Landscape Design

Are you looking forward to renovating your garden or beginning to design your landscape, but feeling confused about the climate factors to consider? If yes, you are at the right place. Sure enough, an appealing landscape in Tucson requires careful consideration of a bunch of climate and environmental factors. Here is a guide for you, that will help you understand these factors and provide you with practical tips. So that you can plan and design your landscape accordingly, and make your outdoor space a treat for your eyes! Table of Contents What are the Climate and Environmental Factors? Here is a list of climatic and environmental factors that influence the landscape in an area: Influence of Temperature  Every plant species has a certain temperature range, that is required for its optimal growth. When this range exceeds, it adversely affects the plant growth, and reduces its yield. Summers in Tucson are very harsh as the temperature goes above 100°F (38°C). Many plants are unable to bear this intense heat and so they die. It is therefore important to choose plants, that can tolerate extreme temperatures. Read More: How to Landscape a Steep Slope on a Budget  Precipitation  Tucson receives very little rainfall. Hence moisture content in the soil is very low. To design your landscape, you should look for plants that require little water to stay hydrated.  Natural Energy: Sunlight There are two types of plants. Ones that are sun-loving and require extreme heat to sustain. While the second category is shade-loving plants. These plants need to be protected from the sun. You can do this by placing them under canopies or structured shades. Read More: Landscape Ideas for Creating Privacy  Soil Type  The growth of a plant depends on how well the soil is beneath it. The amount of minerals present in the soil, and the moisture content within it, decides the quality of the soil. Tucson’s soil is generally rocky and less fertile. You may consider adding organic matter and fertilizers to improve the soil quality. Better the soil type, better the landscape! Wind   Tucson receives powerful winds during the spring season. Your landscape’s stability is at stake during this time as it is prone to getting affected by these strong winds. As they can cause erosion and damage your trees. It is crucial to plant windbreaks, such as dense shrubs or trees to reduce the wind speed. Microclimates You may change the atmospheric conditions of particular areas in your landscape by creating microclimates. This can be done by creating sun traps and sheltered spots for your plants. Their placements in the desired atmospheric conditions, will boost your plant growth and improve its overall health. This will make your landscape bloom with beauty! Understanding Tucson’s Desert Climate  Summers in Tucson are very hot while the winters are quite mild. Most of the year remains dry. The only rain it gets is during its monsoon season, between July and September. Considering these weather conditions, the plants appropriate for designing your landscape are drought and heat-tolerant.   Dealing with Temperature Extremes As you now know extreme temperatures reduce photosynthesis and increase water demand. Hence you might be wondering how to cope with it. For this sake, there are some mitigation techniques such as growing heat-tolerant plants, creating shade with structures or larger plants, and selecting plants with varying dormancy periods, to help you deal with extreme temperatures.  Adapting to Drought Conditions It is quite obvious that conserving water in desert landscapes, for instance in Tucson, is vital. For this purpose, a technique called  Xeriscaping is introduced. It lets you utilize various water-conserving methods. Growing drought-tolerant plants, mulching, and efficient irrigation come under the umbrella of Xeriscaping.  If you are curious to know of some alternate methods, besides the traditional irrigation system, here are some efficient water-wise irrigation methods for you. You can use the drip irrigation method, to send water directly to the plant’s roots. You can insert soaker hoses so that the water is released slowly to the roots.  You can use mulching techniques to keep the soil moist and your plants hydrated. You can collect and store rainwater so that you can use it later for watering. These methods will help you in utilizing the limited water you have to design an appealing landscape! Managing Sun Exposure in Landscaping To keep a diversified range of plant species in your landscape, you should learn to manage the plant’s exposure to the sun. Keep track of all the sun-loving and shade-loving plants, within your garden and place them in the regions they are best suited for. You may grow Red Push Pistache and Southern Live Oak or any similar trees, that are heat tolerant. These can be an excellent source of shade as they form a canopy, that can provide the shade you want for your shadeloving plants! What are the Soil Types and Preparation? The soil in Tucson is not very ideal. Most of it is ‘caliche’. Caliche does not allow water infiltration and impedes root growth.  