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HGTV Memorial Day Suggestions for Outdoor Landscaping Fun …

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staycation landscapes

HGTV offers an array of landscaping design ideas for good times and outdoor fun on Memorial Day.

HGTV makes it easy to show gratitude to soldiers with a variety of outdoor decorating and recipe ideas for Armed Forced Day and Memorial Day.

HGTV Star-Shaped Treats for Soldiers

May 19 is Armed Forces Day and Monday, May 28 is Memorial Day. Both holidays give Americans an opportunity to think about the soldiers they are thankful for. One way to express gratitude is to serve the star-shaped treats featured on the HGTV “Design Happens” blog.

Today’s Daily Delight at HGTV’s “Design Happens” blog showcases a dessert for military forces. The patriotic dessert is a white cake dyed blue and cut into star shapes then topped with cherries dipped in white chocolate. It is a sweet way to express thanks to soldiers today and on Memorial Day.

Another idea from a past HGTV “Design Happens” blog entry is an alfresco celebration for Memorial Day. Dining outdoors is a favorite activity as warm weather arrives at the end of May. Suggestions include red, white and blue decorations for the table and a healthy red, white and blue dessert that includes blueberries and strawberries.

HGTV Outdoor Planning for Memorial Day

The HGTV Facebook page directs fans to their spring guide to improve outdoor spaces. Outdoor planning for Memorial Day starts with a visit to the HGTV website for great ideas.

HGTV outlines the benefits of good landscaping. From the front yard to the backyard patio, an attractive outdoor area increases property value and boosts personal enjoyment on Memorial Day and throughout the spring and summer.

The first step toward a successful landscaping project is to determine priorities and get a plan. A long-term landscape plan transforms a boring and dysfunctional yard into a place people want to be. Homeowners need to know the strengths and weaknesses of a property and develop an understanding of the landscape design process.

HGTV encourages people to set goals for updating the yard and be aware of their likes and dislikes. Curb appeal, functionality and privacy are common goals. Safety issues such as erosion or fencing around pools or other areas are also important goals. A safe and functional yard is the best place to have a Memorial Day gathering.

A master plan might include a theme, look or feeling. This is created through installing or revamping entertainment areas, walkways, flowers, gardens and outdoor fixtures. HGTV offers fans a Landscaping Planning Guide to help them decide the right solutions to outdoor issues.

HGTV “Going Yard” and DIYNetwork Ideas for Outdoor Fire Pits

HGTV also refers fans to its DIYNetwork to create outdoor fireplaces and fire pits to light up the night on Memorial Day and throughout the seasons. A fire pit or fireplace brings ambiance to any outdoor living space. It is an ideal place to roast marshmallows, cook hot dogs or simply gather on a cool evening to enjoy the outdoors and stay warm.

HGTV’s DIYNetwork offers step-by-step instructions for building a fire pit. Backyard fire pits are considered one of the most popular landscaping features. They are functional and attractive areas constructed from fireproof materials on a level, flat area.

Fire pits should be at least 25 feet from a tree or house and are governed by local building codes. It is important to know local codes before constructing a backyard fire pit. Below is a video showing the first stage of constructing a backyard fire pit. It is a perfect spot to gather for Memorial Day barbecues and gatherings.

Another way to get great ideas is to watch HGTV “Going Yard,” which premiered last Saturday. “Going Yard” is hosted by Chris Lambton of “The Bachelorette” and his wife Peyton Wright of “The Bachelor.”

HULIQ reported the show premiered on Saturday, May 12, at 5 pm ET. Lambton turns neglected yards into inviting family areas used for entertaining for celebrations such as Memorial Day parties. Lambton uses elements such as water features, arbors, plants, patios, fire pits and more to transform lackluster backyards into alluring places to be.

The first episode of HGTV’s “Going Yard” took place in Cape Cod and included an outdoor fireplace, double deck, playground and brick patio. Lambton said, “It was literally dangerous. But we turned it into a beautiful oasis for the family.”

Today’s episode of HGTV’s “Going Yard” happened at the home of Carmen and Eddie Machado. The couple loves camping and spending time with their three boys. Carmen wanted an English garden and everyone wanted to grow their own vegetables. Lambton build them an edible English garden that included a play structure, fire pit and plenty of grass for backyard camping sleepovers.

