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As you finish up your fall chores, you might have thoughts of less outdoor maintenance with hardscaping. You might be eyeing a friend’s outdoor fireplace with envy and thinking about expanding your own living space outside.

Winter is coming, and it is a great time to do your hardscape projects. Whether you want to install a patio, driveway, edging, walkways, walls, fireplaces, fire pits, and other non-living elements in your landscape, don’t wait until the weather gets warmer. While you probably won’t have it done this season, you’ll be thankful to have it ready to enjoy when spring arrives.

5 reasons to do your hardscape projects in winter

Less destruction to your landscape

No matter how thoughtfully planned your hardscape project is, there will be damage to the living elements of your landscape. But as the grass, plants and trees go dormant, they will be less stressed from the construction of your project. You can also take advantage of the bare ground and trees because they offer a great visual of the space you will work in. Look at the space and think about how you can add a beautiful patio or walkway.

More time to enjoy the spring

Not only are you seeing less vegetation as the plants and grasses go dormant, but weeds also go dormant. By installing hardscape projects before spring, you’ll continue to suppress the weeds. Even smaller projects like edging and adding aggregates on your garden beds can be done now to help suppress the weeds. That way you’ll have less time to worry about landscaping chores and more time to enjoy outside when spring comes.

Temperatures are mild

The south has milder temperatures that make working outside more enjoyable. This is the time of year when you can avoid the heat. Not only does this help in your personal safety, but the mild temperatures help in the application of stone hardscape materials. While you should never set mortar in temperatures below 40 degrees, there should be plenty of days during the winter months to work outside. Another advantage with the mild temperatures is that mortar will dry slower and more evenly, resulting in a more durable and longer life span.

There’s less stress

During the winter season, hardscape designers, landscape designers, and construction crews slow down. They are more reliable since they are not as rushed to get to the next project. Less stress for them helps decrease your stress as they focus more on the planning, details, and implementation of your project. They give you their undivided attention and are more likely to discuss ideas, different approaches, material choice, colors, and other details that you might not have thought about.

More cost savings

Since it’s the offseason, landscaping and construction crews are more eager to work. There is less competition, so they can often be hired at a reasonable expense. In addition, materials are in less demand and more likely to have discounts. You could get a sizeable savings compared to installing hardscaping during warmer months. The result is that you could get more for your money. Consider applying the savings to upgrades such as quality stone and additional luxury features.

Another reason to do your hardscape project in fall and early winter is that you won’t be using your yard. We know your summer calendar will be busy so now is the time to add hardscaping without the interruptions later.

For assistance in selecting the materials for your hardscape projects, contact Fieldstone Center at (770) 385-7708. We have a wide selection of quality stone products to choose from.

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If you are looking to add upgrades to your landscape, whether for your own personal wants or to prepare to sell your home, consider hardscaping improvements. To maximize your investment, think of hardscaping as a way to improve your property so that it is more “green” and low maintenance. The key is to blend the living environment with hardscaping elements so that they benefit wildlife and provide healthy outdoor spaces.

4 ways to add hardscaping to your landscape

Walkways

Add a gravel or paved walkway through your garden. This allows you to enjoy the garden with a material that is low-impact. When choosing gravel or natural stone as the material for your walkway, you can avoid the harsh chemicals that are found in asphalt and use a more environmentally-friendly surface compared to concrete. Plus, gravel and natural stone have naturally high permeability rates so water can flow through them instead of as run-off, helping to minimize erosion.

Patios

Get rid of the concrete pad and install a patio with flagstone that is low maintenance and gorgeous. This is a luxury that is hot in today’s marketplace. Flagstone is natural so it works well in blending your outdoor area with the surrounding environment. And if you convert a place where grass is hard to grow for your new patio, you can further maximize your outdoor space with a low-input material that reduces your maintenance. You’ll have more time to relax and less time needing to mow, weed, seed, or otherwise waste your energy maintaining the area.

Retaining Walls

Stone retaining walls are some of the best ways to help conserve water and minimize soil erosion in your landscape. By adding a drywall stone wall to a sloping area, you can better control erosion while using a material that is hard and durable. Plant some low maintenance groundcover behind the wall and you’ll have a feature that can be appreciated for years.

