When it comes to designing your outdoor space, there are a few landscaping ideas you can follow to take your yard’s beauty to a whole new level. These tips and tricks are easy to follow and are cost-effective.
On top of that, you can add tremendous value to your yard if you follow these landscaping ideas. This blog post will serve you as a guide to enhancing your backyard’s curb appeal. Keep reading.
 5 Landscaping Tips and Tricks for BeginnersHere are five landscaping tips and tricks you need to keep in mind if you want to take your yard’s beauty to the next level:
1.Make a ListOne of the first steps you need to take is to decide what you want and need from your yard. You will need to figure out whether you want to use your outdoor space as a children’s play area or for growing your favorite vegetables and herbs.
Make a list of your needs and draw a rough sketch of how everything will fit together. This will help you clear any confusion. Once the list is created, use it as a starting point for your project.
2.Keep Location in MindOnce you’ve decided what you’ll need from your outdoor space, the next essential step is to study the location (the wind and sun patterns). Keep in mind that placing a patio on the west of your house will face a lot of sunlight, which means dinnertime in summers might be sweltering.
 This will also allow the wind (whistling around the corner) to quickly extinguish a fire pit. These are common landscaping mistakes many beginners make. Therefore, you must avoid them to ensure your landscaping process goes smoothly.
3.Use Young Plants and ShrubsIt’s no secret that people are usually more interested in buying mature plants and flowers because of their visual appeal. However, they don’t realize that mature and young plants only differ in terms of their price tag.
Therefore, it’s better to pick younger plants if you want to save a significant amount of money. Also, young plants will grow faster than mature plants.
4.Install a PergolaInstalling a pergola on your property is a fantastic way to protect your loved ones from the harmful UV rays. Pergolas also add outstanding value to your yard's curb appeal. In addition, you can add some curtains if you want extra shade.
5.Add an Outdoor RugYou can enhance your backyard’s curb appeal by adding an outdoor rug to your patio space. This cost-effective trick will take your backyard’s beauty to a new level. Moreover, this will help you give your outdoor space a pop of attractive color and transform it without needing to paint your deck.  
Final WordsUpgrading your outdoor space is straightforward and cost-effective, provided you follow a few simple landscaping tips and tricks. You can start by making a list of what you want and need from your yard. You can further add young plants, a pergola, and an outdoor rug to transform your backyard. If you’re unsure about designing your outdoor space, reach out to Red Mountain Landscaping for top-notch consultation and services.

The weather all over Arizona differs from area to area. So, it is essential that you understand the weather dynamics of your region and then research which type of grass is best suited to grow in that particular area within that time.
The grass in the mountainous region will vary significantly from the grass grown in the desert region. Similarly, the grass grown in summers will be different from the grass in winters. With this many variations, you’ll have to take recommendations from your local landscaping company but at the same time, knowing all you can about the seeds is essential as well.
If you’ve always dreamed of having a luscious garden, here’s your step-by-step guide to growing grass. Follow the steps to enjoy a brand-new look in your garden.
1- Remove the Old GrassThe first step is to remove any weeds and the old sod from its roots. You’ll have to use a digging fork to loosen the soil. This is essential to get a new and clean base to start your project. Doing this will let the new grass grow easily and quickly.
2- Tend to the Grading IssuesAfter the soil has been cleared, you should consider addressing the grading issues next. Use the services of a landscaping contractor to fill and level the low spots. They will use a half-and-half mixture of sand and good-quality topsoil as a filling material.
3 - Improve the Quality of SoilThe landscaping contractors run soil tests to check the requirements of each soil type. This lets them assess the necessary intervention needed for the optimal growth of grass seeds. Depending upon the test results, organic matter, sulfur, or fertilizer is worked into the soil using a power tiller. Doing this helps with drainage and nutrient distribution.
4 – Rake it till SmoothThe next step is to level the soil with a landscaping rake, getting it ready for replanting. You’ll also have to remove any stones that tilling might have loosened here. Sprinkle the soil with water, not letting any puddles form on the lawn. After the soil has dried, use a roller to level the soil and develop a solid base. This is necessary because seeds cannot grow in loose soil.
5 – Start Planting the SeedsTwo days before the planting takes place, water the area to get it ready. Sow the grass seeds evenly and smoothen the surface with a roller so the new roots can grab onto the soil easily.
6 – Water the LawnGrass seeds need heat, sunlight, and moisture for germination. If you overwater the seeds, it’ll lead to little or no germination, and lack of proper watering will dry out the seeds in the initial weeks of growth.
7 - Take Care of Your New SproutsGrass seeds require 2 to 3 weeks for germination. When the seeds start sprouting, keep an eye on the lawn. Mow the grass shoots when their length reaches 1 ½ inches. Fertilize your new lawn after six weeks or as recommended by your landscaping contractors.
ConclusionPlanting a new lawn might seem easy, but it takes considerable skill, research, and effort. You’re better off trusting professional landscapers to help you renew your garden.