To make this soil suitable for plantation, you need to break down this ‘caliche’.You may apply soil acidifiers, such as sulfur, to help dissolve the caliche over time, or introduce organic matter to the soil to make the soil fertile and suitable for planting. Improving Soil Quality for Planting  As the soil in Tucson lacks moisture content hence most plants are unable to either grow or sustain. It becomes crucial to bring forward a solution. Hence, comes the ‘Mulching’ technique. In this method, a layer of mulch is spread around the plants. This layer helps reduce evaporation and prevents the growing of weeds. As the soil holds sufficient moisture content, therefore it becomes suitable for plantation. What are the Water Conservation Techniques? Water plays a significant role in shaping your landscape’s beauty as it brings the plants to life. However, Tucson has very less natural water resources so it becomes a challenge to irrigate crops in the region. To deal with this problem,

Landscaping begins with an art to make it aesthetically pleasing. It ends with putting science into making it functional. Designers have to strategize, design, and manage to make it functional. Meanwhile, magnifying that landscape’s natural beauty. However, when it comes to Tucson, the deserted climate brings crucial challenges. There are some basic majors you need to take while landscaping in Tucson. In this article, we will specifically highlight the principles of design for Tucson landscaping that fits with its deserted climate. What are the 7 Principles in Landscape Design?  Here are the 7 principles in landscape design: 1. Order in Landscape Principles of design in landscaping start with the order of the landscape. The designer has to place elements in a structured manner for solid coherence and balance. In this context, the balance is either symmetrical or asymmetrical. Symmetrical balance is the process of using a mirror image on either side of a central axis. Meanwhile, asymmetrically, you balance elements naturally without exact mirroring. It gives a more calm and relaxed look. 2. Proportion On the other hand, comes the proportion. It is a basic principle in landscape design that guides the relationship between the sizes of different elements, plants, rocks, water, etc, in a particular space. The designer has to look into the space and look at how people perceive the given space. It makes the landscape more functional while not compromising the aesthetic themes. 3. Repetition and Rhythm Although, rhythm and repetition are mentioned together. But these two attributes play a dramatic role in making a functional landscape. First, repetition is a process of repeating different elements like colour, line, form, or texture to create a distinct sequence or pattern in a landscape. This involves grouping different elements to create a rhythm in the landscape. When the rhythm is created, you’ll see a flow and unity in the landscape. 4. A perfect rhythm: Unity A rhythm and repetition assemble unity in your landscape. A landscape designer has to make sure that your landscape has consistency. You can acquire it by repeating similar elements such as plant types, colours, textures, and forms throughout the landscape. This consistency of elements is called Unity. 5. Focalization Focalization is also known as the focal point. It aims to guide the viewer’s attention towards a prime feature. Designers would do it by placing the given feature at the vanishing point. This vanishing point falls between the radial and approaching lines. Besides, focalization is also named as accent, emphasis, or dominance. 6. Simplicity Since we are trying to attract the viewer’s attention to the landscape, simplicity plays a big role. It is the process of minimizing the unnecessary elements in your landscape design. Through simplicity, your design will be clearer, more uncluttered, and manageable. While it becomes functional, it also appeals to the viewer’s eyes with minimalistic landscape views and clarity. 