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Mycorrhizal Fungi has remained relatively unheard of except for a few serious organic gardening buffs and erosion control professionals, even though it has been around since creation.

In nature trees, plants and grasses flourish without any intervention from man. Think about that for a moment. Consider, our nations great plains, national forests and vast grasslands. How is it that things grow so well without any interference from man? Don’t they understand that they are supposed to have synthetic fertilizer to grow? Silly, I know but isn’t that the way we have been told to think? Want a great lawn? Then spray this chemical on it and make it look green really fast! Want big tomatoes? Then use this miracle growth chemical!

When what was once natural habitat has been disturbed there is a very hard time getting new trees and sod to grow much less flourish. Wonder why that is? When top soil is stripped or cultivated, naturally occurring micro-organisms are wiped out. Vast networks of Mycorrhizal fungi, bacteria, protozoa and nematodes are gone. The results? Newly introduced plants and turf grow stunted and weak. They become targets of disease and insect infestations otherwise known as natural selection. Nature’s way of culling out the weak and ensuring the survival of the fittest.

About this time, someone gets the bright idea to spray some chemicals to make things look nicer. Dead foliage and grass clippings build up into layers of thatch because there is nothing to decompose them naturally. Waterways become polluted with Algae overgrowth due to synthetic fertilizer leeching away. Both animals and humans become exposed to chemicals documented to cause numerous health issues.

We’ve spent over forty years proving that modern chemical farming methods don’t work. They destroy the very soil fertility needed for healthy growth. In turn they supply the market with produce that is practically devoid of nutrition. And just think, you get the added bonus of ingesting chemical residue from all the herbicides and pesticides!

So what do you do? First, get your soil tested and follow the recommendations. This is especially important for those who sow directly into tilled native soil. Your soil test will reveal what the key elements of your soil chemistry are. This is your first step because it helps you determine what needs to be done and in what order. In addition to soil chemistry your test will give a reading for organic matter (OM).

Researchers tell us that up to ninety eight percent of a plants growth comes directly from organic matter. That makes this a very important component when it comes to increasing your soils fertility.

After you balance the soil chemistry and provide organic matter to support basic life it is time to re-introduce Mycorrhizal fungi back into the environment. Now you are well on your way to the most awesome, organic produce you’ve ever grown! There is really nothing difficult about organic gardening. It is simply a matter of working in harmony with nature instead of trying to find a short cut.

About the Author:
Greg Traver writes articles that enable anyone to be a successful organic gardener and reap the benefits. Claim your free copy of the popular text, “Soil Test Analysis Guidelines” available only at => http://www.organic-gardening-for-life.com Copyright 2009 Greg Traver

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Mycorrhizal Fungi has remained relatively unheard of except for a few serious organic gardening buffs and erosion control professionals, even though it has been around since creation.

In nature trees, plants and grasses flourish without any intervention from man. Think about that for a moment. Consider, our nations great plains, national forests and vast grasslands. How is it that things grow so well without any interference from man? Don’t they understand that they are supposed to have synthetic fertilizer to grow? Silly, I know but isn’t that the way we have been told to think? Want a great lawn? Then spray this chemical on it and make it look green really fast! Want big tomatoes? Then use this miracle growth chemical!

When what was once natural habitat has been disturbed there is a very hard time getting new trees and sod to grow much less flourish. Wonder why that is? When top soil is stripped or cultivated, naturally occurring micro-organisms are wiped out. Vast networks of Mycorrhizal fungi, bacteria, protozoa and nematodes are gone. The results? Newly introduced plants and turf grow stunted and weak. They become targets of disease and insect infestations otherwise known as natural selection. Nature’s way of culling out the weak and ensuring the survival of the fittest.

About this time, someone gets the bright idea to spray some chemicals to make things look nicer. Dead foliage and grass clippings build up into layers of thatch because there is nothing to decompose them naturally. Waterways become polluted with Algae overgrowth due to synthetic fertilizer leeching away. Both animals and humans become exposed to chemicals documented to cause numerous health issues.

We’ve spent over forty years proving that modern chemical farming methods don’t work. They destroy the very soil fertility needed for healthy growth. In turn they supply the market with produce that is practically devoid of nutrition. And just think, you get the added bonus of ingesting chemical residue from all the herbicides and pesticides!

