Landscape design is a unique and distinctive discipline at the intersection of architecture, biology and aesthetics. By ennobling the space around his home, a person solves utilitarian problems and creates a unique corner for unity with nature. By utilitarian goals we mean the agricultural and ornamental gardening, organizing home comfort, comparable with the comfort of a city apartment, but away from the noise and dust of the metropolis.

Clearly to trace trends in landscape design in 2023, it is difficult enough, at least because there are many areas in the world, representatives of which differently assess the existing trends and set priorities. The proposed trends – just one of the possible views on the ways of development of the art of decoration of territories in the beginning of the year. Here are the trends noted by experts:

Landscape design trends 2023

• Gone are the strict geometric plot planning, symmetrically arranged arbors and flowerbeds, straight paths crossing at a 90-degree angle.
• In planting priority is given to “meadow lawns“, strengthened fashion for decorative perennial grasses such as: cortaderia (pampas grass), miscanthus, blue fescue, setaria Italian, barley mane. They combine unpretentiousness and attractive appearance with a long flowering period. Meadow grasses are used universally – for zoning areas, decorating flower beds and flower beds, design of recreation areas.
• Symmetrically planted conifers, hedges of the same living thus are losing their popularity. Intentionally disorderly groups of bushes and trees or even “neglected” British gardens that grow “by themselves” since time immemorial, like in Baskerville Manor, are trending. Customers are not even embarrassed by the fact that the cost of planting plants in such an intricate and troublesome format is much higher, that it is more difficult to care for them.
• In the place of flat as a tabletop plots with refined alpine rockeries and rockeries comes large-scale geoplasty, carried out with the help of heavy earthmoving equipment. Hills, ravines, large boulders, and other elements of the natural landscape appear on plots. Such projects require designers especially careful calculations, especially in areas with difficult soils and in areas with capricious weather and an abundance of precipitation.
• The natural landscape involves the creation of water features on it, both static (ponds, ornamental swamps) and dynamic (streams, waterfalls). Fluctuating in the breeze water surface or romantically murmuring brook – excellent means of relaxation. Plot with its own hydrosystem should be sufficiently extensive and have a constant source of water. You must exclude waterlogging and control the population of insects, for which standing water is a breeding ground.
• The desire for naturalism is expressed in the rejection of concrete, asphalt and lined with square tiles in favor of ecological decking, backfill with fine crushed stone, expanded clay or mulch. Step paths made of treated stones or stylized rounded tiles are popular.
• Homeowners seem to be gradually taking over the fashion for stationary and portable barbecue stoves in the form of lodges and mini-castles, in the manner of those popular in the southern United States. Among them are coal-fired, wood-fired, gas-fired and electric. The crude quadrangular box mangal on legs is yesterday’s day.

Landscaping and Coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic also brought original new trends to landscape design in 2021. Self-isolation mode has increased the number of people working remotely from home. Many site owners have decided to set up a summer office in the lap of nature – in a gazebo, a barn, or even a specially equipped cabin in a tree. Why not brighten up the quarantine weekdays with the memories of childhood games in the secret “headquarters”?

A number of customers had a desire to make the area more closed off from outsiders. This manifested itself in the planting of dense vegetation around the perimeter of the plots.

In general, many experts have observed a tendency of owners of country properties to spend more time on recreation, rather than laborious work in an orchard or vegetable greenhouse. The emphasis is on unity with nature and the desire to escape from the cares and complexities of the world around them.

Clever solutions

It’s the 21st century, and it’s no surprise that the latest electronic technology is driving many of the landscape design trends of 2023.  Computer programs and smartphone apps can remotely coordinate automatic garden watering, site lighting, and lawn and greenhouse heating. Artificial soil heating allows not only to extend the beauty until frost and get an early harvest, but also to control the temperature in greenhouses throughout the winter.

    Much attention is paid by designers to the light dynamics of areas. Synchronized and controlled by the application diode lights can change the color and intensity of illumination, the direction of the light flux, creating a unique picture of the garden at night. Modern lighting systems require minimal power consumption, most often they autonomously operate on solar panels.

    Another likely “chip” of the year is a system of fogging, combined with the original LED lighting.

    Among the newest technologies recommended by the designers are renewable energy sources – solar panels and wind turbines. A powerful solar panel is quite expensive, but it will make the country house independent of external power supply.