7. Mass Collection The literal meaning of the word “Mass” is “a large group of objects”. In the mass collection of plants, designers choose different types of plants and group them together in an open circular space. In such a way, the mass plant comes together in a filmy way. They interact with each other and draw bold visuals. This process is also known as mass planting. How to create Sustainable Landscape Design for Tucson Desert Weather? As much as principles of design are important, sustainability is equally important. Therefore, you have to strategize landscaping according to the given place’s climate. Moreover, Tucson, located in the Sonoran desert, experiences hot, arid conditions with limited rainfall. Designing a sustainable landscape in such an environment requires careful consideration of water conservation, soil health, and plant selection. For a desert climate, your landscape can become sustainable by adding hardscape elements. Hardscape elements are such as gravel, rocks, and pavers. They don’t only give an aesthetic background to landscape design. But they are also functional with the desert landscape theme. Read More: How to Lay Landscape Stones: A DIY Guide for an Attractive Outdoor Space Also, using drought-tolerant plants like cacti and succulents is the best for desert climates. Your landscape will stay eco-friendly while looking equally beautiful. Low-maintenance Gardening Tips for Sustainability However, if you prefer a low-maintenance small garden, you might need to learn a few things to keep it sustainable. The best practice for a low-maintenance garden in a desert landscape is to select native plants like cacti or succulents. Moreover, you should put trees that use minimal water. You can also use low-water-use shrubs and ground covers. Furthermore, you can pair your mass collection of desert-suitable plants with the basic principles. And that’s how your garden becomes hassle-free, sustainable, and functional. Water-wise Garden Design Ideas When it’s about sustainability, water-wise gardening comes hand in hand. Water-wise gardening is a huge topic to talk about. Although, briefly water-wise gardening is also the process of using native plants. However, these native plants acquire minimal water and maintain the balance. Balance, as is the basic principle of landscaping,  can contribute to creating sustainability besides seemingly good. Moreover, this balance can restrain your landscape from further disease and pests. So, with water-wise plants, you can create an equally exquisite landscape. What are the 5 Aesthetic Design Landscape Elements? Besides, sustainability your landscape aesthetic should be top-notch. But you can’t create your garden captivating with merely a mass collection of water-wise plants. Landscape designers should consider the major aesthetic elements while landscape designing. Here are 5 of the aesthetic elements. Color Palette for Tucson Gardens Color gives life to the landscape. And it’s not about painting. It’s about arranging your plants in a sequence that creates an aesthetically pleasing look for your landscape. There are different types of shades to consider with each of your themes. It majorly depends upon your theme to decide on the color scheme. For instance, if you are going with warm earth tones, the Rust and terracotta color scheme is most relevant. It creates the natural colors of desert soil and rock

Your yard provides its pocket of paradise. You have various options for creating a one-of-a-kind landscape but learning how to landscape a steep slope on a budget might take time and effort. Where should you start? The hardest part of the job is when you are dealing with a steep slope and you have a very tight budget. But it is something that is not impossible to do! You just need to be more creative and think the operation through. Certainly, you can convert this strenuous area into a magnificent and accommodating part of your yard. You should not spend more just for the look of your garden. How to install Landscape on uneven Ground? On a large slope or hill, there are several factors, such as soil erosion and the continuing need for maintenance, that are causing a headache. Fixing these problems in your garden will take some time and money, but you still have to be careful about the visual appearance of your garden. Making a grade into a more manageable one is usually so much more difficult than telling it is. That’s the reason it’s good to start any terrain job on a false field with prudential measures. Here are some tips on how to redesign a steep hill and make it a chic focal point of your yard. What is Landscape Slope? The first thing you should do when you are designing a near-vertical incline is to understand what it contains that makes it different from others. Factors like the steepness of the slope, the type of soil and its quality, the water and sun, in short, the irrigation pattern, must all be set in place. Furthermore, you need to take into account potential drainages as well as other environmental aspects that may hinder your work. Check the Slope: Prove that the slope is steep. In case it seems difficult, measure it with the help of a tape and a friend. Examine the Soil: Knowing which type of soil (sandy, clay, or loamy) the place where you will be planting, will entail what you should then plant. Observe the Water: Look at the way the water moves during the rain. This will aid in managing drainage and erosion prevention. How to Create a Design Plan? Note that things such as the kind of drainage solutions required and the transportation charges besides the price