The demand for artificial landscaping has brought with it an improvement in the quality of artificial turf. The turf of now has come a long way and can easily be confused with the real thing. Artificial turfs used to be more common in areas that receive limited rainfall or experience drought. Nowadays, they offer an easy option to enjoy outdoors without constantly having to mow, fertilize, water, and weed your garden.
 Benefits of Artificial Turf Landscaping1.Cost-Effective Natural grass requires a lot of care to keep it alive and fresh. With artificial turf, you save that money for maintenance and spend relaxing weekends without having to worry about mowing and upkeeping. No paying for landscapers, less water consumption, no more expenses on fertilizers, and fuel/battery for lawnmowers are a few of the most obvious advantages of swapping natural grass with its artificial counterpart.
2.Eco-friendly OptionNatural grass lawns are prone to insects, molds, and plant diseases, leaving you with no other option than to use pesticides. Artificial turf is eco-friendly. It reduces the dangers of pesticides and their effect on people and the rest of the environment. Additionally, the raw material used for manufacturing and the recycling done during manufacturing and installation of the turf plays their part in maintaining environmental sustainability.
3.Health BenefitsThe grass is one of the main culprits of seasonal allergies. Many people are allergic to the pollen that comes from the grasses. A runny or stuffy nose, itchy throat, and puffy eyes are the common symptoms of these allergies. An artificial turf lets you breathe freely without risking your health while you enjoy the green outdoors.
4.Water ConsumptionInstallation of artificial grass drastically reduces your water usage. It requires less water to keep up the appearance of fresh turf. You’ll need to hose down the turf once in a while to keep it looking clean, but that’s about it. Less water usage means you’re playing your part in sustaining this important resource.
5.Property ValueAll of the above-mentioned factors combine to add value to your property. The lack of detailed maintenance and low water expenses are especially the reasons why new house buyers will find the artificial turf at your property more appealing. Who doesn’t want to spend their summers lounging in the greenery without worrying about spending time and money over landscaping costs?
Final ThoughtsArtificial grass, reserved for sports fields in the past, is now a beautiful option for any home or office due to its evergreen color and natural-looking effect. The fact that your synthetic lawn will still look as fresh in 5 years as it looks now without having to battle weeds and pests for any day is enough incentive to call a trusted landscaping company and get a quote today!

Winter is a challenging time of the year for your yard. The dry, cool weather is not one of the best seasons to work in your garden. But don't give up. In this post, we share eight winter landscaping tips that will help you keep your yard look great throughout the year.
#1. Know Your Plant Hardiness ZonePerhaps the most critical winter landscaping tip is to know your plant hardiness zone. The U.S. Department of Agriculture shares a climatic map that allows you to choose the plants that best grow within your zone. Find out more about your plant hardiness zone here.
#2: Keep Your Plants HydratedMany homeowners assume that your plants don’t need water when the weather gets cold. That’s a mistake because a plant always needs water regardless of the season. Make sure to water your plants regularly throughout the winter season.
#3. Don’t Forget to RakeWhile you may always rake during the fall, it’s always a good idea to continue to rake your lawns and gardens during the winter season as well. By regularly raking your lawn, you can get rid of the plant debris that builds up and may also accumulate with snow as well.
#4. Fertilize Your LawnAs your plant needs water, they also need fertilizer throughout the winter season. Make sure to fertilize your lawn with a fertilizer rich in phosphorous, nitrogen, and potassium and put it in the ground before the first freeze of the season. You may not see the results during the winter season, but you can definitely enjoy the greens during the spring season that follows.
#5. Mulch Your Garden and Tree BedsMany homeowners do not know that mulch is an excellent insulator. It helps protect your tree roots against frost. And if you don't want to spend on mulch or are looking for organic mulch, try storing the dry leaves you raked up in the fall and use them as mulch by the winter.
#6. Keep Grass ShortAnother winter landscaping tip that can help you maintain your yard during the winter season is to keep the grass short. When you keep the grass shorter (between 1 and 2 inches), you reduce the risk of snow mold frostbite. Moreover, shorter grass also prevents the risk of mice digging a nest in the grass as winter approaches.
#7. Plant Winter Trees and FlowersWith the USDA plant hardiness map information, find out plants and trees that can thrive in the winter season according to your zone.
#8. Prune TreesLast on the list of winter landscaping tips is pruning your trees. When most trees' leaves are gone during the winter season, you can easily spot the damaged branches and trim them for a healthier and stronger tree in the coming spring.
For more tips on winter landscaping, get in touch with Red Mountain Landscaping.We are a full-service landscape design and maintenance company that can handle all your landscaping needs. Call now at 480-373-9312 or request a free estimate here.