Tag Archives: home improvement

Garden Plants

Foundation Planting Rules

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Probably no feature on the average American home grounds is more abused by being over-planted than the so called “foundation planting.” There is one reason, and only one, for such a planting: to soften the architectural features of the building by using plant material at strategic locations and thus help blend the house into its natural surroundings.

Basic Rule

There is one fundamental guiding rule for every foundation planting, whether for a small cottage, a large pretentious home, or a huge industrial building. That rule is:

“Plant material shall be placed at those points where the strong vertical architectural lines meet the ground. Of course this broad statement is subject to minor qualifications under certain conditions. Put in still simpler language, it says, “Use plants at the corners of the building and at either side of doorways.”

Causes of Over-Planting

The owner of a home or of a large industrial building, or the authorities in charge of civic buildings and their grounds, are naturally tempted to seek an immediate effect when planning the landscape planting around the foundation of the building they control. That is probably the main reason for extensive over-planting.

Another reason is the fact that in millions of homes of all kinds, in every section of our country, the foundation planting problem has been handled in much the same manner. So it is only natural that a new homeowner will look around, see what so many others have done, and reason that that is the correct and only way to handle the foundation planting. Actually, only one house in a hundred, or in certain areas one in a thousand, has its foundation planting handled correctly!

The Long View

As it may help you to consider this problem first from the psychological angle, try to convince yourself that anything really good is worth waiting for. Have a stout heart if, after putting in your foundation planting in accordance with the suggestions offered in this book, you find your neighbors looking askance at you as if they thought you just a little off balance because you have planted specimens no more than 12 inches high, and have spaced them 6 or 7 feet apart. Of course that looks scanty; and it is easy to see how the uninitiated might consider it ridiculous. But if the sketches succeed in showing you what your planting will eventually look like, then you can face your critics with a smile of contentment, safe in your knowledge that, in four to six years, the foundation planting around your home will very likely be the finest in the neighborhood. You may even point out to them how much money you have saved by planting the foundation according to good landscape principles.

Location of Vertical Lines

Referring again to the placing of plants where the strong vertical lines of the architecture meet the ground, we find that both sides of any door fit this description, thus giving us two points where plants should be used. Other strong vertical lines are at inside or outside corners of buildings. Even a small break in the wall of a building can be considered a corner, and these locations should also be treated as points that call for planting. It is not vitally essential but it will look better in the long run.

 

Landscaping

Retractable Screens Are Part Of Many American Houses

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Retractable screens are becoming more and more popular in this day and age. They’re providing expanded space, privacy, protection from insects, bugs and rodents, secure shade and clean ventilation all while being able to enjoy the scenery and outside. You can install them on windows, all kinds of doors ( including french doors and patio doors )

Retractable screens are windows or doors that are made to act as a barrier between you and dirt, insects and pests and the sun so you are better able to enjoy your surroundings whether or not you are on your patio or in your garage. They’re made from a sort of flexible fiberglass mesh that covers the allotted area. With the best, custom made retractable screens out there, you can simply use an automatic system to have the screens retract into their specifically designed casing. This is especially opted for more today as they are less likely to get fingers caught in the surrounding like manual systems, and with the pro installation, it is much more likely to last a life-time.

 

There are many different types of retractable screens you can buy, from do it yourself kits to having them professionally installed. Retractable garage screens are very popular today, especially among the ‘handy men’. They’re highly convenient and flexible. They supply shade during the hours of the day that the sun streams in when working in there, they supply protection from mud, insects and rodents that would tend to creep in interested in work lights and smells. And best of all it provides clean ventilation in the garage without having the door open’ to pests and insects.

Retractable garage screens are becoming more and popular with families that work, entertain, play and relax in their garage. A garage is more than only a space for storing for automobiles nowadays, it’s a workspace, storage facility, play area or hang out’ room. Having this retractable screen can make all the difference.

Retractable screens are convenient , flexible, safe and they supply protection and clean ventilation without having the door open to monsters, but still having the ability to enjoy the environment. These retractable garage screens are becoming apart of the common American home and are becoming hot with families.

Prices alter for quality but getting a professional to install an automated retractable screen is unquestionably worthwhile. It will last a life-time and will pay itself off repeatedly again.