your neighborhood, or maybe you will be the one introducing them to your neighbors.
What trends should you be on the look for? Here in Portland there are at least three that will continue to gain steam in 2018:
Read MoreShould I Remove That Plant?
Does guilt keep you from doing what you know you need to do- remove unwanted plants from your garden? Do you just keep adding new plants, creating new problems and regrets?
Constant addition to a garden usually results in chaos and death (plant related, so not that serious.) At times the best solution is to remove a plant. When should you seriously consider pulling a plant?
Read MoreA Complete List Of Lawn Alternatives For Portland
What can you replace your lawn with? There are a ton of lawn alternatives, and I am going to list all the ones (I can think of) that work well here in Portland. All the options on my list meet these criteria:
Read MoreLandscape Project Profile: Japanese Inspired Garden in SW Portland
In many ways this was a typical Ross NW Watergardens project. The client wanted a landscape that was:
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