For the past two years, Vision Landscaping has taken care of our yard. We could not be more pleased with the dependable staff. Andrew is always making recommendations and suggestions for improving our landscape. This is so important to us because we believe the yard is an extension of our home. If you want someone that has the knowledge and is dependable call Vision Landscaping...you will not be disappointed!
- Bob & Lisa Slocum
My business, Athens Professional Septic & Drain Service, has used Vision Landscaping to repair sprinkler systems and to re-grade customers’ landscaping. Andrew has been prompt and competent and works well with our customers.He quickly locates and repairs the problem with the sprinkler systems so no damage is done to the lawn. I have referred him to customers and friends for residential design, and they have all been very pleased with his ideas and service.
Water conservation is important to preserve our fresh water supply. There are many outdoor water-saving tips that can be used to help save on tap water use. One way is to use rain barrels or catchers to collect and store rainwater from rooftops for lawn and garden use. Rain barrels can also conserve water, help reduce water bills, and reduce pollution by reducing stormwater runoff. The water collected in the rain barrel would normally flow off the roof or through roof gutters and downspouts becoming stormwater runoff. Depending on the house location, this runoff can travel onto paved surfaces and eventually into a storm drain.
Rain barrels can be used to save water for plants during dry periods. They can also be arranged to slowly release the collected rain fall to areas that can soak up the water, reducing stormwater runoff and increasing groundwater recharge. The good news is that rain barrels are inexpensive, easy to install and easy to operate and maintain. Ready-made rain barrels can be purchased from local suppliers or on-line.
To KeepGarden Produce Safe, How Should I Use the Water Collected in the Rain Barrel?
As the water collected in the rain barrel is coming off a roof, into gutters and down downspouts, it is not considered to be “drinkable” or potable water. Remember, birds and animals are also on the roof. So, water from the roof can contain bacteria and other disease-causing organisms from bird and other animal waste that might be on the roof. How you use this water in your garden and the type of plants you use it on is an important consideration. Rain barrel water is fine if used to water non- edible plants – like flowers or lawns.
But Can I Use the Water In My VegetableGarden?
Yes, but only in the same way that other nonpotable water is used. Avoid using overhead irrigation.It is best to use this water for drip or trickle irrigation This prevents contamination of edible above the ground plant parts that are hard to clean, especially leafy greens. However, the vegetable is not safe to eat unless it is thoroughly washed using “drinkable” water first. Rain barrel water should not be used close to harvest time to water the vegetable garden and should NEVER be used to wash fruits or vegetables from the garden or orchard prior to consumption. (URI.edu)
For those living in the Athens, GA area the State Botanical Garden of Georgia provides a great landscape resource for the community. With many different types of gardens, trails, and plant communities a visitor can spend a lot time immersed in nature. If learning is what you are looking for, the Botanical Gardens provide tons of educational opportunities for adults, kids, schools, camps and other organizations.
One of my favorite aspects of the Bot Gardens is its Heritage Garden which "contains plants of historic and socioeconomic interest to Georgia. Included in this garden are ornamentals such as heirloom annuals and perennials and antique roses; fruit crops such as apples, pears, and peaches; row crops such as cotton, tobacco, and peanuts; and a selection of plants native to Georgia."
Preserving historic landscape vegetation, and telling its story is an important part of any region's heritage...Thanks Bot Gardens!
One of the most revered and talented Landscape Architects was a man named Fredrick Law Olmstead (April 26, 1822 – August 28, 1903). Considered the 'father' of Landscape Architecture, Olmstead is credited with the design behind Central Park and Prospect Park in New York City. His design firm developed dozens of famous parks throughout the US and world.
The most notable in our area of Georgia is Olmsted Linear Park in Druid Hills, Ponce de Leon Ave. It is made of 50 acres of six distinct parks, strung along Ponce de Leon Avenue like a necklace. The parks were designed in the late 19th Century. Each of the six parks has its own name: Deepdene, Dellwood, Shadyside, Springdale, Virgilee and Oak Grove (formerly Brightwood).
The drive down Ponce through these historic parks makes for a beautiful Sunday afternoon.
Oh Deer! Don't Eat The Daylilies!
As every homeowner knows, deer can be a major landscape menace. Unfortunately, few plants are fully deer-proof, although there are several plant varieties that deer will generally leave alone. But in certain situations, such as drought or hard winters, deer may eat things they would otherwise leave alone - as hungry deer tend to eat anything that lies in their path. However, there are landscaping strategies, repellants and deer resistant plants (generally deer resistant anyway) that homeowners can incorporate to lessen the chances that deer will decide your yard is their own fine dining establishment.
See the list below released by the UGA Cooperative Extension:
Plants Deer Love to Eat (Avoid planting these unless you protect them.)
Aucuba
Hibiscus
Asiatic Lilies
Hosta
Candytuft (Iberis)
Hydrangea
Camellia
Indian Hawthorn
Crabapple
Pansies
Crocus
Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan)
Daylilies (prefer flowers)
Roses
English Ivy
Sedum 'Autumn Joy'
Fatsia
Tulips
Grape Hyacinths
Violas
Plants Known to Have a High Degree of Deer Tolerance
Trees:
Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)
Most Hollies (except those above)
Cherry Laurel (Prunus caroliniana)
Palms (Windmill&Needle palms are hardy in N.Ga.)
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
Pines (Pinus spp.)
Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara)
Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
False Cypress (Chamaecyparis spp.)
River Birch (Betula nigra)
Fir (Abies spp.)
Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Spruce (Picea spp.)
Gordonia (Gordonia lisianthus)
Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis x leylandii)
Shrubs:
Anise (Illicium spp.)
Holly (many species, including Dwarf Yaupon, Japanese Holly, Rotunda, Schellings Dwarf and Inkberry [Ilex glabra])
