Sure, if you’re pretty handy you can design and install your own paver walkway.
You’ll need some tools, from easy stuff like a shovel, work gloves, and hand saw to more specific things like edging, gravel and, if you have an old walkway to tear out, a jackhammer.
Florida is famous for its bright, cheerful tropical sun.
Grab your sunglasses! Set up the lounge chair! Soak up the warmth!
But after a while, it gets pretty hot. Really hot.
Shade! Where the heck is some shade?
Florida isn’t exactly known for its shade trees, which is pretty ironic, right?
So, what are the best trees for shade in Central Florida?
Ground Source landscape designer Eric Frisch shares a few of his favorites.
Everybody has concrete, grass, or pavers around their swimming pool. Yawn.
You want to be different, right?
You can see the end result in your mind — a fantastic yard brimming with tropical palms and drifts of vibrant flowers, a cozy patio for moonlight dinners, maybe a fire pit.
But how to get there?
There are several landscape design options, from doing it yourself to hiring a landscaping company to design and install it — and a couple of options in-between.
Everybody loves a good shortcut, right?
But it doesn’t always work out.
Like that peanut butter and jelly swirled together in one jar. That just seems wrong.
Same thing with installing pavers over concrete. It sure sounds easier than jackhammering out your existing concrete, right?
If you’ve decided to add a fire pit to your patio and all you can think about now is s’mores, we don’t blame you.
In fact, save us a couple, will you?
Meanwhile, there are a few things to keep in mind, besides watching for a sale on graham crackers.
Some pool mistakes are obvious, like walking too close to the edge in high heels carrying a tray of crab puffs.
Other mistakes are sneakier, like installing the wrong kind of plants or goofing up your ground cover.
When you get a first look at an impressive new landscaping project, it’s often the pretty green stuff you gawk at first.
Majestic palm trees, maybe, or striking tropical croton.
But what makes a project really work is the skill and labor behind the scenes.
Expert drainage work. Precision hardscape. Attention to detail that comes from the landscape designer camped out on site with his laptop computer day after day, supervising every detail.
Is it possible to find paradise in your own backyard?
What if it had a pool, a mini beach with a hammock and fire pit, festive string lights, and plenty of comfy lounge chairs?
Pretty close.
Have you seen any great birds in your backyard lately?
A warbler, maybe? Blue grosbeak? Blue-gray gnatcatcher? Boat-tailed grackle? Brown thrasher?
No? No offense, but maybe you need to be more friendly.
Or at least, you need a more bird-friendly garden design.