Garden Features

Incorporating in stone water fountains or ponds can help attract wildlife while also filling in areas that minimize your maintenance. Interspersing stone garden features in your landscape can help reduce the need to buy plants and other landscaping products, and they are durable and long-lasting. Consider constructing a pond that is surrounded by various sizes of boulders or riverrock, or design a water fountain with thin stone veneer.

It’s important to blend your hardscaping in with your natural landscape to maximize value in your home. People want to see something that is appealing besides being “green”. Too much greenery can be intimidating to a person who doesn’t want to spend all their time in the garden, while too much “hardscaping” can be overly intimidating to someone who wants to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.

Fieldstone Center, Inc. has stone products for all your landscaping needs. Contact us at 770-385-7708. We can help you decide on the best upgrades to add to your landscape with the right stone for an amazing result!

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Fall is almost here and it is a great time to do some garden projects. If you are finding yourself doing the same type of projects year after year, it might be time for a change. Although your mind might be on the plants in your landscape, you don’t have to limit your vision to the living environment.

Consider blending in hardscape materials to compliment your surroundings. Mixing stone materials into your landscape can provide lasting beauty and decrease your fall gardening chores so you have more time to enjoy. Stone is versatile and with numerous materials to choose from, you can mix and match different materials to create a unique landscape that fits your personal taste.

Here are a few ideas for mixing materials in your garden:

Pair larger rocks with smaller rocks

Smaller rocks such as pea gravel make a great alternative to mulch when spread around plants or trees. Incorporate in a few larger rocks or a boulder here and there for visual appeal. You can even create a dry creek bed between an area of trees by using larger riverrock or boulders.

Make a gravel path around stone garden beds

Garden beds can bring your plants up to your level and add a new dimension to your garden. They can also add a lot of charm when constructed of granite cobblestones or drystack stone. Entice yourself to walk along the beds more frequently with a gravel path that weaves around the area. There are a number of aggregates to choose from that would nicely complement your cobblestone or drystack beds.

Add pebbles to your paved walkway

If you are thinking of installing a paved walkway or patio, add visual appeal with beach pebbles placed in the space between pavers of a fieldstone walkway or as an edge. The pebbles will help to soften the look. Pavers and pebbles can be arranged in an orderly pattern or intersperse the pebbles for a more random design. You can also set pebbles and sand in concrete along the edges and corners of your patio to create a carefree edging design.

Create depth with wide layers of different aggregates

Aggregates are very versatile in their applications and can help to add layers to a landscape. Border a large area of plants and trees with a wide edge of pea gravel lined and a second edge of riverrocks. Or use large stepping stones in a wide gravel walkway to emphasize the size.

Give a reason to linger with a stone focal point

If you have a wide grassy area that looks plain, consider adding in a focal point in the center with a path. A custom limestone fountain or small waterfall made of drystack stones can create an interesting central focal point. Pave a small area with fieldstone around the feature and create a resting area with a few stone benches. Create a courtyard effect by laying a straight pea gravel path that passes around the focal point area and goes from one end of the space to the other end. Add intimacy to the area by surrounding it with a wall, such as one constructed with drystack stone, and gated entrance.

There are so many ways to incorporate stone into your landscape and mixing the different types of stone can add to your landscape’s natural beauty. Choosing the stone can be just as fun as creating the design! Fieldstone Center has a wide selection of stone material to choose from. Call us for more information at (770) 385-7708.

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Stone will stand the test of time. It is durable and long lasting. Its use in landscape design is called hardscaping. And while stone is hard, it also gives a softness to landscape design projects. The trick is to use it so it blends seamlessly with the natural environment. When done well, adding stone into your landscape creates a design you can appreciate for a lifetime.

How do you create a landscape that lasts and is appreciated for years?

Choose the best materials for the purpose.

