Having a garden with a slope can be a problem, but there are many ways that you can make the most of it and create something beautiful. From waterfalls to layered flowerbeds, the opportunities are endless.
Here’s some garden slope design inspiration for transforming your steep garden into a tranquil paradise. We would recommend contacting a landscaper for professional advice, if you would like to speak to one of our BuzzGrass approved landscapers, contact them here.
Stepping Stones
Adding a path or stepping stones can help you to move freely up and down your garden, as well as creating a centrepiece to plant around. You can use slabs, rocks or even gravel to create the steps. For an added touch, you can add lighting under each step – perfect for evenings in the garden.
Taking care of your garden may seem daunting, but there are plenty of plants and flowers which require minimal effort. You can grow them in flower beds, hanging baskets or large pots. Why not take a trip to your local garden centre and have a look for these easy plants for beginners?
10 Easy Plants To Grow Outside
1. Pansies
The history of the Pansy flower originates all the way back to the 4th Century B.C in Greece. These were recorded as a flower called Violas plants, where Wild Pansies have stemmed from. Interestingly, all Pansies are Violas but not all Violas are Pansies.
You should plant your pansies in late spring in a spot with full sunlight. Water the flowers once or twice per week, depending on the heat. Pansies flourish in moist, well-drained soil, and should be planted 15cm apart to allow room for the roots to grow.
2. Sunflower
Sunflowers are known for producing oil and seeds, as well as being a colourful addition to your garden. They are native to the Americas and it is the state flower of Kansas. The tallest sunflower on record was 30 feet tall, which is almost two times the height of a giraffe.
Plant your sunflowers from mid-April to May in direct sunlight. Water several times per week for your flowers to grow tall. Once they have grown a meter tall, add some supports to help the stalk. In autumn once the flower has died, you can dry out the seeds in a conservatory and save them for next spring.
3. Marigolds
Marigolds originated in Mexico and are the flower of The Day of The Dead. It is believed that their vibrant colours and fragrance help to guide the spirits to their alters. They are also used in Diwali, the festival of lights, as a representation of new beginnings.
Plant the marigolds in spring for a colourful and bright garden throughout summer. Ensure they are in direct sunlight or dappled shade. The soil must be well-drained, as the flowers prefer a drier soil. Only water them once the topsoil is dry.
4. Peonies
Peonies are native to Asia, Europe and Western North America, and are the flower used to celebrate 12th wedding anniversaries. They are commonly known as a symbol of good fortune and come in every colour – except for blue.
Peonies can be planted anytime between October and March. They flourish in full sunlight and the soil must be well-drained. Peonies are perennials which mean they come back every year – perfect for beginners.
5. Lavender
The name “lavender” originates from the Latin verb “lavare”, which means “to wash”. Lavender was an important part of bathing rituals in ancient Rome because of its antiseptic properties. It is believed that the ancient Egyptians used lavender as perfume.
Plant lavender in April or May in well-drained soil. Lavender thrives in full sunlight and the bright flowers will attract honey bees to your garden. It is an evergreen shrub which produces flowers between July and September. With proper care, it will survive for years to come.
6. Snapdragon
The Snapdragon is named after its resemblance to the face of a dragon, which opens and closes when squeezed. They are native to Europe, the United States, and North Africa and come in a variety of different species and colours.
Plant your Snapdragon in April for a summer bloom. They love full sunlight and well-drained soil. Snapdragons are quite resilient and can bloom in cool spring temperatures if cared for.
7. Fuchsias
The Fuchsia originates from Chile, Argentina and Mexico and was named after famous German botanist Leonhart Fuchs. They are the favourite flower of hummingbirds due to their bright colour. The berries from fuchsia plants can be used to make jam, or can be sprinkled across salads.
Plant your Fuchsias in Spring in a spot with dappled shade. Ensure the soil is moist and well-drained – hanging planters are perfect as the soil can drain easily. In warmer countries, Fuchsias are perennials and will come back every year. However, in cooler climates such as the UK, they are most likely planted annually for the Spring and Summer months.
