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Create a low-cost garden
I am often asked: “How do we save costs on our landscaping?” A smart way of approaching this is by thinking about reducing long-term expenses, even if this means that the initial costs of your garden might be higher. A good approach to designing a low-maintenance, low-cost garden is a combination of hardscape and softscape. The garden can be 70 per cent hardscape (water features and paving, for example) and 30 per cent softscape (plants and trees). Flamed granite, which is sturdy and not very porous, can be used for tiling and will last for years; slate and porcelain are also good options. Keep trees and plants to a minimum. If you want a lawn, consider artificial turf – some varieties look natural and help save on water. Install an automatic or subsurface irrigation system, which is eco-friendly because it returns water to the soil. Don’t forget to add a barbecue grill, comfortable seating, and spike or pole lights. Remember: LED lights might cost more initially but consume less electricity. Make your garden an extension of the home – which the whole family can enjoy.
* Sejal Nagjee, founder of
Milestone Gardens & Interiors,
www.landscapingdubai.com
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Utilising feature lighting in the garden
By Sejal Nagjee
CEO, Milestone Landscaping and Interiors
1) Choose the correct light for each element in your garden, e.g. spotlights for plants/trees, underwater lights for water features and so on.
2) Save power, energy and money by installing solar and LED lights, which use lower power, instead of halogen lights.
3) When buying lights, think lumen not watts. Lumen tells how bright a lighting fixture is. The brightness you need may vary according to where you install it.
4) Pick the right voltage for the area where you need the lights, e.g. lights lower than 12V are safe for water features, or plants and trees near water.
5) Distance matters. Maintain a 2.5 to 3-metre distance when lighting plants. Pathways can be lit every 2 to 3 metres.Spotlights need to be at least 50 centimetres away.
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How to keep water features in tip-top shape
By Sejal Nagjee
CEO, Milestone Landscaping and Interiors
1) When building a water feature (pond, fountain, waterfall, pool), make sure you have a drainage system in place to make cleaning much easier.
2) Ideally, you should clean the water feature every 10 days to avoid algae from forming. Cleaning means replacing the water, removing leaves or reverse osmosis.
3) For pools, ensure to check its pH and chlorine levels to kill diseasecausing elements and maintain cleanliness.
4) Install the correct mechanical system for your water feature. Use filters, pumps and chlorine-dosing units if necessary.
5) Fountains and waterfalls add character to any outdoor space; thus, it is best to keep them running all the time. Not doing so can leave the area dirty, which can clog the pumps.
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Choosing the right layout for your garden
By Sejal Nagjee
CEO, Milestone Landscaping and Interiors
1) Different communities in the UAE have different styles of villas. When doing the landscaping, ensure that the design matches the architecture of the villa.
2) Create an easy path to walk around the villa. Refrain from making narrow pathways. Connect spaces to create a harmonious flow.
3) Be certain of useful areas. How would you like to use your space? How do you party? How many people attend those parties? Answering all these allows you to create spaces with apt dimensions.
4) Leave the right width for planting. Due to boundary footings, plant your trees 1 metre away from boundary walls. Tall shrubs and small shrubs can be planted closer.
5) The entertainment area needs to connect to your home so create easy access. For example, put your barbecue closer to the kitchen.
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Renovating bathrooms cost effectively
By Sejal Nagjee
CEO, Milestone Landscaping and Interiors
1) Use the same inlet, drain, floor traps, shower mixer inlets and water closet sewerage pipes in the same location to avoid core drilling and moving of plumbing pipelines.
2) Ensure waterproofing is done on the floor and walls, and in the shower and sink areas. You may not include walls with no plumbing.
3) Most think marble, granite and backlit onyx make a bathroom look high-end. Try porcelain and ceramic in matte finish. The right combination is more glamorous than marble.
4) Play around with your budget when picking fixtures. You may use expensive brands for the water closet, shower and sink, but choose mid-range brands for accessories.
5) You do not need to fully tile the walls. Use paint on spaces that do not come in touch with water. This allows you to hang nice paintings.
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The weather is already starting to get hotter but I’m not ready to abandon my garden yet! Are there any ways I can “extend the season” and stay outdoors a few weeks longer? Edna, 29
If you do not have a shade structure like a pergola or gazebo that can have fans, build one. Having a fan can make a big difference and shade structures will reduce the heat (keeping in mind that your shade structure should be completely water-proof and sun-proof). Consider installing a moveable misting fan or even a misting line to cool off your seating area (though the former would require an inlet for water). And if you have a pool, set the pump to maintain a temperature of 28˚ to 30˚C.
I’ve recently discovered that slugs are eating my flowers. How can I get rid of these nasty little pests? Amal, 45
Surprisingly, you don’t necessarily need to visit a garden centre for a solution. Try these chemical-free tricks: Every night for two weeks, fill jar lids with beer and place them at the base of affected plants. Slugs are attracted to the smell, and once they drink it they will die. Just be sure to empty the lids of both the beer and the slugs every morning! Budweiser has been found to be the most effective beer brand to use, but Kingsbury Malt Beverage, a non-alcoholic brew, also has great results. You can also go the direct route and simply pour salt on them; it will dehydrate and kill them quickly.
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Vertical gardens are taking root in locations across the world.
In fact, this eco-friendly and versatile concept is reaching new heights as we literally look up for new gardening opportunities.
Green wall gardens are a system of panels that hold plants onto a fixed or freestanding wall.
Also called living walls or green walls, these eco-friendly gardens create a lush, beautiful work of art that’s great for the environment and your landscape design.