From landscape planning to building a fire pit, the HGTV website and network are the places to go for great ideas for Memorial Day gatherings and “staycation” backyard ideas.

Image Source: HGTV Facebook

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Charleston Residents Giving Their Input

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Charleston Residents Giving Their Input

Thursday at the University of Charleston, the citizens of Charleston came out and expressed their hopes and dreams for the future of their city in the project called Imagine Charleston.

 

Landscape Architecture Urban Design Principal Craig Gossman says that the feedback has been good. He says people have put time and thought into their ideas.  

 

Imagine Charleston is a long-term comprehensive plan of projects aimed at allowing Charleston to grow and improve in the future. The open houses provided a time for local citizens to see future project ideas for the city and provide their own input.

 

Gossman says people have come in with ideas of wanting to get the city more engaged with the riverfront and also with improving certain neighborhoods in the city.

 

Local resident Perry Keller says he came down to check out the comprehensive plan and give some ideas.

 

“As a resident of the city, I’m interested in making sure that we look at all modes of transportation,” says Keller. “That we look at bicycle accommodations where possible as well as pedestrian accommodations .”

 

The projects presented in this plan do not deal with just one sector in the city such as just parks or city landscaping, but a bunch of areas.

 

Gossman says it’s a comprehensive plan that looks at everything.

 

The information received from citizens will be used to formulate a better plan and direction for projects in Charleston.

 

“This information is not something we will take lightly,” says Gossman. “It will really influence us on how we channel our thoughts towards implementation.”

 

Keller says the citizen’s input is very important because you don’t want just five people deciding what Charleston should be in the next twenty years, you want the entire community to do that.

 

Two open houses were held Thursday in Charleston with another one scheduled to be announced sometime in the future.

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European Spallation Source AB: Five architect consortia will …

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STOCKHOLM, Jun 15, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) —
Five international consortia of architect and landscaping companies will
compete to make the architectural design of buildings and landscape at
the future European Spallation Source research centre.

The ESS, to be built in southern Sweden, will be one of the world’s
largest research facilities when operational in 2019, and an important
hub in European research infrastructure. The architectural design of the
buildings will be vital for the visual impression of the research centre
and for the scientific and technical functions, as well as for the
integration into the surrounding landscape and the future Science
Village.

Therefore, a design contest has been organised with the aim of
developing the best architectural and landscaping ideas for the future
ESS facility. Five international consortia of highly recognised
architect and landscaping companies have now been selected to submit
design proposals:

– Bethem Crouwel, West8, Arup, Mandaworks

– Bjarke Ingels Group, HOK International Limited, Topotek1/man made land

– Foster + Partners, Peter Walker and Partners, Research Facilities
Design, Ramboll Group, Berg/CF Moller Architects

– Henning Larsen Architects A/S, COBE ApS, SLA A/S, NNE Pharmaplan A/S

– Tengbom, Mecanoo Architecten, Buro Happold

– I am impressed with the high quality of the contestants. This is an
exciting step for us. Our ambition is to develop an excellent
architectural design that will reflect values of ESS and its importance
in the European scientific landscape, says Colin Carlile, the ESS
Director-General.

– In the 21st century, large-scale science centres cannot look like
factories or be profligate with energy, but must be built to focus on
sustainability, to create an attractive working atmosphere and to
integrate well into the surroundings.

The contest task consists of developing and presenting design ideas for
the site layout and buildings for the ESS facility, and the surrounding
landscaping. The completed proposals will be submitted on 28 September.
A jury will evaluate the proposals on the basis of several criteria:
architectural design qualities, flexibility, economic and functional
feasibility, safety and sustainability. At the end of October, the
winning design will be announced. It is the intention of the ESS company
to negotiate a post-contest assignment with the winning contestant.

The five consortia have been selected from amongst a total of 23
submitted requests to participate from international consortia of
architect companies by a jury.

