Hidden Costs of Landscaping
by: Janeth Duque
A complete makeover of your home?s landscape may not be possible. After all, there is no surprise that if you choose to completely re-do your landscape you will spend a great deal of money. However, there are surprising hidden costs in nearly any landscaping project, even some of the small ones. It is important to be aware of some of the costs that you might not normally think of before you begin a project. Otherwise, you will find that the project?s true cost is much more than you thought it would be, and you may discover that you might not have been able to afford your landscape change after all.
Perhaps the most hidden of landscaping costs involves features that require lighting and water. Many people think only of the cost of the equipment, and the cost of putting it in (which is minimal if they put it in themselves). They fail to consider how much money they will spend in the form of paying for increased energy and water usage. With outdoor lighting, it is possible to mitigate this cost somewhat by buying more energy efficient bulbs, or by confining the use of outdoor lighting to times when there is a special occasion. There is no reason for the lighting if you only use it so that the neighbors can admire your landscape even at night. Reserve the use of your outdoor lighting for times when you are entertaining people out of doors, or when you are sitting in your yard at night, and may need the light. Water features are a double whammy, as they require energy and water. Using a feature that reuses its own water can cut down a little bit on your water usage (although there will always be water lost to evaporation), and it is now possible to find some features that use less energy. However, if you must have a water feature and are afraid of the costs you will incur, you can always choose a very small pond or waterfall.
Related to the issue of water features is paying for water use when you water the lawn. Setting up sprinklers on a timer will ensure that you do not have to rely on your memory to remember to turn them off. It is important to note that most people water their lawns two or three times more then they need to. The average lawn actually receives about the same amount of water as a tropical rainforest. This is not necessary for your lawn. Watering each part of your lawn for 15 minutes two or three times a week (depending on climate) is usually sufficient, if it is not new sod (which requires a good soak every day the first week). Additionally, it is a good idea to take into account the amount of extra water you will be using to help sod or a tree establish itself. This can add up to be quite a bit of extra water, and if you city charges more money once your usage reaches a certain point, it can be even more costly.
Also, you may not realize how much money you might spend if your soil is poor. Before being in raptures about a particular plant, determine what kind of soil it needs to thrive, this will make a difference in whether your plant lives or dies. The costs of adding fertilizer to sandy soil or gypsum to clay soil can begin to add up. This problem can be remedied, however, if you examine what plants grow natively in your region. By choosing plants that grow well in the soil you have, or in near conditions, you can save a great deal on soil amendment. Most local master gardeners will give you guidance on native plants for free, or for a very small fee.
Just as there are hidden costs in nearly everything, landscaping, too, has hidden costs. The key is to be informed about the various consequences of your landscape choices, and to be careful in what you decide to do. While the up front costs may not be too unreasonable, you may find that as you continue to enjoy your new landscape, the later costs may be more than your landscape is worth.
About The Author
Janeth Duque of Geeks On Steroids. Janeth is well-known in the world of web design and search engine optimization. Web Site: Geeks on Steroids View their website at: http://www.geeksonsteroids.com
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Getting Rid of Standing Water in Your Yard
Getting Rid of Standing Water in Your Yard
by: Michael McGroarty
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HOW TO GET RID OF STANDING WATER IN YOUR YARD
Do you have one or more areas in your yard that hold water after a rainfall? This is a common problem, and sometimes difficult to solve. Over the years I?ve talked with dozens of people trying to battle this problem, and on several occasions I have been hired to solve the problem. So what can be done?
Too often people come to me asking what kind of a tree, or what kind of shrubs can be planted in a wet area to dry it up. This is the wrong approach. Most plants,...
Getting Rid of Standing Water in Your Yard
Water > Getting Rid of Standing Water in Your Yard
Hidden Costs of Landscaping
Hidden Costs of Landscaping
by: Janeth Duque
A complete makeover of your home?s landscape may not be possible. After all, there is no surprise that if you choose to completely re-do your landscape you will spend a great deal of money. However, there are surprising hidden costs in nearly any landscaping project, even some of the small ones. It is important to be aware of some of the costs that you might not normally think of before you begin a project. Otherwise, you will find that the project?s true cost is much more than you thought it would be, and you may discover that you might not have been able to afford your landscape change after all.
Perhaps the most hidden of landscaping costs involves features that require lighting and water. Many people think only of the cost of the equipment, and the cost of putting it in (which is minimal if they put it in themselves). They fail to consider how much money they will spend in the form of paying for...
Hidden Costs of Landscaping
Water > Hidden Costs of Landscaping
Improperly Testing Your Radiant Heat System with Water Instead of Air!
Improperly Testing Your Radiant Heat System with Water Instead of Air!
by: Larry B Lang
If you?re considering radiant heat, here?s a true story about Bill and Joan Hawley that you should find interesting.
When I first met Bill and Joan they were absolutely exhausted because of the damage to their radiant heat system. What was supposed to be a calm and peaceful time of life was full of stress and worry.