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Pool landscaping in Toronto

Placing a pool in the backyard is fashionable, as the pool in the landscape design in Toronto will not only become a decoration, but also add to its functionality. This article will talk about the types and device of pools, the way they are placed, as well as the decor and style.

A properly designed and decorated pool has two main functions:

• It is a place for recreation;
• It is a decoration of the landscape.

The main task in the placement of the landscape pool, so it was as close to the natural surroundings. To do this body of water in a certain way decorate, so it was combined with the whole site. Absolutely any site is suitable for the arrangement of the pool, especially if the basis is a ready-made bowl.

Types of pools in backyard landscaping

There are landscape pools of the following types, which depend on the stages of assembly and installation:

• inflatable;
• pool made of plastic;
• prefabricated;
• stationary;
• indoor pool.

Developing a home landscape design project with a pool, style experts prefer stationary models, as their functionality is wider (connecting devices for water purification, water heating, as well as hydromassage functions).

Stationary pool can be installed by applying the following methods:

• Prepare an excavation according to the size and dig a ready-made polypropylene bowl there, fixing it on concrete. Then heat insulate it.
• Bottom and sides of the bowl are concreted and covered with tiles.

The advantage of such pools for landscaping is that their shape has no restrictions, in addition, they are durable and can serve 10 years or more. Such a design will not rise above the surface and will not be visible, so it will not damage the appearance of the site.

Of the disadvantages can be distinguished:

• the duration of installation work;
• installation is impossible without prior preparation;
• cost pool landscaping.

Prefabricated frame pool can be in the form of a circle, rectangle, square, oval or figure eight. This type is durable, as it has excellent rigidity.

How to choose the perfect location for a swimming pool in the landscape?

• Many backyard owners who have a sunny backyard will find it a good choice to have a pool to refresh themselves during a hot, summer day.
• The surface should be chosen open and flat.
• It is not recommended to install the pool close to trees, shrubs and other plants, as everything that will fall from them will fall into the water and thus clog it. In addition, the crowns of trees will create unnecessary shade, preventing the water from heating to the desired temperature.
• If the site is uneven, you need to level it by creating a slight slope in order to organize the water drainage.
• It is important when choosing a location for the pool to determine where the groundwater runs. They must run deep to avoid rising water levels and damage to the bowl.
• The closer the pool will be located to the house, the easier it will be to connect to it communications, which will save a lot of money.

Stages of pool construction works

1. Determine your purpose. If the structure is intended for decorative purposes, it can not be too deep. If it is used in the future for swimming and recreation, you need to dig a deeper foundation pit (1.5 to 2 meters). If there are small children in the family, the best option would be to divide the pool into 2 halves: a shallow children’s area and a deep adult.
2. Formation of the pit begins after determining all the dimensions of the future place for swimming. The excavation should be deeper by half a meter than the height of the bowl. This is necessary to equip the “cushion”, which consists of a mixture of crushed stone and sand (about 20 cm). The layer is tamped and on it lay a grid of metal and pour the concrete mortar.
3. Bottom and side walls are lined with geotextile and fixed with styrofoam plates. Then insulate it with polyethylene film. 4.
4. When the base is ready, you need to bring it sewer and water mains, as well as to think and build a system of filtration, purification and water heating. If desired, you can make electricity to provide the pool light.
5. Since the bowl is quite heavy, it is better to install it, using a crane.
6. After installing the bowl, connect the lines of communication to it, fix on the pipes and lines protective sleeves.
7. All the voids formed between the pit and the bowls are filled with concrete mix, pouring it, leisurely, in portions of 20 cm. At the same time as the concrete is gradually poured into the bowl of water, so that the concrete does not deform the plastic later. All layers of concrete mortar must be well dried.
8. Upon completion of the concrete pouring and drying of the top layer is necessary to make sprinkling of joints with sand.

Decorating around pool

After installation is complete, proceed to the most enjoyable stage – landscaping pool. The areas around it are lined with natural stone, small or large pebbles, tiles. Around the edges are placed plants in large pots or vases, planted in flowerbeds.

A new popular trend in backyard landscape design is the landscaped pool. Its main task is to introduce aesthetics, beauty in the landscape of the whole area. It differs in that it does not stand out from nature, as if imitating a natural body of water. To achieve this, the edge of the pool is decorated with pebbles, large stones, mosaic. Along the edges are placed plants that are well tolerant of moisture.