So what do you do? First, get your soil tested and follow the recommendations. This is especially important for those who sow directly into tilled native soil. Your soil test will reveal what the key elements of your soil chemistry are. This is your first step because it helps you determine what needs to be done and in what order. In addition to soil chemistry your test will give a reading for organic matter (OM).

Researchers tell us that up to ninety eight percent of a plants growth comes directly from organic matter. That makes this a very important component when it comes to increasing your soils fertility.

After you balance the soil chemistry and provide organic matter to support basic life it is time to re-introduce Mycorrhizal fungi back into the environment. Now you are well on your way to the most awesome, organic produce you’ve ever grown! There is really nothing difficult about organic gardening. It is simply a matter of working in harmony with nature instead of trying to find a short cut.

About the Author:
Greg Traver writes articles that enable anyone to be a successful organic gardener and reap the benefits. Claim your free copy of the popular text, “Soil Test Analysis Guidelines” available only at => http://www.organic-gardening-for-life.com Copyright 2009 Greg Traver

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Your investment in the landscaping of your entire outdoor paradise has lead up to this moment. You’ve worked hard to bring every aspect of your garden together, turning the great outdoors into your personal theme park, installed sprinklers to make sure its green all year round, and even installed that pond that everyone thought was a little extreme in nature. With your moat intact, you have all the elements but one to complete your garden – you still need to get a garden bridge.

You’ve never heard of a garden bridge? Or maybe you didn’t even know that these specialty items were even built for the end consumer? In the words of those more famous than I: Believe it! Garden bridges are one of the most charming accents you can add to your garden, because of their uniqueness and rarity they offer your outdoor escape.

With your patio set intact, you’re still unsure that you really have use for a garden bridge. Yes, you have your luxury patio furniture on the deck, and your grill ready to go…why exactly would you need a bridge to tie everything in together? By knowing the charm and fun that a garden bridge can add to your back yard, you may be inclined to think twice about what it can do for you.

Bridges of any kind are used to connect two areas of land separated by a natural (or in some cases, man-made) gap, in order to move people and items from point a to point b with the least possible resistance. While your garden bridge is not necessarily made to connect two land masses of epic proportions, it can bring a newfound charm to your garden that you would not otherwise find. For instance, your backyard may have a man-made creek, that feeds into a pond. Why not use a bridge to connect both sides of the creek? By doing this, you will not only allow a shortcut for your guests to cut across your garden with, but you will also provide a unique and fun perspective for you and your guests to watch the water go by on a lazy summer afternoon.

Maybe you’re looking for the right piece to tie together your entire garden with your patio and home. For instance, perhaps your outdoor furniture has a Far East feel about it, but your garden screams “contemporary America.” This is the perfect application for a garden bridge to bring all the pieces together. Bridges come in a variety of styles and variations, and can commonly be built to custom order – or at least can be decorated to fit the feeling of the entire garden. So if you have a garden that doesn’t fit your patio furniture (like the Far East patio furniture in a Near West garden), use one to “bridge” the pieces together: a garden bridge built with a Japanese architecture influence will help marry your garden and outdoor furniture harmoniously.

While they may seem extraneous at first, knowing the aesthetic benefits of a garden bridge justify the investment. And depending on how your garden is developed, placing a bridge can be the missing factor that brings your entire landscape together.

About the Author:
Joseph Kortez is a freelance writer with diverse interests including home and garden, outdoor furniture and backyard living, http://www.cedarwoodfurniture.com/gardenbridges.html with an emphasis on garden bridges. As a media professional, his work has been featured on CNN and the CBS Evening News. He currently writes for http://www.cedarwoodfurniture.com/ Adams Cedar Company.

Keyword tags: Garden, Bridge, Patio, Furniture, Outdoor, Cedar, Cypress, Pine, Plastic, Resin, Wood, Pond, Creek

After assessing your backyard’s future needs for expansion, you have decided that a garden bridge is the next logical item needed in your garden’s progression. But you’re worried that it won’t serve the right purpose that you want it to fill. For instance, how are your parents and other elders visiting your home going to get across without a handrail? And what about children, running amok on your bridge, and jumping into the gorge beneath – how will they be affected by your decision in new décor? Will they see it as more of a launch pad or a level place of reflection?