ESS IN SHORT:

The European Spallation Source — the next generation facility for
materials research and life science

The European Spallation Source (ESS) will be a multi-disciplinary
research laboratory based on the world’s most powerful neutron source.
ESS can be likened to a large microscope, where neutrons are used
instead of light to study materials — ranging from polymers and
pharmaceuticals to membranes and molecules — to gain knowledge about
their structure and function. ESS will be around 30 times better than
existing facilities, opening up new possibilities for researchers in for
example health, environment, climate, energy, transport sciences and
cultural heritage. ESS is an intergovernmental research infrastructure
project, and it will be built in Lund in southern Scandinavia. Currently
17 European countries are Partners in the ESS project, and will take
part in the construction, financing and operation of the ESS. Sweden and
Denmark will co-host the ESS and cover 50 percent of the 1,4 BEUR
investment costs and 20 percent of the operating costs together with the
Nordic and Baltic states. The European Spallation Source ESS AB is a
public limited company, today owned by the Swedish and the Danish
states. ESS AB is currently working on finalizing the ESS technical
design, planning the future research at ESS, preparing for construction,
and planning the future international ESS organisation. This is done in
collaboration with a large number of research institutes, universities
and laboratories around the world. Construction is expected to start in
2013, the irst neutrons to be produced in 2019 and the facility to be
fully operational around 2025. ESS is expected to support a user
community of at least 5000 European researchers and will have great
strategic importance for the development of the European Research Area.
Near by there will be complementary laboratories, such as the
synchrotron MAX IV in Lund and XFEL and PETRAIII in Hamburg.

This information was brought to you by Cision
http://www.cisionwire.com

SOURCE: European Spallation Source AB



        
        Colin Carlile, ESS Director-General. 
        E-mail colin.carlile@esss.se 
        Tel. 46 46 888 30 33 
        or 
        Marianne Ekdahl, Communications Officer Press  Politics. 
        E-mail marianne.ekdahl@esss.se 
        Tel. 46 46 888 30 66

Copyright Business Wire 2012

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DecorSpark.com Shows 38 Different Design Ideas for a Garden …

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Garden Landscape Design

Wouldn’t you love the landscaping in your garden to look like the one pictured? Could you imagine just sitting there, enjoying the beauty of nature. Basking in quiet of your back yard with nothing but soft sound of water from your fountain?

Middletown, PA (PRWEB) May 17, 2012

For some, a garden is nothing more than a few flower bushes or a bed vegetables, but for some people, that is not enough. As a result, a growing outdoor decorating trend amongst homeowners is transforming their garden into a sanctuary, right in their own backyard. DecorSpark.com shows readers how to turn any backyard into a garden sanctuary.

It is not as difficult as one may think to create a luxurious garden retreat. Here are 38 garden design ideas for turning your home into a peaceful refuge by Fresh Home that is guaranteed to inspire. This blog post rounds up various different yard styles via photographs. There is something for everyone.

Landscaping sounds like serious stuff, but it is not as intensive as one may think. The landscaping can be a DIY project with a little research and elbow grease or the other option is to call in the professionals and hire a landscaper to do do the dirty work.

DecorSpark.com has great examples of different landscaping styles in their recent blog, 38 Design Ideas for a Garden Sanctuary. What it comes down to is, depending on the style of the yard depends on how much landscaping actually needs to be done. It’s best to have a plan, and then worry about the rest.

According to Fresh Home, “The right garden accessories and plant species can set the tone for an incredible outdoor atmosphere, an invigorating place of retreat.”

“Designing your garden should be fun and relaxing. Some ideas include green labyrinths, cobblestone pathways, small ponds, water fountains, colorful flowers and small round trees. These are all ways of creating the best garden experience for yourself possible.”

Make sure to read the rest of 38 Design Ideas for a Garden Sanctuary and check out the photos. The photographs alone are enough to generate 38 ideas!

Be sure to check out DecorSpark for more stories about design, decor, and everything in between. We even review and pick apart the interiors of your favorite television shows and movies. DecorSpark.com recently looked at Don Draper’s new apartment in the current season of Mad Men. Check it out.

Don’t forget to visit us on facebook too.

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LandscapingNetwork.com Focuses on Landscaping Design Ideas …

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Spring and summer are optimal seasons to take on new landscaping projects at home. Photo: LandscapingNetwork.com

Landscaping provides an ideal setting for homeowners to express creativity by creating custom gardens, outdoor retreats and entertainment areas.

Calimesa, CA (PRWEB) June 07, 2012

LandscapingNetwork.com, a leading online resource for landscaping information and design ideas, features new landscaping articles weekly on its website covering all aspects of landscaping. From new, weekly landscaping picture and video features to seasonal landscape design trends, and product information, The Landscaping Network is consistently updated with new information for consumers and landscaping professionals.

