Tag: Arizona yards

Winter is the Perfect Time for Outdoor Barbecues

If you lived in the Midwest, the idea of a winter barbecue might cause your eyes to bug out in disbelief, but we Phoenicians know winter is the perfect time for pretty much everything outdoors, and that includes outdoor barbecues! Our mild winter temperatures and still sunny skies (for the most part) have us wanting to spend as much time outdoors as we possibly can, which of course, is the exact opposite of much of the country! When the calendar turns to December, we are officially manning the grill nearly every weekend, and you could be too when you add a built-in barbecue to your Arizona backyard!

Your Arizona Backyard Doesn’t Have to be Fancy

Your choice of grills can range from the tiny hibachi you remember sitting on the balcony of your first apartment to a full outdoor kitchen that comes complete with a prep sink, mini fridge, and in many yards, a brick pizza oven! Chances are, if you are reading this, you’re past the age of hibachi on the patio grilling, however, and are far more interested in something with a little more style and sophistication! If that’s the case, you’ve come to the right place! No one understands the need for creating your own private oasis better than we do, and our experience and skills make New Image Landscape and Pools the perfect people to help you make the right choices for your own Arizona backyard.

There’s a lot of thought that needs to go into your backyard rehab, and we ask all the right questions. How big is the space? How fancy do you want it to be? Do you prefer charcoal, pellet, or gas? Propane and electric grills are easier for novice chefs to control, but the diehard barbecue specialists will tell you that’s it not a barbecue without those little charcoal briquets flavoring your meat, and vegetables and a smoker had better be included! If you want to carry it a step further, lump charcoal, which is merely burnt down wood, offers an even more fragrant flavor to your food. The appeal to the new pellet grills that have become so popular today, aside from ease of use, is the flavoring the pellets can add to your meats.

The Decision is Yours

There’s a lot to consider when you start thinking about planning that first outdoor winter barbecue in your Arizona backyard, but fortunately you have some time to prepare! Give us a call today and let’s work together on the completion of your dream backyard!

3 Tips for a Luscious Winter Landscape

As winter grows near, living in Arizona means we don’t have to settle for a barren and desolate landscape; this is the time when our yards can bloom with the most beautiful of flowers! Winter rye grass keeps our lawns greener than our summer lawns, and warm-ish temperatures bring out the best in the flowers we plant. This guide to your Arizona winter landscape offers three special tips to ensure your home will be the talk of the neighborhood—in the best way possible!

Starting with the Winter Rye

Desert landscapes are popular in the Phoenix area, but during the winter, the deep and emerald green of winter rye can be seen in private yards and business landscaping all over the valley, and if a thick lawn is your dream, we can help make this particular dream come true! When the ambient temperature falls below 65 degrees at night, it’s time to start planting, and the steps are easy. Scalp your lawn, spread the seed, and top it with fertilizer. Water your lawn at least five times a day during the first two weeks, and watch the blades emerge one by one. In about 2 more weeks, your lawn will be a blanket of green!

Add Some Color to Your Arizona Winter Landscape

Warmer temperatures allow for flowers that bloom in a colorful cacophony of beauty. Including flowering plants such as geraniums, petunias, pansies, and snapdragons will ensure a fragrant and breathtaking sight. Grow them from seed or transplants, or simply purchase a colorful basket of them from your local home improvement store and place them strategically around your yard. Their cheerful colors will never fail to bring a smile to your face throughout the season! Planting winter vegetables will add some additional color to your landscape and to your winter table; stake out a section of your lawn for raised planter boxes and plant artichokes, carrots, cabbage, and broccoli during the winter season.

Touch up your Hardscape

Winter’s milder weather makes this season the perfect time to paint, and your wooden Adirondack chairs and garden gazebo have been looking a little less than fresh; pick your favorite colors and get to work. Even that garden bench you placed near the fountain in your back Arizona winter landscape could stand for a little touch-up with stain or paint.

Step Back and Take a Look

 The beauty and tranquility of your lush landscaping is sure to touch your soul as it becomes the place you never want to leave. Give us a call today and let us help give you the winter yard of your dreams!

How to Maximize Space in a Small Backyard

If you have spent any time at all in Arizona, one of the first things you may have noticed, aside from the heat, is the size of the backyards in many neighborhoods. Land is valuable and developers seem to feel that bigger homes can fit on a smaller lot, and if you can shake hands with your neighbor just by sticking your arm out the side window, well, at least your bathroom is large enough for an entire family to live in! While not all Arizona yards are that tiny, if yours is one of the smaller ones, there’s no need to give up the hope of creating an oasis back there; just follow this guide to maximizing the space on your small piece of land!

Utilize Container Gardens

Gardening can be a beautiful way of reducing stress and helping families eat healthier, but a small yard will limit the amount of gardening you can do. Using planters and other containers, however, can make the space look beautiful and allow you to participate in your favorite hobby. Try making a salsa container garden and grow cilantro, jalapeños, tomatillos, and tomatoes in various pots and your family will love you forever!

Scale is Important

If your yard is small, furnishing the patio with a table for 12 or a full-sized outdoor sofa may not be the best way of utilizing the available space. Outdoor love seats and smaller patio tables offer a homey touch to the area without taking up valuable acreage!

Install a Hot Tub

Although you may get more use from a pool, if you move into a neighborhood with a community pool, installing a hot tub in your backyard saves space and can be a convenient way to keep muscles loose throughout the year. Inviting in ways a pool won’t be in the cooler months of winter, a hot tub offers romance and practicality in small spaces.

Divide the Yard into Zones

Creating different zones—one for dining, one for relaxing, one for gardening, and one for cooking—gives homeowners a structure for creating the environment of their dreams. Keep each spot tight and uncluttered and use lighting, outdoor rugs, and furnishings to define each area. Use the same materials throughout the space to make each zone seem larger.

Call New Image Landscape and Pools

The easiest way to maximize the potential of your small Arizona yard is by bringing in the experts. Give us a call today and let’s discuss what you can do to create an oasis of serenity and tranquility in your small space!