Many of the garden bridges you have seen on the market don’t usually come with hand rails – making you rather weary of creating landscaping that will justify putting one up in the first place. If the garden bridge you want doesn’t come with several standard safety features recommended, you can always add on to them with a little know how, and some good old American work ethic. A little research never hurt, as well.

When considering your garden bridge purchase, consider how wide it will need to be in order to be effective for your guests. If your normal visitors are able-bodied children and adults, a standard width bridge of 35 inches should work well. If your guests include the elderly, or those in wheelchairs or other disabilities, you may want to consider buying a wider bridge, with at least 44 inches of clearance across. This will ensure that all of your guests will be able to enjoy your new feature with ease. Also, consider the maximum weight load your garden bridge will be able to accommodate. Depending on what materials your garden bridge is made of, it will be able to hold different maximum weights. And added apparatuses to your guests will weigh them down, putting them at risk if you buy the wrong bridge. Determine what weight threshold is appropriate for you, and then purchase accordingly.

Next, (for continuity sake, if nothing else), determine what your garden bridge is made out of. Many garden bridges are made out of some sort of lumber material – be it pine, fir, cedar, or otherwise. Many home improvement stores can match the woods your garden bridges are made of, and recommend the right screws and fastening materials to make your hand rails out of. If you’re looking for a more exotic wood, the home improvement store should be able to point you in the right direction as to where you can get it. If they can not, open the phone book and start calling around to lumber yards around the area – they may be able to point you in the right direction.

Once you have your materials, its time to start measuring how high you need your garden bridge hand rails to be. If you are just keeping kids from jumping off the bridge and into the gorge or pond underneath, your hand rails do not need to be much higher than 12 inches to 20 inches. Many manufacturers consider foot-high rails to be nothing more than decorative additions to your bridge, so think about who exactly you are keeping on your path. The bigger the children, the higher you want your handrails to be. If you are looking for handrails for adults and the elderly to use while they cross over, then you will need to install rails that are at least 35 inches high, or higher. 35 inch high rails are the bare minimum to keep your guests walking across in comfort, while being effective as well; anything lower than that would be a fancy way to keep horse play off your garden bridge.

While buying a garden bridge can be a difficult decision, knowing how to make it safe can ease your mind in your purchase. By knowing how to make it accessible and safe for all your guests, you will be ensuring your investment for years to come.

About the Author:
Joseph Kortez is a freelance writer with diverse interests including home and garden, outdoor furniture and backyard living, http://www.cedarwoodfurniture.com/gardenbridges.html with an emphasis on garden bridges. As a media professional, his work has been featured on CNN and the CBS Evening News. He currently writes for http://www.cedarwoodfurniture.com/ Adams Cedar Company.

Keyword tags: Garden, Bridge, Patio, Furniture, Outdoor, Cedar, Cypress, Pine, Plastic, Resin, Wood, Pond, Creek

So after weighing all the options, plans, and ideas, you’ve decided that the next thing you need to complete your garden is the good old fashioned garden bridge. You’ve built your entire landscaping method around adding a bridge to your backyard, and only fate will keep you from incorporating this into your outdoor paradise. The only problem is you have no idea what your garden bridge needs to be made of. And with so many options out there, who knows what is best for your needs. How can you be sure that you’re getting the best investment for your money?

With the variations in construction of garden bridges out there, the best investment starts with doing the correct homework. Knowing what to expect, combined with where you live and the environmental hazards that go with your new decoration will ensure you’re getting the right thing at the right price.

One of the biggest things to remember is that garden bridges are not as easy to bring in during the winter months as the rest of your outdoor furniture. In some cases, once placed, your decorum becomes one with the land. This is something to consider when debating which one to purchase: not all materials handle the heat, rain, snow, dirt and debris as well as others. Furthermore, some materials are best to handle one situation or climate than others. Think very carefully before moving forward with a plan of action on how this will affect your bridge.

Now that you have debated the elemental problems that will plague your garden bridge, its time to consider the attack from below – how bugs will affect the use and life of your garden bridge. That’s right – bugs. Unlike the rest of your patio furniture, garden bridges spend their life attached directly to the ground, offering a home for pests of all seasons. Be careful of termites and other pests making a nice nest out of your garden bridge, as it will eventually be a health and safety hazard to your friends and family, and destroying the long life of a decoration you thought you would cherish for years to come.