Although their story is not unique it clearly illustrates how a simple radiant heat installation error can have such drastic results.
Bill and Joan were educated consumers that took a vested interest in the design and construction of their new home. They loved the look of tile and hardwoods and were thrilled to discover how a radiant heating system would keep their floors toasty warm.
Yet, they failed to realize how one small radiant heat installation mistake could have such a disastrous outcome.
The crew that installed...
Improperly Testing Your Radiant Heat System with Water Instead of Air!
Water > Improperly Testing Your Radiant Heat System with Water Instead of Air!
Scotland - The New White Water Rafting Capital of Europe
Scotland - The New White Water Rafting Capital of Europe
by: Blair Thorne
Scotland has taken its place as the new Mecca for white water rafting and extreme sports enthusiasts. With over 120 activity centres around the country you can do it all here - from jumping off cliffs, sliding through canyons and rolling down hills in plastic balls, to more traditional activities such as white water rafting, quad biking and clay pigeon shooting.
The rugged landscape is perfect for hair-raising outdoor pursuits. As Mark Turner of specialist outdoor sports website adrenalinePASS.com says, "We are especially looking forward to the white water rafting season on the River Tummel. This is undoubtedly the best white water rafting available in the country over the summer.?
The Tummel is dam-release, guaranteeing water levels every weekend from June to September. It is a narrow, technical and exciting river,...
Scotland - The New White Water Rafting Capital of Europe
Water > Scotland - The New White Water Rafting Capital of Europe
A Sweet Treat With Honey For The Skin
A Sweet Treat With Honey For The Skin
by: Sharon Hopkins
For the ultimate natural all round healing potion, try Honey. Thanks to Cleopatra?s milk and honey baths, Honey has become a favourite with one and all to be used in beauty regime. Beside Cleopatra, there were other beauties from the past, who swear by honey being an indispensable ingredient in beauty treatments.
Pollution, dirt, and other chemical agents in the air make the skin lose its ability to retain water, making it look dry, wrinkled and aging the person bit earlier. The natural hydrating and antioxidant properties of honey trap and seal the moisture, rejuvenate the skin, cleanse the complexion leaving it soft and supple.
Honey in its purest form is suitable for all skin types? even sensitive skin. Beauticians suggest using honey abundantly for radiant complexion. Skin care products like baths, shower gels, face creams, skin lotions, moisturizers, body scrubs and even newborns...
A Sweet Treat With Honey For The Skin
Water > A Sweet Treat With Honey For The Skin
Health Risks Of Shower Filters
Health Risks Of Shower Filters
by: Vivek Sharma
Imagine yourself having a long and soaking bath in the candlelit bathroom with soft music playing in the background and water is having few drops of your favorite oil. Isn?t a treat for you and majority of the people enjoy this bath too but during that they forget that the water in which they are bathing is not safe. Yes, it has been confirmed by the experts that water is contaminated with various impurities mainly chlorine. Having a bath with chlorinated water usually leads to array of skin and lung related diseases. So in order to avoid these health risks shower filter is there for you. Majority of the populace is unaware that the water with which they are bathing is not safe and carries various germs and bacteria which become the root cause for many diseases. This is when shower filters come in to picture as they not only remove the chlorine from water but also eliminates the bad smell from it.
Shower...
Health Risks Of Shower Filters
Water > Health Risks Of Shower Filters
How Mood and Food Affects Weight Loss
How Mood and Food Affects Weight Loss
by: Gary Gresham
Your mood and food can trigger urges that can cause overeating. Eating for some people can be a way of suppressing or soothing negative emotions. These emotions could be stress, anger, anxiety, boredom, sadness and loneliness.
The connection between mood and food turn these emotional eaters toward comfort foods in times of trouble. They do not necessarily eat more food but they turn to more unhealthy...
hair loss Water
Water > How Mood and Food Affects Weight Loss
Water Hidden Costs of Landscaping patio furniture
How Do Home Furnishing Experts Study An Interior Space?
How Do Home Furnishing Experts Study An Interior Space?
by: Shrinivas Vaidya
Dear friends, have you ever entered an empty room, without any furniture in it. Such a room always looks spacious, but lacks a "personality".
The moment you start adding some furniture, the space starts to attract a face on itself. Depending upon the volume of the objects being put, the space gets altered in a dynamic fashion.
A typical home consists of a living room, bed...
Water How Do Home Furnishing Experts Study An Interior Space? Hidden Costs of Landscaping patio furniture
Water > How Do Home Furnishing Experts Study An Interior Space?
Printing a Panorama at Home
Printing a Panorama at Home
by: Granny's Mettle
When you choose to print your photo panorama-style yourself, here are a few suggestions to help you:
You can use paper larger than your printer specs
The size of the paper depends on the size of the slot in the printer. For most home printers, this slot is limited to either the letter size width or slightly larger. Nevertheless, you have to take note that the letter size length is not limited though...
Water Printing a Panorama at Home photo printers Hidden Costs of Landscaping
Water > Printing a Panorama at Home