Paved walkways and patios give permanence to an area but don’t have to be boring. Concrete is boring and also cracks over time. You want function, longevity and attractiveness. Using quality materials that are durable and weather well is important. Stone is one of the most durable, long-lasting materials used in landscape design projects. And it provides a natural beauty that can look attractive in any setting. It also doesn’t fade so it maintains its color. With its versatility, stone can be used for walls, walkways, garden beds, patios, outdoor fireplaces, firepits, seating areas, and more.

Incorporate low maintenance elements.

When you have areas that require little effort to maintain, the landscape maintains itself and shows the way you want it to look for a long duration. Stone resists weather and ultraviolet damage. It requires minimal maintenance. It is hard and if it chips or scratches, it is not easily noticeable. Use natural stone to hardscape areas where plants are hard to grow or in place of lawn so you can reduce your watering and mowing. The result is that you will be incorporating low maintenance elements with the permanent beauty of stone.

Build strong structures.

When you think of landscapes that have endured, you might think about rolling hills divided by stone walls that have lasted generations. They stand the test of time. Stone walls are strong structures that can be built directly into a sloping or terraced landscape, or to form boundaries along a property edge or patio area. And there is a large variety of stone that can be used to build strong structures in a landscape. In addition to stone walls, think about granite cobblestone driveways, bluestone steppers, flagstone seating areas and stone veneer building facades.

Design for lasting impressions.

Blending strength of structures with the living environment is an art when done well. Mix stone with other materials or other stone to create a rustic look in a wooded or casual environment. Use it in solid lines or geometric shapes for a more formal, well manicured landscape. Impress by choosing a material that adds value to the surroundings and matches the style so it seems like it belongs there. Look at the origins of stone. For example, fieldstone is popular in agricultural settings, riverrock along river settings, and ledgestones along more rugged, cliff settings.

When it comes to creating a landscape that stands the test of time, stone is a versatile option. It impresses while continuing to look beautiful and endure the elements season after season.

Fieldstone Center has a wide selection of quality stone for many types of landscape projects. If you would like see our selection or find out more information, contact us at 770.385.7708.

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You can enhance your existing garden with a simple change in color and texture from aggregates. From gravel to pebbles and egg rocks, there is a wide range of colors, sizes and types of stone aggregates available. Their variety provides a number of ways to use them in your landscape. Here are some ideas:

In Place of Mulch

When used in and around garden beds and shrubs, aggregates can aid in moisture retention and provide protection from the hot summer temperatures. Its low maintenance means that it won’t need to be topped off each season like mulch. Our gold or grey pea gravel is visually appealing when used in place of mulch and will add a new dimension to your landscape.

As a Groundcover

It can be used in large areas of your garden such as for covering slopes and placed along the edges of pathways where you might often think of adding groundcover plants. It’s flexible for filling in any size or shaped area and can reduce invasive problems of many groundcovers. We suggest pea gravel, pebbles or egg rock for a decorative layer in your landscape.

For the Surface

Lay it down as the surface for sidewalks, driveways, and other landscape projects. It will help provide natural drainage. It has the durability as a rock material while giving a softer look compared to concrete and pavement. And it’s the perfect transition material when moving away from a home into a larger garden or other area. Crushed slate, granite gravel #57 and pea gravel are great options for surfaces.

As a Replacement for Grass

It does well for areas of the yard where plants don’t grow well or when you want to reduce maintenance with less irrigation. And if you have bare areas where grass is hard to grow, consider covering the area with a decorative display of boulders and smaller aggregates. Since you are dealing with rock, the color won’t change over time. And it’s a cost effective way to cover an area.

In Place of Grout

When laying down pavers, choose smoother aggregates that don’t have sharp edges to fill in the space. Stones are very durable and offer a unique textural contrast with the pavers. Because aggregates come in different sizes and colors, you have options for how much spacing you want to fill between pavers. Our crimson pathway and mixes Mexican beach pebbles are beautiful choices to use between pavers.

As a Rock Border

Aggregates lined along path and garden beds give a finished look to a landscape. They can add a natural look to your garden while keeping plants contained in beds. Planting groundcover behind the aggregate border creates another effect when the groundcover starts to spread over the rocks for a casual look. Also popular is lining rows of different sizes and types of aggregates, such as beach pebbles, for a creative look.