With the weather and indigenous pests in mind, it is now time to consider what you want your garden bridge to be made out of. Three of the most popular choices of materials include cypress, cedar, and plastics. Cypress and cedar bridges give the charm and warmth that only wooden bridges can – they bring back memories of a simpler time, when trains and carriages crossed covered wooden bridges. These are excellent choices as well because of their density, the hardness of the woods, and their natural resistance to pests. Both cypress and cedar can withstand the harsh elements, and bring you joy throughout the year. Meanwhile, bridges made of plastics can last just as long, and guarantee you will not be dealing with a pest problem anytime soon. Made of recycled and synthetic materials, plastics will make sure you will be getting the best of your investment for years to come.

While getting a garden bridge seems like one of the hardest investments you will make, knowing what goes in them, and why they are a good choice for your home does not. A little homework on the right stuff will make your investment go a long way.

About the Author:
Joseph Kortez is a freelance writer with diverse interests including home and garden, outdoor furniture and backyard living, http://www.cedarwoodfurniture.com/gardenbridges.html with an emphasis on garden bridges. As a media professional, his work has been featured on CNN and the CBS Evening News. He currently writes for http://www.cedarwoodfurniture.com/ Adams Cedar Company.

Keyword tags: Garden, Bridge, Patio, Furniture, Outdoor, Cedar, Cypress, Pine, Plastic, Resin, Wood, Pond, Creek

A weed eater is a great tool for trimming hard to reach areas on your lawn. Learn more about this wonderful garden equipment.

Weed eaters are usually used in house environments and for landscaping purposes. Weed eaters should be used within the recommendation of manufacturers. They are designed to trim hard to reach areas like around and corner fences or posts where mowers cannot reach. It also used to cut down overgrown grasses and plants.

Weed eaters all basically function the same way but just differ mainly in power sources. It also comes in different sizes, power ranges and prices. Weed eaters can be electric powered, running on batteries, or powered on gas/oil.

Those powered by batteries have become popular since modern technology has greatly improved the life of batteries. Battery weed eaters reduce air and noise pollution. It is easy to use and more flexible in small areas or tight spaces. The lack of power cords makes this equipment easier to manipulate and handle.

An electric weed eater is great for lesser weeding tasks. Corded electric weed eaters are popular for people who have small areas or yards. It does not need high maintenance and is not irritating to the ears as compared to gas weed eaters. These machines are plugged to a power outlet.

The “walk” behind weed eaters is usually used for trimming and mowing landscaped lawns. It is great for areas that usual weed eater cannot handle. “Walks” behind weed eater are design to reduce back stress. Commonly, “walks” behind weed eaters are equipped with six horsepower engines for manicured lawns and in order to maneuver rugged landscapes with ease.

There are numerous manufacturers of weed eaters such as Echo, Poulan, Toro, Homelite, Shindaiwa and John Deere as well as Honda, Feather Line, Craftsman, Troy-Bilt, Ryobi and Husqvarna. Echo is one of the top manufacturers of weed eaters. It features a full line of equipments from brush cutters and weed eaters to Edger’s and chain saws, along with a complement of products such as QuickVent saws, sprayers, Power Pruners, Shreds ‘N’ Vac. Echo manufacturers are deemed as the world best commercial-grade weed eater and trimmer.

There are also discounted stores that sell weed eaters at reasonably prices. You can also obtain weed eaters at reasonable prices from manufacturers that have old stocks. You can also visit some online sites that sell weed eaters.

Use weed eaters properly always. Determine the type of weed eater that suits your requirements and work setup. There is no type superior from the other. It is just a matter of what will work better for you. If a power outlet is nowhere near your work area, then it might be better to get a battery powered or gas powered unit.

For sculpting, landscaping and small yards around flowerbeds, consider a battery-powered weed eater or electric weed eater. Gas weed eaters provide excellent power and works well with any project, either small or large types.

Outline on a plan for using weed eaters. If you have a large yard, decide where you are going to start with your weed eating task. For contouring and flowerbeds, use chalk to outline the perimeter.

Protect yourself before you start the project by using the weed eaters. This is since weed eaters have a tendency to throw debris and objects back to you. Wear the right protective clothing like long pants, long-sleeved shirts and safety eye goggles.