The History of Vertical Gardens
In recent years, green walls have become more popular.
However, living walls are not new. In fact, they trace their history back to the hanging gardens of Babylon.
The modern history of living walls is not well-documented. However, the record shows that in 1938 Professor Stanley Hart White, at the University of Illinois, patented the modern vertical garden.
Additionally, Patrick Blanc worked with architect Adrien Fainsilber and engineer Peter Rice to introduce the first vertical garden in 1986 in Paris.
Interior and Exterior Vertical Gardens
Vertical gardens provide the perfect alternative to add a beautiful green garden to your landscape.
In fact, they even work when you are short on space. The initial appeal to green walls focused on urban gardening (as traditional garden space in these areas is cramped).
However, in recent years the appeal of vertical gardens is drawing interest from gardeners outside urban areas.
In addition to adding stunning visual appeal to your space, other benefits of living walls include:
- Lowering the temperature of buildings.
- Increased air filtration and air quality.
- Protecting building materials such as concrete and brick from extreme temperatures.
- Noise reduction.
- Adding color and a unique decorative accent to your space.
- Creating a lovely garden in harsh, dry or very hot climates.
- Creating a garden in an area lacking the space for a traditional garden.
Versatile Vertical Gardens
Vertical gardens can be used indoors for homes and businesses.
Additionally, green walls add color and a distinct element to lobbies, conference rooms, hallways and reception areas. They also add a lovely living accent to your home.
Interior vertical gardens provide all of the benefits of adding plants to buildings.
In fact, according to a scientific study conducted by Dr Chris Knight, of Exeter University, employees are 15% more productive when their work environments include plant life.
Not only do green walls look fantastic, but vertical gardens can help improve creativity, reduce absenteeism and other workplace concerns.
Can Vertical Gardens Feature Custom Designs?
Depending on the amount of space you’re working with, there are several options to choose from.
You can build vertical gardens indoors or outside. They can be freestanding or attached to an existing wall.
Best of all, they come in a wide range of sizes. Green walls can be made to meet the requirements of your floor plan and square footage.
At Milestone, our landscape design team can design, plan, and build a vertical garden to enhance your exterior landscape or your interior decor.
Regardless of the amount of space you are working with, vertical gardens offer a great alternative to add a unique lush accent to your space.
Contact the experts at Milestone for your free design consultation. We look forward to bringing your vision to life.
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If your current landscape design could speak, what would it say?
Perhaps it would ask for more greenery?
Maybe it would ask for a dedicated pergola to host your family and friends? Or perhaps it would ask for a living area for you to relax while your children laugh in their new play area?
Whether you have a backyard you want to redesign or you need help with your landscape design from the ground up, the experts at Milestone are ready to help.
Here are a few tips to get you started on the path to inspiration for your upcoming landscape design project.
Dress Up Your Deck
Make your deck a destination for entertaining by creating different zones within the space.
Depending on the layout of your yard, you can create multiple levels to carve out areas dedicated to dining, relaxing, and even cooking.
Moreover, this space will serve as an extension of your interior design.
Your outdoor retreat will feel more like an oasis if you create a sense of privacy and enclosure.
Garden walls and fences ensure privacy for patios. However, if you are working with less space, you can also use lattice. Additionally, you can also use landscaping to define your outdoor space and create a sense of seclusion.
At Milestone, we’ve designed and created a wide range of outdoor areas for entertaining.
Our exterior spaces are perfect for creating memories with family and friends. What’s more, outdoor kitchens and dining areas to living areas and poolside seating, we’ve done it all.
Our design team will plan, design, and produce a landscape design to exceed all of your expectations.
Incorporate a Pergola or Gazebo
Adding a pergola or gazebo to your landscape design can work to create a central focal point to your backyard. Not to mention, they provide a separate backyard space.
A pergola differs from a gazebo by its roofing style.
A gazebo is like a hut, with a tapered roof and a pergola has a flat roof. They both provide shade and relief from the heat, and a stylish, functional space to entertain your family and friends for years to come.
You simply can’t go wrong with a pergola or gazebo covered with luxurious vines and a wealth of potted and planted plants.
This elegant addition will work to bring the surrounding garden landscape up onto the deck, blending your outdoor structure into the surrounding landscape design.
Don’t Forget to Add Décor
Fountains, water features, fireplaces, and outdoor décor enhance the beauty of your landscape design while helping to create distinct areas.
Fountains and water features add the soothing sound of trickling water to your landscape design. Furthermore, they also serve as a unique focal point for your space.
Fireplaces and firewalls produce a natural focal point. They define your space, and can provide privacy for an outdoor room. Not to mention, fireplaces are also a great starting point for an outdoor kitchen!
Finally, be sure to accessorize your landscape with garden statuary, weatherproof art, and pillows covered in vibrant weatherproof fabrics.
Together with other outside decor, these additional decorative touches are sure to enhance your landscape design.
Milestone Landscape Design
At Milestone, our landscape design team is prepared to handle all of the details of your landscape design project.
From concept consultation, planning and procuring all the necessary permits to contracting and construction, our team has you covered from start to finish.
Our skilled team members can enhance your existing landscape design or start from scratch to create exactly what you desire for your outdoor space.
Our skilled team members can enhance your existing landscape design or start from scratch to create exactly what you desire for your outdoor space.
Above all else, our team will work with you to fully understand what you wish to achieve and we’ll help you turn that dream into a reality.
Contact our team to schedule your free landscape design consultation. We look forward to working with you!