When you use aggregates in your landscape, you are adding functionality along with the natural beauty of stone. Depending on your purpose, be mindful that some aggregates do not compact like others do. Fieldstone Center, Inc. has a wide selection of aggregates and can assist you in selecting the best ones for your landscaping project. Contact us at (770) 385-7708 for more information.

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Here are a few design ideas to landscape with stone:

Create garden beds with granite cobblestones.

The larger cobblestones can make a space appear larger while providing a barrier against weeds, grass, and mud. Stack the cobblestones casually for a rustic look or lay them evenly for a more sculpted look. Change the height of your stone beds to create depth while keeping the consistency of cobblestone for balance.

Lay flagstone for a patio surface or pool area.

Flagstone is a beautiful alternative to a plain, concrete pad. It has an abundant color palate and unlimited pattern options. You can choose from cut or irregular patterns, and use one consistent color or a variety of hues to create the look and feel you want.

Step into your own private space with stone steppers.

Use solid stone steps to create either an elevated or sunken area that gives the appearance of a private space. And if you have a hilly slope, add a stone staircase that leads to a hidden sitting area.

Customize your walkways by adding stone details.

Stone edging or pavers mix well with different materials such as concrete, gravel, or mulch. Consider laying cobblestone or pavers in sections of a sidewalk to break up the concrete and provide visual appeal. Line your walkways for a sculpted look. Or, transition from concrete to stone to emphasize an approach to the door or an area that has a fountain.

Dress up your front entrance with drystack columns or retaining walls.

If you have smaller area, give the appearance of height by stacking drystack stones to form columns. And if you have a large, sloping yard, create a terraced landscape by dividing the levels with drystack retaining walls.

Build a stone fire pit and seating area.

Using pavers, design a round or square fire pit, expand the area by paving the ground, and then frame the area with stone benches. It will be a little extra luxury that makes your backyard space a stylish hangout with friends and family.

Stone is the perfect material to add luxury and rustic elements to your outdoor space. Mix and match stone materials for a dramatic effect or blend materials for visual interest. The combinations depend on the look you want to have and what you feel is right.

Fieldstone Center has a wide selection of stone to choose from. We can help you decide on the right stone to use in your landscape design. Contact us for assistance at 770-385-7708.

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Adding stone into your landscape doesn’t mean you have to create a desert-style landscape or completely replace your grass with hardscaping. Here are a few tips and ideas to create a beautiful, eco-friendly landscape that incorporates stone:

• Limit the space dedicated to natural grass lawns or avoid a conventional lawn completely by adding low maintenance plants mixed with pathways. With less lawn, you reduce the need for watering and thus decrease the amount of stormwater runoff. In addition, plantings help to create wildlife habitats while the pathways provide access to enjoy it.
• Install stone pavers for sidewalks, driveways, and patios as an alternative to asphalt or cement. Flagstone pavers are a low maintenance, natural, and durable option that is both decorative and functional. When using stone in your landscape, you are using a low-impact, low-input material. It is a great environmental alternative to concrete (cement) or asphalt, which has petroleum toxins.
• Add a side path of stepping stones or separate pavers with mulch or plants along a pathway. This adds charm and a rustic look to your space while helping the rainwater to drain naturally back into the ground.
• Add a drywall stone or cobblestone wall to help maintain a slope. The wall will help control erosion and will look lovely with low maintenance plants such as azaleas or daylilies growing along the slope.
• Create a stone edging or border along plant beds. Layering stone along an edge can be visually appeal. It also decreases maintenance because it provides a natural barrier for grasses while helping to control invasive plants.
• Take up space with attractive stone features, such as rock gardens, fountains, benches, and a good sized patio. Stone features help to reduce the surface area that requires watering, decrease your garden’s maintenance requirements, and reduce the need to buy landscaping products. Stone water features or statues interspersed in your garden beds also help to take up space while adding beauty to your garden.

If you would like more tips and ideas about how to create an eco-friendly landscape using stone, contact Fieldstone Center at 770-385-7708. We can help you select the right stone products for a good design in your eco-friendly landscape.

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