Start your weed eater. For battery-powered weed eaters, make sure you have extra batteries or the battery is fully charged. For electric weed eaters, find an accommodation of electrical outlets and utilize an extension cord to the entire project. This is in order hinder any delay or stoppage of the work in progress. With gas-powered weed eaters, use the right blend of oil and gas, as required by numerous weed eater manufacturers.

Make equal sweeping movements with your weed eater to get a more or less uniformed result.

About the Author:
For more information on Electric Weed Eaters and Battery Powered Weed Eaters please visit our website.
http://www.weed-eaters.net/electric.html &
http://www.weed-eaters.net/battery.html

Keyword tags: gas weed eater, battery-powered weed eater, electric weed eater, weed eaters, getting rid of weeds,

The most popular grass in the world is the Bermuda. There are many advantages in growing Bermuda grass. Let us know the basics of this unique plant.

Bermuda grass belongs to the Cynodon family. It is almost seen anywhere and that is why this is the most popular grass. Bermuda is a superior type of grass. It is drought resistant compared to other grasses. It can stand the full heat of the sun. It grows in any kind of soils. It does not require much maintenance.

Bermuda grows easily, and his highly resistant to changing weather conditions. It is a very tough plant that it requires little maintenance. A lawn grown with Bermuda can be a very good turf. It leaves a lush green color all year round. Its economical seeds grow on any climate. This is the reason why it grows in many areas.

Most types of grass are sensitive, but the Bermuda is different. It has a degree of tolerance from insects and other diseases. It does not easily wither even in times of drought. Its roots are very extensive underneath, that even if there is drought, the roots are able to sip water many feet under the ground.

Bermuda grass grows best at summer time with 65 to 75 degrees temperature. This is an important requirement next to the soil which should be moist. Make sure the lawn is watered properly and regularly after planting the seeds. Strictly monitor the soil temperature because soil has drastic temperature change and can adversely affect the germination of Bermuda grass.

Toil the area before planting the seeds. This involves removing all unwanted elements may hinder the growth of the Bermuda. Bury the seeds at just the right depth for the grass to start growing faster. Also make sure that the seeds are spread apart uniformly. Do not crowd the seeds too much or they will not receive the appropriate sunlight or water. Bermuda grass takes 60 to 90 days to complete germination.

Weed the lawn once in a while as just a part of your maintenance.

Bermuda grass can practically be grown anywhere. But it is advised to follow the ideal specifications of a lawn. Maintain a proper grass height of around 1.5 inches. If it is too high, the water might find it hard to reach down on the soils. A tall grass will also be housed by insects and pests. It may also block the sunlight that these grasses need.

Mow the grass at least once every two weeks to maintain a proper grass height. Your mower should have a sharp blade so it can cut even the thickest grass. Your lawn should have a perfect draining system also or it will cause flooding. This will be very bad for the grass.

Create a watering schedule. Avoid over watering to avoid fungus. Under watering is also not good. It will require more frequent watering on summer days when water easily evaporates. On rainy days you can reduce the watering schedule.

You know you are over seeding when the grass that is growing is thinner. Reduce the amount of seeds planted when this happens.

These are most important things you need to know in order to have a healthy and greener Bermuda. These may be simple to look but when applying, it can be complex. Follow these and you can be assured of a nice lawn or garden. Develop your lawn now and enjoy the green feelings that these grass can offer you. Live a fresh background for it can give you good health that you need.

The fruits of your labor will be a beautiful forage in your garden. Your children can play on the grass and learn to appreciate nature at an early age.

About the Author:
For more information on What Does Bermuda Grass Looks Like? and Getting Rid of Bermuda grass please visit our website. http://www.bermuda-grass.net/lookslike.html & http://www.bermuda-grass.net/getting-rid-of.html

Keyword tags: PH neutralizing fertilizers, Cynodon family, soil moisture, water schedule, weeding

A Bermuda grass in your lawns is very appealing in many ways. This type of grass reproduces through different seeds and they are also common in cemeteries.

Bermuda grass can be placed in your garden. They survive well in dry conditions. In the United States, Bermuda grass was introduced from plantings of Bermuda. This particular grass became a famous type grown in lawns, especially in the southern part of the United States. It rapidly recovers from damages, like cutting. Its resilient characteristics make this grass the perfect option for lawns.