Landscaping provides an ideal setting for homeowners to express creativity by creating custom gardens, outdoor retreats and entertainment areas. From small backyard sanctuaries to resort-inspired pool areas, and inviting front yard entryways to intimate courtyards, the site’s weekly features guide consumers through a multitude of landscaping options and ideas to gain inspiration from.

While the decision to take on a new landscaping project at home is not one that should be taken lightly, it should remain an enjoyable experience. Landscaping Network is an extensive resource for consumers and professionals, alike, to gather a 360 degree view of the landscape design process, and sort through important questions.

To start, landscaping projects include having to do extensive research to gather design ideas. Next, the homeowner must decide what features, options and amenities their project will include. Finally, the homeowner must choose the right landscaping contractor to take on the project.

Consumers who have gathered ideas, and are ready to take the next step, can go on to find a landscape contractor on Landscaping Network through the site’s online contractor directory.

About LandscapingNetwork.com

http://www.LandscapingNetwork.com works with a team of professional landscape designers and writers to bring together the very best landscaping resources and information available. Homeowners, landscape designers and architects, builders and more can also stay up-to-date through the site’s extensive collection of articles, landscaping photos and videos on landscape design ideas, products and more.

For consumers ready to turn their landscaping design dreams into reality, the site offers an easy-to-use Find a Contractor directory to find local landscape contractors and designers throughout the United States and Canada.

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Buttoned Up: Rejuvenating your home – The State Journal

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Do you love watching those TV shows where homes for sale are dramatically restaged in a weekend, usually on a very small budget? We never cease to be amazed at just how much can be done with so little.

But we also understand how easy it is to get stuck in a rut. When you see the same house day in and day out, it’s really hard to imagine how it might be different. Many times people just simply stop “seeing” problem spots altogether. It’s almost as if they have blinders on and end up living with something less than ideal that could be addressed in an afternoon with a few dollars.

We see this all the time with clutter. People will live with ugly, messy papers strewn all over the place and then be completely amazed at both how little time it takes to clean up and the big visual difference being clutter-free makes.

Here are inexpensive ways you can breathe new life into your home. Start anywhere on the list.

1. Landscape with potted plants. This is a quick way to make over a deck or patio in an afternoon. Head over to the home-improvement store or nursery and pick up two or three large pots, some soil and plants. Then “plant” them on your patio or deck. Great choices of plants include herbs you can use in the kitchen, geraniums and impatiens.

2. Declutter the yard. This is a great way to get exercise and instantly improve your home’s curb appeal. Pick up branches that have fallen during storms, put away children’s toys that are lingering and, by all means, all evidence that you have pets should be picked up and thrown in the trash every day. If you have a lot of statues and figurines in your yard, consider winnowing your collection. Less is truly more.

3. Power wash patios and siding. Power washers make quick work of cleaning surfaces that have gotten dirty or moldy. They can also be a greener option than using your own elbow grease since they typically get surfaces clean without the need for additional cleaning agents. You can rent one at a home-goods store like Home Depot or Lowe’s.

4. Paint the front door(s). Painting the front door is one of the easiest of makeovers you can do. Historically, red doors signify welcome, whereas dark blues and greens are supposed to bring calm and peace to those who enter. Have fun! And realize that if you don’t like it, you can make a change very quickly.

5. Swap out pillow covers. You can completely change the feeling of a room by adding pops of color and cheer in the forms of pillows. Just swap out the covers for a totally fresh look in the living room or even a bedroom.

6. Stage a bookshelf. Bookshelves are often the last place people think to make over, but in reality they offer a marvelous canvas. Paint the backs a bright color.

7. Use a finisher on hardwood floors. Remove all dirt and grime from hardwood floors with a good vacuum cleaner. Then, with a mop, use a polymer finish like Rejuvenate Floor Cleaner to restore a bit of shine to tired floors.

8. Add color to a room with paint. Change the personality of a room instantly by applying a fresh coat of paint. South-facing rooms generally get loads of light and can handle rich, saturated tones, while north-facing rooms generally do better with light colors and semi-gloss finishes that reflect light around the room.