of materials and labor when coming up with your scheme are crucial. What is the main function of space- Is it just for beauty or is it something else? Examine all available options for possible drainage problems originating from irregularities in the ground. Sustain a creative frame of mind through proposals that suit one’s budget and do not jeopardize the stillness and order needed for relaxation. Look their way and scrutinize the types of plants, grasses, trees, and shrubs that will grow in good conditions like temperature, soil, and climate making sure that the resources are properly spent and it is not a toll on your wallet. As soon as you have cultivated the idea of the project, you will have to concentrate on shopping for materials in a budget section.   How to Create Terraces? Another method of good land use is to make the terraces in such a way that there are switchbacks along the steeper slopes. While the process of hiring contractors for terracing is quite expensive, the installation of budget-friendly DIY models presents another opportunity. DIY Retaining Walls: Pick up reclaimed items from the local internet marketplace to build DIY retaining walls. Just try to remember the materials. They can be wood, stone, or concrete blocks that are strong and inexpensive. Natural Terraces: Straight-up cut the ground to make a level foot. Put the soil in order by planting the plants and mulch. Gradual Steps: These narrow easier-to-build terraces turn out to be the best solution over mass terraces. It’s less tough in terms of labor, however, it still drains your pocket very quickly. How to Shop on budget? If you find yourself on a tight budget, you can save money on landscaping the steep slope by examining cheap products and sales of garden supply stores. You can usually find economical and quality plants at nurseries, farmer’s markets, and also online shops. Before you acquire any item, look up the clearance section; that gradient can hold some jewels inside it. If you need an economic solution for your soil cover, the first idea is to visit a local garden store or a DIY store that sells the most affordable soil modifications. On a side note, do not forget to use a few upcycling materials that you have at home, for instance, reusing old bricks or stones for creating a wall or a terrace area. This way, you will end up with a great result on the one hand and you will not have to purchase many new materials on the other. The first thing that you should do is, double-check if the plant you are planning to buy needs that kind of environment where you can set it. Pair full sun plants with full shade slopes, choose drought-tolerant plants for low moisture places, and make sure all the plants can endure your area’s low temperatures if necessary. How to Choose the Right Plants? After collecting your low-cost materials, it would be high time to decorate the plants and cover your slope with them. Tree planting is the best method for stabilizing the soil, minimizing soil erosion, and also providing shade aerosols. If you have the means to afford it, opt for the greenest and most beautiful shrubs or trees. Which things you intend to give birth to will match your monetary situation best, weigh. So, air comes up as a green idea. Ground covers such as clover, thyme, or periwinkle can also help keep weeds away while still being eye-catching. When placing plants and ground cover, make sure they are equally distributed across the space so there are

Would you like to plant some flowers and bushes to add tranquility to your outdoor space? If so, we can help you! Building a private sanctuary in the backyard increases outdoor living space and offers a peaceful entertainment center that allows relaxation. Whether you are a city person, who prefers a bustling urban lifestyle, or a more reserved person who lives away from the city, the privacy of landscape design can be achieved in many ways and through various elements. There are various ways to get your piece of heaven from establishing privacy in nature such as building human space plants to cultivate the park. The options are endless, from the green walls built with shrubs, vines, trees, and other plants to adding benches, arbors, or pergolas made of wood or stone. Here are ten landscaping ideas for privacy in 2024, which you can use to create a private space and a garden with a perfect look. Natural Privacy Screens Hedges and Shrubs Making the privacy of the backyard is through the classic method. By doing the hedges and bushes, people can create the privacy they are looking for. The plants that stay green all year round such as boxwood, yew, and arborvitae are several such choices because they keep their foliage all year long. They can be pruned to any desired height and shape, making a thick barrier that is very effective in preventing views and reducing noise. Spring-blooming shrubs like hydrangeas or lilacs can ensure