You can equip the “coastal zone” with decking made of decking boards, arrange around deckchairs, umbrellas and tables, and build a gazebo. The decking should be elevated above the reservoir, and a wide wooden staircase should be laid to the water. Boards are first treated with a special composition that protects against moisture. If there is no possibility to equip a wooden deck, then as an alternative a concrete surface will do.

It is important to pay attention to lighting. It can be done “at a minimum” or be placed throughout the composition and create a special atmosphere in the homestead territory. Well-designed landscape design with a swimming pool can bring a lot of positive emotions.

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Mulching – types of mulch and features

Growing all kinds of crops in the garden and vegetable garden it is important to protect them from diseases and pests. Mulch is an excellent solution to this issue. Figuring out what mulching is, it is a layer of organic or industrial materials with which the gardener covers the soil, where berry bushes, trees or vegetables grow, also mulch in Toronto can be used for decorative purposes. More details about the types and methods of mulching will be discussed below.

What is mulch and what is it for?

The gardener must necessarily know how and with what to mulch the soil, because this is the way to a quality and rich harvest.

This special technology allows you to protect plants from weeds and diseases. As a mulch can act as a variety of materials, the structure of which allows you to use them to cover the soil. In addition to the fact that mulch is often used for decorative purposes, it can also provide:

• Protecting the roots, thanks to the preservation of the right indicator of moisture and acidity in the soil;
• Maintaining the temperature in the soil, as well as the nutrient environment;
• Care during sudden drops in temperature;
• protection against weeds.

    A useful feature of properly selected mulch is also the fact that it does not harden and thus does not form a hard crust, allowing plants to develop.

It is worth noting that mulch, depending on the material selected for this procedure, can be organic and inorganic. We will tell you about each option, so that the gardener can decide for himself, from what he wants to make mulch for his plot.

Types of organic mulch

Organic mulch, as its name makes clear, is the use of materials of organic origin. Usually it is what remains after standard agro-technical activities. Let us describe in detail the most popular and widely used options.

Wood chips for garden

Wood chips for garden are excellent for mulching garden shrubs, for example, currants or raspberries, as well as those places in the garden, which are rarely subject to recultivation and other treatments. The fact is that such mulch finally decomposes in about a year and a half to two years. This should be taken into account, so as not to encounter problems when working out the plot in the future.

If it was decided to make mulch wood chips for garden, it should be understood that such material can develop a lack of nitrogen in the soil, because wood in the process of decomposition absorbs this substance from the soil. Avoid nitrogen starvation can be quite simple way. You need to fertilize the soil with fertilizer before laying the material.

    Please note: sawdust, which has been stored in the corner of the garden for a long time, most likely has time to “sour”, because in the depths of the heap there is certainly a lack of oxygen. Such material is categorically not suitable for mulching beds, because it will not only not bring the plants benefits, but also can cause harm. In this case, the sawdust must be pre-spread in a thin layer and give them a good drying.

A mulch of sawdust and wood chips for sale is excellent in the fight against slugs. The latter prefer smooth and well-moistened surfaces, in connection with which wood material will not be attractive to them.

Straw mulch

Straw mulching is a very common option.  It is recommended to lay this material with a layer of about 15 centimeters thick. It should be understood that such mulch will not interfere with the further development of plants, because very soon the straw will settle down at least 7-8 cm.

Soil under garlic, blackberries, strawberries, and basil can also be covered with this material.

Pine bark mulch

Make mulch with your own hands from the bark is not difficult at all, the main thing is to have access to conifers.  Bark can repel water, which is the reason for its long decomposition. It is best to use bark for garden trees and shrubs.

    Bark taken from coniferous tree species should not be used for tomato mulching purposes. The fact is that aromatic volatile elements, which are emitted by such a material, will be detrimental to tomatoes.

Among other things, the bark looks very attractive as mulch. Many gardeners prefer to use its decorative properties, mulching flowerbeds. Such plot development will not only be useful, but also beautiful. Modern designers are increasingly advised to use pine bark mulch in the design of the garden.

Pine needles

Mulching with pine needles is very liked by strawberries, blueberries and eggplants. Despite the fact that some gardeners refuse such material, as they believe that the needles oxidize the soil, yet it has been proven by experience that covering the bed with a 7-cm layer of pine needles will only have a positive effect on the plants. Even if you mulch the same beds two years in a row, the acidity of the soil will not change much. Mulching strawberries with needles should be carried out in autumn.