9. Scrub the walls. Take a bucket of water, a microfiber cloth and a little baking soda around the house and erase any marks –– from scuffs to children’s doodles –– that have cropped up.

10. Hang new pictures. When was the last time you actually printed the pictures stored away in your computer? Choose a few, find some frames and make a small gallery on a previously empty (or boring) wall.

11. Change up hand towels. Enliven a bathroom simply by exchanging tired, old hand towels with new ones. It’s easy to find beautiful linen hand towels for sale at most flea markets. If you find a bunch, consider keeping extras in a basket, where they’re at the ready –– and they make a wonderful display.

12. Declutter your main room. You probably spend 80 percent or more of your time in just a few rooms of the house. If the thought of a stem-to-stern declutter is too overwhelming, focus on the one room you spend the most time in, like the family room. If you haven’t used something in at least six months, be ruthless and toss it.

13. Accent with a slipcover. If you have a couch or chair that’s a little long in the tooth but you don’t have the funds to buy new furniture, consider a slipcover. For a fraction of the cost of a new piece, you get a whole new look.

Is your home begging for a little refresh? What are your favorite ways to rejuvenate your home?       

The writers are co-founders of Buttoned Up, a company dedicated to helping stressed women get organized. Send ideas and questions to yourlife@getbuttonedup.com.

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3-D Exterior Design and Landscaping at Completely Affordable Price

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Ashburn, VA (PRWEB) June 12, 2012

Capitalizing on the use of the latest computerized 3-D imaging software, architects employed at Ellie Design are now capable of providing life-like images of the houses, offices or buildings they are hired to design. This new technology allows them to take existing drawings and dimensions for construction projects and use them to simulate what the finished product is going to look like.

The Exterior Design of a building is extremely important. It is normally the first feature clients and customers or visitors and guests come in contact with. It should provide a warm and inviting atmosphere if it applies to an actual residence, or a professional façade if it applies to an office building. At Ellie Design customers have the opportunity to view the entire outside of the building they are going to have constructed in one simple and easy to view location. They no longer have to sift and shift through 2-D sketches like they did in the past.

Computerized 3-D models of the Exterior Design of the building will let clients communicate ideas to the design specialist in order to make any modifications prior to breaking ground on the new establishment. The architect hired for the project should be able to accommodate any and all desires of the client and at Ellie Design that is just what they get; an experienced designer who will go above and beyond the necessary steps to ensure customer satisfaction. Visit Ellie Design to browse through several of the projects in Exterior Design that have already been completed by some of the best architects in the business.

When Ellie Design handles an Exterior Design project they ensure customer satisfaction from beginning to end. Communication is a key and vital asset to have when it comes to any type of design process and at Ellie Design they strive to cover all of those bases by providing contact information in the form of Customer Service telephone service, an e-mail address and a live chat feature which can all be found by visiting Ellie Design.

With this new 3-D technology, relying on old 2-D sketches is a thing of the past and the future is here at Ellie Design. They will be there from beginning to end to ensure the project is completed in a timely fashion and with the utmost attention to detail. In addition to Exterior home Design there are several other services available to clients requiring any type of design.

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Karen Hundt: Idea Of Trail On Top Of New US 27 Retaining Wall Didn’t Work Out

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A plan to work with TDOT to place a walking trail on one of the numerous retaining walls being built along US 27 between the Ogliati Bridge and Signal Mountain Boulevard did not work out, Karen Hundt of the Urban Design Studio said Monday.

Ms. Hundt said that was among the innovative ideas for creating connections between Manufacturers Road and the top of Stringers Ridge.

She said, “The slope was just too steep. We had to back off on that.”

But she told members of the Planning Commission that many other aspects of the Moccasin Bend Gateway Plan are going forward.

One involves working with TDOT to make use of the interior of the new interchange that is under construction at US 27 and Manufacturers Road. She said, after TDOT has completed its work, the plan is to landscape the interchange and add areas for biking and walking.

She said a tall cylindrical public art piece is also planned there “that will be seen from a distance and let people know they are entering a special area.”

Ms. Hundt said it is planned to rework Manufacturers Road leading toward the Moccasin Bend National Park so that it is “the most beautiful roadway in the city.” She said it will include new landscaping as well as bike and walking lanes.