visual interest in season and at the same time maintain your privacy. Trees Planting trees at strategic locations is the best way to get not only a vertical but also a horizontal shield. Fast-growing trees like Leyland cypress, Thuja Green Giant, and hybrid poplars grow so fast and can make a natural barrier only in a few years. In addition to this, the deciduous trees that have dense foliage can also be used like maples or oaks. The use of different trees is a good idea to create a visual impression of privacy throughout the year. Fences and Walls Wooden Fences Wooden fences are a very traditional way of making some private space. There are many types of fences, some are full-panel fences and others have lattice tops. A full-size panel fence can be used to block out people completely as it is solid while a lattice top fence is a compromise between privacy and airflow. Coloring or painting the wood with protective layers of paint or staining can directly affect the aesthetic quality and longevity of the wood. Bamboo Fences Bamboo is a modern and green decision when it comes to fencing. It shoots up super fast and can make a reaching screen fairly rapidly. By the way, these bamboo fences not only have a special look to your landscape but also function as a shield against the strong wind. Stone Wall For a more lasting and solid solution to privacy, a good idea would be to use a stone wall. Stone walls are not just functional pieces in a garden but also add a touch of majestic grace and ageless relief to your environment. Any individual can build them using a wide range of some of the most inexpensive materials like fieldstone to more expensive and more quality materials like cut stones depending on your preferences and choices. Panels and Pergolas The most basic way to add privacy within specific areas is by using pergolas combined with panels or privacy screens. You can install a prefabricated iron gazebo or use pergolas to transform seating areas. Place a fence of lattice panels on three sides or let the greenery hanging from the wall do the job to make a few discreet living reprieves. To make the space more private, you can install curtains, a trifold screen, a hinged screen, or a decorative screen around the pergola. If a pergola is the option with a lattice panel then enable the vines to populate the panel which gives a privacy effect and also a nature theme.   Trellises and Screens Trellises A trellis is a design that functions on its own or can be attached to fences and walls. These gardening accessories sustain flowers such as ivy, morning glory, or the climbing hydrangea forming a natural green wall. They can be crafted out of various materials such as wood, metal, and composite, giving you the option to choose a piece that would match the overall vibe of your garden. Freestanding Screens The free-standing zone that is built from wood, metal, and composite materials can be put in a specific place in your garden to stop the view and make a private area. These shades are expected to be plain or they will be embellished with accessories with an artful look; therefore, they will feature angles, curves, squares, and the like but they will also add a playful element due to a twist in their creation process. Planting Berms A berm can be an artificial heap that is made up of soil that is constructed to give a relief effect on the ground and change its profile. The same thing can be achieved by growing shrubs, trees, and perennials on a berm, therefore creating a natural privacy screen. Besides, berms serve as drainage channels which, if not, could become drains of aesthetic appeal in a monotonous environment.   Water Features Water features such as fountains, ponds, and waterfalls are the new and elegant design elements that grab the sweet essence of nature. Ideal for both relaxation and for providing some privacy, pond-less water features are a beautiful distraction that will grab your attention and take your mind off the hassles of your everyday life.  The soft sound of water that is running in the background adds an auditory layer of relaxation allowing for the feeling of being in a private and quiet garden. Outdoor Structures Gazebos and Pavilions Gazebos and pavilions come in the form of these stand-alone moods, which allows us a quiet hideaway

