ELY 021-Don’t Get Busted! HOAs and Municipal Zoning Regulations

2020-07-29T17:28:38-04:00By Ben Hale|DIY Landscape Design, Easy Living Yards Podcast, Low Maintenance Landscaping|

Show Notes

Today, we talk about how to live in an HOA or municipal zoning area with regulations… without getting busted!

We want to be able to enjoy our low maintenance landscaping without having to work on it all of the time. Here’s how you can have an easy landscape and enjoy it too!

HOA
- Homeowners association
- Regulate appearance and design of properties
Municipal codes
- Codes written to regulate property design
- Setback requirements, easements
How to […]

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How to have a Low Maintenance Landscape

2020-04-29T17:29:41-04:00By Ben Hale|DIY Landscape Design, DIY landscaping, Low Maintenance Landscaping|

How to have a Low Maintenance Landscape

When it comes to front yard landscaping ideas, low maintenance landscaping can help you save time and enjoy more time with your family.

Here are the best ways to have a low maintenance landscape.

Heavy mulch
Organic fertilizer
Low maintenance plants
Garden edging
Plant tightly

1. Best ways to get rid of weeds with mulch

Mulch is an awesome natural weed killer if you use it right. Here’s what to do:

Get the best mulch you can. […]

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AE 018 – How to save time mowing your lawn

2020-07-29T17:28:05-04:00By Ben Hale|DIY Landscape Design, Easy Living Yards Podcast, Low Maintenance Landscaping|

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Show Notes

Today, we talk about how to save time mowing the lawn. From how often should you mow your lawn to how to save time mowing.

Mowing time saving hacks

Mowing – #1 time drain for maintenance
- Inflexible
- Takes away from what’s important
- Weather dependent
- #1 issue with neighbors
Main piece to “keep up with the joneses”
First – How to save 27hrs on yard work
- Really get ninja time savings through habit changes
Three […]

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AE 016-When to hire a Landscape Designer

2020-07-29T17:28:44-04:00By Ben Hale|DIY Landscape Design, Easy Living Yards Podcast, Low Maintenance Landscaping|

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Show Notes

Today, we discuss when it is a good time to hire a landscape designer for your yard and garden, and when a project is manageable to do it yourself. Whether you are considering changes to lawn or garden, this episode is worth considering if you have a busy lifestyle and your time is valuable.

When to hire a designer

I come from DIY background
DIY – good for small projects, maintenance
- Takes time
- Can […]

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AE 013-Healthy Low Maintenance Lawn Care

2021-07-17T22:28:18-04:00By Ben Hale|DIY Landscape Design, Easy Living Yards Podcast, Organic Landscaping|

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Show Notes

In this episode, we talk about how to have a healthy lawn and a low maintenance lawn. Is it possible to have a low maintenance lawn that your neighbors envy?

Topics:

Grass: Love/hate relationship
- Aesthetics
- Work
Maintenance
- Mowing/growth
- Feeding
- General grass health
- Weeds
Health
- Chemical residues/exposure
- Exhaust
  - Epa:
    - 17 million gallons of gas
    - 5% US air pollution
    - 600 million gallons used
  - Health
    - Highest heat time
    - High respiration
    - Inhalation
Easy steps to take control of lawn […]

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AE 010-How to start a new garden bed

2020-07-29T17:27:58-04:00By Ben Hale|DIY Landscape Design, Easy Living Yards Podcast, Landscaping Priorities|

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Show Notes

In this episode, we talk about how to start a garden bed project. What you need to do before planting!

Topics:

Overview
- Site selection
- Planning
- Preparation
- Planting
Site selection
- Usually determined by architecture
- If multiple spaces possible
  - Consider environmental features
  - Functional features
    - Access
    - Appeal
    - Value – make it worth it
Planning
- layout
  - Ep 5 – design principles
- plants
  - Ep 6 – planning checklist
  - Coverage
  - layers
- Timing
  - Best times for each phase
- Budget
  - All at […]

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AE 009-The right plants for your yard

2020-07-29T17:27:57-04:00By Ben Hale|DIY Landscape Design, Easy Living Yards Podcast, Low Maintenance Plants|

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Show Notes

In this episode, we discuss how to find the right plants for your space. Are you overwhelmed with what to plant in your yard? Does the nursery always seem to let you down?

Topics:

Reason
- Right plant = less work
  - Happier
  - Fewer problems
  - Better growth
  - Better foliage & blooms
Know your conditions
- USDA zone
- Existing soil conditions
  - soil test
    - extension office
  - texture
    - clay, loam, silt, sand
  - structure
    - aggregates
  - Fertility
  - pH
  - compaction
  - depth
- Water
  - Frequency

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Eco Landscaping-How to start a garden-AE 006

2020-07-29T17:27:55-04:00By Ben Hale|DIY Landscape Design, DIY landscaping, Easy Landscaping Ideas, Easy Living Yards Podcast, Ecological Landscaping, Low Maintenance Landscaping|

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Show Notes

In this episode we talk about what you need to do before starting a project. How to plan yard projects properly so you work less later!

Topics:

Design Principles

Think big picture
How project fits into greater landscape
Better to plan first than to plant first
- Easier to correct planning mistakes
- Difficult to correct planting
Planning tips
- Find right time of year for planting
- Plan for growth
  - Spreading habit
    - Seeding
    - Runners
  - Root growth
    - Utilities

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AE 005-Design Basics for an attractive yard

2020-07-29T17:27:51-04:00By Ben Hale|DIY Landscape Design, Easy Living Yards Podcast|

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Show Notes

In this episode, we talk the basics of attractive design. Use these design basics to increase your curb appeal and make your yard pop!

Topics:

Visual Aesthetics
- Ensures pleasant experience
- Desirable place
- Sense of place, being
Unity – cohesive design plan – not random use of elements
- Symmetry, asymmetry, form repetition
- Balance
- Plant unity across site
- Geometry
- Hardscape elements
Form – implementation of a theme
- Repetition of a theme

Less important, but fun:

Individuality – […]

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AE 004-Time Saving Hacks for your Yard

2020-07-29T17:28:19-04:00By Ben Hale|DIY Landscape Design, Easy Living Yards Podcast|

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Show Notes

Today, we discuss how to save time in your yard with tactics and practices.

Topics:

Design and Establishment
- Right Plants
- “Low Maintenance” Plants
- Proper planting
- Plan for future
  - Growth – roots, branches
- Plant gardens that only need work twice a year
  - com/2xgarden
  - Good fertility
  - Dense planting
  - Low maintenance plants
    - Wide range of conditions
  - Consider clover
    - Natural fertilizer
  - Plant a naturalized space – less work, rugged beauty
Maintenance
- Increase time between maintenance routine
  - If weekly, […]

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