She said another aim is to construct a Brown’s Gap Interpretive Trail off Manufacturers Road. She said there is a winding narrow cut through Stringer’s Ridge that was used by some of those who started from Ross’s Landing on the Trail of Tears. She said interpretive signs will be installed along the trail.

Ms. Hundt said the Riverwalk will be extended to the planned Moccasin Bend Interpretive Center. She said it will first follow along Manufacturers Road, then will veer down toward the river.

There will be an emphasis on making connections from Manufacturers Road to the Bend, the business section of North Chattanooga, Stringer’s Ridge and on to Red Bank, she said.

Another focus is to restore a remnant of a creek leading to the Tennessee River and to build a boardwalk across an area to be known as “the Wet Woods” on Rock Tenn property.      

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Creating curb appeal: Homeowners turn to creative landscaping to boost home values

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Ask a homeowner about her new backyard dining area and she’ll probably shrug her shoulders as if it’s no big deal. And it’s not — at least, not yet. But if she’s patient, it should be. When? When a sluggish housing market snaps awake from its lengthy slumber.

The toughest home-selling market in years has prompted owners nationwide to look for ways to beautify their property rather than try to sell it.

Leave it to Texas to spark a trend.

Landscape designer Mark Funderberk, president of Dallas-based LandPatterns Inc. notes that a busy summer season has, in the Lone Star State, already begun; customers are investing in their homes.

Click to enlarge

Annalisa Russell-Smith | Staff Teresa Mello, owner of Dreamscape Exteriors LLC at home in Plainville. “This is my dream,” she explains, “I wanted something relaxing and I wanted a waterfall. I’ve planted things I love. I build dreams for my clients, so I wanted my own too.” 06.06.12 for 06.10.12

“They know that when the market changes, they’re going to have an attractive [property],” Funderberk told NBC News. “Their house will be worth what they’re asking.”

When selling isn’t the best option, homeowners turn to landscaping. An outdoor living room with sound system and hidden TV are popular options.

Ask Teresa Mello of DreamScape Designs, LLC in Plainville. When she bought her own home, she landscaped the property, knowing this would increase the resale value whenever she decides to sell.

Mello says she has been working 13 hours a day plus weekends installing water features and building patios.

“I’m too busy to take a vacation,” she says.

Peter Wojtusik Nursery and Garden Center, Bristol, has also been working around the clock. Outdoor kitchens are becoming popular in the Greater Bristol area. His projects range from $900 to $25,000 — for a patio with a fire pit.

Wojtusik says his customers are also investing in bright, colorful flowers for their gardens. About 50 percent of his work is maintenance. This keeps his 12-man staff busy. He says it bothers him to see shrubs he’s planted trimmed into ugly balls or squares.

Most of the clients for his 58-year-old family business are residential.

Dawn Prentiss says she and her husband plan on selling their home in Bristol when the market picks up and she credits Wojtusik for his landscaping work.

“Three of our four sons have grown up and out.”

She stands on the patio of her rambling colonial-style home watching Wojtusik’s crew clear downed trees from last October’s storm.

“We no longer need all this space.”

With a sluggish home-sale market, the Prentisses’ goal is to maintain and upgrade their property. They have been Wojtusik’s customers since 1992 when he installed their sprinkler system.

“Peter does what he says he’ll do,” she says. “His men are courteous; they pick up after their work. They recently repaired our front lawn and gave it curb appeal.”

Not every landscape designer is riding the crest of the home improvement wave. Some have become targets of a distressing practice. The homeowner asks the landscaper for an estimate, jots down prices and desired improvements. Then he thanks the landscaper and says he’ll get back to him about the job. Instead, he takes the estimate to Home Depot, buys the cheapest products and hires someone looking to make a buck.

Michael Zalewski of Zalewski Landscaping in Plymouth has been down this road too often.

“I can’t,” he says, then checks himself. “I won’t compete with guys with no insurance, tooling around in their rusty pickup trucks.” 

Zalewski concedes that lawn care guys are getting by. If he and his crew are asked to mow a lawn and the price is right, he’s your man. Still, he says he wants everyone to know he didn’t become a landscaper 40 years ago to mow lawns.