Bermuda grass also tends to grow well even in poor soil. Its long roots can make it difficult to tear it down without the application of herbicides. Bermuda grass is also known as Cynodon Dactylon. This type of grass is an early succession to the ional grass.

Bermuda reproduces through rhizomes and runners as well as through seeds. The seed’s heads are about 1 to 3 inch spikes and are 2 inches long. It produces seeds approximately 3 months after planting. The seeds sprout at a given temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit and it starts to grow within 1 to 2 weeks.

Bermuda grass is considered as a very competitive and invasive weed. A small number of herbicides are successful against it. Before the mechanized farm machinery, Bermuda grass was the farmers’ worst weed. It was the most largely grown turf and posture grass in the South. It is highly nutritional for cattle and it can be fed to the sheep.

A Bermuda grows well in transition, including subtropical and tropical areas because it grows in very hot temperatures and it works great in full sunlight. It also grows well in almost any type of soil such as clays and sands.

This grass can be classified into many types. The hybrid Bermuda grass requires effort, money and time to become established. On the other hand, normal Bermuda grass is easy to establish.

Garden areas occupied by Bermuda grass can be sprayed with herbicide that contains fluazifop such as Grass-B-Gone. This herbicide kills only grass and it is successful when it is applied while the grass is still small. Herbicides can also be sprayed over flowers and shrubs, starting in the early stages when the Bermuda grass is just starting to thrive. Several applications over the years are typically needed for control.

Implementing the right care for one’s Bermuda grass like proper watering and mowing can help the Bermuda grass grow healthy and strong. It also ensures its maintenance even during difficult weather conditions. This can be seen if it remains green throughout the year.

Follow a systematic process when planting Bermuda grass. The first step to do when planting Bermuda grass is to have the lawn prepared. Take away some weed traces by actually tilling the land. Use herbicide to kill all traces of weed in the lawn and then leave it for about 2 weeks in order for the soil to gain its basic balance.

Make sure that all earlier grass and weeds are completely removed in order considerably reduce the weeding problem. The next step is to level the lawn and add some PH neutralizing fertilizers in order to ensure that grass can grow really green and healthy. One pound nitrogen fertilizers can be effective for about 1,000 square feet. Higher soil fertility is essential for lush gardens. The phosphorous fertilizer should be applied three to four times in a year.

Plant the seeds of the Bermuda grass. Sprigs or sods can also produce hybrid Bermuda grass. Spread the seeds of the Bermuda grass in a right angle fashion. Plant it gently, putting not much inside the soil. And last, moist the soil sufficiently, and apply some fertilizer regularly.

About the Author:
For more information on Bermuda Grass and Lawn and Yard care services in Missouri please visit our website. http://www.bermuda-grass.net & http://www.bermuda-grass.net/missouri-24.html

Keyword tags: hybrid Bermuda grass, normal Bermuda grass, Bermuda grass, grass

Contemporary landscape architecture is characterized by a subjective determination to sculpt the landscape into spaces that reflect the human living experience. It develops these spaces with respect to Nature, and in some way or another always works to create a relationship between architecture and the contemporary landscape. Contemporary landscape architecture can be used either unify architecture and the surrounding landscape, or it can be utilized to starkly contrast the differences between the two. The exact nature of the relationship is always determined by the project itself, its location, and the type of environment being worked in. Because it flows along the lines of contemporary design in general, and because of its highly subjective characteristics, contemporary landscape architecture can be found in almost any setting where the experience of living itself is used to create forms and structures outdoors.

When attempting to visualize a clear differentiation between contemporary landscape architecture and more traditional forms of landscaping design, think infrastructure. Facilities such as libraries, hospitals, corporate campuses, civic centers, academic institutions, and sports stadiums all create a human experience characteristic of the urban living experience. Any open spaces that are not technically inside these buildings are then developed into planned environments that improve the quality of human life through manipulation of natural forms and outdoor spaces. Traditional landscaping seeks to emphasize and sculpt the beauty of Nature for the purposes of human appreciation. This is predicated on the belief that Nature itself offers a certain spiritual, emotional, or aesthetic meaning to life itself. Contemporary landscape architecture, on the other hand, is far more Existential and seeks to create only forms that are based on some practical function dedicated to improving the quality of life.