Who doesn’t love adding beautiful touches to their outdoor space? Laying landscaping stones gives tempting aura to your garden environment. You just need to learn how to lay landscape stones with right techniques. It will maximize the functionality of your landscape stones meanwhile making it seem aesthetically pleasing.  Although, before you question how to lay landscape stone, you first must know what types of stone you could use. There are gravels, river rocks, granite, pebbles, and many more. The options are endless. You should decide on the type of rock that will suit your aura. In this DIY guide, you will get a walk through on installing decorative stones by making it effective and aesthetic.  How to Draft your Landscape Stone Project? To assure that your landscaping stone project is effective, you start with drafting a plan. Legacy Landscaping and Design in Tuscon will be your best help for the project.  You will start analyzing your space and then deciding on the way you will design landscaping area. You will need to draft the area on pencil and paper.  There is no need for you to be an architect or sketcher to create a blue print. You can do it with drawing some random lines that would make sense to you.   How to Clean the Dirt and Plan your area? Once you have your blueprint ready, you start your project with getting rid of the dirt. If you are installing garden stones in your lawn area, there might be some broken mulch there. Here are easy steps to follow, You can also use level tool to measure the space or deciding either if the laying of stones will be vertical or horizontal. How to Install soil base or fabric and decide Stones Quantity? Enough with the planning, now dig the area from top soil which you have marked with measuring tape. The digging area depends upon the type of your stone. For small stones, 4-6 inches deep is suitable and for larger rocks, 6-8 inches are good. Then plod the exposed soil so it will become compact. Now install a soil base. Make sure to choose the soil with good drainage, a lot of organic matter, the right type, and according to your soil type.  You can also lay out the landscape fabric. It act as a boundary between sub grade and landscaping stones, so that your stones won’t sink in the sub grade.  Cut the X-mark on the spaces where you want to put a plant. Then carefully place your plant if you want to.  Also, install landscape edging if you think your decorative stones will fall of the boundary of your landscape. It gives a more finished and functional look. After installation of base, it’s time for deciding on the aesthetics of your landscape. As told before, you can decide of several types of rocks incluing gravel, crushed granite, black pebbles, river rocks etc. Make sure to choose the one that matches the ambience of your space. How to Install Weed Controller or Use Weed Preventing chemicals? Once you have decided on your aesthetic, pay attention to preventations. Weed can knock down the whole mood of your chilling space. Therefore, lay a week controller fabric over the soil. It keeps the weed under control and avoid the annoying small growths. Nevertheless, if you aren’t liking to use a week controller fabric, you can use a weed preventing chemicals. You spray the chemical available in market on the installed soil.  Al though, you use the weed preventation techniques, you will need once every now and then to pick out the growth of weed in your rocks. The growing weeds are inevitable and there is no maintenance free option, so make sure to keep checking your beautifully designed area.  How to Lay your Landscape Stones? Now your soil is ready and weed prevented, it’s time for your favorite step. Finally, you can lay your decorative landscape stones now. But first, have your ordered your truck loaded of your desired rocks?Use a spade to fetch the rocks into wheel barrow. It’s a boring and tough job but do it anyways.  Now, fall out your rocks into your desired area. With a use of garden fork you can spread all the stones around your landscape. The ideal length for the landscaping stone is 2 to 3 inches but you can decide it yourself for how much you want to lay. It also depends on the inches you have dig in the previous steps.  How to Add Finishing Touches? Once, you have install rocks, it might still not look pleasing. That’s because of the extra sand or dirt and obnoxious gaps between stones. First, the gaps between rocks look incompleted, so you can use polymeric sand to fill the gaps. Or you can also use crushed gravels that will create a stability. Also, spray the rocks with a water stream to clean the dirt off the rocks. It will be a satisfactory process and removes excess material. With the water, you can see the sand coming off and the variation in the actual color of the rocks. Also, watering will also help your replaced plants get refresh. You will have clean, attractive and finished surface. Conclusion The process of how to lay landscaping stone is straightforward but backbreaking. So, make sure you start with a clear mind and interest. From drafting your project area to adding finishing touches, you should do it with your heart.  And once your landscaping stones are decorated in your outdoor space, keep risening the space every once. Also, keep plucking out the weed growth regularly. You just pull them out with your hand and it comes out effortlessly.  Keep these safety majors in check every once in a week. So, you can have sustainable, clean and alluring stone outdoor adjustment for a long time.