Tag: mesa landscaping

5 Tips to Get Your Pool Ready for a 4th of July Party

As the 4th of July is right around the corner, it is time to start thinking about how you will celebrate this year’s festivities. Surely, in the past, you have taken part in celebrations that did not quite pan out the way you had envisioned. Well, that is a thing of the past when you host the festivities yourself by the pool in your backyard. But the surest way to put a damper on the celebration is by having a pool that is not ready to host people. If your pool isn’t quite ready for the spotlight, here are a few ways you can give your pool that extra pizazz that you have been looking for.

Add Simple Additional Features

I know what you are thinking: “I do not have the time or the money to make any fancy renovations before July 4th!” But that’s not true at all. There are plenty of ways to create a whole new ambiance without breaking the bank or wasting time. A fountain is the perfect way to add a great aesthetic and energy in the pool. Rock and water features surrounding the pool also go a long way in creating a relaxing and fun environment.

Keep the Pool Clean

As it is the summer in the valley, we all know that pool maintenance becomes a bit more involved. Hot temperatures and increased sunlight create an environment where algae and debris will thrive if not kept in check. You need to ensure that you are consistently removing debris from the pool and semi-consistently scrubbing the sides. Running the pool pump consistently and maintaining healthy chlorine levels are also important.

A Built-In Grill?

Nothing says 4th of July like a beautiful poolside grill, especially when it flows seamlessly with your pool and landscape. Your party will surely be the talk of your friend with this new addition.

Add Some Cool Lighting!

Adding some stylish lighting is a simple addition to a pool that can go a long way. This is especially important if you foresee the party continuing into the night for the fireworks!

Resurface the Pool Before Your 4th of July Party

This is a very simple change that almost makes it seem as if you have an entirely new pool. There are countless varieties of pool surfaces, so there is something perfect for every landscape.

There are countless ways to ensure a great 4th of July pool party. Since the party will revolve around the pool, improving that aspect of your landscape is the surest way to celebrate properly!

Reasons to Get a Desert Landscape Instead of Grass

When most people think of landscaping, they think of green trees, bushes, shrubs, and grass most of all. But there are those who live in areas where rainfall is sparse and the weather is hot, making it a lot harder to grow greenery. Certain environments are best suited to a desert landscape, but those who dwell in these less lush areas shouldn’t feel cheated. Desert landscaping can be very appealing when done well. Here are 5 ways a desert landscape can be just as good as a green one, and in many regards, even better!

Vibrant Color Options

Instead of the typical green and blue shades that are typical with many landscaping projects and yards, bright reds and oranges add bold bursts of color to a desert landscape. The beauty of desert colors is unique and breathtaking in its own way. Colors of the sunset are included in desert flowers, various desert plants, and in shades of desert rocks.

Less Water

There are some definite financial benefits to choosing a desert landscape. Trying to maintain a luscious lawn in a less than suitable environment can be very expensive. Water is expensive when used in large quantities, so using plants that require less of it can save lots of money over time.

Less Maintenance

Just as less water is required when creating a desert landscape, less required maintenance is also a money and time saver. Landscapes made up of rocks, palm trees, and shrubs are much easier and less expensive to keep up than hiring someone to cut acres of grass each week.

Promoting a Unique Look

Green lawns are a dime a dozen, but landscaping with a textured, unique desert design that’s made up of indigenous trees and plants can be quite attractive. There’s a huge array of interesting desert plants, flowers, and trees that can create a look that’s distinct and appealing.

Less Stress

With a desert landscape, there is added stress of worrying about whether or not all your plants will thrive and grow or if your lawn is as green as the neighbor’s. Rocks, palm trees, desert flowers, cacti, and desert shrubs are by and large pretty self-sufficient elements to a desert landscape.

If you’re interested in creating your own beautiful desert landscape and want some ideas on how to do so, contact us at New Image Landscape and Pools to learn more.

All About Energy Efficient Landscaping

Your front yard and backyard should be beautiful, but they should also work for you. Believe it or not, the right landscapes can save you money. As the Phoenix experts on landscaping, let us give you a few tips on how to best set up your yard to cut your energy bills.

Keep It Cool

Since the biggest contributor to your energy bill is most likely your air conditioning, especially in the blistering heat of the Southwest, we’re going to focus on how to keep your yard cool to lower your home’s energy consumption.

What’s on the Ground?

Let’s start at the bottom; what is on the ground in your yard? The material you use as your groundcover can impact how hot your yard gets. Avoid concrete and especially asphalt as much as possible. These materials keep in heat supremely well, and continue to let it off after the sun goes down. When selecting gravel, try to keep something fairly neutral-colored in mind; something too reflective will bounce a bunch of heat back at your house (plus be hard to look at on clear days, which we have plenty of), while something too dark could have the same heat-absorption problems posed by asphalt.

One of the best ways to keep the yard cool would be with grass or water features. These, however, pose a trade-off compared to rock groundcovers. Lawns do not absorb or retain heat as much as their rocky counterparts, but they do require considerable amounts of water, as would ponds. They are an excellent choice, but keep in mind this is essentially giving up water efficiency for the sake of energy efficiency—not a bad trade-off, but not the most economical.

Shade

The other primary consideration when landscaping is shade. The best place for tall trees or ramadas/overhangs is close to the house, particularly around light-loving windows. Your home appreciates protection from the heat just as much as you do! If practical, focus especially on giving shade to the west part of the building, as that’s where the sun hits during the hottest part of the day.

If you want to be really thorough, you could also consider plantings, berms, and walls a short distance from the house. These essentially act as insulators, keeping the house cool when it’s air-conditioned and helping it retain heat in the winter

Why Choose Us?

Landscaping is hard labor that requires vision and experience. With something that will last as long as your yard, make sure you get the right people for the job. New Image Landscape and Pools will get your job done for a fair market price and leave you happy with both the process and results. If you have our doubts, just check our testimonials page! Call us up at 480-654-4422 and set up an appointment for a free quote, or just get our advice. We’ll help you beautify your space and save money!