8. Cosmos
Cosmos flowers originated in Mexico, and are named after the Greek word for “a balanced universe”. They belong to the same family as the Daisy, and the Chocolate Cosmos species smells like chocolate and vanilla.
Plant Cosmos in June or July in full sunlight. They need protection from the wind, so try to plant them against a fence or a wall. Water them regularly, but be cautious as over-watering can lead to fewer flowers. The plants are quite tolerant once they have been cultivated, with some species being perennials, meaning they will reappear every year.
9. Eschscholzia (Californian Poppy)
The Eschscholzia, or Californian Poppy, originates in the United States and Mexico. Not only are these flowers vibrant and beautiful, but they are also used in a variety of modern medicines.
The Californian Poppy should initially be planted in early Spring, however, they are self-propagating and will return every year. The poppies flourish in full sunlight in well-drained soil. Be aware that they may spread across your flower bed, as they blow easily in the wind.
10. Geranium
The Geranium flower falls under the Pelargonium genus, which includes around 200 species of flowers and shrubs. They are sometimes referred to as “Crane’s Bill” flowers, due to their long, elongated seed pods.
The Geranium should be planted once spring has begun, as they must be protected against frost and cold. They require 6-8 hours of sunlight per day, and flourish in moist, well-drained soil. Deadhead your flowers regularly to encourage new growth.
Since 2012, the price of residential water in the United States has increased at an average rate of 5.5% per year, outpacing inflation and the costs of goods such as gasoline and food. As a result, monthly bills for residential water use have risen by 43% on average over the past decade.
To put this in context, residents in San Diego should anticipate an 18% increase in water rates over the next two years. This underscores the importance of knowing the actual cost of watering your lawn.
What is a lawn’s average water usage? To ensure that an established lawn thrives, you should water the ground until the top 6 to 8 inches of soil becomes saturated.
Most lawns require 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week from rainfall or irrigation to reach this depth. Covering one square foot of lawn with one inch of water requires approximately 0.623 gallons.
That means every 10×10 area demands over 62 gallons.
Please check with the manufacturer of the turf prior to purchasing a turf cleaner. Many manufacturers suggest an eco-friendly turf cleaner which can then be poured into a fertilizer bottle and attached to a garden hose for proper mixing and distribution throughout the space.
Hercules Pet Odor Neutralizer is an excellent choice for ridding your yard of unwanted ammonia smells.
After soaking the turf and ensuring the cleaner has gone down approximately ½-inch to 1-inch below the sub-base, it is recommended to wait up to 10 minutes and then rinse the entire area down with freshwater only. No cleaner. This is to remove all the soap from the turf blades and thoroughly rinse the sub-base.
If the weather is over 70°, it is recommended not to clean or hose the area down for up to (4) days after cleaning to ensure the sub-base has dried entirely.
Polypropylene Polypropylene is the least expensive material. It has a finer texture, so it is the most realistic looking artificial grass. However, it is also the least durable, least resilient, and least heat-resistant. Under prolonged heat, the blades can become deformed.
Nonetheless, this material is popular for home putting greens because it has a softer roll. And because it is lightweight and flexible as well as affordable, it is also popular with people who want to use artificial turf grass for creative indoor or outdoor projects.
Polyethylene This material produces the most life-like grass. Not surprisingly, it is a popular choice for home owners who want to replace their natural grass lawn with a synthetic turf product without sacrificing aesthetics. Polyethylene is vibrantly green, soft to the touch, yet very resilient. It is especially durable when combined with nylon as a secondary thatch. That makes it a good choice for athletic fields, too.
Artificial grass made from polyethylene is simple to maintain, as it requires only the occasional raking or brushing. This keeps the surface free of debris and “fluffs” the blades, ensuring the blades and infill retain their cushion and bounce.