This is not the first time such a mindset has taken hold in a society. The idea of mirroring the human experience in natural forms goes back to the Roman Empire, where civil engineering and outdoor projects were used to build an infrastructure that united the entire Mediterranean coast into a single cultural entity. Wherever the Romans went, they built their arenas, amphitheaters, gymnasiums, aqueducts, roads, and temples as reflections of themselves. Even in the rural parts of Spain and Gaul, agricultural regions were landscaped into Roman-style villas and estates to remind conquered people that man was the master of Nature, and that Rome was the master of all men. Pure lovers of Nature, (both then and now), find this concept distasteful, and prefer tend to gravitate instead toward more aesthetic forms of landscape design whose forms represent states of mind rather than functions that serve humanity. This is why we see very little contemporary landscape architecture around private residences, but an almost universal adherence to its utilitarian principles in any public setting where civil engineers and planners have decided to integrate the natural world into human life itself, allowing people to experience the landscape on uniquely human terms. Movement through the landscape is encouraged as much as possible. Clean lines in gardens and low-growth trees help put the landscape on more of what you might call an eye-level experience for human beings that makes them feel comfortable and confident when walking through outdoor areas like city plazas, parks, and streets.

Because of the need to bring contemporary architecture into unity with the landscape itself, variety of species in plantings is frequently replaced with geometry as a means of mirroring the structural features of buildings. By contrasting only a few plant materials and low-growth trees with linear bed lines and stark geometric designs, the contemporary landscape architect can take a single open space and convert it into many blocks of form and space, woven together, much like a building containing hallways and rooms with specific lines of movement and specific functions and unique experiences contained therein.

About the Author:
Jeff Halper is passionate for Landscape and wants to share information about that passion. http://www.exteriorworlds.com

Keyword tags: Contemporary landscape architecture, modern landscape design

A type of garden structure, a garden arch helps turn a mundane garden into a masterpiece. It is one of the ways a homeowner-gardener expresses a belief that their living environment includes the sum total of their property—not just the four walls of the house. It says that beauty and form are important to the people who live here. By adding shape, texture and variety to your home landscape design, a garden arch provides practicality, an acknowledgement of time’s passage, a visual metaphor, mood and whimsy.

A Garden Arch: Placement and Shapes

Sometimes used interchangeably with the term “garden arbors,” outdoor arches are classic architectural shapes that are often used near the doorway to a garden or home. When placed in a series, they mark a special spot, as when used to cover the pathway to a garden gazebo. If you have a flat yard, they can create vertical dimensions in your landscape. When paired with a gate, they simply say, “Come in—welcome.” You can include them in your patio design or deck design, let one be the entrance to an outdoor room, or use one as a focal point in a small garden design. Whether you designate them as pure decoration or put them to work, arches can support vegetables, fruits, vines or climbing roses.

Outdoor arches come in many shapes. A list would include:

• Traditional French shape. Monet’s gardens in Giverny, France have made this shape famous for outdoor arches. There, the central alley is covered by climbing roses supported by iron arches. These arches have a flat profile, making them work well for wider spans.

• Roman arches. These arches are larger in both height and width and, when used in a row or series, almost give the appearance of a loggia or pergola. When covered with flowering vines, you can create a softscape made of green plant material, interesting texture, color and fragrance. Consider combining Roman arches with an outdoor water fountain or outdoor sculpture.

• Gothic style. Festooned with hoops, finials, swirls and twirls, this style fits perfectly in an English garden design.

• Fruit tree arches. Sturdy and practical, these arches can be used with small fruit trees and bushes. For instance, a fruit tree can be planted on either side of the arch and trained to meet at the top.

A Garden Arch: Materials

Many decisions will go into your material selection—style, hardiness and budget. You will also want to consider your other hardscape selections and make sure all looks are well-coordinated. Here are some of your options:

• Galvanized steel arches. Unmatched in strength and longevity.

• Copper arches. Providing exceptional beauty and durability. Works well in a Japanese garden design.

• Wood arches. Eco-friendly wood makes stunning outdoor arches in simple and complex shapes.

• Wrought iron arches. A classic choice.

• Vinyl arches. They have the look of painted wood, but will not warp, crack or rot. They look good and, with proper construction, will last a long time.

About the Author:
Jeff Halper is passionate for Landscape and wants to share information about that passion. http://www.exteriorworlds.com

Keyword tags: garden arch