Scott Whipple can be reached at (860) 225-4601, ext. 319, or swhipple@centralctcommunications.com

BOX WITH STORY

Statistically, most first-time home owners only live in their first home five years or fewer. Want to boost the resale value of your home? Start with curb appeal. Here are five landscaping ideas you might consider:

n Plush lawns: The most valued-added feature of a home’s curb appeal is a plush, well-manicured lawn. Find out the variety of grass that grows best in your area, then feed (fertilize) and water your lawn regularly.

n Seasonal colors: Plant perennial plants and flowers that grow continually and blossom each year. Add short-lived flowers (annuals) each spring for additional color.

n Trees and shrubs: Well-placed trees and shrubs can have a positive effect on a home’s exterior. Check with your local nursery to determine which trees grow best where you live.

n Consult with a landscaping designer: Develop a master plan tailored to your property. Do the landscaping improvements yourself or retain a landscape designer.

n Pavers and Stepping Stones: Design a walkway through your yard or garden using slate stones or colorful pavers. Add a small bench to create a quiet retreat for reading or meditation.

Information courtesy of AmeriFirst Home Mortgage

 





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Home grown: Carol’s Colors Landscaping

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Editor’s note: This is one in a weekly series of profiles on locally owned and operated businesses in Southern Oregon.

What do you do and how long have you been doing it? We do landscape maintenance and installation for commercial and residential customers. We go from the Oregon border up to Grants Pass. The business was started by Carol Corbridge in 1985 and Jayna Harrison later became a partner in the business. We bought the business from them in 2011.

Business card

Business: Carol’s Colors Landscaping

Owner: Greg and Valri Williams

Address: 87 W. Nevada St., Ashland

Phone: 541-535-7074

Employees: 18

Email: greg@carolscolors.net

Website: carolscolors.net

How long have you lived in the Rogue Valley? My family came here in 1905, and I was born here in 1955.

What inspired you to go into this line of work? My grandparents started Ashland Flower Shop and Greenhouses beginning in 1905. My parents bought the business from my grandparents in about 1950. I became a partner in 1978, and then my wife and I bought the company outright in 1994. We sold the flower shop business in 1999 and sold the greenhouses in 2008. I’ve been a grower for 30 years, and Carol’s Colors was our largest customer. When I was growing up we were growing more than 3 million plants a year, and when the business became available I had known Carol for more than 20 years, so it was an easy transition. For years, I was into selling plants. Now it’s about selling our expertise.

What decision or action would you change if you could do it again? My wife is a CPA, and we’re updating a lot of the bookkeeping, and updating business aspects. For me, it’s fortunate my background is in business. General Manager Penny Fullmer has been with us 13 years, and some of the other employees have been here longer than that. We have experienced landscapers, but the behind-the-scenes things needed updating. For a lot of landscapers, that’s a big issue, knowing whether they are making a profit or not. We’re going to be producing profit and loss statements, and financial statements so we are able to track our costs.

What’s the toughest business decision you’ve made? Knowing when to hire and when not to. Hiring labor is a challenge. Our business is increasing, and knowing when to bring people on and to second guess what the economy is going to do is difficult. People will cut back on landscaping if they think things are going backwards, and we have to be cognizant of that. Landscape is so tied in with construction as new homes and buildings. We bid on a lot of commercial projects, and the more construction, the more work there is for landscaping.

Who are your competitors? Any more there are a lot of landscapers out there, especially maintenance, because you don’t have to have the same licenses. We have licenses in irrigation installation, pesticide application and landscape construction. Greentimes and Bumgardners Landscape do a lot of installation, and there are a bizillion maintenance firms out there.

What are your goals? I’d like to build the business and be considered one of the top landscape companies in the valley. In five years I’d like to make it into an employee-owned business. We have some real key employees. I’d like to have them own a piece of it.

What training or education did you need? I was born and raised in greenhouses and business. That’s what I went to college for, taking biology at SOU and horticulture at Oregon State. My wife graduated with an accounting degree from SOU; that’s very important in our business. That’s where a lot of business owners are lacking, especially in a field that is so labor intensive. Every year I go back to take the Ohio State short courses in growing. Most landscapers plant and maintain. I understand the growing because it’s so unique. I really know my annuals and perennials.

What’s your advice for budding entrepreneurs? Try to get as much financial education as you can. Understand what a profit and loss statement means and that it’s a real key. Be able and willing to put in long hours.

To suggest ideas for this column, about businesses that are at least five years old, contact reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or email business@mailtribune.com.

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