It is worth remembering again about the decorative properties of mulch. Pine needles are often mulched flowers in flowerbeds, using the material as a decoration. Additionally, colorful pine needles and crushed pine cones can be used.

Fallen leaves

Mulching the soil in the fall is also often carried out with fallen leaves. Almost any leaves will do, but some gardeners prefer the leaves of individual plantings, for example, a walnut tree.

It should be understood that the leaves in the process of decomposition turn into a very valuable organic fertilizer. They contain potassium, calcium, phosphorus, nitrogen, etc. Such elements work very well to improve the quality of growth and development of crops.

    An interesting experience was conducted in one of the forestry units. Employees removed natural forest litter from fallen leaves in a certain area and repeated this for several years. As a result, the growth of stands in the forest was reduced by about 20%. It took twice as long to bring the forest floor back to its original state and thereby restore the growth of new trees.

Fallen leaves can be used to mulch cabbage, beans, peppers, tomatoes and eggplants. It is important to do this after the soil has had a chance to warm up.

The foliage material can also be used in flower beds. In case of strong frosts this product will perfectly protect the root system, and as soon as the first spring heat comes, the bulbs will not be able to sprout quickly, thus they will be safe from possible repeated frosts.

Moss

This material is suitable only for areas with non-acidic soil, because moss can increase the level of acidity.

It is forbidden to use moss as a mulch for strawberries and strawberries, because these berry plants will simply rot under it. But for blueberries, raspberries, radishes and potatoes, moss will be an excellent mulch.

Such material can also mulch roses, azaleas and some other flowers without fear. Many gardeners also cover pears and apples with this mulch. Moss tends to collect excess moisture from the soil, thus protecting trees from overwatering, but in a period of drought, the same moisture will give back. In addition, the discussed material is an excellent antiseptic.

Inorganic mulch

Mulching with inorganic materials consists in covering a site with rocks or products of industrial production. Such mulch protects the soil well, but, of course, does not perform the additional function of fertilizer.

In general, inorganic mulch can be classified as follows:

• Film (more often black, but sometimes colored), cardboard and paper;
• Stones – pebbles, gravel, gravel, etc;
• expanded clay.

The second and third types from the list are often used for decorative purposes, as they perfectly decorate landscape and garden compositions. Today you can find stones of different colors on sale, which allows you to realize any design fantasy.

As for the film, it is good at retaining moisture in the soil. But at the same time, this material can be used only once, as by the next year it will already be unusable. Those who decide to use the film for mulching, should be aware of a number of points, which they will probably have to deal with:

• Watering. You need to think about how the plants will be moistened – by dripping or through holes in the cover;
• Slugs. They can collect under the foil, so this too will need to be dealt with;
• Heat. You should be aware of the ability of film-covered plants to tolerate overheating, which is enhanced by the greenhouse effect under the film.

    You can extend the life of the film by covering it additionally with a thin layer of straw or hay.

The film is often used as mulch in alpinaries. It does not allow weeds to sprout. But in order not to spoil the aesthetic appearance of the compositions, decorative stones are placed on top of it.

Today textile materials (geotextiles), which are made on the basis of polypropylene fiber, are very popular among gardeners. Such a material is cheap, but of high quality. It is able to absorb the sun’s rays and does not allow weeds to sprout on the site.

Film for mulching

Such a film should be laid on the bed, and at the edges to fix with staples made from thick, strong wire. You can also use for its fixing ordinary boards or the soil itself, which should be poured on the edges.

In order to make the planting of vegetable crops, you will need to make small notches in the form of a cross or slits directly in the place of planting. Next, you need to dig a hole and plant the plant itself. Through the slits should be abundantly watered the bed.

If the film mulch was covered with plants-perennials, such as strawberries, then at the end of the season it is not necessary to remove the film from the bed at all. Such inorganic mulch can stay there as long as the strawberries will grow, which is about 3-4 years. But it is necessary not to forget to make fertilizers in the soil, because the film does not decompose, and therefore, as a fertilizer can not work. It is best to introduce humus into the soil before mulching of this kind.

    Despite the fact that the film helps to retain moisture in the soil for a long time, it is still necessary to water the area periodically. Natural moisture in the form of rains or fog in this case is excluded, so about watering should always be remembered.

Conclusion

To summarize, it is worth once again noting the importance and usefulness of such an event as mulching in Toronto. Each gardener can choose the material to cover the site to his taste. This will noticeably simplify the care of plants, as well as significantly increase yields.

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