A home is more than a place to store your stuff and sleep. It’s the center of your life, indoors and outdoors. Artificial grass relieves you of traditional lawn maintenance chores and the associated time and expense. It requires just a little bit of effort, now and then. You’re free to spend all the time you save doing more at-home living, in more enjoyable ways. It’s hard to put a value on that because, truthfully, your time is priceless.
As a side benefit, because your grass always looks its best, you’ll want everyone to see and enjoy it with you. With artificial grass, you can throw parties and informal get-togethers without wasting a bunch of time sprucing up your yard before you can set up, decorate, and fire up the grill. Here in the Bay Area, we all understand the value of more outdoor living.
When you tune into your favorite soccer match and notice that ever-vibrant field, it’s hard not to feel a twinge of jealousy for synthetic grass.
And much like that iconic green we so often admire on TV, low-maintenance landscaping is now becoming the talk of the town in neighborhoods everywhere. Think about it. It’s like the shift from black and white TV to color. Suddenly, everything’s brighter, better, and so much easier. No more borders to trim or lawn space to mow, no more ground cover or shrubs to deal with.
So next time you’re sitting on your porch, sipping on a cold beverage, and you glance at your perfect lawn, remember the synthetic grass secret. You’ve got a yard that’s the envy of the neighborhood, with the luxury of time on your side. No more wrestling with mowers, no more monitoring soil health, no more replacing succulents that didn’t thrive in your climate, or playing guessing games with fertilizers. It’s just you, enjoying the outdoors, on a lawn always ready for the spotlight.
Here are some traditional vinyl fence styles and ideas to get you started!
1. Horizontal Vinyl Fence
A horizontal vinyl fence is made up of horizontal rails that are not spaced. The horizontal rails are held together by vertical posts. This type of fence is great for when you want privacy but you don’t just want a solid vinyl panel between the posts. It adds a little bit more style to your vinyl fence.
2. PVC Vinyl Fence with Lattice Top
A lattice top vinyl fence has a little bit more style than a simple privacy fence. It is constructed of solid vinyl panels between evenly spaced posts, but it has a little something extra. On top of the panels are crisscrossed vinyl strips with a vinyl rail at the very top.
3. Horizontal Angled Slat Vinyl Fence
The horizontal angled slat vinyl fence is a variation on the traditional horizontal vinyl fence. Where the horizontal vinyl fence slats are straight up and down, this fence has slats that are slightly angled – almost like window shutters. This allows a little bit of a view through the fence while still offering privacy.
The upfront cost of artificial turf may cause you to reconsider at first, but as previously mentioned, natural grass demands a lot more attention than synthetic turf in Toronto. By choosing to install artificial turf, you will eliminate the recurring costs of water, fertilizer, and general upkeep, which can add up significantly over time. Even in a high rise, the durability of Fieldmasters’ synthetic grass will better withstand Toronto’s erratic wind and weather patterns saving you from paying to replace your grass year after year.
FAST INSTALLATION
Despite its growing demand, you can get your artificial turf carpet right away. You can install it yourself, but if you’re less handy with tools, you can have a fully functional artificial grass carpet on your balcony in as little as 2-3 days. Fieldmasters offers fast quality installation that lasts, so you can have the revamped balcony space you want sooner than you think!
We believe in versatility at SYNLawn Fresno. Artificial grass can take many forms in your California home. Unconventional uses of synthetic grass can transform a space in ways you never thought possible. Here are some of the benefits of installing our turf in unique places like rooftops or decks.
Be Unique One of the best places to install our artificial grass is on a rooftop or deck. Since our turf doesn’t require any soil or lawn care, you can install it virtually anywhere. By having grass flooring several stories up or where grass doesn’t naturally grow, it allows you to create a unique and inviting space. Your area can have as little or as much greenery as you please. SYNLawn Fresno shapes the turf to match your existing space. Create a full lawn effect or contain the grass to one area with SYNLawn installation!
